cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Science Advancement through Group Engagement Program: Leveling the Playing Field and Increasing Retention in Science

How can colleges and universities keep an open gateway to the science disciplines for the least experienced first-year science students while also maintaining high standards that challenge the students with the strongest possible high school backgrounds? The Science Advancement through Group Engagement (SAGE) project targets cohorts of less well-prepared, high potential science students as they progress together through the first two years of undergraduate science courses. A study in chemistry revealed that retention of the first cohort of SAGE participants through the gateway chemistry sequence more than doubled that of both historical and contemporary control groups. Moreover, by the fourth course, Organic Chemistry 2, SAGE participants performed as well as students who arrived at university with the strongest possible high school backgrounds. Because of national trends in high school student science preparation, the positive impact of this program disproportionately affected women and students belongin...
Development and Testing of One-Dimensional Hydrothermal Models of Cannonsville Reservoir

ABSTRACT Two one-dimensional (vertical) hydrothermal models of Cannonsville Reservoir, a water supply serving New York City, were developed and tested. A two-layer model, capable of hindcasting temperature dynamics for two (epilimnion, hypolimnion) completely-mixed, variable-volume layers, was calibrated by determining die seasonal variation of the vertical heat transfer coefficient. This model was used only to hindcast temperature for the spring-fall period of 1995. A multi-layer model (average layer thickness 1.5 m over 50 m maximum depth) was developed that has the capability of forecasting stratification and vertical transport conditions in the reservoir based on specified meteorologic, hydrologic, and reservoir operation conditions. As a part of calibration, the multi-layer model was used to hindcast stratification and vertical transport conditions for the continuous period 1988 through 1995. The model accurately reproduced observed temperature profiles and other observed features such as thermocline...
The Predictive Value of Provocative Sacroiliac Joint Stress Maneuvers in the Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome

Abstract Objective: To determine the clinical validity of provocative sacroiliac joint (SIJ) maneuvers in making the diagnosis of sacroiliac joint syndrome (SIJS). Design: Prospective constructive cohort study using sacroiliac joint block (SIJB) as the diagnostic gold standard. Setting: Tertiary care center. Patients: Consecutive patients describing low back pain including the region of the sacral sulcus. Physical examination revealed a positive response to three provocative SIJ maneuvers, two of which had to be Patrick's test and pain with palpation over the ipsilateral sacral sulcus. Interventions: All subjects underwent fluoroscopically guided SIJB. Main Outcome Measures: Response to SIJB was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) ratings before and after the block. A reduction of the VAS rating by at least 80% was considered a positive response to SIJS. Results: Fifty consecutive patients met our criteria and underwent SIJB. Thirty patients had positive response to SIJB, making up the positive SIJS group. Twenty patients had less than 80% pain reduction with SIJB and thus comprised the negative SIJS group. The positive predictive value of provocative SIJ maneuvers in determining the presence of SIJS is therefore 60%. Conclusions: Our results do not support the use of provocative SIJ maneuvers to confirm a diagnosis of SIJS. Rather, these physical examination techniques can, at best, enter SIJS into the differential diagnosis.
Lifeline response to spatially variable ground motions

Sur la base d'un modele aleatoire des mouvements du sol, etude de l'influence d'un seisme sur les pipelines et les ponts a une portee, compte tenu des mouvements differentiels du sol aux appuis
Statistical properties of eigenstates beyond random matrix theory

A Green's function approach is developed for the purpose of determining wavefunction correlations in chaotic systems. We replace averaging over ‘random’ wavefunctions adapted to fit boundary conditions, or averaging over energy, by an ensemble of boundary conditions. We show the equivalence of the various approaches in cases where they all work, but argue that boundary condition ensembles are most general and suggestive of generalization to other contexts, including smooth boundaries, collisions, and many body systems.
Strategic Human Resources Management: A Review of the Literature and a Proposed Typology

Past efforts to relate the management of human resources to a firm's business strategy have taken three approaches: matching managerial style or personnel activities with strategies, forecasting manpower requirements given certain strategic objectives or environmental conditions, and presenting means for integrating human resource management into the overall effort to match strategy and structure. In this article, the literature on each of these approaches is reviewed, and a typology is presented that posits a reciprocal interdependence between a firm's business strategy and its human resources strategy Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Poliovirus Switches to an eIF2-Independent Mode of Translation during Infection

Inhibition of translation is an integral component of the innate antiviral response and is largely accomplished via interferon-activated phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). To successfully infect a host, a virus must overcome this blockage by either controlling eIF2α phosphorylation or by utilizing a noncanonical mode of translation initiation. Here we show that enterovirus RNA is sensitive to translation inhibition resulting from eIF2α phosphorylation, but it becomes resistant as infection progresses. Further, we show that the cleavage of initiation factor eIF5B during enteroviral infection, along with the viral internal ribosome entry site, plays a role in mediating viral translation under conditions that are nonpermissive for host cell translation. Together, these results provide a mechanism by which enteroviruses evade the antiviral response and provide insight into a noncanonical mechanism of translation initiation.
Developmentally Regulated Excision of a 28-Base-Pair Sequence from the Paramecium Genome Requires Flanking DNA

The micronuclear DNA of Paramecium tetraurelia is estimated to contain over 50,000 short DNA elements that are precisely removed during the formation of the transcriptionally active macronucleus. Each internal eliminated sequence (IES) is bounded by 5'-TA-3' dinucleotide repeats, a feature common to some classes of DNA transposons. We have developed an in vivo assay to analyze these highly efficient and precise DNA excision events. The microinjection of a cloned IES into mating cells results in accurately spliced products, and the transformed cells maintain the injected DNA as extrachromosomal molecules. A series of deletions flanking one side of a 28-bp IES were constructed and analyzed with the in vivo assay. Whereas 72 bp of DNA flanking the eliminated region is sufficient for excision, lengths of 31 and 18 bp result in reduced excision and removal of all wild-type sequences adjacent to the TA results in complete failure of excision. In contrast, nucleotide mutations within the middle of the 28-bp IES do not prevent excision. The results are consistent with a functional role for perfect inverted repeats flanking the IES.
Efficient algorithms for polygon to trapezoid decomposition and trapezoid corner stitching

In non-Manhattan geometry layout extraction, polygon to trapezoid decomposition is an indispensable step. Its efficiency and the organization of generated trapezoids significantly affect the performance of layout extractors. We present a new polygon to trapezoid decomposition algorithm used in our layout extractor iLEX. The concept of edge pair and scanline interval are introduced to provide improved efficiency over conventional scanline algorithms. Definitions for trapezoid corner stitches are provided as well as integrated algorithms on corner stitching trapezoids generated. Complexity analysis shows that our scanline algorithm has an expected computation time of O(n log n), and an expected space of O(√n), where n is the number of non-vertical edges in the given layout.
A classification of transaction processing systems

The problems in building a transaction processing system are discussed, and it is shown that the difficulties are a function of specific attributes of the underlying database system. A model of a transaction processing system is presented, and five system dimensions important in classifying transaction processing systems-the process, machine, heterogeneity, data, and site components-are introduced. The specific problems posed by various combinations of system characteristics are analyzed. The evolution of transaction processing systems are described in terms of the framework. >
The Effects of Interspecific Courtship on the Mating Success of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Males

Satyrization, a form of asymmetric reproductive interference, has recently been shown to play a role in competitive displacements of Aedes aegypti (L.) by Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Furthermore, female Ae. aegypti from populations in sympatry with Ae. albopictus have evolved reproductive character displacement and changes in mating behavior to reduce interspecific mating. In this article, we examine evolutionary responses of males to interspecific mating and show that satyrization has also evoked reproductive character displacement in males. We demonstrate that the presence of heterospecific females negatively influences conspecific mating success in male Ae. aegypti, most likely due to misdirected courting or mating efforts, and that males of this species from populations in sympatry with Ae. albopictus have evolved to be less influenced by the presence of heterospecific females than their allopatric counterparts. Conversely, we suggest that the presence of conspecifics may, in some circumstances, increase interspecific mating. This study demonstrates that co-occurrences of these two invasive species may lead to evolution and adaptation of reproductive behaviors to changing circumstances. Understanding the processes driving development of mate choice preferences or avoidance mechanisms may help predict future changes in the distribution and abundance of insect vectors or pests.
Distributed packet rewriting and its application to scalable server architectures

To construct high performance Web servers, system builders are increasingly turning to distributed designs. An important challenge that arises in such designs is the need to direct incoming connections to individual hosts. Previous methods for connection routing (layer 4 switching) have employed a centralized node to handle all incoming requests. In contrast, we propose a distributed approach, called distributed packet rewriting (DPR), in which all hosts of the distributed system participate in connection routing. DPR promises better scalability and fault-tolerance than the current practice of using centralized special-purpose connection routers. We describe the implementation of four variants of DPR and compare their performance. We show that DPR provides performance comparable to centralized alternatives, measured in terms of throughput and delay. Also, we show that DPR enhances the scalability of Web server clusters by eliminating the performance bottleneck exhibited when centralized connection routing techniques are utilized.
Influence of harvest gaps and coarse woody material on click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Maine’s Acadian forest

In order to maintain biodiversity in forests, it has been recommended that harvests be designed after patterns of natural disturbance. Using a long-term study that includes harvest treatments designed to emulate tree-fall gap disturbances in Maine’s Acadian forest, we examined how the species richness, abundance, diversity, and assemblage similarity of click beetles inhabiting coarse woody material (CWM) were affected by gap harvesting and CWM characteristics (diameter, degree of decay, and type of wood). There were few differences in beetle assemblages between 0.07 and 0.12 ha harvest gap treatments. Four of the most common species had higher abundances under a closed forest canopy than within harvest gaps. Species richness and total abundance were higher in CWM that had larger diameters and were more decayed. Species assemblages also differed with the degree of wood decomposition. Diversity was higher in CWM from softwood trees than hardwood trees. Results from this study suggest that small ( 35 cm).
Characteristics of ultraviolet cured glass-epoxy textile composites: Part 1: Experimental procedures and testing

Ultraviolet curing of composite samples with different number of layers was carried out and the limitations and advantages of the system were examined. The optimization of the photoinitiator concen...
Essential Role for the Myotubularin-related Phosphatase Ymr1p and the Synaptojanin-like Phosphatases Sjl2p and Sjl3p in Regulation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate in Yeast

The requirement of Vps34p, the sole phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for protein sorting to the vacuole in yeast has exemplified the essential role for phosphoinositides, phosphorylated derivatives of PI, in membrane trafficking. To better understand mechanisms that regulate PI 3-phosphate [PI(3)P]-mediated signaling, the role of the yeast myotubularin-related PI(3)P phosphatase Ymr1p was investigated. We found that Ymr1p and the synaptojanin-like phosphatase Sjl3p function as key regulators of the localization and levels of PI(3)P. Our data indicated that the ymr1Delta sjl3Delta double mutant aberrantly accumulated PI(3)P and demonstrated a steady-state redistribution of this lipid that leads to enrichment on the vacuolar membrane. This resulted in vacuole protein sorting defects, vacuolar fragmentation, and the misregulation of PI(3)P-specific effectors. Triple deletion of YMR1, SJL2, and SJL3 was lethal, suggesting an essential requirement for phosphatase-mediated PI(3)P regulation. Consistent with this, growth was restored to a ymr1Delta sjl2Delta sjl3Delta triple mutant by a PI(3)P-targeted Sac1p domain chimera (GFP-Sac1DeltaC-FYVE(EEA1)) that returned PI(3)P to levels comparable with wild-type cells. Together, this study demonstrated that Ymr1p, a myotubularin phosphatase family member, functions in the control of PI(3)P-dependent signaling and the maintenance of endosomal system integrity. In addition, this work defined an essential overlapping role for lipid phosphatases in the regulation of 3' phosphoinositides in yeast.
Applications of pyroelectric particle accelerators

Abstract The discovery of pyroelectric X-ray generation in 1992 by Brownridge has led to a recent surge of interest in the use of the pyroelectric effect as a means of producing useful radiation. By heating or cooling a pyroelectric crystal such as lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) in a vacuum, a potential on the order of 100 kV can be generated. This potential is great enough to eject electrons from the crystal for the production of characteristic or bremsstrahlung X-rays, or to cause field ionization near a tip mounted to the crystal. By using the combined fields of two polarized crystals, the acceleration potential can be doubled, with one crystal acting as a particle emitter and the other crystal serving as a target. Such a paired-crystal system was used to generate X-rays with energies of greater than 200 keV, and can be used to fluoresce the K shell of thorium (Z = 92). An alternative use of pyroelectric sources is the field ionization of a dilute gas. If the positively-charged crystal is used to ionize a deuterium gas, and the target crystal is coated with deuterated target, the deuterium ions can be accelerated into the target at high enough energy to cause D–D fusion. Results verifying the production of D–D fusion neutrons from a pyroelectric source will be presented. Future applications of pyroelectric accelerator technology, such as the use of the electron beam for materials testing, will also be discussed.
Neurotrophin-Induced Transport of a β-Actin mRNP Complex Increases β-Actin Levels and Stimulates Growth Cone Motility

Abstract Neurotrophin regulation of actin-dependent changes in growth cone motility may depend on the signaling of β-actin mRNA transport. Formation of an RNP complex between the β-actin mRNA zipcode sequence and Zipcode Binding Protein 1 (ZBP1) was required for its localization to growth cones. Antisense oligonucleotides to the zipcode inhibited formation of this RNP complex in vitro and the neurotrophin-induced localization of β-actin mRNA and ZBP1 granules. Live cell imaging of neurons transfected with EGFP-ZBP1 revealed fast, bidirectional movements of granules in neurites that were inhibited by antisense treatment, as visualized by FRAP analysis. NT-3 stimulation of β-actin protein localization was dependent on the 3′UTR and inhibited by antisense treatment. Growth cones exhibited impaired motility in the presense of antisense. These results suggest a novel mechanism to influence growth cone dynamics involving the regulated transport of mRNA.
Upwelling Flow Velocity Preferences of Captive Adult San Marcos Salamanders

Abstract San Marcos salamanders Eurycea nana probably lay their eggs within spring openings that presumably have varied flow velocities. To test for a possible preference in flow velocity, adult San Marcos salamanders were placed in systems with access to tubes with upwelling flow velocities of 1 and 5 cm/s. Their locations were observed during daylight hours and were considered to reflect flow velocity preference. Salamanders seldom changed location during the study. There was no difference in flow-velocity preference between males and females. Salamanders avoided tubes with 5 cm/s upwelling flow velocity and displayed a slight preference (one of four comparisons significantly different) for tubes with 1 cm/s upwelling flow velocity over not being in tubes at all. Salamanders occupying tubes tended to stay near the bottom. It is recommended that captive breeding systems for San Marcos salamanders should include some substrate (e.g., limestone rocks) through which water flows (some in an upwelling manner)...
The subdural evacuation port system: outcomes from a single institution experience and predictors of success.

Abstract Introduction Numerous surgical options for treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) exist. Several reports have examined the Subdural Evacuating Port System (SEPS), a variation of the twist drill craniotomy (TDC) technique. Although high success rates have been reported, a significant portion of patients treated with SEPS fail and require additional procedures. This report examines the largest single institution experience with the SEPS and explores patient and imaging characteristics associated with successful procedures. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who have undergone SEPS drainage of cSDH. Demographic and radiographic characteristics were evaluated. Demographic data included patient's age, sex, presenting symptoms, pre-procedural GCS score, and use of anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents. The volume of drainage per procedure and radiographic data including laterality, density, and maximal diameter of the collection, presence of septations, midline shift, resolution of the collection 3 weeks post procedure, and measurements to assess atrophy were collected. Total length of stay and time in the intensive care unit was also recorded. Results were classified as a success or failure based on the need for additional procedures including craniotomy or burr hole craniotomy in the operating room. Patients treated with two SEPS procedures during the same hospitalization and no other procedures were included in the success group for statistical analyses. Results 171 subdural collections were treated in 159 patients (147 unilateral and 12 bilateral). One hundred thirty three collections (77.8%) were successfully drained. In a comparison of the success and failure groups, there were no statistically significant differences ( p p =0.03) and a larger output drained (S: 131.1±71.2ml vs F: 99.0±84.2ml; p =0.04). Success was less likely with mixed density collections (S: 38.2% vs F: 64.3%; p =0.02) and with collections containing greater than 2 intrahematomal septations (S: 17.1% vs F: 40.7%; p =0.007). In successful cases, mean volumes for collections prior to SEPS, immediately after SEPS, and on delayed scans (≥30 days since SEPS placement) the respective volumes were 83.1±35.1ml, 41.5±23.2ml, and 37.9±26.5ml. Both post-SEPS volumes were less than the pre-SEPS volume ( p Conclusions The SEPS is an effective, safe, and durable treatment for cSDH. Although we consider the SEPS a first-line treatment for the majority of patients with cSDH, management of cSDH must be tailored to each patient. In mixed density collections with large proportions of acute hemorrhage and in collections with numerous intrahematomal septations, alternative surgical techniques should be considered as first-line therapies.
Securing Client Cooperation

Abstract This article describes a protocol for the treatment of eating disorders designed to increase the likelihood of client cooperation in the therapeutic process. The client and therapist collaborate in the design of an effective treatment strategy focused on client needs, goals, and readiness. The protocol has four focus areas: Eating Habits, Body Image, Personal/Family Issues, and Wellness. Within each area, therapeutic interventions are grouped at three levels: (1) information, (2) activities for self-awareness, and (3) activities for change.
Signal Transduction in the Escherichia coli SOS Response

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a synoptic view on signal transduction in the Escherichia coli SOS response. The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli activates a transcriptional circuit, known as the SOS response following DNA damage or replicative stress. The SOS response has two key antagonistic regulatory proteins, LexA (negative) and RecA, (positive) that control the expression of 57 genes. The RecA/ssDNA filament serves as the signal for the SOS response, which is transduced through LexA resulting in the self-cleavage of LexA and de-repression of the 57 genes that are under LexA control. The intramolecular cleavage of the 22.7 kDa LexA repressor occurs between the Ala 84 -Gly 85 bonds resulting in nearly equally sized protein fragments. The LexA N-terminal fragment retains some DNA binding activity and can decrease gene expression. The newly generated N-terminus of LexA is recognized and targeted for degradation by the ClpXP ATP dependent protease, ensuring full SOS induction. In the E. coli RecA/ssDNA filament structure Lys 248 and Lys 250 coordinate a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog that mimics the transition state of ATP hydrolysis. These interactions are thought to stabilize the RecA-RecA interface and aid the transition to an active filament. Indeed, RecA K248A is deficient in ssDNA binding and ATP hydrolysis in vitro and DNA repair and recombination in vivo supporting the importance of Lys 248 in formation of the active filament. Several protein interactions modulate RecA filament assembly and stability thereby modulating the magnitude of SOS induction. These proteins include SSB, RecX, and DinI. DinI and RecX directly bind the RecA filament resulting in either filament stabilization or polymerization arrest.
GEMINI: a computationally-efficient search engine for large gene expression datasets

Background Low-cost DNA sequencing allows organizations to accumulate massive amounts of genomic data and use that data to answer a diverse range of research questions. Presently, users must search for relevant genomic data using a keyword, accession number of meta-data tag. However, in this search paradigm the form of the query – a text-based string – is mismatched with the form of the target – a genomic profile.
A Behavior Modification Perspective on Marketing

This article presents an overview of behavior modification and investigates its applicability to marketing. It is suggested that this perspective provides a useful complement to the more cognitivel...
LEO Constellations to Cover the Earth in One Rev

Constellations of LEO satellites are presented that cover the Earth (or a region below a specified latitude) in a single rev. These constellations are shown to be very nearly optimal in terms of maximum revisit time (as compared to optimized constellations in the literature). They are easily generated using tables and plots provided. In sharp contrast to typical coverage constellations that spread satellites evenly across the globe, these satellites are grouped into a localized formation that works together to sweep across the globe. Because the satellites are close together, they can generally be continuously crosslinked (even though they are in LEO orbit). This feature allows data collected by the entire constellation to be downlinked to ground sites whenever any one of the satellites is in view. The long crosslink string allows real-time data to be retrieved from remote or denied locations. In one example, two ground stations are used to provide nearly continuous, real-time downlink of data collected from all six satellites in a constellation as they cover the globe in a single rev. In addition, proximity of the satellites allows significant stereo (or higher) coverage.
Process Control Challenges and Solutions: TEOS, W, and CU CMP

Various options that afford control of the TEOS, W, and Cu/barrier polishes were explored in the building of multilevel dual inlaid structures. Improved tool performance that enables more sophisticated down pressure control with higher resolution backpressure adjustments was employed for the oxide module to control the interlevel capacitances. Planarity at both the global and local levels at the oxide polish affords a good starting point for successive builds without metal pooling. In W CMP, small and controllable oxide erosion and plug recess was obtained with harder polishing pads. In Cu/barrier CMP, the tight overpolish/underpolish margin was maintained by head control and appropriate endpoint algorithms. A six-level build with tight and low sheet resistances and leakages was demonstrated.
Abstract 2584: eNOS as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Pancreatic cancer has a very high mortality rate, and frontline therapy has not changed in over a decade indicating a need for novel therapeutics. In this regard, endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) has emerged as a new target due to recent studies demonstrating elevated expression in human pancreatic cancers, and inhibition of pancreatic tumor growth with eNOS knockdown or knockout in xenograft and genetically engineered mouse models. By pharmacologically testing eNOS inhibition, we found that a non-selective NOS inhibitor, L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inhibited tumor growth of human pancreatic cancer cell lines and extended survival in the aggressive Pdx-1-CreTg/+;LSL-KRASG12D/+;LSL-Trp5R172H/+ (KPC) mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by ∼30 days. This extended survival is particularly significant given that the current frontline therapy, gemcitabine, does not provide these mice with a similar survival advantage. While general inhibitors such as L-NAME are attractive molecules to explore, evidence has shown that targeting all three NOS enzymes can have undesirable off-target effects. As eNOS has been identified as the NOS family member required for pancreatic tumorigenesis, and there currently are no selective eNOS inhibitors, we have created and optimized a cell-based system to identify potent and selective compounds for eNOS inhibition. This assay uses a mammalian baculovirus expression system to distinguish the activity of eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS via measurement of the stable bi-products of nitric oxide synthesis, and has been tested with a variety of published NOS inhibitors including L-NAME, the iNOS specific inhibitor 1400W, and the nNOS specific inhibitor L-NPA. The assay is suitable for high throughput screening of small molecule libraries to identify novel eNOS inhibitors that, when paired with gemcitabine, may represent a novel combination therapy for pancreatic cancer therapeutics. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2584. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2584
Germination Requirements of Claviceps Paspali Sclerotia

Germination of Claviceps paspali sclerotia occurred over a wide range of storage and incubation temperatures. Cold, moist storage conditions greatly enhanced germination but were not obligatory. Highest percentage germination and most rapid germination occurred after storage in moist sand at 5 and 10 C for 2 mo followed by incubation at 20 C for 41-44 da. Preconditioning periods at 20 and 25 C, incubation at 30 C, and dry storage of sclerotia were not conducive to germination.
Low-Grade Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Breast Developing Around a Localization Wire Fragment

We present the case of a 67-year-old white woman with a history of benign biopsy results in the previous 10 years before she developed low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma around a residual localization wire fragment. A possible theory of carcinogenesis may be related to reparative epithelium in a healing biopsy site that underwent squamous metaplasia; alternately, there may have been carcinogenesis related to long-term metal exposure at the wire placement site. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated a link between carcinogenesis and long-term exposure to various metals. This case report raises important questions regarding carcinogenesis in the setting of long-term metal exposure and the reparative response of the body at the site of injury or biopsy. * MBC : metaplastic breast carcinoma IDC : invasive ductal carcinoma BI-RADS : Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System PET-CT : positron emission tomography-computed tomography DCIS : ductal carcinoma in situ LCIS : lobular carcinoma in situ ER : estrogen receptor PR : progesterone receptor DNA : deoxyribonucleic acid CC : craniocaudal MLO : mediolateral-oblique
An operation for relief of severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

The case history of a 30-year-old man with severe mitral and aortic stenosis and slight aortic regurgitation who underwent replacement of both valves is presented. At the initial surgical procedure, because of the small-size annuli, a small Beall mitral prosthesis and a No. 19 Bjork-Shiley aortic prosthesis were used. The subsequent recurrence of severe symptoms and findings of an 80 mm. Hg gradient across the Bjork-Shiley aortic valve led to repeat exploration and corrective surgery. The operative procedure to relieve left ventricular outflow obstruction is described. It is felt that this procedure can be used not only for the relief of severe aortic annular stenosis but also for other forms of severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction such as idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and particularly in the patients who have experienced poor results with one of the known surgical procedures for this clinical entity.
Breaking bad news.

Breaking bad news is one of a physician's most difficult duties, yet medical education typically offers little formal preparation for this daunting task. Without proper training, the discomfort and uncertainty associated with breaking bad news may lead physicians to emotionally disengage from patients. Numerous study results show that patients generally desire frank and empathetic disclosure of a terminal diagnosis or other bad news. Focused training in communication skills and techniques to facilitate breaking bad news has been demonstrated to improve patient satisfaction and physician comfort. Physicians can build on the following simple mnemonic, ABCDE, to provide hope and healing to patients receiving bad news: Advance preparation--arrange adequate time and privacy, confirm medical facts, review relevant clinical data, and emotionally prepare for the encounter. Building a therapeutic relationship-identify patient preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news. Communicating well-determine the patient's knowledge and understanding of the situation, proceed at the patient's pace, avoid medical jargon or euphemisms, allow for silence and tears, and answer questions. Dealing with patient and family reactions-assess and respond to emotional reactions and empathize with the patient. Encouraging/validating emotions--offer realistic hope based on the patient's goals and deal with your own needs.
Modifications of techniques and early results of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic pulmonary embolism.

In 1980 we described bilateral pulmonary thromboendarterectomy with median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest for the relief of pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic pulmonary embolism. In our subsequent experience, which totals 41 patients, we have identified three groups of patients characterized by differences of intraoperative management In Group A (N = 16) myocardial protection consisted of single-dose crystalloid cardioplegia followed by pericardial irrigation with cold saline. Extrapericardial dissection of the pulmonary arteries was performed. Group B (N = 7) was treated the same as Group A except for the substitution of saline slush contained in a laparotomy pad for iced saline. In Group C (N = 18) myocardial protection was single-dose blood cardioplegia followed by the application of a specially designed cooling jacket to the right and left ventricles. Another modification was that of intrapericardial dissection of the pulmonary arteries with extension of the dissection into the hilar tissues without entrance into the pleural spaces. The hospital mortalities of Groups A, B, and C were 18.7%, 14.3%, and 5.5%, respectively (not statistically significant differences). However, other statistically significant differences (p
Neuroimaging, VII: PET and the averaging of brain images

P ositron emission tomography (PET) studies provide functional measures of brain activity. Accurate anatomical localization can be provided by aligning a magnetic resonance imaging (MM) scan with the PET scan. Statistical analyses can be carried out on each brain coordinate to provide exploratory maps. Combining different individuals’ brains is analogous to averaging together photographs of different people’s faces; every one has a different shape. To achieve interpretable differences in pupil color, lip size, or nose length, the eyes, mouth, and nose must be placed at the same x and y locations in every image-a process that requires stretching every face to fit some common mold. The top row of images above shows MRI scans of 70 normal subjects averaged together in three different ways. On the left, brain images are averaged on the center of the slice, a process analogous to averaging face photographs by piling them up on the tip of the nose. This spindle method produces a fuzzy image. In the middle column, images are averaged by finding the edges of each slice and stretching it horizontally and vertically so that each subject has the average width and average length. This bounding box method produces a sharper image, especially where the cortical rim touches the box. It is similar to stretching each face so that the chin-to-top-of-head and ear-to-ear distances are the same. The right column uses 500 points in the cortical perimeter and nine midline landmarks to stretch the brain to the average. This linear perimeter-anchor morphing method produces a slightly sharper image. The averaged PET scans in row 2 show the same progression of sharpness. The cortical surface shows the transition from the high metabolic rate of cortical neurons to the low skull metabolic rate as a fuzzy blue-green band (left) because of individual differences in brain size. This imperfection is improved with the bounding box (center) and sharpened with linear perimeter-anchor morphing (right). The bottom row demonstrates progressive improvement most clearly. The color scale depicts large (red) and small (blue) standard deviations. Cortical rim variability is especially prominent for the spindle method (left). Variability is reduced in the bounding box method (middle) but is still noticeable, especially at 2, 5, 7, and 1 1 o’clock, where differences in head roundness are not controlled. The all-blue cortical rim (right) shows the reduction in variability with edge morphing. Statistical tests on the fuzzy image (left) would be relatively insensitive, especially for the cortical surface, where a given location might be deep in the cortex for one person and outside the brain for another. A sharper cortex is seen where edges are morphed to the same contour (right), providing opportunities for more sensitive detection of task activation or patient group differences.
A Comparison of Therapeutic Schedules for Administering Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor to Nonhuman Primates After High-Dose Chemotherapy

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to be effective in clinical trials for reducing the period of neutropenia after chemotherapy. In this study, we compared the timing for initiating G-CSF administration after chemotherapy with the duration of neutropenia and hematopoietic regeneration. Nonhuman primates treated with high-dose chemotherapy (mechloroethamine, 1.5 mg/kg, intravenously) and not administered G-CSF therapy experienced 8 days of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] less than 1,000/mm3) and had an ANC nadir of 124 +/- 64/mm3 at day 7. Monkeys receiving G-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/d, subcutaneously) began treatment on either days 1, 3, 5, or 7 after chemotherapy. Monkeys treated with G-CSF had an earlier ANC recovery and the number of days with an ANC less than 500/mm3 and ANC less than 1,000/mm3 was reduced by approximately 50% in all treatment strategies. All G-CSF-treated animals, irrespective of the time that G-CSF was initiated, reached an ANC of 10,000/mm3 on day 13 +/- 1 day after chemotherapy. These results demonstrated that the duration of G-CSF therapy was almost twice as long for monkeys treated on day 1 as it was for monkeys that received therapy beginning on day 7. A comparison of the results for all treated monkeys identified a distinct difference in the responses of monkeys treated on day 1 from that of animals treated with G-CSF at later times. G-CSF initiated 1 day after chemotherapy led to an earlier onset of neutropenia and a more rapid and augmented recovery of myeloid progenitor cells in the peripheral blood when compared with control and delayed therapy groups. This study demonstrates that neutropenia due to a single dose of mechloroethamine can be equally reduced with both early and delayed initiation of G-CSF. Further, initiating G-CSF therapy after 7 days required approximately 50% less days of therapy to reach an appropriate termination point. The applicability of these findings to other chemotherapy regimens and for repeated cycles is uncertain and needs to be further evaluated. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.
Altered Development of Synapse Structure and Function in Striatum Caused by Parkinson's Disease-Linked LRRK2-G2019S Mutation.

Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) can cause Parkinson9s disease (PD), and the most common disease-associated mutation, G2019S, increases kinase activity. Because LRRK2 expression levels rise during synaptogenesis and are highest in dorsal striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs), we tested the hypothesis that the LRRK2–G2019S mutation would alter development of excitatory synaptic networks in dorsal striatum. To circumvent experimental confounds associated with LRRK2 overexpression, we used mice expressing LRRK2–G2019S or D2017A (kinase-dead) knockin mutations. In whole-cell recordings, G2019S SPNs exhibited a fourfold increase in sEPSC frequency compared with wild-type SPNs in postnatal day 21 mice. Such heightened neural activity was increased similarly in direct- and indirect-pathway SPNs, and action potential-dependent activity was particularly elevated. Excitatory synaptic activity in D2017A SPNs was similar to wild type, indicating a selective effect of G2019S. Acute exposure to LRRK2 kinase inhibitors normalized activity, supporting that excessive neural activity in G2019S SPNs is mediated directly and is kinase dependent. Although dendritic arborization and densities of excitatory presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic dendritic spines in G2019S SPNs were similar to wild type, G2019S SPNs displayed larger spines that were matched functionally by a shift toward larger postsynaptic response amplitudes. Acutely isolating striatum from overlying neocortex normalized sEPSC frequency in G2019S mutants, supporting that abnormal corticostriatal activity is involved. These findings indicate that the G2019S mutation imparts a gain-of-abnormal function to SPN activity and morphology during a stage of development when activity can permanently modify circuit structure and function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mutations in the kinase domain of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 ( LRRK2 ) follow Parkinson9s disease (PD) heritability. How such mutations affect brain function is poorly understood. LRRK2 expression levels rise after birth at a time when synapses are forming and are highest in dorsal striatum, suggesting that LRRK2 regulates development of striatal circuits. During a period of postnatal development when activity plays a large role in permanently shaping neural circuits, our data show how the most common PD-causing LRRK2 mutation dramatically alters excitatory synaptic activity and the shape of postsynaptic structures in striatum. These findings provide new insight into early functional and structural aberrations in striatal connectivity that may predispose striatal circuitry to both motor and nonmotor dysfunction later in life.
A rare case report of ruptured distal pica aneurysm and complications

Aneurysms of the distal PICA are rarely encountered and are challenging lesions prone for surgical rupture. PICA is the greatest of the branches of the vertebral artery, and is the causative vessel for aneurysm in the posterior cranial fossa. Common location of aneurysms of PICA is at its junction with vertebral artery. Aneurysms originating from more distant PICA segments are called distal aneurysms and are very rare, with a prevalence of 0.3%. Cerebral infarction and cranial nerve compression occur commonly with rupture of PICA aneurysm. CT angiography has been proposed superior to conventional angiography in patients with ruptured aneurysms presenting with SAH. Surgical treatment of PICA aneurysms depends on the sites of occurrence. Surgical aneurysm clipping and endovascular coiling are the available treatment options to prevent further complications. Here, we report a rare case of distal PICA aneurysm presenting with diffuse SAH and IVH.
Density, Viscosity, Vapor Pressure and Thermal Conductivity of MgCl2 + Mg Salts

The MgCl2-contained salt is considered as one of the candidates for the solar thermal energy storage applications. To protect the structural alloy from corrosion, the addition of Mg as corrosion inhibitor was investigated. Several physical properties such as density, viscosity, vapor pressure and thermal conductivity of MgCl2 with different amount of Mg additions are studied in this paper. A slight variation of density and viscosity while the increase in vapor pressure and large increase of thermal conductivity were observed with the addition of Mg to MgCl2 salt mixtures.
Engine model for dynamic simulation of exhaust systems derived from measured data

Nowadays, the FEA has become an indispensable tool in the durability investigation of exhaust systems. A realistic dynamic simulation requires that its boundary conditions are reproduced as closely as possible. To realize this, the excitation data is extracted from experimental measurements. Compared with the exhaust system, the powertrain (engine and transmission) is much stiffer, so it can be treated as a rigid body. Tenneco developed a tool to generate a simplified engine model and related excitation data automatically. This program optimizes computational speed and robustness.
Reconfigurable room temperature metamaterial infrared emitter

The marriage of micro/nanoelectromechanical systems with metamaterials offers a viable route to achieving reconfigurable devices, which control the emission of energy. Here we propose and demonstrate the idea of a metamaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) capable of tailoring the energy emitted from a surface, without changing the temperature, but, instead, only altering the spectral emissivity. Our metamaterial achieves a range of emissivities equivalent to a nearly 20°C temperature change when viewed with a thermal infrared camera. We tessellate a surface with individually reconfigurable MEMS metamaterial pixels, thus realizing a spatiotemporal emitter capable of displaying thermal infrared patterns up to 110 kHz. Our results may be scaled to nearly any sub-optical range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and validate the potential of MEMS metamaterials to operate as reconfigurable multifunctional devices with unprecedented energy control capabilities.
XPS Analysis of the Aging of Thin, Adhesion Promoting, Fluorocarbon Treatments of DC Plasma Polymers

Plasma polymer treatment of aluminum alloys has recently been shown to improve adhesion of primer coatings, thereby reducing the corrosion of thusly protected panels to the levels afforded by conventional chromate conversion coating. One particular plasma polymer system, comprised of a ∼50 nm trimethylsilane DC plasma polymer capped by an ultrathin layer modified by DC hexafluoroethane plasma treatment, has shown tremendous adhesion increases to a wide variety of primers, yielding a coating that is virtually unremovable with conventional stripping applications. An application window was empirically deduced regarding this improved adhesion, indicating that the primer needed to be applied within 5 days of plasma treatment to display the tenacious adhesion to panels. In an effort to elucidate the differences between fresh and aged panels, an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) time study of this system was undertaken. Some direct correlation to this time frame was observed in the XPS data, indicating that a particular fluorocarbon structure in the films modified upon continued atmospheric exposure, rearranging the local bonding environment by introducing additional C—C bonding with an increase in oxygen incorporation.