cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of a virtual pain coach on pain management discussions: a pilot study.

Abstract There is a need to enhance patient and practitioner pain communications. A pain communication plus virtual pain coach intervention was tested in the primary care setting for the effect on communication of osteoarthritis pain information by older adults aged ≥60 years, on practitioners’ pain management changes, and on older adults’ reduced pain and depressive symptoms 1 month later. A randomized controlled pilot study design was used. Twenty-three older adults with osteoarthritis pain were randomly assigned to the pain communication plus virtual pain coach group or the pain communication–only group. Pain communication consisted of a video of important osteoarthritis pain information. The coach consisted of practicing out loud with a virtual pain coach via laptop computer. Pain and depressive symptoms were measured with, respectively, the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form and the Beck Depression Inventory II before intervention and 1 month later. Immediately after the intervention, older adults had their primary care visits, which were audiotaped, transcribed, and content analyzed for older adults’ communicated pain information and practitioners’ pain management changes. Older adults in the pain communication plus virtual pain coach group described significantly more pain source information and were prescribed significantly more osteoarthritis pain treatments than older adults in the pain communication–only group. A nonsignificant trend in pain intensity and depressive symptoms reduction resulted for older adults in the pain communication plus virtual pain coach group 1 month later. The virtual pain coach presents a possible strategy for increasing pain management discussions between practitioners and older adults with persistent pain.
Adsorption and wetting characterization of hydrophobic SBA-15 silicas

This work describes adsorption and wetting characterization of hydrophobic ordered mesoporous silicas (OMSs) with the SBA-15 motif. Three synthetic approaches to prepare hydrophobic SBA-15 silicas were explored: grafting with (1) covalently-attached monolayers (CAMs) of C(n)H(2)(n+1)Si(CH(3))(2)N(CH(3))(2), (2) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of C(n)H(2)(n+1)Si(OEt)(3), and (3) direct ("one-pot") co-condensation of TEOS with C(n)H(2)(n+1)Si(OEt)(3) in presence of P123 (n=1-18). The materials prepared were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, TEM, and chemical analysis. The surface properties of the materials were assessed by water contact angles (CAs) and by BET C constants. The results showed that, while loadings of the alkyl groups (%C) were comparable, the surface properties and pore ordering of the materials prepared through different methods were quite different. The best quality hydrophobic surfaces were prepared for SBA-15 grafted with CAMs of alkylsilanes. For these materials, the water CAs were above ∼120°/100° (adv/rec) and BET C constants were in the range of ∼15-25, indicating uniform low-energy surfaces of closely packed alkyl groups on external and internal surfaces of the pores respectively. Moreover, surfaces grafted with the long-chained (C(12)-C(18)) silanes showed super-hydrophobic behavior (CAs∼150-180°) and extremely low adhesion for water. The pore uniformity of parental SBA-15 was largely preserved and the pore volume and pore diameter were consistent with the formation of a single layer of alkylsilyl groups inside the pores. Post-synthesis grafting of SBA-15 with SAMs worked not as well as CAMs: the surfaces prepared demonstrated lower water CAs and higher BET C constants, thereby indicating a small amount of accessible polar groups (Si-OH) related to packing constrains for SAMs supported on highly curved surfaces of mesopores. The co-condensation method produced substantially more disordered materials and less hydrophobic surfaces than any of the grafting methods. The surfaces of these materials showed low water CAs and high BET C constants (∼100-200) thereby demonstrating a non-uniform surface coverage and presence of unmodified silica. It is concluded that CAMs chemistry is the most efficient approach in preparation of the functionalized OMS materials with uniform surfaces and pores.
Review of Intensive Longitudinal Methods: An Introduction to Diary and Experience Sampling Research

Intensive Longitudinal Methods: An Introduction to Diary and Experience Sampling Research, by Niall Bolger and Jean-Philippe Laurenceau. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 2013. 256 pp. ISBN: 978-146250...
Short-term wealth effects from debt buyback announcements

This study provides evidence that, as with stock buyback announcements, investors believe that debt buyback announcements signal good news about the future cash flows of the announcing firm. This information is contained in the stock price reaction on the announcement date. On average, the firms sampled experienced an average 5.51% increase in their stock price on the day their plans to repurchase debt were announced in the financial media.
Centip3De: A 64-Core, 3D Stacked Near-Threshold System

Centip3De uses the synergy between 3D integration and near-threshold computing to create a reconfigurable system that provides both energy-efficient operation and techniques to address single-thread performance bottlenecks. The original Centip3De design is a seven-layer 3D stacked design with 128 cores and 256 Mbytes of DRAM. Silicon results show a two-layer, 64-core system in 130-nm technology, which achieved an energy efficiency of 3,930 DMIPS/W.
The effects of ZD6474, an inhibitor of VEGF signaling, on cutaneous wound healing in mice.

Background ZD6474 is an inhibitor of the VEGFR-2 receptor tyrosine kinase with additional activity against EGFR-1 receptor tyrosine kinases that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and wound-induced neovascularization in pre-clinical studies and phase I clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ZD6474 on breaking strength in a murine model of cutaneous wound healing. Materials and methods Balb/C mice were given ZD6474 (50 or 100 mg/kg p.o.) or vehicle starting 7 days before wounding. Two full-thickness incisions were made in each mouse and closed using suture. On post-wounding day 7 or 28, laser Doppler blood flow measurements were made, and the breaking strength of the wounded skin was determined. Microvessel density measurements were performed using computer image analysis of CD31-stained sections. Results Compared with controls, mice treated with ZD6474 showed a significantly reduced dose-dependent decline in breaking strength, both at POD 7 (P Conclusion In a murine model of wound healing, ZD6474 treatment did not prevent wound healing, but was associated with a reduced skin breaking strength compared with vehicle-treated controls at both 7 and 28 days post-wounding. These observations may have clinical relevance for the perioperative management of patients treated with inhibitors of angiogenesis.
Brief report: Compliance in the classroom: Using the „thumbs up”︁ procedure to increase student compliance to teacher requests

This study assessed the effectiveness of a program designed to increase compliance with teacher commands in a regular 5th grade math class. A reversal design (A-B-B'-A-B') was employed. The teacher used a discriminative stimulus to signal the students as to the availability of an opportunity to earn a point towards a reinforcer. To receive the point the students were required to return the signal and initiate compliance. The entire class was involved in the program; however, data were recorded on two students, one identified by the teacher as noncompliant; the other served as a control. The results indicated that the program was effective in increasing initiation of compliance to teacher commands. However, serious questions were raised about the generalizability of such a program.
Best Practices in Assessing Kindergarten Readiness

This artile addresses the numerous challenges that have developed in response to the first national education goal that states, “All children in American will start school ready to learn.” The definition and measurement of school readiness has been surrounded by controversy for decades. There is little consensus on how it should be defined and even greater uncertainty on how it should be measured. This paper addresses the issues of assessing readiness by reviewing the history, research, and methodological challenges relating to screening instruments for school readiness and then links these data to a best practices model of screening techniques.
Reactions of thiols and selenols with the FeMoS cluster [Fe(MoS4)2]3−

Abstract The known complex [Et4N]3[Fe(MoS4)2] has been shown by EPR and visible spectral studies to react with both thiophenol and selenophenol. The reaction results in a change in the characteristic S=3/2 EPR spectrum of this species from a complex rhombic pattern to one of a very simple axial appearance. Although this effect is similar to that observed for reaction of these species with the iron- molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase, a moiety known to consist of a FeMoS cluster species, the large excesses of reagents and the long reaction times required for complete formation of product indicate that these reactions are of questionable direct relevance to the biological system. The reaction corresponding to the EPR spectral change from rhombic to axial in the [Fe(MoS4)2]3−/PhSeH system has also been partially characterized by product isolation which indicates that attack by selenol of the two terminal MoS2 moieties in the starting material has occurred.
Higgs Couplings and Naturalness

Many extensions of the standard model postulate the existence of new weakly coupled particles, the top partners, at or below the TeV scale. The role of the top partners is to cancel the quadratic divergence in the Higgs mass parameter due to top loops. We point out the generic correlation between naturalness (the degree of fine-tuning required to obtain the observed electroweak scale), and the size of top partner loop contributions to Higgs couplings to photons and gluons. If the fine-tuning is required to be at or below a certain level, a model-independent lower bound on the deviations of these Higgs couplings from the standard model can be placed (assuming no cancellations between contributions from various sources). Conversely, if a precise measurement of the Higgs couplings shows no deviation from the standard model, a certain amount of fine-tuning would be required. We quantify this connection, and argue that a measurement of the Higgs couplings at the per cent level would provide a serious and robust test of naturalness.
Oxygen uptake rates for determining microbial activity and application

Abstract The method presented involves using the oxygen uptake rates of activated sludges for determining the microbial activity and viability. The microbial activity correlates well with the substrate reduction first order rate constant. K1, determined in batch operations, and with the specific substrate utilization rate, q, of steady state operations. The microbial viability determined based on respiratory activity would result in slightly higher values than other means such as plate counting, since some of the respiratory activity is contributed by nonviable yet active cells. The extent of respiratory activity attributed to the nonviable cells increases as the biological solids retention time increases (or net growth rate decreases). Since the loss of ability of multiplication is not necessarily associated with loss of biochemical activity, the viability determined by the respiratory activity would represent more realistically the activity of microbes and thus is suggested as the preferred technique.
A Re-examination of the Smilansky-Parten Matrix of Play Behavior

Abstract In this study preschool children's play behavior, as measured by the Smilansky-Parten play matrix, was factor analyzed. We observed 86 preschoolers (M = 48.82 months-of-age) in their classrooms across a four week period. Our varimax rotation Solution suggested three factors: Dramatic-Constructive Play, Solitary Behavior, and Functional-Constructive Play, accounting for 16.3%, 15.9%, and 14.8% of the variance, respectively. This solution partially replicates the work of Roper and Hinde (1978). The structure of the first factor suggests that constructive and dramatic play tend to co-occur and may reflect children's accommodation and assimilation processes. This factor was orthogonal to Solitary Behavior, the second factor. The Functional-Constructive factor, which loaded positively on age, suggested that children's play with objects was typically solitary and had a functional to constructive dimension. The Solitary Behavior factor was considered regressive because it loaded positively on onlooker b...
Older age does not impact perioperative complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

To determine whether men aged 70 years and older had more perioperative complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) compared with younger patients, a retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent RARP between March 2004 and September 2009. Subjects were stratified according to age into four groups (age 30–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥70 years). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were obtained. Complication rates in the perioperative period, transfusion rates, and length of stay were compared. Complications were classified using the previously validated Clavien system. There were a total of 293 patients aged 70 years and older amongst the 1,223 total subjects. ASA comorbidity scores did vary significantly amongst the different age groups, and there was modest correlation noted between ASA and age. There was no statistically significant difference amongst complication rates in men aged 70 years and older (15%) compared with the other cohorts (P = 0.832). There was also no significant difference in transfusion rates (P = 0.170) or length of stay (P = 0.131). Patients with higher ASA scores (ASA 3–4) had more Clavien I–II complications compared with patients with ASA scores of 1–2 (15.5% versus 10.3%, P = 0.03). There was no difference in transfusion rates or length of stay between the ASA scores. There are no more complications in men aged 70 years and older compared with men <70 years of age undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. RARP is a safe treatment option to offer to the selected elderly patient.
Frequency filtering of proton-recoil data

Abstract The use of frequency filters to improve the statistical quality of proton-recoil data is described. Numerical simulation and theoretical analysis of the variance and bias of the filtered data are in good agreement and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The computer codes used are written in Fortran and run on Data General Nova 1220 and Nova II computers.
Nanoparticle Emission Assessment Technique (NEAT) for the Identification and Measurement of Potential Inhalation Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials—Part A

There are currently no exposure limits specific to engineered nanomaterial nor any national or international consensus standards on measurement techniques for nanomaterials in the workplace. However, facilities engaged in the production and use of engineered nanomaterials have expressed an interest in learning whether the potential for worker exposure exists. To assist with answering this question, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health established a nanotechnology field research team whose primary goal was to visit facilities and evaluate the potential for release of nanomaterials and worker exposure. The team identified numerous techniques to measure airborne nanomaterials with respect to particle size, mass, surface area, number concentration, and composition. However, some of these techniques lack specificity and field portability and are difficult to use and expensive when applied to routine exposure assessment. This article describes the nanoparticle emission assessment technique ...
Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier

From a rediscovered collection of priceless autobiographical accounts written by hundreds of pioneer women, Joanna Stratton has made a remarkable and widely celebrated book. Never before has there been such a detailed record of women's courage, such a living portrait of the women who civilized the American frontier. here are their stories: wilderness mothers, schoolmarms, Indian squaws, immigrants, homesteaders, and circuit riders. Their personal recollections of prairie fires, locust plagues, cowboy shoot-outs, Indian raids, and blizzards on the plains vividly reveal the drama, danger and excitement of the pioneer experience.These were women of relentless determination, whose tenacity helped them to conquer lonliness and privation. Their work was the work of survival, it demanded as much from them as from their men - and at last that partnership has been recognized. "These voices are haunting" ( "New York Times Book Review" ), and they reveal the special heroism and industriousness of pioneer women as never before.
Theoretical discussion for quantum computation in biological systems

Analysis of the brain as a physical system, that has the capacity of generating a display of every day observed experiences and contains some knowledge of the physical reality which stimulates those experiences, suggests the brain executes a self-measurement process described by quantum theory. Assuming physical reality is a universe of interacting self-measurement loops, we present a model of space as a field of cells executing such self-measurement activities. Empty space is the observable associated with the measurement of this field when the mass and charge density defining the material aspect of the cells satisfy the least action principle. Content is the observable associated with the measurement of the quantum wave function ψ interpreted as mass-charge displacements. The illusion of space and its content incorporated into cognitive biological systems is evidence of self-measurement activity that can be associated with quantum operations.
Ab initio calculation of pressure coefficients of band gaps of silicon: Comparison of the local-density approximation and quasiparticle results.

The pressure coefficients of band gaps of silicon are calculated with use of a first-principles quasiparticle approach. For comparison, the same quantities are also computed within the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham local-density approximation (LDA). In both cases, the calculations were performed for volumes corresponding to pressures between 0 and 150 kbar using ab initio norm-conserving pseudopotentials. The electron self-energy in the quasiparticle calculation is obtained with use of a first-order expansion in the dressed Green's function G and the screened Coulomb interaction W with local fields. The quasiparticle results show a linear dependence of changes in the band gaps on lattice constant, while the dependence on pressure deviates from linearity at high pressure. The LDA band-gap pressure coefficients, obtained using three commonly used exchange-correlation potential forms, are shown to be very close to the quasiparticle values for the whole range of crystal volumes we considered. At some of the volumes considered, the LDA band gaps are negative. Both sets of pressure-coefficient results are in very good agreement with available experimental values for Si.
The relative effects of reward and nonreward in simple learning

Abstract Given fairly general conditions describing a two-choice learning process, testable predictions are derived from assumptions about the relative effectiveness of reward and nonreward in changing response probabilities. Tests of these predictions, using data from previously-published T-maze experiments with rats, yield the following conclusions. Reward of a response is usually more effective than nonreward of the opposite response, but is less effective than nonreward of the same response when the probability of the response is near 1. These facts imply that events that increase response probability are more effective when response probability is low, while events that decrease response probability are more effective when response probability is high.
Estimation of Mortgage Defaults Using Disaggregate Loan History Data

This paper addresses, theoretically and empirically, the structure of influences affecting the default option in mortgage contracts. A formal theoretical model recognizes that a number of loan and non-loan related effects beyond equity in the unit could influence the default decision. These include 1) payment levels relative to income, which could displace other investment opportunities or cause a need for borrowing or sale to meet mortgage obligations; 2) current and expected neighborhood and housing market conditions, in particular the expected relative rate of appreciation of the unit and the relative cost of homeownership; 3) economic conditions; 4) wealth; 5) borrower characteristics proxying for variability in income or “crisis” events; as well as 6) transactions costs incurred upon default. Estimates of the model making use of a micro-level sample of individual loan histories over a twelve year period, supplemented by longitudinal census and economic information, find a number of these “other” effects important. Simulations find several of them to dominate the equity effect on default and to help explain why some households with zero or negative equity may not default, while others with positive equity may. The implications of these results for appropriate specification of the pricing model describing the default option and for appropriate underwriting of AMIs are noted.
Metacomprehension Across the Lifespan: Influence of Education and Instructional Support

Abstract We examined the ability of younger and older adults to evaluate and regulate their comprehension during the reading of expository texts, as a function of their educational level (participants either had a high school education or had attended some college) and instructional support (instructions indicated that texts had inconsistencies or not). We also examined adults’ memory for passages read. Adults’ skills at evaluating their comprehension on-line as well as using reading strategies were affected by educational level; verbal reports of inconsistencies following reading were affected by age and educational level. Adults’ use of a selective rereading strategy when confronted with contradictory information was related to overall passage recall.
Sodium vanadate inhibits apoptosis in malignant glioma cells: a role for Akt/PKB.

The dual signal hypothesis of apoptosis holds that a common signal can activate both apoptotic and proliferative pathways. The fate of a cell is dependent on which of these two pathways predominates. In the MAPK family of kinases, ERK and JNK have been proposed to mediate apoptosis whereas the PI3K-stimulated kinase, Akt/PKB, has been shown to inhibit apoptosis. The object of this study was to determine the role of these kinases in a glioma model of apoptosis. We have previously shown that K252a induces apoptosis and inhibits kinase activity. In this study we confirm these results and shown that the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium vanadate activates ERK, JNK and Akt/PKB, but does not stimulate proliferation. Vanadate did protect T98G cells from K252a-induced apoptosis, an effect that was abolished by addition of the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. This suggests that PI3K and Akt/PKB may be responsible for mediating vanadate's protective effect on glioma cells. We conclude that the intracellular balance between protein phosphorylation pathways is a critical determinant of both cell proliferation and cell death.
The acute and transient nature of idiopathic immune hemolytic anemia in childhood.

The records of 22 children with the diagnosis of idiopathic immune hemolytic anemia were reviewed. Fifty per cent of the children had a history of an antecedent infection and 32% had underlying immune deficiency or lymphoproliferative diseases. The majority (77%) of the patients had an acute self-limited disease which was frequently associated with a positive complement or nongamma Coombs test. The anemia was usually severe, and a number of the children had reticulocytopenia at the time of diagnosis. These children responded rapidly to transfusions and corticosteroids and generally remained well on follow-up. Immnosuppressive drugs did not prove useful in two patients refractory to prednisone, but splenectomy was apparently beneficial in three of four patients so treated. Mortality rate was 18%, with most of the deaths related to an underlying disease.
Self-aligned TiNxOy/TiSi2 contact formation

Abstract Bilayers of TiN x O y /TiSi 2 have been formed successfully on silicon as low resistive contacts as well as diffusion barriers during self-aligned silicide processing by direct rapid thermal nitridation of TiSi in an NH 3 ambient. The formation of TiN x O y is due to the reaction among titanium atoms in the silicide layer, nitrogen atoms which decompose from NH 3 , and oxygen atoms. The oxygen in the TiN x O y layer has been identified in the form of a TiO phase which can suppress aluminium diffusion during sintering of the Al/TiN x O y /TiSi 2 structure, making the bilayer an effective diffusion barrier between aluminium and the silicon substrate. The growth of the TiN x O y layer can be controlled by the annealing temperature and/or time through the nitridation of TiSi 2 . This bilayer can have a low sheet resistance of 1.25–2.5 Ω/□ with a controlled thickness ratio of TiN x O y /TiSi 2 . The Al/TiN x O y /TiSi 2 /Si contact structure is thermally stable up to 500°C for 30 min sintering in forming gas. In addition, this bilayer has a good chemical stability in dilute HF for at least 60 s. Since TiN x O y /TiSi 2 is formed on source, drain and gate areas in a self-aligned fashion by two-step rapid thermal processing, this technique can easily be applied to submicron device fabrication.
Characterization of rabbit cytochrome P450IIC4 cDNA and induction by phenobarbital of related hepatic mRNA levels

We have cloned cDNA containing a partial sequence of a rabbit cytochrome P-450 (designated cytochrome P450IIC4) cDNA that is a member of the cytochrome P450IIC subfamily. The cDNA contains 770 bp of which the first 429 code for the C-terminal 143 amino acids of cytochrome P450IIC4. The protein coding region of the cDNA is 98% homologous with that of cytochrome P450IIC5 and the 3' untranslated region is about 90% homologous. In contrast to the constitutive isozyme, cytochrome P450IIC5, mRNA in the liver that hybridized to the 3' untranslated region of cytochrome P450IIC4 cDNA was increased about 8-fold 24 hours after a single injection of phenobarbital.
Excavating the Teacher Pipeline: Teacher Preparation Programs and Teacher Attrition.

We analyze the placement and attrition patterns of teachers by preparation programs and document large differences in the rate at which teachers exit both their schools and the profession. These di...
Hair cortisol levels as a retrospective marker of hypothalamic-pituitary axis activity throughout pregnancy: Comparison to salivary cortisol

Abstract Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with negative maternal/child outcomes. One potential biomarker of the maternal stress response is cortisol, a product of activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. This study evaluated cortisol levels in hair throughout pregnancy as a marker of total cortisol release. Cortisol levels in hair have been shown to be easily quantifiable and may be representative of total cortisol release more than single saliva or serum measures. Hair cortisol provides a simple way to monitor total cortisol release over an extended period of time. Hair cortisol levels were determined from each trimester (15, 26 and 36 weeks gestation) and 3 months postpartum. Hair cortisol levels were compared to diurnal salivary cortisol collected over 3 days (3 times/day) at 14, 18, 23, 29, and 34 weeks gestational age and 6 weeks postpartum from 21 pregnant women. Both salivary and hair cortisol levels rose during pregnancy as expected. Hair cortisol and diurnal salivary cortisol area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg) were also correlated throughout pregnancy. Levels of cortisol in hair are a valid and useful tool to measure long-term cortisol activity. Hair cortisol avoids methodological problems associated with collection other cortisol measures such as plasma, urine, or saliva and is a reliable metric of HPA activity throughout pregnancy reflecting total cortisol release over an extended period.
The relationship between basic multicellular unit activation and origination in cancellous bone

Activation frequency is often used as a measure of basic multicellular unit (BMU) activity in cancellous bone. However, activation frequency expresses the rate of BMU appearance in a histologic slide and not the rate of origination, which is a more physiologic indicator of remodeling activity and is necessary for the development of BMU-level bone remodeling simulations. Using identical assumptions to those for calculating the activation frequency, it is shown that the origination frequency in cancellous bone is equal to the activation frequency divided by the total distance traveled by the BMU and its width.
The preparation and crystal structure of (dppe) (CO)3Re-OC(O)O-Re(CO)3(dppe)

Abstract The title compound is readily prepared from the rhenium carboxylate, (dppe)(CO)3ReC(O)OCH3, by prolonged stirring of a solution of the carboxylate in benzene/H2O or THF/H2O. The reaction involves the unusual in situ conversion of ReC bonds to ReO bonds. The X-ray structure of the title compound shows that the μ2,η2-carbonato ligand is present in the symmetrical syn, syn conformation in the solid state in contrast to the alternate syn, anti geometry reported for the related complex, (diars)(CO)3ReOC(O)ORe(CO)3(diars).
Using Protein-Functionalized Microchannels for Stem Cell Separation

Current hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) separation methods utilize immunomagnetic techniques where antibodies are conjugated to paramagnetic or iron-dextran particles so that the cells can be precipitated using a magnetic field. Antibodies are usually targeted against CD34 antigen, a known HSC marker that is lost as the cell matures into a terminally differentiated blood cell. While this method is able to produce stem cell purities greater than 80% in most cases, cell yield is usually low (<50%) and there is evidence to suggest that not all HSCs express CD34 and hence, cannot be selected using these methods. Our long-term aim is to move away from immunologic isolation methods and instead focus on general HSC behavior in the presence of specific proteins. Selectins are a group of adhesion molecules that have been shown to selectively retard HSC rolling in comparison to more mature blood cells so that, under the right conditions, HSC isolation from whole blood should be possible. Since this functional method is independent of specific HSC surface marker, it would enable isolation of all HSC sub-populations as well as improve the overall yield. We have used two geometries for HSC isolation using selectins. The first assembly was a commercially available parallel plate flow chamber with rectangular cross-section. This proved to be inefficient for cell separation due to the emergence of dead zones within the chamber and excessive cell accumulation along the tubing and fittings that comprised the inlets and outlets. We have evaluated this chamber and two redesigns using finite elements software. Ultimately we decided on a simpler approach — to replace the flow chamber with a capillary tube, which reduced unwanted cell accumulation due to gravity or dead zones while increasing the effective area for separation, and hence allowing for better HSC isolation.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Protein and esterase electrophoretic patterns of streptomyces SPP. isolated from Maine potatoes

Disc eletrophoresis was employed to separate soluble proteins and esterase in mycelial extracts ofStreptomyces scabies, an acid tolerantStreptomyces sp. pathogenic on potatoes, and two nonpathogenicStreptomyces spp. Each organism demonstrated a characteristic pattern of major protein bands. Distinctive esterase patterns were also obtained, although one band of esterase activity was common to all organisms and most bands were shared by two or more organisms.
Collection of equine cord blood and placental tissues in 40 thoroughbred mares.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UCT) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) in human subjects and horses can be obtained in a minimally invasive fashion with successful propagation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently there are no detailed protocols documenting a procedure to harvest UCB and UCT safely for equine stem cell propagation. Hypothesis: UCB and UCT could be collected without harm to mare or foal. Objectives: To develop a standard and safe method for UCB and UCT collection, and prospectively to compare foal and mare health between groups of animals where tissue was and was not collected. Methods: This study was conducted at a Thoroughbred breeding facility in central California in 2008. UCB and UCT were collected from 40 mare and foal pairs. Clinical parameters including time for foal to stand and nurse, time for mare to pass the placenta, and foal haematology data at age 24 h were documented and compared to a control group, consisting of the succeeding 40 mare and foal pairs. Results: UCB was obtained successfully from 36 of 40 (90%) mares and UCT from 38 of 40 (95%) mares. Bacterial contamination was documented in 6 out of 36 (16.6%) UCB samples. There were no significant differences in time to stand or nurse for foals or time to pass the placenta for mares, between the experimental and control groups. There were no clinically relevant differences identified in haematological data obtained from foals with and without UCB collection. Conclusions: UCB and UCT can be harvested safely without harm to mares or foals. Potential relevance: UCB and UCT samples collected in an inherently contaminated environment can be successfully disinfected and transported with minimal bacterial overgrowth for use in cell culture to isolate MSCs.
The design, construction and application of a large aperture lens-less line-focus PVDF transducer

A large aperture lens-less line-focus transducer for materials characterization is described. The transducer design is based on a time-domain Green's function formalism, which also yields good theoretical corroboration of the experimental results. The transducer construction is readily achieved by conforming commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film to a cylindrical (convex) surface, followed by casting a tungsten-powder-loaded epoxy resin backing material into an attached housing. This transducer can be used to characterize sample material properties by simultaneously measuring surface wave speeds and bulk wave transit times, from which the thickness and anisotropy may be deduced.
An Estimate of the Dietary Lysine Requirement of Juvenile Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus

Quadruplicate groups of juvenile red drum (initial mean weight 2.7 g; 20 fish per replicate) were fed experimental diets containing 35% crude protein and graded levels of lysine for eight weeks. Lysine concentration in the basal diet was 1.2% and was supplied by a combination of peanut meal and shrimp-head meal. The basal diet was supplemented with lysine-HCI to provide 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4% lysine. Each of these diets contained an essential amino acid (EAA) premix. Two additional diets were formulated to contain 1.2 and 2.4% lysine without the EAA premix. Weight gain and feed efficiency (FE) data indicated between 1.2 and 1.6% dietary lysine was adequate. However, serum lysine concentrations indicated 1.6–2.0% lysine was required. Fish fed 1.2 or 2.4% lysine, without the EAA premix, exhibited reduced weight gain and feed efficiency. Results indicated that red drum were able to utilize crystalline amino acids when incorporated into diets containing intact protein and, when lysine was adequate, the proteins were deficient in at least one other essential amino acid. It is recommended that a dietary lysine level of 5.7% of the dietary protein be used in formulating red drum diets.
Cost-Effective Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Designs involving Cm-244 and Pu-238 Heat Sources

References 1 Darwell, H. M. and Trubridge, G. F. P., "Design of Roclcet Nozzles to Reduce Gas Misalignment," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 1968, pp. 36-41. 2 Ransom, V. H., Thompson, H. D., and Hoffman, J. D., "A SecondOrder Bicharacteristics Method for Three-Dimensional, Steady Supersonic Flow," AIAA Journal, Vol. 10, No. 12, Dec. 1972, pp. 1573-1581. 3 Rao, G. V. R., "Exhaust Nozzle Contour for Maximum Thrust," Jet Propulsion, Vol. 28, No. 6, June 1958, pp. 377-382. 4 Back, L. H., Cuffel, R. F., and Massier, P. F., "Influence of Contraction Section Shape and Inlet Flow Direction on Supersoni'c Nozzle Flow and Performance," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 9, No. 6, June 1972, pp. 420-427.
Unusual biopsy findings in a hepatitis C-infected white man with cryoglobulinemia, purpuric rash, and renal failure.

D H 1 HE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS of renal failure in intravenous (IV) drug abusers is arge. IV heroin abusers may develop a distincive form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis nown as heroin-associated nephropathy. They lso are at increased risk for the development of epatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its renal omplications, including membranous and memranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with or ithout associated cryoglobulinemia. Other nfections, such as hepatitis B or human immunoeficiency virus, may lead to membranous or embranoproliferative glomerulopathy and huan immunodeficiency virus–associated nehropathy. Long-term IV drug users who resort o the practice of “skin popping” are predisposed o develop secondary amyloidosis-related kidney isease. We report an unusual presentation of enal disease in a white “skin popper” with hronic HCV infection.
Serologic detection of bovine leukemia virus infection

Abstract After a review of earlier work, an improved technique for the preparation of the antigen used in the agar gel immuno-diffusion test is described.
Difference pattern null depth and angular accuracy

It is common to specify a large (in dB) null depth of the difference pattern of monopulse radars. This communication shows that this is not necessary from the points of view of angular precision and accuracy.
Peptic Activity of Achlorhydric Human Gastric Juices from Carcinomatous Stomachs. Comparative Study.

ConclusionsThe low pepsin content of achlorhydric gastric juices from carcinomatous stomachs is of the same order as the low pepsin content of achlorhydric gastric juices obtained from patients not presenting carcinoma of the stomach.
Expression of the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) type IV promoter in B lymphocytes and regulation by IFN-γ

The MHC class II transactivator (CIITA), the master regulator of MHC class II (MHC II) expression, is a co-activator that controls MHC II transcription. Human B lymphocytes express MHC II constitutively due to persistent activity of CIITA promoter III (pIII), one of the four potential promoters (pI-pIV) of this gene. Although increases in MHC II expression in B cells in response to cytokines have been observed and induction of MHC II and CIITA by IFN-γ has been studied in a number of different cell types, the specific effects of IFN-γ on CIITA expression in B cells have not been studied. To investigate the regulation of CIITA expression by IFN-γ in B cells, RT-PCR, in vivo and in vitro protein/DNA binding studies, and functional promoter analyses were performed. Both MHC II and CIITA type IV-specific RNAs increased in human B lymphocytes in response to IFN-γ treatment. CIITA promoter analysis confirmed that pIV is IFN-γ inducible in B cells and that the GAS and IRF-E sites are necessary for full induction. DNA binding of IRF-1 and IRF-2, members of the IFN regulatory factor family, was up-regulated in B cells in response to IFN-γ and increased the activity of CIITA pIV. In vivo genomic footprint analysis demonstrated proteins binding at the GAS, IRF-E and E box sites of CIITA pIV. Although CIITA pIII is considered to be the hematopoietic-specific promoter of CIITA, these findings demonstrate that pIV is active in B lymphocytes and potentially contributes to the expression of CIITA and MHC II in these cells.
A Light Theory with Heavy Burdens

In “ A Light Theory of Color”, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong and David Sparrow argue that color is neither a primary quality of objects, nor a disposition that objects have, nor a property of our visual fields. Rather, according to the view they present, color is a property of light. The present paper aims to show, first, that the light theory is vulnerable to many of the very same objections that Sinnott-Armstrong and Sparrow raise against rival views. Second, the paper argues that the strategies that Sinnott-Armstrong and Sparrow use to avoid certain objections are also available to proponents of rival accounts. This might only seem to show that the light theory is in the same shaky boat as other theories: suffering from the same problems but having the same tools for solving them. The paper concludes with a suggestion as to why this is not the case, but why the existence of the light theory is nevertheless likely to bring increased clarity to the debate about color realism.
Changes in pitch with a cochlear implant over time

In the normal auditory system, the perceived pitch of a tone is closely linked to the cochlear place of vibration. It has generally been assumed that high-rate electrical stimulation by a cochlear implant electrode also evokes a pitch sensation corresponding to the electrode’s cochlear place (“place” code) and stimulation rate (“temporal” code). However, other factors may affect electric pitch sensation, such as a substantial loss of nearby nerve fibers or even higher-level perceptual changes due to experience. The goals of this study were to measure electric pitch sensations in hybrid (short-electrode) cochlear implant patients and to examine which factors might contribute to the perceived pitch. To look at effects of experience, electric pitch sensations were compared with acoustic tone references presented to the non-implanted ear at various stages of implant use, ranging from hookup to 5 years. Here, we show that electric pitch perception often shifts in frequency, sometimes by as much as two octaves, during the first few years of implant use. Additional pitch measurements in more recently implanted patients at shorter time intervals up to 1 year of implant use suggest two likely contributions to these observed pitch shifts: intersession variability (up to one octave) and slow, systematic changes over time. We also found that the early pitch sensations for a constant electrode location can vary greatly across subjects and that these variations are strongly correlated with speech reception performance. Specifically, patients with an early low-pitch sensation tend to perform poorly with the implant compared to those with an early high-pitch sensation, which may be linked to less nerve survival in the basal end of the cochlea in the low-pitch patients. In contrast, late pitch sensations show no correlation with speech perception. These results together suggest that early pitch sensations may more closely reflect peripheral innervation patterns, while later pitch sensations may reflect higher-level, experience-dependent changes. These pitch shifts over time not only raise questions for strict place-based theories of pitch perception, but also imply that experience may have a greater influence on cochlear implant perception than previously thought.
Specific Overexpression of Cyclin E·CDK2 in Early Preinvasive and Primary Breast Tumors in Female ACI Rats Induced by Estrogen

Overexpressed Aurora A, amplified centrosomes, and aneuploidy are salient features of estrogen-induced mammary preinvasive lesions and tumors in female August–Copenhagen Irish (ACI) rats. Intimately involved in these events are cyclins and their associated cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) partners. Cyclin E1·CDK2 overexpression plays an important dual role in late G1/S phase of the cell cycle in cancer cells. It increases DNA replication providing growth advantage to cancer cells and facilitates aberrant centrosome duplication, generating chromosomal instability and aneuploidy leading to tumor development. Presented herein, a 24.0- and 45.0-fold elevation in cyclin E1 and CDK2 was found in 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced ACI rat mammary tumors (MTs), respectively. Cyclin E·CDK2 positive staining was confined to the large round cells found within focal dysplasias, ductal carcinomas in situ, and invasive MTs. Co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase activity of these tumors revealed that these cell cycle entities are functional. When mammary tissue derived from untreated normal, E2-induced hyperplasia and primary tumors were normalized to cyclin E1 levels, low molecular weight (LMW) cyclin E1 forms (33- and 45-kDa) were detected in all of these tissue groups. Moreover, increasing concentrations of protease inhibitor in tissue lysates resulted in a marked reduction of LMW forms, indicating that the presence of cyclin E1 LMW forms can be markedly reduced. Significant increases in cyclin E1 mRNA (2.1-fold) were detected in primary ACI rat E2-induced breast tumors, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed a 20% amplification of the cyclin E1 gene (CCNE1). Collectively, these results support the involvement of cyclin E1·CDK2 in centrosome overduplication during each stage of E2-induced mammary tumorigenesis.
Bionomics of Orasema simplex (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), a parasitoid of Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina.

Biological characteristics of the parasitoid Orasema simplex Heraty (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), a potential candidate for the biological control of fire ants in the United States were investigated. Female survivorship, fertility and oviposition preferences were studied in the laboratory. Naturally parasitized colonies were examined to determine offspring sex ratio, development success and time, and to artificially parasitize healthy ant colonies. In addition, field studies were carried out to establish natural oviposition substrates and adult activity patterns. Orasema simplex female survivorship was 3.6 ± 1.5 days. Newly emerged females contained 613.5 ± 114.0 mature eggs. The adult development success in natural parasitized colonies was 22.2% with a female-biased sex ratio (4:1). The time required from planidia to adult was 29.5 ± 5.4 days. In the field, adults were mostly found around the ant nests at midday. A broad range of plant species was observed as oviposition substrates. The transfer of planidia to healthy ant colonies was achieved but the development success was very low. Orasema simplex appears to have a limited potential as a fire ant biocontrol agent because of cosmetic damage to a wide variety of plants used for oviposition. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the real damage exerted by oviposition