cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adsorption and reaction of bicyclic hydrocarbons at Pt(1 1 1) and Sn/Pt(1 1 1) surface alloys: trans-decahydronaphthalene (C10H18) and bicyclohexane (C12H22)

Abstract Adsorption and desorption of trans -decahydronaphthalene (C 10 H 18 ) and bicyclohexane (C 12 H 22 ) can be used to probe important aspects of non-specific dehydrogenation leading to surface carbon accumulation and establish better estimates of activation energies for C–H bond cleavage at Pt–Sn alloys. This chemistry was studied on Pt(1 1 1) and the (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) and (√3 × √3) R 30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) surface alloys by using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) mass spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). These hydrocarbons are reactive on Pt(1 1 1) surfaces and fully dehydrogenate at low coverages to produce H 2 and surface carbon during TPD. At monolayer coverage, 87% of adsorbed C 10 H 18 and 75% C 12 H 22 on Pt(1 1 1) desorb with activation energies of 70 and 75 kJ/mol, respectively. Decomposition of C 10 H 18 is totally inhibited during TPD on these Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloys and decomposition of C 12 H 22 is reduced to 10% of the monolayer coverage on the (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy and totally inhibited on the (√3 × √3) R 30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy. C 10 H 18 and C 12 H 22 are more weakly chemsorbed on these two alloys compared to Pt(1 1 1) and these molecules desorb in narrow peaks characteristic of each surface with activation energies of 65 and 73 kJ/mol on the (2 × 2) alloy and 60 and 70 kJ/mol on the (√3 × √3) R 30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy, respectively. Alloyed Sn has little influence on the monolayer saturation coverage of these two molecules, and this is decreased only slightly on these two Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloys. The use of these two probe molecules enables an improved estimate of the activation energy barriers E * to break aliphatic C–H bonds in alkanes on Sn/Pt alloys; E * = 65–73 kJ/mol on the (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy and E * ⩾ 70 kJ/mol on the (√3 × √3) R 30°-Sn/Pt(1 1 1) alloy.
Scalable User Content Distribution for Massively Multiplayer Online Worlds

Reducing network bandwidth demands on MMOW servers and user clients involves describing user content as aggregate collections identified by summary descriptors, letting a user client control the transfer of needed content from servers to the client, and using a download service hierarchy implemented by a content delivery network service.
Cutting Edge: ABIN-1 Protects against Psoriasis by Restricting MyD88 Signals in Dendritic Cells

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The Tnip1 gene encodes A20 binding and inhibitor of NF-κB-1 (ABIN-1) protein and is strongly associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in humans. ABIN-1, a widely expressed ubiquitin-binding protein, restricts TNF- and TLR-induced signals. In this study, we report that mice lacking ABIN-1 specifically in dendritic cells (DCs), ABIN-1(fl) CD11c-Cre mice, exhibit perturbed immune homeostasis. ABIN-1-deficient DCs display exaggerated NF-κB and MAPK signaling and produce more IL-23 than do normal cells in response to TLR ligands. Challenge of ABIN-1(fl) CD11c-Cre mice with topical TLR7 ligand leads to greater numbers of Th17 and TCRγδ T cells and exacerbated development of psoriaform lesions. These phenotypes are reversed by DC-specific deletion of the TLR adaptor MyD88. These studies link ABIN-1 with IL-23 and IL-17, and they provide cellular and molecular mechanisms by which ABIN-1 regulates susceptibility to psoriasis.
Early menarche and childhood adversities in a nationally representative sample

Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests that early menarche, defined as onset of menses at age 11 or earlier, has increased in prevalence in recent birth cohorts and is associated with multiple poor medical and mental health outcomes in adulthood. There is evidence that childhood adversities occurring prior to menarche contribute to early menarche. Methods: Data collected in face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of women age 18 and over (N = 3288), as part of the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication, were analyzed. Associations between pre-menarchal childhood adversities and menarche at age 11 or earlier were estimated in discrete time survival models with statistical adjustment for age at interview, ethnicity, and body mass index. Adversities investigated included physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, biological father absence from the home, other parent loss, parent mental illness, parent substance abuse, parent criminality, inter-parental violence, serious physical illness in childhood, and family economic adversity. Results: Mean age at menarche varied across decadal birth cohorts (χ 2 ₍₄₎= 21.41, p < .001) ranging from a high of 12.9 years in the oldest cohort (age 59 or older at the time of interview) to a low of 12.4 in the second youngest cohort (age 28-37). Childhood adversities were also more common in younger than older cohorts. Of the 11 childhood adversities, 5 were associated with menarche at age 11 or earlier, with OR of 1.3 or greater. Each of these five adversities is associated with a 26% increase in the odds of early menarche (OR= 1.26, 95% CI 1.14-1.39). The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and early menarche was sustained after adjustment for co-occurring adversities. (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.21-2.6). Conclusions: Evidence from this study is consistent with hypothesized physiological effects of early childhood family environment on endocrine development. Childhood sexual abuse is the adversity most strongly associated with early menarche. However, because of the complex way that childhood adversities cluster within families, the more generalized influence of highly dysfunctional family environments cannot be ruled out.
Rice Tillering and Yield as Affected by Artificial and Sugarcane Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Culm Injury

A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the tillering and yield response of rice, Oryza sativa L., whose culms were injured artificially or by larval sugarcane borers, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). Artificially injured plants produced ≈0.49 more tillers than uninjured plants, similar to what has previously been reported for larval injured plants. In contrast, artificial injury did not affect yield per tiller, whereas larval injury did. The proximity of larval injury to the panicle had a negative impact on tiller yield, whereas artificial injury did not. Artificial injury apparently resulted in less injury to vascular tissue than did sugarcane borer larval injury. Until an artificial method of injury is developed that mimics the effects of larval feeding, further injury studies will continue to require sugarcane borer larvae.
Implementing practice model change: Opportunities and challenges in a changing environment.

Over the past 50 years, hospital and health-system pharmacy has been on an evolutionary spiral, moving continuously toward greater accountability for patient safety and optimum outcomes from the use of medicines. These advances occurred through the application of three facets of leadership—the
Chemical Analysis of Hydrocarbon Grease from Spin Bearing Tests

The rotor bearing running torque levels of certain spin bearing units were found to increase significantly during extended life testing. Samples of the greases from these tests were analyzed to determine if lubricant degradation was linked with the increased torque levels. By means of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, we were able to determine that oxidation of some of the greases had occurred and that the oxidative degradation was most easily observed in the soap-thickener portion of the grease. A correlation between the disappearance of the fatty acid salts and the appearance of degradation products was observed. Polymerization of the greases war observed in all samples. We also determined that the grease degradation was symptom of adverse mechanical condition in the bearings and not the primary cause of mechanical problems. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in Washington, D.C., October 5–7, 1982
Postoperative hypoxemia exacerbates potential brain injury after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Abstract Background Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is often used in infants undergoing the Norwood procedure. These infants are hypoxic after surgery. Previous investigations into the cerebral metabolic response and oxygen utilization after DHCA examined animals with normal arterial oxygenation. This study reports the cerebral metabolic consequences if hypoxemic conditions are present after DHCA. Methods Eighteen neonatal piglets were randomly assigned to three groups. The control group was ventilated; the cardiopulmonary bypass group underwent 60 minutes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and the DHCA group underwent cardiopulmonary bypass and 60 minutes of DHCA (16° to 18°C) followed by rewarming. Hemodynamic and cerebral perfusion data were measured at an arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2 ) of 150 to 250 mm Hg, and then at moderate hypoxemia (PaO 2 , 50 to 60 mm Hg) and severe hypoxemia (PaO 2 , 25 to 35 mm Hg). Results Cerebral oxygen delivery decreased by 44% from PaO 2 150 to 250 mm Hg to severe hypoxemia ( p p = 0.002) and cardiopulmonary bypass groups (61.2% ± 2.6% to 70.6% ± 1.2%; p = 0.035); however, the cerebral oxygen extraction of the DHCA group did not increase under these conditions (82.8% ± 1.8% to 77.9% ± 4.3%; p = 0.32). The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption of the DHCA group decreased from PaO 2 150 to 250 mm Hg to severe hypoxemia (1.86 ± 0.20 to 0.99 ± 0.24 mL O 2 · 100 g −1 · min −1 ; p = 0.02), whereas the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption did not change under these conditions in the control and cardiopulmonary bypass groups. Conclusions Under hypoxemic conditions cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption deteriorates after DHCA. Infants exposed to DHCA may be at greater risk of brain injury when postoperative hypoxemia is present. Because maximal cerebral oxygen extraction after DHCA occurs at moderate hypoxemia, techniques that increase cerebral oxygen delivery may reduce the risk of hypoxic brain injury.
HIV/AIDS Case Histories: Diagnostic Problems

A 45-YEAR-OLD MAN, seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) developed bilateral proximal lower extremity weakness accompanied by pain in one leg. For the prior year and one-half, the CD4 cell counts ranged from 35 to 183 cmm (normal 400–1770 cmm), and CD4 percentage ranged from 2–5%. Two months prior to biopsy the serum creatine kinase was elevated to 2981 U/L (normal 22–269 U/L). A muscle biopsy (Fig. 1) was performed. Illustrated in the figure is a patchy endomysial lymphocytic infiltrate that is around and between skeletal muscle myofibers and is associated with myofiber necrosis, degeneration and atrophy, and regeneration. The infiltrate consists predominantly of small lymphocytes and includes a few plasma cells and occasional eosinophil.
Food insecurity and the risks of depression and anxiety in mothers and behavior problems in their preschool-aged children.

OBJECTIVES. We sought to determine if the prevalence of depression and anxiety in mothers and the prevalence of behavior problems in preschool-aged children are more common when mothers report being food insecure. METHODS. A cross-sectional survey of 2870 mothers of 3-year-old children was conducted in 2001–2003 in 18 large US cities. On the basis of the adult food-security scale calculated from the US Household Food Security Survey Module, mothers were categorized into 3 levels: fully food secure, marginally food secure, and food insecure. The 12-month prevalence in mothers of a major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder was assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form. A child behavior problem in ≥1 of 3 domains (aggressive, anxious/depressed, or inattention/hyperactivity) was based on the Child Behavior Checklist. RESULTS. Seventy-one percent of the respondents were fully food secure, 17% were marginally food secure, and 12% were food insecure. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors plus maternal physical health, alcohol use, drug use, prenatal smoking, and prenatal physical domestic violence, the percentage of mothers with either major depressive episode or generalized anxiety disorder increased with increasing food insecurity: 16.9%, 21.0%, and 30.3% across the 3 levels. Among children, after further adjustment for maternal major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder, the percentage with a behavior problem also increased with increasing food insecurity: 22.7%, 31.1%, and 36.7%. CONCLUSIONS. Mental health problems in mothers and children are more common when mothers are food insecure, a stressor that can potentially be addressed by social policy.
The efficacy of obtaining genetic-based identifications from putative wolverine snow tracks

Abstract Snow-track surveys to detect rare carnivores require unequivocal species identification because of management and political ramifications associated with the presence of such species. Collecting noninvasive genetic samples from putative wolverine (Gulo gulo) snow tracks is an effective method for providing definitive species identification for use in presence–absence surveys. We completed 54 backtracks of approximately 1.4 km each and collected 169 hairs and 58 scats. Amplification rates of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) used for species identification were 62% and 24% for scats and hairs, respectively. The average distance traveled to collect a sample containing high-quality mtDNA for species identification was 1,330 m. Genetic analysis confirmed 35 snow tracks (64%) as wolverine. The remaining 19 snow tracks consisted of 8 that did not provide samples and 11 that contained nonamplifiable samples. Collection of both hairs and scats provided 28% more track verifications than would have occurred using ...
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Fasting Compared With Nonfasting Lipids and Apolipoproteins for Predicting Incident Cardiovascular Events”

We thank Drs Lund, Vaag, and Jensen for their interest in and thoughtful comments on our study.1 In response to their question about the measurement of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration by a direct assay on frozen samples, we have previously examined …
Semiclassical Theory of Thermal Diffuse Scattering

Thermal diffuse scattering is an important inelastic-scattering process in electron diffraction. Since the energy loss from phonon-scattered electrons is much smaller than 0.1 eV, which is rather small in comparison to either the energy resolution of the current available energy filter or the energy spread of the electron source, it is probably impossible to separate the intensity of elastically scattered electrons from that of the TDS electrons by using an energy filter. Therefore the contribution of TDS electrons has to be considered in quantitative data analysis in electron microscopy. Chapter 7 reviews some theoretical approaches for describing the diffraction of TDS electrons based on the semiclassical model. We first use the two-beam approximation to illustrate the basic principle for dealing with TDS. Then the theory is extended to the many-beam case. The coherent effect in TDS is examined and a coherent length is defined. Finally we discuss the contribution of Huang scattering in electron diffraction pattern. Several other dynamic theories of TDS are given in Chapters 8–11.
Learning SQL Programming with Interactive Tools: From Integration to Personalization

Rich, interactive eLearning tools receive a lot of attention nowadays from both practitioners and researchers. However, broader dissemination of these tools is hindered by the technical difficulties of their integration into existing platforms. This article explores the technical and conceptual problems of using several interactive educational tools in the context of a single course. It presents an integrated Exploratorium for database courses, an experimental platform, which provides personalized access to several types of interactive learning activities. Several classroom studies of the Exploratorium have demonstrated its value in both the integration of several tools and the provision of personalized access.
Interleukin-13 Receptor α′ But Not α Chain: A Functional Component of Interleukin-4 Receptors

In hematopoietic cells, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) γ chain (termed γc) is shown to be a component of the IL-4R system, whereas in nonhematopoietic cells, γc is absent and it is not a component of the IL-4R system. Here, we show that the IL-13R α′ chain (termed IL-13Rα′) but not the IL-13R α chain (termed IL-13Rα) can substitute for γc and, thus, IL-13Rα′ forms a novel component of the IL-4R system. This conclusion was drawn on the basis of chemical cross-linking, immunoprecipitation, the ability of IL-13Rα′ but not IL-13Rα to augment IL-4 binding affinity, and the requirement of IL-13Rα′ for IL-4–induced STAT6 activation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with various receptor subunits. Cotransfection of IL-4 receptor p140 (termed IL-4Rβ) with γc or IL-13Rα′ increased IL-4 binding affinity and allowed for STAT6 activation in response to IL-4. However, cotransfection of all three chains did not further increase IL-4 binding or alter the extent of STAT6 activation suggesting that all three chains together do not seem to participate in IL-4 function. Instead, IL-4Rβ heterodimerizes with γc or IL-13Rα′ and mediates STAT6 activation. Cotransfection of IL-4Rβ with IL-13Rα neither increased IL-4 binding affinity nor allowed for STAT6 activation in response to IL-4 indicating that IL-13Rα does not convert binding affinity nor transmit signals for IL-4. Because IL-4 phosphorylates JAK1 and JAK2 tyrosine kinases in nonhematopoietic cells, we investigated whether JAK1 and JAK2 are required for IL-4–induced STAT6 activation in various transfectants. Cotransfection experiments with different chains of IL-4R and kinase-deficient JAK1 and JAK2 mutants in CHO cells showed that JAK1 and JAK2 are required for optimal activation of STAT6 in the α′β transfectant but only partially in the βγc transfectant. Taken together, our results show that IL-13Rα′ is a novel functional component of the IL-4R system and that JAK1 and JAK2 mediate IL-4–induced optimal activation of STAT6 in nonhematopoietic cells.
Ethical challenges in the new world of maternal-fetal surgery.

This article explores some of the complex ethical challenges that exist in the field of fetal diagnosis and treatment, especially surrounding maternal–fetal surgery. The rise of these new treatments force us to reconsider who or what is the fetus, what are our obligations to the fetus, and what are the limits to those obligations. In addition, we will consider provider and professional biases, disability issues, and how maternal–fetal surgery has, for a select group of women, changed the very experience of motherhood.
Direct Methods to Estimate the Most Limiting Voltage Level and Thermal Violations in Coordinates of Power Transfers on Critical Transmission Paths

Power system operational nomograms calculated in near-real-time will be more accurate, less conservative and adaptive to changing system conditions compared to the traditionally used pre-calculated nomograms (e.g., seasonal nomograms). In the near-real-time process of exploring multi-dimensional nomograms in coordinates of meaningful power system parameters (such as transmission path flows), multiple stress directions (loading patterns) should be explored for multiple contingencies. Thermal and voltage violations (TVs and VVs) must be taken into account along with the voltage and transient stability limits. Usually, the TV and VV limits are explored by applying a step-by-step iterative searching procedure helping to locate the exact position of the most limiting violation along each stress direction for the most severe in each contingency being studied. In the near-real-time implementation, the search time for all these limits must be heavily optimized. This paper presents a direct method (DM) to locate the most limiting violation for varying stress directions and multiple contingencies. The method has been tested on the full 2014 Western Interconnection planning model. The test results are provided in the paper.
Development and Evaluation of Ergonomic Interventions for Bucket Handling on Farms.

Objective:The aim of this study was to introduce and evaluate two interventions, Ergo Bucket Carrier (EBC) and Easy Lift (EL), for youths (and adults) to handle water/feed buckets on farms.Background:The physical activities of both adult and youth farm workers contribute to the development of low-back disorders (LBDs). Many of the activities youths perform on farms are associated with increased LBD risk, particularly, the handling of water and feed buckets.Method:Seventeen adult and youth participants (10 males and seven females) participated in this study. To assess the risk of LBDs, the participants were instrumented with a three-dimensional spinal electrogonio-meter while lifting, carrying, and dumping water buckets using the traditional method and the two interventions.Results:For both the adult and youth groups, the results showed that the two interventions significantly decrease the magnitudes of LBD risk in many of the tasks evaluated. Overall, the use of the EBC resulted in a 41% reduction in the ...
A Method for Determining the Germicidal Value and Penetrating Power of Liquid Disinfectants

Coincident with this increased use and production of disinfecting agents there has arisen a natural demand on the part of the public for information regarding the relative merits of these various germicides, and various attempts have been made in the past to formulate methods which should furnish information relating to their germicidal powers. Prior to the publication of the RidealWalker method no satisfactory test had been evolved which would give concordant results in the hands of different workers. The lack of success which has attended these previous investigations appears to have been due to the non-appreciation of the influence of certain factors and details which should be integral parts of such procedures, and which when properly controlled should lead to constancy in results. Of the various methods which have been proposed and employed, that known as the RidealWalker coefficient or, as it was first termed, the carbolic coefficient, takes these factors most fully into consideration, and the constancy of results attainable with this method depends in no small degree on the recognition and control of these variable elements. Among the most important factors considered in the method are: (i) the time of exposure of the test organism to the germicide; (2) the age of the culture employed; (3) the choice and reaction of the medium in which the test organisms are grown; (4) the temperature of incubation; (5) the temperature of medication; (6) the use of a
Enhancement of Afterglow in ZnS:Cu,Co Water-Soluble Nanoparticles by Aging

In addition to illuminations and lighting, water-soluble afterglow nanoparticles may also find applications in disease treatment and medical imaging. Afterglow efficiency and longevity are the key parameters for practical applications. It was observed that the afterglow efficiency of 3-mercaptopropionic acid stabilized water-soluble ZnS:Cu,Co afterglow nanoparticles can be improved by using much less S2– precursor (Na2S) in the synthesis. In addition, the afterglow intensity increased more than 7 times after the sample was aged for two weeks at room temperature. To figure out the mechanism for the enhancement, the nanoparticle structures and sizes were measured by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The crystal structure and the particle sizes are almost the same for the samples before and after aging. The optical absorption spectra show not much difference for the two samples. However, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement indicates that oxidation occurred o...
Interfacial Adhesion of Cu to Self-Assembled Monolayers on SiO2

As the critical feature size in microelectronic devices continues to decrease below 100 nm, new barrier materials of > 5 nm thickness are required. Recently we have shown that self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are attractive candidates that inhibit Cu diffusion into SiO2. For SAMs to be used as barriers in real applications, however, they must also promote adhesion at the Cu/dielectric interfaces. Here, we report preliminary quantitative measurements of interfacial adhesion energy and chemical binding energy of Cu/SiO2 interfaces treated with nitrogen-terminated SAMs. Amine-containing SAMs show a ~10% higher adhesion energy with Cu, while interfaces with Cu-pyridine bonds actually show degraded adhesion, when compared with that of the reference Cu/SiN interface. However, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements show that Cu-pyridine and Cu-amine interactions have a factor-of-four higher binding energy than that of Cu-N bonds at Cu/SiN interfaces. The lack of correlation between adhesion and chemical binding energies is most likely due to incomplete coverage of SAMs.
Effect of ethanol on the conjugation of benzoate and salicylate with glycine in man.

SummaryEthanol (50 ml) inhibits the formation of hippurate from benzoate but has no effect on the maximum rate of formation of salicylurate from salicylate in healthy human subjects. This is consistent with other evidence showing that the conjugation of benzoate and salicylate with glycine in man involves different rate-limiting steps.
Abstract 2894: Environmentally responsive nanoparticles for the intracellular delivery of RNAi therapeutics into tumor-associated macrophages

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a potentially promising therapeutic target in cancer because they have been shown to facilitate tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. However, methods to specifically target therapies to TAMs are lacking. To address this problem, we designed and synthesized mannosylated micellar nanoparticles (ManNPs), composed of tri-block co-polymers. The three polymer blocks include (1) an azido-displaying block for functionalization with biomolecules via azide-alkyne ‘click’ chemistry, (2) a cationic block for the condensation of polyanions such as siRNA, and (3) a pH-responsive terpolymer block that facilitates endosomal disruption. This terpolymer is hydrophobic at pH 7.4, allowing these polymers to self-assemble into 25 nm micellar nanoparticles under physiologic conditions. However, they become protonated at lower pH ranges representative of endosomal compartments (5.8 - 6.2), leading to disassembly of the nanoparticles, and increased ability to disrupt endosomal membranes and enable cytoplasmic delivery. This pH-dependent behavior has been validated using a red blood cell hemolysis assay. This environmentally-responsive behavior facilitates improved cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA, access to the intracellular silencing machinery, and consequently, knockdown of target gene expression. Further, we demonstrate that mannosylation of these nanoparticles via ‘click’ chemistry significantly enhances their ability to deliver siRNA into murine bone marrow-derived primary macrophages (BMDMs), relative to control, untargeted nanoparticles. Targeted nanoparticle uptake is mediated specifically through the macrophage mannose receptor (CD206), as validated through competition experiments with free mannose, or by pre-incubating BMDMs with lipopolysaccharide to downregulate CD206 expression. This is particularly important for cancer applications because CD206 is upregulated in tumor-suppressed and non-activated macrophages, enabling more specific targeting of TAMs versus healthy macrophages in other tissues. The ManNPs described here present new opportunities to target TAMs in various cancers, providing an enabling technology for the modification of the immunosuppressive tumor environment by targeting TAM activity. Studies are pending to demonstrate this behavior in an in vivo murine model of metastatic breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2894. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2894
Carbon Nanospheres Fabricated by Pyrolysis of Micelles Formed in Pectin Gels

Formation of carbon nanospheres is typically relegated to two costly methods. Chemical vapor deposition produces uniform spheres safely anchored to a substrate but at the cost of being slow and expensive to run. Arc discharge of a carbon target produces soot containing a low density of random spheres that must be laboriously sorted. An alternative approach is to fabricate carbon nanospheres through the pyrolysis of organic feedstock. This paper presents the findings from an investigation into using pectin as a pre-cursor material for pyrolysis. The pectin is combined with different saccharides - sucrose, dextrose, and fructose and processed in aqueous solution until a gel set. The gel is then thermally processed in a nitrogen environment at 500 °C. The resultant carbon material is examined under SEM. Images confirm the formation of nanospheres and other microscale and nanoscale structures. The pectin, a naturally derived product from plant materials, is a renewable source of materials which can be used to form nanotechnologies for many energy-related applications.
Tuberculosis: A Report from CROI 2016

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) is a major annual scientific meeting on HIV/AIDS and associated conditions. Tuberculosis (TB) is the number one cause of death among people living with HIV in developing countries and is the subject of numerous CROI presentations. This report will focus on the presentations at CROI that the author believes are most relevant to clinicians, the public health community and investigators interested in tuberculosis.
Surgical Options in Wound Healing

This article addresses methods of reconstruction for major acquired and traumatic soft-tissue defects in adults. The reconstructive ladder is used as a basis for discussing the various options for surgical closure. Conditions such as facial trauma, head and neck cancer, median sternotomy, sternal osteomyelitis, bronchopleural fistula, necrotizing fascitis, pressure ulcers, and degloving injuries are used as examples of reconstruction. Nursing aspects, including postoperative flap monitoring, are reviewed. Outcomes of reconstruction, including flap failure, are addressed.
A Comparison of Objective and Subjective Leisure Measures

Leisure researchers often use objective measures of leisure (time, expenditures or activity participation frequency), although the construct validity of these measures appears questionable. In this study, a scale to measure subjective leisure is developed, and it is compared to the objective measures in terms of construct validity.
Yield of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram in the emergency department in cancer patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism.

Abstract Objective/background The use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the emergency department (ED) for patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism (PE) has been steadily rising in the last 2 decades. However, there are limited studies that specifically address the use of CTPA in the ED for cancer patients suspected to have PE. The objective of this study is to assess the rate of positive PE by CTPA in the ED in cancer patients and the variables that are associated with positive results. Methods A retrospective review of electronic medical records for 208 consecutive patients with cancer who presented to the ED and received a CTPA for suspected PE over a 12-month period. The review included demographics, type and status of cancer, presenting symptoms, CTPA results, calculation of Wells Score, management based on CT findings, and outcome of patients. Results Among the 208 patients who met the inclusion criteria during our study period (mean age 57 ± 13.37 years, 73% women, 59% African American, and 32% Caucasians), 5.7% were diagnosed with PE. One hundred and eighty-two (83.7%) had a Wells Score ⩽4, of which 2.2% were found to have to have PE, 22 (16.3%) patients had a Wells Score >4, of which 36.4% were found to have PE (p 4 was 66.7% and 92.9%, respectively, with an odds ratio of 27 (95% CI 6.6–113.6). Receiver operator characteristics area under the curve for Wells Score was 0.868. Age, race, sex, malignancy type, stage, status, clinical presentation, D-dimer, and a previous history of venous thromboembolism were not found to have statistically significant predictive values. Conclusion The yield of CTPA to rule out PE in patients with cancer presenting in the ED is low. Following a validated decision-making protocol such as Wells Criteria may significantly decrease the number of CTPA used in the ED.
Cognitive and Speech Deficits with Opsoclonus-Myoclonus

Thirteen patients, aged 1.7 to 16 years, with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome were evaluated for neuropsychological, psychosocial and adaptive function at the Children’s National Medical Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Maximum likelihood reconstruction for converging beam SPECT with a displaced center-of-rotation

The authors describe the implementation of a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm using expectation maximization (EM) for cone beam (CB) and pinhole (PH) SPECT with a displaced center-of-rotation (COR). A ray-tracing technique is used in implementing the MLEM algorithm. The difference between CB and PH collimation is discussed. The COR displacement is the displacement of the midplane of the collimators off the rotation center and is characterized by two orthogonal components: the shift of the midplane of the collimators along the direction of the axis-of-rotation (AOR), /spl eta/, and the distance between the midline of the collimators and the AOR, /spl tau/. The proposed ML-EM algorithm corrects the COR displacement by incorporating it into the ray-tracing process. The algorithm is tested using experimentally acquired data and the results demonstrate that with the correction the ML-EM algorithm is able to correct artifacts associated with the COR displacement. By using detection systems with different resolutions (FWHM /spl sim/2 mm vs. 10 mm), the authors also demonstrate the greater importance of correcting even a small COR displacement with the increasing system resolution. >
Joint control of transmission power and channel switching against adaptive jamming

In this work, we consider the interaction between an adaptive jammer and a user, and we study the joint control of transmission power and channel switching for the user in the presence of jamming interference. Instead of adopting a game-theoretical approach to studying the interaction, which typically requires full knowledge of the jammer about the user and vice versa, we adopt an online learning perspective to model the reasoning of the attacker as well as the defender. We note that the two aspects of the control are typically coupled, and moreover, the tractability of analysis may be limited if the jammer is capable of learning the user's control strategy, thus attacking adaptively. Interestingly, we show that the power control aspect can be in fact decoupled from the channel switching decisions as a result of this interaction, and we develop the explicit form of the optimal control for certain scenarios.
Abstract 3030: De novo engineering of chromosomal amplifications in human cells

Chromosomal amplifications are among the most common genetic alterations found in human cancers. However, experimental systems to study the processes that lead to recurrent amplification events are lacking. Moreover, some common amplification events, such as that at 8p11-12 in breast cancer, harbor multiple candidate driver oncogenes, which are poorly modeled by conventional overexpression approaches. We sought to develop an experimental system to model recurrent chromosomal amplification events in human cell lines. Our general strategy is to use homologous-recombination-mediated gene targeting to deliver a dominantly selectable, amplifiable marker to a specified chromosomal location. We chose regions recurrently amplified at high frequency in breast cancer, including 8p11-12, 17q12, and 11q13-14. After confirmation of successful gene targeting, the targeted cells are subjected to selective pressure directed at the amplifiable marker. Spontaneous DNA breakage events lead to varying degrees of co-amplification of linked loci near the targeting site. We used adeno-associated virus vectors to target human MCF-7 breast cancer cells at the ZNF703 locus, in the recurrent 8p11-12 amplicon, using either the E. coli inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase enzyme IMPDH or a mutant dihydrofolate reductase gene as a marker. We applied selective pressure using IMPDH inhibitors. Surviving clones were found to have increased copy number of ZNF703 (average 2.5-fold increase) by droplet digital PCR. Genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization confirmed that amplification had occurred on the short arm of chromosome 8, without changes on 8q or other chromosomes. Patterns of amplification were variable and similar to those seen in primary human breast cancers, including “sawtooth” patterns, distal copy number loss suggesting a breakage-fusion-bridge mechanism, and large continuous regions of copy number gain. Amplification was confirmed by FISH. RT-PCR and immunoblotting demonstrated overexpression of selected amplified transcripts and proteins. In summary, we have used genome engineering techniques to create focal chromosomal amplification events de novo in human cell lines. These amplifications share many of the features of amplifications observed in primary human cancers. This system will allow study of the cis- and trans-acting factors that are permissive for chromosomal amplification and provide a system to model oncogene cooperativity in amplifications harboring multiple candidate driver genes. Citation Format: Josh Lauring. De novo engineering of chromosomal amplifications in human cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3030. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3030
Childhood Asthma: Considerations for Primary Care Practice and Chronic Disease Management in the Village of Care

Childhood asthma is at historically high levels, with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite more than two decades of improved understanding of childhood asthma care and the evolution of beneficial medications, widespread control remains poor, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and quality of life. This lack of control results in excessive emergency department use, hospitalizations, and inappropriate and/or unnecessary costs to the health care system. Advanced practice models that incorporate community-based approaches and services for childhood asthma are needed. Innovative, community-included methods of care to address the burden of childhood asthma may provide examples for care of other chronic diseases.
Luxury Fashion Retailers and Consumers’ Perceptions of Luxury Fashion Websites: An Extended Abstract

The term luxury is widely recognized by the general public, although the way luxury is defined varies (e.g., Ciornea 2013; Deloitte 2014). For example, some define the term in connection with its attributes, whereas others define it in relation to price and scarcity (Deloitte 2014). During the global financial crisis of 2007–2008, the sales of luxury goods plummeted. However, as the overall economy has started to recover, luxury fashion goods sales have already reached pre-crisis levels (Schmidt et al. 2015), and the luxury goods industry is expected to continue to grow (Statista 2015). Currently the USA is the world’s largest market for luxury goods (LUXURYSOCIETY 2015).
Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses

The accelerating rate of anthropogenic alteration and disturbance of environments has increased the need for forecasting effects of environmental change on fish and wildlife populations. Models linking projections of environmental change with behavioral responses and bioenergetic effects can provide a basis for these forecasts. There is particular interest in forecasting effects of projected reductions in sea ice availability on Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). Declining extent of summer sea ice in the Chukchi Sea has caused Pacific walruses to increase use of coastal haulouts and decrease use of more productive offshore feeding areas. Such climate-induced changes in distribution and behavior could ultimately affect the status of the population. We developed behavioral models to relate changes in sea ice availability to adult female walrus movements and activity levels, and adapted previously developed bioenergetics models to relate those activity levels to energy requirements and the ability to meet those requirements. We then linked these models to general circulation model projections of future ice availability to forecast autumn body condition for female walruses during mid- and late-century time periods. Our results suggest that as sea ice becomes less available in the Chukchi Sea, female walruses will spend more time in the southwestern region of that sea, less time resting, and less time foraging. Median forecasted autumn body masses were 7–12% lower in future scenarios than during recent times, but posterior distributions broadly overlapped and median forecasted seasonal mass losses (15–34%) were comparable to seasonal mass losses routinely experienced by other pinnipeds. These seasonal reductions in body condition would be unlikely to result in demographic effects, but if walruses were unable to rebuild endogenous reserves while wintering in the Bering Sea, cumulative effects could have implications for reproduction and survival, ultimately affecting the status of the Pacific walrus population. Our approach provides a general framework for forecasting consequences of the broad range of environmental changes and anthropogenic disturbances that may affect bioenergetics through behavioral responses or changes in prey availability.
Early Postoperative Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Predicts the Development of Chronic Kidney Disease After Liver Transplantation.

Background Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL)-associated acute kidney injury is common after liver transplantation (LT), but whether early acute kidney injury predicts chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality remains uncertain. Methods Adults with LT from 2008 to 2010 in a previously published prospective cohort evaluating serial uNGAL pre- and post-LT were retrospectively assessed to evaluate uNGAL as a predictor of long-term outcomes post-LT. The primary outcomes were post-LT CKD, defined as Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m for 3 continuous months, and death. Results uNGAL at 24 hours postreperfusion was significantly higher among patients who developed CKD. Multivariable modeling for the development of CKD demonstrated that uNGAL at 24-hours postreperfusion, 24 hours post-LT renal function, initial calcineurin inhibitor, and age were independent predictors of the development of CKD at in this cohort with long-term follow-up post-LT. Further, this association was stronger in those with preserved pre-LT renal function, a population where renal outcomes are often difficult to predict. Conclusions We propose that perioperative uNGAL may identify patients at risk for CKD and allow for targeted early implementation of renal-sparing strategies.
A Hybrid Model for Advanced Structural Heart Disease Training Programs: The Attending-Fellow-in-Training Model.

Structural heart disease (SHD) fellowship programs in the United States are growing, but they are still not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. This results in a lack of standardized curriculum and complicates funding for a dedicated fellowship, as Medicare and
Innate and Acquired Immunity in Cryptococcus neoformans Infections of the Central Nervous System

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes cryptococcosis, a life-threatening disease that develops following inhalation and dissemination of the ubiquitous organisms. C. neoformans has a predilection for the CNS, and mortality is most frequently associated with meningoencephalitis. Individuals with deficiencies in cell-mediated immunity, such as AIDS patients, are more susceptible to cryptococcosis; thus, the incidence of cryptococcosis is increasing as a result of the growing number of immunocompromised individuals. Loss of CD4+ T cells predisposes individuals to progressive infection with C. neoformans, further emphasizing the importance of cell-mediated immunity in host resistance to this organism and partially explaining the high incidence of cryptococcosis in AIDS patients. Although much has been learned about host defense mechanisms against C. neoformans in the lungs, less is known about host resistance in the CNS. Clearly, some of the same cells and mechanisms are involved in host defense in the lungs and the CNS; however, the CNS has unique features that suggest there might be some differences as well. In fact, experimental evidence indicates that many anticryptococcal reactions in the CNS are delayed in comparison to extracerebral tissues, which may be due to differences in immune mechanisms in the CNS compared to other tissues. More defined experimental studies are required to identify the critical components needed for appropriate anticryptococcal activity in the CNS that restricts growth of C. neoformans while at the same time does not cause harmful damage to the nervous tissue.
Modeling Discontinuous Change in the Spatial Pattern of Retail Outlets: A Methodology

The modeling of discontinuous change in social and economic systems is a relatively recent phenomenon prompted by the pioneering work on the mathematics of catastrophe theory by Thorn (1975). Previously, almost all research into system dynamics was based on the concept of continuous change, in which a continuous or smooth change in some independent variable is expected to produce a continuous change in a dependent variable. Catastrophe theory allows a discontinuous change in the dependent variable to be modeled. In urban and regional analysis there have been two major uses of this approach in the investigation of discontinuous urban dynamics. One is at the macro-scale and is concerned with the examination of sudden urban growth within a system of urban areas (Amson, 1974; Allen and Sanglier, 1979; Dendrinos, 1980). The other use is at the micro-scale, and is concerned with changes in retail outlets within a single urban area (Poston and Wilson, 1977; Harris and Wilson, 1978). This latter theme is the sole concern of this paper.