cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolving Role of the Estrogen Receptor Mutations in Endocrine Therapy-Resistant Breast Cancer

Recurrent ligand-binding domain ESR1 mutations have recently been detected in a substantial number of patients with metastatic ER+ breast cancer and evolve under the selective pressure of endocrine treatments. In this review, we evaluate the current understanding of the biological and clinical significance of these mutations. The preclinical studies revealed that these mutations lead to constitutive ligand-independent activity, indicating resistance to aromatase inhibitors and decreased sensitivity to tamoxifen and fulvestrant. Retrospective analyses of ESR1 mutations in baseline plasma circulating tumor DNA from completed clinical trials suggest that these mutations are prognostic and predictive of resistance to aromatase inhibitors in metastatic disease. Currently, we are lacking prospective studies to confirm these results and to determine the optimal treatment combinations for patients with the ESR1 mutations. In addition, the clinical development of novel agents to overcome resistance engendered by these mutations is also needed.
Reply to the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Alternative Viewpoint on the 2016 ACCP Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit

On behalf of the 2016 ACCP Educational Affairs Committee, we appreciate the thoughtful Alternative Viewpoint of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Task Force1 to the 2016 ACCP Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit. The Toolkit2 and its accompanying Commentary3 are published online with the expectation that there will be periodic updates. ACCP plans to review the Toolkit every two to three years and will empanel a Task Force in fall 2017 to conduct the next review, anticipating an update in 2018. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An atomistic assessment of the impact of flaw orientation on the elastic and failure behavior of single-crystal Si nanometre-thick slabs

AbstractFailure of nanoscale Si thin films was examined using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that employed the modified embedded atom method (MEAM) interatomic potential. Specifically, nanometre-thick slabs of different crystallographic orientations containing asymmetric, high aspect ratio surface flaws were subjected to uniaxial tensile strains with the strain applied perpendicular to the flaw major axis. The ensuing elastic response and failure behaviour were examined as a function of variation in crystallographic orientation relative to the surface flaw. For certain flaw orientations, crack propagation was accompanied by slip along preferred directions, while in other cases, failure was purely brittle. In addition, a significant dependence of the computed elastic constants and yield stress, on the relative orientation of the surface flaw was observed. This work offers new insights into the role of surface flaws on the mechanical failure of silicon-based, nanoscale, engineered structures.
Making sense of polysemy relations in first and second language speakers of English

The aim of this study is to compare priming effects for polysemous word senses among English first language (L1) and advanced second language (L2) speakers in order to better understand the develop...
Riemann's Method

This chapter describes the application and procedure of Riemann's method. It is applicable to linear hyperbolic equations of the second order in two independent variables. It yields an exact solution in terms of the solution to the adjoint equation. The solution of a noncharacteristic initial value problem in two dimensions can be found if the adjoint equation with specified boundary conditions can be solved. A simple motivation for the Riemann function is also given.
Polarity and separation of cones

Abstract Given a closed convex cone C ⊂ R n and its polar cone C ∘ , properties of the set C ∩ ( − C ∘ ) are studied. In particular, we solve a problem of Stoker concerning nonemptiness of rint C ∩ ( − rint C ∘ ) . Based on these properties, new results on separation of C and C ∘ by hyperplanes are established.
Reconstructing differentiation networks and their regulation from time series single cell expression data

Generating detailed and accurate organogenesis models using single-cell RNA-seq data remains a major challenge. Current methods have relied primarily on the assumption that descendant cells are similar to their parents in terms of gene expression levels. These assumptions do not always hold for in vivo studies, which often include infrequently sampled, unsynchronized, and diverse cell populations. Thus, additional information may be needed to determine the correct ordering and branching of progenitor cells and the set of transcription factors (TFs) that are active during advancing stages of organogenesis. To enable such modeling, we have developed a method that learns a probabilistic model that integrates expression similarity with regulatory information to reconstruct the dynamic developmental cell trajectories. When applied to mouse lung developmental data, the method accurately distinguished different cell types and lineages. Existing and new experimental data validated the ability of the method to identify key regulators of cell fate.
Hill/Lagrange Stability

In planetary dynamics, stability refers to an aspect of the orbital motion that remains constant in time, for example, that all planets remain bound to their star. Hill stability only requires that the ordering of the orbiting bodies remain constant, meaning that the outermost planet may leave the system. The advantage of considering Hill stability is that it can be analytically treated. In contrast, Lagrange stability requires any and all orbital oscillations to remain bounded for all times. Lagrange stability is, therefore, a type of Hill stability, but can only be assessed via N-body simulations. Many planetary systems appear to lie near these boundaries.
Factoring Quartic Polynomials: A Lost Art

(2007). Factoring Quartic Polynomials: A Lost Art. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 80, No. 1, pp. 67-70.
"No Regrets": Qualitative Evidence on Early Claiming of Social Security Retirement.

Abstract We conducted focus groups (n = 68) to explore how older Americans feel about their past Social Security claiming decisions. Like most older Americans, our focus group participants claimed Social Security early: about 45% claimed Social Security at age 62, and about 65% claimed before Full Retirement Age (ages 65–66). We might expect that older adults may regret early claiming, since this can result in lower financial security in later life. Respondents reported satisfaction with their decisions to claim relatively early. Most noted that they “made the right decision given their circumstances at the time.” Reasons for the decision included liquidity constraints and longevity concerns. People reported that were circumstances different they would have chosen to claim later. We also found evidence that having more information and being better prepared at the time of claiming increased satisfaction levels.
Caremark's Behavioral Legacy

Caremark is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions in corporate governance and compliance. The opinion’s articulation of the standards for holding board members liable for failing to properly monitor the corporation is said to have transformed Delaware law. Exactly why that is, however, carries some mystery. The opinion, composed largely of dicta, held very little from a legal standpoint. Moreover, by coupling lofty prescriptions with a standard of review that ensured no director would actually be found liable, the opinion was destined to fall short of its goal to remake board oversight of compliance. Yet, when the opinion is analyzed through a behavioral lens, which this Symposium Article undertakes on the twenty-first anniversary of the opinion’s drafting, the mystery of Caremark becomes clearer—everything from its outsized impact to its underwhelming legacy. This analysis also highlights the opportunities that behavioral compliance strategies hold for creating truly effective efforts to lessen unethical and illegal acts in business. In the end, this may be Caremark’s true legacy, one that allows its lofty aspirations to take effect in a meaningful and lasting way.
Chapter 10 – Mass Transfer

Mass transfer is an important phenomenon with numerous applications in food processing. Concentration gradients of a substance in a food cause diffusion of that substance from high to low concentration. The magnitude of diffusion coefficient provides an indication of the rate at which the diffusing substance moves from one location to another. Convection mass transfer is caused by convective currents within liquids and gases. Important dimensionless numbers useful in computations involving mass transfer include Sherwood number and Schmidt number. Similar to convective heat transfer, empirical expressions are used in calculations involving mass transfer for laminar and turbulent flow around a flat plate, sphere and inside tubular objects. Such expressions cover both steady and unsteady state mass transfer. Many computations in mass transfer are analogues to procedures used for calculations involving heat transfer.
Archaeology: Philosophy and Science

Archaeology and philosophy share a long history of engagement. This engagement was most pronounced in the 1960s and 1970s with the so-called New Archaeology that drew upon philosophy of science to build an epistemological and methodological framework. The ensuing debates concerning how to adequately do this resulted in archaeologists being largely disaffected with philosophy of science. In the 1980s and 1990s, while philosophy of science shifted toward a more practice-based post-positivist philosophy, increasingly merging with the interdisciplinary field of science studies, archaeology began to engage with a wider suite of philosophies, including continental and pragmatist sources. Currently, rather than epistemic issues, archaeology and science studies share a growing interest in ontology and the role of materiality in human life.
Is the self motivated to do more than enhance and/or verify itself?

In this chapter, we hope to demonstrate the value of examining self-esteem from a broad theoretical perspective. We begin with a summary of the most relevant aspects of a global theory of personality, cognitive—experiential self-theory (CEST). According to this theory, there are four basic needs of the self, two of which are self-enhancement and self-verification. The theory further assumes that behavior reflects a compromise among the four needs, and that information is encoded in two different systems of information processing, rational and experiential. It follows from this latter assumption that there is not one, but two self-conceptualizations, one in each system. We illustrate in an experiment the importance of considering needs other than enhancement and verification, of considering compromise formations among needs, and of investigating the effects of two modes of information processing. Finally, we demonstrate how our model can clarify the role of self-esteem in various problems associated with normal and abnormal adjustment.
n-Type PbSe Quantum Dots via Post-Synthetic Indium Doping

We developed a postsynthetic treatment to produce impurity n-type doped PbSe QDs with In3+ as the substitutional dopant. Increasing the incorporated In content is accompanied by a gradual bleaching of the interband first-exciton transition and concurrently the appearance of a size-dependent, intraband absorption, suggesting the controlled introduction of delocalized electrons into the QD band edge states under equilibrium conditions. We compare the optical properties of our In-doped PbSe QDs to cobaltocene treated QDs, where the n-type dopant arises from remote reduction of the PbSe QDs and observe similar behavior. Spectroelectrochemical measurements also demonstrate characteristic n-type signatures, including both an induced absorption within the electrochemical bandgap and a shift of the Fermi-level toward the conduction band. Finally, we demonstrate that the In3+ dopants can be reversibly removed from the PbSe QDs, whereupon the first exciton bleach is recovered. Our results demonstrate that PbSe QDs can be controllably n-type doped via impurity aliovalent substitutional doping.
Understanding beverage taxation: Perspective on the Philadelphia Beverage Tax's novel approach.

Despite the growing global trend of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes for their potential as an untapped source of revenue and as a public health boon, these legislative efforts remain controversial. Multiple articles have reviewed this trend in recent years from modeling of long-term impacts to short-term empirical studies, yet most comprehensive, long-term health impact assessments remain forthcoming. These multi-faceted efficacy studies combined with case-based assessments of the policy process, descriptive pieces highlighting unique features of the policy and reflective perspectives targeting unanswered questions create a comprehensive body of literature to help inform present and future legislative efforts. The passage of the Philadelphia Beverage tax required a mix of political entrepreneurs, timing and context; while uniquely employing a nonpublic health frame, specific earmarking and a broadened scope with the inclusion of diet beverages. This perspective on the Philadelphia Beverage Tax will describe the passage and novel features of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax with a discussion of the ethical questions unique to this case. Significance for public health The prevalence of obesity and its related non-communicable diseases has continued its upward trajectory globally, despite our decades-long awareness of this trend. Excess caloric intake is a principle factor for this growing global burden of disease − with overconsumption of liquid calories in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) a central component of this imbalance. A relatively recent public health response to reduce SSB consumption and increase revenue for public health spending has been the passage of beverage taxes at the local, state and national levels. However, there are many nuances in the design, passage and goals for these beverage taxes globally. The Philadelphia Beverage Tax’s use of a non-health frame, its specified earmarking and its scope by including diet beverages both allowed for its passage and create unique ethical questions that have yet to be completely addressed by the literature. These ethical considerations in the context of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax’s passage are important for other public health professionals, policy-makers and advocates working towards their own legislative efforts.
Is Tissue Engineering Helping Orthopaedic Care in Trauma

Tissue engineering in orthopaedic trauma is needed. Progress has been made in all areas including regenerating bone, cartilage, soft tissue, and making up for bone defects with scaffolds. Bone regeneration and managing bone defects with scaffolds continue to be successful in the basic science realm with promising results, but currently, these successes are mostly limited to small animal models. Cartilage defects have more clinically available treatment options, but the benefits of "off-the-shelf" allograft options, and scaffolds, have little clinical evidence in the acute fracture setting. Most of the true chondrocyte replacement therapies such as matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral allografts require delayed treatment while cell growth or graft matching occurs. Soft-tissue defects can be managed with tissue engineering for the skin with success, but muscle and nerve defects are still limited to the basic science arena. Although significant gains have been made in all areas for tissue engineering in basic science, and is very promising, this success currently comes with limited translation into clinical availability for the orthopaedic trauma patient.
Molecular Dialog Between Parasitic Plants and Their Hosts.

Parasitic plants steal sugars, water, and other nutrients from host plants through a haustorial connection. Several species of parasitic plants such as witchweeds (Striga spp.) and broomrapes (Orob...
Plant-Derived Nanocellulose as Structural and Mechanical Reinforcement of Freeze-Cast Chitosan Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Despite considerable recent interest in micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose as constituents of lightweight structures and scaffolds for applications that range from thermal insulation to filtration, few systematic studies have been reported to date on structure-property-processing correlations in freeze-cast chitosan-nanocellulose composite scaffolds, in general, and their application in tissue regeneration, in particular. Reported in this study are the effects of the addition of plant-derived nanocellulose fibrils (CNF), crystals (CNCs), or a blend of the two (CNB) to the biopolymer chitosan on the structure and properties of the resulting composites. Chitosan-nanocellulose composite scaffolds were freeze-cast at 10 and 1 °C/min, and their microstructures were quantified in both the dry and fully hydrated states using scanning electron and confocal microscopy, respectively. The modulus, yield strength, and toughness (work to 60% strain) were determined in compression parallel and the modulus also perpendicular to the freezing direction to quantify anisotropy. Observed were the preferential alignments of CNCs and/or fibrils parallel to the freezing direction. Additionally, observed was the self-assembly of the nanocellulose into microstruts and microbridges between adjacent cell walls (lamellae), features that affected the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. When freeze-cast at 1 °C/min, chitosan-CNF scaffolds had the highest modulus, yield strength, toughness, and smallest anisotropy ratio, followed by chitosan and the composites made with the nanocellulose blend, and that with crystalline cellulose. These results illustrate that the nanocellulose additions homogenize the mechanical properties of the scaffold through cell-wall material self-assembly, on the one hand, and add architectural features such as bridges and pillars, on the other. The latter transfer loads and enable the scaffolds to resist deformation also perpendicular to the freezing direction. The observed property profile and the materials' proven biocompatibility highlight the promise of chitosan-nanocellulose composites for a large range of applications, including those for biomedical implants and devices.
Problematic Pornography Viewing from a Big-5 Personality Perspective

This study extended prior findings by examining how Big-5 personality traits are related to four dimensions of problematic pornography viewing: functional problems, excessive use, control difficult...
Mutation-derived Neoantigen-specific T-cell Responses in Multiple Myeloma

Purpose: Somatic mutations in cancer cells can give rise to novel protein sequences that can be presented by antigen-presenting cells as neoantigens to the host immune system. Tumor neoantigens represent excellent targets for immunotherapy, due to their specific expression in cancer tissue. Despite the widespread use of immunomodulatory drugs and immunotherapies that recharge T and NK cells, there has been no direct evidence that neoantigen-specific T-cell responses are elicited in multiple myeloma. Experimental Design: Using next-generation sequencing data we describe the landscape of neo-antigens in 184 patients with multiple myeloma and successfully validate neoantigen-specific T cells in patients with multiple myeloma and support the feasibility of neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines for use in cancers with intermediate mutational loads such as multiple myeloma. Results: In this study, we demonstrate an increase in neoantigen load in relapsed patients with multiple myeloma as compared with newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma. Moreover, we identify shared neoantigens across multiple patients in three multiple myeloma oncogenic driver genes (KRAS, NRAS, and IRF4). Next, we validate neoantigen T-cell response and clonal expansion in correlation with clinical response in relapsed patients with multiple myeloma. This is the first study to experimentally validate the immunogenicity of predicted neoantigens from next-generation sequencing in relapsed patients with multiple myeloma. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that somatic mutations in multiple myeloma can be immunogenic and induce neoantigen-specific T-cell activation that is associated with antitumor activity in vitro and clinical response in vivo. Our results provide the foundation for using neoantigen targeting strategies such as peptide vaccines in future trials for patients with multiple myeloma.
The effects of chronic Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) use on cerebral glucose metabolism in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

This exploratory pilot study investigated the effects of chronic Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on cerebral glucose metabolism in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Compared with nonusers, THC users had hypermetabolism of 3 regions (p 1.17) in left temporal areas, while CBD users had hypometabolism of 5 regions (p 1.31) in left temporal areas. This study highlights the need to discriminate between THC and CBD in future cannabis studies. Novelty Chronic THC and CBD use had disparate effects on cerebral glucose metabolism in PwMS.
The repatriation challenge: Critical minerals mining in the United States

Abstract This chapter explores the energy-climate-metals nexus by providing an overview of critical minerals policy in the United States. I describe where and how critical minerals are being prospected and the challenges emerging from both local communities and the global commodity market. My specific examples come from Alaska, Wyoming, and Texas. The chapter ends with a broad social science agenda for just energy transitions that place the interest in repatriating mining alongside alternatives such as recycling and recovery.
Knowledge Spillovers and Corporate Investment in Scientific Research

Using data on 800,000 corporate publications and patent citations to these publications between 1980 and 2015, we study how corporate investment in research is linked to its use in the firm's inventions, and to spillovers to rivals. We find that private returns to corporate research depend on the balance between two opposing forces: the benefits from the use of science in own downstream inventions, and the costs of spillovers to rivals. Consistent with this, firms produce more research when it is used internally, but less research when it is used by rivals. As firms become more sensitive to rivals using their science, they are likely to reduce the share of research in R&D.
Kronecker Product Operations on Tensors

Kronecker product algebra (KPA) is widely applied in control theory, signal processing, image processing and statistics. However, it does not appear to commonly applied to continuum mechanics. The reason may be that, in its current state of development, KPA applies to matrices but not to third and fourth order tensors which are pervasive in continuum mechanics. In broad terms the goal of the current investigation is to extend Kronecker product algebra to tensors. In particular, Kronecker counterparts of quadratic products and of tensor outer products are presented. Kronecker product operators on third and fourth order tensors are introduced. The tensorial nature of Kronecker products of tensors is established. Finally, conditions for symmetry classes in fourth order tensors are stated in terms of Kronecker products. In several related studies on continuum mechanics, the KPA extensions have been shown to furnish compact expressions for elaborate quantities such as the tangent modulus tensor in thermohyperelasticity.
Model development for determining the efficacy of a combination coating for the prevention of perioperative device related infections: a pilot study

Antibiotic resistant bacterial infections are a growing problem in patient care. These infections are difficult to treat and severely affect the patient's quality of life. The goal of this translational experiment was to investigate the antimicrobial potential of cationic steroidal antimicrobial-13 (CSA-13) for the prevention of perioperative device-related infections in vivo. It was hypothesized that when incorporated into a polymeric device coating, the release of CSA-13 could prevent perioperative device-related infection without inhibiting skeletal attachment. To test this hypothesis, 12 skeletally mature sheep received a porous coated titanium implant in the right femoral condyle. Group 1 received the titanium implant and an inoculum of 5 × 10(8) CFU of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Group 2 received a CSA-13 coated implant and the MRSA inoculum. Group 3 received only the CSA-13 coated implant and Group 4 received only the implant-without the CSA-13 coating or MRSA inoculum. In conclusion, the CSA-13 combination coating demonstrated bactericidal potential without adversely affecting skeletal attachment. The CSA-13 containing groups exhibited no evidence of bacterial infection at the conclusion of the 12 week study and established skeletal attachment consistent with Group 4. In contrast, all of the Group 1 animals became infected and required euthanasia within 6-10 days. The significance of this finding is that this combination coating could be applied to implanted devices to prevent perioperative device-related infections. This method may facilitate significantly reduced incidences of device-related infections as well as a new method to treat and prevent resistant strain bacterial infections.
Application of Pinniped Vibrissae to Aeropropulsion

Vibrissae of Phoca Vitulina (Harbor Seal) and Mirounga Angustirostris (Elephant Seal) possessundulations along their length. Harbor Seal Vibrissae were shown to reduce vortex induced vibrations and reduce dragcompared to appropriately scaled cylinders and ellipses. Samples of Harbor Seal vibrissae, Elephant Seal vibrissae andCalifornia Sea Lion vibrissae were collected from the Marine Mammal Center in California. CT scanning, microscopy and3D scanning techniques were utilized to characterize the whiskers. Computational fluid dynamics simulations of thewhiskers were carried out to compare them to an ellipse and a cylinder. Leading edge parameters from the whiskerswere used to create a 3D profile based on a modern power turbine blade. The NASA SW-2 facility was used to performwind tunnel cascade testing on the 'Seal Blades'. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were used to studyincidence angles from -37 to +10 degrees on the aerodynamic performance of the Seal Blade. The tests and simulationswere conducted at a Reynolds number of 100,000. The Seal Blades showed consistent performance improvements overthe baseline configuration. It was determined that a fuel burn reduction of approximately 5 could be achieved for a fixedwing aircraft. Noise reduction potential is also explored
Extension of Lower Probabilities and Coherence of Belief Measures

Coherence is an important concept which is introduced and discussed in a new mathematics branch, Imprecise Probability Theory. By using the Choquet integral, belief measures can be extended to be coherent lower previsions on the linear space consisting of all bounded functions. As a special case, we establish that all belief measures are coherent imprecise probabilities.
Evaluation of Refractivity Profiles From Champ and SAC-C GPS Radio Occultation

Since their launch, CHAMP and SAC-C have collected thousands of GPS radio occultations. In order to evaluate the refractivity derived from these radio occultation measurements by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) using geometrical optics, we compare CHAMP and SAC-C refractivity with refractivity calculated from the Data Assimilation Office (DAO) 6-hour forecast global fields of temperature and humidity. We show that the differences between DAO and CHAMP refractivity present biases and standard deviation very similar to those of the differences between DAO and SAC-C refractivity. We also demonstrate a seasonal cycle in the standard deviation of the differences for altitudes below 12 km. Furthermore, the histograms of the differences for CHAMP and SAC-C are very similar, which is important for future assimilation and climate studies using GPS radio occultation from various missions. The skewed distributions usually translate into an apparent refractivity bias.
Improving Vaccine Potency Through Intercellular Spreading and Enhanced MHC Class I Presentation of Antigen

The potency of naked DNA vaccines is limited by their inability to amplify and spread in vivo. VP22, a HSV-1 protein, has demonstrated the remarkable property of intercellular transport and may thus provide a unique approach for enhancing vaccine potency. Therefore, we created a novel fusion of VP22 with a model Ag, human papillomavirus type 16 E7, in a DNA vaccine that generated enhanced spreading and MHC class I presentation of AG: These properties led to a dramatic increase in the number of E7-specific CD8(+) T cell precursors in vaccinated mice (around 50-fold) and converted a less effective DNA vaccine into one with significant potency against E7-expressing tumors. In comparison, nonspreading VP22(1-267) mutants failed to enhance vaccine potency. Our data indicated that the potency of DNA vaccines may be dramatically improved through intercellular spreading and enhanced MHC class I presentation of Ag.
Use of Gonadotropic Hormones and Sex Steroids in Assessing Male Reproduction

In this presentation we discuss how male reproductive hormones are influenced by various normal and abnormal situations. Puberty is characterized by a progressive increase in serum gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and testosterone. Hormonal profiles in aging men and rats differ significantly, suggesting qualitatively different age-related changes in both species. Gonadal disorders in humans may exhibit similar symptoms (such as delayed or precocious virilization) but may be due to different defects within the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis and, hence, may exhibit different reproductive hormone profiles. Reproductive hormone measurements reveal that toxic agents, such as ketoconazole, alcohol, or opiates, can impair reproductive function at the gonad and/or the hypothalamo-pituitary level. Glucocorticoids released during stress have been shown to have a direct inhibitory effect on testosterone release from the testes, which may be of relevance to toxicology studies. Reproductive hormonal measurements have...
Flow-Layer Physical Design for Microchips Based on Monolithic Membrane Valves

Editor’s notes: This article introduces a software toolchain for physical design and layout for the flow layer of microfluidic LoCs based on integrated microvalve technology. A case study shows that it can automatically produce layouts for the Mars Organic Analyzer LoC to detect biomolecules in soil on Mars. VTsung-Yi Ho, National Tsing Hua University
Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Au@SiO2 Core−Shell Colloids

Gold nanoparticles have been coated with amorphous silica to form spherical colloids with a core−shell structure. The thickness of silica shells could be conveniently controlled in the range of tens to several hundred nanometers by changing the concentration of the sol−gel precursor or the coating time. These core−shell colloids could serve as the building blocks to fabricate photonic devices. In one demonstration, we showed that these core−shell particles could be assembled into long-range ordered lattices (or photonic crystals) over large areas that exhibited optical properties different from those crystallized from silica colloids. Transmission spectra of these crystals displayed both features that correspond to the Bragg diffraction of a periodic lattice and the plasmon resonance absorption of gold nanoparticles. Reflectance spectra taken from these crystals only showed peaks caused by Bragg diffraction. In another demonstration, these core−shell colloids were assembled into chains of different config...
Computer derivation of algebraic equations associated with runge-kutta formulas

The derivation of algebraic non-linear equations associated with Runge-Kutta formulas increases in complexity as the order of these formulas increases. To overcome this difficulty various operational methods have been devised. But these methods are quite involved and there also exists the possibility of human errors which may be difficult to detect. The aim of this paper is the derivation of these algebraic equations through a digital computer, the IBM 7094, using Fortran IV. The technique employed is based upon a mathematical method established by the first author. With the advent of the space age there arose a continuous need for Runge-Kutta formulas of higher and higher orders. It seems that the computer offers the best, if not the only, hope in keeping up with these needs.
The relation of social comparison to subjective well-being and health status in older adults

Abstract Purpose: Studies of subjective well-being and health status have given limited attention to the role of social comparisons. Based on theories of social cognition and cognitive appraisal, this paper examines the mediating role of social comparisons and subjective well-being in health status across time. Design and Methods: Data from 2,558 Medicare enrollees is used to test the hypothesized model; this is a secondary analysis of data. Structural equation modeling, with EQS, is used for analyses. Results: Social comparison has a significant influence on subjective well-being. With 2-year follow-up data, the model predicted almost 20% of the variance in physical and mental health outcomes. The influence of current physical health status on physical and mental health outcomes differs for men and women. Implications: Study findings suggest that social comparison is a key factor in enhancing subjective well-being, which influences longevity and reduces depressive symptoms in older adults.
Comment on "Inconsistency between the Boltzmann distribution for relativistic free particles and the Planck spectrum for thermal radiation in quantum theory"

Contrary to the result announced in the title of this paper, we find that Einstein's results for the consistency between the Planck and Boltzmann laws for atoms in thermal equilibrium hold as well for relativistic atoms.
Virtual prototyping and manufacturing planning by using tri-dexel models and haptic force feedback

This paper presents a new method of using the tri-dexel volumetric models and a haptics force feedback for virtual prototyping and manufacturing planning. In the proposed method, the initial polyhedral surface model is converted to a tri-dexel volumetric model by using a depth-peeling dexelization algorithm. In the virtual prototyping process, the tri-dexel volumetric model is updated by the swept volume of a moving cutter via a haptic force feedback interface device. A collision detection algorithm is proposed for the virtual sculpting and the pencil-cut planning with real-time haptic force feedback to the users. Tool paths are generated for machining the virtual sculpted parts via the simulation and verification on a virtual CNC machine tool before they are actually machined. Computer implementation and practical examples are also presented in this paper. The proposed method enables the haptic-aided virtual prototyping and manufacturing planning of complex surface parts.
Failure to demonstrate early metabolic changes in weanling growth-retarded hypophagic rats with lesions in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei☆

Abstract Experiment 1: Weanling male rats received bilateral electrolytic lesions in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei (DMNL rats); sham-operated animals served as controls. Rats were killed four hours and three and seven days postoperatively (post-op). Plasma was obtained and epididymal fat pads, diaphragm and liver aliquots were harvested and the in vitro incorporation of U- 14 C-glucose into CO 2 , glycogen, lipid and saponifiable fatty acids (FAs) were measured. Body weight, carcass lipid and food intake were significantly lower in DMNL rats than in controls. The only significant lesion-induced metabolic changes were hypoglycemia and greater tracer incorporation into epididymal fat pad lipid and diaphragm glycogen. Both DMNL rats and controls showed similar time courses of tracer incorporation into epididymal CO 2 and FAs, diaphragm lipid and liver CO 2 , glycogen, lipid and FAs. Lesioned rats also showed more pronounced decreases of tracer incorporation from day 0 to day 3 in epididymal glycogen and lipid and diaphragm CO 2 and glycogen. These data make it appear unlikely that very early deficits in glucose metabolism are the cause of the growth retardation seen in long-term studies with DMNL rats. The data also demonstrate considerable locus specificity, since weanling rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions (VMNL rats) in similar short-term studies have shown dramatic alterations in the above parameters. Experiment 2: Weanling DMNL rats and sham-operated rats were injected via tail vein with tritiated water one hour post-op. One hour after the injection they were decapitated. There were no significant differences between DMNL rats and controls in μmoles tritiated water incorporated into total liver, grams liver tissue, mg liver glycogen and ml or mg plasma glucose. These data suggest normal glucogenesis in DMNL rats one hour after lesion production and made it unlikely that the growth retardation in DMNL rats is related to an early defect in this aspect of protein metabolism. By contrast, weanling VMNL rats show enhanced gluconeogenesis four hours after lesion production.
The Costs of Conflict

Violent conflict destroys resources. It generates “destruction costs.” These costs have an important effect on individuals’ decisions to cooperate or conflict. We develop two models of conflict: one in which conflict’s destruction costs are independent of individuals’ investments in “arms” – the tools of conflict – and another in which conflict’s destruction costs depend on those investments. Our models demonstrate that when conflict’s destruction costs are arms-dependent, conflict is more costly, making cooperation more likely. We test this prediction with a laboratory experiment in which subjects first choose how heavily to invest in arms and then choose whether to cooperate or conflict in an environment where interaction is repeated. In one set of treatments conflict’s destruction costs are arms-independent. In another they are arms-dependent. Our experimental results support our models’ predictions. Compared to when conflict’s destruction costs are arms-independent, when those costs are arms-dependent, cooperation increases by nearly a third.
Electrocardiographic changes during desipramine and clomipramine treatment in children and adolescents.

Serotonergic dysregulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder has been repeatedly demonstrated. Recent reports on the emergence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients treated with clozapine support a hyposerotonergic hypothesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The authors report the emergence of de novo compulsive symptoms in a drug-naive 8-year-old schizophrenic child, shortly after the initiation of treatment with clothiapine. Clothiapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent, shares with clozapine its strong antiserotonergic properties. It seems that antagonistic activity of atypical neuroleptics at postsynaptic serotonergic receptors might be responsible for the development of iatrogenic obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Cysteines 431 and 1074 are responsible for inhibitory disulfide cross-linking between the two nucleotide-binding sites in human P-glycoprotein.

Abstract Human wild-type and Cys-less P-glycoproteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified in high yield in detergent-soluble form. Both ran on SDS gels as a single 140-kDa band in the presence of reducing agent and showed strong verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity in the presence of added lipid. The wild type showed spontaneous formation of higher molecular mass species in the absence of reducing agent, and its ATPase was activated by dithiothreitol. Oxidation with Cu2+ generated the same higher molecular mass species, primarily at 200 and ∼300 kDa, in high yield. Cross-linking was reversed by dithiothreitol and prevented by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. Using proteins containing different combinations of naturally occurring Cys residues, it was demonstrated that an inhibitory intramolecular disulfide bond forms between Cys-431 and Cys-1074 (located in the Walker A sequences of nucleotide-binding sites 1 and 2, respectively), giving rise to the 200-kDa species. In addition, dimeric P-glycoprotein species (∼300 kDa) form by intermolecular disulfide bonding between Cys-431 and Cys-1074. The ready formation of the intramolecular disulfide between Cys-431 and Cys-1074 establishes that the two nucleotide-binding sites of P-glycoprotein are structurally very close and capable of intimate functional interaction, consistent with available information on the catalytic mechanism. Formation of such a disulfide in vivo could, in principle, underlie a regulatory mechanism and might provide a means of intervention to inhibit P-glycoprotein.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Mortality in Patients with Nondiabetic Chronic Kidney Disease

In the general population, hyperglycemia in the absence of diabetes may be associated with increased risk for mortality. Hyperglycemia is prevalent in chronic kidney disease; however, the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) as a marker of chronic hyperglycemia and outcomes has not been studied in nondiabetic chronic kidney disease. HbA(1c) was measured at baseline in the randomized cohort of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (n = 840). Participants with diabetes (n = 43), fasting glucose levels >126 mg/dl (n = 20), or missing HbA(1c) levels (n = 9) were excluded. Survival status until December 2000 was obtained from the National Death Index. Death was classified as cardiovascular (CVD) when the primary cause was International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes 390 to 459. Cox models were performed to assess the relationship of HbA(1c) with all-cause and CVD mortality. Mean (SD) age was 52 (12) years, and mean (SD) GFR was 32 (12) ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Eighty-six percent of participants were white, and 61% were male. Mean (SD) HbA(1c) was 5.6% (0.5). A total of 169 (22%) patients died, 96 (13%) from CVD. After adjustment for randomization assignments and demographic, CVD, and kidney disease factors, HbA(1c) was a predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio per 1% increase 1.73; 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 2.41; P = 0.001). There was a trend toward statistical significance in the relationship between HbA(1c) and CVD mortality (hazard ratio per 1% increase 1.53; 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 2.43; P = 0.07). HbA(1c) is associated with increased mortality in nondiabetic kidney disease. Hyperglycemia may be a potential therapeutic target and HbA(1c) may be important as a risk stratification tool in this high-risk population.
Structure and dynamics of an Arp2/3 complex-independent component of the lamellipodial actin network.

Sea urchin coelomocytes contain an unusually broad lamellipodial region and have served as a useful model experimental system for studying the process of actin-based retrograde/centripetal flow. In the current study the small molecule drug 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) was employed as a means of delocalizing the Arp2/3 complex from the cell edge in an effort to investigate the Arp2/3 complex-independent aspects of retrograde flow. Digitally-enhanced phase contrast, fluorescence and polarization light microscopy, along with rotary shadow TEM methods demonstrated that BDM treatment resulted in the centripetal displacement of the Arp2/3 complex and the associated dendritic lamellipodial (LP) actin network from the cell edge. In its wake there remained an array of elongate actin filaments organized into concave arcs that displayed retrograde flow at approximately one quarter the normal rate. Actin polymerization inhibitor experiments indicated that these arcs were generated by polymerization at the cell edge, while active myosin-based contraction in BDM treated cells was demonstrated by localization with anti-phospho-MRLC antibody, the retraction of the cytoskeleton in the presence of BDM, and the response of the BDM arcs to laser-based severing. The results suggest that BDM treatment reveals an Arp2/3 complex-independent actin structure in coelomocytes consisting of elongate filaments integrated into the LP network and that these filaments represent a potential connection between the LP network and the central cytoskeleton.
Electron Microscopy of Argon Laser Therapy in Phakic Open-angle Glaucoma

In 22 subjects with phakic open-angle glaucoma, trabeculectomies were performed at intervals of three hours to one year after argon laser treatment (ALT). In ten patients the ALT was done with informed consent anticipating that trabeculectomy would be performed at a scheduled time (three hours to two weeks following laser therapy). In 12 other patients, trabeculectomies were required for failure of ALT (one month to one year later). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the specimens examined at earlier intervals after laser therapy revealed evidence of heat effects with disruption of trabecular beams, fibrinous material, and necrosis of occasional cells, including melanin-containing endothelial cells, followed by shrinkage of the collagenous components of the trabecular meshwork. The specimens excised at longer intervals after laser treatment showed partial or total occlusion of intertrabecular spaces by a cellular layer of abnormal corneal and/or trabecular endothelial cells with widened cellular interdigitations and numerous prominent filopodial processes typical of migrating cells.
From affirmative action to outreach: Discourse shifts at the University of California

Abstract This paper investigates recent changes in diversity policies—from a program based on affirmative action to one based on outreach—at the University of California. Using a content analysis of a 1995 directory of UC programs we show that these developments are associated with a shift in institutional logic, from an individualistic emphasis on race to a corporatist discourse of class. The analyses include a new set of procedures for mapping the implicit meanings of a system of identity discourses. Drawing on a semiotic theory of interpretation (emphasizing the duality of culture and practice), we apply multidimensional scaling methods and McPherson's niche measurement techniques to identify and map overlapping regions of discursive space.
Integration of magnetic materials into package RF and power inductors on organic substrates for system in package (SiP) applications

In this paper, soft ferromagnetic materials were deposited on organic packaging substrates to explore their potential applications in in-package inductors. Amorphous cobalt alloy, Co-Zr-Ta-B, was chosen due to its high saturation magnetization, low coercivity and small magnetostriction. As-deposited films were characterized by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) showing comparable magnetic properties in comparison to the films on quartz and silicon wafers. Stripline and spiral inductors with Co-Zr-Ta-B films were fabricated on package substrates to explore their potential in-package RF and power inductor applications.
Anomalous slip in an FCC system

Abstract During in-situ TEM deformation of 310 stainless steel, it has been observed that 1 2 a〈110〉 dislocations are glissile on the {121} planes as well as on the more common {111} planes. The {121} slip plane was initiated by a grain-boundary dislocation source to relieve the stress concentrated on a grain boundary by a dislocation pile-up. This preference of slip on a {121} plane over a {111} plane can be understood by considering, in addition to the magnitude of the resolved shear stress on the plane, the angle between the lines of intersection of the slip systems in the boundary plane and the magnitude of the Burgers vector of the residual dislocation left in the grain boundary by the emission process.