cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving linguistic identities among the Italian-American youth: Perceptions from linguistic autobiographies:

Observations and discussions concerning the form and use of Italian and dialects in geographical and social space have a long tradition, beginning with Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia and culminating...
When Enough is Enough: The Impact of Parental Involvement in Children's Participation in Organized Sports

3 Introduction and Background 4 Autoethnography 8 Overview of Literature & Analysis of Autoethnography 14 The Origin 14 Economic Status 14 Gender 15 One-Sport Focus 16 Parental Involvement 17 Dropouts 20 Bibliography 23 PARENTAL INVOVLEMENT IN ORGANIZED SPORTS 3
In vitro deleterious effect of hypoxanthine in Ham’s Nutrient Mixture F-10 * culture medium on human oocyte fertilization and early embryonic development †

Objective To determine whether hypoxanthine in Ham's Nutrient Mixture F-10 (GIBCO, Grand Island, NY) culture medium affects murine embryo development or the outcome of patients undergoing IVF-ET. Design For the two-cell embryo bioassay, embryos from each female were equally distributed and incubated in Ham's F-10 with or without hypoxanthine supplementation for up to 72 hours. To assess the effect of hypoxanthine in human IVF-ET, oocytes, sperm, and embryos were cultured in Ham's F-10 medium with or without hypoxanthine. Fertilization and embryo cleavage were assessed at 18 and 40 hours, respectively, after insemination. Setting University medical research laboratory. Patients, Participants Nine couples undergoing IVF-ET. Results Two-cell mouse embryos incubated for 24 hours without hypoxanthine developed 40% to morula, compared with 6.5% for the hypoxanthine group. At 72 hours, 99.5% of the embryos without hypoxanthine reached the expanded blastocyst stage with 65% of them exhibiting hatching, compared with 72% and 19.5%, respectively, for the group with hypoxanthine. Human oocytes cultured in Ham's F-10 without hypoxanthine showed higher fertilization rates than the group incubated in the presence of hypoxanthine (69% versus 53%). The proportion of cleaved embryos was not different between the two culture media; however, the rate of embryos cleaving without cytoplasmic fragments was significantly higher in the group without hypoxanthine (75% versus 35%). Conclusion Ham's F-10 medium containing hypoxanthine significantly reduced embryo development in the two-cell mouse embryo bioassay. Hypoxanthine in culture medium for IVF-ET may have a deleterious effect on human gametes, leading to decreased fertilization and increased incidence of cytoplasmic fragments in the conceptuses.
Identification of matrix metalloproteinases and metalloproteinase inhibitors in bovine corpora lutea and their variation during the estrous cycle

Corpora lutea (CL) were collected from cattle to study key physiologic events in angiogenesis. Our objective was to evaluate the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and endogenous inhibitors. Corpora lutea were collected 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 d (n = 3/d) after estrus was first detected. In zymograms, a band of protein migrating at a relative molecular mass (M(r)) of 98 kDa was increased early in the cycle; a M(r) = 88 kDa band was detectable on all days. The molecular weights of these proteins are consistent with the MMP-9 family members. In all samples, a band of enzyme activity was detected at M(r) = 62 kDa, and another band of lesser density was detected at M(r) = 60 kDa. The molecular weights of these proteins are consistent with the MMP-2 family members. An immunoreactive band, detected in all samples with equal density, migrated between M(r) = 27 and 29 kDa, as did the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) standard. A second band, which was less dense in samples from d 2 through 6, migrated at M(r) = 19 kDa, as did the TIMP-2 standard. A third band was detected in all samples; it migrated at M(r) = 35 kDa, as did the cartilage-derived inhibitor (CDI) standard, and was less dense in d 8 and d 12 through 16 samples. In summary, MMP (gelatinases) and MMP inhibitors are present in developing luteal tissue, and the M(r) = 98 kDa enzyme, CDI, and TIMP-2 varied during the estrous cycle.
Naloxone Efficacy in Bladder Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Naloxone has been reported to facilitate detrusor activity by blocking the inhibitory action of the enkephalins. We tested the urodynamic effects of intravenous naloxone (0.4 to 0.8 mg.) in 15 patients with spinal cord injury via rapid fill carbon dioxide cystometry and perineal electromyography. Fourteen patients had suprasacral lesions (3 complete), while 1 had an incomplete lower cord lesion. The average interval from injury was 4.2 months. Most of the patients were managed with intermittent catheterization and most had chronic bacteriuria. Initially, 10 patients had detrusor areflexia and 5 had detrusor hyperreflexia (2 with dyssynergia). Of the 15 patients 14 had no neuropathic condition as noted on baseline electromyography. After naloxone injection no significant cystometrographic changes occurred but 11 patients (73 per cent) had decreased electromyographic activity. The vesicourethral pattern of the 2 patients with dyssynergia did not change after naloxone, even though the electromyographic response decreased in both. The patients showed no other effects of the naloxone administration. Contrary to other studies, naloxone seemed to diminish pelvic floor (electromyographic) activity but it did not change bladder (cystometrographic) function during bladder rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients.
An Occasion for War: Civil Conflict in Lebanon and Damascus in 1860, by Leila Fawaz, University of California Press, 1994

An Occasion for War: Civil Conflict in Lebanon and Damascus in 1860, by Leila Fawaz, University of California Press (1994) xv, 302 pp. Reviewed by Akram Khater, Department of History, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Laboratory Methods Examining the Effects of Pavement Runoff

Abstract With the growth of our nation's cities, the phenomena of the “Heat Island” effect has impacted the weather of urban areas. One of the main reasons is that our cities have a large percent of pavement that absorbs significant amounts of thermal heat during the day, which in turn is released into the environment during nighttime hours. This paper provides laboratory methods that can be used to test surface heating and cooling cycles for a variety of urban pavements including pervious and impervious concrete samples, concrete pavers, and sod. Thermal experiments using heat lamps and artificial rainfall are used to quantify the effects of insolation on the temperature of different paving materials currently used in residential and commercial development applications. Preliminary observations indicate that pervious concrete samples tend to heat up and transfer heat more rapidly than impervious concrete samples. The observation of different heat storage characteristics in pervious and impervious concrete, while not surprising, can provide insight into design applications that include direct human contact with pavement as well as environmental impacts resulting from pavement choice. Testing in a controlled laboratory environment is necessary to provide reliable thermal properties and response of paving materials as well as runoff and leachate from impervious and pervious surfaces, respectively.
Differential diagnosis of common etiologies of photopsia.

Background Photopsia is a relatively common symptom reported by patients in primary eye care settings. Although there are many possible etiologies, photopsia (light flashes) is usually associated with one of the following: (1) posterior vitreous detachment, (2) migraine with aura, (3) migraine aura without headache, and (4) retinal break or detachment. Each of these clinical conditions has symptoms and physical findings that will usually render the diagnosis apparent. Methods It is important from a clinicolegal standpoint that specific procedures be performed to differentially diagnose the responsible condition and deliver appropriate follow-up care.
Promoting International Cybersecurity Cooperation: Lessons from the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Global efforts by states to cooperate through international rules in combating cyber threats have generated mixed results, at best. In this paper, we examine the architecture of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) as a possible model for future cybersecurity cooperation among interested states. We identify several features of PSI's architecture (rather than its substantive focus on non-proliferation) for further analysis, including PSI's low entry costs, tiered structure, and flexibility, as well as its leveraging of both territorial jurisdiction and state consent. We conclude that, despite several hurdles visible in the scope of its membership and its legal framework, the PSI still offers worth-while parallels to draw upon, suggesting a new framework that could allow interested states to further cooperate in addressing current cyberthreats.
Newer In vivo Imaging Modalities

Much as an animal in isolation does not represent its behavior within its natural habitat, an isolated heart does not capture its dynamic role within the cardiovascular system.In vivoopen chest, models of transgenic mouse cardiac function were among the first in attempting to circumvent this difficulty, but an inevitable complication resulted: the subject did not survive the analysis, precluding long term or repeated studies. In addition, the invasive nature of such procedures inherently alters the observed system. Noninvasive in vivo imaging appears an ideal solution. Among the primary advantages of this approach, is the feasibility of serial measurements, through time, allowing a given subject to act as its own control. Even studies requiring complete dissection benefit from an estimate of the optimal time for the subject’s sacrifice. However, in vivo imaging techniques must be carefully chosen in context of the experimental design. Several imaging modalities are available, and may be differentiated by attributes such as spatial and temporal resolution, contrast, and financial or logistical costs.
What’s Involved in the Work of Dissertation Advising? An Interview with Jeremy Kilpatrick and Some Personal Reflections

This chapter addresses the mathematics education doctorate and, in particular, the dissertation or thesis. The core of this chapter is an interview with Jeremy Kilpatrick in an effort to document Jeremy’s own advising style. The interview is situated within an attempt to bring out more general issues that are in play in how a mathematics education scholar might advise or direct a doctoral dissertation, fueled mostly by my own introspection into this role. After brief descriptions of dissertation experiences in other fields and personal descriptions of my own experience working on my dissertation, I document Jeremy’s responses to the question of how he sees his style as dissertation advisor. I then propose that the dissertation work develops in response to four stakeholders: (1) the student, (2) the advisor, (3) the field, and (4) the institution. In an exercise of speculation, I examine those stakeholders in terms of how they could conceivably be invested in the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation. I go back to the interview with Jeremy Kilpatrick to see how Jeremy responds to the question of how and how much each of those stakeholders matter in his own dissertation advising style and how he views the dissertation.
Knowledge and Competence as Strategic Assets

The firm is a repository for knowledge—the knowledge being embedded in business routines and processes. Distinctive processes undergird firm-specific assets and competences (defined as integrated clusters of firm-specific assets). The firm’s knowledge base includes its technological competences as well as its knowledge of customer needs and supplier capabilities. These competences reflect both individual skills and experiences as well as distinctive ways of doing things inside firms. The essence of the firm is its ability to create, transfer, assemble, integrate, and exploit knowledge assets. Knowledge assets underpin competences, and competences in turn underpin the firm’s product and service offerings to the market. Competitive advantage can be attributed not only to the ownership of knowledge assets and other assets complementary to them, but also to the ability to combine knowledge assets with other assets needed to create value.
Chorioretinal disease patterns in congenic mice following intraocular inoculation with HSV-1.

Disease patterns and immunologic parameters were studied employing inbred and Igh-1 disparate congenic mice to determine the role of host genetics and Igh-1-linked gene products in the von Szily model of viral chorioretinitis. Following intracameral inoculation of 1.5 x 10(4) PFU HSV-1 (KOS), 100% of BALB/c (Igh-1a), 62% of A/J (Igh-1e) and none of the C57BL/6J (Igh-1b) inbred mice developed contralateral necrotizing chorioretinitis. Multigenic differences between inbred mice prohibit conclusions about the specific role of Igh-1-linked immune regulation in this model. In order to more exactly define Igh-1-specific restriction of HSV-1-mediated chorioretinitis, Igh-1-disparate, congenic BALB/c mice were studied following both anterior chamber and intravitreal inoculation protocols. Anterior chamber inoculation resulted in contralateral retinal necrosis in 75% of BALB/c (Igh-1a) mice, 30% of C.AL-20 (Igh-1d) and 5% of the C.B-17 (Igh-1b) congenic mice; all strains showed ipsilateral retinal sparing. Following intravitreal inoculation of HSV-1 a similar restricted disease pattern was found in contralateral eyes. Contralateral chorioretinitis developed in 30% of BALB/c, 15% of C.AL-20 and 6% of C.B-17 mice. Ipsilateral disease, however, was found in all murine strains. These disease patterns developed despite equivalent suppression of systemic DTH and equivalent RPE permissivity to viral replication. These data demonstrate that host genetics strongly regulates contralateral HSV-1-mediated chorioretinal disease patterns by a mechanism unrelated to the development of systemic suppression of DTH and specifically support a dominant role for gene products linked to the Igh-1 locus in the immunomodulation of ocular disease.
Transplantable chloromyeloid leukemia in Sprague-Dawley rats following injection of actinium-227.

Chloroleukemia in the Sprague-Dawley rat presumably initiated by actinium-227 (actinium-equilibriumu mixture) has been successfully transplanted in suckling rats over a period of 4 years. The morphologic and anatomic characteristics are described and found to be similar to those induced by methylcholanthrene. The successful transfer of the chloroleukemia in suckling rats was accomplished with an intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 to 0.2 ml. of leukemic whole blood without any detectable changes, after 4 years of transplantation, in either morphologic and anatomic properties or the lifespan of the leukemic animal. The chloroleukemia was also successfully transplanted in suckling rats by injection of tissue homogenates obtained from leukemic rats. The longevity of the animals injected with successful transplants appears to be a function of the number of myelocytes injected. This fact plus our inability to obtain successful transplants of the chloroleukemia with cell-free extracts leads us to conclude that leukemogenesis occurs most likely through a process of colonization. (auth)
Pores, Channels and Transporters

It is clear from the data presented in Chapter 7 that the phospholipid bilayer is a very effective barrier to most small molecule solutes. Yet, there is a constant flux of polar and ionic substances across the cell plasma membrane, as well as across the membranes defining various organelles such as the mitochondria. This mass transport is all protein-mediated, and a wide variety of mechanisms have been elucidated by which solute flux across membranes is achieved. It is the primary purpose of this chapter to present a survey in which the general question addressed is how matter gets across a biomembrane. The next chapter addresses the question of how information is transmitted across the membrane and covers topics related to cellular communication, surface receptors, and signal transduction. The material in these two chapters is interrelated. For example, one response to certain signals (e.g., a molecule binding to a cell surface receptor) is to alter rapidly the membrane permeability to specific ions, resulting in an alteration in the transmembrane potential and/or changes in the intracellular concentration of the ions. Before discussing this and other mechanisms of signal transduction, however, it is important to understand how the cell regulates which molecules exit and enter various cellular compartments.
Law and revolution: legitimacy and constitutionalism after the Arab Spring

Law and Revolution: legitimacy and constitutionalism after the Arab Spring, part of the Oxford Constitutional Theory series, is a significant contribution to literature on law and legality in times...
Modular Static Distribution Controller for Distributed Energy Resource Generation Applications

Recently, renewable wind generations (WG) is enjoying a rapid growth globally amongst other renewable energy sources due to their lower cost and technology advancement. However, the intermittent nature of wind energy and performance of the attached induction generators inevitably poses some challenges to the power grid integrated large-scale wind-farms (WF), especially in case of weak power system. These challenges include frequency oscillations, voltage variation and power quality issues. To overcome these problems and facilitate the WF integration, this study proposes a modular static distribution controller (MSDC) at the WF point of interconnection (POI). The MSDC is composed of a dc-ac power converter connected to a dc/dc chopper converter and energy storage system. The overall power electronic system is considered as a versatile controller which is connected at the POI of WFs, and it can perform several tasks including frequency regulation, reactive power support, voltage control, harmonic filtering, power smoothing, and dynamic load balancing. The detailed model of the MSDC is presented and its control system is developed. In this paper, the dynamic performance of MSDC system is evaluated to achieve different objectives, and the operation of MSDC is validated in an actual weak power system under different modes of operation.
Abstract TMP43: Fluoxetine May Enhance Visual Recovery After Acute Ischemic Stroke by Cortical Remapping of the Blind Visual Field

Post-stroke homonymous hemianopia is disabling and complete spontaneous recovery is rare (12.5%). Other than acute revascularization, no proven treatments are available to enhance recovery. Compens...
Centromere-proximal meiotic crossovers in Drosophila melanogaster are suppressed by both highly-repetitive heterochromatin and the centromere effect

Abstract Crossovers are essential in meiosis of most organisms to ensure the proper segregation of chromosomes. The lack or improper placement of crossovers can result in nondisjunction and aneuploidy in progeny. Crossovers near the centromere can cause nondisjunction; centromere-proximal crossovers are suppressed by what is termed the centromere effect, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we investigate contributions to centromere-proximal crossover suppression in Drosophila melanogaster. We mapped a large number of centromere-proximal crossovers and find that crossovers are essentially absent from the highly-repetitive (HR)-heterochromatin surrounding the centromere but occur at a low frequency within the less-repetitive (LR)-heterochromatic region and adjacent euchromatin. Previous research suggested that flies that lack the Bloom syndrome helicase (Blm) lose meiotic of crossover patterning, including the centromere effect. Mapping of centromere-proximal crossovers in Blm mutants reveals that the suppression within the HR-heterochromatin is intact, but the centromere effect is lost. We conclude that centromere-proximal crossovers are suppressed by two separable mechanisms: the HR-heterochromatin effect, which completely suppresses crossovers in the HR-heterochromatin, and the centromere effect, which suppresses crossovers with a dissipating effect with distance from the centromere.
Termite colony dynamics as revealed by the sex- and caste-ratios of whole colonies of Incisitermes schwarzi banks (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)

Seventy field-collected colonies of the termiteIncisitermes schwarzi Banks were analyzed in terms of caste- and sex-ratios. The main findings were: (1) approximately equal numbers of males and females were found among the workers in colonies that had not yet begun nymphal and imaginal molts; (2) there was an excess of males among the workers of colonies that had begun to form nymphs and alates, and among the soldiers of all colonies; this is believed to be a secondary effect of the fact that (3) female workers develop into nymphs and alates before males do, and female alates leave the colony, on average, earlier than males; (4) comparison of colonies at a stage before the nymphal molts have begun, with colonies containing nymphs, suggests a loss of about 10 percent of the females during the transition to nymphal stages; (5) one period of alate production occurs per year, lasting about 2 months, with 20 to 50 percent of the workers turning into alates; (6) 26 percent of the colonies had one or both primary reproductives replaced by secondary reproductives, leading to a certain amount of inbreeding; (7) except for greater maturity, there was no apparent difference in composition between colonies headed by primary reproductives and those headed by secondary reproductives; (8) soldiers made up about 7 percent of the average colony, numerically, with small soldiers 3 times as numerous as large soldiers; (9) colonies produce small soldiers first, later adding large soldiers; soldier production is lower when nymphs and alates are forming. The findings are discussed in relation to the reproductive cycle and life cycle of the colony, the amount of inbreeding in the population, and the unusual chromosomal mechanism of sex determination.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH MOBILE APPS AMONG OLDER VETERANS

The number of older adults using mobile devices has doubled over recent years; however, many need assistance in learning how to use their device. To address this gap, we developed patient education materials teaching older Veterans how to download apps and the basics of mobile device and app use. For example, we developed step-by-step guides for three Veteran Affairs mobile apps that target mental health symptoms. Material development involved feedback from providers and older Veterans using a multi-step mixed methods evaluation process. Local technology and geriatric content experts provided initial feedback; all experts agreed the materials would be helpful to teach Veterans about mental health apps. We subsequently interviewed older Veterans (M = 78.5 years) who evaluated the materials. Over 50% of Veterans found the guides clear, articulate, and useful; 83.3% noted they would recommend to others. Lastly, providers who see older Veterans regularly rated the materials; 79% of providers rated the materials as helpful, with an average rating of 4.3 (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). Providers viewed the materials and apps as useful supplements to psychotherapy and especially useful for individuals who are unable to return to clinic. Overall, both providers and Veterans found the materials easy to understand and valuable for those new using mobile apps or devices. Findings from the evaluation process suggest the design of the materials may be vital to increasing the use of mental health mobile apps among older Veterans.
Classifying Residential Electricity Demand in Mexico using Random Forest and Multinomial Logistic Regression

This study analyzes the determinants and characteristics that affect the electricity consumption in the Mexican residential sector. This identification is done by applying random forest (RF) and multilinear regression (MLR) methods to find the most influential determinants that explain electricity consumption of the Mexican households. The data used was drawn from the National Survey on the Consumption of Energy Sources in Private Housing Units (ENCEVI) 2018. The results show that differences in socio-demographic and dwelling characteristics are less important than the state in which the households are located. Both methods offered slight results in the validation classification. We believe that this study will be useful for revealing the relevant and irrelevant predictors of electricity demand in other sectors and for particular energy-end uses
Examining the interaction of autism spectrum disorder-related traits and unit cohesion on suicide risk among military personnel.

Abstract Background Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. Method Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. Results Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. Discussion Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.
Using the NIH symptom science model to understand fatigue and mitochondrial bioenergetics

The symptom of fatigue is prevalent among patients with chronic diseases and conditions such as congestive heart failure and cancer. It has a significant debilitating impact on patients' physical health, quality of life, and well-being. Early detection and appropriate assessment of fatigue is essential for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring disease progression. However, it is often challenging to manage the symptom of fatigue without first investigating the underlying biological mechanisms. In this narrative review, we conceptualize the symptom of fatigue and its relationship with mitochondrial bioenergetics using the National Institute of Health Symptom Science Model (NIH-SSM). In particular, we discuss mental and physical measures to assess fatigue, the importance of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cellular and organ functions, and how impaired ATP production contributes to fatigue. Specific methods to measure ATP are described. Recommendations are provided concerning how to integrate biological mechanisms with the symptom of fatigue for future research and clinical practice to help alleviate symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.
Immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune disease

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of multiple cancers. Seven of these agents are currently FDA approved in the US as first or second line options for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. These agents work by downregulating pathways that suppress T-cell activation and thereby mounting an immune response to the tumor. In general, ICI are well tolerated with only mild to moderate toxicity. However, in some patients severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that mimic the presentation of autoimmune diseases (AID) may occur. It is believed that irAEs occur due to disruption of immunologic self-tolerance, a mechanism that also seems to explain AID. Patients with pre-existing AID are usually excluded from prospective clinical trials due to concerns for flares of the underline AID. There is limited retrospective evidence supporting the use of ICI in patients with some pre-existing AID. These patients have an increased risk of malignancy and there is an unmet need to study ICIs in this population. This manuscript intends to review the current available evidence for the safety and activity of ICIs in patients with pre-existing AID. We summarize the reported use of ICI in patients with pre-existing AID according to the primary tumor site and type of ICI used.
Beyond Due Diligence: the Human Rights Corporation

The modern corporation offers significant potential to contribute to the human rights project, in part because it is free from the challenges posed by national sovereignty. That promise has begun to be realized in businesses practicing corporate due diligence with regard to the human rights of persons involved in or affected by those enterprises. Yet due diligence preserves the self-seeking orientation of the conventional corporation and seeks only to protect itself from committing human rights abuses. This approach, typified by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, does not address background conditions for and root causes of vulnerability to human rights abuses. My alternative, the human rights corporation, takes an other-regarding orientation that advances human rights within the corporation and in its human, social, economic, and natural environments. It moves beyond the due diligence carrot-and-stick model to a model in which the corporation produces not only goods and services but also human rights consciousness and practice as well.
Unilateral Nephrectomy Stimulates ERK and Is Associated With Enhanced Na Transport

Nephron loss initiates compensatory hemodynamic and cellular effects on the remaining nephrons. Increases in single nephron glomerular filtration rate and tubular flow rate exert higher fluid shear stress (FSS) on tubules. In principal cell (PC) culture models FSS induces ERK, and ERK is implicated in the regulation of transepithelial sodium (Na) transport, as well as, proliferation. Thus, we hypothesize that high tubular flow and FSS mediate ERK activation in the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of solitary kidney which regulates amiloride sensitive Na transport and affects CCD cell number. Immunoblotting of whole kidney protein lysate was performed to determine phospho-ERK (pERK) expression. Next, sham and unilateral nephrectomized mice were stained with anti-pERK antibodies, and dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) to identify PCs with pERK. Murine PCs (mpkCCD) were grown on semi-permeable supports under static, FSS, and FSS with U0126 (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) conditions to measure the effects of FSS and ERK inhibition on amiloride sensitive Na short circuit current (Isc). pERK abundance was greater in kidney lysate of unilateral vs. sham nephrectomies. The total number of cells in CCD and pERK positive PCs increased in nephrectomized mice (9.3 ± 0.4 vs. 6.1 ± 0.2 and 5.1 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 cell per CCD nephrectomy vs. sham, respectively, n > 6 per group, p < 0.05). However, Ki67, a marker of proliferation, did not differ by immunoblot or immunohistochemistry in nephrectomy samples at 1 month compared to sham. Next, amiloride sensitive Isc in static mpkCCD cells was 25.3 ± 1.7 μA/cm2 (n = 21), but after exposure to 24 h of FSS the Isc increased to 41.4 ± 2.8 μA/cm2 (n = 22; p < 0.01) and returned to 19.1 ± 2.1 μA/cm2 (n = 18, p < 0.01) upon treatment with U0126. Though FSS did not alter α- or γ-ENaC expression in mpkCCD cells, γ-ENaC was reduced in U0126 treated cells. In conclusion, pERK increases in whole kidney and, specifically, CCD cells after nephrectomy, but pERK was not associated with active proliferation at 1-month post-nephrectomy. In vitro studies suggest high tubular flow induces ERK dependent ENaC Na absorption and may play a critical role in Na balance post-nephrectomy.
The Urologist and the Appendix: A Review of Appendiceal Use in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery.

Abstract Recently, genitourinary reconstruction has experienced a renaissance. Over the past several years, there has been an expansion of the literature regarding the use of buccal mucosa for the repair of complex ureteral strictures and other pathologies. The appendix has been an available graft utilized for the repair of ureteral stricture disease and has been infrequently reported since the early 1900s. This review serves to highlight the use of the appendix for reconstruction in urology, particularly focusing on the anatomy and physiology of the appendix, historical use, and current applications, particularly in robotic upper tract reconstruction.
Environmental and Social Injustices of the Flint, MI Water Crisis: A General Chemistry Exercise

A two-week exercise on the Flint, MI water crisis was developed for high school and undergraduate students in introductory chemistry courses. During the first week of the exercise, students learn t...
Fundamentals of Probability: A First Course

Introducing Probability.- The Birthday and Matching Problems.- Conditional Probability and Independence.- Integer-Valued and Discrete Random Variables.- Generating Functions.- Standard Discrete Distributions.- Continuous Random Variables.- Some Special Continuous Distributions.- Normal Distribution.- Normal Approximations and the Central Limit Theorem.- Multivariate Discrete Distributions.- Multidimensional Densities.- Convolutions and Transformations.- Markov Chains and Applications.- Urn Models in Physics and Genetics.
Unique Features of the Source Loading and Management Model (SLAMM)

A logical approach to stormwater management requires knowledge of the problems that are to be solved, the sources of the problem pollutants, and the effectiven…
Chapter 22 Posttranscriptional Modifications of Nonhistone Proteins of Salivary Gland Cells of Sciara coprophila

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the posttranscriptional modifications of nonhistone proteins of salivary gland cells of Sciara coprophila . The techniques useful in studying nucleoprotein metabolism of polytene chromosomes are also discussed. The early appearance of nonhistone proteins in chromosome regions that will form puffs suggests that there may be a relationship between these proteins and the “activating” stimulus. The steroid molting hormone, ecdysone, induces puff formation only at specific stages of development. Either before or at the onset of puff formation there is a substantial accumulation of pre-existing protein in and around the developing puff. There is a pool of preexisting cytoplasmic proteins that, when acted upon either directly or indirectly by a specific hormone, allows recognition by this protein(s) of specific sites on the genome. The early appearance of nonhistone proteins may be part of the biochemical mechanism for the control of chromosomal loci designated to become activated by ecdysone. As the effects of endogenous ecdysone in Sciara coprophila are permanent, the transfer of cytoplasmic proteins to the nucleus may represent a mechanism for stable differentiation.
Interfacial-oxygen-vacancy mediated doping of MoS 2 by high-κ dielectrics

Dielectric engineering using high-κ oxides, such as atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al 2 O x and HfO x , has been in widespread use to enhance the mobility of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) based field effect transistors (FETs) [1,2]. This performance enhancement of MoS 2 FETs in a high-κ environment is mainly attributed to the screening of Coulomb scattering from charged impurities, as well as the quenching of homopolar phonon modes of MoS 2 [3]. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. In this work, we demonstrate, using both experiment and theory, the n-doping of MoS 2 mediated by interfacial-oxygen-vacancies at the high-κ-MoS 2 interface, and propose a mechanism for the mobility enhancement effect in MoS 2 devices upon high-κ encapsulation.
Multi-spectral detection and tracking in cluttered urban environments

Automatic detection and tracking ofmoving targets in full motion video (FMV) from aerial imaging systems has significant interest in the defense and security community. However often times performance is degraded in a given spectral band due to environmental conditions and poor target response in a given band. The overall goal of this work is to increase the probability of detection and track association in cluttered urban environments while simultaneously suppressing false alarms by fusing the detection results and features from different spectral bands. We use a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to detect background pixels, and define potential targets as being in regions that are found to be non-background. Detections from each spectral band are fused to form multi-spectral target candidates. Detected target candidates are associated with targets from a tracking database by matching features from the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT). We create tracking profiles consisting of location history and vector velocity history for all targets in the scene. This algorithm was evaluated with synthetically generated datasets from the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) software model producing visible, near infrared, mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared FMV that include moving vehicles in an urban environment. The proposed fusion algorithm provides a detection rate over 82%, while decreasing incorrect associations in cluttered areas such as intersections or partial occlusions where a portion of the vehicle is hidden from sensor view. This paper will describe the approach and demonstrate the performance with simulated DIRSIG FMV data.
Report of the Task Force on Diagnosis and Management of Meningitis.

Children still die or suffer permanent neurologic sequelae as a result of bacterial meningitis. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive management are the goals, but early signs of meningitis are often subtle and nonspecific and, therefore, may be recognized only in retrospect. The physician must identify among the many febrile children seen every day in office practice—most of whom have spontaneously resolving illnesses usually caused by viruses—the few children who have serious bacterial infection requiring early intervention. No single test or battery of tests replaces the clinical acumen of the physician in identifying the child with early signs of bacterial meningitis. Because of controversies about diagnosis and treatment of meningitis voiced in various forums, including the courtroom, the Task Force on Diagnosis and Management of Meningitis has been asked by the Executive Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics to prepare a report on the causes, diagnosis, management, and outcome of meningitis in infants and children. This task force selected for discussion issues of current relevance and controversy in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial and nonbacterial meningitis. Many other aspects of meningitis are discussed elsewhere. Commentaries on the prevention of disease by chemoprophylaxis (antimicrobial agents) or immunoprophylaxis (vaccines) have been prepared by the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta) publishes recommendations on vaccine usage and chemoprophylaxis formulated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These resources are of value to the practitioner who cares for children and needs information on optimal measures for the treatment and prevention of meningitis.
Determination of the plasmid size and location of d-endotoxin genes of Bacillus thuringiensis by pulse field gel electrophoresis

The genes encoding the d-endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis are located on plasmids ranging in size from 45 to 1000 kb. Plasmid size and variety are diagnostic features for characterizing subspecies of this aerobic spore-forming crystalliferous entomopathogen. Two of 25 B. thuringiensis isolates obtained from Middle Tennessee were characterized into subspecies on the basis of size, number, and varieties of plasmids they host using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). By using specific pulse angle (120°), field strength (5 V/cm), pulse time (26 h), and agarose concentration (1.2%) these DNA molecules were separated from other genomic DNA. The purified DNA product the agarose gel was tested for homology to 49 d-endotoxin gene using PCR.. The PFGE data for 5 of the 25 isolates collected in Tennessee showed distinct banding patterns. Two of the isolates had only 1 band whereas the others had more than 4 ranging from 45 to 1000 kb in size. Isolate 6 and 10 both yielded one 49 kb fragment that contained the cry1A gene. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 580-585, 2005
Digital mammography: current technology

Direct digital mammography (DDM) is currently undergoing clinical trial in the United States. The likely outcome of the current clinical trials is that DDM will be found to have appropriate diagnostic accuracy for clinical use for both screening and diagnostic use. Telemammography and the electronic storage of breast images will be shown to be feasible. Computer readable images will be found to help the further implementation of computer assisted breast cancer detection and in the classification of lesions in the breast that could be cancer into benign and malignant categories. Over the next five years new machine and software developments will show that DDM has diagnostic advantages over conventional screen film mammography, especially when coupled with computer aided detection and classification.
Observations on the isoenzymes of creatine kinase in equine serum and tissues

The isoenzymes of creatine kinase have been measured in serum and selected tissues from horses. The distribution followed that reported in other species in that the MM dimer of the isoenzyme was present in voluntary and non-voluntary muscle, thyroid, liver, spleen, lung and intestine. The BB dimer of the isoenzyme was predominant in brain, pancreas, kidney, intestine, lung, spleen, liver and thyroid. In contrast, in 4 hearts examined less than 1.5 per cent of the total creatine kinase activity was attributable to the MB form of the isoenzyme. The MB isoenzyme was, however, present in intestine and spleen. In this series the isoenzymes were separated by ion exchange chromatography and their presence confirmed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. It was concluded that as insignificant quantities of MB isoenzyme are present in equine heart, measurement of this isoenzyme in serum cannot be used to detect myocardial or cardiac damage in the horse. Further detailed studies need to be undertaken to assess the clinical relevance of the isoenzyme pattern in serum or other body fluids, if the measurement of creatine kinase isoenzymes in serum is to be used as a diagnostic aid.
13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of aflatoxin B1 derived from acetate

Abstract The labeling distribution of the fungal metabolite, aflatoxin B 1 , produced from [1- or 2- 13 C] acetate was determined by 13 C FT NMR. The results support the polyketide hypothesis for aflatoxin biogenesis.
Academies of Inquiry and Talent Development at the Middle and High School Levels

This article summarizes research on various aspects of the Schoolwide Enrichment Triad Model and research on eight categorical components of the model carried out over the past 20 years will be pre...
The scalp as an electroencephalographic averager

1. 1. Studies are reported on the relative synchrony of EEG rhythms from cats, recorded unilaterally and bilaterally, using scalp-to-scalp, scalp-to-nose, pia-to-pia, and single-contact or multiple-contact pia-to-nose technics. 2. 2. High degrees of bilateral synchrony (72%) were obtained with scalp-to-scalp recording, lasser degrees (47%) with multiple-contact pia-to-nose recording, less yet (44%) with single contact pia-to-nose recording, while the degree of bilateral synchrony with pia-to-pia recording was the poorest of all (10%). 3. 3. Parallel observations were noted in the comparison of recordings obtained simultaneously from scalp and underlying cortex. The larger the number of interconnected cortical electrodes, the more nearly did the cortical trace approximate that recorded from the overlying scalp (80% vs. 52% synchrony; for six contacts and one contact respectively). 4. 4. On the basis of these observations, the scalp has been hypothesized to act as an averager of electrical activity from underlying cortical areas, averaging out the local random rhythms and transmitting the rhythms which are common to and synchronous over relatively large areas. 5. 5. The implications of these studies with respect to the presence of two types of spontaneous electrocortical activity were discussed. The findings were felt to be compatible with the simultaneous presence of (a) random activity, intrinsic in local cortical regions and perhaps related to local cellular activity, and (b) widely synchronized (both intra-hemispheric and bilateral) cortical activity, which is presumably under the control of a subcortical “pacemaker”.
Anti-CD3-enhanced interleukin-2 immunotherapy of pulmonary metastases.

Abstract A newly developed monoclonal rat IgG 2b antibody which in vitro can activate both helper and cytolytic T-lymphocytes by binding to the CD3ϵ subunit of the T-cell receptor complex was tested alone and in combination with Interleukin-2, a growth factor for activated T-cells, for ability to reduce established pulmonary metastases in a murine model. C57BL/6 mice injected iv with a tumor cell suspension of a weakly immunogenic fibrosarcoma, MCA106, were randomly assigned to 1 of 15 treatment groups for intraperitoneal injections with YCD3 (0, 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 μg) on Days 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 17, and 19 or with IL-2 (0, 1000, or 50,000 units bid) on Days 3 through 7, 10 through 12, and 17 through 19. On Day 21 all mice were sacrificed for enumeration of metastases. Pooled splenocytes of three randomly selected mice from each group were assayed for surface expressions of T-cell markers Thy-1, Ly2, and L3T4. Results: High-dose IL-2 (50,000 units bid) in combination with low-dose YCD3 (1 μg) reduced metastases 60% ( P
A monoclonal antibody against a structural protein in the spermatophore of Tenebrio molitor (coleoptera)

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against insoluble proteins of spermatophores of Tenebrio molitor. One hybridoma clone produced antibody which recognized two antigens (29.4 and 27.6 kd mol. wt) in the bean-shaped accessory reproductive glands (BAGs) and in the secreted precursor of the insoluble fraction of the spermatophore. At least two molecular weight variants which differed by 1.5–1.7 kd mol. wt daltons are present. Processing accompanies secretion into the BAG lumen, with a reduction of about 4000 daltons in apparent molecular weights. The amount of target antigen during reproductive maturation, its localization and its transport were studied using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The monoclonal antibody recognized a protein present in one of the eight secretory cell types (type 3) of the BAG, in the secretory production of this gland, and in discrete layers of the spermatophore ejected from the male. This specific probe, and others currently being produced, will facilitate detailed studies on the process of spermatophore formation.