cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interrogating of cancer genomes: towards more profile-based therapeutics

Although death rates due to common diseases such as heart disease, stroke and infectious diseases have declined over the last half-century, there has been only a small change in cancer mortality rates. The availability of the draft human genome sequence and a number of technological advances now provide us with the opportunity to explore the genomic landscape of cancer in an unprecedented way. Here, we will describe the application of multiple genomic technologies toward the interrogation of a number of cancer genomes, in order to discover molecular determinants of cancer that might be associated with clinical outcome and those that might be candidates for targeted therapy. It is our hope that these data would one day be translated into clinical practice to improve therapeutic decision-making for more knowledge-based clinical management.
Network-guided multi-robot path planning in discrete representations

This work deals with problems where multiple robots move on a roadmap guided by wireless nodes that form a communication network. The nodes compute paths for the robots within their communication range given information about robots only in their vicinity and communicating only with neighbors. The objective is to compute paths that are collision-free, minimize the occurrence of deadlocks, as well as the time it takes to reach the robots' goals. This paper formulates this challenge as a distributed constraint optimization problem. This formulation lends itself to a message-passing solution that guarantees collision-avoidance despite only local knowledge of the world by the network nodes. Simulations on benchmarks that cannot be solved with coupled or simple decoupled schemes are used to evaluate parameters and study the scalability, path quality and computational overhead of the approach.
Bacterial pyomyositis in the United States

The incidence of reported bacterial pyomyositis is increasing in the United States, especially among immunocompromised persons. This review summarizes all reported cases of pyomyositis among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected persons worldwide and HIV-negative persons in the United States since 1981. During the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, bacterial pyomyositis among HIV-infected persons typically occurred in those with end-stage acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Among non–HIV-infected patients, about half have a serious underlying medical problem, most commonly diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or a rheumatologic condition. These patients are more likely to have a gram-negative infection, a normal white blood cell count, multifocal involvement, or higher mortality than those without an underlying medical condition. The characteristics of cases in temperate areas are similar to tropical cases, except that the former occurs more often in immunocompromised persons; this may change with the HIV epidemic in tropical regions.
Hydrodynamic Excitations of Trapped Fermi Gases

We discuss collective excitations of a trapped dilute Fermi gas within a hydrodynamic approximation. Analytical results are derived for both high- and low-temperature limits and are applied to ${}^{40}\mathrm{K}$ and ${}^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ systems of current experimental interest. We identify spectral signatures which can be used to detect the onset of Fermi degeneracy. Also, we find an interesting class of internal excitations with an unusual spectrum. Some of our results are relevant to the case of trapped bosons as well. Our analysis suggests several experiments which address fundamental problems of collective motion in quantum fluids.
A Single Large Dose of Dexamethasone (Dex) Improves Outcome of Sepsis Syndrome in Term Neonates. † 1155

A Single Large Dose of Dexamethasone (Dex) Improves Outcome of Sepsis Syndrome in Term Neonates. † 1155
Risk Communication and Public Education in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on the 10th Anniversary of the ‘Black Friday’ Tornado

In July 1997, on the 10th anniversary of the great ‘Black Friday’ Tornado, city officials of Edmonton, the print and broadcast media, agencies dealing in emergency management, and the national weather organisation recounted stories of the 1987, F5 tornado that struck Edmonton on a holiday weekend. The information campaign also presented environmental and educational information regarding a range of protective measures that should be adopted in the event of another tornado strike. A unique opportunity arose to study the effects of the 1997 risk communication campaign, and to assess the extent to which a random sample from the population of Edmonton heard, understood, believed, confirmed, and responded to the low-key, non-urgent, environmental and educational warning messages. These behaviours comprise the General Hazards Risk Communication Model that guided this study, as developed by Mileti, Sorensen, Haas, Blanchard-Boehm and others. We found the following explanatory variables to be statistically signif...
BRIEF REPORT: Utility of a Short Screening Scale for DSM‐IV PTSD in Primary Care

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Breslau’s 7-item screen for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for use in primary care.
Overview of PACs and their impact on network evolution

Networks are an important component of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The development of PACS has partially been a function of the availability of network technology. On the other hand, the specific needs of medical image transfer have, although to a somewhat lesser extent, impacted changes in network technology. Most important is the development of a digital imaging and communications standard (DICOM) for medical image transfer which could lead to a more universal 'image transfer' standard to be used outside of the medical field. The need for large image data transfer also promoted the early use of new technologies such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) packet switched networks and other high speed networks. This paper will review the development of computer networks, the history of PACS and their mutual interaction.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of utilizing rumen protected niacin on core body temperature as well as milk production and composition in lactating dairy cows during heat stress

Niacin has been shown to increase resistance to thermal stress in cattle by increasing evaporative heat loss in vivo and cellular heat shock response by increasing gene expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 during thermal stress in vitro. To determine effects of feeding encapsulated niacin on vaginal temperature, milk yield and composition, a total of 198 primiparous and 229 multiparous lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned in a crossover design to either control (no niacin additive, n = 213) or niacin (NIA; cows supplemented with 12 g/d/cow of an encapsulated niacin, n = 214). Treatments were balanced for days in milk (DIM), milk yield, and parity prior to the start of the study, which was conducted between August 7th and October 7th, 2007 on a commercial dairy in Arizona (USA). Cows remained on their original treatment for 30 d (period 1) and then switched to the other treatment on day 31 and continued until day 60 (period 2). Vaginal temperatures were recorded using temperature data loggers attached to a blank controlled internal drug release device and inserted into a random sub-sample of 16 cows from each pen with similar days in milk, milk yields and parity for 8 d. Effects of heat stress were more severe in period 1 due to a higher temperature humidity index compared with period 2. Dry matter intakes did not differ by treatment or period. Both period and NIA affected vaginal temperatures with NIA reducing vaginal temperatures and period 1 having higher vaginal temperatures compared with period 2. In addition, vaginal temperatures decreased (P<0.01) with NIA treatment during peak thermal load from 1300 to 1600 h for 4 of 8 d. A NIA by period interaction occurred for several milk production parameters. The NIA fed cows had higher milk yield in period 1 (higher heat stress) and was lower in period 2 (P<0.01). In contrast, NIA reduced milk fat yield in period 1 and increased it in period 2 (P<0.01). Both true protein and lactose yield was lower in period 1 with no effect in period 2. Supplementation of lactating cows with NIA reduced vaginal temperature, but had differing effects on milk production variables dependent on the period of the study which may be due to a more severe heat stress experienced in period 1 compared with period 2, and/or a more advanced stage of lactation in period 2.
Protection of steel railcar tank containing liquid chlorine from high speed impact by using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-enhanced polyurea

Abstract The ballistic resistance and self-sealing behavior of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-enhanced polyurea (PU) coated TC-128 steel plates subjected to high speed impact were investigated experimentally and numerically. Both experimental and numerical results showed that the POSS-enhanced PU exhibited strong self-sealing properties under high-speed impact and could dramatically reduce leaking of toxic liquid from a hole in the railcar tank. Experimental results and simulation results agreed well for the ballistic limit of POSS-enhanced PU coated and uncoated TC-128 steel plates, with an average error of 5.72%. In terms of the size of hole left after the impact test, although the simulation result for the uncoated TC-128 steel plate was almost identical to the experimental result, the simulation result for the POSS-enhanced PU coating layer was doubled compared to the experimental result, probably due to the mass erosion effect. The POSS-enhanced PU material may serve as a class of effective protective coating layers to reduce the leaking of toxic chemicals from steel railcar tanks.
Palatogenesis in hamster. II. Ultrastructural observations on the closure of palate.

Formation of secondary palate in hamster was studied with electron microscopy. Prior to assuming horizontal position, the palatal shelves were covered by a two to three cell layer thick epithelium which was separated from the underlying mesenchyme by an intact basal lamina. Epithelial cells were attached to each other by desmosomes. Early hemidesmosomes could be identified as thickenings of the cytoplasmic membrane opposing the basal lamina. Epithelial cells, like other embryonic cells, contained only few organelles but were rich in polyribosomes. As the horizontal shelves approached each other towards the midline, lysosomes and tonofilaments appeared in the superficial and basal cells of the epithelia. Superficial cells showed degeneration and eventual lysis. Fusion of the opposing epithelia occurred between the deeper cells by means of newly formed desmosomes. The epithelial seam resulting from fusion of the epithelia was limited on each side by a continuous basal lamina. Its subsequent thining and eventual fragmentation resulted from the loss of cells by autophagy. There was no evidence of mesenchymal invasion of the epithelial seam. Mesenchymal macrophages appeared in the later stage of palatogenesis and were responsible for phagocytosis of cellular debris. Formation of the soft palate was basically similar to that of the secondary hard palate and occurred by fusion of the opposing shelves. Similarly, anterior closure of the palate occurred by fusion of the lower end of the nasal septum to the primary and secondary palates. Hyperplasia of the opposing epithelia, prior to their fusion, was often seen. It is suggested that formation of the palate occurs in predictable and coordinated fashion and that timely appearance of lysosomes causing lysis of intervening epithelia is of great significance in normal palatogenesis.
Normal values for cardiac and great arterial dimensions in premature infants by cross-sectional echocardiography

The number of neonates who undergo intracardiac repair for congenital heart disease has increased in recent years. In considering appropriate surgical options in such circumstances, normal values for various cardiovascular dimensions are needed. We measured 19 parameters for the heart and great arteries (four valves, pulmonary tree, aortic arch, ascending and descending aorta, ventricular septum, left ventricular internal and posterior wall dimensions) using cross-sectional echocardiography in 55 premature and full-term infants (ranging in gestational age from 23 to 41 weeks, in body weight from 543 to 3966 g). The increase in each dimension correlated closely with body weight (r=0.62 to 0.87) and was found to follow a linear regression. The diameter of the isthmus was found to be smaller, and the size of mitral valve annulus larger, than previously published values.
International Community Organizing: Taking Power, Making Change, by Beck, D., & Purcell, R.

In a century in which the gap between haves and have-nots continues to deepen, community organizing remains a critical approach to building leadership, leveraging power, and developing resources to...
Could there be something rather than nothing

Abstract There is increasing evidence that the universe may have a small cosmological constant. We suggest a scheme for naturally generating a small cosmological constant. Our idea requires the presence of a discrete accidental symmetry which is spontaneously broken by vacuum expectation values of the fields, and explicitly broken by high dimensional operators in the Lagrangian.
A Method for Inferring Design Rules With Explicit Bounds of Applicability

We present a two-step technique for learning reusable design procedures from observations of a designer in action. This technique is intended for the domain of parametric design problems in which the designer iteratively adjusts the parameters of a design so as to satisfy the design requirements. In the first step of the two-step learning process, decision tree learning is used to infer rules that predict which design parameter the designer will change for any particular state of an evolving design. In the second step, decision tree learning is again used, but this time to learn explicit termination conditions for the rules learned in the first step. The termination conditions are used to predict how large of a parameter change should be made when a rule is applied. The learned rules, and termination conditions, can be used to automatically solve new design problems with a minimum of human intervention. Initial experiments with this technique suggest that it is considerably more efficient than the previous technique which was incapable of learning explicit rule termination conditions. In particular, the rule termination conditions allow a program to automatically solve new design problems with far fewer iterations than required with the previous approach.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A 65nm 2-Billion-Transistor Quad-Core Itanium® Processor

The next generation in the Itanium processor family is introduced. The processor has 4 dual-threaded cores integrated on die with a system interface and 30MB of cache in an 8M 65nm process. The 21.5times32.5mm2 die contains 2.05 billion transistors. The silicon is designed to operate the cores up to 2.0GHz and the system interface at 2.4GHz, with a thermal design power (TDP) of 170W at 110degC.
Implementation of fault-tolerant sequential circuits using programmable logic arrays

An efficient implementation procedure has been developed for the realization of sequential circuits using PLAs. The synthesis procedure is simple and based on a heuristic approach. Synchronous sequential circuits which have been widely used in digital computers over the years can be easily implemented in a single chip layout. One of the major advantages of this method is the reduction in chip area in terms of the fusible links blown to realize the state machine using PLAs. >
Purdue RVL-SLLL ASL database for automatic recognition of American Sign Language

This article reports on an extensive database of American Sign Language (ASL) motions, handshapes, words and sentences. Research on automatic recognition of ASL requires a suitable database for the training and the testing of algorithms. The databases that are currently available do not allow, for algorithmic development that requires a step-by-step approach to ASL recognition -from the recognition of individual hand-shapes, to the recognition of motion primitives, and, finally, to the recognition of full sentences. We have sought to remove these deficiencies in a new database - Purdue RVL-SLLL ASL database.
Shared borders: achieving the goals of interdisciplinary patient care

Definitions and components of interdisciplinary care, as well as means of implementing, reasons for adopting, and barriers to interdisciplinary care, are presented. A health care discipline is an area of knowledge and research that is critical to patient care. In multidisciplinary practice, each member of a clinical group practices with an awareness and tolerance of other disciplines. In interdisciplinary practice, members of a team actively coordinate care across disciplines. In an ideal interdisciplinary health care team, decisions are made by consensus and each discipline has an equal opportunity for input into decisions. To make the transition from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary practice, all disciplines, rather than representing freestanding silos, must have shared borders that represent a common professional interest and knowledge base. Such a practice model will lead to an increased level of trust among professions and a deeper level of understanding about what each profession can contribute. Barriers to interdisciplinary practice include historical factors such as different philosophies of practice and professional training, logistics of team implementation, and resource limitation. To facilitate interdisciplinary practice, pharmacists must be competent, understand what a team is, provide leadership, be prepared to help develop drug therapy outcome objectives, project self-confidence, and demonstrate a readiness for interdisciplinary practice. Interdisciplinary care must be applied in a cost-effective way. Interdisciplinary patient care must be taught in professional schools and postgraduate training programs. Interdisciplinary patient care requires common values, a common vision, and an understanding of teamwork with the ultimate goal of serving the patient with wisdom.
The critical temperatures and pressures of binary systems: Hydrocarbons of all types and hydrogen

A method of the prediction of the critical temperatures and pressures of mixtures has been developed, primarily on the basis of data for binary hydrocarbon systems available in the literature. These mixtures may contain aliphatic (normal paraffinic, isoparaffinic, and olefinic), naphthenic, and aromatic hydrocarbons as well as hydrogen. The mixtures may be of varying complexity, and, although this method has been tested chiefly on binary systems, it has been applied to a limited number of mixtures containing more than two components. This study introduces two dimensionless temperature parameters, γ and θ, which account for the composition of the mixture and for the nature of the components involved. These parameters are defined by the molar average boiling point, the boiling point, and the dew point, all at atmospheric pressure. For a given composition the ratios of the actual critical values to the pseudocritical values have been found to be functions of γ and θ. These relationships are presented graphically and permit the direct calculation of the critical temperature and pressure of the mixture. The validity of this method has been checked not only on the binary systems used to obtain these correlations but also on binary and ternary systems which have not been included in this development. Critical values for eighteen systems, consisting primarily of two components, have been calculated for ninety-six compositions and have been compared with the experimental values presented in the literature. For temperature the average absolute deviation has been found to be 0.76% (based on degrees Rankine) and for pressure, 2.7%. The results for the majority of these systems have been compared with values calculated by the methods of Eilerts et al. (4), Organick and Brown (15), Kurata and Katz (11), Mayfield (12), and Smith and Watson (23).
Krebs cycle metabolon: structural evidence of substrate channeling revealed by cross-linking and mass spectrometry.

It has been hypothesized that the high metabolic flux in the mitochondria is due to the self-assembly of enzyme supercomplexes (called metabolons) that channel substrates from one enzyme to another, but there has been no experimental confirmation of this structure or the channeling. A structural investigation of enzyme organization within the Krebs cycle metabolon was accomplished by in vivo cross-linking and mass spectrometry. Eight Krebs cycle enzyme components were isolated upon chemical fixation, and interfacial residues between mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and aconitase were identified. Using constraint protein docking, a low-resolution structure for the three-enzyme complex was achieved, as well as the two-fold symmetric octamer. Surface analysis showed formation of electrostatic channeling upon protein-protein association, which is the first structural evidence of substrate channeling in the Krebs cycle metabolon.
Reusable software components

This column consists of our yearly listing of sources for reusable software components. As always, no recommendation or guarantee by this column is implied.
Environmental control of whole-plant transpiration, canopy conductance and estimates of the decoupling coefficient for large red maple trees

There is a strong need to extend whole-tree measurements of sap flow into broad-leaved forests where characteristics of stand structure, surface roughness, leaf dimension, and aerodynamic and canopy conductance may interact to partially decouple the canopy from the atmosphere. The implications of this partial decoupling to understanding the environmental control of canopy transpiration and to the modeling of forest water use are many. Therefore, thermal dissipation probes were used over a three-month period (June through August, 1997) to quantify day-to-day and tree-to-tree variation in whole-tree sap flow (Q) for 12 red maple (Acerrubrum L.) trees growing in an upland oak forest of eastern Tennessee. Whole-tree Q was calculated as the product of measured sap velocity, sapwood area and the fraction of sapwood functional in water transport. Daily canopy transpiration (Ec) was calculated from whole-tree Q and projected crown area, whereas average daily conductance (gc) was derived by inverting the Penman–Monteith equation. Maximum Q averaged 73 kg per tree per day and varied between 45 and 160 kg per day for trees that ranged in stem diameter (DBH) from 17 to 35 cm, and from 19 to 26 m in height. Canopy transpiration peaked at 3.0 mm per day in early July and averaged 1.5 mm per day over the 3-month measurement period. Tree-to-tree variability for Ec was high. Maximum rates of Ec varied from 1.9 mm per day for the tree with the smallest projected crown area to 5.7 mm per day for one of the largest trees. Day-to-day variation in Ec was a function of daily differences in net radiation (Rn) and atmospheric humidity deficit (δe). Increases in daily Rn and δe led to linear increases in canopy transpiration and there was no indication that a plateau-style relationship existed between Ec and average daily δe. Mean daily gc ranged from 1.4 to 6.7 mm s−1, and averaged 3.4 mm s−1 across the 12 study trees. Some of the tree-to-tree variation observed for Ec and gc was related to the fact that not all trees occupied the same vertical position within the stand. Variation in estimates of the daily decoupling coefficient (0≤Ω≤1) was also considerable and for individual trees the seasonally-averaged Ω varied from 0.12 to 0.37, and averaged 0.23 for the 12 study trees. An Ω of this magnitude indicates that red maple canopies are partially decoupled from the atmosphere and suggests that significant vertical gradients of air temperature and δe from the canopy surface to the bulk air several meters above the canopy are possible. Model analysis of hourly data indicated that simulated surface temperatures in mid-July were 3.6–5.8°C higher than above-canopy reference temperatures, and δe at the canopy surface was 0.3 kPa higher than that of the bulk atmosphere. These calculations were partially supported by leaf-level measurements taken on one of the trees from a 20-m canopy-access tower. The implications of this partial decoupling to understanding and modeling the environmental control of canopy transpiration are discussed.
Hole Transport in Nanoscale p-type MOSFET SOI Devices with High Strain

In this paper, we quantify the relation of low lateral electric field hole mobility and channel strain to the virtual source velocity of nanoscale p-type SOI MOSFET devices with effective channel length from 35 to 50 nm and show strong correlation. The mobility is modified by the application of uniaxial compressive strain in the I GPa regime to the channel by employing two stressors-(1) embedded SiGe (eSiGe) at the source/drain areas and (2) compressive strain silicon nitride contact liner film. The corresponding changes in low-field mobility and saturation drain current are significant.
Automatically Getting Better

The Children’s National informatics and technology team built an electronic reporting tool which identifies adverse events occurring throughout their hospital based upon queries of their electronic health record (EHR) system, such as abnormal lab data (e.g. low glucose) or antidote medications prescribed in the event of a medical problem (e.g. Naloxone). This daily report, termed the Automated Adverse Event Detection (AAED), is monitored by a nurse who analyzes each abnormal item to determine its level of harm and whether it was preventable. The appropriate physicians and managers then study this information to determine how they can improve their processes and avoid similar adverse events in the future. The review team may include the clinicians involved with the event as well as “trigger-specific experts” (e.g. hypoglycemia cases are reviewed with endocrinologists, naloxone adverse events are reviewed with pain medicine experts).
On Holding the Situation: Parental Affect Tolerance, Limit Setting, and the Transition to Object Usage

The relationship between parental affect tolerance and a distinct form of parent-child interaction that is located at the relational contact boundary, the limit, between the child and the adult is examined. Through the presentation of a parent therapy case of a 13-year-old girl, the paper suggests emotional self-awareness as a crucial mediator in one's ability to set limits consistently and parent effectively. Effective limit setting is highlighted as the critical parental task involved in seeing a child through the developmental phase that Winnicott referred to as the transition from object relating to object usage. Clinical approaches utilized to support this developmental process are presented with the aim of integrating theory and practice.
Effect of nutrition on reproduction in llamas and alpacas

The role of nutrition, especially the role of energy and protein status, on reproductive performance of production animals has been well documented. Comparatively, there is a true paucity of literature regarding nutritional mediation of reproductive performance in llamas and alpacas. Following seasonal patterns of feed availability in South America, adverse effects of nutritional deprivation on reproductive performance are well recognized, suggesting similar nutrition-reproduction interrelationships. Camelids, with their unique metabolism, may have some peculiar interrelationships between reproduction and protein and phosphorus nutrition. This presentation will review basic issues of energy and protein nutrition relative to reproductive performance in llamas and alpacas, based primarily on hypotheses and extrapolation from other species. Opportunities for research on this topic will be discussed, including preliminary data from current research.
The nature of the RS-T segment displacement as studied with esophageal leads. III. the effects of digitalis.

The electrocardiographic changes, with particular reference to the RS-T segment and T wave, in surface leads and in esophageal leads reflecting left ventricular cavity potentials, are studied in 7 persons with and without heart disease, before and after the administration of digitoxin. After the administration of digitoxin, the RS-T segment depression in precordial leads and in esophageal leads reflecting the potentials of the posterior surface of the left ventricle, are regularly associated with RS-T segment elevation in esophageal leads reflecting left ventricular cavity potentials. The possible roles played by myocardial involvement due to digitalis, modification of the monophasic curves, and the reduction of the human ventricular gradient are discussed.
Variability of retinal steepness at the posterior pole in children 7-15 years of age.

Purpose. Considerable evidence suggests that both axial and peripheral refraction play important roles in eye growth control. The large variability in peripheral refraction seen in adults and children indicates that the peripheral retina is exposed to a wide range of refractive errors. The current lack of appropriate measurement techniques has hampered the determination of whether variability in peripheral refraction between individuals can be correlated with variability in retinal steepness. An Optical Low Coherence Reflectometer (OLCR) was developed to determine retinal steepness. Methods. Retinal steepness was assessed in right eyes of 63 children 7–15 years of age by measuring eye length (EL) and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) axially and at 15° temporally, nasally, inferiorly and superiorly with OLCR and Binocular Auto-Refractometry, respectively, during cycloplegia. At each peripheral location, relative peripheral EL and SER (i.e., the difference between peripheral and axial readings) were co...
Design and Performance of a Horizontal Mooring for Upper-Ocean Research

Abstract This paper describes the design and performance of a two-dimensional moored array for sampling horizontal variability in the upper ocean. The mooring was deployed in Massachusetts Bay in a water depth of 84 m for the purpose of measuring the horizontal structure of internal waves. The mooring was instrumented with three acoustic current meters (ACMs) spaced along a 170-m horizontal cable that was stretched between two subsurface buoys 20 m below the sea surface. Five 25-m-long vertical instrument strings were suspended from the horizontal cable. A bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) was deployed nearby to measure the current velocity throughout the water column. Pressure sensors mounted on the subsurface buoys and the vertical instrument strings were used to measure the vertical displacements of the array in response to the currents. Measurements from the ACMs and the ADCP were used to construct time-dependent, two-dimensional current fields. The current fields were used as in...
Pacemakers and Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

The case describes pacing abnormalities in a patient undergoing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). General principles and preoperative management of pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) are discussed.
The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche: Cell-Cell Interactions and Quiescence

Recently much progress has been made in describing the biology of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their interaction with various components of the niche in which they reside. These components, cellular and structural, have profound implications on HSC maintenance and quiescence. This chapter systematically reviews these interactions organized by cell type, niche component, or physiological condition. Cell type interactions are examined according to lineage such as endothelium, cells of mesenchymal origin (e.g. Nestin+ cells and osteoblasts [OBs]), and others (e.g. megakaryocytes [MKs] and non-myelinating Schwann cells). Physical niche components such as the extra cellular matrix proteins are also discussed, along with the chemical milieu. Finally, intrinsic regulators of HSC function are considered. This chapter is not intended to be an exhaustive account of HSC niche biology; however, relevant mechanistic information is included. Also, where appropriate, we draw special attention to niche cells and components with effects on HSC quiescence.
Morphologic changes in the ovaries of women treated with continuous microdose progestogens.

The gross appearance histologic pattern and function of the ovaries were studied in 11 women taking continuous microdose progestogens. 3 women received .35 mg/day norethindrone 4 received .3 mg/day quingestanol acetate and 4 were treated with .075 mg day norgestrel. Corpora lutea of normal size and histologically similar to those observed in untreated women were found in the ovaries of 6 women. Cystic corpora lutea were found in 3 subjects and a follicular cyst was observed in each of 2 patients. These observations would suggest that ovulation had occurred in 9 of the women. Increased plasma progesterone levels were found in all but 1 of the patients with normal or cystic corpora lutea although these levels were not as high a s those in untreated controls. Increased progesterone levels corpus luteum formation and apparent ovulation were observed in all subjects treated with quingestanol acetate. Corpora lutea were observed in 3 women taking norgestrel 2 of which showed a luteal phase rise in plasma progesterone. A cystic corpus luteum along with an increase in plasma progesterone levels was observed in 2 of the subjects receiving norethindrone. The results suggest that continuous microdose progestogens exert their contraceptive effect on the cervical mucus the endometrium and the secretory function of the corpus luteum.
Response to reviews of Frontiers of fear – immigration and insecurity in the United States and Europe

I am honoured that JEMS has chosen to focus on my work and privileged to have the opportunity to engage into a dialogue with three experts from varied backgrounds. When the focus is your own work, ...
Identifying HIF activity in three-dimensional cultures of islet-like clusters

Purpose Hypoxia is a major cause for failure of encapsulated islet grafts. Three-dimensional (3D) re-aggregation and hypoxic preconditioning are used to help overcome this obstacle. However, it is still difficult to identify hypoxic cells in a 3D system. We evaluate the efficacy of a fluorescent system for detecting HIF-1 activity in live β-cells. Identification of HIF-1 activity and correlation with insulin secretion and viability will allow for more informed implant construction and better prediction of post-transplantational function. Methods MIN6 cells were infected with the marker virus and rotationally cultured to form clusters. Clusters were encapsulated in PEG hydrogels and incubated in 20%, 2%, or 1% O2. Gels were imaged daily for hypoxia marker signaling and for morphological observation. Daily GSIS was quantified by insulin ELSIA and cell viability was assessed by LIVE/DEAD staining. Results Clusters cultured in 2% and 1% O2 displayed high levels of HIF activity compared to 20% O2 clusters. 20% O2 clusters maintained viability and achieved a smooth, islet-like morphology by Day 14. Clusters in 2% and 1% O2 failed to associate cohesively and showed reduced viability. As a whole, constructs cultured in 20% O2 exhibited 10-fold higher GSIS than constructs in 2% and 1% O2. Conclusions Our marker is an effective approach for identifying cellular hypoxia in 3D cultures. β-cell clusters in 2% and 1% O2 are similarly affected by reduced oxygen tension, with HIF-1 activity correlating to reduced GSIS and impaired cell/cluster morphology. Simultaneous aggregative culture and hypoxic conditioning may not be beneficial to β-cell transplantation.
Recent developments in colorectal imaging.

Purpose of review The aim of this review is to provide an update on important recent advances in radiologic colorectal imaging, with emphasis on detection, staging, and surveillance of colorectal neoplasia.
Electrophysiological properties of neurons in submucosal ganglia of guinea pig distal colon

Intracellular recording methods were used in vitro to study the electrophysiological behavior of neurons in ganglia of the submucosal plexus in the distal colon of the guinea pig. The results revealed subpopulations of submucosal ganglion cells that corresponded to the AH/type 2, S/type 1, type 3, and type 4 subpopulations found elsewhere in the intestine. Electrical behavior of colonic submucosal neurons differed from the myenteric plexus of the colon, rectum, and stomach and the small intestinal submucosal plexus mainly in the relative proportions of the different subpopulations. Regional differences in this respect may be a reflection of functional specialization in the diverse regions of the alimentary canal.
Practice patterns, attitudes, and activities of University of California Pharm.D. graduates

Graduates of the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Doctor of Pharmacy program from 1970 to 1981 were surveyed to determine their practice patterns, professional activities, and attitudes toward the profession of pharmacy. Of 1061 surveys mailed in September 1982, 752 (72%) were returned. A majority of respondents indicated that they would choose pharmacy as a profession again if starting over and that they would advise a friend to enter the profession. The private hospital setting was the practice site cited most frequently by respondents. Over one third of practicing pharmacists were actively enrolled in or had completed advanced pharmacy training. California was the practice location for 84% of respondents; only one third indicated that salary was very important or somewhat important in their decision to practice at their current location. A large percentage of respondents were involved in teaching, community service activities, and professional associations. Most entry-level UCSF Pharm.D. graduates are satisfied with their professional status and find opportunities for advancement.
Optimizing multi-channel health information delivery for behavioral change

The healthcare field is facing new challenges and opportunities with an upsurge of telehealth and remote monitoring solutions. Hospitals are working with the private industry to develop web-based solutions that augment primary care once patients leave the clinical setting. As technology enables healthcare to shift from treatment centers to home environments, new approaches are needed to tailor health-related content and delivery at the individual level. This paper presents methods for personalizing communications for a web-based behavioral change support system. Research has shown patients are more likely to continually use systems that present personally relevant content closely resembling traditional healthcare. We performed a two-part feasibility study to investigate the hypothesis that personalized content leads to higher continued use of a telehealth system. In the study, participants interacted with a web-based application that presents questions and information concerning exercise. Logistic regression and collaborative filtering were used to develop personalized content strategies for participants in the second part of the study. We successfully implemented the content strategies in an existing third-party software system, but the study was small and lacked proper power to draw significant, externally valid results.
Abstract 4511: Characterization of tumor neoantigen repertoire in patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations

Tumor neoantigens are peptides unique to the cancer genome that can induce endogenous T-cell activity and contribute to the efficacy of immunotherapy. We sought to characterize the neoantigen repertoire in 20 breast and 19 ovarian tumors from patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations. Loss of BRCA1/2 function leads to genomic instability and increased mutational burden, a key correlate with clinical benefit from immunotherapy. To determine patient class I Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) haplotypes, whole exome sequencing data were analyzed using OptiType. Class I HLA alleles were typed to four-digit accuracy and were used in the prediction of tumor neoantigens using NetCTLpan 1.1. Briefly, non-synonymous variants from tumor exome data were translated to peptides of length 15, 17, and 19 amino acids centered on the variant of interest, where NetCTLpan analyzed all 8-, 9-, and 10-mer amino acid substrings, respectively, within the peptide sequences to predict HLA allele-specific binding affinities. IC50 values, predicted probability of binding to the TAP transporter, and probability of C-terminal cleavage were used to prioritize candidate neoepitopes of interest. When considering peptides with a predicted affinity less than 500nM, the minimum criterion for a likely binding occurrence in vivo, neoantigen loads varied extensively across both breast and ovarian patients, ranging from a minimum of 10 predicted binders in patients with the lowest neo-antigen load to greater than 300 predicted binders in patients with the highest load (mean 87, std. dev. 71). 10 of 20 breast cancer patients and 13 of 19 ovarian cancer patients harbored a moderate neoantigen load of 50-150 predicted neoantigens. In comparison, tumor types with low neoantigen load (e.g. acute myeloid leukemia) and high neoantigen load (e.g. melanoma) exhibit 8 and 480 predicted neoantigens on average, respectively, consistent with their missense mutational burden. Positive correlates of neoantigen load in our studies included mutational burden (p Citation Format: Adam A. Kraya, Kara N. Maxwell, Brandon M. Wenz, Bradley Wubbenhorst, Daniel DeSloover, Nicole Lunceford, Jennifer D. Morrissette, Michael Feldman, Robert H. Vonderheide, Susan M. Domchek, Katherine L. Nathanson. Characterization of tumor neoantigen repertoire in patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4511.
Industry-Sponsored Clinical Research in Academia

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses and clarifies the various issues, and also focuses on models of institutional support for ISCR that would hopefully offer a win–win situation for all involved and at the same time advance science with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapies to improve patient care. The study briefly highlights the reasons why Academic Health Centers should participate in ISCR, and how they can support clinical research via the establishment of a Clinical Trials Center. The objectives of these centers are similar to those of the General Clinical Research Centers (GCRCs) but have a different organizational and financial structure. The participation of Academic Health Centers (AHCs) in industry-sponsored clinical trials is not without its challenges and controversies. Industry often judges AHCs to be overpriced and inefficient. The leadership of AHCs often perceives industry-sponsored clinical research (ISCR) to be second tier in its scientific importance compared to basic research, and is concerned that institutional resources might end up subsidizing ISCR. It also presents an approach to promote clinical research through the services provided by the CTCs; the most important of them is the availability of dedicated research personnel. This is a financially demanding and risky investment by the institution, but proven strategies for cost recovery are presented. Finally, it is also important to improve the efficiency of how clinical research is performed at academic institutions, in particular dealing with patient identification and enrollment. For this, IT solutions offer the best alternative.
Stars and Stellar Populations

Many of the previous chapters have dealt with stars of various kinds and with the mix of stars and interstellar material that makes up the stellar population of M31. This chapter looks at the remaining aspects of these subjects: ordinary stars in Andromeda and what they tell us about the population of stars in the galaxy.
Critical Literacy Performances in Online Literature Discussions

In today’s media-laden environment, the ability to read text from a critical literacy perspective is imperative, particularly for librarians who influence children’s reading choices and behaviors. This study examines the critical literacy performances of students in an online, asynchronous, graduate-level children’s literature course using a qualitative approach to content analysis. The findings indicate that students performed critical literacy in four ways: (1) they unpacked the social identities and norms evident in the books, (2) considered characters and events from multiple viewpoints, (3) interrogated issues of power, authority, and agency and (4) analyzed the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts of the books. While the findings reveal critical literacy can be enacted in the context of online courses, students’ critically literate thinking was sometimes limited and superficial, suggesting students’ understanding of critical literacy could be deepened with additional instruction and scaffolding.
Book Review of In Search of an Alternative Biopolitics: Anti-Bullfighting, Animality, and the Environment in Contemporary Spain // Reseña de In Search of an Alternative Biopolitics: Anti-Bullfighting, Animality, and the Environment in Contemporary Spain

Book review of In Search of an Alternative Biopolitics: Anti-Bullfighting, Animality, and the Environment in Contemporary Spain.Resumen Resena de In Search of an Alternative Biopolitics: Anti-Bullfighting, Animality, and the Environment in Contemporary Spain.
High Initiation of Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy Among Uninsured Stages I-III Breast Cancer Patients Treated in a Safety-Net Healthcare System.

Abstract Objective: Despite benefits of adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT), many eligible breast cancer patients do not complete therapy as recommended. Patterns of AHT use have not been well studied among uninsured breast cancer patients who fall into coverage gaps or are ineligible for public insurance programs. Methods: We identified 291 patients newly diagnosed with stages I–III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer from January 2008 to December 2012. All patients were treated at a safety-net healthcare system and enrolled in an income-based medical assistance program that fills AHT prescriptions at low cost. We extracted and linked cancer registry, pharmacy claims, and medical record data to assess AHT initiation (defined as a new AHT prescription ≤18 months since diagnosis) and sociodemographic and healthcare utilization variables. Log-binomial regression was used to identify correlates of initiation. Results: Overall, 239 (82%) patients initiated AHT. Tamoxifen (42%) and anastrozole (55%) were most ...
A DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA AND PUPA OF GLOSSOSOMA NIGRIOR BANKS (TRICHOPTERA: GLOSSOSOMATIDAE)

A general literature review and descriptions of the larva and the pupa of Glossosoma nigrior Banks are presented. A key to the species of Glossosoma larvae of eastern North America is also included.