cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract A32: Notch signaling regulates recurrence in a model of HER2 targeted therapy

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. While mortality rates have improved over the past thirty years, physicians still lack effective tools for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer recurrence. An essential first step in designing such therapies will be to elucidate the pathways that contribute to therapeutic resistance, dormancy, and recurrence. Our laboratory has developed a series of mouse models that permit the conditional activation of oncogenes in the mammary glands of mice and can be used to recapitulate key features of breast cancer progression including dormancy and recurrence after targeted therapy. In the MMTV-rtTA;TetO-neu (MTB/TAN) model, treatment with doxycycline (dox) permits mammary specific activation of HER2/neu and drives primary tumor formation. Upon removal of dox and resultant down-regulation of HER2/neu, primary tumors regress as a consequence of oncogene addiction. However, a small population of tumor cells persists in a histologically identifiable residual lesion. After a period of cellular dormancy, residual tumor cells reenter the cell cycle in a stochastic manner and give rise to recurrent tumors, independent of HER2/neu signaling. Recent evidence suggests that Notch signaling may play a role in breast cancer recurrence. For example, elevated Notch signaling in ductal carcinoma in situ lesions has been found to be associated with early recurrence after surgery. To build on these data, we analyzed microarray datasets from breast cancer patients and found that NOTCH1 expression levels are correlated with recurrence risk, suggesting that this pathway may play a role in human disease. Furthermore, in our mouse model system, we have found that Notch signaling is activated following HER2/neu downregulation. To assess the functional significance of this phenomenon, we performed in vitro clonogenic assays and in vivo recurrence assays. Activation of Notch signaling accelerated colony formation and recurrence, whereas Notch repression inhibited colony formation and recurrence. These data suggest that Notch signaling is both necessary and sufficient to promote recurrence following HER2/neu downregulation. Taken together, our data support a model in which the Notch signaling pathway provides a mechanism by which HER2/neu driven tumors can escape therapy and cause recurrent disease. As gamma secretase inhibitors are currently in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer, work to determine whether Notch signaling contributes to the survival and recurrence of breast cancer cells could have a significant clinical impact. The observation that Notch signaling is required for recurrence would raise the possibility that these drugs could be used to target residual tumor cells and prevent breast cancer recurrence.
Malignant Superior Vena Cava Obstruction Reconsidered: The Role of Diagnostic Surgical Intervention

The cases of 42 patients with malignant superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction were reviewed to evaluate clinical dogmas of prohibitive risk for invasive diagnostic procedures and need for urgent radiotherapy. Thirty-nine had carcinoma (35, bronchogenic and 4, other), and 3 had lymphoma. Lung cancer histology was squamous cell in 11, adenomatous in 10, large cell in 7, and small cell in 7. The SVC obstruction was always symptomatic, usually causing facial or cervical swelling, but there was no instance of SVC obstruction causing life-threatening problems such as cerebral or laryngeal edema. Twenty-two patients underwent bronchoscopy (11 flexible and 11 rigid) prior to radiotherapy without respiratory complications, and diagnostic tissue was obtained in 8. Also prior to radiotherapy, 29 invasive diagnostic procedures were performed: thoracotomy (1), mediastinotomy or mediastinoscopy (11), supraclavicular or scalene node biopsy (15), and percutaneous lung needle biopsy (2). Neither excessive blood loss nor serious complications occurred, and diagnostic tissue was obtained in 22 patients who received individualized therapy. Eight patients had urgent radiotherapy, which delayed diagnosis and specific therapy for two weeks to 6 months. For the 33 patients who underwent radiotherapy after development of the SVC obstruction, the obstruction clinically resolved spontaneously within fourteen days, independently of whether radiotherapy was begun immediately or was delayed. Median survival was 5.0 months and was not influenced by the dose or timing (early or late) of radiotherapy. We reached the following conclusions. First, although a grim prognostic sign, SVC obstruction is rarely life-threatening and typically resolves spontaneously, probably by development of venous collaterals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pulmonary Function in Mechanically-Ventilated Patients during 24-Hour Use of a Hygroscopic Condensor Humidifier

Hygroscopic condensor humidifiers (HCH) are reportedly capable of humidifying even the driest of ventilator source gases with at least 30 mg H 2 O/liter of ventilation. To assess the adequacy of the HCH during mechanical ventilation, we studied 26 patients over a 72-hour period (alternating 24-hour periods of humidification by a conventional cascade and the HCH). In these patients, we found no significant difference in static lung compliance, airway resistance, FaO 2 , and PaCO 2 on either system. Additionally, estimates of sputum volume (over a four-hour collection period) and clearance of aerosolized 99m Tc labelled DTPA (in five of these patients) also showed no significant differences between the two systems. We conclude that the HCH is capable of supplying necessary heat and moisture to most mechanically-ventilated patients for at least a period of 24 hours.
Talc induced transfusion independence in a patient with myelodysplasia.

Abstract Myelodysplasia with refractory anemia is associated with transfusion dependence.
Nuclear Physics and Supernovae

Abstract At the end of the life of a massive star, its iron core collapses under the unopposed attraction of gravity and initiates the supernova process. A violent explosion ensues and blows off the surface layers of the star, leaving behind a neutron star or a black hole. Both the nature of the collapse and nucleosynthesis by the r-process that synthesizes half of the heavier elements, depend upon the strengths of Gamow Teller transitions in the nuclei involved: those with masses near iron and larger. We will discuss progress made obtaining the needed strengths, with special attention to data on radioactive nuclei and how one may obtain it using radioactive beams.
Solution of the Unsteady Discrete Adjoint for Three-Dimensional Problems on Dynamically Deforming Unstructured Meshes

The formulation and solution of the adjoint problem for unsteady flow simulations using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in the presence of dynamically deforming unstructured meshes is demonstrated. A discrete adjoint approach is used, and the full linearization is built up in a systematic and modular fashion. Discrete conservation in the analysis problem is ensured through the geometric conservation law, which is linearized consistently for the adjoint problem. An agglomeration multigrid scheme is used to solve the time-implicit problem at each time step for both the analysis problem, the adjoint problem, and the mesh and mesh adjoint problems. The methodology is demonstrated through a simple time-dependent pitching wing optimization problem.
Adaptive Optics for Terrestrial Astronomy

Laser guide star adaptive optics is revolutionizing astronomy by enabling large ground- based telescopes to image at the diffraction limit. This talk describes the status and future plans for this new technology.
Urinary excretion of folic and folinic acids in normal adults.

SummaryThe 24 hour urinary excretion of folic (FA) and folinic acid (CF) was determined in 51 healthy adults on unrestricted diets, using pad-plate microbiological assay. The 24 hour excretion of FA ranged from undetectable levels to 5.58 μg/24 hours with a mean of 1.17 and a stand. dev. of ± 1.92; while 24 hr excretion of CF ranged from 0.19-1.6 μg/24 hr with mean of 0.59 and a stand. dev. of ± 0.47.
Split Hopkinson pressure bar testing of 3D woven composites

Results from a series of split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests on 3D woven tetxile composites (3DWC) are presented. These tests were done to determine the rate dependent compression response of 3DWC. Three different configurations of the 3DWC, corresponding to compression response in the plane of the material and through-the-thickness direction (out-of-plane) were studied. The rate dependent responses were compared against quasi-static test results and it was found that 3DWC showed an increase in strength in all three directions studied, however, accompanied by a transition in the failure mechanism. The in-plane orientations showed the largest increase in (about 100%) strength at the elevated rates of loading. A follow-on paper provides finite element based results that correspond to the experimental results presented here.
Role of phosphorylation in desensitization of the β-adrenoceptor

Abstract Regulation of receptors allows their responses to be modified rapidly and appropriately according to the needs of the environment. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the loss of sensitivity that follows exposure to agonists. Receptor sequestration, a rapid and transient event, and receptor downregulation, which requires more prolonged agonist exposure, contribute to this effect. However, in this article Bob Lefkowitz and colleagues focus primarily on the recent developments in understanding mechanisms of rapid desensitization involving receptor phosphorylation. Various molecular biological techniques have been used to demonstrate the important roles of two particular kinases — βARK and protein kinase A — in this regard .
On fatigue crack propagation in F.C.C. metals

Abstract Crack growth in single crystals of aluminum, polycrystalline copper and a series of polycrystalline copper alloys was investigated to study the mechanisms of growth and the influence of stacking fault energy on the manner and rate of growth. In general, two stages were involved. The first stage was an extension of the crack initiation process which involves cyclic shear and the cross slip of screw dislocations. The second stage was governed by the normal stresses at the crack tip, but was also affected by cross slip through its effect upon the development of substructure and on the shape of the crack front. Crack growth was found to be orientation dependent; those orientations which led to high cyclic work hardening rates and duplex slip also led to higher rates of crack growth for similar loading conditions. It was found that an increased resistance to crack growth could be correlated with a reduction in stacking fault energy, an effect which is thought to be due to the effect of stacking fault energy on cross slip. This increased resistance was somewhat offset, however, by a greater tendency for intergranular and twin boundary cracking as the stacking fault energy was lowered. A comparsion of the results on the rates of crack growth with the predictions of several theories led to the conclusion that none of the theories was in satisfactory agreement with the data over the entire range of conditions studied. For polycrystalline alloys at net section stresses below the yield stress the rate of growth was found to depend upon the fourth power of the stress and second power of the crack length.
The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous, omental and inguinal adipose tissue in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus innuitus)

Abstract 1. 1. Fatty acid composition was investigaged in the subcutaneous, omental and inguinal adipose tissue by means of flame detection gas chromatography. 2. 2. The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids predominated in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, whereas the saturated fatty acids predominated 3. 3. Myristic and oleic acids were found to be highest in omental adipose tissue, whereas stearic acid predominated in subcutaneous tissue. 4. 4. No variation was found for palmitic acid between the three different tissue sites.
Characterizing the synchronization behavior of parallel programs

Contention for synchronization locks and delays waiting for synchronization events can substantially increase the running time of a parallel program. This makes it important to characterize the synchronization behavior of programs and to provide analysis tools to aid both the hardware and software designer in evaluating design alternatives. This paper describes a tracing facility that is incorporated into a synchronization package. This facility provides a portable means to accurately and efficiently characterize parallel programs. The behavior of several applications has been monitored uncovering program characteristics that make it difficult to achieve linear speedup. Our monitoring facility allows a programmer to determine the performance implications of the synchronization structure he has used, and it allows the architect to evaluate various hardware support mechanisms.
Perspectives on allelopathic disruption of plant mutualisms: a framework for individual- and population-level fitness consequences

Mutualisms with mycorrhizal fungi, pollinators, and seed dispersers are critical for plant survival and reproduction. However, mutualism effectiveness is highly sensitive to disturbance by environmental stressors. Allelopathy is often overlooked, yet likely important, as a potential stress on plant mutualism function. Allelochemicals can affect plant mutualisms by either directly interfering with the plant’s ability to produce resources and rewards for its mutualistic partners or by directly or indirectly altering the non-plant mutualist’s behavior. Here we explore the potential effects of allelochemicals on plant mutualisms. Since allelochemicals can reduce plant growth and carbon acquisition, we suggest that allelopathy could directly diminish: (1) carbon provisioning to mycorrhizal fungi, (2) flower, pollen, and nectar production for pollinators, and (3) fruit attractiveness to seed dispersers. Similarly, allelochemicals that directly affect mycorrhizal fungi functioning can reduce the flow of soil resources to their plant partner. Further, volatile allelochemicals or uptake of allelochemicals from the soil by the plant could alter pollen/nectar or fruit attractiveness and indirectly influence pollinator and seed disperser behavior. Finally, we explore the extent to which plant-produced chemicals could have a direct or indirect positive effect on plant mutualisms. We end using these questions to frame future avenues of research that could help to move studies of allelopathy into the broader ecological context of mutualisms.
Case Study: Deepwater horizon response workers exposure assessment at the source: MC252 well No. 1.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a health hazard evaluation (HHE) of Deepwater Horizon Response workers in response to a request submitted by BP managemen...
Lie ideals and derivations of prime rings

In this paper, we shall consider the relationship between the derivations and Lie ideals of a prime ring. Some of the results we obtain have been obtained earlier, even for rings more general than prime rings, in the case of inner derivations. We shall also look at the action of derivations on Lie ideals; the results we obtain extend some that had been proved earlier only for the action of derivations on the ring itself. Let R be a ring and d # 0 a derivation of R. If U is a Lie ideal of R, we shall be concerned about the size of d(C/). How does one measure this size? One way is to look at the centralizer of d(U) in R; the bigger d(U), the smaller this centralizer should be. This explains our interest in the centralizer of d(U). The result we obtain generalizes the principal theorem of [ 11. We may also measure the size of d(U) by looking at how large d(U), the subring generated by d(U), turns out to be. We view d(U) as large if it contains a non-zero ideal of R. For our special setting, we will obtain a result which generalizes one in [2]. Finally, a well-known and often used result states that if d is a derivation of R, which is semi-prime and 2-torsion-free, such that dZ = 0 then d = 0 (see the proof of Lemma 1.1.9 in [3]). If R is prime, of characteristic not 2, and d*(I) = 0 for a non-zero ideal, 1, of R, it also follows that d = 0. What can one say if d’(U) = 0 for some non-central Lie ideal of R? For inner derivations this was studied and answered in [4]. For prime rings and for any derivation d # 0 we answer the question of when d*(U) = 0 completely in our Theorem 1. We shall be working in the context of prime rings of characteristic not 2 in all that we do here. However, many of the results have some suitable analog for semi-prime, 2-torsion-free rings. In the presence of 2-torsion most of our results are not valid as stated, but something non-trivial can be said in
Social Role Self-Perceptions of State Prison Guards

Penal institutions determine their expectations of their own guards' social role. The adequate performance of this social role, however, is dependent on the self-perceptions of the guards and the extent to which their own expectations are associated with those of the institutions. The following research was conducted to find out the influence of self-perceptions of prison guards on their social role. Results indicated self-perceived variables in the guard's social role were: integration, personal, social distance, knowledge, rehabilitation-coerciveness, and custodial care. Such expectations of the occupational role might be expected to delimit role performance and thus to increase or decrease role conflict with the institution.
Fetomaternal interactions and influences during equine pregnancy

The equine embryo takes 6 days to traverse the oviduct and, when it finally enters the uterus, it remains spherical in shape and moves continually throughout the uterine lumen until day 17 after ovulation to deliver its maternal recognition of pregnancy signal to the entire endometrium. Between day 25 and day 35 after ovulation, the trophoblast cells of a discrete annulate portion of the chorion multiply rapidly and acquire an invasive phenotype and, between day 36 and day 38, migrate deeply into the maternal endometrium to form the equine-unique endometrial protuberances known as endometrial cups. These cups secrete large quantities of a gonadotrophic hormone (eCG) into the maternal circulation which, in conjunction with pituitary FSH, stimulates the development of accessory luteal structures in the maternal ovaries to supplement the supply of progesterone to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta can assume this role at about day 100. The non-invasive allantochorion extends slowly to fill the uterus by days 80-85 and its microcotyledonary architecture, which provides both haemotrophic and histotrophic nutrition for the growing fetus, is not fully established until days 120-140. The fetoplacental unit synthesizes large quantities of steroid hormones during the second half of pregnancy, using fetal C-19 precursors secreted by the enlarged fetal gonads for the production of oestrogens and maternal C-21 precursors for the synthesis of progesterone and large quantities of 5alpha-reduced progestagens. Near term, additional pregnenelone is secreted by the fetal adrenal glands so that the mare exhibits the unusual phenomenon of foaling while maternal serum progestagen concentrations are increasing and oestrogen concentrations are decreasing.
Transformations during quenching of ϵ-phase Pu-Zr alloys

Abstract A study was made of the effect of cooling rate (1 to 18 500 °C/sec) and composition (5 to 45 at % Zr) of the transformation behavior of e-phase Pu-Zr alloys in which the e-Pu (bcc) phase can transform to the δ-Pu (fcc) phase during cooling. In all of the alloys, it was found that the transformation mode gradually changes with cooling rate, with an oriented diffusional nucleation and growth mode (Widmanstatten growth) favored at low cooling rates, and a “massive” mode at high cooling rates. Relatively slow rates caused a lowering of the initial transformation temperature, but rates in excess of about 3000 °C/sec caused either very little or no further depression of the ϵ → δ reaction-start temperature. Hence, a “plateau” behavior, typical of a massive transformation, is observed for all alloys. For the more highly alloyed samples a martensitic shear mode is obtained at cooling rates greater than about 10 000 °C/sec.
Enhancing decision analysis models with web agents

Decision analysis (DA) can be enhanced by taking advantage of vast, real-time data available from the World Wide Web (the Web). Human intensive DA models such as influence diagrams may be linked with electronic agents that actively utilize the Web to generate data. At the time of modeling, results of agent actions are treated as stochastic events. Probability distributions are assessed conditioned on the range of outcomes for these events. When the DA model is evaluated the agent performs actions defined by the model in terms of the state of nature. Structuring links for these models presents technical challenges including programming and assessment. Agents can operate in the Internet as probes, sensors, monitors, beacons or in other roles, sometimes making information acquisition decisions. Certain managerial decision classes are especially well-suited to this approach.
Electron capture by protons in a neutron beam facility

Abstract Relative measurements of electron capture probabilities for protons of 42.5 and 61.8 MeV are presented. Attention is drawn to some uses of the resulting beam in a 0° neutron beam facility.
Nr-CAM and neurofascin interactions regulate ankyrin G and sodium channel clustering at the node of Ranvier

Voltage-dependent sodium (Na(+)) channels are highly concentrated at nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons and play a key role in promoting rapid and efficient conduction of action potentials by saltatory conduction. The molecular mechanisms that direct their localization to the node are not well understood but are believed to involve contact-dependent signals from myelinating Schwann cells and interactions of Na(+) channels with the cytoskeletal protein, ankyrin G. Two cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) expressed at the axon surface, Nr-CAM and neurofascin, are also linked to ankyrin G and accumulate at early stages of node formation, suggesting that they mediate contact-dependent Schwann cell signals to initiate node development. To examine the potential role of Nr-CAM in this process, we treated myelinating cocultures of DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurons and Schwann cells with an Nr-CAM-Fc (Nr-Fc) fusion protein. Nr-Fc had no effect on initial axon-Schwann cell interactions, including Schwann cell proliferation, or on the extent of myelination, but it strikingly and specifically inhibited Na(+) channel and ankyrin G accumulation at the node. Nr-Fc bound directly to neurons and clustered and coprecipitated neurofascin expressed on axons. These results provide the first evidence that neurofascin plays a major role in the formation of nodes, possibly via interactions with Nr-CAM.
Theory of optical conductivity in BCS superconductors.

The optical conductivity is obtained exactly within BCS theory as a function of frequency, temperature, and disorder parameter, by simplifying the general impurity scattering mechanism to backward scattering. The familiar features of infrared measurements are recovered. In the dirty limit, the ratio of superconducting to normal absorption rate approaches the Mattis-Bardeen result.
Unexpected Encounter with Painless Endometriosis During Abdominoplasty

Subcutaneous endometriomas are cystic lesions that are rarely described. During the course of abdominoplasty surgery, a “surprise” encounter with a cyst containing brown material brought up the possibility that an atypical incarcerated hernia was entered. Dissection revealed no connection between the cyst and the rectus fascia and subsequent pathologic evaluation revealed an endometrioma. This report describes the unusual encounter with a painless endometrioma during abdominoplasty. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Ethanol Reduces Neuronal Excitability of Lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex Neurons Via a Glycine Receptor Dependent Mechanism

Ethanol Reduces Neuronal Excitability of Lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex Neurons Via a Glycine Receptor Dependent Mechanism
Genetics of colorectal cancer.

Recent years have brought great advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of colorectal cancers. The elucidation of the underlying genetic alterations that produce these cancers has made it possible to broadly categorize this disease into two major types, hereditary and sporadic. The hereditary cancers have been divided further into recognized syndromes, mainly familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. These syndromes have unique clinical pictures and different prognoses in addition to their different genetic bases. Sporadic cancers have been found to have analogous genetic alterations which propel them along the progression from normal tissue to benign adenoma/dysplasia to malignancy. These advances in genetics can potentially lead to clinically useful advances in detection, treatment, and, ultimately, prevention of colorectal cancer. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 15:126–130, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Are ethics practical when externals impact your clinical judgment

You were somewhat flattered when the foremost donor to the hospital where you practice consulted you 6 months ago for an infrarenal aneurysm. He is 85 years of age and has enjoyed fully his leisurely lifestyle. In the interim he has pledged to fund a much needed hospital children's wing. The aneurysm measured 4 cm then. When he came in for a 6 months' checkup, the same equipment was used to measure and the aneurysm remained exactly the same. Both he and his wife are adamant that their lives have been tormented continually by the presence of a "weak spot that could rupture and kill him." Your citations of data, reassurances, and pleadings for reason were unheeded. You agreed to fix it. The hospital administrator and chief-of-staff called to congratulate. The preoperative workup had no imposing data to rethink operating and children and influential friends have flown in to be attentive. But you continued to be troubled. What should be done?.
Semi-regenerative analysis of controlled bulk queueing systems with a bilevel service delay discipline and some ergodic theorems

Abstract The authors consider a class of bulk queueing systems with a compound Poisson input modulated by a semi-Markov process, multilevel control service time and a queue length dependent service delay discipline. According to this discipline, the server starts the next service act if the queue length is at least r; in this case, all available units, or R (server capacity) of them, whichever is less, are taken for service. Otherwise, the server delays the service act until the number of units in the queue reaches or exceeds level r. The stationary distribution of the queueing process with continuous time parameter is obtained by using semi-regenerative techniques. The authors establish some ergodic theorems for functionals of input and output processes and present an optimization problem.
Metabolism of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in human cerebrospinal fluid. Isolation and characterization of pyroglutamate aminopeptidase activity.

Pyroglutamate aminopeptidase, which catalyzes metabolism of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to cyclo(His-Pro), is the major enzyme of TRH metabolism in human CSF. The partially purified CSF pyroglutamate aminopeptidase has a pH optimum between 6.0 and 7.4, and a K m of 15.9 ± 3.1 μM. A number of potential competitive inhibitors of the enzymatic activity were examined, of which luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and bombesin were the most effective. An examination of the structure of various peptides that inhibit pyroglutamate aminopeptidase activity indicated that the enzyme generally prefers a substrate having amino-terminal pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) and a COOH-terminal that is either blocked or distant from amino-terminal pGlu. Heavy metals, EDTA and reducing agents inactivated the enzyme, whereas benzamidine, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, trypsin inhibitor and alkylating agents had little or no effect on the enzymatic activity. Thiol-oxidizing agent 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), however, considerally inhibited the enzymatic activity. We hypothesize that CSF pyroglutamate aminopeptidase may play a role in the biologic actions of TRH.
Low temperature relaxation of DGEBA epoxy resins: A thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) study

The effect of curing conditions on the low temperature relaxation behavior of catalyst-cured epoxy systems based on digliycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) has been characterized by the thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) technique. In these chemically relatively simple epoxy systems, five relaxation processes, designated as γ, β, β′, βOH, and β″, have been observed: Their molecular origins are discussed in detail. The results are in agreement with prior suggestions of an inhomogeneous cross-link density morphology.
Adaptive slicing for a multi-axis Laser Aided Manufacturing Process

An adaptive slicing algorithm which can generate optimal slices to achieve deposition without support structures for five-axis hybrid layered manufacturing is presented in this paper. Different from current adaptive slicing, this technique varies not only in layer thickness but also in slicing direction. The Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP), a five axis system combined material additive and removal process which was developed at the University of Missouri-Rolla, is used as an example. The multiple-degree-of-freedom system allows LAMP to build a part with minimum support structure. However, an automated method for path planning of such a system is necessary. Two techniques have been adapted to build the overhang between two adjacent layers: transition wall and surface tension. This paper addresses the critical slicing algorithm based on the above two techniques. The slicing direction is determined by a marching algorithm which is based on the surface normals of points on the side surface of the current slice.
The Role of Genetic Markers— NAP1L1, MAGE-D2, and MTA1—in Defining Small-Intestinal Carcinoid Neoplasia

Standard clinical and immunohistochemical methods cannot reliably determine whether a small intestinal carcinoid (SIC) is indolent or aggressive. We hypothesized that carcinoid malignancy could be defined by using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical approaches that evaluate potential marker genes. Candidate marker gene expression (nucleosome assembly protein 1–like 1 [NAP1L1], melanoma antigen D2 [MAGE-D2], and metastasis-associated protein 1 [MTA1]) identified by Affymetrix transcriptional profiling was examined by QRT-PCR in SIC, liver, and lymph node (LN) metastases, colorectal carcinomas, and healthy tissues. Immunohistochemical expression levels of MTA1 were analyzed quantitatively by a novel automated quantitative analysis in a tissue microarray of 102 gastrointestinal carcinoids and in a breast/prostate carcinoma array. Affymetrix transcriptional profiling identified three potentially useful malignancy-marker genes (out of 1709 significantly altered genes). By QRT-PCR, NAP1L1 was significantly (P < .03) overexpressed in SIC compared with colorectal carcinomas and healthy tissue. Increased levels (P < .05) were identified in both liver and LN metastases. Levels in colorectal carcinomas were the same as in healthy mucosa. MAGE-D2 and MTA1 were increased (P < .05) in primary tumors and metastases and overexpressed in carcinomas. Automated quantitative analysis demonstrated the highest levels of MTA1 immunostaining in malignant primary SICs and in metastases to the liver and LN. These were significantly increased (P < .02) compared with nonmetastatic primary tumors. MTA1 was overexpressed in breast and prostate carcinomas (P < .05). SICs overexpress the neoplasia-related genes NAP1L1 (mitotic regulation), MAGE-D2 (adhesion), and MTA1 (estrogen antagonism). The ability to determine the malignant potential of these tumors and their propensity to metastasize provides a biological rationale for the management of carcinoids and may have prognostic utility.
Characteristics and Allowed Behaviors of Gay Male Couples’ Sexual Agreements

Research has shown that gay male couples' sexual agreements may affect their risk for HIV. Few U.S. studies have collected dyadic data nationally from gay male couples to assess what sexual behaviors they allow to occur by agreement type and the sequence of when certain behaviors occur within their relationships. In our cross-sectional study, dyadic data from a convenience sample of 361 male couples were collected electronically throughout the United States by using paid Facebook ads. Findings revealed that couples discussed their HIV status before having unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) but established their agreement some time after having UAI. About half of the couples (N = 207) concurred about having an agreement. Among these couples, 58% concurred about explicitly discussing their agreement, 84% concurred about having the same type of agreement, and 54% had both men adhering to it. A variety of sexual behaviors were endorsed and varied by agreement type. Concordance about aspects of couples' agreements varied, suggesting the need to engage couples to be more explicit and detailed when establishing and communicating about their agreements. The allowed behaviors and primary reasons for establishing and breaking sexual agreements further highlight the need to bolster HIV prevention for gay male couples.
The challenges of improving statistical practice in alcohol treatment research.

Background This commentary discusses the paper by Hallgren and Witkiewitz (2013) which evaluated 5 methods for addressing missing data in clinical trials of interventions for alcohol use disorders. The authors conclude that commonly used methods (e.g., complete case analysis, single imputation methods) can produce misleading results and that better alternatives exist (e.g., multiple imputation [MI]). The problems of using inferior approaches are well-known and well-illustrated by the analysis in this paper, which serves as an educational reminder to use more statistically justified practices. Methods Findings of this paper are put in context of the broader statistical literature. Strategies to promote common usage of superior missing data methods are discussed. Results Solving the poor uptake of statistically justified missing data methods will require a multilevel diagnosis of the problem and likely a multifaceted response, perhaps including the establishment, publication, and enforcement of standards by scientific funding and regulatory agencies, scientific journals, and graduate program accreditation bodies. Conclusions Little disagreement exists regarding the importance of addressing missing data in a statistically justified manner (e.g., with MI or other maximum likelihood methods). However, as with the implementation of other evidence-based practices, knowing what should be done does not alone make it happen.
Invisible Differences: A Pedagogical Approach to Personalizing Diversity for Pre-service Teachers

Abstract This paper draws from 336 pre-service teachers’ multimedia family history projects. It examines the efficacy of a pedagogical approach designed to move pre-service teachers from spectators to participants in an increasingly diverse society. It details a theoretical foundation for using family histories to move apparently homogenous cohorts of teacher education students to personalize issues of diversity by examining their own differences. The Invisible Differences Project engages pre-service teachers in critical examination, reflective thinking, and dialogic interaction as they present multimedia family histories to their peers.
Experimental Measurement of Frozen and Partially Melted Water Droplet Impact Dynamics

High-speed video of single frozen water droplets impacting a surface was acquired. The droplets diameter ranged from 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and impacted at velocities ranging from 140 m/sec to 309 m/sec. The techniques used to freeze the droplets and launch the particles against the surfaces is described in this paper. High-speed video was used to quantify the ice accretion area to the surface for varying impact angles (30 deg, 45 deg, 60 deg), impacting velocities, and break-up angles. An oxygen /acetylene cross-flow flame used to ensure partial melting of the traveling frozen droplets is also discussed. A linear relationship between impact angle and ice accretion is identified for fully frozen particles. The slope of the relationship is affected by impact speed. Perpendicular impacts, i.e. 30 deg, exhibited small differences in ice accretion for varying velocities, while an increase of 60% in velocity from 161 m/sec to 259 m/sec, provided an increase on ice accretion area of 96% at an impact angle of 60 deg. The increase accretion area highlights the importance of impact angle and velocity on the ice accretion process of ice crystals. It was experimentally observed that partial melting was not required for ice accretion at the tested velocities when high impact angles were used (45 and 60 deg). Partially melted droplets doubled the ice accretion areas on the impacting surface when 0.0023 Joules were applied to the particle. The partially melted state of the droplets and a method to quantify the percentage increase in ice accretion area is also described in the paper.
Amplitude-equation formalism for four-wave- mixing geometry with transmission gratings

An amplitude equation is derived for a four-wave-mixing geometry with nearly counterpropagating, mutually incoherent, nondiffracting pump beams, spatially overlapping in a photorefractive material with a nonlocal response. This equation extends the earlier linear two-dimensional theory to the weakly nonlinear regime. The analysis also starts from a more complete equation for the photorefractive effect, which leads to the prediction of novel effects especially apparent in the nonlinear regime. Precise predictions for the spatiotemporal behavior of the grating amplitude in the nonlinear regime are presented. The range of validity of the amplitude equation is studied. The characteristics of the instability in the nonlinear regime are analyzed through a front-selection analysis.
The pharmacokinetics of aspirin in rats and the effect of buffer

Aspirin (acetylsalicyclic acid) was administered to rats intravenously, orally, and intraintestinally at different doses or in different dosage forms. The distribution and elimination kinetics of aspirin in rats following intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartmental open system and were dose independent up to 15 mg/kg. The terminal elimination half-life following intravenous dosing (10 mg/kg) was 3.36 +/- 0.85 min (n = 15) with the clearance being 8.40 +/- 1.24 L/(kg.hr). Intravenous distribution and elimination kinetics of aspirin in rats were not influenced by an orally administered buffered solution with a buffer capacity of 0.933 mEq ANC (acid neutralizing capacity) per kg of body weight. However, this orally buffered solution did change the gastrointestinal absorption kinetics of aspirin in rats. The absolute bioavailable dose of aspirin was 56.6 +/- 10.4% (n = 6) following its administration in an unbuffered solution while it was only 31.8 +/- 8.0% (n = 6) following administration in the buffered solution. The corresponding values of the absolute bioavailable doses were 43.4 +/- 3.7% and 25.5 +/- 1.8% following intraintestinal administration. The lower systemic availability of aspirin in the presence of buffer is attributed to a greater fraction of the administered dose becoming available for absorption from the intestine where the extraction efficiency is higher than that in the stomach.
Structural Feasibility Analysis of a Robotically Assembled Very Large Aperture Optical Space Telescope

This paper presents a feasibility study of robotically constructing a very large aperture optical space telescope on-orbit. Since the largest engineering challenges are likely to reside in the design and assembly of the 150-m diameter primary reflector, this preliminary study focuses on this component. The same technology developed for construction of the primary would then be readily used for the smaller optical structures (secondary, tertiary, etc.). A reasonable set of ground and on-orbit loading scenarios are compiled from the literature and used to define the structural performance requirements and size the primary reflector. A surface precision analysis shows that active adjustment of the primary structure is required in order to meet stringent optical surface requirements. Two potential actuation strategies are discussed along with potential actuation devices at the current state of the art. The finding of this research effort indicate that successful technology development combined with further analysis will likely enable such a telescope to be built in the future.
Young age is an independent prognostic factor for survival of sporadic renal cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Compared to older adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) our subjective impression has been that younger adults present with more unfavorable histological features and yet respond more favorably to aggressive therapies. We reviewed our experience to validate these observations.Materials and Methods:: We reviewed the medical records of 106 consecutive patients 40 years or younger and 145 consecutive 58 to 61-year-old patients referred for the surgical management of sporadic RCC between 1992 and 2002. Using univariate and multivariate analyses the pathological characteristics and outcome of the 2 groups were compared.Results:: Mean age of the young adults was 34.7 years (range 14 to 40). Of younger adults 24% had tumors with unfavorable features, such as sarcomatoid differentiation, unclassified histology, medullary carcinoma and collecting duct carcinoma, compared with 12% of older adults (p <0.02). However, older adults were more likely to have tumors of advanced local pathological stage...
A MC-CDMA indoor geolocation system

A direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), code division multiple access (CDMA) and frequency division multiple access (FDMA) (or MC-CDMA) indoor geolocation system is presented and discussed in this paper. The data sequence on the transmitter is spread in time using two spreading sequences and then is modulated employing a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) scheme. The channel is modeled as a slowly varying frequency-selective, Rayleigh fading channel typical of an indoor office building or factory. The receiver utilizes a non-coherent data demodulator to minimize the sensitivity of the receiver to the Rayleigh fading channel. The bit-error-probability (BEP) performance of this system is compared to that of a DSSS-CDMA-FDMA (or C-CDMA) system when operating in a Rayleigh fading channel with additive white Gaussian noise, range and Doppler shift. Performance results indicate superior performance of the coded MC-CDMA systems of roughly equal transmitter and post RF receiver complexity
Spatiotemporal analysis and mapping of sulfate deposition data over Eastern U.S.A.

A spatiotemporal random field model is applied in the analysis and mapping of sulfate deposition over Eastern U.S.A. The integration of the spatial and temporal sulfate deposition variations introduced by the random field model has considerable advantages. It provides a rigorous representation of the spatially non-homogeneous/temporally non-stationary features of sulfate deposition. Deposition estimates and the associated statistical errors are calculated at unmeasured locations/instants using a space/time mapping method. Composite spatiotemporal deposition maps are more accurate than purely spatial (kriging) maps. Moreover, since a smaller number of monitoring stations are needed, the spatiotemporal method may be cheaper to use than the spatial kriging analysis. Effects of the observation and mapping scales are discussed. The spatiotemporal model is general and can be applied to various data sets from atmospheric, environmental and meteorological sciences.
Ductal lavage and its histopathologic basis: a cautionary tale.

Ductal lavage has been touted as a possible screening tool for patients with a high risk for the development of breast cancer. This article examines the fundamental concepts underlying the procedure and critically evaluates its possible utility in light of the known molecular and surgical pathologic data. It highlights the fact that risk assessment in breast cancer is far from an exact science, since most women who develop breast cancers are not identified as high-risk by the Gail model. The utility of ductal lavage has as yet not been proven, and even if it were useful, it is likely to benefit only a subset of all breast cancer patients. Further studies, preferably controlled clinical trials, are necessary before routine use of the procedure can be recommended. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;30:166–171. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Determining LGA Contact Design Specifications by Investigating Sensitivity of LGA Contact Performance to LGA Contact Geometric Tolerance

This paper presents a numerical DOE to investigate the sensitivity of the mechanical performance of LGA contacts, e.g. contact working range, wiping distance and force, to four key design parameters: contact free height, contact thickness, contact material yield strength and the coefficient between the contact and its landing pad. Multiple cases were analyzed and the normalized response surfaces of the performance are presented. By keeping the linear terms of the response surfaces, the performance variances relative to the nominal can be estimated. The methodology using the estimated variances to define LGA contact design specification is also presented.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Numerical comparison of nonlinear subgridscale models via adaptive mesh refinement

In this paper, we provide a method of evaluating the efficacy of nonlinear subgridscale models for use in the large eddy simulation of incompressible viscous flow problems. We compare subgridscale ''artificial'' viscosity models using a posteriori error estimation and adaptive mesh refinement. Specifically, we compare @a-Laplacian based subgridscale models and discuss the benefits and limitations of different values of @a for some standard benchmark problems for the Navier-Stokes equations.