cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redrawing the boundary of “speech community”: how and why the historicity and materiality of language and the space/place distinction matter to its reconceptualization

This essay contemplates how we adapt existing sociolinguistic theoretical concepts, methodologies, and analytical units to the world we live in today. Regardless of one’s location on the globe, our lives are profoundly affected by increasingly intense global interconnections and, at the same time, equally intense differentiation of space attending late global capitalism and the evolving nation-state system. While sociolinguistics has attended the heterogeneity within the speech community, in the world today as such, the idea of speech community as bounded is no longer tenable. In envisioning the future direction of IJSL and its leadership in the field, this essay suggests that speech community as an analytical concept would be significantly advanced through the theoretical integration of the space/place distinction and the historicity and materiality of language into its architectonics. By drawing on some of the recent works for guiding models, the essay argues that the reconceptualization of speech community would also demand radical openness to interdisciplinary approaches.
Optimized and Miniaturized Conformal Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonance Systems

In this work, the performance of Conformal Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonance (CSCMR) systems is studied to achieve optimal Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) efficiency and footprint miniaturization. A traditional CSCMR system from previous work is used to benchmark the performance of the proposed systems. The simulation and measured results demonstrate that by increasing the widths of the Transmitting (TX) and Receiving (RX) resonator loops and reducing source/load loops (while keeping the same overall dimensions) significant miniaturization is achieved. Also, the inner radius of source/load loops is optimized for higher efficiency depending on the resonant frequency of the CSCMR system.
The Use Doctrine in Trademark Law: Issues from Trade and Transborder Reputation

Mindful of the current trend within the United States to revive the focus on the use of trademark to determine a mark’s ability to act as a source indicator, in this paper I highlight how focusing on use can create disparate results by examining the role of use when dealing with well-known marks. Hence, this paper implicates the prescriptions from the harmonized trade regime, especially trademark law. In doing so, the paper outlines larger public policy concerns that will ensue especially considering the role of the use doctrine in the context of international harmonization of protection of well-known trademarks. In order to do so, this paper examines protection of foreign marks in two jurisdictions, India and the United States, to identify global public policy concerns which has national implications. The study debunks the myth that harmonization would result in trading partners extending reciprocal treatment. That is, inapposite to the touted position, this paper uses the well-known marks example to outline disparate outcomes that ensue when focusing on use as source indicator. In highlighting how harmonization has not resulted in uniformity or predictability internationally to identify and recognize well-known trademarks, this paper discusses how the lack of predictability under a harmonized system has raised strong public policy concerns as well as economic outcomes that may be detrimental to some markets but beneficial to others. Overall, this paper asserts that a coherent approach will have to necessarily involve some level of flexibilities in the trade regime to determine constituents of fame for a well-known trademark in each jurisdiction.
Unite to predict

Integrating the analysis of molecular data from different sources may improve our understanding of the effects of biological aging.
Speciation of yttrium and the rare earth elements in seawater: Review of a 20-year analytical journey

Abstract This review describes a program that we have conducted for more than 20 years, first at the University of South Florida and then at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, to systematically measure stability constants for solution complexes of yttrium and all rare earth elements (YREE), except Pm, at the ionic strength of seawater (I ~ 0.7). This effort informs our goal of better characterizing and understanding YREE speciation in the marine environment, in the presence of both inorganic and organic ligands (and sorbents). Since all YREE appear to show similar behavior as a function of ionic strength, patterns of stability constants for individual ligands have been extrapolated to I = 0 whenever sufficient data for at least one member of the series are available. Complexes with hydroxide, fluoride and chloride, carbonate, and sulfate, are treated in detail, being the most prominent inorganic YREE ligands. A natural siderophore (DFOB) and synthetic polyaminopolycarboxylic acids (NTA, EDTA, DTPA) are given as examples of strong organic YREE complexation which, while remaining poorly quantified, is thought to be important. Several YREE ligands that play a negligible role in seawater, or for which data are as yet scarce, are also briefly discussed. Many different and sometimes novel analytical approaches were used in our experiments and these are summarized in the introductory sections, along with a primer on the theory of chemical speciation. This paper is intended as a retrospective of our work, not as a critical review of all available data. Literature values are thus cited primarily for comparison with our results, to support specific arguments, or to highlight prior discrepancies that prompted our own studies.
Starting points matter: Cash plus training effects on youth entrepreneurship, skills, and resilience during an epidemic

Abstract This paper examines the impact of a “cash plus” intervention on youth entrepreneurship and skills formation during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, using evidence from a randomized control trial. The intervention combined a regular stream of modest cash injections with training in either technical skills, business skills, or a combination of these two types of training. The results suggest that such interventions can build resilience to aggregate shocks by increasing employment and entrepreneurship, building cognitive and non-cognitive skills, and protecting household consumption and investments. However, results are heterogeneous. Youth with higher initial noncognitive skills experienced positive labor market and entrepreneurship impacts, while weaker noncognitive ability, poorer youth upgraded skills more extensively, but channeled benefits into more consumption. The findings confirm the age-malleability of noncognitive skills and suggest that, in low-ability contexts, the sensitive years for skill investments may reach into early adulthood. They also highlight dynamic policy trade-offs in productivity gains and poverty reduction and indicate the relevance of noncognitive measures for targeting.
Prophage integration into CRISPR loci enables evasion of antiviral immunity in Streptococcus pyogenes.

CRISPR loci are composed of short DNA repeats separated by sequences, known as spacers, that match the genomes of invaders such as phages and plasmids. Spacers are transcribed and processed to generate RNA guides used by CRISPR-associated nucleases to recognize and destroy the complementary nucleic acids of invaders. To counteract this defence, phages can produce small proteins that inhibit these nucleases, termed anti-CRISPRs (Acrs). Here we demonstrate that the ΦAP1.1 temperate phage utilizes an alternative approach to antagonize the type II-A CRISPR response in Streptococcus pyogenes. Immediately after infection, this phage expresses a small anti-CRISPR protein, AcrIIA23, that prevents Cas9 function, allowing ΦAP1.1 to integrate into the direct repeats of the CRISPR locus, neutralizing immunity. However, acrIIA23 is not transcribed during lysogeny and phage integration/excision cycles can result in the deletion and/or transduction of spacers, enabling a complex modulation of the type II-A CRISPR immune response. A bioinformatic search identified prophages integrated not only in the CRISPR repeats, but also the cas genes, of diverse bacterial species, suggesting that prophage disruption of the CRISPR–cas locus is a recurrent mechanism to counteract immunity. By combining the use of a small anti-CRISPR protein, AcrIIA23, with direct integration into the host cell’s CRISPR locus, the lysogenic phage ΦAP1.1 neutralizes CRISPR-mediated anti-phage immunity in Streptococcus pyogenes.
Cardiac Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Isolated extramedullary relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurs in soft tissues and various organs outside the testis and central nervous system. Treatments such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and more novel modalities such as immunotherapy have eradicated ALL at extramedullary sites. In some instances, survival times for relapsed ALL at these sites are longer than those for relapsed disease involving only the bone marrow. Isolated relapse of ALL in the myocardium is rare, especially in children, making diagnosis and treatment of it difficult. More recent treatment options such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy carry a high risk of cytokine release syndrome and associated risk of worsening cardiac function. Herein we present the case of an 11-year-old boy who presented with relapsed symptomatic B-cell ALL in the myocardium following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This is an unusual presentation of relapsed ALL and this case demonstrates the associated challenges in its diagnosis and treatment. The case report is followed by a literature review of the advances in treatment of pediatric leukemia and their application to extramedullary relapse of this disease in particular.
Is There a Finite-Time Singularity in Axisymmetric Euler Flows?

Recent numerical studies have identified a finite-time singularity in axisymmetric Euler flows with swirl. It is suggested here that what is being interpreted in these numerical studies as evidence for a finite-time singularity may, in fact, be evidence for an exponential growth of vorticity.
Excitatory effects of carotid sinus pressure: Enhancement of ectopic impulse formation and of impulse conduction☆

Abstract Illustrative clinical examples of the excitatory effects of carotid sinus pressure are reported. These included atrial flutter and fibrillation produced by this maneuver; increase in rate of atrial flutter and its transformation to fibrillation; appearance of ectopic ventricular rhythms both of the extrasystolic or parasystolic type; and finally, enhancement of reversed atrioventricular transmission. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
Caplan's Stroke: A Clinical Approach

Updated and revised, this new edition of "Caplan's Stroke" continues to provide a concise and pragmatic approach to the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of adult and pediatric stroke patients. Dr. Caplan - a highly esteemed stroke authority - shares with you his vast experience and wisdom as a stroke clinician, including his time-tested strategies and unique clinical pearls that you can implement into your own practice. Expanded coverage of imaging and laboratory diagnosis and treatment as well as extensive revisions throughout, brings you the latest advances on prevention, complications, and rehabilitation. The use of case studies illustrates the types of clinical scenarios you may experience in practice. And, its conversational, easy-to-read format make "Caplan's Stroke" an ideal resource for general neurologists, non-neurologists, and stroke specialists alike.
Congressional, Administrative, and Judicial Processes as Safeguards of Federalism: Recent Developments and Evidence Regarding State Challenges to Federal Directives

This paper examines recent state challenges to federal directives, whether regarding health care, education, drivers’ licenses, environmental regulation, medicinal marijuana, gun control, abortion, light bulbs, land use, or management of endangered species, with the intent of drawing conclusions about the conditions associated with state success in securing relaxation or repeal of these directives. A review of state success in securing relief through congressional, administrative, and judicial processes from 2009-2011 suggests the benefits of reframing our understanding of the conditions under which states can be successful in challenging federal directives. Rather than viewing one or the other of these institutional processes as superior or inferior to the others in their responsiveness to states concerns, it is more useful to give prominent consideration to the political and policy interests of the federal officials who inhabit these institutions and identify various situations where federal officials’ interests align with or are made to align with state officials’ interests in reducing fiscal or administrative burdens or reclaiming state policy discretion.
Characterization of corneal proteoglycans under vitamin A deficiency

Abstract Comparison of in vivo radiolabeled corneal proteoglycans from vitamin A deficient, pair-fed control and normal rabbits by chromatographic and enzymatic methods, reveals subtle but reproducible changes in the proteoglycans present in the vitamin A deficient corneas relative to those of pair-fed and normal control corneas. Although the total amounts of [ 3 H]leucine and [ 35 S]sulfate incorporated in vivo into the proteoglycans per cornea are similar in the three types of cornea, the proteoglycan affinity for DEAE-Sepharose is different, with more of the vitamin A deficient proteoglycans requiring a higher NaCl concentration for elution. Analysis of in vivo labeled rabbit corneal proteoglycans reveals that in vitamin A deficient animals, relative to pair-fed controls, there is (1) an increase in the proteoglycans digested by chondroitinase AC indicative of decreased epimerization of glucuronic acid to iduronic acid; (2) an increase in the amount of keratan sulfate proteoglycan with high affinity for an anion exchange resin, consistent with a greater negative charge; (3) differences in proteoglucan affinities for octyl-Sepharose, reflecting differences in hydrophobicity; (4) increased susceptibility to proteolysis by trypsin; (5) no significant difference in sulfation.
SPSS PROCEDURES FOR APPROXIMATE RANDOMIZATION TESTS

Randomization tests are valid alternatives to parametric tests like the t test and analysis of variance when the normality or random sampling assumptions of these tests are violated. Three SPSS programs are listed and described that will conduct approximate randomization tests for testing the null hypotheses that two or more means or distributions are the same or that two variables are independent (i.e., uncorrelated or “randomly associated”). The programs will work on both desktop and mainframe versions of SPSS. Although the SPSS programs are slower on desktop machines than software designed explicitly for randomization tests, these programs bring randomization tests into the reach of researchers who prefer the SPSS computing environment for data analysis.
Lightweight runtime control flow analysis for adaptive loop caching

Loop caches provide an effective method for decreasing memory hierarchy energy consumption by storing frequently executed code in a more energy efficient structure than the level one cache. However, due to code structure restrictions and/or costly design time pre-analysis efforts, previous loop cache designs are not suitable for all applications and system scenarios. In this paper, we present an adaptive loop cache that is amenable to a wide range of system scenarios, providing an additional 20% average instruction memory hierarchy energy savings (with individual benchmark energy savings as high as 69%) compared to the best previous loop cache design.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) as phytoindicators of cadmium contamination

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) were demonstrated to be potential indicator plants for heavy metal contaminated sites. Chicory, grown with 0.5–50 μM cadmium (Cd) in nutrient solution, accumulated 10–300 μM Cd g−1 in shoots and 10–890 μg Cd μg−1 in roots and rhizomes. With dandelion, 20–410 μg Cd μg−1 was found in shoots and 20–1360 μg Cd μg−1 in roots and rhizomes. An inverse correlation existed between chlorophyll and Cd concentrations in shoots of both species. Accumulation of Cd from nutrient solution was similar with the counter-anions SO4 2−, Cl1− and NO3 − in chicory. In chicory grown in Cd-amended (11.2 kg Cd ha−1 applied five years previously) soils, Cd concentrations were substantially higher than in controls in all plant parts following the order: leaf > caudex > stem > root and rhizome. The above trend was the opposite of that observed in solution culture, where Cd accumulation was higher in roots and rhizomes than in shoots. Higher cadmium accumulation was found from a Cd-treated sand (Grossarenic Paleudult) than from a loamy sand (Typic Kandiudult) soil type. Chicory and dandelion are proposed indicator plants of cadmium contamination, and both have the potential to be an international standard heavy phytomonitor species of heavy metal contaminantion.
Expanding the specialty: A survey of oral and maxillofacial surgery residencies in the United States***

This article reports the results of a survey of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residency program directors regarding teaching of expanded scope surgical procedures during the academic year 1990 to 1991. Data is provided for the nation as a whole, as well as grouped by geographic regions and type of residency program. Significant differences were found for some procedures based on both geographic region and program type. The majority of program directors responding to this survey disagreed with the trend toward expanding the scope of OMS into cosmetic procedures. Directors of integrated dual degree programs believed that the trend toward expanding the scope of OMS was positive; 2:1 over directors of MD optional or traditional OMS programs.
A prospective randomized comparison of extensive prostate biopsy to standard biopsy with assessment of diagnostic yield, biopsy pain and morbidity

In a prospective randomized study, we compare standard prostate biopsy to extensive biopsy utilizing intravenous conscious sedation (IVCS). Initial biopsy patients (n=197) were randomized to either standard biopsy using intrarectal lidocaine gel (6–12 biopsies, mean 10.1) or extensive biopsy (24 biopsies) using IVCS. Cancer detection and urinary symptoms were no different between groups. However, biopsy pain was rated significantly lower and satisfaction significantly higher in the extensive biopsy group. Temporary urinary retention occurred in 4% of the extensive biopsy group. Extended biopsy with 24 samples does not improve cancer detection compared to standard biopsy when 10 cores are obtained. Extensive biopsy is very well tolerated and associated with less pain and more satisfaction than standard biopsy.
Interactive analysis of situational awareness metrics

Digital systems are employed to maintain situational awareness of people in various contexts including emergency response, disaster relief, and military operations. Because these systems are often operated in wireless environments and are used to support real-time decision making, the accuracy of the SA data provided is important to measure and evaluate in the development of new systems. Our work has been conducted in conjunction with analysts in the evaluation and performance comparison of different systems designed to provide a high degree of situational awareness in military operations. To this end, we defined temporal and spatial metrics for measuring the accuracy of the SA data provided by each system. In this paper we discuss the proposed temporal and spatial metrics for SA data and show how we provided these metrics in a linked coordinated multiple view environment that enabled the analysts we worked with to effectively perform several critical analysis tasks. The temporal metric is designed to help determine when network performance has a significant effect on SA data, and therefore identify specific time periods in which individuals were provided inaccurate position data for their peers. Temporal context can be used to determine the local or global nature of any SA data inaccuracy, and the spatial metric can then be used to identify geographic effects on network performance of the wireless system. We discuss the interactive software implementation of our metrics and show how this analysis capability enabled the analysts to evaluate the observed effects of network latency and system performance on SA data during an exercise.
Directed polymer melts and quantum critical phenomena

The statistical mechanics of directed linelike objects, such as directed polymers in an external field, strands of dipoles in both ferro- and electrorheological fluids, and flux lines in high-Tc superconductors, bears a close resemblance to the quantum mechanics of bosons in 2+1 dimensions. We show that single-component and binary mixture critical phenomena in these systems are in the universality class of three-dimensional uniaxial dipolar ferromagnets and ferroelectrics. Our results also apply to films of two superfluid species undergoing phase separation well below their λ-points near T=0. In the case of directed polymers and electrorheological fluids we analyze the effects of free ends occurring in the sample as well as a novel directionally-dependent compressibility.
Structural Impact of Multitopic Third-Generation Bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane Ligands: Double, Mononuclear Metallacyclic Silver(I) Complexes

The reaction of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(bromomethyl)benzene and hexakis(bromomethyl)benzene with the alkoxide of 2,2-bis(1-pyrazolyl)ethanol leads to the synthesis of the new polytopic ligands 1,2,4,5-C6H2[CH2OCH2CH(pz)2]4 (Ltetra, pz = pyrazolyl ring) and C6[CH2OCH2CH(pz)2]6 (Lhexa). Reactions of these ligands and the appropriate silver(I) salt lead to the preparation of [Ag2Ltetra](BF4)2 (1), [Ag2Ltetra](SO3CF3)2 (2), [Ag3Lhexa](BF4)3 (3), and [Ag3Lhexa](ClO4)3 (4). The solid-state structures of four different complexes crystallized from solutions of 1 or 2 yield five independent structures of the [Ag2Ltetra]2+ cation, all with similar structures. In all of the structures, two para-oriented pairs of “arms” (−CH2OCH2CH(pz)2) from a single ligand each chelate a silver(I) ion on the opposite sides of the arene ring, forming a double, mononuclear metallacyclic structure of two 17-membered rings connected by the central arene ring. The structures about the silver(I) cations in these complexes are distorted tetrahed...
The roots of territorial marking in the Mongolian gerbil: A problem of species-common topography

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has recently been introduced into behavioral research. Many features make it an ideal laboratory animal. It is docile, highly exploratory, a good learner, virtually odorless and can be maintained without water; other than that it metabolizes from its food. General characteristics of the gerbil are described, and a brief review of behavioral research is given. The gerbil also possesses unique attributes that can only be studied by matching experimental methodology with species-common responses. Territorial marking is used as example. The gerbil regularly marks objects in an open field by skimming the object with a midventral sebaceous scent gland. The marking and gland are dimorphic, with the male marking about twice as frequently as the female and possessing a gland roughly twice the size. The configuration of the field (object quality) modifies the frequency of the response, as does the time of day the animals are exposed to the field. Androgen levels control the level of marking in the male and female, and the correlations between testis weight, size of the sebaceous gland, secretory output and marking frequency are significant. When a gerbil is introduced into an open field recently contaminated by another gerbil, or when objects are smeared with sebum and placed in the field, the male tends to be more hesitant in several types of behavior. The laboratory measures are internally consistent and congruous with the notion that natural selection has acted to reinforce a hormone-behavior relation of social significance to the gerbil.
Phase II trial of ifosfamide and mesna in mixed mesodermal tumors of the uterus (A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study)

A phase II trial of ifosfamide (isophosphamide, NSC 109724) and mesna (2-mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate, NSC 113891) in women with advanced or recurrent mixed mullerian tumors of the uterus was conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group. The starting dose of ifosfamide was 1.5 gm/m2 daily, intravenously, for 5 days. The starting dose of ifosfamide was reduced 1.2 gm/m2 daily in patients who had received prior radiotherapy. Mesna was given intravenously immediately and at 4 and 8 hours after the administration of ifosfamide. Each mesna dose was 20% of the total daily dose of ifosfamide. Twenty-nine patients are evaluable for toxicity, and 28 patients are evaluable for response. Twenty-one patients had received prior abdominal hysterectomy, and eight patients had prior radiotherapy. Thirteen tumors were homologous and 15 heterologous. Gynecologic Oncology Group grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia occurred in seven (25%) patients and two (7.1%) had grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Two patients (7.1%) had grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity. One patient experienced lethargy and confusion that responded to discontinuation of the ifosfamide. A second patient developed progressive cerebellar dysfunction, left hemiparesis, and coma. This patient died after 3 days of therapy. Complete responses were seen in five (17.9%) patients and partial responses occurred in four (14.3%) patients for a total response rate of 32.2%. These results indicate that ifosfamide is an unusually active drug in patients with advanced or recurrent mixed mullerian tumors of the uterus. Studies with combination regimens incorporating ifosfamide are warranted. The toxicity of ifosfamide in Gynecologic Oncology Group studies is being evaluated retrospectively.
Analysis of Hospitalizations Comparing Rifaximin Versus Lactulose in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Abstract Introduction Patients with end-stage liver disease often develop hepatic encephalopathy. The loss in cognitive abilities results in marked economic loss to the patient and health care community. We report hospital admission rates and economic impact of patients with end-stage liver disease suffering from hepatic encephalopathy. Methods The medical records were reviewed involving liver transplant patients started on lactulose or rifaximin therapy after presenting with stage 2 hepatic encephalopathy from January 2004 to November 2005. Information collected included demographics, hospitalizations required for hepatic encephalopathy, economic data, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Results Thirty-nine patients met study criteria: 24 patients treated with lactulose (group one) and 15 with rifaximin (group two). Group one included 18 men and six women of mean age 48 (range 39 to 58), average MELD 14 (range 10 to 19). Group two included 10 men and five women of mean age 47 (range 42 to 58), average MELD 15 (range 10 to 19). Group one patients required 19 hospitalizations overall: three patients with three hospitalizations, four patients with two hospitalizations, and two patients required one hospitalization. Total drug cost per month was $50 (group one) and $620 (group two). The average annual cost of hospitalization, emergency room visit, and drug per patient treated was $13,284.96 for a total of $318,839 (range $5005 to $26,255, including drug cost and hospital care). Group two required three hospitalizations, all three with one visit. The average annual cost of hospitalization, emergency room visit, and drug per patient treated was $7958.13 for a total of $119,372 (range $6005 to $19,255, including drug cost and hospital care). The total cost of therapy per patient per year was $13,285 (group one) versus $7958 (group two). The average length of stay was shorter in group two [3.5 days (range 3 to 4)] versus group 1 [5.0 days (range 3 to 10); P Conclusion These pilot data demonstrate the marked difference in economic costs for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. The results also show that in comparative groups, the economic gains are quickly lost when using lactulose.
Environmental Hazards, Health, and Racial Inequity in Hazardous Waste Distribution

This study addresses the critical issue of hazardous wastes and associated human health problems. The issue of inequitable distribution of environmental hazards by race is discussed with special re...
Uniformly Computable Aspects of Inner Functions

The theory of inner functions plays an important role in the study of bounded analytic functions. Inner functions are also very useful in applied mathematics. Two foundational results in this theory are Frostman's Theorem and the Factorization Theorem. We give a uniformly computable version of Frostman's Theorem. We then claim that the Factorization Theorem is not uniformly computably true. We then claim that for an inner function u, the Blaschke sum of u provides the exact amount of information necessary to compute the factorization of u. Along the way, we discuss some uniform computability results for Blaschke products. These results play a key role in the analysis of factorization. We also give some computability results concerning zeros and singularities of analytic functions. We use Type-Two Effectivity as our foundation.
Captopril and platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy in rats: role of endogenous PAF and PAF-like compounds

Accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of late mortality following cardiac transplantation. The vascular lesions are characterized by myointimal proliferation and perivascular mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates. Platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a potent phospholipid mediator produced by inflammatory cells and activated endothelial cells. Angiotensin II is known to activate phospholipase A2, a critical enzyme in PAF synthesis. Using a rat heterotopic cardiac transplant model known to induce graft CAD, we previously reported that chronic administration of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, reduces intimal proliferation and maintains luminal patency. The purpose of the current study was to determine if captopril regulates vascular remodeling by suppressing PAF synthesis and whether administration of a PAF antagonist ameliorates graft CAD. Captopril was found to decrease levels of PAF and PAF-like compounds as well as reduce intimal lesions, decrease cellular rejection grade, and diminish allograft heart weights. Treatment with a PAF antagonist significantly decreased proliferation of the intimal component of the vasculopathy and caused regression of the cardiac hypertrophy, but had no significant effect on cellular rejection. In contrast, untreated animals had elevated plasma PAF levels, elevated heart weights, and severe myointimal proliferation with luminal stenosis 21 days post-transplantation. These observations suggest that graft CAD is mediated, in part, by PAF and PAF-like compounds, and suppression of endogenous PAF may prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Propylene polymerization using supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst systems with mixed donors

Magnesium dichloride supported titanium catalyst incorporated with varying concentration of ethylbenzoate and diisobutyl phthalate together as internal donor are synthesized. The synthesized catalysts are characterized and compared with respect to composition, phase characteristics, crystallite size, and particle morphology. Performance of catalysts containing mixed donors is compared with the conventional single donor-based catalysts. The polymerization studies of the catalysts for propylene polymerization show dependence of polymerization kinetics on relative concentration of diisobutyl phthalate and ethylbenzoate. Molecular weight characteristics of polypropylene obtained from these catalysts are studied and correlated with the nature and concentration of donors present in the catalyst. Morphology replication from catalyst precursor to polymer is observed irrespective of the nature of donor being incorporated in the synthesized catalyst. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Prospective study of the antitumor efficacy of long-term octreotide treatment in patients with progressive metastatic gastrinoma

BACKGROUND Malignant pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) have a poor prognosis and existing antitumor treatments are unsatisfactory. Recent studies have shown somatostatin analogues to have antitumor growth effects in patients with malignant PETs; however, to the authors' knowledge, little information exists regarding their efficacy or effect on survival in patients with progressive malignant gastrinoma, the most common symptomatic malignant PET. The purpose of the current study was to study prospectively the efficacy, safety, and effect on survival of long-term treatment with octreotide in consecutive patients with progressive malignant gastrinoma. METHODS Fifteen consecutive patients with malignant gastrinoma with progressive hepatic metastases were studied. All patients underwent conventional imaging studies (computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and, if needed, selective angiography) and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy prior to treatment and at 3–6-month intervals while receiving treatment. The patients all were treated initially with octreotide, 200 μg every 12 hours, and at last follow-up were being maintained on long-acting release octreotide, 20–30 mg every month. Tumor size and/or number were used to classify patient responses as either no tumor response or tumor response (stabilization or decrease in size). Treatment response was correlated with tumor and clinical characteristics. RESULTS Tumors in 8 of the 15 patients studied (53%) responded at 3 months, with 47% (7 of 15 patients) demonstrating tumor stabilization and 6% (1 of 15 patients) demonstrating a decrease in tumor size. The mean duration of response was 25.0 ± 6.1 months (range, 5.5–54.1 months). Six of the eight responders were continuing to respond at the time of last follow-up. Tumor response did not correlate with any clinical parameter (e.g., tumor extent, fasting gastrin, or acid secretory rates). However, slow-growing tumors were more likely to respond prior to treatment (86% vs. 0%) (P < 0.0014). During follow-up (range, 4–8 years), 25% of the responders died compared with 71% of the nonresponders, a difference that approached statistical significance (P = 0.10). Two patients (13%) developed serious side effects that required the withdrawal of octreotide. CONCLUSIONS Octreotide is an effective antitumor treatment in patients with progressive malignant gastrinoma. In approximately 50% of these patients octreotide has an antigrowth effect; treatment is associated with a low incidence of serious side effects compared with other antitumor treatments commonly used and, in contrast to many studies, the growth response is long-lasting. The results of the current study suggest that octreotide treatment should replace chemotherapy as the standard treatment for these patients, especially those patients with slow-growing tumors. Additional studies involving larger numbers of patients will be needed to determine a convincing effect on survival. Cancer 2002;94:331–43. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
CCR6 Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton Orchestrates Human Beta Defensin-2- and CCL20-mediated Restitution of Colonic Epithelial Cells

Intestinal inflammation is exacerbated by defects in the epithelial barrier and subsequent infiltration of microbes and toxins into the underlying mucosa. Production of chemokines and antimicrobial peptides by an intact epithelium provide the first line of defense against invading organisms. In addition to its antimicrobial actions, human beta defensin-2 (HBD2) may also stimulate the migration of dendritic cells through binding the chemokine receptor CCR6. As human colonic epithelium expresses CCR6, we investigated the potential of HBD2 to stimulate intestinal epithelial migration. Using polarized human intestinal Caco2 and T84 cells and non-transformed IEC6 cells, HBD2 was equipotent to CCL20 in stimulating migration. Neutralizing antibodies confirmed HBD2 and CCL20 engagement to CCR6 were sufficient to induce epithelial cell migration. Consistent with restitution, motogenic concentrations of HBD2 and CCL20 did not induce proliferation. Stimulation with those CCR6 ligands leads to calcium mobilization and elevated active RhoA, phosphorylated myosin light chain, and F-actin accumulation. HBD2 and CCL20 were unable to stimulate migration in the presence of either Rho-kinase or phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors or an intracellular calcium chelator. Together, these data indicate that the canonical wound healing regulatory pathway, along with calcium mobilization, regulates CCR6-directed epithelial cell migration. These findings expand the mechanistic role for chemokines and HBD2 in mucosal inflammation to include immunocyte trafficking and killing of microbes with the concomitant activation of restitutive migration and barrier repair.
Object Relations, Role Models, and Cultivation of the Self

Psychoanalytic object relations theory and symbolic interactionism both emphasize the mediating role of representations in the socialization process, yet the relationship between the external envir...
Video-monitored predation by Caribbean reef fishes on an array of mangrove and reef sponges

Although predation by fishes is thought to structure benthic invertebrate communities on coral reefs, evidence to support this claim has been difficult to obtain. We deployed an array of eight sponge species on Conch Reef (16 m depth) off Key Largo, Florida, USA, and used a remote video-camera to record fish activity near the array continuously during five daylight periods (6 h for 1 d, at least 11.5 h for 4 d) and one night period (11 h). Of the eight sponge species, four were from adjacent reefs (Agelas wiedenmayeri, Geodia neptuni, Aplysina fistularis, and Pseudaxinella lunaecharta), and four were from a nearby mangrove habitat (Chondrosia collectrix, Geodia gibberosa, Halichondria sp., andTedania ignis). Each species of reef sponge was chosen to match the corresponding mangrove species in form and color (black, brown, yellow, and red, respectively). Predation events only occurred during daylight hours. Tallies of the number of times fishes bit sponges revealed intense feeding by the expected species of sponge-eating fishes, such as the angelfishHolacanthus bermudensis, H. tricolor, andPomacanthus arcuatus, the cowfishLactophrys quadricornis, and the filefishCantherhines pullus, but surprisingly also by the parrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatum andS. chrysopterum. Of 35 301 bites recorded, 50.8% were taken by angelfish, 34.8% by parrotfish, and 13.7% by trunkfish and filefish. Mangrove sponges were preferred by all reef fishes; 96% of bites were taken from mangrove species, with angelfish preferringChondrosia collectrix and parrotfish preferringGeodia gibberosa. Fishes often bit the same sponge repetitively, and frequently consumed entire samples within 30 min of their deployment. Sponge color did not influence fish feeding. Two of the four mangrove sponge-species deployed on the array were also found living in cryptic habitats on adjacent reefs and were rapidly consumed by fishes when exposed. Our results demonstrate the importance of fish predation in controlling the distribution of sponges on Caribbean reefs.
Quick-cooking beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): I. Investigations on quality

Soaking three beans cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Great Northern, kidney, and pinto) in mixed salt solution (sodium chloride 2.5% + sodium bicarbonate 1.5% + sodium tripolyphosphate 1.0% + sodium carbonate 0.5%) resulted in 80%–85% reduction in cooking time over corresponding controls. Irradiation (γ-rays) at 500 krads of soaked and dehydrated beans caused a reduction of nearly 50% in cooking time. Water uptake and leaching losses for each treatment during soaking at 22°, 37°, and 45°C were investigated. High temperature (37° and 45°C) and pH (9.0) caused greater water imbibition and total solid loss than at room temperature (22°C). Organoleptic evaluation revealed that quick-cooking Great Northern beans appear to be more acceptable than kidney and pinto beans. Quick-cooking cooked beans had better in vitro protein digestibility than conventionally cooked beans. Phenolic content was found to be inversely related to in vitro digestibility.
Listeriolysin O is necessary and sufficient to induce autophagy during Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Background Recent studies have suggested that autophagy is utilized by cells as a protective mechanism against Listeria monocytogenes infection.
The Value of Decision Models

Many professions operate with systems of check- lists or decision models that ensure decisions are based on the best current knowledge and are consistent. There are a number of natural human tendencies that cause us all to skip important steps in the decision-making process, and the checklist approach helps overcome this problem. These lists are some of the simplest decision tools we can employ. For a variety of reasons checklists have not been widely adopted in rangeland or natural resource management. Our objectives here are to: 1) provide a brief overview of decision-making theory and the specialty area of judgment and decision making ( JDM), 2) discuss how ignor- ing decision tools can limit our success, 3) describe examples of simple decision models used in other professions, and 4) introduce Ecologically Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) as an example of a decision model in rangeland weed management. We will not go into the speci cs of EBIPM; that is the purpose of this special issue of Rangelands. The goal of our discussion is to provide the underlying argument for the use of stepwise decision tools such as EBIPM. DOI: 10.2458/azu_rangelands_v34i6_svejcar
Multiagent data warehousing and multiagent data mining for cerebrum/cerebellum modeling

An algorithm named Neighbor-Miner is outlined for multiagent data warehousing and multiagent data mining. The algorithm is defined in an evolving dynamic environment with autonomous or semiautonomous agents. Instead of mining frequent itemsets from customer transactions, the new algorithm discovers new agents and mining agent associations in first-order logic from agent attributes and actions. While the Apriori algorithm uses frequency as a priory threshold, the new algorithm uses agent similarity as priory knowledge. The concept of agent similarity leads to the notions of agent cuboid, orthogonal multiagent data warehousing (MADWH), and multiagent data mining (MADM). Based on agent similarities and action similarities, Neighbor-Miner is proposed and illustrated in a MADWH/MADM approach to cerebrum/cerebellum modeling. It is shown that (1) semiautonomous neurofuzzy agents can be identified for uniped locomotion and gymnastic training based on attribute relevance analysis; (2) new agents can be discovered and agent cuboids can be dynamically constructed in an orthogonal MADWH, which resembles an evolving cerebrum/cerebellum system; and (3) dynamic motion laws can be discovered as association rules in first order logic. Although examples in legged robot gymnastics are used to illustrate the basic ideas, the new approach is generally suitable for a broad category of data mining tasks where knowledge can be discovered collectively by a set of agents from a geographically or geometrically distributed but relevant environment, especially in scientific and engineering data environments.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Convective-region geometry as the cause of Uranus' and Neptune's unusual magnetic fields

The discovery of Uranus' and Neptune's non-dipolar, non-axisymmetric magnetic fields1,2,3,4 destroyed the picture—established by Earth, Jupiter and Saturn5,6—that planetary magnetic fields are dominated by axial dipoles. Although various explanations for these unusual fields have been proposed3,7,8,9,10, the cause of such field morphologies remains unexplained. Planetary magnetic fields are generated by complex fluid motions in electrically conducting regions of the planets (a process known as dynamo action), and so are intimately linked to the structure and evolution of planetary interiors. Determining why Uranus and Neptune have different field morphologies is not only critical for studying the interiors of these planets, but also essential for understanding the dynamics of magnetic-field generation in all planets. Here we present three-dimensional numerical dynamo simulations that model the dynamo source region as a convecting thin shell surrounding a stably stratified fluid interior. We show that this convective-region geometry produces magnetic fields similar in morphology to those of Uranus and Neptune. The fields are non-dipolar and non-axisymmetric, and result from a combination of the stable fluid's response to electromagnetic stress and the small length scales imposed by the thin shell.
Linguists as Agents for Social Change

In this article, I examine and promote the role of linguist as agent for social change. I discuss the history and mission of organizations and individual linguists who are dedicated to service through linguistics. I describe the social and community service activities of linguists that may fall just outside of the realm of linguistic scholarship in the most traditional sense. I then provide models for ways in which linguists can become even more socially engaged through social service and public outreach. I highlight the academic sharing and public dissemination of knowledge that linguists already possess as a way for all linguists to be socially active. I then describe my own experiences participating in and teaching service learning-based research courses.
Optimizing magnetite nanoparticles for mass sensitivity in magnetic particle imaging

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI), using magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) as tracer material, shows great promise as a platform for fast tomographic imaging. To date, the magnetic properties of MNPs used in imaging have not been optimized. As nanoparticle magnetism shows strong size dependence, the authors explore how varying MNP size impacts imaging performance in order to determine optimal MNP characteristics for MPI at any driving field frequencyf0. Methods: Monodisperse MNPs of varying size were synthesized and their magnetic properties characterized. Their MPI response was measured experimentally using a custom-built MPI transceiver designed to detect the third harmonic of MNP magnetization. The driving field amplitudeH0=6 mT μ0−1 and frequency f0=250 kHz were chosen to be suitable for imaging small animals. Experimental results were interpreted using a model of dynamic MNP magnetization that is based on the Langevin theory of superparamagnetism and accounts for sample size distribution and size-dependent magnetic relaxation. Results: The experimental results show a clear variation in the MPI signal intensity as a function of MNP diameter that is in agreement with simulated results. A maximum in the plot of MPI signal vs MNP size indicates there is a particular size that is optimal for the chosenf0. Conclusions: The authors observed that MNPs 15 nm in diameter generate maximum signal amplitude in MPI experiments at 250 kHz. The authors expect the physical basis for this result, the change in magnetic relaxation with MNP size, will impact MPI under other experimental conditions.