cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of intestinal Cl- secretion by clotrimazole: direct effect on basolateral membrane K+ channels

We evaluated the effects of clotrimazole and clofibrate on Ca(2+)- and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated Cl- secretion in the colonic cell line, T84. We used 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO) to activate the Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel (KCa) in these cells to induce a sustained Cl- secretory current (Isc). Clotrimazole potently inhibited the KCa-dependent Isc, with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.27 +/- 0.02 microM. Clofibrate also inhibited the 1-EBIO-induced Isc albeit with lower affinity (Ki = 6.5 +/- 1.2 microM). Clotrimazole (10 microM) inhibited the Isc response to the Ca(2+)-mediated agonist, carbachol, by 82%. Similarly, both clotrimazole and clofibrate inhibited cAMP-mediated Cl- secretion, with Ki values of 5.2 +/- 1.0 and 6.7 +/- 1.1 microM, respectively. We used nystatin to permeabilize the apical or basolateral membrane to determine the effects of clotrimazole and clofibrate on the basolateral K+ (IK) and apical Cl- (ICl) currents following stimulation by either 1-EBIO or forskolin. Both clotrimazole and clofibrate inhibited the 1-EBIO- and forskolin-induced IK without affecting ICl. We determined the effects of clotrimazole and clofibrate on KCa using 86Rb+ uptake studies into membrane vesicles. Both clotrimazole and clofibrate inhibited the 1-EBIO-induced 86Rb+ uptake, with Ki values of 0.31 +/- 0.08 and 10.8 +/- 5.5 microM, respectively. Similarly, clotrimazole inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced 86Rb+ uptake with a Ki of 0.51 +/- 0.15 microM. Charybdotoxin inhibited both the 1-EBIO- and Ca(2+)-induced 86Rb+ uptakes with similar affinities (Ki values of 0.57 +/- 0.07 and 0.47 +/- 0.08 nM, respectively), suggesting 1-EBIO and Ca2+ activate the same channel (KCa) in this assay. In excised, single-channel recordings both clotrimazole and clofibrate inhibited KCa, demonstrating a direct inhibition of the channel by these compounds. We demonstrate that clotrimazole blocks the intestinal KCa, thereby inhibiting Cl- secretion. These results suggest that clotrimazole may be useful as an antidiarrheal.
Application Study of ASCUS in the Detection of Cervical Lesion

Objective To assess the clinical value of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance(ASCUS) in the detection of cervical lesion. Methods 370 cases diagnosed as ASCUS through Thinprep Cytologic Test(TCT) were undertaken vaginoscopy and cervical biopsy. To conduct comparison study on the results. Results 370 cases with ASCUS contains different levels of cervical lesions:49 cases had been diagnosed as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia(CIN) and cervical cancer through pathologic diagnosis of cervical biopsy and occupied 13.2% of the total cases;in which,22 cases of CNI I,5.9%;15 cases of CIN II,3.8%;7 cases of CINⅢ,1.9%,and 5 cases of cervical cancer,1.4%. Conclusion ASCUS patients should be checked by vaginoscopy and if necessary,conduct cervical biopsy in order to detect cervical lesion promptly.
Enzyme-specific differences in mannose phosphorylation between GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase αβ and γ subunit deficient zebrafish support cathepsin proteases as early mediators of mucolipidosis pathology

Targeting soluble acid hydrolases to lysosomes requires the addition of mannose 6-phosphate residues on their N-glycans. This process is initiated by GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase, a multi-subunit enzyme encoded by the GNPTAB and GNPTG genes. The GNPTAB gene products (the α and s subunits) are responsible for recognition and catalysis of hydrolases whereas the GNPTG gene product (the γ subunit) enhances mannose phosphorylation of a subset of hydrolases. Here we identify and characterize a zebrafish gnptg insertional mutant and show that loss of the gamma subunit reduces mannose phosphorylation on a subset glycosidases but does not affect modification of several cathepsin proteases. We further show that glycosidases, but not cathepsins, are hypersecreted from gnptg(-/-) embryonic cells, as evidenced by reduced intracellular activity and increased circulating serum activity. The gnptg(-/-) embryos lack the gross morphological or craniofacial phenotypes shown in gnptab-deficient morphant embryos to result from altered cathepsin activity. Despite the lack of overt phenotypes, decreased fertilization and embryo survival were noted in mutants, suggesting that gnptg associated deposition of mannose 6-phosphate modified hydrolases into oocytes is important for early embryonic development. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that loss of the zebrafish GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase γ subunit causes enzyme-specific effects on mannose phosphorylation. The finding that cathepsins are normally modified in gnptg(-/-) embryos is consistent with data from gnptab-deficient zebrafish suggesting these proteases are the key mediators of acute pathogenesis. This work also establishes a valuable new model that can be used to probe the functional relevance of GNPTG mutations in the context of a whole animal.
The Selling Cycle: A Neglected Guide for Sales Force Deployment

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study of selected relationships between the length of the selling cycle in various selling situations and in different types of sales organizations. Management implications are discussed and further research ideas are suggested.
Direct high-precision U–Pb geochronology of the end-Cretaceous extinction and calibration of Paleocene astronomical timescales

Abstract The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary is the best known and most widely recognized global time horizon in Earth history and coincides with one of the two largest known mass extinctions. We present a series of new high-precision uranium–lead (U–Pb) age determinations by the chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) method from volcanic ash deposits within a tightly constrained magnetobiostratigraphic framework across the K–Pg boundary in the Denver Basin, Colorado, USA. This new timeline provides a precise interpolated absolute age for the K–Pg boundary of 66.021 ± 0.024 / 0.039 / 0.081 Ma , constrains the ages of magnetic polarity Chrons C28 to C30, and offers a direct and independent test of early Paleogene astronomical and 40Ar/39Ar based timescales. Temporal calibration of paleontological and palynological data from the same deposits shows that the interval between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the appearance of earliest Cenozoic mammals in the Denver Basin lasted ∼185 ky (and no more than 570 ky) and the ‘fern spike’ lasted ∼1 ky (and no more than 71 ky) after the K–Pg boundary layer was deposited, indicating rapid rates of biotic extinction and initial recovery in the Denver Basin during this event.
Symbolic convergence of local wisdom in cross–cultural collaborative social responsibility: Indonesian case

Abstract Lately, the CSR policies of Multinational Corporations in Indonesia show certain improvements. It cannot be denied that at present the CSRs of Multinational Corporations in Indonesia indicate they are visibly supporting/involved in assisting the attainment of some of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). This study examines the CSR activities of several Multinational Corporations in Indonesia, in particular how they adjust/adapt to the local wisdom in their efforts to attain their CSR goals. The main theory applied in our study is the Symbolic Convergence Theory, supported by the Accommodation Communication Theory. Three Multinational Corporations in Indonesia were chosen as subjects of this research. Analysis is based on the Collaborative Social Responsibility Model (Kartikawangi, 2015) and Cross Cultural Communication Competence in Business Interaction models (Kartikawangi et al., 2016). At present “positive” actions are increasing by companies in efforts to better understand the society they are working in. Clearer understandings of local, regional and national societal factors are required to enhance the corporation’s product development programs, marketing strategies, and CSR strategies. Local, regional and national societal groups are in positions to choose what should be provided by the companies in achieving shared and practical Symbolic Convergence meanings. The societal groups actively present their aspirations, but also the aspirations and local wisdom that must be absorbed by the company. Symbolic Convergence in the relationship is built by all interacting parties. These interactions include the companies, government and local society. Meanwhile, the media also assist in developing awareness through the dissemination of various balanced information in the form of social disclosures.
Cost–utility analysis of methylphenidate and amphetamine/dexamphetamine in adults with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objectives Methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine/dexamphetamine (AMP/DEX) are the two most common stimulants used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous economic evaluations of these treatments mainly focused on children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to conduct a cost–utility analysis of MPH and AMP/DEX treatments in adults with ADHD. Methods This study was conducted from a third-party payer perspective using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2011 to 2013. Patients taking MPH or AMP/DEX were identified from the Prescribed Medicines files. The Short Form-12 version 2 questionnaire scores were used to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Only direct costs were evaluated from payer's perspective. Incremental cost–utility ratios were calculated, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings at different willingness to pay (WTP) assumptions. Key findings Of 305 patients, 68.8% were in the AMP/DEX group and 31.2% were in MPH group. The mean annual cost for the MPH group was $4355.31, and the cost for the AMP/DEX group was $6026.40. The mean utilities for MPH and AMP/DEX groups were 0.622 and 0.598 respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that MPH exceeded AMP/DEX at all WTP values. Conclusion Methylphenidate was clearly a dominating therapy over AMP/DEX; however, the QALY difference was found to be 0.024. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of using these treatments on various clinical and economic outcomes.
Classic Hallucinogens and Mystical Experiences: Phenomenology and Neural Correlates

This chapter begins with a brief review of descriptions and definitions of mystical-type experiences and the historical connection between classic hallucinogens and mystical experiences. The chapter then explores the empirical literature on experiences with classic hallucinogens in which claims about mystical or religious experiences have been made. A psychometrically validated questionnaire is described for the reliable measurement of mystical-type experiences occasioned by classic hallucinogens. Controlled laboratory studies show that under double-blind conditions that provide significant controls for expectancy bias, psilocybin can occasion complete mystical experiences in the majority of people studied. These effects are dose-dependent, specific to psilocybin compared to placebo or a psychoactive control substance, and have enduring impact on the moods, attitudes, and behaviors of participants as assessed by self-report of participants and ratings by community observers. Other studies suggest that enduring personal meaning in healthy volunteers and therapeutic outcomes in patients, including reduction and cessation of substance abuse behaviors and reduction of anxiety and depression in patients with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, are related to the occurrence of mystical experiences during drug sessions. The final sections of the chapter draw parallels in human neuroscience research between the neural bases of experiences with classic hallucinogens and the neural bases of meditative practices for which claims of mystical-type experience are sometimes made. From these parallels, a functional neural model of mystical experience is proposed, based on changes in the default mode network of the brain that have been observed after the administration of classic hallucinogens and during meditation practices for which mystical-type claims have been made.
Evaluación de parámetros de optimización GCC

La optimizacion en el tiempo de compilacion del codigo puede resultar en ganancias de rendimiento significativas. La cantidad de dichas ganancias varia ampliamente dependiendo de codigo a ser optimizado, el hardware para el que se compila, el aumento que se pretende en el desempeno (e.g. velocidad, rendimiento, utilizacion de la memoria, etc.) y el compilador utilizado. Se ha utilizado la version mas reciente de la suite de benchmarks SPEC CPU 2006 para ayudar a adquirir la comprension de las mejoras posibles en el desempeno utilizando las opciones GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) que se concentran principalmente en las ganancias de velocidad fueron posibles ajustando el compilador con los niveles de optimizacion del compilador estandar asi como una opcion de compilador especifica para el procesador de hardware. Se compararon las opciones mas estandarizadas de ajuste obtenidas para un procesador core i7, para las mismas opciones relativas utilizadas sobre un Pentium4 para determinar si el proyecto GNU ha mejorado sus capacidades de ajuste de desempeno para el hardware especifico en el tiempo.
Prácticas parentales, alimentación saludable y medidas objetivas de composición corporal en la niñez preescolar

El presente trabajo describe la evidencia empirica en cuanto a la relacion entre practicas parentales, alimentacion saludable y medidas objetivas de composicion corporal en la ninez preescolar en contextos europeos, estadounidenses y latinoamericanos. Se encuentran algunas concordancias en cuanto a la presion y la restriccion para comer. Se proponen direcciones para el desarrollo de lineas de investigacion en el contexto latinoamericano: a) realizacion de mas estudios, con el fin de confirmar si las relaciones entre las variables de interes se mantienen o cambian; b) realizar estos estudios con muestras aleatorizadas y representativas, con medidas de autoreporte y observacionales, de las practicas parentales de alimentacion; c) exploracion del rol mediador y moderador de variables culturales y sociales especificas del contexto latinoamericano.
Development of a Bereavement Group in a Geriatric Mental Health Clinic for Veterans.

Objectives: This article describes the development and program evaluation of an 8-session outpatient geriatric mental health clinic bereavement group for United States military veterans who experie...
Microwave synthesis of charge-compensated dodecaborates bearing exohedral boron-phosphorus connectivities

Abstract Solution pyrolysis of arylphosphonium salts of B12H122−,1, utilizing microwave heating provided charge-compensated monophosphine dodecaborate derivatives of general formula B12H11(PPhnR3-n)− (n = 1, R = Me; n = 2, R = Me, Et) in high yield. The resulting anions B12H11(PPh2Me)− (2), B12H11(PPhMe2)− (3), and B12H11(PPh2Et)− (4) were characterized by 11B, 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy, and by negative mode ESI-TOF mass spectrometry. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [Ph3PMe]2 confirmed an icosahedral boron cluster fragment appended by a PPh2Me moiety through a P-B bond.
2015 American College of Rheumatology Workforce Study

Objective Graduate medical education (GME), through fellowship training, plays a critical role in preparing new rheumatologists for our workforce and is an essential component when addressing the gap of excess demand for adult rheumatology care. This study was undertaken to assess the demographic characteristics and employment trends of new entrants entering the rheumatology workforce and the impact this will have on the supply of rheumatologits over the next 15 years. Methods Primary and secondary data sources were used to develop an integrated workforce model. Factors specific to new graduates entering the workforce included available and filled fellowship positions, gender shifts, planned work schedules (part-time or full-time), practice settings (academic or non-academic, private practice), and number of international medical graduates (IMGs) anticipating US practice. Results In 2015, there were 113 adult rheumatology programs, with 431 of 468 available positions filled. Using the 215 actual positions available annually in fellowship programs as a starting point, after all factors were applied, the projected clinical full-time equivalent number entering the workforce each year was 107; this number was affected significantly by gender and generational trends. In addition, 17% of IMGs self-identified their plan to practice outside the US. Confounding predictions included a large proportion of current rheumatologists planning retirement with substantially reduced patient loads by 2030. Conclusion The current US adult rheumatology workforce is in jeopardy of accelerated decline at a time when demands on the workforce face tremendous growth. The current GME training structure cannot support the increased demand. Potential strategies to address this gap include innovative mechanisms for GME funding to increase fellowship training positions, incentives for pursuing rheumatology training (e.g., loan repayment programs), and novel means for recruitment of care to underserved areas of the US.
eGov-DAO: a Better Government using Blockchain based Decentralized Autonomous Organization

E-government system has greatly improved the efficiency and transparency of daily operations of a government. However, most of existing e-government services are provided in a centralized manner and heavily rely on human individuals to control. The highly centralized IT infrastructure is more vulnerable to outside attacks. Also, it is relatively easy to compromise the data integrity by inside rogue users. Furthermore, relying on individuals to monitor and control some of the working flows makes the system error-prone and leaves room for corruption. To address these challenges, we propose to use the blockchain technology and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to improve the e-government system. The blockchain-based DAO system works in a fully decentralized way and is immune to both outside and inside attacks. At the same time, operations of such system is only controlled by pre-defined rules; thus, the uncertainty and errors caused by human processes are greatly reduced. We provide a concrete use case to demonstrate the usage of DAO e-government and evaluate its effectiveness.
Plant-Derived Anticancer Agents Used in Western and Oriental Medicine

Cancer chemotherapeutic agents derived from higher plants are used in Western medicine. Secondary metabolites from plants are used in oriental medicine are utilized in anticancer therapy. Immunomodulatory small organic molecules from plant species are employed in Chinese traditional medicine are renewed.
Insects in the Forest Environment

We have seen that insects are a diverse and highly successful group of organisms that have evolved sophisticated morphological and behavioral adaptations for feeding on all parts of forest trees and for surviving the hazards of their environments. Trees, on the other hand, have not remained passive spectators to these assaults, having evolved equally complex defenses against insect attack. In order to understand the interactions between trees and insects, therefore, we need to spend some time studying the defensive strategies of forest trees.
Access to Mental Health Services and Health Sector Social Capital

Mental health services are underused relative to mental illness rates. We hypothesized a positive correlation between use of mental health services and community-level health care social capital. Community Tracking Study data from 43 cities (N=43,278), merged with the National Profile of Local Health Departments and other sources, show that use of mental health services was greater when public health districts collaborated with managed care organizations and other community groups, independent of individual predictors and health care system variables. Use was also positively associated with community levels of public insurance coverage and with direct public health provision of behavioral health care services. Research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which social capital may improve access to mental health services.
Systems engineers’ role in biomedical research. Convection-enhanced drug delivery

Abstract Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an emerging field focused on administering therapeutic drugs directly to the brain to treat a multitude of pathologies ranging from malignant tumors to degenerative diseases. CED methods include direct administration of therapeutics using a catheter to the target site or using other vectors, such as nanoparticles or retroviruses to localize the therapy. In this chapter, the authors review landmark in vitro experiments, including catheter design and brain phantom models, and address contemporary challenges in catheter design, including the backflow problem. Prominent animal studies are next discussed, including tumor, epilepsy, and degenerative models, and vectors for drug delivery, including nanocarriers, liposomes, antibodies, and viral vectors are explored. Contemporary clinical trials are then outlined, including current brain tumor, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorder initiatives. The chapter concludes with a discussion of ongoing challenges and future directions in CED which systems engineering can advance.
Balsam: Near Real-Time Experimental Data Analysis on Supercomputers

The growing sophistication of experimental data analysis at DOE scientific user facilities is poised to outstrip local resources for storage and computing. At the same time, experimental facilities generally underuse DOE supercomputers for analysis because 1) logging into a supercomputer to schedule computations complicates the experimental workflow, and 2) scientists must often interpret data on-the-fly and cannot abide by batch queueing policies. In this work, we describe how the Balsam edge service has enabled near-real-time analysis of data collected at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) with an X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) application running on Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) resources. Balsam provides a uniform API for remote job submission and can leverage transfer protocols like Globus to orchestrate data movement. The Balsam service then interfaces with the system scheduler to perform automated job submission and process tasks in a high-throughput, fault-tolerant fashion. We highlight the effectiveness of backfill queues when used with Balsam to process XPCS data on idle nodes with relatively low latency.
In Reply: Pipeline Embolization Device for Treatment of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysms: A Multicenter Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy.

Background There is a paucity of literature regarding treatment options for extracranial pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA). To date, Pipeline Embolization Device (PED; Medtronic Inc) use for the treatment of extracranial pseudoaneurysms of the ICA has only been reported from single-center case series. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PED for the treatment of extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms. Methods This is a multicenter retrospective study involving 6 high-volume tertiary academic institutions in the United States. We analyzed patients with extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms treated with PED between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2019. Clinical assessment was performed pre- and postintervention using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institution of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at a minimum of 4-mo follow-up. Results A total of 28 pseudoaneurysms with a mean diameter of 17.7 mm (range: 4.1-52.5 mm) were treated with PED in 24 patients at 6 participating centers. The mean age was 52.1 yr (17-73) ± 14.3 with 14 females and 10 males. At a mean of 21-mo (range 4-66 mo) follow-up, complete occlusion was achieved in 89% (n = 25/28), with near-complete occlusion (>90% occlusion) in the remainder. There were no periprocedural complications. Postprocedure NIHSS was 0 in 88% (n = 21/24) and 1 in 12% (n = 3/24) of patients, and mRS was 0 in 83% (n = 20/24) and 1 in 17% (n = 4/24) of patients. Conclusion The treatment of extracranial ICA pseudoaneurysms with PED is safe and effective in selected patients. Randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies are needed to establish the role of flow diversion for ICA pseudoaneurysms.
Factors influencing inpatient colonoscopy bowel preparation quality.

Background Colonoscopy is highly sensitive for the visualization of the entire colon. Inpatient colonoscopies pose a special risk of poor preparation. We reviewed bowel preparation methods and patient factors to identify predictors of inadequate bowel preparation for inpatient colonoscopy at our institution. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict inadequate bowel preparation for inpatient colonoscopies. Methods All patients ages >18 years of age undergoing inpatient colonoscopy in 2017-2018 were reviewed. The primary outcome was inadequate bowel preparation and secondary outcomes were successful cecal intubation, duration of colonoscopy, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Outcomes were compared using multivariable regression with stepwise covariate selection. Results The analysis included 315 patients (median age =67 years; 45% female). Visualization was deemed adequate in 56%, fair in 27%, and poor in 17% of cases. Cecal intubation was successful in 84% of cases. The median duration of colonoscopy was 25 min and LOS was 2 days. Unsuccessful cecal intubation was most likely with poor visualization compared to adequate visualization (36% vs. 11%, P=0.014). There was no increased colonoscopy duration with poor visualization (P=0.075). There was no significant LOS with worse visualization quality (P=0.185). Factors predicting worse visualization quality included older age, history of congestive heart failure (CHF), cirrhosis, and motility disorders. Conclusions At our institution, patients who were older or had significant comorbid conditions (chronic artery disease, CHF, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, motility disorders, or cirrhosis) were more likely to have inadequate inpatient bowel preparation. Bowel preparation type did not affect the duration, quality of visualization, or successful cecal intubation.
Waste not want not: school finance reform and educational equity in new jersey

School finance reform is contentious. Critics charge that funds states provide to poor districts are wasted on salary increases, administrative featherbedding, and reduction of local property taxes. This paper analyzes the results of New Jersey's most recent school finance reform. The findings show that (a) little money was spent on property tax relief, (b) the salary gap between rich and poor districts remained, and (c) the proportion of staff that were administrators was comparable in both rich and poor districts. Thus, funds were not wasted, and a number of useful expenditures were made. However, after three years of reform, rich districts still spent more and had more staff.
National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer

Abstract The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) was created as a collaborative effort to establish improved treatment for patients with rectal cancer throughout the United States (US). Its inception was motivated by the inferior outcomes of patients with rectal cancer in the US as compared to other countries, mainly in Europe, that developed and implemented evidence-based standards for the treatment of rectal cancer in specialized centers of excellence. The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach is the cornerstone of the NAPRC and there is emerging data for its efficacy in improving patient outcomes.
The Role of Simulation in Training of ECMO Specialists

The ECMO specialist is a highly trained, integral member of the extracorporeal life support team. A perfusionist, registered nurse, or respiratory therapist most commonly fills this role in the hospital setting. While institutions differ in use of the three disciplines for staffing, simulation creates a unified approach for specialist education. An ECMO coordinator, overseeing the specialist team, must have the technical and educational range to teach foundational ECLS terminology to new team members while continually advancing the program incorporating high-fidelity scenario-based training to challenge and refine skills of the veteran specialist.
Pulmonary immune cell transcriptome changes in double-hit model of BPD induced by chorioamnionitis and postnatal hyperoxia.

Background Preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have lifelong increased risk of respiratory morbidities associated with environmental pathogen exposure and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The resident immune cells of the lung play vital roles in host defense. However, the effect of perinatal events associated with BPD on pulmonary-specific immune cells is not well understood. Methods We used a double-hit model of BPD induced by prenatal chorioamnionitis followed by postnatal hyperoxia, and performed a global transcriptome analysis of all resident pulmonary immune cells. Results We show significant up-regulation of genes involved in chemokine-mediated signaling and immune cell chemotaxis, and down-regulation of genes involved in multiple T lymphocyte functions. Multiple genes involved in T cell receptor signaling are downregulated and Cd8a gene expression remains downregulated at 2 months of age in spite of recovery in normoxia for 6 weeks. Furthermore, the proportion of CD8a+CD3+ pulmonary immune cells is decreased. Conclusions Our study has highlighted that perinatal lung inflammation in a double-hit model of BPD results in short- and long-term dysregulation of genes associated with the pulmonary T cell receptor signaling pathway, which may contribute to increased environmental pathogen-associated respiratory morbidities seen in children and adults with BPD. Impact In a translationally relevant double-hit model of BPD induced by chorioamnionitis and postnatal hyperoxia, we identified pulmonary immune cell-specific transcriptomic changes and showed that T cell receptor signaling genes are downregulated in short term and long term. This is the first comprehensive report delineating transcriptomic changes in resident immune cells of the lung in a translationally relevant double-hit model of BPD. Our study identifies novel resident pulmonary immune cell-specific targets for potential therapeutic modulation to improve short- and long-term respiratory health of preterm infants with BPD.
U.S. Race Relations and Buried Literary Remains

At the end of Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863–1877, historian Eric Foner concludes that failures of the postbellum period were a “disaster” for African Americans, and indeed f...
Visual deprivation induces transient upregulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the subcortical white matter of mouse visual cortex.

Abstract Sensory experience influences proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Enhanced sensorimotor experience promoted the lineage progression of OPCs and myelination in the gray matter and white matter (WM) of sensorimotor cortex. In the visual cortex, reduced experience reportedly delayed the maturation of myelination in the gray matter, but whether and how such experience alters the subcortical WM is unclear. Here we investigated if binocular enucleation from the onset of eye opening (i.e., P15) affects the cell state of OPCs in mouse primary visual cortex (V1). Proliferative cells in the WM declined nearly half over 3 days from postnatal day (P) 25. A 3-day BrdU-labeling showed gradual decline in proliferation rates from P19 to P28. Binocular enucleation resulted in an increase in the cycling state of the OPCs that were proliferated from P22 to P25 but not before or after this period. This increase in proliferative OPCs was not associated with lineage progression toward differentiated oligodendrocytes. Proliferative OPCs arose mostly due to symmetric cell division but also asymmetric formation of proliferative and quiescent OPCs. By P30, almost all the proliferated cells exited the cell cycle. Maturing oligodendrocytes among the proliferated cells increased at this age, but most of them disappeared over 25 days. The cell density of the maturing oligodendrocytes was unaffected by binocular enucleation, however. These data suggest that binocular enucleation transiently elevates proliferative OPCs in the subcortical WM of V1 during a specific period of the fourth postnatal week without subsequently affecting the number of maturing oligodendrocytes several days later.
Evaluation of Stallion Testicular Cell Types by Flow Cytometry.

ABSTRACT Flow cytometry procedures can be used for evaluation of both spermatogenic efficiency and diagnose disorders of stallion spermatogenesis. Aims of this study were to compare two testicular sample acquisition techniques (needle aspirate-N and tissue wedge-T) and results when using flow cytometry and histology procedures. Testicular cell types were stained with acridine orange, and nine regions (R2 to R10) were identified and enumerated following acquisition by either N or T. Testes were also grouped and analyzed by size and sexual maturity (Small [immature] compared with Large [mature]) and used to determine if flow cytometry procedures could be used to detect differences. For both N and T, percentages of 2n cell types were greater in the Small than Large testes, whereas percentages of 1n cell types in N were greater in the Large than Small testes (P
Using Local Contexts for Learning: The Caring for Cambodia Approach

The incorporation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) remains a challenge in many nations with developing economies. Curriculum support is often lacking and appropriate funding for teacher training is not available. This is especially true in Cambodia, where high levels of poverty and the legacies of genocide make even providing a basic education difficult. However, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has committed to incorporating ESD into the K-12 curriculum. This chapter presents some of the difficulties faced by the Cambodian government and provides an example of Caring for Cambodia (CFC), an NGO that is working to improve education in Siem Reap, Cambodia. CFC uses the child friendly schools model propagated by UNICEF at the schools they support. The use of the child friendly school model to promote ESD is described and explained and presented as a model for promoting ESD at the local community level.
Macrophage Involvement in the Protective Effect of Pyran Copolymer against the Madison Lung Carcinoma (M109)

Summary Pyran copolymer (NSC 46015) therapy markedly enhanced host resistance to a murine lung carcinoma (M109) implanted s.c. Multiple dose schedules were not significantly better than single doses at increasing lifespan. Although tumor necrosis was much more extensive in the lesions of pyran-treated mice, pyran copolymer was not directly toxic to M109 cells in vitro . A comparative histopathological study revealed an intense histiocytic reaction in the connective tissue surrounding the primary tumor in mice receiving pyran as compared to 0.9% NaCl solutiontreated controls. Macrophages were often associated with necrobiotic tumor cells. Morphologically activated macrophages were recovered from pyran-treated animals which potently inhibited DNA synthesis of M109 tumor cells in vitro . This response peaked 6 days after drug treatment and was to a large extent specific for neoplastic cells. Our results from both in vivo and in vitro studies support the concept that pyran enhances host resistance to neoplasia by mobilization and activation of the reticuloendothelial elements of the host9s defense.
A Five Year Perspective on Software Engineering Graduate Programs at George Mason University

This paper describes the experience obtained at George Mason University while developing a Master of Science program in software engineering. To date, the program has graduated over 45 students, with a current production rate of 10 to 15 a year. The paper also describes experience with a certificate program in software engineering, which is a software engineering specialization taken by Masters students in related disciplines, and the software engineering specialization within the PhD program in Information Technology. We discuss our courses, students, the successes that we have had, and the problems that we have faced.
CONCOCTING A FROLICKING “PASHTUN COUPLE” IN AFGHANISTAN

The validity, truth and truth value of the text and context of Euro-American, especially postmodern Anglo-American, ethnographies of Afghanistan, are rarely interrogated. A systematic scrutiny of these ethnographies reveals how prolonged blind acceptance of faulty, distorted, misinterpreted, and cooked-up information buttressed by the authority of “fieldwork” has been produced and reproduced in widely circulated packages of pseudo-knowledge about the peoples and cultures of Afghanistan. Various degrees and forms of this tradition of production and reproduction are available in virtually all postmodern Anglo-American ethnographies of Afghanistan. Some instances of pseudo-knowledge about Afghanistan have been interrogated elsewhere (Hanifi 2000, 2004, 2005, 2011). This essay offers a culturally informed scrutiny of a concocted “Pashtun couple” stored in photographs embedded in a postmodern Anglo-American ethnography of Afghanistan.
Conduction below 100 °C in nominal Li6ZnNb4O14

The increasing demand for a safe rechargeable battery with a high energy density per cell is driving a search for a novel solid electrolyte with a high Li+ or Na+ conductivity that is chemically stable in a working Li-ion or Na-ion battery. Li6ZnNb4O14 (LZNO) has been reported to exhibit a σ Li > 10−2 S cm−1 at 250 °C, but to disproportionate into multiple phases on cooling from 850 °C to room-temperature. An investigation of the room-temperature Li-ion conductivity in a porous pellet of a multiphase product of a nominal LZNO composition is shown to have bulk σ Li ≈ 3.3 × 10−5 S cm−1 at room-temperature that increases to 1.4 × 10−4 S cm−1 by 50 °C. 7Li MAS NMR spectra were fitted to two Lorentzian lines, one of which showed a dramatic increase with increasing temperature. A test for water stability indicates that Li+ may move to the particle and grain surfaces to react with adsorbed water as occurs in the garnet Li+ conductors.
An Integer Linear Programming Model of Software Pipelining for the MIPS R8000 Processor

In parallelizing the code for high-performance processors, software pipelining of innermost loops is of fundamental importance. In order to benefit from software pipelining, two separate tasks need to be performed: (i) software pipelining proper (find the rate-optimal legal schedule), and (ii) register allocation (allocate registers to the found schedule). Software pipelining and register allocation can be formulated as an integer linear programming (ILP) problem, aiming to produce optimal schedules. In this paper, we discuss the application of the integer linear programming to software pipelining on the MIPS R8000 superscalar microprocessor. Some of the results were presented in the PLDI96 [14], where they were compared to the MIPSpro software pipeliner. In this paper we further extend the ILP model for the MIPS R8000 by including memory optimization and present the entire model in detail.
Predictive role of mMRC scale on quality of life in COPD patients

COPD often coexists with other comorbidities and has an impact on Quality of Life (QoL). We evaluated QoL in COPD patients and the possible role of comorbidities in their relationship. We studied 60 stable COPD outpatients (39 M, aged 53-91) and 30 subjects without respiratory disease (controls, 14 M, aged 50-86). Spirometry and a clinical evaluation of comorbidities were performed. COPD patients were classified on the basis of COPD guidelines. We evaluated dyspnea perception by modified Medical Research Council questionnaire (mMRC). QoL was assessed by SF-36 through Physical Health (PCS) and Mental Health (MCS) components. PCS was significant lower in COPD with respect to controls (p=0.005); no significant difference was found in MCS. mMRC was significant higher in COPD patients (p= 0.022). Among comorbidities (disorders of lipid metabolism -DLM-, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, arrhythmia) only DLM prevalence was significant higher in COPD patients (p=0.012). A significant negative correlation was found between PCS and mMRC (p=0.0001); mMRC was directly related to DLM (p=0.02), only in COPD patients. PCS was not related to comorbidities neither in COPD nor in controls. In COPD PCS was inversely correlated to disease severity according to 2012 guidelines (p=0.001). In conclusion, COPD patients have a poorer QoL with respect to controls in its physical component but not in mental component. Dyspnea perception, in COPD patients is a strong indirect determinant for PCS, regardless of comorbidities. Moreover, among comorbidities DDL seems to determine a higher dyspnea in COPD patients. Detecting and monitoring dyspnea perception may be a useful element in management of COPD patient in order to increase QoL.
Metabolism of isomeric nitrobenzo[a]pyrenes leading to DNA adducts and mutagenesis

Abstract We have been interested in determining the structural and electronic features that may be useful in predicting the mutagenic activity of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs). We have previously found that a correlation between structural and electronic features and direct-acting mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium cannot be made using nitro-PAHs with different molecular size. In this study, a series of structurally related nitro-PAHs, the environmental contaminants 1-,3-, and 6-nitrobenzo[ a ]pyrene (NBaP) and their derivatives, was used to determine structure–activity relationships. It was found that isomeric NBaPs are activated to DNA damaging and mutagenic derivatives by nitroreduction, ring-oxidation, or by a combination of these two pathways. A general finding was that NBaPs and derivatives with their nitro substituent oriented perpendicular to the aromatic system exhibit either very weak or no direct-acting mutagenicity in S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. In this paper, we also discuss the effect of the location of the nitro group on the metabolism and the mutagenicity of NBaPs and the effect of oxygen-containing functional groups on the mutagenicity of NBaP derivatives. These findings provide a useful molecular basis for interpreting and predicting the direct-acting mutagenicity of nitro-PAHs.
The hemoglobins of Artemia salina. I. Determination of phenotype by genotype and environment.

Abstract 1. 1. The three hemoglobins (Hb-1, Hb-2, Hb-3) in the hemolymph of the brine shrimp Artemia salina can give rise to ten phenotypes: no detectable hemoglobin, all three, any one, or any combination of two hemoglobins. 2. 2. Hemoglobin concentration was increased (up to twentyfold above control values) by low oxygen, high carbon monoxide, or by addition of ferric EDTA, tryptophan, cysteine or inositol to the culture medium. 3. 3. In eight zygogenetic races, total hemoglobin and amount of Hb-1 was higher in females than in males. 4. 4. In a clone of genetically identical parthenogenetic females, expression of Hb-2 and Hb-3 was influenced by environmental and ontogenetic factors.
Student services and student athletes in community colleges

This chapter focuses on how student services support community college student athletes. Included are policy recommendations to help institutions develop programs to facilitate community college student athletes' current and future academic success.
The Not So Newlywed Game

Digital photo collections contain a wealth of information that can provide tremendous insights. Photo metadata in the form of geotags and timestamps coupled with extracted descriptors about people and other semantic content allows photo collections to answer many questions about our lives.
Induction of mitotic crossing over in Saccharomyces by p-Toluidine.

p-Toluidine, a carcinogen for rats, does not cause genetic damage when tested directly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; however, certain chemical derivatives of p-toluidine do induce gene conversion when tested directly. It may be suspected by analogy with other aromatic amines that p-toluidine, a monocyclic aromatic amine, requires conversion to breakdown products which are then the genetically active and carcinogenic entities. The Udenfriend hydroxylation medium, which has been used previously to show the genetic activity of certain other aromatic amines and nitrosamines, was used in the incubation of p-toluidine with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting breakdown products, but not the parent compound, induced reciprocal mitotic recombination in a diploid strain D-3. Recombination was monitored by using induced homozygosity of the red ade2 marker, and the reciprocal nature of the event was confirmed by observing the simultaneous homozygosity of two peripheral markers.
HERCULEAN LABOURS: JOHANNES MARTINI AND THE MANUSCRIPT MODENA, BIBLIOTECA ESTENSE, MS α.M.1.13

Modena, Biblioteca Estense, MS α.M.1.13 (ModD) is a collection of masses compiled in Ferrara around 1480 for the court of Ercole I d'Este. Although several scholars have argued that the changes in ModD were the result of composers reworking their own music or intervention by the scribe, the situation is far more complex. Through a careful examination of the textual and musical changes in ModD, this essay substantiates three hypotheses: that ModD had a separate and independent editor (Johannes Martini) apart from the scribe who copied it (Fra Filippo), and that both tampered with the music to a different extent; that the reasons behind the changes were in part politically and religiously motivated; and finally that several of the masses in ModD contain sections written by someone other than their original composer, a practice that may have been more common than we currently believe.
Smoking, Alienation, and Locus of Control Factors:

Several studies have reported conflicting results concerning the relationship between Rotter's Locus of Control Scale and smoking behavior. In order to clarify the relationship, college students' responses to Rotter's scale were factor analyzed, and smokers', exsmokers', and nonsmokers' factor scores were compared. A predicted significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers was found on the politically unresponsive world factor, suggesting that the relationship between locus of control and smoking is centered in the concept of alienation rather than “will-power.” Cross-validation data from a community sample were corroborative. It was reasoned that smokers are “alienated from their bodies” and thus have not internalized their intellectual knowledge that smoking endangers their bodies, and that they have (preventative) control over their own death. The findings suggest the usefulness of the concepts of “alienation” and “alienation from one's body” in understanding life-threatening behaviors.