cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practicing oncology in provincial Mexico: A narrative analysis

This paper examines the discourse of oncologists treating cancer in a provincial capital of southern Mexico. Based on an analysis of both formal interviews and observations of everyday clinical practice, it examines a set of narrative themes they used to maintain a sense of professionalism and possibility as they endeavored to apply a highly technologically dependent biomedical model in a resource-poor context. They moved between coexisting narrative frameworks as they addressed their formidable problems of translating between theory and practice. In a biomedical narrative frame, they drew on biomedical theory to produce a model of cellular dysfunction and of clinical intervention. However, limited availability of diagnostic and treatment techniques and patients inability or unwillingness to comply, presented serious constraints to the application of this model. They used a practical narrative frame to discuss the socio-economic issues they understood to be underlying these limitations to their clinical practice. They did not experience the incongruity between theory and practice as a continual challenge to their biomedical model, nor to their professional competency. Instead, through a reconciling narrative frame, they mediated this conflict. In this frame, they drew on culturally specific concepts of moral rightness and order to produce accounts that minimized the problem, exculpated themselves and cast blame for failed diagnosis and treatment. By invoking these multiple, coexisting narrative themes, the oncologists sustained an open vision of their work in which deficiencies and impotency were vindicated, and did not stand in the way of clinical practice.
Cost of organ procurement and transplantation network data collection for a large transplant center.

Collection of data on transplant candidates and recipients for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) is a burden that falls primarily on the transplant centers. We examined the cost of data collection at one large transplant center. The average number of forms per year submitted more than 3 years was 5245. For the 3 years, 2.46 full time equivalents (FTEs) were committed to this data collection. Annual salaries in addition to benefits (calculated at 22% of salary) for these FTEs were US$143 026.22. The calculated annual cost per form submitted amounted to US$27.27. Collection of data on transplant candidates and recipients is expensive and the cost of data collection should be understood before the institution of new data collection requirements for the transplant centers.
Pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma: Analysis of patterns of disease and postmetastasis survival

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare neoplasm: there are approximately 6600 cases annually in the United States. 1 Sarcoma may arise virtually anywhere, but the extremity is the most common primary site. Despite progress in multimodality treatment, more than 4000 Americans will die each year of soft tissue sarcoma. The lungs are the most common sites of metastatic disease. Of patients with extremity sarcoma, approximately 20% will have isolated pulmonary metastatic disease at some point in the course of their disease. 2 Although pulmonary metastases most commonly arise from primary tumors in the extremities, they may arise from almost any histologic variant or primary site. 3 There is evidence that surgical resection is the treatment of choice for pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma. 4–6 Three-year survival rates after complete resection range from 30% to 42%. 4 Chemotherapy has not been proven to increase survival after the resection of pulmonary metastasis. 7,8 Several prognostic variables have been identified that are associated with favorable survival after pulmonary metastasectomy. Favorable factors include an extended disease-free interval, three or fewer pulmonary nodules, and a longer tumor doubling time. 9 The most consistent favorable prognostic factor is metastatic disease that is amenable to resection. 6,10,11 In a report from our institution, the number of pulmonary nodules was not a significant prognostic indicator if all disease was resectable. 2 The relation between histology and frequency of pulmonary metastasis is not well defined. There is evidence that patients with extremity spindle cell sarcoma and extraskeletal osteosarcoma are more likely to develop pulmonary metastases. 3 In a series of 242 patients, those with tenosynovial sarcoma also had an increased incidence of pulmonary metastases. 12 The aim of this study is to report the patterns of disease and postmetastasis survival for patients with pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma in a large group of patients treated at a single institution. Previous series, including work from our institution, 2 have focused on patients with pulmonary metastases treated with surgical resection. In the current study, we examine outcomes for all patients with pulmonary metastases, including patients with nonextremity primary sites and patients not treated with resection. Variables of site of origin of the primary lesion and underlying histopathology are analyzed for their influence on survival after the development of pulmonary metastasis. Survival analysis also includes additional variables of tumor grade, size, patient age, and resection.
Mental Design and (Second) Language Epistemology: Adjectival Restrictions of Wh-Quantifiers and Tense in English-French Interlanguage.

This study addresses the issue of second language (L2) epistemology assuming Chomsky’s (1995) discussion of the place of Universal Grammar (UG) in mental design: i.e., the optimal solution to the mental design problem for language in the sense of Minimalist theory. Aspects of interpretation of continuous and discontinuous interrogatives of the form qui de AP (‘who (of) AP’) in first language and L2 acquisition appear to follow from principles of economy in mental design and language-dependent hypotheses. We argue that such knowledge is guaranteed to arise in the absence of relevant input only if a grammar is a realization of language-dependent hypotheses and basic principles of grammar, but crucially not if it consists of a set of (derivative) grammatical theorems not constrained by principles of optimal design.
Building a professional global disaster response team at an academic health-care institution: the professionalisation of humanitarian health-care workers

Abstract Background The numbers of individuals affected by disasters and conflict are on the rise, similarly are the numbers of clinicans who seek to help. Although health-care workers want to provide immediate clinical care—as in field hospitals—disaster response requires a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills, and behaviour not taught in medical and nursing schools. With competency-based training and a vetted and credentialed workforce, academic medical institutions have the opportunity to augment emergency response for humanitiarian aid organisations. We aim to describe the minimum standards for building a professional disaster response team within an academic medical institution. Methods Through literature review and key informant interviews, we built a database to describe emergency response experience in 21 countries within 25 national and international aid organisations, governments, and academic universities. We created a checklist and applied this to responses for sudden onset and chronic crises. Key variables included deployment parameters, credentialing procedures, competency or skillset requirements, predeployment and postdeployment preparation, and types of organisational support. Findings We found large variation between organisations for emergency response, including the credentialling process, definition of competency or skillsets, implementation of deployment, and the extent of organisational support. From this analysis, we created a set of minimum standards for deployment, including physical and mental fitness, previous professional experience, team-based response, appropriate flexible skillset, approval or vetting by direct supervisors, initial or duration of availability, cultural or language competency, self reliance in austere conditions, communication skills, briefing and debriefing participation, and support from organisation. Interpretation Minimum standards and guidelines for institutions deploying health-care workers to disasters is a key step in professionalisation. Funding None.
Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae in the Large Magellanic Cloud: A Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Analysis*

We observed seven central stars of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer and performed a model-based analysis of these spectra in conjunction with Hubble Space Telescope spectra in the UV and optical range to determine the stellar and nebular parameters. Most of the objects show wind features, and they have effective temperatures ranging from 38 to 60 kK with mass-loss rates of 5 × 10-8 M☉ yr-1. Five of the objects have typical LMC abundances. One object (SMP LMC 61) is a [WC4] star, and we fit its spectra with He/C/O-rich abundances typical of the [WC] class and find its atmosphere to be Fe-deficient. Most objects have very hot (T 2000 K) molecular hydrogen (H2) in their nebulae, which may indicate a shocked environment. One of these (SMP LMC 62) also displays O VI λλ1032, 1038 nebular emission lines, rarely observed in PNe.
A General Multivariate Analysis of Variance Computer Program

A multivariate analysis of variance computer program is presented which employs general linear regression methods to obtain solutions consistent with any of the available methods for dealing with unequal and disproportionate cell frequencies. Documentation is provided.
Optimal Active Control of Launch Vibrations of Space Structures

Vibration reduction of space structures during launch is investigated experimentally. An optimal control law is formulated, based on a lumped parameter state-space model of the structure. A single piezoelectric actuator is bonded to the surface near the base to provide actuation. Band-limited white noise and recorded space shuttle launch excitations areused to assesstheperformance of thecontrol system. Signie cant reductionsin thevibrations are obtained using very low actuator power. The study indicates a large potential for improvements in payload protection during the space shuttle liftoff by using smart-structures technology. Nomenclature A = system matrix Aa = cross-sectional area of actuator, m 2 Ab = cross-sectional area of beam (wall), m 2
Treatment of wife abuse: A comparison of gender-specific and conjoint approaches

Seventy-five intact, volunteer couples were assigned to either a gender-specific or a conjoint 14-week group treatment for psychological and physical aggression. Participants from both treatments significantly reduced their psychological and physical aggression, at both posttreatment and 1-year follow-up. During treatment, husbands reduced their psychological aggression by 47%, their moderate physical aggression by 55%, and their severe physical aggression by 51%. Although two-thirds of the husbands maintained cessation of severe aggression during the year following treatment, only one-fourth of the husbands were violence-free. Very similar cessation and maintenance rates were obtained for wives. Significant improvements at posttreatment and follow-up were also found for both spouses' marital adjustment, husbands' taking responsibility for aggression, and wives' depression. No differential effect of treatment type was found, except that, as predicted, husbands in conjoint treatment improved more on marital adjustment. Neither form of treatment was superior to the other in terms of safety and effectiveness for volunteer, intact, and physically aggressive couples.
Identification of a second synexin-like adrenal medullary and liver protein that enhances calcium-induced membrane aggregation.

Abstract Synexin, an ∼ 47,000 M r soluble protein isolated from adrenal medulla or liver, shows Ca 2+ -specific enhancement of the aggregation of chromaffin granule or other negatively charged biological or artificial membranes. We report the identification of second synexin-like protein (M r ∼ 56,000) from the same sources with similar Ca 2+ -specific membrane aggregation activities. However, the molecular weight, aggregation kinetics, susceptibility to protease inactivation and peptide maps of the two synexins are quite different, suggesting that they are entirely different proteins, and that the aggregation assay is only a convenient method for identifying a large number of Ca 2+ -specific proteins with diverse, yet to be defined activities.
Residual gauge fixing in light-front QCD

Understanding the nontrivial features of light-front QCD is a central goal in current investigations of nonperturbative light-front field theory. We find that, with the choice of light-front gauge with antisymmetric boundary conditions for the field variables, the residual gauge freedom is fixed and the light-front QCD vacuum is trivial. The nontrivial structure in light-front QCD is determined by non-vanishing asymptotic physical (transverse) gauge fields at longitudinal infinity, which are responsible for nonzero topological winding number.
Observations on the ultrastructure of the non-articulated laticifers ofJatropha podagrica (Euphorbiaceae)

Einleitende elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen der ungegliederten Milchrohren vonJatropha-podagrica-Embryonen haben das Vorkommen von Verbindungen der Zellkerne, augenfalligen Dictyosomen und reichliche Mengen von Mikrotubuli in diesen aussergewohnlichen Zellen gezeigt. In den Milchrohren dieser Art wurde kein Vorkommen von Zellverschmelzung beobachtet.
Design of the microstructural scale for optimum toughening in metallic composites

Abstract The role of the microstructural scale in toughening of composites containing a metallic constituent is described by invoking a dislocation pile-up mechanism for debonding at metal ceramic (intermetallic) interfaces. Below a certain size of the metal phase, the pile-up length becomes subcritical precluding debonding. The toughening effect below and above this critical size separates into two kinds of behavior leading to a maximum toughness when plotted against the characteristic length of the metal phase. The position of this maximum defines the optimum microstructural scale. The concept is applied successfully to metal-ceramic and metal-intermetallic composites with a microstructural length scale of less than about 10 μm. Metal matrix composites where the metal forms a continuous network through the microstructure are shown to have much higher toughness than the case where the same volume of the metal phase is distributed as discrete particles in the composite.
Camp Integration: The Use and Misuse of Nostalgia in John Waters' Hairspray

John Waters has always been notorious for his self-described “bad taste,” but in 1988 he proved that his viewers ought to be too. In that year, Waters made a critical mousetrap of a film, a musical...
Managing liver failure

Liver disease is rare in childhood, but important new developments have altered the natural history and outcome. It is important that clinicians are aware of these diseases and their management. Acute liver failure is most often due to viral hepatitis, paracetamol overdose, or inherited metabolic liver disease. The clinical presentation includes jaundice, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy. Early diagnosis is necessary to prevent complications such as cerebral oedema, gastrointestinal bleeding, and renal failure. Early supportive management, in particular intravenous N-acetylcysteine, may be effective but liver transplantation is usually the definitive treatment and thus early referral to a specialist unit for liver transplantation is mandatory. Chronic liver failure may be due to unresolved neonatal liver disease, either inherited biliary hypoplasia or extrahepatic biliary atresia, while in older children, autoimmune liver disease or cystic fibrosis are the commonest causes. Treatment includes specific medication, nutritional support, and liver transplantation, which now has a 90% survival with good quality life.
Praseodymium-doped cadmium mixed halide glasses for 1.3 μm amplification

Abstract In the search for suitable glass hosts for 1300 nm amplification, the field has been narrowed to Pr-doped fluorozirconate, fluoroindate, cadmium mixed halide and sulphide glasses. This paper presents data identifying the cadmium mixed halide system as a leading candidate, based on the lifetime and quantum efficiency of the1G4 →3H5 fluorescence of Pr3+ in this system. Compositional studies to develop cladding and core glasses suitable for high numerical aperture fiber, as well as relevant physical and optical properties, are also discussed.
Dose-dependent effects of selenized yeast on total selenium levels in prostatic tissue of men with prostate cancer.

Although a negative association between serum selenium (or selenium supplementation) and prostate cancer risk has been widely reported (1–8), very little is known about the effects of oral supplementation with selenized yeast on selenium levels in prostate tissue of men with prostate cancer.
Antimicrobial photodynamic efficacy of side-chain functionalized benzo[a]phenothiazinium dyes.

5-(Ethylamino)-9-diethylaminobenzo[a]phenothiazinium chloride (EtNBS) is a photosensitizer (PS) with broad antimicrobial photodynamic activity. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial photodynamic effect of side chain/end group modifications of EtNBS on two representative bacterial Gram-type-specific strains. Two EtNBS derivatives were synthesized, each functionalized with a different side-chain end-group, alcohol or carboxylic acid. In solution, both exhibited photochemical properties consistent with those of the EtNBS parent molecule. In vitro photodynamic therapy experiments revealed an initial Gram-type-specificity with two representative strains; both derivatives were phototoxic to Staphylococcus aureus 29213 but the carboxylic acid derivative was nontoxic to Escherichia coli 25922. This difference in photodynamic efficacy was not due to a difference in the binding of the two molecules to the bacteria as the amount of both derivatives bound by bacteria was identical. Interestingly, the carboxylic acid derivative produced no fluorescence emission when observed in cultures of E. coli via fluorescence microscopy. These early findings suggest that the addition of small functional groups could achieve Gram-type-specific phototoxicity through altering the photodynamic activity of PSs and deserve further exploration in a larger number of representative strains of each Gram type.
Measurement Of The Texture Contribution To Image Noise In Scintigrams

When a digital image of a uniform radiation source is obtained with a scintillation camera, the action of a variety of cortical receptive fields employed by the human observer can be simulated with a computer. A frequency diagram of receptor output can be generated by scanning the simulated receptor (which includes both exitory and inhibitory weightings of local image intensity). Although the measured frequency distributions exhibit a generally Gaussian shape, the dispersions are larger than predicted by Poisson statistics. The quadratic difference between measured dispersions and those predicted with Poisson statistics yields a measure of the texture contribution to noise that is interpretable in terms of small signal detection theory.
The mechanism of low-amplitude orthophosphate-induced swelling in isolated rat liver mitochondria.

INTRODUCTION accounted for by the uptake of Cal+ and accompanying anions (17) . The swelling of isolated mitochondria in response to the introduction of orthophosphate (Pi) to the suspending medium has been studied in a number of works (1-15) . In particular, Packer (11) found the P ; induced swelling to be dependent on the presence of state 4 and to be reversed upon the induction of state 3 . In most cases, swelling was monitored in mitochondria) suspensions by following the transmission or scatter of the incident light . Swelling leads to a decrease in the amount of light scattered or an increase in the light transmitted . Previous work indicates that, at least under certain conditions, P ; induced swellings are quantitatively osmotically reversible (14) . The question arises as to whether the volume change induced by P; could be accounted for by the uptake of ions and the consequent osmotic swelling. It is possible to test this premise experimentally . The mitochondrial osmotically active volume can be estimated quantitatively by a photometric technique previously described (16) . It is possible to estimate the uptake of ions in mitochondria after filtration with Millipore filters (Millipore Corp ., Bedford, Mass .) . For example, using this approach, it has been possible to show that low-amplitude swelling induced by Cat+ in the presence of acetate can be
Effect of dietary calcium on tibial dyschondroplasia. Interaction with light, cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, protein, and synthetic zeolite.

A series of experiments was conducted to investigate interactions of dietary calcium levels with ultraviolet light, cholecalciferol (D3), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3], dietary protein, and a synthetic zeolite on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broilers. A basal diet low in calcium, high in phosphorus and chloride, and known to promote a high incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was used. The chicks received ultraviolet radiation from fluorescent lights in addition to 1,100 ICU/kg (27.5 micrograms/kg) of D3 in the basal diet when these were not experimental variables. Regardless of whether the calcium level was low (.65%) or adequate (.95%), the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was significantly lower in chicks receiving ultraviolet radiation or dietary vitamin D3 levels well above the required amounts. The addition of 10 micrograms/kg of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to the diet when calcium levels varied from .45 to .95% resulted in a reduction in the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia and increased tibial bone ash when dietary protein levels were 18 or 22%. The addition of 1% synthetic zeolite to the diet did not influence the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia when the diet contained widely varying dietary calcium levels (.65 to 1.81%) and .73% phosphorus.
Synthesis of diazo functionalized solid supports and their application towards the enrichment of phosphorylated peptides.

We describe herein the synthesis and application of a range of diazo-functionalized materials as platforms for the solid phase enrichment of phosphorylated peptides from protein digests. Diazo-functionalized solid phase resins are employed to bind covalently and specifically with the phosphate moiety of a peptide substrate, allowing for non-phosphorylated peptides to be efficiently removed by filtration. The technique described herein is compatible with enrichment of phospho-serine, threonine and tyrosine residues and was used to successfully enrich phosphorylated substrates from β-casein and ovalbumin digests in low-picomolar quantities.
On artifacts and works of art

L'A. analyse la nature des artefacts et la facon dont les objets d'art et d'autres objets de la culture y sont lies. Selon lui, c'est la maniere la plus appropriee d'etudier l'ontologie des differents types d'objets culturels
In vivo imaging of vesicle motion and release at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Recently, it has become possible to directly detect changes in neuropeptide vesicle dynamics in nerve terminals in vivo and to measure the release of neuropeptides induced experimentally or evoked by normal behavior. These results were obtained with the use of transgenic fruit flies that express a neuropeptide tagged with green fluorescent protein. Here, we describe how vesicle movement and neuropeptide release can be studied in the larval Drosophila neuromuscular junction using fluorescence microscopy. Analysis methods are described for quantifying movement based on time lapse and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching data. Specific approaches that can be applied to nerve terminals include single particle tracking, correlation and Fourier analysis. Utilization of these methods led to the first detection of vesicle mobilization in nerve terminals and the discoveries of activity-dependent capture of transiting vesicles and post-tetanic potentiation of neuropeptide release. Overall, this protocol can be carried out in an hour with ready Drosophila.
Recoil corrected continuum shell model calculations for four-nucleon systems

Abstract The continuum shell model with full correction for target recoil is extended to 1p-1h configurations. The procedure is discussed in a framework which allows generalization to more complicated configurations. An application is made to nucleon reaction channels in 4 He using the g -matrix interaction of Bertsch et al . Excellent agreement with the data is obtained.
The Rise and Fall of Fluorescent Tinea Capitis

The epidemiology of tinea capitis has had a remarkable change in the past 20 years. It is important for physicians to realize that most tinea capitis in the United States is caused by Trichophyton tonsurans and that these lesions cannot be diagnosed by the Wood's lamp. Trichophyton tonsurans tinea capitis is frequently misdiagnosed because the lesions mimic such common scalp conditions as dandruff and seborrhea. Further, this organism can cause chronic tinea capitis in women that may become a infectious reservoir for other family members. A negative potassium hydroxide preparation will not rule out infection with T tonsurans and cultures are necessary. Scalp lesions in children should be considered tinea capitis until culturally proved otherwise.
High temperature electrical conductivity measurements of natural diamond and diamond films

Abstract The electrical conductivity of diamond films and diamond-like carbon films were measured from room temperature to 1200°C. These results are the first known measurements for diamond films in this temperature range. The measurements were compared with the conductivity of two natural type IIa diamonds measured with the same apparatus. The activation energy for the two natural type IIa diamonds was found to be 1.4 eV, in agreement with earlier measurements on type I diamonds. The room temperature conductivities of the two diamond films were found to be higher than that of natural IIa diamond, but were found to approach or even just fall below that of natural IIa diamond at elevated temperatures. This difference, and the difference in slope of the conductivities of the various samples, are indicative of the difference in type and number of impurity and structural defects accounting for conductivity in the different samples. These results offer promise that diamond films could be fabricated which have an electrical resistivity exceeding that of natural IIa diamond.
Anisotropic ligand polarizability contributions to lanthanide 4f → 4f intensity parameters

Abstract The A tp Ξ( t , λ) parameterization scheme of the Judd—Ofelt 4f — 4f intensity model is shown to be inadequate for representing effects due to optically anisotropic ligand dipolar polarizations. “Extra” intensity parameters are needed when the lanthanide-ligand pairwise interactions are not cylindrically symmetric. Selection rules regarding these “extra” parameters derived, and their possible significance to the hypersensitivity phenomenon is discussed.
Dissociation of the dimeric SecA ATPase during protein translocation across the bacterial membrane

The ATPase SecA mediates post-translational translocation of precursor proteins through the SecYEG channel of the bacterial inner membrane. We show that SecA, up to now considered to be a stable dimer, is actually in equilibrium with a small fraction of monomers. In the presence of membranes containing acidic phospholipids or in certain detergents, SecA completely dissociates into monomers. A synthetic signal peptide also affects dissociation into monomers. In addition, conversion into the monomeric state can be achieved by mutating a small number of residues in a dimeric and fully functional SecA fragment. This monomeric SecA fragment still maintains strong binding to SecYEG in the membrane as well as significant in vitro translocation activity. Together, the data suggest that the SecA dimer dissociates during protein translocation. Since SecA contains all characteristic motifs of a certain class of monomeric helicases, and since mutations in residues shared with the helicases abolish its translocation activity, SecA may function in a similar manner.
Q&A: Animal behaviour: Magnetic-field perception.

The ability to perceive Earth's magnetic field, which at one time was dismissed as a physical impossibility, is now known to exist in diverse animals. The receptors for the magnetic sense remain elusive. But it seems that at least two underlying mechanisms exist — sometimes in the same organism.
Microenterprise Credit Programs: Déjà Vu

Abstract Microenterprises in low-income countries are the target of an increasing number of credit programs. These efforts resemble earlier problematic attempts to assist operators of small farms with credit. Similarities discussed include target group definition, assumptions, policies, and project justifications. Authors go on to list a dozen lessons from the experience with small- farmer credit that might apply to microenterprise credit efforts. Authors then conclude that debt is not an effective tool for helping most poor people to enchance their economic conditions, be they operators of small farms or microenterprises.
Targeting integrin α6 stimulates curative-type bone metastasis lesions in a xenograft model.

Laminin binding integrin receptors are key mediators of epithelial cell migration and tumor metastasis. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for the alpha 6 integrin (ITGA6/CD49f) in maintaining stem cell compartments within normal bone marrow and in residency of tumors metastatic to bone. In this study, we tested a function-blocking antibody specific for ITGA6, called J8H, to determine if pre-existing cancer lesions in bone could be slowed and/or animal survival improved. Human prostate tumors were established by intracardiac injection into male severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice and treatment with J8H antibody was initiated after one week. Tumor progression was monitored by micro computed tomography (CT) imaging of skeletal lesions. Animals that received weekly injections of the anti-ITGA6 antibody showed radiographic progression in only 40% of osseous tumors (femur or tibia), compared to control animals, where 80% of the lesions (femur or tibia) showed progression at 5 weeks. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significant survival advantage for J8H-treated animals. Unexpectedly, CT image analysis revealed an increased proportion of bone lesions displaying a sclerotic rim of new bone formation, encapsulating the arrested lytic lesions in animals that received the anti-ITGA6 antibody treatment. Histopathology of the sclerotic lesions demonstrated well-circumscribed tumor within bone, surrounded by fibrosis. These data suggest that systemic targeting of the ITGA6-dependent function of established tumors in bone may offer a non-cytotoxic approach to arrest the osteolytic progression of metastatic prostate cancer, thereby providing a new therapeutic strategy for advanced disease.
A novel stem-cell population in adult liver with potent hematopoietic-reconstitution activity

A number of recent reports have documented that cells possessing hematopoietic-reconstitution ability can be identified and isolated from a variety of solid organs in the adult animal. In all studies to date, however, purified organ-derived stem cells demonstrate a diminished repopulating capacity relative to that of purified bone marrow–derived hematopoietic stem cells (BM HSCs). It has therefore been unclear whether organ-derived HSCs possess functional properties distinct from those of BM HSCs, or simply have not been purified to a comparable extent. Here we report the identification of a rare subset of cells in adult murine liver that possess potent blood-repopulating potential, approaching that of BM HSCs. The cells, isolated on the basis of dye-efflux activity and CD45 expression (termed CD45+ liver side population [SP] tip cells), exhibit a surface phenotype similar to that of freshly isolated BM HSCs derived from normal adult animals, but are phenotypically distinct in that they do not express the stem-cell marker c-kit. Single-cell transplantation studies indicate that CD45+ liver SP tip cells can be generated from BM HSCs, suggesting a relationship between stem-cell populations in the liver and bone marrow compartments. Overall, these studies have important implications for understanding extramedullary hematopoiesis, and may be relevant to current strategies aimed at inducing tolerance to transplanted organs.
MPTrain: a mobile, music and physiology-based personal trainer

We present MPTrain, a mobile phone based system that takes advantage of the influence of music in exercise performance, enabling users to more easily achieve their exercise goals. MPTrain is designed as a mobile and personal system (hardware and software) that users wear while exercising (walking, jogging or running). MPTrain's hardware includes a set of physiological sensors wirelessly connected to a mobile phone carried by the user. MPTrain's software allows the user to enter a desired exercise pattern (in terms of desired heart-rate over time) and assists the user in achieving his/her exercising goals by: (1) constantly monitoring the user's physiology (heart-rate in number of beats per minute) and movement (speed in number of steps per minute); and (2) selecting and playing music with specific features that will encourage the user to speed up, slow down or keep the pace to be on track with his/her exercise goals.We describe the hardware and software components of the MPTrain system, and present some preliminary results when using MPTrain while jogging.
Sources of image degradation in fundamental and harmonic ultrasound imaging using nonlinear, full-wave simulations

A full-wave equation that describes nonlinear propagation in a heterogeneous attenuating medium is solved numerically with finite differences in the time domain (FDTD). This numerical method is used to simulate propagation of a diagnostic ultrasound pulse through a measured representation of the human abdomen with heterogeneities in speed of sound, attenuation, density, and nonlinearity. Conventional delay-andsum beamforming is used to generate point spread functions (PSF) that display the effects of these heterogeneities. For the particular imaging configuration that is modeled, these PSFs reveal that the primary source of degradation in fundamental imaging is reverberation from near-field structures. Reverberation clutter in the harmonic PSF is 26 dB higher than the fundamental PSF. An artificial medium with uniform velocity but unchanged impedance characteristics indicates that for the fundamental PSF, the primary source of degradation is phase aberration. An ultrasound image is created in silico using the same physical and algorithmic process used in an ultrasound scanner: a series of pulses are transmitted through heterogeneous scattering tissue and the received echoes are used in a delay-and-sum beamforming algorithm to generate images. These beamformed images are compared with images obtained from convolution of the PSF with a scatterer field to demonstrate that a very large portion of the PSF must be used to accurately represent the clutter observed in conventional imaging.
Ideal and Non-ideal Theory in Elizabeth Anderson's The Imperative of Integration

Elizabeth Anderson's The Imperative of Integration is most notable for its creative application of her conception of non-ideal theory. I assess Anderson's conception and argue that it does not adequately account for the necessary role of political ideals in non-ideal theory. Political ideals, I argue, determine what counts as a political problem and shape the practice of non-ideal theorizing in ways Anderson does not fully address. This methodological difference leads me to depart in a small but significant way from her criticism of the color-blind ideal: by failing to consider the role of ideals in defining political problems, Anderson's criticisms of the color-blind ideal fail to note the contradiction advocates of that ideal find between the critical implications of their view and its alleged policy prescriptions.
Intelligent pet monitor system with the internet of things

“Technology stems from humanity”, this sentence is used to symbolize our modern life. It means that the interaction between devices and physical object/human in the real world is gaining more and more attention, and it declaims a natural and intuitive methodology to employ. According to previous idea and living well, life has been a growing demand. Thus, how to raise pets in an easy way is the main issue recently. In this study, the authors focused on the system design to monitor the pets activates and to control pet eating time with the technology of the internet of things (IOT). Our system could be categorized as the realization of pet digital home technology, the implementation proved to meet pet owner's needs.
Examining Statewide Public Perceptions of Roundabouts Through a Web-Based Survey

Although roundabouts have been shown to provide significant safety and operational benefits, transportation agencies frequently encounter public opposition to their use. Consequently, a better understanding of public perceptions of roundabouts is critical to allow transportation agencies to address this issue. This study involved the implementation of a statewide Web-based survey of road user perceptions as they relate to roundabouts, which resulted in a total of 11,972 responses from road users throughout Michigan. The results of this survey show that public perceptions were mixed: 38.9% strongly opposed the use of roundabouts and 30.6% strongly supported their use. Respondents who had more experience with roundabouts tended to be more supportive. Younger respondents showed the most support, and support tended to decrease consistently with age. Female drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and commercial motor vehicle drivers were all less likely to be supportive of roundabouts, whereas bicyclists were more supportive. Respondents were also asked to assess the relative safety and operational efficiency of roundabouts compared with traditional intersection configurations. Overall, 52.7% of respondents found roundabouts to be more operationally efficient, and an equal percentage found them to be less safe. The results show that the strongest indicators of roundabout support are linked to experience, making it imperative for road agencies to orient road users effectively to facilitate public acceptance of roundabouts. The results of this study provide valuable information that can be used to target public information and education programs intelligently toward appropriate audiences.
The Difficulties of Representing Continuous Extent in Infancy: Using Number Is Just Easier

This study investigates the ability of 6-month-old infants to attend to the continuous properties of a set of discrete entities. Infants were habituated to dot arrays that were constant in cumulative surface area yet varied in number for small ( 3) sets. Results revealed that infants detected a 4-fold (but not 3-fold) change in area, regardless of set size. These results are in marked contrast to demonstrations that infants of the same age successfully discriminate a 2- or 3-fold change in number, providing strong counterevidence to the claim that infants use solely nonnumerical, continuous extent variables when discriminating sets. These findings also shed light on the processes involved in tracking continuous variables in infants.
Size, number, and distribution of thyroid nodules and the risk of malignancy in radiation-exposed patients who underwent surgery

Context: The chance that a thyroid nodule is malignant is higher when there is a history of childhood radiation exposure. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine how the size of a thyroid nodule, the number of nodules, and the distribution of nodules influence the risk of cancer in irradiated patients. Patients: From a cohort of 4296 radiation-exposed people, we studied the 1059 that underwent thyroid surgery. Design and Outcomes: We studied the association between the size, number, distribution, and rank order of thyroid nodules and the chance of malignancy. Results: There were 612 malignant nodules in 358 patients and 2037 benign ones in 930 patients. There was no change in the risk that a nodule was malignant with increasing size (odds ratio 0.91/cm, P = 0.11) among the 1709 nodules that were 0.5 cm or greater. A solitary nodule had a similar likelihood of being malignant as a nodule that was one of several (18.8 vs. 17.3%), whereas patients with multiple nodules were more likely to have...
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CONSEQUENCES OF STROKE

Numerous emotional and behavioral disorders occur following cerebrovascular lesions. Depression is the most common of these, affecting up to 40% of patients. Clinical correlates of post-stroke depression include severity of physical and cognitive impairment as well as location of brain injury. Perhaps the most compelling reason to identify post-stroke depression, however, is its substantial impact on recovery in activities of daily living, cognitive function, and survival. Antidepressant medication has been shown to effectively treat depression, although its administration may require careful clinical monitoring. Other post-stroke emotional/behavioral disorders include mania, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, apathy, and pathological crying. Controlled studies have not documented the effect of these disorders on long-term recovery, but the potential impact of syndromes such as mania and apathy on rehabilitation efforts or pathological crying on social functioning are evident. With the exception of pathological crying, which has been shown to respond to antidepressant drug therapy, the other post-stroke emotional/behavioral disorders need to be evaluated in controlled treatment trials for response to therapy.
Effective utilization of acoustic wave sensor responses: simultaneous measurement of velocity and attenuation

When using acoustic wave devices as sensors, responses arise from perturbations in wave-propagation characteristics (velocity and attenuation) caused by wave interactions with a surface layer. Simultaneous measurement of both velocity and attenuation changes helps elucidate the wave-perturbation mechanisms. A number of wave-surface-layer interactions have been investigated involving surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in the gas phase and acoustic plate modes (APMs) in liquids. These include mass loading of a SAW, acoustoelectric interactions between SAWs and a conductive film overlay, mass loading of an APM, and viscous coupling of an APM to an adjacent liquid medium. >
Cyclic electrographic seizures in critically ill patients.

Summary Purpose: Prolonged electroencephalographic monitoring has facilitated the detection of nonconvulsive seizures. Compressed displays of EEG frequency spectra (such as compressed spectral array, CSA) can facilitate interpretation of continuous EEG by allowing the reader to observe on a single screen patterns evolving over many minutes or hours. Methods: Patients were identified retrospectively over a 4-year period as displaying a cycling pattern of seizures on CSA. Results: We describe a pattern of seizures recurring in a cyclic fashion in a series of 13 critically ill patients of all ages. Several patients had a gradual buildup of EEG power prior to each seizure. Conclusion: We believe that while not rare, this pattern is difficult to recognize on standard EEG recording but it is readily apparent on CSA. The underlying pathophysiology of cyclic seizures is not known, but we speculate that cyclic seizures represent a form of status epilepticus in which the usual seizure terminating factors are present and transiently effective, but are inadequate to prevent resumption of the seizure activity. Studying these patients may provide insight into the pathophysiology of seizure initiation and cessation.
Long-term follow-up of a patient with intestinal and pulmonary lymphangiectasia and acquired humoral and cellular immunodeficiency

Abstract Rationale Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is a rare disorder resulting in intermittent diarrhea, steatorrhea, and hypoalbuminemia. Loss of intestinal lymphatic fluids leads to hypogammaglobulinemia and lymphopenia resulting in an acquired humoral and cellular immunodeficiency. Decreased dietary fat slows the loss of protein from the intestine. IVIG may be beneficial in decreasing the infection rate. Long-term follow-up data is rare in these patients. Methods We present a case report of a 25 year-old female who was diagnosed with intestinal and pulmonary lymphangiectasia in childhood and has been on IVIG and dietary management for twelve years. Results The child presented at one year of age with failure to thrive, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, edema, ascites and steatorrhea. Biopsies of intestine revealed lymphangiectasias at one year of age. A low fat diet and vitamin supplementation was instituted, however the family was noncompliant. The child had multiple hospital admissions with interstitial pneumonitis and fungal pneumonia. A lung biopsy revealed lymphangiectasia. IVIG was initiated after the patient developed bronchiectasis. T cell studies revealed reduced CD3, CD4 and CD8 as well as very reduced mitogens. On IVIG, the frequency and severity of her pulmonary infections have gradually decreased. Pulmonary densities seen on CT scan, and PFT's have improved. However, she continues to have chronic lung disease. Improvement in peripheral edema, diarrhea and steatorrhea also were noted. Conclusions IVIG has been helpful in long-term management of patient with pulmonary and intestinal lymphangiectasia. Decline in pulmonary functions, infection rate and peripheral edema have gradually slowed and stabilized with increasing age.
Ultrafine Fully-Lamellar Structures in Two-Phase γ-TiAl Alloys

Special ultrafine fully lamellar microstructures have been found recently in {gamma}-TiAl alloys with 46-48% Al processed or heat treated above the {alpha}-transus temperature (T{alpha}). Hot extrusion above T{alpha} also produces a refined colony or grain size. Refined-colony/ultrafine-lamellar (RC/UL) microstructures produce an excellent combination of RT ductility and high-temperature strength in Ti-47Al-2Cr-2Nb (at.%) alloys. UL structures also have regularly alternating {gamma} and {alpha}{sub 2} lamellae, such that they are dominated by {gamma}/{alpha}{sub 2} interfaces with relatively few {gamma}/{gamma} twin boundaries. Focus of this study is on how changes in processing parameters or alloy composition affect formation of the UL structure, particularly the {alpha}{sub 2} component.
On Decay of Solutions to Nonlinear Schrodinger Equations

We present general results on exponential decay of finite energy solutions to stationary nonlinear Schrodinger equations. Under certain natural assumptions we show that any such solution is continuous and vanishes at infinity. This allows us to interpret the solution as a finite multiplicity eigen-function of a certain linear Schrodinger operator and, hence, apply well-known results on the decay of eigenfunctions.