cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of multiplex suspension array large-panel kits for profiling cytokines and chemokines in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background Multiplex analysis allows measurements of a large number of analytes simultaneously in each sample. On the basis of the Luminex multiplex technology (xMAP), kits for measuring multiple cytokines and chemokines (immunomodulators) are commercially available and are useful in investigations on inflammatory diseases. This study evaluated four multiplex kits (Bio-Plex, LINCOplex, Fluorokine, and Beadlyte) that contained 27, 29, 20, and 22 analytes each, respectively, for the analysis of immunomodulators in plasma of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who underwent treatment with antibody against CD20 (rituximab), a B-cell reductive therapy. Methods Multiplex kits were tested on serial plasma samples obtained from six RA patients at baseline and multiple time points (3, 6, and 9 months) post-treatment with rituximab. The RA patients included in this study had previously failed therapy with disease modifying anti-arthritis drugs (DMARD) and treatment with anti-TNFα antibody (infliximab). Results Computer modeling and hierarchical cluster analysis of the multiplex data allowed a comparison of the performance of multiplex assay kits and revealed profiles of immunomodulators in the RA patients. Conclusions In plasma of RA patients who appeared to have benefited from the rituximab treatment, the profile of significantly elevated immunomodulators by at least two of the three kits (BioPlex, LINCOplex, Beadlyte) is as follows: IL-12p70, Eotaxin, IL-4, TNFα, Il-9, IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-13. Immunomodulator profiling by multiplex analysis may provide useful plasma biomarkers for monitoring response to B-cell reductive therapy in RA patients. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society
A query-maintenance language for the data independent accessing model II

Abstract FORAL is a data base language designed specifically for the access to binary semantic network structures at the DIAM II Infological Level. It is a non-procedural language, that has some of the characteristics of natural English. The user writes transactions in terms of real world things and their attributes rather than in terms of fields, records, and files. A review of the original FORAL led to FORAL II described in this paper, offering a more readable syntax, in particular for long documents.
A Survey Of The Diseases Of Striped Bass, Morone saxatilisAnd Pompano, Trachinotus carolinus Cultured In Earthen Ponds1

Routine examinations of pond culture pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) for diseases were conducted at the Claude Peteet Mariculture Center, Gulf Shores, Alabama and on striped bass cultured in fresh water ponds at the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station from June, 1974 through October, 1975. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from striped bass and pompano. Protozoan parasites were found infesting pompano in brackish water and striped bass in fresh and brackish water. The identify, level of infection and response to treatment of each disease organism is discussed.
A multimedia perioperative record keeper for clinical research.

Objective. To develop a multimedia perioperative recordkeeper that provides: 1. synchronous, real-time acquisition of multimedia data, 2. on-line access to the patient's chart data, and 3. advanced data analysis capabilities through integrated, multimedia database and analysis applications.Design. To minimize cost and development time, the system design utilized industry standard hardware components and graphical software development tools. The system was configured to use a Pentium PC complemented with a variety of hardware interfaces to external data sources. These sources included physiologie monitors with data in digital, analog, video, and audio as well as paper-based formats.Development. The development process was guided by trials in over 80 clinical cases and by the critiques from numerous users. As a result of this process, a suite of custom software applications were created to meet the design goals. ThePerioperative Data Acquisition application manages data collection from a variety of physiological monitors. TheCharter application provides for rapid creation of an electronic medical record from the patient's paper-based chart and investigator's notes. TheMultimedia Medical Database application provides a relational database for the organization and management of multimedia data. TheTriscreen application provides an integrated data analysis environment with simultaneous, full-motion data display.Conclusion. With recent technological advances in PC power, data acquisition hardware, and software development tools, the clinical researcher now has the ability to collect and examine a more complete perioperative record. It is hoped that the description of the MPR and its development process will assist and encourage others to advance these tools for perioperative research.
The utility of a rabbit model of adenovirus ocular infection

Acute adenovirus ocular infections are the most common ocular viral infections worldwide and are associated with community and medical facility epidemics. While not permanently blinding, ocular adenoviral infections are associated with significant patient morbidity, including symptomatic distress with visual disturbances which can last years, and loss of time from school or work. Currently, the treatment of these acute infections is symptomatic due to the lack of an approved antiviral. This symptomatic treatment presents a controversy of whether to treat these viral infections with immunomodulating agents (e.g. topical corticosteroids, NSAIDs, cyclosporine A), which are contraindicated for use in the treatment of the other major external ocular viral infection, HSV-1 epithelial keratitis. The adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)/New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit ocular model has provided data for potential clinical guidelines for the use of immunomodulating agents in the treatment of adenovirus ocular infections. Moreover, this model has been used extensively to evaluate promising candidate antivirals for adenovirus. Multiple candidate antivirals have been evaluated in vivo using this model, and several have proceeded to human clinical trials. The current presentation will discuss the potential clinical guidelines for the use of immunomodulating agents, present data on potential new topical antiviral agents, discuss the potential combination therapy of an antiviral and immunomodulatory agent in the treatment of adenovirus ocular infections as well as the limitations of the model. Commercial interest
Diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori gastritis.

Campylobacter pylori is a bacterium that inhabits gastric mucosa. It causes chronic active gastritis and is highly associated with duodenal ulcer.Campylobacter pylori has a urease enzyme (not present in man), which allows diagnosis by a [14C]urea breath test. We compared two noninvasive tests, the breath test and serum ELISA, to biopsy and histologic diagnosis. Twenty-two patients who underwent gastroduodenoscopy for evaluation of possible peptic ulcer disease entered the study. The breath test detected the organism in eight of eight patients biopsy-positive for the organism (sensitivity 100%). The breath test was negative in 12 of the 14 patients who were biopsy-negative (specificity 86%). The ELISA was performed in 14 patients. It was positive in 5 of 5 patients biopsy-positive for the organism (sensitivity 100%) and negative in 7 of 9 patients who were biopsy-negative (specificity 78%). We conclude that both the ELISA and the [14C]urea breath test are excellent noninvasive methods to detectCampylobacter pylori. However, only the breath test is suitable for following the response to treatment, as it detects the presence of the organism rather than an immune response to it.
A Phase I Study of AAV-CFTR Administration in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients 1794

Phase I clinical trials of CFTR gene transfer have been limited by transient expression and inflammatory reactions to adenoviral vectors used previously. Our group has developed an alternative vector system based on adeno-associated virus (AAV), a non-pathogenic human parvovirus. In order to determine the safety and biological activity of AAV-CFTR in humans, a phase I trial of AAV-CFTR delivery to the nasal and bronchial epithelium was performed. In a single-dose, dose-escalation design, 6 cohorts of 2 CF patients each are receiving doses of AAV-CFTR to one side of the nose and to the right lower lobe of the lung by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The nasal study is blinded, with a placebo solution administered to the opposite side. Nasal doses range from 30 to 1000 replication units (r.u.)(3×107 to 1×109 total particles), while bronchial doses range from 30 to 10000 r.u. Safety assays include clinical scores, PFTs, bronchoalveolar fluid analysis, radiography, and shedding studies. Biological activity assays are primarily in the nose, including whole cell current-patch clamp analysis of CFTR channel function on isolated cells, as well as polymerase chain reaction(PCR), Southern blot of rescued vector sequences, RT-PCR, and nasal potential difference. A total of twelve subjects ranging in age from 18 to 45 years have been enrolled. One patient received only a nasal dose because a chronic cardiac arrhythmia precluded safe completion of bronchoscopy. No significant vector-related toxicity or vector shedding has been observed. Several samples have shown evidence of DNA transfer and CFTR expression. Expression studies will be completely analyzed when the blinding is removed in April 1997, three months after the completion of the sixth cohort. We anticipate that this trial will provide information about the safety of AAV vectors in humans, and will provide an important first step in the study of AAV-mediated CF gene therapy.
Prospects for Detecting Clusters of Galaxies through X-Ray Absorption

We investigate the feasibility of detecting high-redshift clusters in absorption against background active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with the next generation of X-ray telescopes. The four limiting factors for detecting clusters in absorption are the sensitivity of the X-ray spectrometers, the abundance of X-ray-bright AGNs, the absorption equivalent width, and the sky covering factor of the hot gas in clusters. Based on isothermal and polytropic temperature profiles for the gas in clusters, we compute the absorption equivalent widths of the most abundant heavy elements in clusters with emission-weighted temperatures between 1 keV (typical of groups) and 12 keV (typical of the hottest known clusters). For typical AGN X-ray spectra, we find that the easiest lines to detect in absorption arise from He-like Si and S and Fe XX in groups, He-like Fe in 2-10 keV clusters, and H-like Fe in the hottest clusters. The sky covering factor of the hot gas is then determined as a function of absorption equivalent width for a nonevolving cluster population and for evolving cluster populations in an open (Ω = 0.3) and flat (Ω = 1.0) universe. In an open universe, approximately 5% of the sky is covered by hot gas with an equivalent width greater than 1 eV for He-like Fe absorption. In a high-density universe, the corresponding sky covering factor is only 1%. Based on the X-ray luminosity function of AGNs, we find that there are several thousand AGNs beyond z = 1 and several hundred AGNs beyond z = 2 that are bright enough to produce detectable absorption features in clusters with future X-ray calorimeters. These results show that an observing program of high-redshift, X-ray-bright AGNs will have the added benefit of detecting a significant sample of high-redshift clusters. High-redshift clusters can easily be missed in X-ray imaging surveys, since their X-ray surface brightness can be below the X-ray background.
Novelty detection in a changing environment: Regression and interpolation approaches

The technique of novelty detection is now established as a means of performing the lowest level of damage identification. Data are accumulated while the system or structure is operating in normal condition and used to construct a reference model. During subsequent operation of the system, data are compared to the reference and any significant deviations are taken to indicate damage. This approach has potential problems if the system or structure is embedded in a changing environment. If the reference data are only characteristic of a limited range of the environmental parameters, measurements from the system in an undamaged condition but from a different environmental state, may cause the diagnostic to register novelty and thus falsely infer damage. This paper demonstrates a potential solution to the problem via the construction of a reference set parametrized by an environmental variable. Two approaches are considered: regression and interpolation.
Diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease in sickle cell anemia by magnetic resonance angiography

The study of blood flow by means of magnetic resonance techniques has led to a noninvasive magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique for imaging large cerebral vessles. Ten children with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy and a history of acute neurologic syndromes were studied with combined parenchymal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRA. Six had abnormal MRI findings and MRA-defined luminal lesions in the vascular distribution of these parenchymal infarctions. The three children with previous intraarterial angiography had MRA abnormalities that corresponded with vascular lesions on conventional angiograms. Four had normal MRI and MRA findings. We conclude that a combination of MRI and MRA provides a noninvasive screening test for large-vessel disease in this population.
Delivering high availability for Inktomi search engines

Inktomi provides the back-end for several well-known search engines, including Wired's HotBot and Microsoft's MS Start page. The services are supported by a highly available cluster with more than 300 CPUs and several hundred disks.
I 2 C: A holistic approach to prolong the sensor network lifetime

We present a novel holistic approach (called I2C - Intra-route and Inter-route Coordination) to prolong the sensor network lifetime under the end-to-end delivery delay constraint. I2C is composed of two lifetime balancing modules: (i) the IntraRoute Coordination module that allows the nodes on the same route to balance their nodal lifetimes through adjusting the MAC behaviors collaboratively; (ii) the Inter-Route Coordination module that balances the nodal lifetimes across different routes via adjusting the communication routes. Different from existing works which conduct either intra-route or inter-route lifetime balancing, or a simple combination of the two, I2C leverages the advantages of both techniques with a sophisticated design that emphasizes the awareness and collaboration between two modules. Thus, I2C is able to prolong the network lifetime much more effectively than the state-of-the-art solutions, while guaranteeing the desired delay bound and maintaining a similar level of network power consumption. This has been demonstrated with extensive ns-2 simulation and TinyOS experiment results.
Comparing objects in memory: Evidence suggesting an internal psychophysics

In this experiment, Ss were visually presented with the names of two animals and were required to throw a switch under the name of the larger animal. Although error rates were relatively low (4.5%), reaction time (RT) was largely an inverse linear function of the logarithm of the estimated difference in animal size. Since RT is similarly related to size differences when Ss make direct perceptual comparisons (e.g., of lengths of line),.it was argued that Ss compare animal names by making an “internal psychophysical judgment.” A more general model was then proposed for answering, from memory, questions of the form, “Which is /X/, /A/ or [B/?” where /X/ is any comparative adjective and /A/and /B/ are any concrete nouns.
Mammalian SIRT2 inhibits keratin 19 expression and is a tumor suppressor in skin

SIRT2 is a member of the mammalian sirtuin family (SIRT1-7). As compared with other sirtuins, SIRT2 is found primarily in the cytoplasm. It regulates multiple physiological processes. However, the precise role of SIRT2 in skin cancer remains unclear. Here, we show that SIRT2 is downregulated in human skin cancer as compared with normal skin. SIRT2 deletion increases tumor growth in mice. SIRT2 knockdown upregulates the stem cell marker Keratin 19 (K19) in keratinocytes. In mice, SIRT2 deletion up-regulates K19 and K15 while it down-regulates the differentiation marker Loricrin in both normal skin and tumors. In skin tumors but not normal skin, SIRT2 deletion up-regulates the stem cell marker CD34 and increases the number of Ki67-positive cells. These findings indicate that SIRT2 is a tumor suppressor in the skin. Our findings add new insights into the role of SIRT2 in the molecular pathogenesis of skin cancer.
Cellulase production by continuous culture of Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 using acid hydrolysate prepared to retain more oligosaccharides for induction.

Abstract An acid hydrolysate was prepared by a procedure chosen for retaining more oligosaccharides to improve the cellulase-inducing capability when used as substrate in the fungal fermentation for cellulase production. The effect was evaluated with continuous culture of Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 at the dilution rates of 0.03–0.08 h−1. The specific cellulase production rates were found to be relatively constant at 8.9 ± 0.3 (FPU/g dry cells-h), except for the lower rate, i.e., 7.2 (FPU/g-h), at the lowest dilution rate investigated (0.03 h−1). The former value was slightly higher than the rate obtained with a lactose-based medium, i.e., 8.2 (FPU/g-h). The maximum specific cell growth rate supported by the hydrolysate-based medium was 0.096 (h−1) and the apparent cell yield increased from 0.44 to 0.57 (g dry cells)/(g consumed reducing sugars) with increasing dilution rates. The best-fit maximum/ideal cell yield (without endogenous metabolism) was 0.68 (g/g), the endogenous substrate consumption rate was 0.023 (g reducing sugars)/(g dry cells-h), and the specific cell death rate was 0.016 h−1.
Reconceptualizing the Construct of Health: Integrating Emic and Etic Perspectives

Despite the importance of the health construct for nursing, there is not agreement on the nature of health. In this article, various conceptualizations of health are reviewed, the emic-etic distinction between the concepts of disease and illness is delineated, and a new model of health is presented. This model is illustrated with examples from the folk and scientific domains of one cultural group, Greek Americans. Finally, implications for using this model in nursing practice are discussed and research directions are suggested.
Fine structural studies of the main sensory trigeminal nucleus in the cat and rat.

This study describes some of the fine structural features of the neurons and synaptic connections in the main sensory trigeminal nucleus at the level of the motor trigeminal nucleus. The dendritic spread of some neurons spans more than half with width of the nucleus. Primary dendrites arise either from main stem dendrites or directly from the cell body and divide at acute or right angles ito long secondary dendrites. The primary trigeminal afferent fibers form numerous large boutons en passant. These large central boutons are often surrounded by large spines, the shafts of secondary dendrites and small peripheral boutons. Such groupings of axonal and dendritic processes make up the trigeminal glomeruli. Within these glomeruli axo axonic synapses occur (1) between adjacent outer surfaces of central and peripheral boutons, (2) on evaginations of central boutons which project into peripheral boutons, and (3) on evaginations of peripheral boutons which project into central boutons. The trigeminal central boutons also synapse on primary dendrites, main stem dendrites and on cell bodies.
From crystal engineering to cluster engineering: How to transform cadmium chloride from 2-D to 0-D

The transformation of a 2-D perovskite structure to "expanded" 2-D and finally to a 0-D hexanuclear cadmium chloride cluster by varying the size of substituents on the associated counterions (H vs. methyl vs. ethyl) is described.
A Self-Affirmation Analysis of Survivors' Reactions to Unfair Organizational Downsizings

Abstract The present study explored the relationship between self-affirmation theory and survivors' reactions to an unfair organizational downsizing. All participants in the present study witnessed the layoff of a confederate. Three conditions were created. In two of the conditions the layoff was handled unfairly; in one of these conditions participants engaged in a self-reaffirming activity (reaffirmation condition), whereas in the other one they did not (unfair condition). In the third condition the layoff was handled fairly (fair condition). Negative emotion was greater in the unfair condition than in the other two, particularly on measures of more “self-conscious” negative emotions. Moreover, the tendency for participants to show more negative emotion in the unfair condition than in the reaffirmation condition, particularly on measures of more self-conscious negative emotions, was more pronounced among participants relatively high in private self-consciousness. Private self-consciousness also was inversely related to commitment to the experiment in the unfair condition, but not in the other two conditions. Implications for self-affirmation theory and the management of organizational downsizings are discussed.
Oxidation of Pyridine Nucleotides and Depletion of ATP and ADP during Calcium- and Inorganic Phosphate-Induced Mitochondrial Permeability Transition

We have examined the pyridine and adenine nucleotide status during calcium- and inorganic phosphate-induced permeability transition. Calcium- and inorganic phosphate-induced permeability transition is accompanied by the rapid oxidation of pyridine nucleotides and depletion of ATP and ADP with conversion to AMP. The addition of cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of the permeability transition prevented the oxidation of pyridine nucleotides and depletion of ATP and ADP.
Discrimination by Gender and Disability Status: Do Worker Perceptions Match Statistical Measures?

We explore whether perceptions of discrimination are related to ordinary statistical measures. The majority of disabled respondents report feeling some discrimination due to their disability, the majority of women feel some discrimination because of their gender, and a surprising number of men also report some discrimination. We do not find a strong link between perceptions of discrimination and measured discrimination perhaps because those who perceive discrimination feel that it occurs along other dimensions than pay. However, we do find a connection between whether a person feels his or her income is inadequate and measured discrimination for all groups studied. This paper is motivated by the growing literature on measured gender discrimination and the study of persons with disabilities. We use a survey of university graduates to explore whether female (or male) perceptions of gender discrimination are related to ordinary statistical measures of discrimination, and whether persons with disabilities perceive disability discrimination as it is ordinarily measured. Kuhn (1987, 1990) studies two data sets from Canada and the United States. He finds that there is a negative and insignificant overall correlation between reports and measures of discrimination, which is largely driven by the fact that young well-educated women are both more likely to report discrimination and face the smallest measured wage gaps. Barbezat and Hughes (1990) study discrimination and perceptions of discrimination using a sample of university faculty. They find evidence consistent with Kuhn (1987) but suggest an interesting interpretation for the findings of a negative correlation between measured discrimination and the chances that women report being discriminated against. They write that "Employers are more likely to indulge in discrimination when there is a low probability that such action will be detected. Thus, a high level of measured discrimination will be accompanied, in equilibrium, by a small number of reports and vice versa." We suggest an additional explanation
Research records and the resolution of misconduct allegations at research universities

Accurate record keeping is an important part of the responsible conduct of research. However, there is very little empirical research on scientific record keeping. No one knows the incidence of serious problems with research records, the types of problems that occur, nor their consequences. In this study, we examined the role of research records in the resolution of misconduct allegations as a useful barometer for the incidence and types of problems that occur with records. We interviewed Research Integrity Officers (RIOs) at 90 major research universities and conducted focus groups with active research faculty. RIOs reported problems with research records in 38% of the 553 investigations they conducted. Severe problems with research records often prevented completion of investigations while problems that are more typical lengthened them by 2 to 3 weeks. Five types of poor record keeping practices accounted for 75 % of the problems with incomplete/inadequate records being the most common (30%). The focus groups concurred with the findings from the interviews with RIOs, stressed the importance of the research group leader in setting and maintaining record practices, and offered additional insights. While university officials and faculty members have suspected for many years that there are serious problems with research record keeping, our study provides empirical evidence for this belief. By documenting some of the problems with record keeping in university-based research, the results of our study provide information that will be useful for policy development at academic institutions.
Suppressor cell function and t lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

Three different in vitro assays--immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-T cell reagents, enumeration of T gamma cells, and nonspecific suppressor cell function--were used for the analysis of suppressor lymphocytes in the circulation of 28 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS, scleroderma) and 20 normal individuals. Both OKT8+ and T gamma lymphocytes were significantly reduced (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.02, respectively) in patients with PSS compared with controls. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was increased (P less than 0.02). However, the mean suppressor cell index (SCI) of 1.9 (range 0.4-6.6) for patients with PSS was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) from the SCI of 2.9 (range 1.2-14) for controls. Eleven of the patients had depressed suppressor cell function as indicated by the index value of less than 1.2. In only 5 of these patients, simultaneously measured T gamma and OKT8+ cells were reduced and OKT4+ lymphocytes were concomitantly increased. There were no significant correlations between the numbers of T gamma or OKT8+ cells and the SCI in patients and controls. Neither depressed suppressor cell function nor the OKT4+/OKT8+ ratio greater than 4.2 (greater than 2 SD of normal) in the patients could be related to other immunologic findings, to disease duration and severity, or to involvement of internal organs. These results suggest that depressed suppressor cell activity and immunoregulatory T cell imbalance in PSS may not be directly related to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Laparoscopy vs inguinal exploration for nonpalpable undescended testis.

Objective : The optimal initial surgical approach for nonpalpable undescended testis (UDT) is debated. The aim of the present study is to compare the results of initial laparoscopy and inguinal exploration in the management of unilateral nonpalpable undescended testes.Methods : The results of 20 children with unilateral nonpalpable UDT managed by initial laparoscopy (group I) were compared with 20 age-matched children managed by inguinal exploration (group II). The location of testes and results of orchiopexy were compared in both groups. A single surgeon performed all the operative procedures.Results : The majority of testes (16/20 group 1,17/20 group II) in both groups were canalicular or low abdominal. Vanishing testes accounted for one-third (13/40) of the testes, the majority (85%) of which were located in the inguinal canal. All children were discharged within 24 hours of the operation. The success of orchiopexy at 4–6 weeks post-operatively was 85% and 86% in the two groups respectively. Retrospectively, only 7/40 (18%) of the testes would benefit from laparoscopy.Conclusions : Initial laparoscopic and inguinal approaches to nonpalpable UDT give comparable results. This report failed to demonstrate any specific advantage of initial laparoscopy in the majority of children with unilateral nonpalpable UDT.
Satellite detection of bloom and pigment distributions in estuaries

Using a form of vector analysis of satellite spectral data, it is possible to distinguish variations in water color and pigment concentrations from changes in turbidity. In turbid water (reflectance > 0.01), the orientation of a spectral vector depends predominantly on organic pigment absorption. Turbidity controls the total reflectance. A reflectance model based on the vector expression leads to a relationship nc ∝ Cji for two bands or nc ∝ Cji0.5 for multiple band analyses, where nc is the chlorophyll concentration and Cji is the vector orientation in bands j and i. With a simple uniform atmospheric correction to AVHRR and CZCS satellite data, maps of Cji (i = red and j = near-infrared bands) show the location of blooms in the Chesapeake Bay in the springs of 1981 and 1982. Regressions of in situ chlorophyll concentrations (nc) with Cji support the described relationships. The atmospheric correction has a potential error of 0–30% for Cji, with the error tending to compress the range of Cji. The scene bias may be < 25%. The bias and pixel errors combined produce an error of about ±60%, although bloom composition may produce some additional error. The results indicate that this method can identify blooms in estuaries where the reflectance is between 0.01 and 0.07 and, with some calibration, may provide estimates of chlorophyll for concentrations greater than 5 μg/L.
Comparison of a physical model and principal component analysis for the diagnosis of epithelial neoplasias in vivo using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

We explored the use of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrum for the diagnosis of epithelial pre-cancers and cancers in vivo. A physical model (Monte Carlo inverse model) and an empirical model (principal component analysis, (PCA)) based approach were compared for extracting diagnostic features from diffuse reflectance spectra measured in vivo from the dimethylbenz[α]anthracene-treated hamster cheek pouch model of oral carcinogenesis. These diagnostic features were input into a support vector machine algorithm to classify each tissue sample as normal (n=10) or neoplastic (dysplasia to carcinoma, n=10) and cross-validated using a leave one out method. There was a statistically significant decrease in the absorption and reduced scattering coefficient at 460 nm in neoplastic compared to normal tissues, and these two features provided 90% classification accuracy. The first two principal components extracted from PCA provided a classification accuracy of 95%. The first principal component was highly correlated with the wavelength-averaged reduced scattering coefficient. Although both methods show similar classification accuracy, the physical model provides insight into the physiological and structural features that discriminate between normal and neoplastic tissues and does not require a priori, a representative set of spectral data from which to derive the principal components.
The production of minor essential oils in the united states

The oils of dill, lemon-grass, tansy, wormseed and wormwood are distilled from cultivated plants; those of cedarleaf, cedarwood, erigeron, pennyroyal, sassafras, sweet birch, wintergreen and witch-hazel from wild plants; and together they all constitute a minor industry for which production figures are not readily available.
Media Arts: A Shifting Paradigm?

The chairs of four arts education professional organizations—Jane Bonbright of the National Dance Education Organization, Michael Butera of the National Association for Music Education, Lynne Kingsley of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, and Deborah Reeve of the National Art Education Association—were individually interviewed for their insights into the inclusion of media arts in K–12 arts classrooms. Guiding questions asked, “What is media arts? What are some examples of media arts in arts education? Are media arts affecting enrollment in the arts? What new branches of the arts have been made possible because of advancements in media arts? What will media's influence on the arts be in the next ten years? How will this shift in each arts discipline's paradigm be successfully achieved?” and lastly, “Do you personally feel that media is helping arts education?”
On numerical modeling of overland flow

The reliability of several finite difference numerical formulations for solving one-dimensional kinematic and diffusion wave equations that describe overland flow is investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on two numerical schemes which are second order accurate in space and time, one each from the explicit and implicit families, respectively: the MacCormack and the 4-point implicit schemes. The end numerical solutions are compared to analytical solutions used as benchmark data, and to implicit and explicit schemes widely used to solve the overland flow governing equations. The magnitude of the time step was selected from the CFL stability condition. The algorithms are used to solve two examples, and the results are compared in terms of accuracy and required computational time. In both cases, the results indicate that the MacCormack and 4-point implicit methods are superior in terms of accuracy to the other widely used schemes. The MacCormack and 4-point implicit methods are comparable in accuracy, but the MacCormack algorithm is computationally more efficient.
A general non-convex large deviation result with applications to stochastic equations

We prove an abstract large deviation result for a sequence of random elements of a vector space satisfying an “abstract exponential martingale condition”. The framework naturally generates non-convex rate functions. We apply the result to solutions of Ito stochastic equations in Rd driven by Brownian motion and a Poisson random measure.
Accumulation of the p53 protein occurs more frequently in metastatic than in localized prostatic adenocarcinomas

Mutations of the p53 gene result in increased stability and accumulation of the p53 protein, permitting p53 protein detection by immunohistochemical techniques. We have utilized immunohistochemistry to examine accumulation of the p53 protein at various stages of progression in prostatic adenocarcinomas. p53 protein accumulation was detected using the monoclonal antibody BP53-12-1 in 3 of 28 (11%) localized prostatic adenocarcinomas, and in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in 1 of 16 (6%) specimens. In contrast, p53 protein was detected in 9 of 16 (56%) primary prostatic adenocarcinomas that were metastatic (stage D), and in 10 of 18 (56%) matching metastases to lymph nodes from these same patients. Thus, we observed a higher incidence of p53 protein accumulation in matching primary and metastatic lesions of patients with stage D adenocarcinoma than in localized (nonmetastatic) adenocarcinomas. We also found that an antigen retrieval solution (ARS) aided in the detection of p53 protein accumulation in prostatic adenocarcinomas. The results indicate that accumulation of p53 protein occurs prior to metastasis, and identifies a subclass of prostatic adenocarcinomas that express a high potential for metastasis.
Astrogliosis during acute and chronic cuprizone demyelination and implications for remyelination

In multiple sclerosis, microglia/macrophage activation and astrocyte reactivity are important components of the lesion environment that can impact remyelination. The current study characterizes these glial populations relative to expression of candidate regulatory molecules in cuprizone demyelinated corpus callosum. Importantly, periods of recovery after acute or chronic cuprizone demyelination are examined to compare conditions of efficient versus limited remyelination, respectively. Microglial activation attenuates after early demyelination. In contrast, astrocyte reactivity persists throughout demyelination and a 6-week recovery period following either acute or chronic demyelination. This astrocyte reaction is characterized by (a) early proliferation, (b) increased expression of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), Vim (vimentin), Fn1 (fibronectin) and CSPGs (chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans) and (c) elaboration of a dense network of processes. Glial processes elongated in the axonal plane persist throughout lesion areas during both the robust remyelination that follows acute demyelination and the partial remyelination that follows chronic demyelination. However, prolonged astrocyte reactivity with chronic cuprizone treatment does not progress to barrier formation, i.e. dense compaction of astrocyte processes to wall off the lesion area. Multiple candidate growth factors and inflammatory signals in the lesion environment show strong correlations with GFAP across the acute cuprizone demyelination and recovery time course, yet there is more divergence across the progression of chronic cuprizone demyelination and recovery. However, differential glial scar formation does not appear to be responsible for differential remyelination during recovery in the cuprizone model. The astrocyte phenotype and lesion characteristics in this demyelination model inform studies to identify triggers of non-remyelinating sclerosis in chronic multiple sclerosis lesions.
The evolution of resource use.

The evolution of a consumer exploiting two resources is investigated. The strategy x under selection represents the fraction of time or energy an individual invests into extracting the first resource. In the model, a dimensionless parameter alpha quantifies how simultaneous consumption of both resources influences consumer growth; alpha 1 corresponds to antagonistic resources. An analysis of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics leads to five conclusions. First, when alpha 1, the strategies x=0 and x=1 are evolutionarily stable and convergent stable. Hence, if the populations initially specialize on one resource, evolution amplifies this specialization. Fourth, when alpha is slightly larger than one (i.e. the resources are slightly antagonistic), there is a convergent stable singular strategy whose basin of attraction is almost the entire strategy space (0,1). This singular strategy is evolutionarily unstable and serves as an evolutionary branching point. Following evolutionary branching, our analysis and numerical simulations suggest that evolutionary dynamics are driven toward an end state consisting of two populations specializing on different resources. Fifth, when alpha>>1, there is only one singular strategy and it is convergent unstable and evolutionarily unstable. Hence, if resources are overly antagonistic, evolutionary branching does not occur and ultimately only one resource is exploited.
Differentiating characteristics of an engineering curriculum

THERE HAS BEEN a steady increase in specialized branches of engineering during recent years. Some of these are simply specializations in functional engineering, such as welding engineering, tool and die engineering, petroleum engineering, and refinery engineering. Others are associated more closely with the basic sciences, as, for example, geological engineering or engineering physics. Still others tend toward the border line of business, such as administrative engineering or general engineering.
Zydeco: using mobile and web technologies to support seamless inquiry between museum and school contexts

Museums and other out-of-school settings, are ideal contexts for children to engage in authentic scientific inquiry. However, students need support to successfully do inquiry outside of the classroom, and to make connections between what they are learning in and outside of school. Zydeco is a new system that aims to support students in seamlessly conducting inquiry across contexts. Zydeco includes an online web component that allows students to define goals, questions, and categorical information for their science investigations. This information is uploaded to a handheld device, which allows students to photograph, tag, and annotate information in a museum. Students can then access their museum work in the classroom to complete their investigations. Here we describe the Zydeco system, highlighting strategies for addressing challenges of mediating inquiry across class and museum contexts.
Interaction of batrachotoxin with the local anesthetic receptor site in transmembrane segment IVS6 of the voltage-gated sodium channel

The voltage-gated sodium channel is the site of action of more than six classes of neurotoxins and drugs that alter its function by interaction with distinct, allosterically coupled receptor sites. Batrachotoxin (BTX) is a steroidal alkaloid that binds to neurotoxin receptor site 2 and causes persistent activation. BTX binding is inhibited allosterically by local anesthetics. We have investigated the interaction of BTX with amino acid residues I1760, F1764, and Y1771, which form part of local anesthetic receptor site in transmembrane segment IVS6 of type IIA sodium channels. Alanine substitution for F1764 (mutant F1764A) reduces tritiated BTX-A-20-α-benzoate binding affinity, causing a 60-fold increase in Kd. Alanine substitution for I1760, which is adjacent to F1764 in the predicted IVS6 transmembrane alpha helix, causes only a 4-fold increase in Kd. In contrast, mutant Y1771A shows no change in BTX binding affinity. For wild-type and mutant Y1771A, BTX shifted the voltage for half-maximal activation ≈40 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction and increased the percentage of noninactivating sodium current to ≈60%. In contrast, these BTX effects were eliminated completely for the F1764A mutant and were reduced substantially for mutant I1760A. Our data suggest that the BTX receptor site shares overlapping but nonidentical molecular determinants with the local anesthetic receptor site in transmembrane segment IVS6 as well as having unique molecular determinants in transmembrane segment IS6, as demonstrated in previous work. Evidently, BTX conforms to a domain–interface allosteric model of ligand binding and action, as previously proposed for calcium agonist and antagonist drugs acting on l-type calcium channels.
Mothers’ Employment, Education, and Parenting:

This study investigates whether mothers’ education moderates the link between their work and parenting quality, differentiating among aspects of work that may negatively and positively influence it. Data came from the National Institute of Child Health and Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 1,345). The results revealed that part-time and higher status work were associated with increases in parenting quality for less educated women, but not for more educated women, thereby narrowing socioeconomic differences in the parenting behaviors linked to children’s mobility. Yet nonemployment among less educated women was associated with the lowest levels of parenting quality, pointing to a key source of inequality in the lives of children.
Spiral ganglion cell site of excitation II: Numerical model analysis

Abstract An anatomically based model of cochlear neuron electrophysiology has been developed and used to interpret the physiological responses of the auditory neuron to electrical summation and refractory pulse-pair stimuli. For summation pulses, the summation time constant, τsum, indicates the ability of the membrane to hold charge after cessation of a pulse. When a spiral ganglion cell with a cell body was simulated, the value of τsum was elevated at the peripheral node adjacent to the cell body. For refraction pulses, the refraction time constant, τref, indicates the duration of the relative refractory period of the membrane. In spiral ganglion cell simulations, τref was decreased at the peripheral node adjacent to the cell body and slightly elevated at other peripheral nodes. The extent of the cell body influence on τsum and τref was high localized. Excitation times for the nodes adjacent to the cell body were either simultaneous or near simultaneous resulting in similar response latencies. Results indicate that values of τsum and τref may be useful for distinguishing central and peripheral excitation sites while latency measures alone are not a good indication of site of excitation.
Counseling Students' Transformative Learning through a Study Abroad Curriculum.

Research on the impact of study abroad curricula on student learning is limited. In this study, data were collected from students the last day abroad and 2 weeks and 6 to 9 months after returning home from a study abroad program. Eight codes conceptualized a grounded theory of student learning during and after completion of the study abroad curriculum. Transformative learning and practical implications for curriculum design are discussed.
Editorial Comment—What Can Models Teach Us About Stroke Treatment?: Sorting Out the Missing Bits

The report in this issue of Stroke on the cost-effectiveness of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA)1 suggests – with notable uncertainty – that, when compared with standard acute stroke care, thrombolytic therapy provides, on average, greater health benefits (in terms of average quality adjusted life years [QALYs]) at a reasonable average medical cost. This is not itself a unique finding; other similar efforts suggest – with notably greater certainty – that rt-PA is a good value for money.2–4 What have we learned from these modeling exercises? Is it true, as the authors propose, that we need another trial of rt-PA? Before considering the answer, it is useful to briefly review a few basics of disease models – what they are and what they can teach us. Disease models are mathematical representations of a clinical condition, its development, and its outcome, and models are often used to evaluate the impact of potential diagnostic or therapeutic strategies. These models are usually implemented in computer code, ranging from something as simple as a spreadsheet formula to sophisticated clinical event simulations. Sandercock and colleagues1 frame the question of rt-PA use as a decision tree, with a Markov model as a “calculation engine.” The inputs to this model are epidemiological, clinical trial, and health economic data (specifically applicable to the context of the …