cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract PO-025: Mitochondrial elongation through Drp1 deletion increases CD8 T cell oxidative phosphorylation and memory formation

Despite the positive effects of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) seen in patients with melanoma and other tumor types, TIL often fail to completely control disease progression even with immune responses enhanced by checkpoint blockade or other immunotherapy. These TIL exhibit characteristics of exhaustion such as poor proliferation, poor effector function, and an increase in inhibitory receptor expression. By flow cytometry, we find that TIL have lower mitochondrial mass as well as lower mitochondrial membrane potential when compared to functional effector T-cells. During the activation and differentiation of T cells, the metabolic demands fluctuate between the necessity for glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which is supported by shifting of the mitochondrial network state. Using mice lacking Drp1, a mitochondrial fission protein, in T cells as a model of elongated mitochondria, we see increased spare respiratory capacity and OXPHOS as compared to WT T cells with fission capability. We find that these mice are more likely to generate memory precursor CD8 T cells as represented by KLRG1 lo and CD127 hi during a primary response to anti-CD40, PolyI:C, and ovalbumin protein. As indicated by the increase in memory precursors, we find that Drp1 −/− T cells form more memory than WT animals after a 28-day rest period. At this time, mice were challenged with an adenovirus expressing ovalbumin to elicit a recall response. This recall response of CD8 T cells is greater in animals lacking Drp1 in the T cells. In addition to the increase in T cell numbers, we anticipate an increase in the metabolic and possibly cytokine function of these cells, which is still under investigation. We aim to exploit mitochondrial dynamics to enforce elongation of the mitochondrial network of TIL in order to improve TIL functions and have begun investigations into mitochondrial elongation in T cells in mice bearing B16OVA melanoma tumors. Citation Format: Marissa A. Gonzales, Timothy NJ Bullock. Mitochondrial elongation through Drp1 deletion increases CD8 T cell oxidative phosphorylation and memory formation [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Special Virtual Conference on Epigenetics and Metabolism; October 15-16, 2020; 2020 Oct 15-16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(23 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-025.
A Pathway for Community-Acquired Pneumonia With Rapid Conversion to Oral Therapy Improves Health Care Value.

Background Evidence supports streamlined approaches for inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) including early transition to oral antibiotics and shorter therapy. Uptake of these approaches is variable, and the best approaches to local implementation of infection-specific guidelines are unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool linked with a clinical pathway on CAP care. Methods This is a retrospective, observational pre-post intervention study of inpatients with pneumonia admitted to a single academic medical center. Interventions were introduced in 3 sequential 6-month phases; Phase 1: education alone; Phase 2: education and a CDS-driven CAP pathway coupled with active antimicrobial stewardship and provider feedback; and Phase 3: education and a CDS-driven CAP pathway without active stewardship. The 12 months preceding the intervention were used as a baseline. Primary outcomes were length of intravenous antibiotic therapy and total length of antibiotic therapy. Clinical, process, and cost outcomes were also measured. Results The study included 1021 visits. Phase 2 was associated with significantly lower length of intravenous and total antibiotic therapy, higher procalcitonin lab utilization, and a 20% cost reduction compared with baseline. Phase 3 was associated with significantly lower length of intravenous antibiotic therapy and higher procalcitonin lab utilization compared with baseline. Conclusions A CDS-driven CAP pathway supplemented by active antimicrobial stewardship review led to the most robust improvements in antibiotic use and decreased costs with similar clinical outcomes.
Disability prevalence in midlife (aged 55-65 years): Cross-Country comparisons of gender differences and time trends.

Prior literature on disability has centered on disability prevalence among older adults ages 65 and older, providing only limited insight to potential gender differences in disability prevalence in mid-life. Midlife is, however, a critical time to be examined, as it is typically the time in the life course when large inequalities in physical health first emerge. Using the Harmonized data files provided by the Gateway to Global Aging Data, we estimate disability prevalence of nationally representative adults ages 55–65 from 23 countries (N = 79,465). We examine gender differences in two disability indicators, limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and activities of daily living (ADLs) in two time periods, 2004/05 and 2014/15. There are substantial cross-country variations in IADL and ADL disability prevalence in midlife. Within countries, we find that women have higher IADL prevalence than men in only one out of five countries. Similarly, for ADL prevalence, women have higher ADL prevalence than men in only one out of ten countries. Further, comparing disability prevalence in two time periods, we observe different country-specific time trends. In the majority of mid and high-income countries, there is no significant gender difference in IADL and ADL prevalence, but there are few countries where women show higher prevalence of disability than men in mid-life. This finding calls for future research into what contributes to cross-country variations.
Dietary Exposure Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and Dairy Products of Latin America

The study gathered publications from 2003 to 2018 reporting the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in samples of milk and milk products from Latin America. Results showed that in 3547 milk and 969 d...
Building a Multiple Linear Regression Model With LEGO Brick Data

We present an innovative activity that uses data about LEGO sets to help students self-discover multiple linear regression. Students are guided to predict the price of a LEGO set posted on Amazon.c...
Illinois Still Has Serious Fiscal Problems after December 2013 Pension Law Changes FISCAL PROJECTIONS

Illinois has a chronic, structural fiscal problem so huge that it cannot be eliminated by increases in economic growth alone, increases in taxes alone, or—alas— aggressive pension changes alone.1 In early December 2013 the General Assembly passed, and Governor Quinn quickly signed, a major pension reduction bill. In this brief, we project Illinois’ budget gap with estimates of the fiscal impact of the new pension law. The state still has a large structural imbalance after the pension changes.
Morphodynamical cell-state description via live-cell imaging trajectory embedding

Time-lapse imaging provides powerful insight into the dynamical response of cells to perturbation, but the quantitative analysis of morphological changes over time is a challenge. Here, we exploit the concept of "morphodynamical trajectories" to analyze cellular behavior using morphological feature trajectory histories, rather than the common practice of examining morphological feature time courses in the space of single-timepoint (snapshot) morphological features. Our morphodynamical trajectory embedding analysis yielded quantitative and descriptive models of future time points based on the extended history information of MCF10A mammary epithelial cells treated with a panel of ligands. The trajectory analysis constructs a shared morphodynamical cell-state landscape, where the response of MCF10A cells induced by various extracellular signals is characterized by ligand-specific regulation of state transitions. Additionally, we show that including trajectories in single-cell morphological analysis enables (i) systematic characterization of cell state trajectories, and (ii) better separation of phenotypes and more descriptive models of ligand-induced differences as compared to snapshot-based analysis. This morphodynamical trajectory embedding is broadly applicable for the quantitative analysis of cell responses via live-cell imaging across many biological and biomedical applications.
On clustering in database servers for supporting mobile clients

The use of mobile computers is gaining popularity. There is an increasing trend in the number of users with laptops, PDAs, and smart phones. Access to information repositories in the future will be dominated by mobile clients rather than traditional “fixed” clients. These mobile clients download information by periodically connecting to repositories of data stored in either databases or file systems. Such mobile clients constitute a new and different kind of workload and exhibit a different access pattern than seen in traditional client server systems. Though file systems have been modified to handle clients that can download information, disconnect, and later reintegrate, databases have not been redesigned to accommodate mobile clients. There is a need to support mobile clients in the context of client server databases. This paper is about organizing the database server to take into consideration the access patterns of mobile clients. We propose the concept of hoard attributes which capture these access patterns. Three different techniques for organizing data on the server based on the hoard attribute are presented. We argue that each technique is suited for a particular workload. The workload is a combination of requests from mobile clients and traditional clients. This reorganization also allows us to address issues of concurrency control, disconnection and replica control in mobile databases. We present simulation results that show the performance of server reorganization using hoard attributes. We also provide an elaborate discussion of issues resulting from this reorganization in this new paradigm taking into account both mobile and traditional clients.
Characterizing Teachers' Verbal Scaffolds to Guide Elementary Students' Creation of Scientific Explanations

Scaffolding is a complicated construct that can take many forms, including both written and verbal forms. This research study focused on three elementary science classrooms where students were using a series of written scaffolds to guide explanation building. In each classroom, data were collected to document and study an additional type of scaffold, verbal scaffolds that the teachers provided to complement the written scaffolds. Findings suggested that some types of verbal scaffolds, such as navigational guidance, were universal and therefore cut across all three grade levels. On balance, other verbal scaffolds were more common with younger students in association with their first explanation-building science unit, such as a verbal scaffold that turned an open-ended question into a few multiple-choice options. Through the characterization of the types and range of verbal scaffolds that teachers say, both in general and in response to audience, we can gain insights to inform both curricular design and professional development toward supported explanation building across target audience, time, and topic.
Streptomycin treatment of tuberculous meningitis in children; a long-term follow-up study.

Summary Some of the clinical features of 122 cases of tuberculous meningitis treated with intramuscular and intrathecal streptomycin are described. 92 cases began treatment before January 1, 1952, the survivors of this group have been followed up for periods ranging from two to six years. The survival rate is 38 per cent. 14 have some residual disability. Hearing loss is present in 12. The relationship of hearing loss to the type of drug and the dose given is considered. Relapse occurred in 9 children, in 2 more than four years after the original illness. Analysis of the data suggests that the initial C.S.F. findings are helpful in assessing prognosis.
Silicon Contamination of Automotive Catalysts

On occasions automotive fuels have been contaminated by adventitious admixtures of silicon (Si)-containing compounds which have deleterious effects on automotive catalysts and oxygen sensors. The deactivation of monolithic automotive catalysts by fuel-derived silicon is due to deposition of crystalline silica (..cap alpha..-SiO/sub 2/) on the catalyst surface which causes mass transfer limitations and may ultimately result in plugging of the monolith. Stoichiometric conversions efficiency of three-way catalysts (TWCs) from various low-mileage vehicles were significantly deteriorated; e.g., from typical three-way efficiencies of approx. =95% conversion to <50% conversion at 550/sup 0/C after only 1500 mi of vehicle use. Laboratory aging of a TWC exposed to combustion products of isooctane fuel containing 20 ppm Si resulted in a continual decline in three-way conversions to <40% after 15,000 simulated miles. Catalyst activity of the contaminated sample was recovered entirely by washing with hydrofluoric acid and substantially by an ultrasonic treatment in soapy water.
The Calculations that Gave Einstein “Heart Palpitations”

In what follows, I reply to the preceding article by Michel Janssen and Robert Schulmann, which itself was a response to my article on “One month in the history of the discovery of general relativity theory,” published in the February 1998 issue of this journal. I stand by the historical analysis and conclusions presented in my original article.
Tight proximal esophageal stricture resulting from extensive esophageal squamous cell papillomatosis

Tight proximal esophageal stricture resulting from extensive esophageal squamous cell papillomatosis
Learning Deterministic Finite Automaton with a Recurrent Neural Network

We consider the problem of learning a finite automaton with recurrent neural networks from positive evidence. We train an Elman recurrent neural network with a set of sentences in a language and extract a finite automaton by clustering the states of the trained network. We observe that the generalizations beyond the training set, in the language recognized by the extracted automaton, are due to the training regime: the network performs a “loose” minimization of the prefix DFA of the training set, the automaton that has a state for each prefix of the sentences in the set.
HIV-1 Vpu utilizes both cullin-RING ligase (CRL) dependent and independent mechanisms to downmodulate host proteins

Hijacking of the cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) machinery is a common mechanism employed by diverse groups of viruses for the efficient counteraction and degradation of host proteins. In particular, HIV-1 Vpu usurps the SCFβ-TrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to mark CD4 for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Vpu also interacts with and downmodulates a number of other host proteins, including the restriction factor BST-2. However, whether Vpu primarily relies on a cullin-dependent or -independent mechanism to antagonize its cellular targets has not been fully elucidated. We utilized a sulphamate AMP analog, MLN4924, to effectively block the activation of CRLs within infected primary CD4+ T cells. MLN4924 treatment, in a dose dependent manner, efficiently relieved surface downmodulation and degradation of CD4 by NL4-3 Vpu. MLN4924 inhibition was highly specific, as this inhibitor had no effect on Nef’s ability to downregulate CD4, which is accomplished by a CRL-independent mechanism. In contrast, NL4-3 Vpu’s capacity to downregulate BST-2, NTB-A and CCR7 was not inhibited by the drug. Vpu’s from both a transmitted founder (T/F) and chronic carrier (CC) virus preserved the ability to downregulate BST-2 in the presence of MLN4924. Finally, depletion of cellular pools of cullin 1 attenuated Vpu’s ability to decrease CD4 but not BST-2 surface levels. We conclude that Vpu employs both CRL-dependent and CRL-independent modes of action against host proteins. Notably, we also establish that Vpu-mediated reduction of BST-2 from the cell surface is independent of β-TrCP and the CRL- machinery and this function is conserved by Vpu’s from primary isolates. Therefore, potential therapies aimed at antagonizing the activities of Vpu may need to address these distinct mechanisms of action in order to achieve a maximal effect.
MAC layer anomaly detection in ad hoc networks

It is evident that traditional end-to-end intrusion detection mechanisms developed on wireless local area networks (WLANs) and wired networks are no longer sufficient for breach investigation in ad hoc networks. Most existing intrusion detection techniques for ad hoc networks are proposed on the network layer. In general, these techniques have difficulty to localize attack source, and can not respond to attacks promptly. In this paper, we investigate the use of MAC layer traffic data to characterize normal behaviors in the neighborhood of a mobile node, and to detect misbehaving nodes through MAC layer anomalies. In particular, we evaluate and select a set of features from MAC layer to profile normal behaviors of mobile nodes, and then we apply cross-feature analysis on feature vectors constructed from training data according to the proposed feature set. We are able to reliably detect MAC layer anomalies, some of which may be in fact caused by misbehavior of network layer, since most routing attacks directly impact MAC layer operations. We validate our work through ns-2 simulations. Experimental results show the effectiveness of our method.
Diphosphoryl Lipid A from Rhodobacter sphaeroides Blocks the Binding and Internalization of Lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 Cells

Diphosphoryl lipid A derived from the nontoxic LPS of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsDPLA) has been shown to be a powerful LPS antagonist in both human and murine cell lines. In addition, RsDPLA also can protect mice against the lethal effects of toxic LPS. In this study, we complexed both the deep rough LPS from Escherichia coli D31 m4 (ReLPS) and RsDPLA with 5- and 30-nm colloidal gold and compared their binding to the RAW 264.7 cell line by electron microscopy. Both ReLPS and RsDPLA bound to the cells with the following observations. First, binding studies revealed that pretreatment with RsDPLA completely blocked the binding and thus internalization of ReLPS-gold conjugates to these cells at both 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C. Second, ReLPS was internalized via micropinocytosis (noncoated plasma membrane invaginations) involving formation of caveolae-like structures and leading to the formation of micropinocytotic vesicles, macropinocytosis (or phagocytosis), formation of clathrin-coated pits (receptor mediated), and penetration through plasma membrane into cytoplasm. Third, in contrast, RsDPLA was internalized predominantly via macropinocytosis. These studies show for the first time that RsDPLA blocks the binding and thus internalization of LPS as observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
Ultralow threshold monolithically integrated surface and substrate emitting vertical cavity surface emitting lasers with properties controlled by oxide aperture placement

Use of thin oxide apertures placed at an optical node and spatially selective oxidation allow monolithic integration of uniform, ultralow threshold surface- and substrate-emitting VCSEL's on a single epitaxial wafer for free-space interconnect systems.
Parking 2.0

A host of new smart parking technologies are helping municipalities meet their twin aims of collecting revenue for city services and preventing a small number of cars from monopolizing a limited number of parking slots. These advances are also benefiting motorists by making the tasks of finding a space and paying to park less of a hassle. Some examples include the solar-powered smart meters which allow drivers to pay for parking with coins, credit or debit cards, or smart cards preloaded with money, and the use of wireless communications to let drivers pay for parking in advance, reserve a space, or add additional time from wherever they are. Other innovations allow drivers to use their personal computers or cellphones to select and reserve parking slots well in advance
Arginine-supplemented diets improve survival in gut-derived sepsis and peritonitis by modulating bacterial clearance. The role of nitric oxide

OBJECTIVE: The effect of arginine on survival rates and host defense mechanisms was studied using two clinically relevant models of infection that included transfusion-induced immunosuppression. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Dietary arginine will improve resistance to infection but its role in transfusion-induced immunosuppression and bacterial translocation (gut-derived sepsis) has not been defined. METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed for 10 days with either a defined AIN-76A diet, an AIN-76A diet supplemented with 2% arginine, an AIN-76A diet supplemented with 4% glycine, or standard laboratory chow. In most experiments, the mice were then transfused with allogeneic blood and allowed to feed for an additional 5 days before undergoing either cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or gavage with 10(10) Escherichia coli and a 20% burn injury. Additional animals fed with the arginine supplemented diet were treated with the nitric oxide inhibitor N omega-Nitro-L-arginine (NNA) before gavage and burn. The effect of these diets and NNA on the degree of translocation of 14C-radiolabeled E. coli from the intestine and the ability of the host to kill translocated organisms was also investigated. Mice were fed and received transfusion, gavage, and burn as above. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver and spleen were harvested 4 hours postburn. RESULTS: Survival after CLP was 56% in the arginine-supplemented group versus 28% in the AIN-76A group and 20% in the chow group (p < 0.02). After gavage and burn, survival was 100% in the arginine-supplemented group versus 50% in both the glycine-supplemented and chow groups and 35% in the AIN-76A group (p < 0.01). In animals receiving the arginine-supplemented diet, treatment with NNA decreased survival from 95% to 30.5% (p < 0.0001). Greater translocation, as measured by radionuclide counts, was observed to the MLN of the AIN-76A group. However, there was no difference in translocation to the liver and spleen related to dietary group. Quantitative colony counts and the calculated percentage of remaining viable bacteria showed that the ability to kill translocated organisms was significantly enhanced in animals receiving arginine. Treatment with NNA reversed the beneficial effects of arginine on immune defense. CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of arginine appears to be mediated by improved bactericidal mechanisms via the arginine-nitric oxide pathway.
Islamic Feminism in India: Indian Muslim Women Activists and the Reform of Muslim Personal Law

Modern Asian Studies 42,2/3(2008) pp. 489–518. © 2007 Cambridge University Press doi:10.1017/S0026749X07003228
Cerebrospinal fluid amines and higher-lethality suicide attempts in depressed inpatients

Previous studies have found that not all suicide attempters with major depression have reduced serotonergic activity based on low cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (CSF 5-HIAA) levels. In this study we hypothesized that serotonergic function is lower in depressed patients who have carried out high-lethality suicide attempts resulting in more medical damage, which might explain differences in serotonergic activity among depressed suicide attempters. We assessed the relationship of CSF 5-HIAA and other amine metabolites to the most lethal lifetime suicide attempt in 22 drug-free inpatients with major depression. CSF 5-HIAA levels were lower in depressed patients with a history, of a high-lethality or well-planned suicide attempt compared to depressed patients with a history of only low-lethality suicide attempt(s). Other CSF monoamine metabolites did not correlate with suicidal behavior. Low serotonergic activity may correlate with a predisposition to more lethal suicide attempts in major depression.
The performance of the HERA-B RICH

Abstract A new approach to study the performance characteristics of the HERA-B RICH using momenta reconstructed with RICH track direction measurements is presented. The particle identification performance is found to meet design specifications: electron–pion separation for momenta up to 15 GeV/ c , pion–kaon separation to 54 GeV/ c . The normalized photo-electron yield is found to be 42±5 cm −1 rad −2 and the single-photon angular resolution is better than 0.7 mrad.
K-Wire fracture during minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: Report of six cases and recommendations for avoidance and management.

BACKGROUND Although rare, minimally invasive spine techniques do have the risk of intraoperative device failure. Kirschner wire (K-wire) fractures during minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) have not been previously reported. This report focuses on the incidence of k-wire fractures following MI-TLIF and describes techniques to help avoid and treat these fractures when they occur. METHODS INCLUSION CRITERIA (i) patients underwent 1, 2, or 3 level MI-TLIF over a 10-year period and (ii) had a k-wire fracture leading to a retained fragment. Exclusion criteria included: >10° coronal curves, significant sagittal malalignment, infection, and preoperative instrumentation failure. RESULTS Of 513 patients undergoing MI-TLIF, 6 (1.2%) sustained k-wire fracture (3 males, 3 females, mean age 43 ± 13 years). Complications included k-wire fracture alone (4 patients), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (1 patient), and both ileus and revision for hardware removal (1 patient). All six patients went home postoperatively. The mean follow-up duration was 27.7 ± 37.4 months. All retained k-wire fragments were located in the vertebral bodies at the tip of the pedicle screws; none breached the anterior cortex of the vertebral bodies. None of the k-wires migrated at final follow-up 7.8 years (93.7 months) postoperatively. Furthermore, no complications were attributed to retained k-wires. CONCLUSIONS K-wire fractures during MI-TLIF are rare (incidence of 1.2%) and retained k-wire segments led to no postoperative complications (e.g. no migration).
Improving re-sampling detection by adding noise

Current image re-sampling detectors can reliably detect re-sampling in JPEG images only up to a Quality Factor (QF) of 95 or higher. At lower QFs, periodic JPEG blocking artifacts interfere with periodic patterns of re-sampling. We add a controlled amount of noise to the image before the re-sampling detection step. Adding noise suppresses the JPEG artifacts while the periodic patterns due to re-sampling are partially retained. JPEG images of QF range 75-90 are considered. Gaussian/Uniform noise in the range of 28-24 dB is added to the image and the images thus formed are passed to the re-sampling detector. The detector outputs are averaged to get a final output from which re-sampling can be detected even at lower QFs. We consider two re-sampling detectors - one proposed by Poposcu and Farid [1], which works well on uncompressed and mildly compressed JPEG images and the other by Gallagher [2], which is robust on JPEG images but can detect only scaled images. For multiple re-sampling operations (rotation, scaling, etc) we show that the order of re-sampling matters. If the final operation is up-scaling, it can still be detected even at very low QFs.
Taylor's Theorem and Derivative Tests For Extrema and inflection Points

ABSTRACT The standard derivative tests for extrema and inflection points from Calculus I can be revisited subsequently from the perspective of Taylor polynomial approximations to provide additional insights into those tests, as well as to extend them to additional criteria.
High-Order Non-Reflecting Boundary Conditions for the Linearized 2-D Euler Equations: No Mean Flow Case

Higdon-type non-reflecting boundary conditions (NRBCs) are developed for the 2-D linearized Euler equations with Coriolis forces. This implementation is applied to a simplified form of the equations, with the NRBCs applied to all four sides of the domain. We demonstrate the validity of the NRBCs to high order. We close with a list of areas for further research.
Effect of yellow-tinted lenses on brightness.

Magnitude estimates of brightness were obtained for small (5-deg diameter) and large (15 deg × 20 deg) targets viewed through yellow-tinted lenses (ytl’s) and luminance-matched neutral lenses. The results indicate that brightness perception with ytl’s is up to 40% greater than that with neutral lenses when the spatial extent of the stimulus exceeds the fovea. The onset of the enhancement effect is coincident with the chromatic threshold, and its end point is coincident with psychophysical estimates of rod saturation. In a second experiment, brightness estimates were obtained for the ytl’s and neutral lenses during the cone plateau of the dark adaptation curve when rods, but not cones, were desensitized by bleach. The brightness-enhancement effect was negligible. These results confirm the subjective impression that brightness perception is enhanced by ytl’s and indicate that this effect is mediated, in large part, by the contribution of rod signals to the chromatic pathway.
Predictive value of intraoperative touch preparation analysis of sentinel lymph nodes for axillary metastasis in breast cancer

Abstract Background Accurate intraoperative diagnosis of axillary malignancy facilitates completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) at the time of initial surgery. The capability to address both the primary tumor and axillary disease in a single procedure offers several advantages. This study was designed to define the predictive value of intraoperative touch preparation analysis of sentinel lymph nodes for axillary metastasis in breast cancer and to evaluate the ability of the technique to facilitate accurate synchronous ALND. Methods A consecutive cohort of patients with breast cancer at an Army medical center underwent intraoperative touch preparation analysis of sentinel lymph nodes concordant with initial excision. Those found to have sentinel nodes positive by touch preparation analysis underwent ALND at the initial procedure. Patients with negative sentinel nodes by touch preparation analysis, but positive by final pathology, underwent subsequent ALND. Results of the touch preparation analysis were compared with the final pathology. Results Over a 16-month period, 71 consecutive patients with breast cancer underwent initial excision and touch preparation analysis of 162 sentinel lymph nodes. Final pathology confirmed axillary metastasis in 32% (23 of 71) of patients. Of these, intraoperative touch preparation analysis identified 48% (11 of 23). There were no false positives or unnecessary axillary dissections based upon touch preparation results. Per sentinel node, the positive predictive value was 100%, the sensitivity was 47%, and the specificity was 100%. On a per patient basis, the positive predictive value was 100%, and the sensitivity and specificity were 48% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions Intraoperative touch preparation analysis is an effective adjunct to sentinel lymph node biopsy. In our series, it facilitated a definitive cancer operation at the time of initial surgery in nearly 50% of patients, and ensured that no patient underwent an unnecessary axillary dissection.
Asymmetry of plastic flow in Ni3Ga single crystals

Abstract Flow stress measurements were performed on single crystalline Ni 3 Ga samples in tension and compression. The measurements were made as a function of temperature, orientation and sense of the applied stress. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) on the (111) [101] slip system is found to depend not only on temperature and orientation, but also on the sense of the applied stress (i.e. a tension/compression flow stress asymmetry exists). The TK model [Takeuchi and Kuramato, Acta metall . 21 , 415 (1973)] is shown to fail, particularly for tensile tests. The predictions of the LCP model [Lall, Chin and Pope, Metall. Trans . 10A , 1323 (1979)] and the PPV theory [Paidar, Pope and Vitek, Acta metall . 32 , 435 (1984)] were also compared to the results obtained in this study. It is shown that the tension/compression asymmetry does not disappear for samples oriented on the [012]-[103] great circle as the LCP model predicts, but rather it disappears at orientations betweeen this boundary and [001], as the PPV theory predicts. Also, samples oriented near [011] show the largest asymmetry with the compressive CRSS exceeding the tensile CRSS by as much as 60%. The tension/compression flow stress asymmetry is proportional to the tension/compression peak temperature difference. The peak temperature in tension is greater than that in compression when the compressive CRSS exceeds the tensile CRSS and vice versa.
Lower limb colour flow imaging: A comparison with ankle: Brachial measurements and angiography

Peripheral lower limb vascular disease represents a substantial health problem. Arteriography is currently the 'gold standard' imaging modality. However, much effort is presently being channeled towards alternative non-invasive techniques. To date, this involves mainly the interpretation of ankle: brachial pressure indices and segmental pressure measurements. A prospective pilot study of 20 patients (40 limbs) comparing these two techniques with colour Doppler ultrasound was carried out. Although ankle: brachial indices could accurately predict disease (sensitivity 100%, accuracy 92.5%), it failed to localize it; neither a high thigh: brachial index nor segmental drop could localize disease to the iliac (accuracy 70%) or femoro-popliteal (accuracy 55%) vessels respectively. Colour Doppler ultrasound correctly differentiated iliac from femoro-popliteal disease. It had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 90% in the femoral and popliteal vessels for both occlusion and stenosis and diagnosed 10 of 11 iliac lesions. Colour Doppler ultrasound has many advantages over pressure measurements in that it can both diagnose and localize arterial lesions accurately. We feel that using both techniques prior to angiography can accurately separate patients into either a surgical or angioplasty group. This may help utilize angiographic resources and radiologists' time more efficiently as well as reducing radiation dose to both patients and staff.
Estrogenicity, antiestrogenicity and estrone sulfatase inhibition of estrone-3-amine and estrone-3-thiol

Estrogen levels in breast tumors of post-menopausal women are at least 10 times higher than estrogen levels in plasma. The high level of estrogen in these tumors is postulated to be due to in situ formation of estrogen, possibly through conversion of estrone sulfate to estrone by the enzyme estrone sulfatase. Thus, inhibitors of estrone sulfatase are potential agents for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancers. We designed and synthesized a series of estra-1,3,5(10)triene-17-one, 3-amino and estra-1,3,5(10)triene-17-one, 3-thio derivatives. We have shown previously that several of these compounds substantially inhibit estrone sulfatase, exceeding Danazol in their inhibitory activity. However, little is known about the metabolism of these compounds and the possible effects of their metabolites in vivo. Two probable metabolites of the synthetic estrone analogs are estra-1,3,5(10)triene-17-one, 3-amine (E1-NH2), and estra-1,3,5(10)triene-17-one, 3-thiol (E1-SH). We tested these two compounds for estrogenicity, antiestrogenicity and inhibition of estrone sulfatase activity using a combination of in vivo and in vitro assays. The ovariectomized rat uterine weight gain assay was used to test for estrogenicity. Neither E1-NH2 nor E1-SH were estrogenic, as indicated by a lack of uterine weight gain when given at 25 μg/day for 7 days. The test compounds also were not antiestrogenic, in that they did not block estrone-induced uterine weight gain when given (100 μg/day) simultaneously with estrone (2 μg/day). Both compounds showed low affinity for the estrogen receptor. Using rat uterine cytosol as a source of estrogen receptor, the compounds displaced only a small percentage of [3H]estradiol binding, even when present at 1000-fold excess. Inhibition of estrone sulfatase activity was tested using human placental microsomes as a source of estrone sulfatase. E1-NH2 and E1SH showed very low levels of estrone sulfatase inhibition (15.1 and 9.8%, respectively) under conditions where Danazol showed more than 60% inhibition. Our results indicate that neither of these two compounds would present significant problems if they were the primary metabolite in a treatment involving estrone sulfatase inhibition of estrogen-dependent breast cancer.
The 14C(p, γ0)15n cross section from Ep = 3.2 TO 7.7 MeV

Abstract The 60° yield from the 14C(p, γ0)15N reaction has been measured for proton bombarding energies between 3.2 and 7.7 MeV corresponding to 15N excitation energies between 13.2 and 17.4 MeV. A broad structure is observed at about 15 MeV which corresponds to the so-called pygmy resonance previously observed in the 15N(γ, p)14C reaction. In the present work it is seen that this structure exhibits two peaks. Angular distributions measured in the vicinity of these peaks are isotropic. This structure is in the region of the giant dipole resonance. Assuming that the decay is pure E1 implies that these states have Jπ values of 1 2 + . A T = 1 2 assignment is suggested by the fact that a similar structure (previously assigned J π = ( 1 2 + , 3 2 + )) is observed in the 14N(p, γo)15O reaction. These results are not accounted for by a recent shell-model calculation of the dipole states of the mass-15 nuclei.
Lifestyle variables as predictors of survival in former college men

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine if lifestyle variables such as energy intake, fat intake, alcohol intake, aerobic activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and participation in college athletics predicted years of survival. A sample of white male alumni attending college prior to 1938, was surveyed about healthy lifestyles by mail five times between 1952 and 1984. Self-reported dietary intake data were obtained in the last three surveys (1968, 1976, 1984); leisure-time activity was self-reported in the last two surveys (1976, 1984). Alcohol intake predicted survival since 1976 in male alumni (n=180, p
Auroral spectrum between 1200 and 4000 angstroms

Results of spectroscopic observations of an auroral event made simultaneously by airborne and satellite-borne scanning spectrometers in the wavelength region between 1200 and 4000 A. Photon emission rates of several vibrational bands of the N2, 2nd positive, Vegard-Kaplan, and Lyman-Birge-Hopfield systems, the N I lines at 1200 and 3466 A, and O I lines at 1304, 1356, and 2972 A were recorded. Model calculations of the emission rates of the observed features are found to be in reasonable agreement with the measurements. Electron impact excites the nitrogen band systems, as well as the O I 1356-A line. A spectral feature at 2150 A is tentatively identified as the (1, 0) gamma band of N O.
Studies of thiol additions of silane coupling agents by vibrational spectroscopy

Raman and infrared spectroscopies have been used to determine the addition reaction of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) to allyltrimethoxysilane (ATMS) and 7-octenyltrichlorosilane based on the vibrational intensity variation of thiol and vinyl groups in the reaction mixtures. Due to the distinct and moderate intensity of Raman bands observed in the present experiment, the identification with Raman spectroscopic method is more sensitive than that with FTIR spectroscopy. In the presence of UV radiation, thiol addition reaction has been observed in the direct mixing samples of silanes. Hybrid sol-gels prepared with the use of MPTMS and ATMS as precursors in both acidic and basic conditions have revealed the progression of thiol addition under the UV radiation exposure. UV radiation is similarly effective to induce the thiol addition in the sol-gel coated aluminum tiles. Without UV radiation, the use of free radical initiator in the sol-gel samples might also help to induce the addition reaction.
Verifying higher-order programs with the dijkstra monad

Modern programming languages, ranging from Haskell and ML, to JavaScript, C# and Java, all make extensive use of higher-order state. This paper advocates a new verification methodology for higher-order stateful programs, based on a new monad of predicate transformers called the Dijkstra monad.Using the Dijkstra monad has a number of benefits. First, the monad naturally yields a weakest pre-condition calculus. Second, the computed specifications are structurally simpler in several ways, e.g., single-state post-conditions are sufficient (rather than the more complex two-state post-conditions). Finally, the monad can easily be varied to handle features like exceptions and heap invariants, while retaining the same type inference algorithm.We implement the Dijkstra monad and its type inference algorithm for the F* programming language. Our most extensive case study evaluates the Dijkstra monad and its F* implementation by using it to verify JavaScript programs.Specifically, we describe a tool chain that translates programs in a subset of JavaScript decorated with assertions and loop invariants to F*. Once in F*, our type inference algorithm computes verification conditions and automatically discharges their proofs using an SMT solver. We use our tools to prove that a core model of the JavaScript runtime in F* respects various invariants and that a suite of JavaScript source programs are free of runtime errors.
Binding efficiency and transport properties of molecularly imprinted polymer thin films

A model system for the characterization of molecular recognition events in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is presented. The use of a biologically inspired, three-point hydrogen-bonding motif and a thin film polymeric matrix allows for pre- and post-polymerization binding properties to be characterized by infrared spectroscopy. A method to determine binding constants was developed and utilized before and after cross-linking. These values showed a 10-fold decrease in binding after polymerization, which was attributed to an increase in molecular confinement after polymerization and a change in the local structural environment of the binding cavity. Transport of the guest molecule was shown to be reversible.
Piezoelectric paint sensor for real-time structural health monitoring

Sensors, which collect data for further information processing, are core component of any viable structural health monitoring system. Continuous on-line structural health monitoring can be achieved through the use of advanced sensors developed for real-time structural health monitoring applications. To overcome the problems associated with traditional piezoelectric ceramics, a polymer-based piezoelectric paint material has been developed and recently used for sensors. The piezoelectric paint is composed of tiny piezoelectric particles mixed within polymer matrix and therefore belongs to "0-3" piezoelectric composite. Because of the electro-mechanical coupling properties of piezoelectric paint, the dynamic responses of host structures can be monitored by measuring the output voltage signals from the piezoelectric paint sensor. Piezoelectric paint sensors hold a great potential for dynamic strain sensing applications due to the ease with which their mechanical properties can be adjusted, low fabrication cost, ease of implementation, and conformability to curved surface Additionally, a novel surface crack detection technique has been conceived and validated experimentally, in which cracks of the host structure is detected by observing the measured signals from an piezoelectric paint sensor with multi-electrode configuration. This paper presents this piezoelectric paint-based crack monitoring method as well as validation test data. The piezoelectric paint sensor is ideal for surface crack detection in locations with complex geometry, such as welded joints, which conventional sensors are ill equipped to do.
Exploring the role of learning style research in accounting education policy

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce and describe the Experiential Learning Model and the Learning Style instrument developed by Kolb [1976]. Further, it is postulated that learning style may be a useful concept in making the accounting education process more effective and efficient. As a preliminary test of the concept, the Learning Style Inventory (LSI) was administered to accounting student samples of n = 172 and n = 187, respectively. Six hypotheses were tested using data obtained from the instrument. It is concluded that the LSI shows promise for generation of information useful in helping students and instructors understand the differing cognitive processes in accounting learning.
A temperature-dependent positron annihilation 2D-ACAR study of an insulating YBa2Cu3O6.2 single crystal

Abstract We present and discuss 2D-ACAR positron annihilation spectra in the c -axis projection from an insulating YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.2 single crystal at 35 and 300 K, and compare and contrast the results with the corresponding spectra from an untwinned metallic YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.9 specimen. The effects of temperature on the 2D-ACAR in the metal and the insulator are similar in size but opposite in sign, i.e. the spectra become more peaked with increasing temperature in the insulator but less so in the metal. The metal/ insulator transition is shown to induce substantial changes in the 2D-ACAR, the spectrum in the insulator being more peaked compared to the metal near p =0. The anisotropic spectrum in the insulator does not contain the characteristic signature of the Cu-O-chain-related ridge Fermi surface, but shows a new cross-like feature with arms extending along the γS directions. We have examined the insulator spectrum regarding possible Fermi surface signatures and found note.
POLITICIANS AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC POLICIES

Policy scientists can make important contributions to the study of policy distribution, a question that is likely to be among the most crucial national issues to be discussed throughout this decade. One aspect of this question that has been neglected is the theoretical assumption associated with public choice theory that politicians, once elected, will reward their supporters through the distribution of policy benefits. However, empirical research indicates that policy benefits seldom are distributed in this way. Instead, politicians follow the principle of universalism. In league with bureaucracies and policy communities, politicians define need and then ask bureaucracies to allocate benefits. This makes politicians roles as distributors of policy very different than simplistic models suggest.