cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of A2E with Model Membranes. Implications to the Pathogenesis of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Deposition of a fluorophoric material, known as lipofuscin, in retinal pigment epithelium cells has been speculated to be one of the biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration. One of the fluorophores of lipofuscin has been characterized as A2E, a pyridinium bisretinoid. Its cationic nature along with two hydrophobic retinal chains suggests that it can disrupt the membrane integrity by its detergent-like activity and can thus cause cellular damage. With this notion, we studied in detail the interaction between A2E and the model membranes of different lipid compositions using fluorescence steady-state and fluorescence anisotropy measurements. A transition from vesicular to micellar structure occurred upon incorporation of A2E into the lipid bilayer. However, the A2E concentration at which this transition occurred depends on the lipid composition. A lipid mixture containing 10% phosphatidylserine (PS) (close to disc membrane PS content) behaved similarly to a lipid mixture having no PS. In contrast, vesicles containing 20% PS showed significantly different behavior. Membrane solubilization by A2E was also confirmed by vesicle leakage experiments. A2E also showed significant activity in liposome-mediated gene transfection. A lipid formulation containing 40% A2E and a helper lipid showed plasmid DNA transfection efficiency comparable to commercially available transfection reagents with no evidence of cytotoxicity. These results contribute to understanding the mechanism underlying the A2E-induced cellular dysfunction.
Knee ankylosis or stiffness after a total knee arthroplasty: treatment and long-term outcome

Abstract This study reviewed 42 total knee arthroplasties in 38 patients who had a range of motion of less than 50° 2–4 weeks postoperatively. The duration of follow-up ranged from 2.3 to 19 years after the operation. All patients underwent initial treatment with physical therapy or manipulation under anaesthesia, and range of motion increased from a mean of 43° to 51° (P
Comparison of low-mechanical index pulse sequence schemes for detecting myocardial perfusion abnormalities during vasodilator stress echocardiography

Myocardial contrast echocardiography has the potential to accurately detect functionally significant coronary artery disease during pharmacologic stress testing. Different low-mechanical index modalities, including triggering replenishment imaging (TRI) and real-time imaging (RTI), are currently used to identify myocardial perfusion defects. We compared the ability of TRI with that of RTI for detecting and localizing perfusion abnormalities. Thirty-six patients (62 ± 14 years old, 15 men) underwent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m sestamibi and myocardial contrast echocardiography at baseline and after infusion of 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole. Sixteen of these patients also underwent quantitative angiography. Contrast-enhanced images were obtained in 4-, 3-, and 2-chamber views after intravenous bolus injections of lipid-encapsulated microbubbles (0.1 ml of Definity). A myocardial perfusion defect was defined by myocardial contrast echocardiography as a delay of >2 seconds in contrast replenishment after high-mechanical index flash impulse. The myocardial segments were divided into 3 major coronary territories. There was agreement in detecting perfusion defects between SPECT and TRI in 26 patients (72%, κ = 0.46) and between SPECT and RTI in 27 patients (75%, κ = 0.50). Agreements between myocardial contrast echocardiography and SPECT for localizing coronary territories with perfusion defects were 81% for TRI (κ = 0.43) and 85% for RTI (κ = 0.61). Accuracy of RTI for detecting >50% diameter stenoses by quantitative angiography was 79%, that of TRI was 71%, and that of SPECT was 65%. These data indicate that the different low-mechanical index imaging schemes are equivalent to radionuclide SPECT in accurately detecting diseased coronary artery territories during vasodilator stress.
Dual-enzyme fiber optic biosensor for pyruvate

Abstract In this study, the response characteristics for a dual-enzyme fiber-optic biosensor for pyruvate are presented. An enzyme layer composed of lactate oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was fabricated at the tip of a sensing optrode. The biosensor is based on the luminescence detection of consumed reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and the measured fluorescence intensity is related to the bulk concentration of pyruvate. Such a dual-enzyme optrode can not only retain the merits of fiber-optic biosensors, but can also take advantage of two enzyme-catalyzed reactions. The response sensitivity and detection limit of the proposed dual-enzyme sensors are improved by at least 8 and 5 times, respectively, compared to those of single-enzyme systems.
Basalts and sea floor spreading behind the Mariana Island arc

Abstract Basalts dredged from the ocean basin behind the Mariana Island arc range from (subalkaline) olivine tholeiite to olivine basalt and have higher contents of the dispersed elements (K, Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba, REE) than do typical spreading-ridge basalts. However, the flat rare earth patterns, the high ratios of K/Rb, K/Cs and K/Ba and the low87Sr/86Sr ratios show that the Mariana through basalts come from depleted mantle similar to that feeding the oceanic spreading ridges. These basalts are distinguishable from island arc and oceanic island tholeiites by87Sr/86Sr ratios 85. We propose that these basalts originate from somewhat greater depths and by a somewhat slower spreading process than do normal mid-ocean ridge basalts.
B-type natriuretic peptide levels drop after ablation for atrial fibrillation

Background: An elevated Btype natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been shown to be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study we aimed to test the hypothesis that ablation for the treatment of AF would cause a decrease in BNP levels. Methods: BNP levels were prospectively drawn on all patients before ablation on the day of the scheduled procedure and at three months followup. Follow-up was performed by weekly transtelephonic transmissions, even if asymptomatic, for 3 months and scheduled Holter monitoring at follow-up. Results: Between 7/03 and 1/04, 246 patients underwent pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI). After 280 136 days of follow-up 20% of patients (49/246) had recurrence of AF, defined as recurrence after 8 weeks post PVAI. There was no difference in gender distribution (27% vs 30% females), hypertension, LV function (54.5 8% vs 54.6 6%), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left atrial size, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), beta-blocker or pre-procedural antiarrhythmic drug use between the patients who developed recurrence of AF and those who did not. The pre-ablation plasma BNP level (BNP_1) was significantly higher than the level obtained three months after ablation (BNP_2) (115 122 pg/ml vs 75 95 pg/ml, p 0.001). In patients with no recurrence BNP dropped, with BNP_2 significantly lower than BNP_1 (65 88 pg/ml vs 104 110pg/ml). Those patients with recurrence had higher BNP values than those with no recurrence but in this group there was also a significant drop in BNP (BNP_2 vs BNP_1: 88 83 pg/ml vs 40 152 pg/ml). Conclusion: The results of this study have important clinical implications. PVAI for ablation of AF results in a significant drop in BNP levels. Ablation seems to decrease the hemodynamic burden associated with AF and may decrease and forestall the negative remodeling effects associated with the development of overt heart failure even in patients with recurrence.
The ICM pin: a symbol of professional development during medical education.

Purpose A project to reinforce the professional values that our medical students pledged to uphold at orientation, during their White Coat Ceremony, was undertaken at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Summary An Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) pin was designed and awarded to students at the end of their 1st year. Three words beginning with the letters ICM were chosen to portray the essential elements of professionalism. The words overlay the symbol of Asclepius, representing "healing," on a red background, which is associated with love, respect, joy, passion, health, and energy. To date, three classes of students and their faculty have received ICM pins. Conclusions Much concern has been expressed about desirable attributes for medical students and physicians, and medical educators have been challenged to help students acquire or change their attitudes related to these attributes. The ICM pin serves as a tangible reminder of this professional development
A dynamically adaptive multigrid algorithm for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations: validation and model problems

An algorithm is described for the solution of the laminar, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The basic algorithm is a multigrid based on a robust, box-based smoothing step. Its most important feature is the incorporation of automatic, dynamic mesh refinement. This algorithm supports generalized simple domains. The program is based on a standard staggered-grid formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations for robustness and efficiency. Special grid transfer operators were introduced at grid interfaces in the multigrid algorithm to ensure discrete mass conservation. Results are presented for three models: the driven-cavity, a backward-facing step, and a sudden expansion/contraction.
Secure Access Control for Health Information Sharing Systems

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) of 2009 encourages healthcare providers to share information to improve healthcare quality at reduced cost. Such information sharing, however, raises security and privacy concerns that require appropriate access control mechanisms to ensure Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance. Current approaches such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and its variants, and newer approaches such as Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) are inadequate. RBAC provides simple administration of access control and user permission review, but demands complex initial role engineering and makes access control inflexible. ABAC, on the other hand, simplifies initial setup but increases the complexity of managing privileges and user permissions. These limitations have motivated research into the development of newer access control models that use attributes and policies while preserving RBAC's strengths. The BiLayer Access Control (BLAC) model is a two-step method being proposed to integrate attributes with roles: an access request is checked against pseudoroles, i.e., the list of subject attributes (first layer), and then against rules within the policies (second layer) associated with the requested object. This paper motivates the BLAC approach, outlines the BLAC model, and illustrates its usefulness to healthcare information sharing environments.
Maintenance of infective Borrelia burgdorferi Sh-2-82 in 4% oxygen – 5% carbon dioxide in vitro

The infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi depends on the number of passages in Barbour–Stoenner–Kelly (BSK-II) medium in ambient air. In this study the parameters of medium formulation or O2–CO2 atmo...
Two new gene mutations for late onset mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE)

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE) is a multisystem, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ptosis, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, gastroparesis cachexia, peripheral neuropathy, and diffuse leukoencephalopathy. MNGIE is rare and the prevalence is unknown, however, to date there have been 76 mutations reported in the TYMP gene associated with MNGIE. We report two novel mutations that have not been previously described in a patient with clinical MNGIE syndrome.
The inactivation of glyphosate by various soils and metal salts

Summary: Resume: Zusammenfassung A root bioassay was used to determine the effect of various soils, and the chloride salts of Fe+++, Fe++, Al +++, Ca ++, K +, and Na+ on the activity of glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine]. Mineral soils significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of glyphosate on root growth. One muck soil inactivated glyphosate, but another muck soil and bentonite clay had little effect. Soils with the greatest inactivation capabilities had high concentrations of weak-acid-extractable iron. Glyphosate inactivation showed no correlation between cation exchange capacity and organic matter of the muck soils. FeCl3, FeCl2 and AlCl3, significantly reduced the activity of glyphosate, and, when allowed to stand in solution, combinations of FeCl3 and glyphosate formed a precipitate. CaCl2, KCl and NaCl did not inactivate glyphosate. Inactivation du glyphosate par divers sols et sels metalliques Un test biologique sur racines a ete utilise pour determiner l'action de divers sols et de sels chlores de Fe+++, Fe++, Al++, Ca++, K +, et Na+ sur I'activite du glyphosate N-(phosphono-methyl) glycine. Les sols mineraux ont reduit significativement les effets inhibiteurs du glyphosate sur la croissance des racines. Un sol organique a inactive le glyphosate, mais un autre sol organique, ainsi que la bentonite. n'ont eu que peu d'effet. Les sols qui ont presente les plus grandes possibilites d'inactivation renfermaient des concentrations elevees dc fcr extractible par des acides faibles. II n'a pas ete observe, en ce qui concerne l'inactivation du glyphosate, de correlation entre la capaeite d'echange des cations et la teneure matiere organique des sols organiques. FeCl3, FeCl2, et AlCl3 ont significativement reduit l'activite du glyphosate et, lorsqu'ils ont ete mis en presenceen solution, la combinaison de FeCl3 et du glyphosate a provoque la formation d'un precipite, CaCl2, KCl et NaCl n'ont pas inactive le glyphosate. Die Inaktivierung von Glyphosat durch verschiedene Boden und Metallsalze Die Wirkung verschiedener Bodden und der Chloride von Fe+++, Fe++, Al+++, Ca++, K+ und Na+ auf die Aktivitat von Glyphosat N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycin wurde mit einem Wurzel-Biotest festgestellt. Mineralische Boden verringerten signifkant den Hemmeffekt von Glyphosat auf das Wurzelwachstum. Durch einen der organischen Boden wurde Glyphoat inaktiviert, ein anderer und das Tonmineral Bentonit, wirkten jedoch nur wenig inaktivierend. Boden mit der starksten Inaktivierungsfahigkeit besassen hohe Konzentrationen an mit schwacher Saure extrahierbarem Eisen. Die Inaktivierung von Glyphosat war nicht mil der Kationen-Austauschkapazitat und dem Gehalt der Boden an organischer Substanz korreliert Durch FeCl3, FeCl2 und AlCl3 wurde die Aktivitat von Glyphosat signifikant verringert. Wenn FeCl3 und Glyphosat in Losung zusammengebracht wurden, bildete sich beim Stehenlassen dieser Kombination ein Niederschlag. CaCl2, KCl und NaCl wirkten auf Glyphosat nicht inaktivierend.
Zero-tracking time-frequency distributions

The zero-tracking time-frequency distribution (TFD) is introduced. The local autocorrelation function of the TFD, defined by an appropriate kernel, is used to form a polynomial whose roots correspond to the instantaneous frequencies of the multicomponent signal. Two techniques for zero-tracking based on the TFD are presented. The first technique requires updating all of the polynomial signal and extraneous zeros, and is based on the formula relating to the first order approximation, the changes in the polynomial roots and coefficients. The second technique employs the zero-finding Newton's method to only obtain the zero-trajectories of interest.
Itanium 2 processor 6M: higher frequency and larger L3 cache

The third-generation Itanium processor targets the high-performance server and workstation market. To do so, the design team sought to provide higher performance through increased frequency and a larger L3 cache. At the same time, we had to limit the power dissipation to fit into the existing platform envelope. These considerations led to what we now call the Itanium 2 processor 6M: the latest generation of Itanium 2, which features a 6-Mbyte, 24-way set-associative on-die L3 cache. The design implements a 2-bundle 64-bit explicitly parallel instruction computing (EPIC) architecture and is fully compatible with previous implementations. Although this processors frequency is 50 percent higher than that of the previous generation, the maximum power dissipation holds flat at 130 W to ensure the platform's backward compatibility.
Guidance Counselors’ Ratings of Important Attributes for Registered Nurses and Prospective Nursing Students: A Comparison of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Career Counselors

Perceptions of counselors from Hispanic serving high schools regarding professional nursing as a career have received limited study. A cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 55 guidance counselors from Hispanic serving institutions identified the number of requests/referrals to nursing programs and perceptions of prospective nursing student and registered nurse attributes. Hispanic counselors rated caring and professional leadership skills higher than did White non-Hispanic counselors. Recommendations for academic nursing and counselor partnerships are provided.
Integrated electronic platforms for weight loss

What can be done to build effective weight loss solutions for the 1.5 billion people with obesity? It is self-evident that no one good solution exists for people who are overweight or obese, otherwise it would have been applied across the people who need it worldwide. There is, therefore, an urgent need for approaches that will afford weight loss; what is more, such approaches need to be scalable. For that reason, it is attractive to consider electronic platforms as an avenue for scalable weight loss solutions. Such platforms often do not require substantial investments but rather the integration of pre-existing off-the-shelf components. In this article we explore the concepts and design challenges for electronic platforms that precipitate weight loss.
SULFHYDRYL LOCALIZATION AND TETRAZOLIUM REDUCTION. 1. REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF ITS REDUCTION BY N-ETHYL MALEIMIDE'

The sulfhydryl inhibitor N-ethyl maleimide completely inhibited the reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride in meristematic and embryonic vascular tissues of Coleus sp. stems, Ricinus communis root tips, ungerminated Tea mays embryos, and epicotyls and coleoptiles of germinated Tea mays embryos, in a concentration of 200 mg/lit. Inhibition was reversed by the addition of cysteine or reduced glutathione (200 mg/lit) to the inhibitor medium. N-ethyl maleimide was effective also in blocking the nitro-prusside and 1-(4-chIoromercuriphenylazo)-naphthol-2 sulfhydryl staining reactions, but other substituted maleimides were ineffective in inhibiting the tetrazolium reaction in these tissues. Experiments were conducted to determine the histological pattern of sulfhydryl groups as indicated by a modification of the Bennett 1-(4-chloro-mercuriphenylazo)-naphthol-2 test and a modification of the Rap-kine nitroprusside test in certain plant tissues. A positive correlation was observed between tissues reducin...
Total external reflection from metamaterials with ultralow refractive index

Metamaterials composed of metal-dielectric nanostructures are engineered to have an effective refractive index less than unity at optical wavelengths. The effect of total external reflection is demonstrated when light from vacuum is incident onto these materials at an angle exceeding the critical angle defined by Snell’s law. Novel approaches are discussed to derive the effective index of refraction from the reflection and refraction properties of finite slabs. The effect of losses and dispersion are analyzed in the visible range of frequencies by consideration of the measured properties of silver. The differences among ultralow refractive-index metamaterials, photonic bandgap materials, and metals are discussed. Remarkably, a bandgap is not required to obtain total external reflection.
On the equivalence of higher order variational problems and optimal control problems

We consider the equivalence of higher order variational problems and optimal control problems. Our work is motivated by a series of problems, such as the optimal control of mechanical systems, representation and simulation of stochastic processes, and interpolation problems applied to trajectory generation for control systems, such as aircraft. Generating a Hamiltonian formulation of higher order variational problems is classical and goes back to Ostrogradsky. However, even in the classical variational problem, the relation with optimal control problems has not been studied extensively. Here, we generalize earlier work by the authors to this case.
Generation of biphotons with controllable temporal length

We report the generation of time-energy entangled paired photons with subnatural linewidths and controllable temporal lengths. The photons are generated using EIT and slow light in a high optical depth two-dimensional MOT.
Combination Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy May Have a Role in Women With Small, Node-Negative, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Breast Cancer

TO THE EDITOR: In their recent editorial, Reeder-Hayes and Carey 1 address two important questions for patients with small ( 1.0 cm), node-negative (N0), breast cancer that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). First, what is the risk of distant metastases for these women? Second, what is the optimum approach to adjuvant therapy? With respect to the first issue, we agree that accurate risk-benefit analyses are critical to guide adjuvant systemic therapy. Risk stratification is particularly challenging when traditional assessment tools (tumor size, nodal status, and so on) estimate that the absolute risks of developing metastases are relatively low, but our understanding of tumor biology (eg, HER2-positive disease) suggests a more aggressive phenotype. In the articles accompanying the editorial, data from two cohort studies suggest that these patients do indeed have a relatively low risk of metastases. First, Fehrenbacher et al 2 report that with 5 years of follow-up, the distant recurrence-free interval was 99% (95% CI, 93.0% to 99.9%) for patients with T1aN0M0 HER2-positive breast cancer and 97.0% (95% CI, 88.6 to 99.2) for those with T1bN0M0 tumors. Similar results were seen in a second study by Vaz-Luis et al, 3 which included data from 257 women with T1a/bN0M0 HER2-positive breast cancer. Although these risks of distant metastases appear low, we agree with ReederHayes and Carey 1 that patient loss to follow-up may have underesti
Landform degradation on Mercury, the Moon, and Mars: Evidence from crater depth/diameter relationships

Morphologic classification of craters and quantitative measurements of crater depth as a function of diameter are used to investigate the relative degradational histories of Mercury, the moon, and Mars. Martian craters exhibit considerable depth variation and are generally shallower than their lunar or mercurian counterparts. On Mercury and the moon, visually fresh and degraded craters on smooth plains show no significant depth degradation except that attributed to lava flooding or local inundation by ejecta from large impacts. More heavily cratered regions on both planets display a large range of both visual and depth degradation, suggesting that most landform modification occurred before the final phase of formation of the oldest smooth plains on both planets. Depth/diameter data presented here are discussed as they relate to two early history scenarios. One scenario based on cratering and the ballistic transport of material has been suggested for Mercury, the moon, and Mars by several authors. Owing to discrepancies between this ballistic scenario and observations of crater densities and morphologies, we suggest that landforms on all these bodies also record nonballistic degradation associated with the formation of intercrater plains. Whichever scenario is applied, early, intense, bombardment-associated degradation appears to be a common element in the histories of the terrestrial planets.
CLONAL EVOLUTION OF GLIOMAS IS ENCODED IN THE EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS OF DNA METHYLATION

BACKGROUND: The clonal evolution of tumor cell populations can be reconstructed from patterns of genetic alterations. In contrast, tumor epigenetic states are reversible and sensitive to the tumor microenvironment, presumably precluding the use of epigenetics to discover the clonal and sub-clonal evolution of tumors. We recently used mutation patterns to learn how low grade gliomas evolve over time, and also discovered that temozolomide treatment of LGG is associated with TMZ-induced hypermutation and malignant progression to GBM (BE Johnson et al, Science, 2014). METHODS: We used exome and RNA sequencing, DNA methylation arrays, along with computational analysis to construct phylogenetic and phyloepigenetic relationships among co-evolving tumor cell populations. RESULTS: Here we examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of DNA methylation in our clinically and genetically characterized cohort of IDH1-mutant low-grade gliomas and their patient-matched recurrences. While all tumors exhibited the hypermethylation signature associated with IDH1 mutation, low-grade gliomas that underwent spontaneous or temozolomide-associated malignant progression to high-grade glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) had a unique signature of DNA hypomethylation enriched for both active enhancers, and sites of age-related hypermethylation in the brain. Genes with promoter hypomethylation and concordant transcriptional upregulation during evolution to GBM were enriched in cell cycle function, evolving in concert with genetic alterations that deregulate the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint. Despite the plasticity of tumor epigenetic states, phyloepigenetic relationships robustly recapitulated phylogenetic patterns inferred from somatic mutations in the same patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight widespread co-dependency of genetic and epigenetic events throughout the clonal evolution of initial and recurrent gliomas.
Cellulose polymorphs and physical properties of cotton fabrics processed with commercial textile mills for mercerization and liquid ammonia treatments

We report the detection of cellulose polymorphs, using spectroscopic and diffraction techniques, in cotton fabrics treated with commercial textile mill processes designed for better dyeing and mechanical properties. Vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy analysis of cotton is known to be selective and sensitive to the crystalline cellulose portion in the sample. The SFG analysis results were compared with the results from conventional analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The XRD detection of a small fraction of cellulose II present in the partially-mercerized fabric was difficult, while SFG and IR analysis indicated the partial conversion of cellulose I to II without significant reduction of the cellulose crystallinity. Processing the cotton fabric with the liquid-ammonia treatment mill caused partial conversion of cellulose I to III and significant reduction of the overall crystallinity of cellulose. All XRD, SFG, and IR techniques were ab...
Some consequences of stimulus variability on speech processing by 2-month-old infants

Abstract The present study explores how stimulus variability in speech production influences the 2-month-old infant's perception and memory for speech sounds. Experiment 1 focuses on the consequences of talker variability for the infant's ability to detect differences between speech sounds. When tested with high-amplitude sucking (HAS) procedure, infants who listened to versions of a syllable, such as |b∧|, produced by 6 male and 6 female talkers, detected a change to another syllable,
Triple metal routing methodology for ASIC sea-of-cells design

This paper presents a general sea-of-cells routing methodology for state-of-the-art ASIC design, where three layers of metal are available for signal interconnection. As routing channels are defined over the cells, this routing system not only deals with various blockages on different layers, but also considers performance constraints such as wire widths and coupling noises for mixed analog/digital ASIC design. >
Responsible Leadership for Performance: A Theoretical Model and Hypotheses:

Literature on leadership indicates an absence of general, integrative theory. Much of existing theory focuses on effective leadership, and on leadership processes, at the individual, group, or orga...
Between Geography and Philosophy: What Does It Mean to Be in the Place-World?

remarkable convergence between geography and philosophy has become increasingly manifest in the past two decades. It is as if Strabo’s celebrated opening claim in his Geographia had finally become true two millennia later: “The science of Geography, which I now propose to investigate, is, I think, quite as much as any other science, a concern of the philosopher” (Strabo I, 3). What is new (and not in Strabo) is the growing conviction that philosophy is the concern of the geographer as well, or more exactly that philosophy and geography now need each other—and profit from this mutual need. Collaboration between the two fields has been evident ever since concerted attention to place began to emerge just over twenty years ago in, e.g., Edward Relph’s Place and Placelessness (1976) and Yi-Fu Tuan’s Space and Place (1976). Because of their emphasis on the experiential features of place—its “subjective” or “lived” aspects— such works were natural allies of phenomenology, a form of philosophy that attempts to give a direct description of first-person experience. Both geography and phenomenology have come to focus on place as experienced by human beings, in contrast to space, whose abstractness discourages experiential explorations. In the case of geography, a primary task has been to do justice to the indispensability of place in geographic theory and practice. So much is this the case that Robert David Sack (1997, 34, 30), a more recent proponent of the importance of place, can claim unhesitatingly that “[in geography] the truly important factor is place and its relationship to space.” 1
Geological application of extreme-value methods to interpretation of cobbles and boulders in gravel deposits

Unusually large cobbles or boulders are sometimes observed in gravel deposits. Their occurrence raises the question whether individuals of such size may be considered as part of the pebble population or as 'erratics' transported by ice or other means. Large cebbles or boulders normally present in fluvial gravels presumably are related to competence of the transporting stream. This paper presents data on Brandywine (Pliocene?) gravel in Maryland, beieved to be of fluvial origin. The largest cobbles in subsamples of fixed size were measured and arranged into an extreme-value distribution. Extreme-value theory provides a basis for estimating the likelihood of occurrence of large individuals in a given group. The fit is satisfactory in terms of conventional limits, and leads to the belief that all large particles observed in the deposit are normal members of the stream-pebble population. The study therefore suggests that extreme-value methods may be applicable to other sedimentary problems. Some necessary mathematical details of the theory for such applications are given in the Appendix.
17β-Estradiol regulates insulin-degrading enzyme expression via an ERβ/PI3-K pathway in hippocampus: Relevance to Alzheimer's prevention

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), an enzyme that primarily degrades insulin, has recently been demonstrated to play a significant role in the catabolism of amyloid β (Aβ) protein in the brain. Reduced IDE expression and/or activity have been associated with the etiology and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using three model systems, the present investigation provides the first documentation indicating that estrogen robustly regulates the expression of IDE in normal, menopausal and early-stage AD brains. In vitro analyses in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons revealed that 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) increased IDE in both mRNA and protein levels in a time-dependent manner. Further pharmacological analyses indicated that 17β-E2-induced IDE expression was dependent upon estrogen receptor (ER) β and required activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). In vivo analyses in adult female rats revealed a brain region-specific responsive profile. Ovariectomy (OVX) induced a significant decline in IDE expression in the hippocampus, which was prevented by 17β-E2. Neither OVX nor 17β-E2 affected IDE expression in the cerebellum. In vivo analyses in triple transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) female mice revealed an inverse correlation between the age-related increase in Aβ load and the decrease in IDE expression in the hippocampal formation. Treatment with 17β-E2 attenuated Aβ accumulation/plaque formation and elevated hippocampal IDE expression in 12-month-old 3xTg-AD OVX mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that 17β-E2 regulates IDE expression in a brain region-specific manner and such a regulatory role in the hippocampus, mediated by an ERβ/PI3-K pathway, could serve as a direct mechanism underlying estrogen-mediated preventative effect against AD when initiated at the onset of menopause.
Application of Inorganic Phosphors to Infrared Photography

The utilization of zinc cadmium sulfide phosphor plates to depict objects with infrared radiation is described. Radiation in the near and middle infrared, between 0.7 to 2.5 microns produces latent images on phosphors for subsequent visual observation or permanent photographic record. The sensitization consists of uniformly populating traps by excitation of the entire phosphor plate. The infrared radiation to be depicted, decreases the trap population of the phosphor corresponding to the intensity distribution of the incident beam. This results in a latent image. The latter is then developed (made visible) by exciting the entire phosphor plate which results in a visible, transient, negative fluorescence image. With phosphors which exhibit any degree of visible stimulated luminescence, irradiation with short-wave (≅0.7 μ) infrared can also develop the latent image. Sensitization, exposure, and development can be effected in rapid succession or after large time intervals (weeks) between steps.
Predicting Enrollment of New Criminal Justice Doctoral Programs

The study reports the results of an attempt to predict enrollment for a newly proposed doctoral program in criminology/criminal justice. The methodology used to create the enrollment projection was a differential equation utilizing a combination of survey data and existing archival data. The study compares the projection results to the first five years of actual enrollment in the program to validate the projection. While the enrollment projection was somewhat off in the first two years, in years three through five the projection was very successful. While this study focuses on a specific program, the methodology was successful and should be applicable to predicting enrollment in a wide range of programs where preexisting populations are not available to form a projection base.
Black Lives Do Matter

In this issue of Circulation , Mehta and colleagues1 provide additional information on the state of cardiovascular care for the black population in the United States and, once again, the results remain mixed in our ability to optimize care for all. Their data remain consistent with findings from Bridges et al2 in 2000 in identifying race as an adverse factor for mortality for coronary artery bypass grafting and from Konety et al3 in 2005 who found that the differences in morbidity and mortality outcomes worsened significantly over a 365-day period between blacks and whites in the data set. With advancements in care both medically and operatively for multivessel coronary disease over the past 30 years, there has been a steady improvement in the operative outcomes for all patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, but there continues to be a persistent disparity in morbidity and mortality between blacks and whites across cardiovascular centers in this country with a direct relationship to these differences based on our definitions of race. Despite a cardiovascular care network that is extensive with modern resources available throughout our systems of care, we are still searching for answers to these differences: solutions that are a mixture of medical and societal ills that we need to understand, accept, and correct. Article see p 124 At 48.9% for women and 44.4% for men, blacks have a significantly higher percentage of both adult men and women who are at risk for coronary artery disease and have overt manifestations of coronary artery disease in comparison with the total population.4 In Mehta’s analysis, the risk factors of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco use are prevalent within the study population. This is not a surprise given the need for the procedure performed; this need is statistically higher for …
Cancer and Mental Health

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer is associated with significant psychological disruption, at least in the short term. The majority of patients recover within the first year after treatment, but a substantial minority demonstrates relatively poor mental health and quality of life, as well as specific concerns such as fear of cancer recurrence, that persist into survivorship. Effective psychosocial interventions exist for cancer survivors, yet the need remains to develop and target these interventions to that subset of patients in greatest need.
Multiparticle Landau-Zener problem: Application to quantum dots

We propose a simple ansatz that allows us to generate new exactly solvable multistate Landau-Zener models. It is based on a system of two decoupled two-level atoms whose levels vary with time and cross at some moments. Then we consider multiparticle systems with Heisenberg equations for annihilation operators having a similar structure as the Shr\"odinger equation for amplitudes in multistate Landau-Zener models and show that the corresponding Shr\"odinger equation in the multiparticle sector belongs to the multistate Landau-Zener class. This observation allows us to generate new exactly solvable models from already known ones. We discuss possible applications of the new solutions in the problem of the driven charge transport in quantum dots.
Toward an Effective Watershed-Based Effluent Allowance Trading System: Identifying the Statutory and Regulatory Barriers to Implementation

Effluent allowance trading is increasingly being proposed as one means to improve management of effluent discharge into the waters of the United States. Despite the growing enthusiasm, this paper argues that the current statutory and regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act will limit the economic and environmental potential of market-like trading systems. The paper first describes the characteristics of a market system for effluent discharge allowances. Next, a number of features of the Clean Water Act (and the regulatory behavior motivated by the statutory framework) are identified that undermine the creation and development of market-like effluent allowance trading systems. While several pilot programs have been described as trading, we argue these programs are better described as extensions of the regulatory authority of the Clean Water Act. Examples of more market-like systems have been implemented but only when the more restrictive provisions of the Clean Water Act can be avoided. We conclude by identifying the changes to the Clean Water Act that would facilitate the creation of effluent allowance trading systems.
AB0363 Rate of tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay conversion during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in rheumatic patients

Background Despite negative baseline testing for tuberculosis (TB) with traditional (tuberculin skin test/TST, chest X-ray/CXR) or newer (interferon-gamma release assays/IGRAs) screening methods, a small number of patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies can develop TB during chronic treatment. The proportion of patients who display conversion of TB screening tests during therapy has not been adequately evaluated in prospective studies so far. Objectives We aimed at studying prospectively the rate of TB test conversion (TST, IGRAs) during anti-TNF therapy in patients with negative baseline screening. Methods Forty patients (mean age=46±14 years, females/males=23/17) with various rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis/RA =15, spondyloarthropathies/ SpA =24, other=1) and negative baseline TB screening (TST: Results Among the 40 patients enrolled, 13 patients (32.5%) demonstrated conversion of at least one screening assay. Fifteen percent showed conversion of TST (n=6), 10% of T.Spot®-TB (n=4) and 7.5% of QFT-GIT (n=3). Interestingly none of these patients showed concomitant conversion of ≥2 screening tests. No history of new M.Tb exposure or clinical and/or radiographic evidence of TB were noted. There were no significant difference in age, sex, disease diagnosis or duration, previous BCG vaccination, concomitant DMARD/steroid use or type of anti-TNFa treatment between those who converted (n=13) vs those who did not (n=27). Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that approximately 1/3 of patients develop conversion of at least one screening assay for TB one year after anti-TNFa therapy. It remains unclear if these test conversions are due to new or past non-diagnosed (reconstitution of impaired immune response against M.Tb antigens) M. TB exposure. The clinical significance of these findings and the need for LTBI therapy in this group remains to be elucidated. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Elastic photon scattering between 9. 5 and 12 MeV in /sup 208/Pb and /sup 206/Pb

The elastic photon scattering cross sections of $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ and $^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$ were measured at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the energy range from 9.5 to 12 MeV with a tagged photon beam whose energy spread was about 125 keV. The $^{206}\mathrm{Pb}$ cross section rises monotonically with energy, and is consistent with a total photon interaction cross section which has a Lorentzian energy dependence with a peak cross section of 650 mb at 13.6 MeV and a width $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\simeq}3.8$ MeV. The $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ scattering cross section is larger and has some rapid variations with energy; there is a narrow extra peak near 10.04 MeV and there are abrupt increases in the cross section just below 10.6 and 11.3 MeV. The relative scattering observed at the two angles indicates that all of the scattering, including the rapid variations with energy, is dominated by dipole interactions. This dipole assignment for the fine structure is important for the proper interpretation of inelastic electron scattering by $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$. Some of the observed fine structure in inelastic electron scattering must be dipole; the fine structure previously reported as being due to electric quadrupole excitation should be considered as tentative until the correct dipole contributions are included.
Patient preparation for cardiac fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging of inflammation

Although the number of clinical applications for fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) has continued to grow, there remains a lack of consensus regarding the ideal method of suppressing normal myocardial glucose utilization for image optimization. This review describes various patient preparation protocols that have been used as well as the success rates achieved in different studies. Collectively, the available literature supports using a high-fat, no-carbohydrate diet for at least two meals with a fast of 4-12 hours prior to 18F-FDG PET imaging and suggests that isolated fasting for less than 12 hours and supplementation with food or drink just prior to imaging should be avoided. Each institution should adopt a protocol and continuously monitor its effectiveness with a goal to achieve adequate myocardial suppression in greater than 80% of patients.
Evaluation of nodular thyroid disease.

In this article, the current noninvasive and invasive methods used in the evaluation and management of nodular thyroid disease are discussed.
Diseases of the Female Pelvis

There are several imaging modalities used in the female pelvis; these are ultrasound followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). This seminar will primarily focus on the role of MRI in correlation to other imaging modalities. MRI of the female pelvis has become a useful and commonly used imaging modality. This technique offers not only multiplanar capability but also inherent tissue contrast and tissue characterization. These advantages, along with relative ease of the study, its noninvasiveness and reproducibility, have enhanced the growth of MRI as a useful diagnostic imaging modality in the female pelvis.
Ethics and the Academy: Researchers on the Edge

“As art educators, we actively engage our students with controversial art and non-conformist ideas because we know it helps broaden creative and cultural understandings.”Something significant is ha...
New approaches for synthesis and processing of 2D materials (Conference Presentation)

Atomically-thin two-dimensional (2D) metal chalcogenides have emerged as an exciting class of materials which have the potential to enable numerous new applications that range from electronics to photonics. Developing new methods for controlled synthesis and manipulation of these layered materials is crucial for emerging applications in functional devices. Here, we demonstrate non-equilibrium laser-based approaches to form and deliver atoms, cluster or stoichiometric nanoparticles with tunable kinetic energies for the synthesis and processing of 2D layered semiconductors. Utilizing the stoichiometric nanoparticles as feedstocks, we demonstrate the formation of either small domain nanosheet networks (~ 20 nm) or large crystalline domains (~100 µm). On the other hand, atomic precursors with tunable kinetic energies are used in doping, alloying and conversion of 2D monolayers. Patterned arrays of lateral heterojunctions between 2D layered semiconductors, MoSe 2 /MoS 2 , are formed by e-beam lithography and selective conversion processes. Moreover, we explore the nonequilibrium, bottom-up synthesis of single crystalline monolayers of MoSe 2-x with controllable levels of Se vacancies far beyond intrinsic levels (up to 20 %) exhibiting unique optical and electrical properties. These non-equilibrium laser-based approaches provide unique synthesis and processing opportunities that are not easily accessible through conventional methods.
Critical functions for STAT5 tetramers in the maturation and survival of natural killer cells

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is essential for the development and maintenance of natural killer (NK) cells. IL-15 activates STAT5 proteins, which can form dimers or tetramers. We previously found that NK cell numbers are decreased in Stat5a-Stat5b tetramer-deficient double knockin (DKI) mice, but the mechanism was not investigated. Here we show that STAT5 dimers are sufficient for NK cell development, whereas STAT5 tetramers mediate NK cell maturation and the expression of maturation-associated genes. Unlike the defective proliferation of Stat5 DKI CD8+ T cells, Stat5 DKI NK cells have normal proliferation to IL-15 but are susceptible to death upon cytokine withdrawal, with lower Bcl2 and increased active caspases. These findings underscore the importance of STAT5 tetramers in maintaining NK cell homoeostasis. Moreover, defective STAT5 tetramer formation could represent a cause of NK cell immunodeficiency, and interrupting STAT5 tetramer formation might serve to control NK leukaemia.