Art Is I, Science Is We

The expression of the title has been used for some time to produce a concise summary of the major distinction between “art” and “science.” Our goal is to give a fuller and deeper understanding of this statement by discussing its meaning and interpretation within the context of a precise definition of science. We conclude that “Art is I, science is we,” captures accurately the fundamental difference between these two disciplines

Ex vivo expansion of immature 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide-resistant progenitor cells from G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood

AbstractThe application of ex vivo expansion to cell products pharmacologically purged in vitro may provide sufficient numbers of cells for rapid engraftment in a product with reduced tumor burden. To pursue this possibility we evaluated the effect of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) treatment on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (G-PBSC) and their subsequent expansion potential. A small number of G-PBSC CD34+ cells are resistant to 4-HC and are phenotypically and functionally immature. 4-HC-resistant G-PBSC cells are CD34+ bright, CD38+/-, DR(lo), CD13(lo), CD33-, CD71-, and rhodamine dull. In six experiments, treating G-PBSC with 60 microg/mL of 4-HC at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes reduced the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) per 5000 CD34+ cells by 96.3% (from 1333 +/- 137 to 46.5 +/- 11). This purging also reduced the frequency of 5-week long-term culture initiating cells (LTC-ICs) from 1/39 (range 1/27 to 1/62) to <1/1680 (range 1/1180 to 1/2420). Ex vivo expansion cultures were used to compare the proliferative potential of treated and untreated CD34+ cells. These cells were cultured with either the HS-5 stromal cell line serum-deprived conditioned media supplemented with 10 ng/mL kit ligand (HS-5CM/KL) or a recombinant growth factor mix (GFmix) containing 10 ng/mL each of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-3, IL-6, KL, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and 3 U/mL of erythropoietin. Culturing untreated CD34+ G-PBSC with 10% HS-5CM/KL increased total nucleated cells by 460-fold after 15 days. Progenitors, which were measured as CFUs, also increased by 47-fold over the same period. More significantly, culturing the 4-HC-treated CD34+ cells with HS-5/KL increased CFUs 98-fold and the nucleated cells increased 4573-fold. The absolute number of CFUs present after expansion of the 4-HC-resistant cells with HS-5CM/KL was threefold higher than that detected before purging and significantly higher than that obtained with GFmix. These data indicate that G-PBSC contain a very immature pool of cells not detectable using the 5-week LTC-IC assay, but have extremely high proliferative potential. Additionally, pharmacological purging of G-PBSC greatly reduces mature cells while retaining an immature population. Also significant is the finding that supernatant from the HS-5 bone marrow stromal cell line plus KL can fully regenerate progenitors from the 4-HC-resistant CD34+ G-PBSC.Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1998;4(2):61-8

Subsurface structure and petroleum drilling in the Vincennes Quadrangle : Lawrence County, Illinios, and Knox Country Indiana

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A Systems Approach to Identifying Exploration and Development Opportunities in the Illinois Basin: Digital Portifolio of Plays in Underexplored Lower Paleozoic Rocks

This study examined petroleum occurrence in Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian reservoirs in the Illinois Basin. Results from this project show that there is excellent potential for additional discovery of petroleum reservoirs in these formations. Numerous exploration targets and exploration strategies were identified that can be used to increase production from these underexplored strata. Some of the challenges to exploration of deeper strata include the lack of subsurface data, lack of understanding of regional facies changes, lack of understanding the role of diagenetic alteration in developing reservoir porosity and permeability, the shifting of structural closures with depth, overlooking potential producing horizons, and under utilization of 3D seismic techniques. This study has shown many areas are prospective for additional discoveries in lower Paleozoic strata in the Illinois Basin. This project implemented a systematic basin analysis approach that is expected to encourage exploration for petroleum in lower Paleozoic rocks of the Illinois Basin. The study has compiled and presented a broad base of information and knowledge needed by independent oil companies to pursue the development of exploration prospects in overlooked, deeper play horizons in the Illinois Basin. Available geologic data relevant for the exploration and development of petroleum reservoirs in the Illinois Basin was analyzed and assimilated into a coherent, easily accessible digital play portfolio. The primary focus of this project was on case studies of existing reservoirs in Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician strata and the application of knowledge gained to future exploration and development in these underexplored strata of the Illinois Basin. In addition, a review of published reports and exploration in the New Albany Shale Group, a Devonian black shale source rock, in Illinois was completed due to the recent increased interest in Devonian black shales across the United States. The New Albany Shale is regarded as the source rock for petroleum in Silurian and younger strata in the Illinois Basin and has potential as a petroleum reservoir. Field studies of reservoirs in Devonian strata such as the Geneva Dolomite, Dutch Creek Sandstone and Grassy knob Chert suggest that there is much additional potential for expanding these plays beyond their current limits. These studies also suggest the potential for the discovery of additional plays using stratigraphic concepts to develop a subcrop play on the subkaskaskia unconformity boundary that separates lower Devonian strata from middle Devonian strata in portions of the basin. The lateral transition from Geneva Dolomite to Dutch Creek Sandstone also offers an avenue for developing exploration strategies in middle Devonian strata. Study of lower Devonian strata in the Sesser Oil Field and the region surrounding the field shows opportunities for development of a subcrop play where lower Devonian strata unconformably overlie Silurian strata. Field studies of Silurian reservoirs along the Sangamon Arch show that opportunities exist for overlooked pays in areas where wells do not penetrate deep enough to test all reservoir intervals in Niagaran rocks. Mapping of Silurian reservoirs in the Mt. Auburn trend along the Sangamon Arch shows that porous reservoir rock grades laterally to non-reservoir facies and several reservoir intervals may be encountered in the Silurian with numerous exploration wells testing only the uppermost reservoir intervals. Mapping of the Ordovician Trenton and shallower strata at Centralia Field show that the crest of the anticline shifted through geologic time. This study illustrates that the axes of anticlines may shift with depth and shallow structure maps may not accurately predict structurally favorable reservoir locations at depth

Gestión de Crédito del Programa de crédito impulsado por el ForoMiraflor en el Área de Miraflor Moropotente del municipio de Estelí

In the research that will be carried out in the “Foro Miraflor”, Estelí will determine the Credit Management of the credit program promoted by the Miraflor FORUM in the Area of Miraflor Moropotente, municipality of Estelí. Period 2017-2019” to propose strategies that improve credit recovery. This study includes three theoretical issues: NGO, Credit, and Credit Portfolio. The research is of the Quali-quantitative method. Interviews, observations, and a survey of producers were applied. The hypothesis is demonstrated by 70% of the appropriations have not been recovered due to inadequate credit management. To improve credit management in the credit program of the Miraflor Forum, the following strategies are proposed: 1) Establish scheduled meetings between the forum’s collaborators and beneficiaries for an improvement in the quality of service and follow-up to the families involved; 2) Design of credit and collection manual to train staff on appropriate credit management processes; 3) implement a training plan that promotes a better and good credit culture for non-reliance on funding as a source of livelihood.En la investigación que se realizará en el “Foro Miraflor”, Estelí se determinará la Gestión de Crédito del Programa de crédito impulsado por el FORO Miraflor en el Área de Miraflor Moropotente, municipio de Estelí. Período 2017-2019” para proponer estrategias que mejoren la recuperación de créditos. Este estudio incluye tres ejes teóricos que son: ONG, Crédito y Cartera de Créditos. La investigación es de tipo Cuali-cuantitativa. Se aplicaron entrevistas, observación y una encuesta a productores. Se demuestra la hipótesis al manifestar que un 70% de los créditos no se han recuperado debido a una inadecuada gestión de crédito. Para mejorar la gestión del crédito en el programa crediticio del Foro Miraflor se proponen las siguientes estrategias: 1) Establecer reuniones programadas entre los colaboradores y beneficiarios del Foro para una mejora en la calidad del servicio y un seguimiento a las familias involucradas; 2) Diseño de manual de crédito y cobranza para capacitar al personal sobre los procesos adecuados de la gestión de crédito; 3) implementar un plan de capacitaciones que fomenten una mejor y buena cultura de crédito para la no dependencia del financiamiento como fuente de sustento

Estimated mortality of adult HIV-infected patients starting treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy

To provide estimates of mortality among HIV-infected patients starting combination antiretroviral therapy

The impact of the lung allocation score on short-term transplantation outcomes: A multicenter study

ObjectiveThe lung allocation score restructured the distribution of scarce donor lungs for transplantation. The algorithm ranks waiting list patients according to medical urgency and expected benefit after transplantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the lung allocation score on short-term outcomes after lung transplantation.MethodsA multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed with data from 5 academic medical centers. Results of patients undergoing transplantation on the basis of the lung allocation score (May 4, 2005 to May 3, 2006) were compared with those of patients receiving transplants the preceding year before the lung allocation score was implemented (May 4, 2004, to May 3, 2005).ResultsThe study reports on 341 patients (170 before the lung allocation score and 171 after). Waiting time decreased from 680.9 ± 528.3 days to 445.6 ± 516.9 days (P < .001). Recipient diagnoses changed with an increase in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a decrease in emphysema and cystic fibrosis (P = .002). Postoperatively, primary graft dysfunction increased from 14.1% (24/170) to 22.9% (39/171) (P = .04) and intensive care unit length of stay increased from 5.7 ± 6.7 days to 7.8 ± 9.6 days (P = .04). Hospital mortality and 1-year survival were the same between groups (5.3% vs 5.3% and 90% vs 89%, respectively; P > .6)ConclusionsThis multicenter retrospective review of short-term outcomes supports the fact that the lung allocation score is achieving its objectives. The lung allocation score reduced waiting time and altered the distribution of lung diseases for which transplantation was done on the basis of medical necessity. After transplantation, recipients have significantly higher rates of primary graft dysfunction and intensive care unit lengths of stay. However, hospital mortality and 1-year survival have not been adversely affected

An extensive phenotypic characterization of the hTNFα transgenic mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is implicated in a wide variety of pathological and physiological processes, including chronic inflammatory conditions, coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, and cachexia. Transgenic mice expressing human TNFα (hTNFα) have previously been described as a model for progressive rheumatoid arthritis. In this report, we describe extensive characterization of an hTNFα transgenic mouse line.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In addition to arthritis, these hTNFα transgenic mice demonstrated major alterations in body composition, metabolic rate, leptin levels, response to a high-fat diet, bone mineral density and content, impaired fertility and male sexual function. Many phenotypes displayed an earlier onset and a higher degree of severity in males, pointing towards a significant degree of sexual dimorphism in response to deregulated expression of TNFα.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results highlight the potential usefulness of this transgenic model as a resource for studying the progressive effects of constitutively expressed low levels of circulating TNFα, a condition mimicking that observed in a number of human pathological conditions.</p