cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collecting patient preference information using a Clinical Data Research Network: demonstrating feasibility with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Purpose: Rare diseases present challenges for accessing patient populations to conduct surveys. Clinical Data Research Networks (CDRNs) offer an opportunity to overcome those challenges by providing infrastructure for accessing patients and sharing data. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting patient preference information for a rare disease in a CDRN, using idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as proof of concept. Patients and methods: Utilizing a cohort of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients across a CDRN, a discrete choice experiment was administered via electronic and paper methods to collect patient preference information about benefits and risks of two therapeutic options. Survey data were augmented with data from electronic health records and patient-reported outcome surveys. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the preference experiment. The amount of choice attributable to a benefit of slowing of decline in lung function was 36%. Improving efficacy in terms of lung function was 2.16 times as important as improving efficacy in terms of shortness of breath. In terms of side effects, decreasing risk of gastrointestinal problems was 2.6 times as important as decreasing risk of sun sensitivity and 2.4 times as important as decreasing risk of liver injury. In terms of benefit-risk trade-offs, improving efficacy in terms of lung function was 1.6 times as important as decreasing risk of gastrointestinal problems. Conclusion: This study used IPF as a proof of concept to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting patient preference information in a CDRN. The network was advantageous to the study of patient preferences. Future research should continue to explore pathways for the collection and use of patient preference information across networks. The power of consolidated collection efforts may lead to the ability to use preference data to inform decision-making at the regional, specialty, or individual encounter level.
Thermosyphon bushing: design, simulation and implementation

Abstract In order to improve the electric current rating of a vacuum-insulated disconnect switch, a copper-water thermosyphon has been embedded into an electrical bushing to achieve significantly higher effective thermal conductivity and lower hotspot temperatures of the bushing. The temperature profiles of a thermosyphon bushing conductor under different heat loads and filling ratios have been characterized by experiments. For the purpose of estimating the performances of any thermosyphon bushing with various dimensions, working fluids and filling ratios, a thermal network model with lumped thermal capacitors has been established. Characteristic features of thermosyphon bushings like the thick pipe walls and the distributed Joule heat sources are represented in the model. This model successfully predicted the effective thermal conductivity and hotspot temperatures of a thermosyphon bushing prototype designed for a vacuum-insulated disconnect switch. Because of the compact designs of thermosyphon bushings, they can be implemented in a wide range of power equipment, such as vacuum switchgear, disconnect switches, plasma chambers, and high-power physics experiments.
Spiking Neural Networks for Inference and Learning: A Memristor-based Design Perspective

Author(s): Fouda, ME; Kurdahi, F; Eltawil, A; Neftci, E | Abstract: On metrics of density and power efficiency, neuromorphic technologies have the potential to surpass mainstream computing technologies in tasks where real-time functionality, adaptability, and autonomy are essential. While algorithmic advances in neuromorphic computing are proceeding successfully, the potential of memristors to improve neuromorphic computing have not yet born fruit, primarily because they are often used as a drop-in replacement to conventional memory. However, interdisciplinary approaches anchored in machine learning theory suggest that multifactor plasticity rules matching neural and synaptic dynamics to the device capabilities can take better advantage of memristor dynamics and its stochasticity. Furthermore, such plasticity rules generally show much higher performance than that of classical Spike Time Dependent Plasticity (STDP) rules. This chapter reviews the recent development in learning with spiking neural network models and their possible implementation with memristor-based hardware.
P-Value Approximations for T-Tests of Hypothesis

Mathematics can be analyzed in different ways and each method supports the other with the same results. This paper describes a number of approaches for finding the p-values necessary for making decisions about statistical t-tests of hypothesis. The concepts of areas under the Student’s t-curve and the mathematical connections between tests of hypothesis, probabilities and areas under a curve are presented. The EXCEL function TDIST and various approximation techniques from numerical analysis are discussed. Numerical analysis techniques include Simpson’s Rule for integration and Monte Carlo integration. Also an approximation from the National Bureau of Standards is provided. Comparisons of results from each method are presented. Numerical approximations are shown to be as important and as accurate as exact solutions.
Evaluation of Biochemical and Epigenetic Measures of Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Biomarker in Huntington's Disease Patients

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative movement disorder that presents with prominent cognitive and psychiatric dysfunction. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of HD, as well as other neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and epigenetic alterations in the complex BDNF promoter have been associated with its deregulation in pathological conditions. BDNF has gained increased attention as a potential biomarker of disease; but currently, the conflicting results from measurements of BDNF in different biofluids difficult the assessment of its utility as a biomarker for HD. Here, we measured BDNF protein levels in plasma (n = 85) and saliva (n = 81) samples from premanifest and manifest HD patients and normal controls using ELISA assays. We further examined DNA methylation levels of BDNF promoter IV using DNA derived from whole blood of HD patients and healthy controls (n = 40) using pyrosequencing. BDNF protein levels were not significantly different in plasma samples across diagnostic groups. Plasma BDNF was significantly correlated with age in control subjects but not in HD patients, nor were significant gender effects observed. Similar to plasma, salivary BDNF was correlated with age only in control subjects, with no gender effects observed. Importantly, we detected significantly lower levels of salivary BDNF in premanifest and manifest HD patients compared to control subjects, with lower BDNF levels being observed in premanifest patients within a predicted 10 years to disease onset. Salivary and plasma BDNF levels were not significantly correlated with one another, suggesting different origins. DNA methylation at four out of the 12 CpG sites studied in promoter IV were significantly altered in HD patients in comparison to controls. Interestingly, methylation at three of these CpG sites was inversely correlated to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores. BDNF promoter methylation was not correlated with motor or cognitive scores in HD patients, and was not associated with sex or age in neither disease nor control groups. Conclusion: Our studies show that BDNF protein levels are decreased in saliva; and BDNF promoter methylation increased in blood in HD subjects when compared to controls. These findings suggest that salivary BDNF measures may represent an early marker of disease onset and DNA methylation at the BDNF promoter IV, could represent a biomarker of psychiatric symptoms in HD patients.
Modeling material behavior during continuous bending under tension for inferring the post-necking strain hardening response of ductile sheet metals: Application to DP 780 steel

Abstract Continuous bending under tension (CBT) testing can stretch ductile sheet metals significantly more than simple tension (ST) testing. Strength and plastic strain levels increase with the number of CBT cycles and substantially exceed those achieved in ST. Taking advantages of the improved elongation-to-fracture (ETF) achieved by CBT, samples of DP 780 steel are pre-deformed to several strain levels by interrupting their CBT testing. Sub-size specimens are machined from the CBT interrupted specimens and tested in ST. The flow curves from these secondary ST tests are then shifted according to the axial strain accumulated during pre-deformation by CBT to determine a large strain (post-necking) flow curve of the material. The identified large strain flow curve is validated with two approaches. First, the large strain flow curve is used to simulate the load versus displacement curve during CBT to large number of CBT cycles. Second, the curve is used to simulate the flow curves based on the secondary ST testing. The simulations are performed using isotropic hardening (IH) and combined isotropic-kinematic hardening (CIKH) material models. The latter model is calibrated using a set of large strain cyclic tension-compression data. An automated procedure is developed for the creation of sub-size specimens from the finite element (FE) mesh of the interrupted CBT specimen to facilitate efficient secondary ST simulations. The procedure involves cutting of the FE mesh into the sub-size specimen shape by Boolean operations in Abaqus software followed by generation of volume FE mesh and mapping of the state variables. The state variables are mapped to simulate deflection of the specimens, as the residual stress field from the prior CBT simulation evolves to reach a new equilibrium. It is found that the model reproduces the experimental load versus displacement curve, including the succession of spikes and plateaus typical of CBT, very closely. The model also predicts yielding of the interrupted sub-size specimens further verifying the identified curve. The predictions demonstrate the utility of the developed methodology for inferring the post-necking strain hardening behavior of sheets.
A model operationalizing sustainability in global nursing.

Abstract Background The concept of sustainability has received growing attention since the adoption of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development agenda. Yet, in the context of sweeping changes regarding the status and profile of global nursing, sustainability has not been fully conceptualized. Purpose To explore the concept of sustainability in global nursing in order to develop an operational definition and model. Methods Concept analysis using Rodger's Evolutionary method to explicate the term “sustainability” in a global nursing context. Findings Key features of sustainability were described. Existing models of global nursing focus on partnerships and lack a clear conceptualization and integration of sustainability. An operational definition and model of sustainability in global nursing were developed. Discussion Evolutionary review and analysis led to clarity in operationalizing sustainability in global nursing. The definition and model compliment existing models and provide a road map for global nursing to contribute toward the UN Sustainable Development agenda.
Off-Label Real World Experience Using Tocilizumab for Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 Disease in a Regional Community Health System: A Case-Control Study

Objective: To determine if Tocilizumab treatment in patients hospitalized with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent COVID-19 disease provides short-term survival benefit. Design: Case-control, observational study that includes an observation period from arrival to discharge or inpatient death. Both Cox proportional hazards and average treatment effects models were used to determine survival and treatment benefits. Setting: Three Cone Health acute care hospitals including one COVID dedicated facility. Patients: Patients admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 from March 16, 2020 through April 22, 2020. Exposure: Tocilizumab dosed at either 400 mg fixed dose or 8 mg/kg weight-based dose with maximum single dose of 800mg. Measurements and Main Results: Overall, 86 patients were admitted during the observation period with confirmed COVID-19 disease. Of these, 21 received Tocilizumab during the hospital stay. Both the Cox model and treatment effects models showed short-term survival benefit. There was an associated 75% reduction in the risk of inpatient death when treated (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.07-0.90) in the Cox model. This association was confirmed in the treatment effects model where we found a 52.7% reduced risk of dying while hospitalized compared to those not treated (RR 0.472; 95% CI 0.449-0.497). In both models, we show short-term survival benefit in patients with severe COVID-19 illness.
细胞角蛋白染色在肿瘤诊断中的应用

所有哺乳类动物细胞质都含有复杂的细胞骨架蛋白包括Ⅰ微丝、微管以及中间丝,中间微丝有6种类型:细胞角蛋白Ⅰ及Ⅱ型、结蛋白、波形蛋白、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP),及神经纤维组成,细胞角蛋白是最为复杂的中间丝,Moll等将细胞角蛋白分成20种.细胞角蛋白又可根据等电点的不同分为酸性及碱性,一般而言,相对分子质量小的细胞角蛋白总是与大的细胞角蛋白配对;而酸性细胞角蛋白总是与碱性细胞角蛋白配对,细胞分化的不同阶段及不同类型上皮细胞表达不同的细胞角蛋白.上皮组织恶变后,其表达的细胞角蛋白与正常组织基本相同,因此,细胞角蛋白的表达被广泛应用于肿瘤的诊断,本文将主要探讨不同肿瘤的角蛋白的表达[1]。
Experienced bedside-assistants improve operative outcomes for surgeons early in their learning curve for robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) relies heavily on the bedside assistant (BA). Currently, the relationship between BA experience and surgical outcomes in robotic surgery is not clear. We examined whether bedside assistant experience can significantly affect positive margin rate and peri-operative outcomes for RALP for surgeons within their learning curve. A retrospective cohort study of a single surgeon’s peri-operative outcomes during RALP was examined and compared with and without an experienced bedside assistant. Patient demographic data and peri-operative data, margin rate, and length of stay (LOS), were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine if expert BA was a predictor of post-operative outcomes. In total, 170 consecutive cases over three years were analyzed. 111 (65%) were performed without an expert BA. The two groups were not significantly different with regards patient demographics (p > 0.05). On univariate analysis, having an expert BA was associated with a significantly lower LOS (31 h ± 21 vs. 42 h ± 26, p = 0.004), EBL (296 ml ± 180 vs. 441 ml ± 305, p < 0.0001) and positive margin rate (20% vs. 37%, p = 0.03). Other surgical outcomes were comparable between groups. On multivariable analysis, expert BA remained a predictor of, EBL (B stat = − 146, 95% CI − 240 to − 52, p = 0.003) and positive margin rate (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.96, p = 0.04). Our results demonstrate that the use of an expert BA may result in improved patient outcomes early in the learning curve of RALP, most notably, positive margin rate and estimated blood loss.
Monte Carlo Simulation and Design of High-energy X-ray Detection Concept with Enhanced Efficiency Using High-Z Semiconductor Photon Attenuation Materials

We report a Monte Carlo feasibility study on a high-energy (20-50keV) X-ray detection concept using photon energy attenuation with high-Z materials to enhance the efficiency by more than 10 times compared to the state-of-the-art technologies.
Low-Leakage and Variable V HOLD Power Clamp for Wide Stress Time Range From ESD to Surge Test

In recent years, on-chip clamp designs for enhancing destructive immunity of ICs mounted on systems against residual currents of system level immunity tests have been proposed. To cope with a long duration pulse (several tens ${\mu }\text{s}$ ) such as a surge immunity test is one of the issues of the system level on-chip clamp. A clamp combined RC-trigger and static trigger is one approach to achieve both a low voltage clamping against component level ESD events and system level surge protection. However, the combined clamp using the conventional static trigger is difficult to achieve both a high current capability against the long pulse event and a low standby leakage current. This work presents a combined clamp that overcome the trade-off between the long pulse current capability and the standby leakage current using a variable holding voltage technique. The proposed clamp achieves the higher current capability against the long pulse event without increasing the standby leakage by holding voltage lowering while keeping a higher trigger voltage. It can contribute to increase PCB design freedom and to protect ICs efficiently from wider time range immunity tests.
Satellite Cell Depletion Disrupts Transcriptional Coordination and Muscle Adaptation to Exercise

Satellite cells are required for postnatal development, skeletal muscle regeneration across the lifespan, and skeletal muscle hypertrophy prior to maturity. Our group has aimed to address whether satellite cells are required for hypertrophic growth in mature skeletal muscle. Here, we generated a comprehensive characterization and transcriptome-wide profiling of skeletal muscle during adaptation to exercise in the presence or absence of satellite cells in order to identify distinct phenotypes and gene networks influenced by satellite cell content. We administered vehicle or tamoxifen to adult Pax7-DTA mice and subjected them to progressive weighted wheel running (PoWeR). We then performed immunohistochemical analysis and whole-muscle RNA-seq of vehicle (SC+) and tamoxifen-treated (SC-) mice. Further, we performed single myonuclear RNA-seq to provide detailed information on how satellite cell fusion affects myonuclear transcription. We show that while skeletal muscle can mount a robust hypertrophic response to PoWeR in the absence of satellite cells, growth, and adaptation are ultimately blunted. Transcriptional profiling reveals several gene networks key to muscle adaptation are altered in the absence of satellite cells.
Interactions of the Skin Pathogen Haemophilus ducreyi With the Human Host

The obligate human pathogen Haemophilus ducreyi causes both cutaneous ulcers in children and sexually transmitted genital ulcers (chancroid) in adults. Pathogenesis is dependent on avoiding phagocytosis and exploiting the suppurative granuloma-like niche, which contains a myriad of innate immune cells and memory T cells. Despite this immune infiltrate, long-lived immune protection does not develop against repeated H. ducreyi infections-even with the same strain. Most of what we know about infectious skin diseases comes from naturally occurring infections and/or animal models; however, for H. ducreyi, this information comes from an experimental model of infection in human volunteers that was developed nearly three decades ago. The model mirrors the progression of natural disease and serves as a valuable tool to determine the composition of the immune cell infiltrate early in disease and to identify host and bacterial factors that are required for the establishment of infection and disease progression. Most recently, holistic investigation of the experimentally infected skin microenvironment using multiple "omics" techniques has revealed that non-canonical bacterial virulence factors, such as genes involved in central metabolism, may be relevant to disease progression. Thus, the immune system not only defends the host against H. ducreyi, but also dictates the nutrient availability for the invading bacteria, which must adapt their gene expression to exploit the inflammatory metabolic niche. These findings have broadened our view of the host-pathogen interaction network from considering only classical, effector-based virulence paradigms to include adaptations to the metabolic environment. How both host and bacterial factors interact to determine infection outcome is a current focus in the field. Here, we review what we have learned from experimental H. ducreyi infection about host-pathogen interactions, make comparisons to what is known for other skin pathogens, and discuss how novel technologies will deepen our understanding of this infection.
A third-order harmonic radar design for mm-wave frequencies

The nonlinear properties of electronic devices, such as diodes and transistors, can generate nonlinear responses such as harmonic and intermodulation for clutter rejection purposes. The naturally occurring clutter objects are generally linear, or they possess very small nonlinearity. They can be distinguished from man-made targets containing the above-mentioned nonlinear devices by exploiting nonlinear responses. In this paper, this nonlinear property was utilized for generating a 3 rd -order harmonic response for clutter rejection purposes. Existing nonlinear radars generally exploit 2 nd -order harmonic responses for clutter rejection purposes owing to their high power levels among the harmonic responses. However, due to their proximity to the fundamental tone, these radars require bulky and expensive filters and diplexers with steep roll-off for maintaining the linearity of the transmitter and receiver section of the radar. As the 3rd -order harmonic response and the fundamental tone are widely separated in the frequency spectrum compared to the 2nd order harmonic response, better isolation between the fundamental and harmonic response can be achieved. This results in relaxed requirements for filters and diplexers for these 3rd order based harmonic radars. Apart from that, the receiver and tag size would be reduced since size and frequency are inversely proportional. In this paper, the 3 rd -order harmonic radar and a passive tag were designed and operated in millimeterwave frequency bands, i.e., 24/72 GHz. Experimental validations were performed to prove their clutter rejection ability.
A hard look at SPAC projections

Firms’ use of SPACs to go public has increased dramatically, leading to market and regulatory debate about their use of projections. Examining SPAC mergers from 2004 through 2021, we find that 80% of firms provide projections for four years ahead on average, with approximately one-quarter of recent projections extending more than five years. For the sample of SPAC mergers with observable post-merger revenue, we find that only 35% of firms meet or beat their projections. This proportion declines for forecasts that are longer horizon, and non-serial SPAC sponsors miss forecasts by greater percentages. When we compare SPAC projected revenue growth to benchmark samples of IPO firms and matched firms, the SPAC projections are approximately 3 times larger on average than benchmark firms’ actual revenue growth, with even greater differences for long-term projections. After the merger, firms reduce their use of projections, providing them at statistically similar rates as benchmark firms. Overall, the evidence supports concerns that the SPAC merger includes highly optimistic projections.
Predictive risk factors of adverse perinatal outcomes following blunt abdominal trauma in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND The primary objective was to identify predictive risk factors of preterm delivery following blunt abdominal trauma. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors of other adverse outcomes, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission, placental abruption, fetal demise, and Cesarean Delivery (CD). METHODS This retrospective study included pregnant patients with gestational age (GA) ≥23 weeks who presented after blunt abdominal trauma to Richmond University Medical Center from October 2015 to January 2020. Patients were identified using the following diagnostic International diagnostic classification (ICD-10) codes: O9A.212, O9A.213, and 071.89, and excluded if trauma did not involve the abdomen, penetrating, <23 weeks, or incomplete records. Collected data points included maternal demographic factors, clinical laboratory values, maternal clinical findings at presentation, abdominal ultrasound, results of fetal monitoring, Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) for abdomen, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Univariate analyses were compared using the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Categorical data were compared using the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test with P-value < .05 as significant. RESULTS 154 patients were included in the final analysis. The incidence of the primary outcome, preterm delivery before 37 weeks, was 11.0% (17/154). The incidence of secondary outcomes following blunt abdominal trauma were abruption 0% (0/154), fetal demise 0.6% (1/154), CD 44% (68/154), NICU admission 24% (37/154). Maternal demographic factors, presence of uterine contractions, maternal clinical conditions (abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, vaginal bleeding), hematologic and coagulation studies, ultrasound findings, fetal heart rate tracing category, AIS score for abdomen, and ISS score were not predictive of preterm delivery or other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION The incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes is low following blunt abdominal trauma. Extended monitoring of asymptomatic patients including laboratory tests and coagulation profiles were not predictive of preterm labor or secondary adverse perinatal outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/Care management, Level III.
Preparation and Physics of Novel Microstructures for Localization Studies

It is now well established that disorder and reduced dimensionality have both interesting and profound effects on the behavior of conducting systems.[1–4] Anderson localization and modified electron-electron interactions are now familiar consequences of disorder. Interesting questions remain, however, as the various papers being presented at this conference attest. But, like many areas of contemporary condensed matter physics, further progress depends on more than good theory and experiment. One needs good materials and experimental systems — not simply systems that manifest the phenomena of interest, but so-called model systems, i.e., systems that exhibit the desired phenomena particularly clearly, and in which the relevant material parameters, structure, etc., can be controlled and varied. It is with such model systems that one generally gains the clearest insight and obtains the best quantitative tests of theory. And it is on the basis of this understanding that more complicated (and probably typical) systems can then be understood. This approach should be contrasted with exploratory systems, in which one attempts to find new phenomena or enter new parameter regimes by any means possible.
Simultaneous deletion of NOD1 and NOD2 inhibits in vitro alloresponses but does not prevent allograft rejection.

Abstract Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play an important role in host anti-donor responses to transplanted tissue. A key trigger of the host alloresponse involves recognition of foreign antigen presented on activated antigen presenting cells by the host T cells. Emerging data suggest that PRR blockade can abrogate host anti-donor responses by interfering with activation of antigen presenting cells, particularly activation of dendritic cells. Our study asked whether blockade of a well-characterized family of intracellular PRRs, the NOD family, interfered with alloantigen recognition and allograft rejection. We found that deletion of either NOD1 or NOD2 in antigen presenting cells (APCs) had no effect on induction of T cell proliferation to alloantigen, but that simultaneous deletion of NOD1 and NOD2 significantly inhibited T cell responses. There was however no effect of the NOD deletion on skin graft rejection when NOD1 × NOD2 skin was transplanted onto allogeneic hosts or when WT skin was transplanted onto NOD1 × NOD2 deficient recipients. The conclusion of this study is that in vitro alloresponses are negatively impacted by the simultaneous deletion of NOD1 and NOD2, but that allograft rejection across a stringent allo barrier is not affected. Our results suggest that the NOD family members, NOD1 and NOD2, play a collaborative role in T cell activation by alloantigen and that their blockade in vitro can inhibit T cell responses.
MO-FG-303-05: A Feasibility Study of Using a Cherenkov Detector Material with the Prompt Gamma Range Verification Technique in Proton Therapy

Purpose: To simulate the feasibility of a Cherenkov glass material for the determination of the penetration depth of therapeutic proton beams in water. Methods: Proton pencil beams of various energies incident onto a water phantom with dimensions of 5 x 5 x 30 cm3 were used for simulation with the Geant4 toolkit. The model used standard electromagnetic packages, packages based on binary-cascade nuclear model, several decay modules (G4Decay, G4DecayPhysics, and G4RadioactiveDecayPhysics), and optical photon components (G4OpticalPhysics). A Cherenkov glass material was modeled as the detector medium (7.2 g of In2O3 + 90 g cladding, density of 2.82 g/cm3, Zeff = 33.7, index of refraction n(600 nm) = 1.56, and energy threshold of production Eth = 156 keV ). The emitted secondary particles are analyzed characterizing their timing, energy, and angular distributions. A feasibility analysis was conducted for a simplistic detector system using this material to locate the position of the Bragg Peak. Results: The escaping neutrons have energies ranging from thermal to the incident proton energy and the escaping photons have energies >10 MeV. Photon peaks between 4 and 6 MeV were attributed to originate from direct proton interactions with 1 2C (∼ 4.4 MeV) and 1⁶O (∼ 6 MeV), respectively. The escaping photons are emitted isotropically, while low (≤10 MeV) and high (>10 MeV) neutrons are isotropic and forward-directional, respectively. The emissions of photons are categorized into prompt (∼ns) and delayed (∼min) where the prompt photons include the 4.4 and 6 MeV. The Cherenkov material had on average <2% of neutron interactions while LYSO and BGO scintillators had a minimum of ∼50%. Our simplistic detector system was capable of discerning Bragg Peak locations using a timing discrimination of ∼50 ns. Conclusion: We investigate the viability of using the Cherenkov material for MeV photon detection medium for the prompt gamma technique.
The signaling pathway coupling epidermal growth factor receptors to activation of p21ras.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment causes autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) leading to increased guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF; Sos) activity and enhanced formation of p21ras-GTP. The connection of the EGFR to p21ras activation can occur through binding of Grb2.Sos complexes to the EGFR or through the adaptor protein Shc via EGFR.Shc.Grb2.Sos multimeric complexes. Therefore, we investigated the importance of Shc in coupling the EGFR to activation of ras GEF (Sos). EGF treatment led to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc. Although phosphorylated EGFR can bind to both Shc and Grb2, the predominant linkage was observed between EGFR and Shc. Similarly, more Grb2 was associated with Shc than with EGFR after EGF stimulation. Immunoprecipitation of Shc from EGF-stimulated cells removed almost all EGFR-associated Grb2. Furthermore, immunodepletion of Shc proteins from membrane fractions of EGF-stimulated cells removed 93% of the ras GEF activity, whereas, precipitation of EGFR had only a small effect on ras GEF activity. These data indicate that coupling to Shc provides the major pathway linking activated EGFRs to Grb2.Sos and stimulation of the p21ras pathway.
Effects of School-Based Mental Health Programs on Mental Health Service Use by Adolescents at School and in the Community

Many schools provide counseling to adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems on-site, but little is known about the use of school-based counseling services in the United States, and it is unclear whether these services complement or substitute for counseling services available outside of school. In this study data on mental health services offered in schools are used to estimate the probability of receiving emotional counseling at school and elsewhere. Where mental health services were available on-site, students were substantially more likely to see a counselor in the previous year, controlling for mental health status, health insurance coverage, and other factors. The effects of availability were greater for students enrolled in special education programs than for other students. However, these data also suggest that, relative to other schools, schools offering on-site mental health counseling do not increase or reduce use of counseling services outside of school on average.
The Effect of Instructor Postural Changes on the Posture of an Individual Singer

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential effect of instructor body positioning on individual singer (N=40) posture and vocal production. The instructor/researcher assumed different standing positions while standing participants sang exercises. The instructor assumed the following body conditions: (a) not in view, baseline; (b) exaggerated erect posture; (c) slumping forward; (d) leaning weight to one side; and (e) balanced, upright posture. Digital audio and video recordings of each condition were analyzed with attention to (a) singer posture changes and (b) pitch and amplitude changes as measured by spectral analysis software. Other acoustical data were analyzed qualitatively. Results were discussed in terms of vocal and choral pedagogy and implications for future research.
Robotic partial nephrectomy: current technique and outcomes

Over the past decade, management of the T1 renal mass has focused on nephron-sparing surgery. Robotic partial nephrectomy has played an increasing role in the technique of preserving renal function by decreasing warm ischemia time, as well as optimizing outcomes of hemorrhage and fistula. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is designed to provide a minimally-invasive nephron-sparing surgical option utilizing reconstructive capability, decreasing intracorporeal suturing time, technical feasibility and safety. Ultimately, its benefits are resulting in its dissemination across institutions. Articulated instrumentation and three-dimensional vision facilitate resection, collecting system reconstruction and renorrhaphy, leading to decreased warm ischemia time while preserving oncological outcomes. The aim of the present review was to present our surgical sequence and technique, as well as review the current status of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.
Use of Microdilution Panels with and without β-Lactamase Inhibitors as a Phenotypic Test for β-Lactamase Production among Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter freundii, and Serratia marcescens

Over the past decade, a number of new beta-lactamases have appeared in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae that, unlike their predecessors, do not confer beta-lactam resistance that is readily detected in routine antibiotic susceptibility tests. Because optimal methodologies are needed to detect these important new beta-lactamases, a study was designed to evaluate the ability of a panel of various beta-lactam antibiotics tested alone and in combination with beta-lactamase inhibitors to discriminate between the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases, high levels of K1 beta-lactamase, and other beta-lactamases in 141 isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter freundii, and Serratia marcescens possessing well-characterized beta-lactamases. The microdilution panels studied contained aztreonam, cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone, with and without 1, 2, and 4 microg of clavulanate per ml or 8 microg of sulbactam per ml and cefoxitin and cefotetan with and without 8 microg of sulbactam per ml. The results indicated that a minimum panel of five tests would provide maximum separation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase high AmpC, high K1, and other beta-lactamase production in Enterobacteriaceae. These included cefpodoxime, cefpodoxime plus 4 microg of clavulanate per ml, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and ceftriaxone plus 8 microg of sulbactam per ml. Ceftriaxone plus 2 microg of clavulanate per ml could be substituted for cefpodoxime plus 4 microg of clavulanate per ml without altering the accuracy of the tests. This study indicated that tests with key beta-lactam drugs, alone and in combination with beta-lactamase inhibitors, could provide a convenient approach to the detection of a variety of beta-lactamases in members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.
Latinos, Inc.: The Marketing and Making of a People

Latinos, Inc.: The Marketing and Making of. People. Arlene Davila. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. 287 pp.
Studies on the interaction of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli K12 with tyrosine and with tyrosyl-AMP.

Abstract Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase ( l -tyrosine:tRNA ligase (AMP, EC 6.1.1.1) purified from Escherichia coli binds 1 mole of tyrosyl-AMP per mole of enzyme based on quantitative binding of the complex to nitrocellulose filters. The formation of tyrosyl-AMP occurs in the absence of Mg2+. No binding of either tyrosine or of ATP alone to the enzyme was detected on filters. Tyrosine binding to the enzyme in the absence of other substrates was measured by equilibrium dialysis: one site with an affinity constant of 2.1 · 105 l/mole was found. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate demonstrated that tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase is composed of two subunits of mol. wt 48 000. Steady-state kinetics revealed a biphasic curve as a function of tyrosine concentration suggesting the possibility of a second weak binding site for tyrosine.
Prenatal cocaine exposure: Decreased sensitization to cocaine and decreased striatal dopamine transporter binding in offspring

Pregnant mice were treated with cocaine, 10 mg/kg/day, during days 13 to 20 of gestation. Cocaine sensitization and dopamine transporter binding were evaluated in offspring at 6 weeks of age. Sensitization, defined as the increase in activity after 5 injections of cocaine compared to 1 injection, was reduced in cocaine-exposed mice. Dopamine transporter binding in striatum was also significantly reduced in cocaine-exposed mice compared to controls.
Going Against the Grain: Flaws in the Zone Diet.

Abstract : The Zone Diet is an eating plan claiming to maintain an "ideal" hormone balance and improve health through the manipulation of dietary carbohydrate and protein. While popular, the diet's health claims are based on dubious information, misinterpreted scientific facts, and it ultimately remains unsubstantiated.
Bloch's law for brief flashes of large angular subtense.

Stimuli which subtended a 61° visual angle were used to measure ΔI against a concentric field at 273 trolands. Peak intensity was adjusted to threshold as the stimulus duration was reduced in steps from 1 sec. to 100 microsec. Data from 10 observers allowed the calculation of a variance measure and a slope constant. Reciprocity held only at very short durations. The critical period for this stimulus was about 1 msec. Large errors may be encountered if linear intensity-time correction techniques like the troland-second are applied to large-area brief flashes.
Respiratory and osmoregulatory responses of the hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc), to salinity changes

Abstract Intertidal hermit crabs were stepwise acclimated to 10, 20, and 30‰ salinity (S) and 21 ± 1 °C. Hemolymph osmolality, sodium, chloride, and magnesium were isosmotic (isoionic) to ambient sea water at 30‰ and hyperosmotic (hyperionic) at 20 and 10‰ S, while hemolymph potassium was significantly hyperionic in all acclimation salinities. Total body water did not differ significantly at any acclimation salinity. Oxygen uptake rates were higher in summer-than winter-adapted crabs. No salinity effect on oxygen consumption occurred in winter-adapted individuals. Summer-adapted, 30‰ acclimated crabs had a significantly lower oxygen consumption rate than those acclimated 10 and 20‰ S. Crabs exposed to 30 10 30‰ and 10 30 10‰ semidiurnal (12 h) and diurnal (24.8 h) fluctuating salinity regimes showed variable osmoregulatory and respiratory responses. Hemolymph osmolality followed the osmolality of the fluctuating ambient sea water in all cases, but was regulated hyperosmotically. Hemolymph sodium, chloride, and magnesium concentrations were similar to hemolymph osmolality changes. Sodium levels fluctuated the least. Hemolymph potassium was regulated hyperionically during all fluctuation patters, but corresponded to sea water potassium only under diurnal conditions. The osmoregulatory ability of Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc) resembles that reported for several euryhaline brachyuran species. The time course of normalized oxygen consumption rate changed inversely with salinity under semidiurnal and diurnal 10 30 10‰ S fluctuations. Patterns of 30 10 30‰ S cycles had no effect on oxygen consumption rate time course changes. The average hourly oxygen consumption rates during both semidiurnal fluctuations were significantly lower than respective control rates, but no statistical difference was observed under diurnal conditions.
A critical pedagogy of place: from gridlock to parallax

Differences of perspective, standpoint and subjectivity can help to enlarge the conceptual landscape of environmental education theory. Rejections of difference, on the other hand, can become an intolerance that narrows the scope of inquiry. This rejoinder argues that Bowers’ repeated rejections of critical pedagogy are based on a partial reading of the critical tradition, and that these critiques, including his current call to ‘avoid embracing’ a critical pedagogy of place, are unnecessarily dismissive and therefore counterproductive. Environmental education has benefited and will continue to benefit from the critical tradition of which critical pedagogy is a part. Relationships and/or antagonisms are constructed through human responses and interactions. Sameshima’s pedagogical theory of parallax is introduced as a way of seeing relationships between ideas that have been thought to be opposed. Moving toward relationship rather than rivalry, the rejoinder concludes by suggesting that Bowers’ and Freire’s ...
Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Cells with Stem Cell-Like Properties Contribute to Tumor Generation, Metastasis and Chemotherapy Resistance through Hypoxia-Resistant Metabolism

Cells with sphere forming capacity, spheroid cells, are present in the malignant ascites of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and represent a significant impediment to efficacious treatment due to their putative role in progression, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. The exact mechanisms that underlie EOC metastasis and drug resistance are not clear. Understanding the biology of sphere forming cells may contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic opportunities for metastatic EOC. Here we generated spheroid cells from human ovarian cancer cell lines and primary ovarian cancer. Xenoengraftment of as few as 2000 dissociated spheroid cells into immune-deficient mice allowed full recapitulation of the original tumor, whereas >105 parent tumor cells remained non-tumorigenic. The spheroid cells were found to be enriched for cells with cancer stem cell-like characteristics such as upregulation of stem cell genes, self-renewal, high proliferative and differentiation potential, and high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. Furthermore, spheroid cells were more aggressive in growth, migration, invasion, scratch recovery, clonogenic survival, anchorage-independent growth, and more resistant to chemotherapy in vitro. 13C-glucose metabolic studies revealed that spheroid cells route glucose predominantly to anaerobic glycolysis and pentose cycle to the detriment of re-routing glucose for anabolic purposes. These metabolic properties of sphere forming cells appear to confer increased resistance to apoptosis and contribute to more aggressive tumor growth. Collectively, we demonstrated that spheroid cells with cancer stem cell-like characteristics contributed to tumor generation, progression and chemotherapy resistance. This study provides insight into the relationship between tumor dissemination and metabolic attributes of human cancer stem cells and has clinical implications for cancer therapy.
Electronic structure studies of the adenosylcobalamin cofactor in glutamate mutase.

Glutamate mutase (GM) is a cobalamin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible interconversion of L-glutamate and L-threo-3-methylaspartate via a radical-based mechanism. To initiate catalysis, the 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) cofactor's Co-C bond is cleaved homolytically to generate an adenosyl radical and Co 2 + Cbl. In this work, we employed a combination of spectroscopic and computational tools to evaluate possible mechanisms by which the Co-C bond is activated for homolysis. Minimal perturbations to the electronic absorption (Abs), circular dichroism (CD), and magnetic CD (MCD) spectra of AdoCbl are observed upon formation of holoenzyme, even in the presence of substrate (or a substrate analogue), indicating that destabilization of the Co 3 + Cbl "ground state" is an unlikely mechanism for Co-C bond activation. In contrast, striking alterations are observed in the spectroscopic data of the post-homolysis product Co 2 + Cbl when bound to glutamate mutase in the presence of substrate (or a substrate analogue) as compared to unbound Co 2 + Cbl. These enzymatic perturbations appear to most strongly affect the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transitions of Co 2 + Cbl, suggesting that the cofactor/active-site interactions give rise to a fairly uniform stabilization of the Co 3d orbitals. Remarkable similarities between the results obtained in this study and those reported previously for the related Cbl-dependent isomerase methylmalonyl-CoA mutase indicate that a common mechanism by which the cofactor's Co-C bond is activated for homolytic cleavage may be operative for all base-off/His-on Cbl-dependent isomerases.
Copulation duration in the spiderPhilodromus vulgaris (Hentz) (Araneae: Philodromidae) and its influence on the evolution of host transfer behavior during cannibalism byMantispa uhleri banks (Neuroptera: Mantispidae)

Matings and acts of cannibalism were observed in the crab spiderPhilodromus vulgaris, some of which were carrying a first-instar larva of the mantispidMantispa uhleri. Larval mantispids did not transfer during the copulation of their spider hosts but did switch from spider to spider during cannibalism. Twenty-three of 27 total cannibalisms in which the cannibalized spider carried a larva resulted in larval transfers, for a transfer rate of 85%. Copulation times inP. vulgaris were found to be extremely short in comparison to lycosids such asSchizocosa ocreata, whose long copulation time supports the larval transfer ofClimaciella brunnea. The time required for larval transfer during cannibalism inP. vulgaris was measured. Cannibalisms were much longer than copulations but larvae transferred to the cannibalizing spider in a comparatively short period of time.