cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal instability in untreated primary prostate cancer as an indicator of metastatic potential

Metastatic prostate cancer (PC) is highly lethal. The ability to identify primary tumors capable of dissemination is an unmet need in the quest to understand lethal biology and improve patient outcomes. Previous studies have linked chromosomal instability (CIN), which generates aneuploidy following chromosomal missegregation during mitosis, to PC progression. Evidence of CIN includes broad copy number alterations (CNAs) spanning > 300 base pairs of DNA, which may also be measured via RNA expression signatures associated with CNA frequency. Signatures of CIN in metastatic PC, however, have not been interrogated or well defined. We examined a published 70-gene CIN signature (CIN70) in untreated and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and previously published reports. We also performed transcriptome and CNA analysis in a unique cohort of untreated primary tumors collected from diagnostic prostate needle biopsies (PNBX) of localized (M0) and metastatic (M1) cases to determine if CIN was linked to clinical stage and outcome. PNBX were collected from 99 patients treated in the VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA-VA) Healthcare System between 2000 and 2016. Total RNA was extracted from high-grade cancer areas in PNBX cores, followed by RNA sequencing and/or copy number analysis using OncoScan. Multivariate logistic regression analyses permitted calculation of odds ratios for CIN status (high versus low) in an expanded GLA-VA PNBX cohort (n = 121). The CIN70 signature was significantly enriched in primary tumors and CRPC metastases from M1 PC cases. An intersection of gene signatures comprised of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) generated through comparison of M1 versus M0 PNBX and primary CRPC tumors versus metastases revealed a 157-gene “metastasis” signature that was further distilled to 7-genes (PC-CIN) regulating centrosomes, chromosomal segregation, and mitotic spindle assembly. High PC-CIN scores correlated with CRPC, PC-death and all-cause mortality in the expanded GLA-VA PNBX cohort. Interestingly, approximately 1/3 of M1 PNBX cases exhibited low CIN, illuminating differential pathways of lethal PC progression. Measuring CIN in PNBX by transcriptome profiling is feasible, and the PC-CIN signature may identify patients with a high risk of lethal progression at the time of diagnosis.
Depression and anxiety as emerging contributors to increased hospital length of stay after posterior spinal fusion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract Background Context The diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) amongst adolescents is rising worldwide. Rates of these disorders are higher in those with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Purpose To elucidate whether or not depression and anxiety are associated with increased length of stay and total cost after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Study Design/Setting, Patient Sample This study utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to obtain a sample of n = 564 in the depression and anxiety cohort and n = 5,185 in the cohort without concomitant diagnosis of depression and anxiety. Outcome Measures Length of stay and total cost after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with either the concomitant diagnosis of major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Comorbidities and other confounders were controlled for using multivariate regression analysis to determine the effect of having either mood disorder on cost and length of stay (LOS) after PSF. Results We determined that after controlling for confounding variables and comorbidities through multivariate regression analysis, patients with either depression or anxiety had increased odds ratios for increased LOS but not for cost. Conclusions The emergence of adolescent MDD and GAD may have significant implications on the inpatient stay for patients undergoing major surgery, including PSF for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Filter Strut Penetration: Does It Matter?

A 37-year-old man with a history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was diagnosed with DVT in 2005 after an initial presentation for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. An IVC filter was placed at the time due to DVT with contraindication to anticoagulation. Retrieval was attempted in 2006 but unsuccessful. He presented again in 2018 for filter retrieval (Fig. 6.1).
Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) #572: A Study of Serious Mental Illness in Veterans as a Pathway to personalized medicine in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Illness

Abstract Background Personalization of psychiatric treatment includes treatment of symptoms, cognition and functional deficits, suicide, and medical co-morbidities. VA Collaborative Study 572 examined a large sample of male and female veterans with schizophrenia (n = 3,942) and with bipolar disorder (n = 5,414) with phenotyping and genomic analyses. We present the results to date and future directions. Methods All veterans received a structured diagnostic interview and assessments of suicidal ideation and behavior, PTSD, and health. Veterans with schizophrenia were assessed for negative symptoms and lifetime depression. All were assessed with a cognitive and functional capacity assessment. Data for genome wide association studies were collected. Controls came from the VA Million Veteran Program. Results Suicidal ideation or behavior was present in 66%. Cognitive and functional deficits were consistent with previous studies. 40% of the veterans with schizophrenia had a lifetime major depressive episode and PTSD was present in over 30%. Polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses indicated that cognitive and functional deficits overlapped with PRS for cognition, education, and intelligence in the general population and PRS for suicidal ideation and behavior correlated with previous PRS for depression and suicidal ideation and behavior, as did the PRS for PTSD. Discussion Results to date provide directions for personalization of treatment in SMI, veterans with SMI, and veterans in general. The results of the genomic analyses suggest that cognitive deficits in SMI may be associated with general population features. Upcoming genomic analyses will reexamine the issues above, as well as genomic factors associated with smoking, substance abuse, negative symptoms, and treatment response.
Occupant preference-aware load scheduling for resilient communities

Abstract The load scheduling of resilient communities in the islanded mode is subject to many uncertainties such as weather forecast errors and occupant behavior stochasticity. To date, it remains unclear how occupant preferences affect the effectiveness of the load scheduling of resilient communities. This paper proposes an occupant preference-aware load scheduler for resilient communities operating in the islanded mode. The load scheduling framework is formulated as a model predictive control problem. Based on this framework, a deterministic load scheduler is adopted as the baseline. Then, a chance-constrained scheduler is proposed to address the occupant-induced uncertainty in room temperature setpoints. Key resilience indicators are selected to quantify the impacts of the uncertainties on community load scheduling. Finally, the proposed preference-aware scheduler is compared with the deterministic scheduler on a virtual testbed based on a real-world net-zero energy community in Florida, USA. Results show that the proposed scheduler performs better in terms of serving the occupants’ thermal preference and reducing the required battery size, given the presence of the assumed stochastic occupant behavior. This work indicates that it is necessary to consider the stochasticity of occupant behavior when designing optimal load schedulers for resilient communities.
A Review of Central American Astaena (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Sericini), with Descriptions of New Species

The genus Astaena (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Sericini) is reviewed for Central America. The known fauna comprises 34 species, 30 of which are described as new. The new species are diagnosed, critical morphological characters illustrated, and a key to species is presented. The following new species are described: Astaena aliena Lago, n. sp., Astaena alternata Lago, n. sp., Astaena brevisetosa Lago, n. sp., Astaena ciliata Lago, n. sp., Astaena confusa Lago, n. sp., Astaena convexipyga Lago, n. sp., Astaena corrugata Lago, n. sp., Astaena depressa Lago, n. sp., Astaena dichromia Lago, n. sp., Astaena diversisetosa Lago, n. sp., Astaena diversipennis Lago, n. sp., Astaena fortuna Lago, n. sp., Astaena freyi Lago, n. sp., Astaena howdeni Lago, n. sp., Astaena inbio Lago, n. sp., Astaena inflata Lago, n. sp., Astaena maddeni Lago, n. sp., Astaena minuta Lago, n. sp., Astaena moroni Lago, n. sp., Astaena nigrocephala Lago, n. sp., Astaena ocellata Lago, n. sp., Astaena omega Lago, n. sp., Astaena paracorrugata Lago, n. sp., Astaena pseudociliata Lago, n. sp., Astaena ratcliffei Lago, n. sp., Astaena sigma Lago, n. sp., Astaena stockwelli Lago, n. sp., Astaena testacea Lago, n. sp., Astaena vilifrons Lago, n. sp., and Astaena villosa Lago, n. sp. Holotypes of Astaena hiekei Frey, Astaena macilenta Bates, Astaena opalicauda Bates are redescribed. A redescription Astaena pusilla Frey is also presented. The only other Central American genus of Sericini, Symmela, represented by a single species, S. costaricensis Moser, is also diagnosed and illustrated.
A phytobacterial TIR domain effector manipulates NAD+ to promote virulence.

The Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 type III effector HopAM1 suppresses plant immunity and contains a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain homologous to immunity-related TIR domains of plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors that hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ ) and activate immunity. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to determine if HopAM1 hydrolyzes NAD+ and if the activity is essential for HopAM1's suppression of plant immunity and contribution to virulence. HPLC and LC-MS were utilized to analyze metabolites produced from NAD+ by HopAM1 in vitro and in both yeast and plants. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression and in planta inoculation assays were performed to determine HopAM1's intrinsic enzymatic activity and virulence contribution. HopAM1 is catalytically active and hydrolyzes NAD+ to produce nicotinamide and a novel cADPR variant (v2-cADPR). Expression of HopAM1 triggers cell death in yeast and plants dependent on the putative catalytic residue glutamic acid 191 (E191) within the TIR domain. Furthermore, HopAM1's E191 residue is required to suppress both pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity and promote P. syringae virulence. HopAM1 manipulates endogenous NAD+ to produce v2-cADPR and promote pathogenesis. This work suggests that HopAM1's TIR domain possesses different catalytic specificity than other TIR domain-containing NAD+ hydrolases and that pathogens exploit this activity to sabotage NAD+ metabolism for immune suppression and virulence.
A Primer on the Taxation of Executive Deferred Compensation Plans, 35 J. Marshall L. Rev. 487 (2002)

The Enron scandal has piqued Congress' interest regarding the particulars of executive deferred compensation plans. While Enron's rank-and-file employees, participating in the company's qualified profit sharing plan, watched their life savings plummet in value as the company stock collapsed, Enron executives were selling off their company stock, receiving bonuses, and making withdrawals from their executive compensation plans. With respect to these executive deferred compensation plans, how could these insider Enron executives withdraw massive amounts of deferred compensation in advance of their company's bankruptcy, draining the employer's assets from its creditors? What were the provisions of these executive compensation plans? Were the particulars of these plans readily available to Enron's shareholders and employees, and to the public at large? The answers to these questions were not readily available when Congress inquired, which obviously caused even greater concerns. A variety of legislative proposals have been discussed ranging from corporate governance to tax law changes. The author was asked to testify before the Senate Finance committee in April 2002 on the tax aspects of executive deferred compensation plans, inquiring how such plans are designed to avoid current taxation for its participants. By late June 2002, the Democrats in Congress initiated new "corporate governance" legislation that proposed to alter the taxation of executive * Kathryn J. Kennedy is an associate professor of law at The John Marshall Law School, specializing in tax and employee benefits law. She is the director of the graduate tax law program and the graduate employee benefits program. Special thanks to my research assistants Christopher Condeluci, Cynthia Hubbard, and Kyle Murray for their excellent assistance. The John Marshall Law Review compensation plans, but only for those plans funded with employer stock. While the Enron executives clearly held company stock that was sold in advance of the company's bankruptcy, it is not clear whether their executive deferred compensation plans used employer stock as the basis for payment. The Senate Finance Committee proposed legislation in mid-July, tightening the tax rules applicable to executive compensation plans in an effort to prevent future Enron-type scandals. This article is a by-product of the oral and written testimony provided by the author to the Senate Finance Committee in April. It is intended to summarize the existing tax rules applicable to these plans and to recommend whether tax legislation post-Enron is warranted or appropriate. Certainly corporate governance initiatives should be encouraged as a result of Enron; however, the author questions relying on the federal tax code to cure Enron's woes is the best avenue.
Quality Assurance in Supported Employment

The rapid expansion of supported employment has generated calls for adopting standards to ensure quality services. This article discusses state actions that might be taken to promote the quality of supported employment services. The difficulty that states have in investing and assuring high quality is also discussed. It is proposed that quality assurance systems for supported employment include such features as incentives for performance; data systems that are timely and result in feedback and assistance to providers; investment in local oumership; and a decrease in the amount of costly behaviors that are required to meet standards, but do not influence quality improvements.
Claims about the use of software engineering practices in science

Context: Scientists have become increasingly reliant on software in order to perform research that is too time-intensive, expensive, or dangerous to perform physically. Because the results produced by the software drive important decisions, the software must be correct and developed efficiently. Various software engineering practices have been shown to increase correctness and efficiency in the development of traditional software. It is unclear whether these observations will hold in a scientific context.Objective: This paper evaluates claims from software engineers and scientific software developers about 12 different software engineering practices and their use in developing scientific software.Method: We performed a systematic literature review examining claims about how scientists develop software. Of the 189 papers originally identified, 43 are included in the literature review. These 43 papers contain 33 different claims about 12 software engineering practices.Results: The majority of the claims indicated that software engineering practices are useful for scientific software development. Every claim was supported by evidence (i.e. personal experience, interview/survey, or case study) with slightly over half supported by multiple forms of evidence. For those claims supported by only one type of evidence, interviews/surveys were the most common. The claims that received the most support were: "The effectiveness of the testing practices currently used by scientific software developers is limited" and "Version control software is necessary for research groups with more than one developer." Additionally, many scientific software developers have unconsciously adopted an agile-like development methodology.Conclusion: Use of software engineering practices could increase the correctness of scientific software and the efficiency of its development. While there is still potential for increased use of these practices, scientific software developers have begun to embrace software engineering practices to improve their software. Additionally, software engineering practices still need to be tailored to better fit the needs of scientific software development.
How important are early investment experiences on subsequent investment decisions? A laboratory experiment on asset allocation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of early investment experiences on subsequent portfolio allocation decisions in a laboratory setting. Design/methodology/approach – In an experiment in which the task consisted of allocating a portfolio between a risky and riskless asset for 20 periods, two groups of subjects were confronted with either a market boom or bust in the initial four periods. Findings – The findings suggest that after controlling for demographic characteristics, the timing of a boom or bust during the investment lifecycle matters greatly. Subjects that faced a bust early in their investment lifecycle held less of the risky asset in subsequent periods compared to subjects who experienced an early boom. Originality/value – To the best of the authors knowledge this is the first laboratory study investigating the role of early aggregate shocks on subsequent investment behavior.
Using Concept Maps in Political Science

Concept mapping is a pedagogical technique that was developed in the 1970s and is being used in K–12 and postsecondary education. Although it has shown excellent results in other fields, it is still rare in political science. In this research note, I discuss the implementation and testing of concept mapping in my Advanced Introduction to International Relations course. I find that student self-reporting indicates that this approach has a positive impact on student comprehension of texts and learning in the course. I suggest improvements that I intend to implement with the technique, as well as a future research agenda.
Climate action plan adoptions in the US states

Purpose – This paper aims to examine state adoption of climate action plans (CAPs) and investigates the factors driving the adoption of these climate policies in the states. Design/methodology/approach – The framework that is formulated to explain the state climate actions involves four dimensions: climate risks, climate politics, climate economic and climate policy diffusions. These hypotheses are tested with event history analysis on a panel data set on 48 US continental states from 1994 to 2008. Findings – This paper found empirical evidence to support climate politics, economics and policy diffusion explanations. It also found that climate risks are not taken into account in states’ climate actions. A comparison is conducted to compare the differences in state and local climate policymaking. Originality/value – The paper investigates the motivations of state governments in adopting CAPs, and makes comparisons with local climate strategies. It contributes to academic understanding of the multilevel gov...
Gilded Age Visual Media as the Impetus for Social Change: Jacob Riis's Reform Photography and the Antecedents of Documentary Film

This study examines the birth and evolution of the social documentary genre in visual media. It suggests that a mixture of ideology, technology, and social awareness are necessary for a successful social reform. It finds that despite the limitations of technology during the nineteenth century, social documentaries were produced long before they were part of the genres of photography and film. By focusing on the work of Danish photographer Jacob Riis and tracing the emergence of film, this study demonstrates a connection between documentary film and Riis’s social documentary photography and public slide exhibitions. The study concludes that in order to understand the present, one must study the past, and in these terms, Riis’s work could be viewed as a precursor of the social documentary genre in visual media. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate the importance of visual documentaries, the idea that it anchors historical and collective memory, and that its history is still relevant to the twenty-first century. Significance of the Study Implementing developmental and progressive historiography, this study of Riis’s work finds a revolutionary role for him in the fields of journalism and social documentary. It illuminates his efforts and demonstrates his value as an ethnographer, journalist, and documentary film producer. The study discusses the significance of creating credible social images and the effectiveness of framing personal observations to create social awareness. It addresses the impact of Riis’s efforts from the perspective of a rhetorician and an ethnographer, discussing the journalistic value of his work.
VLSI multiprocessor implementation of block state-space 2-D digital filters

The problem of implementing block state-space two-dimensional digital filters in a VLSI environment is considered. Two implementation structures, namely, the delay and interleaving structures, are used. Both structures are modular and require local communications which are important for VLSI implementation. In addition, the structures achieve linear speedup and involve matrix and vector operations which are suitable for multiprocessor systems such as VLSI array processors. >
A forgotten ‘greater Ireland’: The transatlantic development of Irish nationalism

Abstract Although scholars have recently begun to question the manner in which nationalist temporal narratives are constructed, a similar analysis of nationalist spatial narratives has yet to occur. Instead, scholarship often remains trapped within the territorial boundaries of the nation‐state; the only ontologically given container of nationalism. In order to advance theoretical understanding of nationalism, however, it is imperative that geographers break this sedentary spell, by beginning to map the interstitial historical‐geographies of nation‐building in the context of globalisation. Through an analysis of the transnational development of Irish nationalism in the second half of the 19th century in particular, this paper will illuminate the important role played by the diaspora and other transnational actors in the development of Irish nationalism in Ireland.
Assay for human erythrocyte pyridoxine kinase.

Abstract An accurate and rapid method for the assay of pyridoxine kinase in human erythrocytes has been developed. The procedure involves the separation of the radioactive product from the substrate with Dowex 50 resin in a test tube. Using the assay designed, we found that human red blood cells have a pyridoxine kinase activity of 1.381 nmole/min/g of hemoglobin ( n = 25, SE = 0.051), and the enzyme has a K m of approximately 1.72 × 10 −6 m for pyridoxine. Pyridoxine phosphate was identified as the main product of the assay reaction catalyzed by human erythrocyte pyridoxine kinase in crude hemolysates.
Perception and the Suppression of Identity in Villette

AbstractLucy Snowe, the primary character of Charlotte Bronte's Villette, unobtrusively surveys events, observes reactions, studies character all as a means of obtaining involvement without being an active participant. In this veiled existence Lucy can experience life but at a safe distance, in shadow, where 'unobserved I could observe' (V, p. 156). However, I contend that it is as a direct result of her silent surveillance, of her unassuming presence, that she is drawn into each occasion of action in her life. Lucy admits that she is incapable of provoking change on her own behalf: 'To sit still in actual circumstances was my instinct […] I must be stimulated into action. I must be goaded, driven, stung, forced to energy' (V, pp. 290, 42). Indeed, Lucy is consistently goaded into action both by circumstance and by false perception. Ultimately, the forced pretence of her shadowy existence serves as a defence mechanism against the agony of deprivation.
Supportive family contexts: promoting child well-being and resilience

Prevention and intervention programmes for children at risk aim to improve child well-being and resilience. They do so using both direct and indirect strategies, intervening with children but also considering broader contextual factors (such as family dynamics). Children's subjective well-being comprises five main components (physical health, mental health, self-regulation, social competence, and cognitive competence) and is predicted by person, relationship, and contextual factors. Children's resilience, or ability to beat the odds under adverse conditions, is predicted by similar protective factors. Family well-being (FWB) is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of child well-being and resilience. Aspects of FWB (including adult health and well-being, family self-sufficiency, and family resiliency) have been shown to impact child well-being through positive parent–child interactions. However, risk factors (including poverty and living in geographic locales with limited resources or high l...
Isolated Autogenous Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Graft Site Morbidity:

To distinguish between morbidity caused by the isolated patellar tendon graft harvest and morbidity associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction when the graft is harvested from the involved knee, we studied 20 patients who had an isolated contralateral graft harvest for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the op posite knee. We defined and quantitated the morbidity by evaluating the uninjured knee from preoperative studies to current followup (range, 0.5 to 5 years; av erage, 2 years). All graft harvest surgeries were per formed in an identical fashion. Rehabilitation of the har vest knee included immediate range of motion, weightbearing, and closed chain kinetic exercises with a emphasis on early strengthening. All patients re gained full knee range of motion by 3 weeks. At final followup, there was no clinical or radiographic evidence of patella contracture or baja. Quadriceps strength av eraged 69% at 6 weeks and returned to 93% at 1 year and 95% at 2 years. Activity-related sore...
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in South Africa: A Landmark Case in Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethical Dilemmas, and the Challenges of International Business

Complex webs of social and ethical responsibilities often make following one's business nose challenging, if not impossible. This case examines the actions of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, as each sought to dominate the burgeoning soft drink market in South Africa in the years before—and immediately after—the end of that country's apartheid era.
Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction Analysis of Proton Irradiated Polycrystalline Diamond Films

X-ray microdiffraction is a non-destructive technique that allows for depth-resolved, strain measurements with sub-micron spatial resolution. These capabilities make this technique promising for understanding the mechanical properties of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). This investigation examined the local strain induced by irradiating a polycrystalline diamond thin film with a dose of 2x10(exp 17) H(+)per square centimeter protons. Preliminary results indicate that a measurable strain, on the order of 10(exp -3), was introduced into the film near the End of Range (EOR) region of the protons.
The Cis-Trans Paradox of Integrase

During recombination, strands of DNA break and are rejoined, producing the reshuffling of genetic information that underlies genetic diversity. Jayaram discusses the chemical mechanism underlying this process, including the controversial cis-trans paradox, as revealed by the x-ray crystallographic structure of the recombinase lambda integrase, reported in this issue by Kwon et al. ([p. 126][1]). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.276.5309.126
The physics of coupled VCSEL arrays as generic cases of active photonic lattices

An active photonic lattice is characterized by cross-cavity gain modulation (hole-burning) due to carrier depletion from adjacent cavity interactions. A VCSEL array offers a generic example for studying the physics of these, inherently nonlinear, active photonic lattices. The interplay between the non-linear frequency pulling, which allows phase locking over the array, and the coupling among the individual slow cavity oscillations, creates a rich behavior involving both steady-state and dynamic effects.
The Supreme Court and Issue Attention: The Case of Homosexuality

Previous studies have shown that a small number of Supreme Court decisions that “rearrange[d] the … distribution of political benefits” have drawn the media's attention to the underlying issues involved in those cases. This article provides an additional test of that empirical claim, examining the effects of the Supreme Court's gay rights cases on media coverage of homosexuality from 1990 to 2005. The data indicate that Supreme Court decisions that expanded the scope of gay rights increased coverage of homosexuality in both The New York Times and USA Today, while cases that affirmed the existing scope of gay rights had no such effect.
Effect of Aging on Storage and Voiding Function in Women with Stress Predominant Urinary Incontinence

Purpose: We investigated age related changes in urodynamic parameters in 2 large cohorts of women planning stress urinary incontinence surgery.Materials and Methods: Using a standardized protocol we obtained urodynamic parameters for participants in SISTEr (Stress Incontinence Surgical Treatment Efficacy Trial) and TOMUS (Trial of Mid-Urethral Slings) undergoing baseline noninvasive flow followed by filling cystometrogram and pressure flow study. The bladder contractility index (defined as detrusor pressure at maximum flow + 5 × maximum flow) and detrusor hypocontractility (defined as detrusor pressure at maximum flow less than 10 cm H2O) were also characterized. Patients excluded from analysis had undergone prior stress urinary incontinence surgery or had prolapse stage greater than II. Propensity score analysis controlled for the potential bias of combining participants from 2 clinical trials. Linear and logistic regression analysis adjusting for propensity score quintile was done to assess the associat...
Teaching Mexican culture in Mexico from a women's studies perspective

Abstract This paper describes the design of a semester-abroad language study program of The Colorado College. Our basic problem was how to make international material and experience comprehensive and meaningful. We chose for our theme “The Mexican Woman” and used texts by and about women from all classes and post-Conquest historical periods. The results surpassed expectations; students could relate the intellectual material of class to everyday life with Mexican families and friends. This integration of learning and life enabled students to reflect seriously upon culture and gender not only in Mexico but in the United States as well.
Enhanced videomicroscopy of phase transitions and diffusional phenomena in oil-water-nonionic surfactant systems

Abstract Videomicroscopy was used to observe dynamic behavior accompanying phase transformation in waternonionic surfactant mixtures and the contact of these mixtures with pure hydrocarbons. Various unusual phenomena involving growth and dissolution of the lamellar liquid crystalline phase were seen, including the formation of myelinic figures and bâtonnets by the novel procedure of heating an isotropic liquid. In some phenomena the defect structure of the liquid crystalline phase played a controlling role. For instance, initial nucleation of fluid phases was seen to occur along defects, the first such observation for liquid crystals. Various types of behavior were seen in the contacting experiments, depending on whether the temperature was well below, near, or well above the phase inversion temperature. The chief phenomena, spontaneous emulsification and intermediate phase formation, were similar in many respects to those seen previously in anionic surfactant systems and were explainable in terms of diffusion path theory. In several experiments flow produced by natural convection and/or Marangoni effects increased the rate of equilibration and was the source of rather dramatic behavior.
Estrogen receptor-α binds p53 tumor suppressor protein directly and represses its function

Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) promotes proliferation of breast cancer cells, whereas tumor suppressor protein p53 impedes proliferation of cells with genomic damage. Whether there is a direct link between these two antagonistic pathways has remained unclear. Here we report that ERα binds directly to p53 and represses its function. The activation function-2 (AF-2) domain of ERα and the C-terminal regulatory domain of p53 are necessary for the interaction. Knocking down p53 and ERα by small interfering RNA elicits opposite effects on p53-target gene expression and cell cycle progression. Remarkably, ionizing radiation that causes genomic damage disrupts the interaction between ERα and p53. Ionizing radiation together with ERα knock down results in additive effect on transcription of endogenous p53-target gene p21 (CDKN1) in human breast cancer cells. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism for regulating p53 and suggest that suppressing p53 function is an important component in the proproliferative role of ERα.
Maternal Behavior in the Primiparous and Multiparous Golden Hamster1

Changes in the normal behavior patterns seen during lactation in the female golden hamster have received relatively little attention in the past (Rowell 1961; Daly 1972). The purpose of this experiment was to characterize and compare maternal behavior in female hamsters during gestation and 24 days of lactation, with their first and second litters. Each was observed for 1/2 h daily, and her behavior recorded every 10 s. Maternal behavior decreased over time in the mothers during both first and second lactations, while "non-maternal" behavior increased. No differences were observed in these measures between the first and second lactation.
Prospective case series on the effects of lumbosacral manipulation on dysmenorrhea.

Abstract Objective The objective of this prospective case series was to collect preliminary data as to the effectiveness of a specific chiropractic technique, drop table method, in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Over a 4-week period, 16 females were screened for symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea and motion restrictions of the lumbosacral spine. Thirteen subjects were enrolled into the study. Bilateral and unilateral lumbosacral flexion and extension restrictions were treated using drop table manipulations 3 times during each of the 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Before entering the study and at the end of each menstrual cycle, the subjects self-reported ratings of menstrual pain (abdominal, pelvic, and low back pain) and associated symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea using Numeric Pain Scale. Numeric Pain Scale ratings for menstrual pain were the primary outcome measures. Results The median age was 26 years, and the median self-reported duration of the symptoms was 12 years. At baseline, all subjects reported pain severity scores of 5 or higher for at least 2 of 3 anatomical sites: lower or general abdominal pain and/or lower back pain. Using the 95% confidence interval (CI) as an estimate, clinically meaningful changes ( Conclusions Menstrual pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea may be alleviated with treatment of motion segment restrictions of the lumbosacral spine with drop table technique.
Zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8)/polyimide nanocomposites exhibiting reduced coefficient of thermal expansion

ZrW2O8 is obtained as microparticulate powder following traditional methods or as nanoparticulate powder using an inverse micelle sol−gel synthesis strategy. As-prepared ZrW2O8 powders, surface-derivatized with (3-aminopropyl)siloxy linker molecules, disperse well in BTDA-ODA polyamic acid resins to give thermally cured ZrW2O8/polyimide hybrid films showing good wetting of embedded ceramic particles. Measured CTE values of ZrW2O8/BTDA-ODA hybrid films containing 0−50 wt % (0−22 vol %) ceramic loading show a controlled reduction in thermal expansion with increasing ceramic content. Reduction in CTE is modeled best assuming mixed-law behavior with incorporation of an interfacial phase region. A 22 vol % ceramic loading gives a 30% (10 ppm/K) reduction of CTE. ZrW2O8/BTDA-ODA films containing 0.8 vol % (3 wt %) ceramic loading exhibit unusually low thermal expansion, although the significance of this observation remains to be confirmed.
Methodology for Evaluating DNA Pattern Searching Algorithms on Multiprocessor

Pattern matching has been one of the major operations in modern bioengineering especially in Bioinformatics. Prior work on this area have focus on either pursuing mathematically efficient matching algorithms or hardwired approach. As multicore processor are becoming mainstream, developers need to determine how to take advantage of multicore technology for pattern matching. In this paper, we propose a methodology to evaluate pattern search algorithms for DNA on Multiprocessor. Our evaluation methodology is an automatic simulation framework. Starting from a uniprocessor profiling, the framework constructs task graphs for string matching algorithms. Then task graphs are mapped onto multiprocessor. The system's performance is determined by the analytical performance model. With this framework, we can evaluate the performance of different algorithms on multiprocessor. Our case studies show that finite automaton based (Aho-Corasick) is more efficient than shift table based algorithms (SFKSearch and Wu-Manber) on uniprocessor, however, Wu-Manber is 3 times efficient than Aho-Corasick on multiprocessor due to its inherent parallelism.
Tenascin: A potential role in human arteriovenous PTFE graft failure

To investigate the involvement of tenascin (TN) in human neointimal hyperplastic lesion formation, we studied 12 human arteriovenous (AV) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) loop grafts removed at the time of graft revision. Immunoperoxidase technique was used to determine TN and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as an index of cell proliferation. The venous anastomotic neointimal hyperplastic lesion was analyzed as three layers, each one-third of the thickness. TN was distributed in the neointima as follows: (1) in the luminal layer, all lesions were intensely stained; (2) in the middle layer, 9 of 12 (75%) lesions had moderate reactivity; (3) in the deep layer near the PTFE grafts, 3 of 12 (25%) lesions were strongly stained and 5 of 12 (42%) had moderate reactivity; and (4) 90 +/- 6% of microvessels within the neointima showed intense periendothelial staining. PCNA indices were as follows: luminal layer, 29 +/- 11%; middle layer, 9 +/- 5%; deep layer near the graft, 9 +/- 7%; and microvessel containing intimal fields, 67 +/- 4%. The cell proliferation rate was significantly higher in the luminal layer than in the middle or deep layers of neointima (P < 0.05). The PCNA index in microvessel-containing intimal fields was three to eight times that of avascular fields (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that TN is distributed in a pattern similar to that of cell proliferation in human neointimal hyperplastic lesions. The results suggest that TN expression may have a potential role in neovascularization and neointimal growth in human AV PTFE graft failure.
Cardiovascular Safety Evaluation in the Development of New Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus

The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus across the United States continues to increase. Today, ≈25.8 million Americans are affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its incidence in the Medicare age group exceeds 25%. The number of newly diagnosed subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged >20 years approximated 1.9 million in the year 2010 alone, and the direct and indirect costs of managing this disease entity for the year 2007 neared 174 billion US dollars.1 The worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus has also increased from 153 million in 1980 to an estimated 347million in 2008,2 with low- and middle-income countries accounting for 80% of the disease burden, a number that is expected to continue to rise exponentially over the next decade. Although diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of blindness, renal failure, and nontraumatic amputation in the United States, the predominant mechanism of death in this population is cardiovascular. The current dramatic increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is therefore a harbinger for increasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the decades ahead. In the original observations by Haffner and colleagues, the 7-year hazard for cardiovascular death in middle-aged Finns with long-standing diabetes mellitus and without a previous myocardial infarction was similar to that observed in patients without diabetes mellitus who had experienced a previous myocardial infarction.3 In Multiple Risk Factor Interventional Trial (MRFIT), the risk of cardiovascular death was tripled in men with diabetes mellitus despite an adjustment for other traditional risk factors.4 With the use of a data set of 820 900 subjects randomly assigned across 97 clinical trials, the Emerging Risk Factors Collaborators estimated that a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in a middle-aged man or woman 50 years of age resulted in a decrease in survival of 5.8 …
Medical device electromagnetic interference problems: A limited review

Incidents of degraded medical device performance caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) continue to be reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The reasons for renewed efforts at the FDA to reduce device susceptibility are listed. Case studies describing the effects of EMI, magnetic fields, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) are presented.
Computational optoelectromechanics and its application to MEMS VCSELs

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have been research extensively as key components for next-generation of wireless communication, computing, processing, switching and optical devices. Conventional VCSELs integrate two oppositely doped distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) with a cavity layer between them. In the center of the cavity layer there is an active region with multiple quantum wells. Current is injected into the active region using oxide or proton-implanted apertures. Recent research and developments have been progressed to the tunable, long-wavelength, and multiple-wavelength MEMS-based electrically- and optically-pumped VCSELs. These MEMS VCSELs integrate a bottom n-DBR (for example, GaAs-AlGaAs), a cavity layer with the active region (for example, InGaAS), and a top mirror. The top mirror integrates p-DBR (oxidation and sacrificial layers, AlAs, AlGaAs) -- air gap -- top n-DBR suspended above the laser cavity and controlled (displaced or bent) by the nano- or microscale actuators. The current is fed through the p-DBR. Hence, optoelectronics and microelectromechics are examined for MEMS VCSELs. In contrast, the optically-pumped VCSLEs with membrane MEMS integrate n-DBR, cavity layer with the active region, p-DBR, sacrificial layer (for example, AlGaAs) and top mirror (quarter-wave GaAs layer). Usually, the wavelength of tunable VCSELs can be varied within 10 - 30 nm increments. To optimize MEMS VCSELs, far-reaching research and developments must be carried out. Recently, novel MEMS VCSELs topologies and configurations have been devised. These MEMS VCSELs must be modeled, analyzed, and optimized. The computer-aided-design will lead to essential improvement of lasers optimizing their performance. High-fidelity modeling, heterogeneous simulation, data-intensive analysis and synergetic design of MEMS VCSELs are part of a newly emerging field of computational optoelectromechanics. In fact, high-fidelity modeling is an important part in synthesis and design of affordable high-performance MEMS VCSELs with the desired performance and reliability. The basic equations to model VCSELs are found using the quantum mechanics, quantum electromagnetic field theory, Maxwell's and Navier-Stokes equations. To derive the equations of motion for nano- or microactuators, the functional density concept is used to find the force, and Newtonian mechanics allows one to derive the differential equations to integrate mechanical dynamics. This paper focuses on the development of the theory of computational optoelectromechanics and its application to computer-aided design of MEMS VCSELs. The modeling, simulation, analysis and design results are reported and illustrated.
Valence bond theory for chemical dynamics.

This essay provides a perspective on several issues in valence bond theory: the physical significance of semilocal bonding orbitals, the capability of valence bond concepts to explain systems with multireferences character, the use of valence bond theory to provide analytical representations of potential energy surfaces for chemical dynamics by the method of semiempirical valence bond potential energy surfaces (an early example of specific reaction parameters), by multiconfiguration molecular mechanics, by the combined valence bond-molecular mechanics method, and by the use of valence bond states as coupled diabatic states for describing electronically nonadiabatic processes (photochemistry). The essay includes both ab initio and semiempirical approaches. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Spectroscopic studies of carbon. XXI. An infrared study of the charring of coconut shell

Abstract Although coconut chars have been used extensively as adsorbents for a century, they have not been studied spectroscopically. Consequently, infrared spectra were recorded, using FT photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy, of coconut shell heated in vacuum at various temperatures up to 800°C. The pyrolysis occurs in three stages. In the first, from room temperature to about 250–300°C, the precursor breaks down, and changes in texture. In the second stage, from about 300 to 550°C, the originally largely aliphatic mixture is converting to one which is predominantly aromatic in character. Then, above about 550°C, the material becomes increasingly polyaromatic.
A New Approach to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas continues to rise and the number of deaths attributable to these malignancies currently rank in the top five causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Recent insights into the pathogenesis and molecular characterization of these disorders have led to improvements in a clinicopathologically relevant classification system, as well as in the ability to accurately diagnose specific entities. Several new treatment modalities have been developed which may improve the outcome for selected patients. A better understanding of the biology of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas will hopefully translate into different therapies with improved outcomes. This article describes a new system for classifying the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, highlights key aspects of the pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and briefly reviews clinical and therapeutic approaches to the most common of these lymphomas.