cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ESR Studies on Hot-Wire Amorphous Silicon

The authors measure a series of hot-wire (HW) amorphous silicon films grown with hydrogen contents C{sub H} varying between 0.5--17 at.%. From constant photocurrent method (CPM) measurements and the steady-state photocarrier grating method (SSPG) they find good agreement with previous measurements on similar hot-wire films. Electron spin resonance measurements on the same samples, however, yield significantly higher spin densities than expected. A thickness series indicates a highly defective layer close to the substrate interface. They propose that this defective layer may be due to excessive out diffusion of hydrogen during growth at high temperatures, as seen by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. ESR measurements on light-degraded samples indicate an improved stability of samples with C{sub H} < 9 at.%.
Neural and Head Induction by Insulin-like Growth Factor Signals

Evidence is presented for a new pathway participating in anterior neural development. It was found that IGF binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5), as well as three IGFs expressed in early embryos, promoted anterior development by increasing the head region at the expense of the trunk in mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos. A secreted dominant-negative type I IGF receptor (DN-IGFR) had the opposite effect. IGF mRNAs led to the induction of ectopic eyes and ectopic head-like structures containing brain tissue. In ectodermal explants, IGF signals induced anterior neural markers in the absence of mesoderm formation and DN-IGFR inhibited neural induction by the BMP antagonist Chordin. Thus, active IGF signals appear to be both required and sufficient for anterior neural induction in Xenopus.
A Quantising Encoder

A device is described that converts voltages to digital form by means of a strategy basically faster than that used in the conventional trial encoder. A voltage corresponding to the contents of a 2n-bit register is obtained from the output of the digital-voltage decoder. The error between this voltage and the input voltage is quantized to the nearest power of two and subtracted from the contents of the register. Each time this process is repeated, the error is diminished. In all, n repetitions of the process are required to complete the encoding. An encoder operating according to this strategy has been built and makes a complete 8-bit conversion in 4, ?sec.
Picosecond Ultrasonics Studies of the Effect of Ion Implantation on Interfacial Bonding Between a thin Film and a Substrate

We have used picosecond ultrasonics to study the effects of ion irradiation on the interfacial bonding between gold films and a silicon substrate. Acoustic vibrations are excited in the metal film when a picosecond light pulse is absorbed. The rate at which these vibrations damp out via sound transmission across the interface into the substrate gives a measure of the adhesion of the film to the substrate. The films were irradiated with 2.5 MeV helium ions with doses between 7×1014 and 8×1016 ions cm−2. The adhesion, as measured by the rate of acoustic damping, was found to be significantly improved by the ion irradiation.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

As can be seen in the above chronology, pesticides have been a subject of legislation for a considerable time. The law reported here relates to pesticide registration, protection of the environment, control of the use of pesticides during food production and the health and safety of persons who apply them or otherwise may be exposed to them. It complements the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which is concerned with residues of pesticide chemicals remaining in or on foods after use in production. Discussion of pesticides is deferred to Chapter 44 so the two acts may be viewed together.
Macrophage-Silicone Interactions in Women with Breast Prostheses

In order for silicone from breast implants to have an effect on the immune system, it must be demonstrated that cells with the potential for immune system function have access to silicone. It had long been thought that the fibrous capsule surrounding breast prostheses functioned as an effective barrier between the biomaterial and the host. Implants that ruptured were thought to be innocuous to the host as long as the fibrous tissue capsule surrounding the implant was intact. This was termed “contained rupture.” Thus, the capsule was thought to prevent the egress of foreign material (Bingham et al. 1988)
The Global Credit Crisis: Why Have Australian Banks Been So Remarkably Resilient?

This paper identifies a number of key factors that explain the remarkable resilience of the Australian banking sector in the face of the Global Financial Crisis, with a view to gleaning lessons for other countries' banking systems. It is argued that in Australia a culture of prudent lending prevails: banks are soundly capitalised, with a well-diversified and stable funding base, and with a track record of healthy profitability. The industry is independently recognised for its sound corporate governance, and official oversight of banks is diligent. Importantly, the separation of commercial banking from social-assistance policy has been maintained, unlike in the US.
The Roles of Cigarette Smoking and the Lung in the Transitions Between Phases of Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis

While the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains to be fully elucidated, recent research has advanced the understanding of RA pathogenesis to the point where clinical trials for RA prevention are underway. The current paradigm for RA pathogenesis is that individuals progress through distinct preclinical phases prior to the onset of clinically apparent RA. These preclinical RA phases consist of genetic risk, local inflammation, presence of RA-related autoantibodies, asymptomatic systemic inflammation, and early non-specific symptoms prior to clinical seropositive RA. Epidemiologic studies have been important in forming hypotheses related to the biology occurring in preclinical RA. Specifically, studies associating cigarette smoking with overall RA risk as well as transitions between phases of preclinical RA were vital in helping to establish the lung as a potential important initiating site in the pathogenesis of seropositive RA. Herein, we review the epidemiology associating smoking with transitions in preclinical phases of RA as well as the recent literature supporting the lung as a critical site in RA pathogenesis.
On the impact of isomer structure and packing disorder in thienoacene organic semiconductors

Many high performing organic semiconductor materials contain heteroaromatic rings in order to control the molecular packing and material electronic properties. Here we use a combination of density functional theory and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory calculations to explore the intermolecular noncovalent interactions, which guide solid-state molecular packing, and electronic couplings in a series of benzodithiophene-based dimer models. A novel concept, termed the disordermer, is introduced to delineate how the reduced molecular symmetry of benzodithiophene, when compared to the more highly symmetric anthracene molecule, can present intermolecular isomerism in the solid state that results in a wide range of available molecular packing arrangements that in turn influence the magnitudes of the electronic couplings. The insight developed through the investigation of these disordermers is demonstrated to hold important implications in the design of new generations of organic semiconductor materials.
A clinical laboratory paradigm for evaluating medication effects on alcohol consumption: naltrexone and nalmefene.

A Clinical Laboratory Paradigm for Evaluating Medication Effects on Alcohol Consumption: Naltrexone and Nalmefene
The Impact of Pubescent Wheat on the Population Dynamics of the Cereal Leaf Beetle

Field plots of pubescent wheat, variety Vel (CI 15890), were planted near plots of susceptible Genesee wheat (CI 12653) and plots of various mixtures of the 2 seeds to evaluate the effects on field populations of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.) and its larval parasites. Results indicate that beetles oviposit less on the pubescent wheat than on the Genesee in both pure and mixed plots. Cereal leaf beetles exhibit density dependence in within-generation survival in both Vel and Genesee wheat, and when this density dependence is taken into account, pubescent wheat makes no difference in within-generation survival. Plots of 100% Vel caused a reduction of 83.2% in the total seasonal density of cereal leaf beetle larvae compared to the plots of 100% Genesee wheat. Mixed plots with 9:1, 1:1, and 1:9 ratios of Vel to Genesee seed caused similar reductions of 74.4, 47.5 and 1.3%, respectively. No direct effects attributable to the pubescent wheat were observed on any of the 3 larval parasites Tetrastichus julis (Walker), Lemophagus curtus Townes, and Diaparsus n. sp.
A path planning method for virtual object interaction process based on interaction feature pair

In order to reduce the human-machine operations during the virtual object's interaction process in virtual environment, and to make the process more automated and intelligent, a path planning method based on interaction feature pair for interaction process has been proposed. Firstly, the interaction feature pair has been used to characterize individual structural correlation between virtual objects. The interaction process can be defined as discrete interaction states according to the matching order of interaction feature pairs, and the method which uses discrete state nodes to represent the path during the virtual object's interaction process has been established. Then,taking the interactive state nodes as the guided nodes for the path, optimum path planning has been achieved by combining with the method of rapidly-exploring random trees. Finally, this path planning method has been applied in the field of digital assembly simulation, and an example has been given to prove the validity.
Pediatric bone marrow transplants : psychological aspects

On a pediatric bone marrow transplant unit, hematologistoncologists, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others on the team deal with children and adolescents whose cancers ar...
Improved Mechanical Survival With Revised Modelinflatable Penile Prosthesis Using Rear-tip Extenders

AbstractDuring an 18-month period 102 men with erectile impotence received a revised model inflatable penile prosthesis with rear-tip extenders. In this group there was 1 mechanical failure of the cylinder (1 per cent) compared to 5 mechanical failures of the cylinders (8 per cent) in a group of 63 men who did not receive the rear-tip extenders in the last 18 months. The group that received rear-tip extenders had a total mechanical complication rate of 4 per cent compared to 13 per cent in the group that did not receive the rear-tip extenders.
Transmission of cancer with donor organs

Tumor transplantation in animals is an important field of cancer research. Inbred strains frequently are used to avoid histocompatibility differences between the donor of the cancer cells and the recipient, as these will cause rejection of the grafts. Where incompatibility exists it is necessary to use a modified recipient animal, either a congenitally immunodeficient one such as the ‘nude’ mouse which will even accept xenografts of human cancer cells, or one that has been made immunodeficient by immunosuppressive therapy.
Benchmarking of Mask Fracturing Heuristics

Aggressive resolution enhancement techniques such as inverse lithography (ILT) often lead to complex, nonrectilinear mask shapes which make mask writing extremely slow and expensive. To reduce shot count of complex mask shapes, mask writers allow overlapping shots, due to which the problem of fracturing mask shapes with minimum shot count is NP-hard. The need to account for e-beam proximity effect makes mask fracturing even more challenging. Although a number of fracturing heuristics have been proposed, there has been no systematic study to analyze the quality of their solutions. In this paper, we first propose a method to generate tight upper and lower bounds for actual ILT mask shapes by formulating mask fracturing as an integer linear program and solving it using branch and price. Since the integer program requires significant computational resources to compute reasonable bounds, we propose a new method to generate benchmarks with known optimal solutions, that can be used to evaluate the suboptimality of mask fracturing heuristics. To make the generated benchmark shapes realistic, we further propose a novel automated benchmark generation method that takes any ILT shape as input and returns a benchmark shape which looks similar to the input shape and for which the optimal fracturing solution is known. Using these methods, we compare the suboptimality of four mask fracturing heuristics. Our results show that even a state-of-the-art prototype (version of) capability within a commercial EDA tool for e-beam mask shot decomposition can be suboptimal by as much as $ {2.6\times }$ for real ILT shapes and by $ {6.0\times }$ for generated benchmarks.
Learning Along Lines: Locative Literacies for Reading and Writing the City

The “everyware” paradigm opens up new possibilities for learning on-the-move with technologies through urban spaces while also raising questions about emerging literacies required of users to understand and use the digital traces these technologies generate. This article develops locative literacies as a way of understanding place-based, digital modes of reading and writing different representational forms at the scale of the city. I explore a new analytic unit, learning along lines, as a tool for supporting the design and analysis of learning contexts where the leading mode of engagement for young learners was physical and digital mobility through the city. Learning along lines emerged from a design study in which youth produced counter-maps of their neighborhood to share with city stakeholders. Using a spatiotemporal framewo rk, I analyze youth learning locative literacies along lines they made of their neighborhood through a designed task, global positioning system (GPS) drawing. First, I focus on youn...
Frontiers in sperm function testing: DNA fragmentation analysis shows promise.

While semen analysis (SA) remains a cornerstone test in the evaluation of the infertile male, it is at best only a crude indication of fertility potential. Semen analyses classify infertile men based on the kind and degree of spermatogenic failure but do little to predict how well a sperm will function in vitro or in vivo . More importantly, men with normal semen analysis parameters can be infertile and vice a versa. Accordingly, sperm function tests were developed to address these clinical shortcomings of SA.
Abstract 4413: Targeting glutamine metabolism in MUC1 expressing triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15-25% of all breast cancer cases and has an increased incidence of metastasis, high recurrence within 1-3 years and a high mortality rate. Therefore, identifying factors that facilitate tumor growth and metastasis have the potential to serve as novel molecular targets for breast cancer therapy. Mucin1 (MUC1), a glycoprotein associated with chemoresistance, is aberrantly overexpressed in TNBC and facilitates growth and metastasis of TNBC cells. Recent studies suggest a role for MUC1 in modulating cancer cell metabolism to support tumor growth. In the present study we examined the role that MUC1 plays in TNBC tumor metabolism; thus facilitating tumor growth. Our results indicate that MUC1 expression facilitates glutamine metabolism. A correlation between MUC1 expression, glutamine dependency, and amino-oxyacetate (AOA) sensitivity was established. These alterations can be attributed in part to alterations in the expression of genes regulating glutamine metabolism. Collectively, these findings suggest that MUC1 serves as a metabolic regulator in TNBC, facilitating metabolic reprogramming of glutamine that influences growth of TNBC. Additionally, the findings with AOA’s effectiveness provide evidence for potential therapeutic utility, particularly for MUC1 overexpressing TNBC. Citation Format: Gennifer D. Goode, Venugopal Gunda, Pankaj Singh. Targeting glutamine metabolism in MUC1 expressing triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4413. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4413
TRICOM Poxviral-Based Vaccines for the Treatment of Cancer

TRICOM poxviral-based vaccines are novel “off-the-shelf” agents designed to generate a robust immune response against tumor-associated antigens, which are commonly expressed on tumor cells. In this chapter, we elucidate the science behind the development and use of these vaccines. We also highlight the results of preclinical and clinical trials of these vaccines and the potential benefits of combining them with standard-of-care chemotherapy and other immunotherapies.
Complex Case: In-Stent Restenosis

A 51-year-old man with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy (LVEF 25%) and known coronary artery disease with prior RCA stenting is referred for angiography for high-risk non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. He was found to have severe in-stent restenosis, which was treated with rotational atherectomy. This case demonstrates rotational atherectomy as one modality that can be used to treat severe in-stent restenosis.
Widespread theta synchrony and high-frequency desynchronization underlies enhanced cognition.

The idea that synchronous neural activity underlies cognition has driven an extensive body of research in human and animal neuroscience. Yet, insufficient data on intracranial electrical connectivity has precluded a direct test of this hypothesis in a whole-brain setting. Through the lens of memory encoding and retrieval processes, we construct whole-brain connectivity maps of fast gamma (30–100 Hz) and slow theta (3–8 Hz) spectral neural activity, based on data from 294 neurosurgical patients fitted with indwelling electrodes. Here we report that gamma networks desynchronize and theta networks synchronize during encoding and retrieval. Furthermore, for nearly all brain regions we studied, gamma power rises as that region desynchronizes with gamma activity elsewhere in the brain, establishing gamma as a largely asynchronous phenomenon. The abundant phenomenon of theta synchrony is positively correlated with a brain region’s gamma power, suggesting a predominant low-frequency mechanism for inter-regional communication. Synchronous neural activity is related with memory encoding and retrieval, but it is not clear whether this happens across the whole brain. Here, authors use intracranial recordings to show that gamma networks are largely asynchronous, desynchronizing while theta synchronizes during memory encoding and retrieval.
Controlling and patterning the effective magnetization in Y3Fe5O12 thin films using ion irradiation

We report an approach to controlling the effective magnetization (Meff), a combination of the saturation magnetization and uniaxial anisotropy, of the ferrimagnet Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) using different species of ions: He+ and Ga+. The effective magnetization can be tuned as a function of the fluence, with He + providing the largest effect. We quantified the change in effective magnetization through an angular dependence of the ferromagnetic resonance before and after irradiation. Increases in 4πMeff were observed to be as much as 400 G with only a 15% increase in Gilbert damping, α (from 8.2e-4 to 9.4e-4). This result was combined with a method for accurate ion pattering, a focused ion beam, providing a mechanism for shaping the magnetic environment with submicron precision. We observe resonance modes localized by ion patterning of micron-sized dots, whose resonances match well with micromagnetic simulations. This technique offers a flexible tool for precision nanoscale control and characterization of the magnet...
Effect of temperature on bacterial gellan production

The effect of temperature on the production of the polysaccharide gellan by the bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis ATCC 31461 was studied in relation to carbon source. When glucose served as the carbon source, gellan formation by the strain was highest after 72 h of growth at an incubation temperature of 30–31 °C. Polysaccharide production by the sphingomonad cells grown on corn syrup for 72 h was maximal at an incubation temperature of 31 °C. The highest cellular productivity in elaborating gellan was observed at 31 °C after 72 h of growth independent of the carbon source utilized.
Motivational Effects in So-Called Tests of Ability and Educational Achievement

The title identifies a confrontation between two ways of thinking about the very same behavioral phenomena that has been going on for some time. But now motivational psychology has caught up with test theory in the clarity, completeness, and coherence of a mathematical model of motivation and action called the dynamics of action (Atkinson & Birch, 1970, 1974, 1978). The next decade should produce a new understanding of the proper relationship between test theory, which is grounded in statistical considerations, and the new theory of motivation, which is grounded in more than a quarter of a century of research on the problem and psychological considerations.
The Systematicity Arguments Applied to Connectionism

In Chapters 3 through 6, we saw how a range of systematicity and productivity arguments might be deployed against a Pure Atomist theory of cognitive representations that assumes the Computational Theory of the Attitudes. This gave us some familiarity with the explananda, the explanatory standard that appears to be at work in the arguments, and how one might meet some of the possible objections to these. The aim of the present chapter, however, is to show how the systematicity and productivity arguments can be applied to Connectionism. We will consider, first, a very simple Connectionist network described by David Chalmers, (1990), then a more complex network described by Robert Hadley and Michael Hayward, (1997). Of central importance will be showing how the explanatory principle that is involved in the systematicity arguments bears on Connectionism. What makes it so important to note this explanatory principle is the sheer difficulty of coming up with a Connectionist model that can even display any form of systematicity. This difficulty makes it hard to take notice of the still more difficult challenge of explaining the systematic relations in thought to a higher standard.
Vision loss with pembrolizumab treatment: A report of two cases.

BackgroundVision loss and other ocular toxicities are rare, but detrimental, side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein, we report two patients who developed vision loss while on pembroli...
US State Regulation of Decisions for Pregnant Women Without Decisional Capacity.

This study characterizes the prevalence and content of US state statutes governing treatment decisions for decisionally incapacitated pregnant women.
Computations of quandle 2-cocycle knot invariants without explicit 2-cocycles.

We explore a knot invariant derived from colorings of corresponding 1-tangles with arbitrary connected quandles. When the quandle is an abelian extension of a certain type the invariant is equivalent to the quandle 2-cocycle invariant. We construct many such abelian extensions using generalized Alexander quandles without explicitly finding 2-cocycles. This permits the construction of many 2-cocycle invariants without exhibiting explicit 2-cocycles. We show that for connected generalized Alexander quandles the invariant is equivalent to Eisermann’s knot coloring polynomial. Computations using this technique show that the 2-cocycle invariant distinguishes all of the oriented prime knots up to 11 crossings and most oriented prime knots with 12 crossings including classification by symmetry: mirror images, reversals, and reversed mirrors.
New Symmetry-Adapted ab initio Approach to Nuclear Reactions for Intermediate-mass Nuclei

With a view toward describing reactions of intermediate-mass nuclei from first principles, we present first results for the norm and Hamiltonian overlaps (kernels) for the p-α, p-16O, and p-20Ne cluster systems using realistic nucleon–nucleon interactions. This is achieved in the framework of a new ab initio approach that combines the symmetry-adapted no-core shell model (SA-NCSM) with the resonating group method (RGM). In this model, a physically relevant basis based on the SU(3) symmetry is used. The structure of the clusters is provided by the ab initio SA-NCSM, which enables the description of spatially enhanced nuclear configurations and heavier nuclei, by exploiting symmetries known to dominate in nuclei. Here, we discuss the applicability and efficacy of this approach.
Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional-Bioprinted Model for In Vitro Analysis and Treatment Planning of Pulmonary Artery Atresia in Tetralogy of Fallot and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries.

Background Tetralogy of Fallot with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries is a heterogeneous form of pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis that requires multiple forms of intervention. We present a pat...
Public perception of predictive cancer genetic testing and research in Oregon.

The potential for using widespread genetic testing to inform health care has become a viable option, particularly for heritable cancers. Yet, little is known about how to effectively communicate the benefits and risks of both personal genetic testing and participation in biorepositories that aid scientific advancements. Nationwide efforts are engaging communities in large genetic studies to better estimate the population-wide prevalence of heritable cancers but have been met with hesitance or declination to participate in some communities. To successfully engage an Oregon population in longitudinal research that includes predictive genetic testing for pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants associated with an increased risk for cancer, researchers conducted 35 focus groups (two of which were held in Spanish) in 24 of Oregon's 36 counties to better understand knowledge and attitudes related to genetic testing and willingness to participate in longitudinal genetic research. A total of 203 adults (mean = 45.6 years; range 18-88), representing a range of education levels and prior knowledge of genetic research, participated in the focus groups. The majority (85%) of participants reported personal or family diagnoses of cancer (e.g., self, family, friends). A majority (87%) also reported a strong interest in cancer genetic testing and receiving genetic information about themselves. Nearly all focus groups (94%, 33 of 35 sites) included participant discussion citing their families (e.g., children, close relatives, and extended family members) as key motivators for participation in genetic research. For example, participants reported interest in increasing personal knowledge about their own and their families' cancer risks in order to respond proactively, if a pathogenic variant was found. While most focus groups (94%, 33 of 35 sites) included participant discussion describing barriers to predictive genetic, testing such as concerns about outcomes, the desire to learn about health risks in oneself mitigated or outweighed those fears for many participants. Other commonly reported concerns were related to potential mistrust of insurance companies, researchers, or institutions, or lack of knowledge about genetics, genetic testing, or genetic research. Participants, particularly in rural areas, highlighted critical factors for research recruitment, such as trust, personal interaction, public education about genetic research, and clear communication about study goals and processes. Our statewide findings reflect that public interest in predictive cancer genetic testing and cancer genetic research can surpass lack of knowledge of the complex topics, particularly when benefits for self and family are emphasized and when study considerations are well articulated.
Studies on Pure Red Cell Aplasia. XI. Results of Immunosuppressive Treatment of 37 Patients

Thirty-seven patients with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) were seen between 1966 and 1982. Ten patients had accompanying diseases described in association with PRCA, while the remainder had primary PRCA. All but two patients were treated with some form of immune manipulation, including corticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs, antithymocyte globulin, splenectomy, thymectomy, and plasmapheresis. Twenty-three patients (66%) had a remission induced by immunosuppression. In addition, there were 5 spontaneous remissions (14%). Cytotoxic drugs administered in combination with corticosteroids were the most effective form of treatment, producing 18/32 remissions (56%). Twelve of these remissions were in patients resistant to corticosteroids or in patients who had relapsed while taking them. Thirteen of the 23 patients in whom remissions were induced and one-fifth of the patients with spontaneous remissions have relapsed to date. However, with additional treatment, a second remission was induced in 10/13. Fifty-four percent of the patients with induced remissions remained transfusion-free during most of the follow-up period. Median survival in patients with primary PRCA was greater than 10 yr, whereas in patients with secondary PRCA, it was 4 yr. Infection was a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study demonstrates the value of a variety of immunosuppressive treatments of patients with PRCA.
Exercise protects against cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory arthritis impacting primarily joints and cardiac and skeletal muscle. RA's distinct impact on cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue is suggested by studies showing that new RA pharmacologic agents strongly improve joint inflammation, but have little impact on RA-associated mortality, cardiovascular disease, and sarcopenia. Thus, the objective is to understand the distinct effects of RA on cardiac and skeletal muscle, and to therapeutically target these tissues through endurance-based exercise as a way to improve RA mortality and morbidity. We utilize the well-characterized RA mouse model, the K/BxN mouse, to investigate cardiac and skeletal muscle pathologies, including the use of wheel-running exercise to mitigate these pathologies. Strikingly, we found that K/BxN mice, like patients with RA, also exhibit both cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathies that were correlated with circulating IL-6 levels. Three months of wheel-running exercise significantly improved K/BxN joint swelling and reduced systemic IL-6 concentrations. Importantly, there were morphological, gene expression, and functional improvements in both the skeletal muscle and cardiac myopathies with exercise. The K/BxN mouse model of RA recapitulated important RA clinical comorbidities, including altered joint, cardiac and skeletal muscle function. These morphological, molecular, and functional alterations were mitigated with regular exercise, thus suggesting exercise as a potential therapeutic intervention to lessen disease activity in the joint and the peripheral tissues, including the heart and skeletal muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY RA, even when controlled, is associated with skeletal muscle weakness and greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Using exercise as a therapeutic against, the progression of RA is often avoided due to fear of worsening RA pathology. We introduce the K/BxN mouse as an RA model to study both myocardial and skeletal muscle dysfunction. We show that endurance exercise can improve joint, cardiac, and skeletal muscle function in K/BxN mice, suggesting exercise may be beneficial for patients with RA.
Human iPSC modeling of heart disease for drug development

Summary Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have emerged as a promising platform for pharmacogenomics and drug development. In cardiology, they make it possible to produce unlimited numbers of patient-specific human cells that reproduce hallmark features of heart disease in the culture dish. Their potential applications include the discovery of mechanism-specific therapeutics, the evaluation of safety and efficacy in a human context before a drug candidate reaches patients, and the stratification of patients for clinical trials. Although this new technology has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery, translational hurdles have hindered its widespread adoption for pharmaceutical development. Here we discuss recent progress in overcoming these hurdles that should facilitate the use of hiPSCs to develop new medicines and individualize therapies for heart disease.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice: Impact on Emergency Department Blood Culture Contamination.

Purpose/objectives Blood culture collection is a common procedure performed in emergency departments. Rate of blood culture contamination is a metric that is tracked by organizations to ensure appropriate treatment for patients suspected of having bacteremia and ensure appropriate use of hospital resources. A team of nurses and technicians undertook a quality improvement project to decrease blood culture contamination rates in a suburban emergency department. Description of the project The project included use of standardized blood culture collection kits, creation of a dedicated collection team, and implementation of a new blood culture collection device. Outcome Through this work, blood culture contamination rates decreased from greater than 3.0% to less than 1.5% consistently for nearly 24 months. Conclusions Providing feedback and continued monitoring has made this quality improvement initiative a success for the department and the organization and has resulted in cost savings of nearly 2 million dollars.
[Infant mortality and its leading causes in Sichuan province, from 2001 to 2009].

Objective To study the trend of infant mortality and the leading cause of the deaths in Sichuan province from 2001 to 2009.Methods Data presented in this report was obtained from the child mortality surveillance network with target population as children under 5 years of age.Rates on infant mortality,neonatal mortality and indirect estimation of infant mortality were calculated.Results The neonatal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in Sichuan dropped from 18.6,25.5 in 2001 to 7.6,12.1 per 1000 live birth in 2009,with rates of decline as 59.1% and 35.0%,from 2001 to 2009.In urban areas of Sichuan,the neonatal and infant mortality rates dropped from 4.7,7.5 in 2001 to 3.7 and 6.5 per 1000 live birth in 2009,with the rates of decline as 22.3% and 13.1%.In the rural areas of Sichuan,the neonatal and infant mortality rates dropped from 25.2 and 34.0 in 2001 to 9.6,14.3 per 1000 live birth in 2009,with rates of decline as 62.0%,57.9% from 2001to 2009.Conclusion In both urban and rural areas,the neonatal and infant mortality rates had decreased drastically from 2001 to 2009,due to the decrease of avoidable deaths as pneumonia and diarrhea in infants. Key words: Infant; Mortality; Cause of death
Super-Eddington Sources in Galaxies

Imaging X-ray observations have resolved X-ray sources in many nearby ‘normal’ galaxies. These sources are associated with different galaxian component, including: bulge and globular clusters(LMXB, e.g. in M31); the disk/arm component (LMXB, HMXB, SNR, SN, ISM shells); and low-luminosity AGN (see reviews in Fabbiano 1989; 1995; 1996). A number of these sources have X-ray luminosities in excess of the Eddington luminosity for 1 M⊙ accreting object (∼ 1.3 x 1038ergs s−1), and have been called Super-Eddington sources. Nearly 100 Super-Eddington sources have been reported so far, based on Einstein and ROSAT images (see Fabbiano 1989; 1995; 1996; Makishiina 1994). The number of these sources increases with the maximum distance of the galaxy sample considered (e.g. Read et al 97). This is in part due to confusion, but it is also true that considering the larger sample of galaxies one obtains in a larger volume of space the amount of these relatively rare sources would increase as well.
Suppressed pulmonary innate immune responses after burn injury are regulated by mTOR (INM7P.429)

Severe trauma, such as burn injury, leads to metabolic and immune dysregulation often resulting in overwhelming bacterial pulmonary infection. Neutrophils accumulate in the lung and exhibit decreased oxidative burst late after injury, which may lead to susceptibility to infection. Substrates of the mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR), a key kinase in metabolic signaling, have been implicated in neutrophil trafficking and oxidative burst. We hypothesize that mTOR regulates the innate immune response after burn injury. Mice received a 20% total body surface area burn, and half of the burned mice were treated 5 times per week with Rapamycin to inhibit mTOR. After 14 days we assayed the bactericidal response of pulmonary neutrophils by quantifying dihydrorhodamine (DHR) oxidation. While mTOR inhibition did not impact the number of pulmonary neutrophils, oxidative burst was increased compared to untreated burn mice (DHR mean fluorescence intensity, untreated=56.42; Rapamycin=92.29; p<0.05, n=5). Following pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa , neutrophil oxidative burst was decreased by Rapamycin treatment, corresponding to a 10-fold increase in bacterial load compared to untreated mice. These data suggest that mTOR plays a central role in regulating bactericidal oxidative burst by neutrophils after trauma. We propose that metabolic regulators may be relevant targets to improve innate immune function and consequently infection clearance in burn patients.
Quantification of gross tumour volume changes between simulation and first day of radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced malignancies of the lung and head/neck.

Introduction To quantify changes in gross tumour volume (GTV) between simulation and initiation of radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced malignancies of the lung and head/neck. Methods Initial cone beam computed tomography (CT) scans from 12 patients with lung cancer and 12 with head/neck cancer (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy with image guidance were rigidly registered to the simulation CT scans. The GTV was demarcated on both scans. The relationship between percent GTV change and variables including time interval between simulation and start, tumour (T) stage, and absolute weight change was assessed. Results For lung cancer patients, the GTV increased a median of 35.06% (range, −16.63% to 229.97%) over a median interval of 13 days (range, 7–43), while for HNSCC patients, the median GTV increase was 16.04% (range, −8.03% to 47.41%) over 13 days (range, 7–40). These observed changes are statistically significant. The magnitude of this change was inversely associated with the size of the tumour on the simulation scan for lung cancer patients (P 0.1). Conclusion While the observed changes in GTV were moderate from the time of simulation to start of radiotherapy, these findings underscore the importance of image guidance for target localisation and verification, particularly for smaller tumours. Minimising the delay between simulation and treatment initiation may also be beneficial.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Successfully Treated With Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and Cidofovir in an Adolescent Infected With Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is an infectious demyelinating brain disease caused by the JC virus that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host. We report a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy successfully treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy and cidofovir in an adolescent patient perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ( J Child Neurol 2004;19:35—38).
Assessment and Learning of Qualitative Physics in Newton's Playground

This study investigated the learning and assessment efficacy of a physics video game we developed called Newton’s Playground. 165 8th and 9th graders played Newton’s Playground for roughly five hours. Findings include significant pre-post physics gains and notable correlations between performance in Newton’s Playground and physics pretest knowledge. Suggestions are given on how to develop assessments in video games to enhance learning.
Atomic structure of thymidylate synthase: target for rational drug design

The atomic structure of thymidylate synthase from Lactobacillus casei was determined at 3 angstrom resolution. The native enzyme is a dimer of identical subunits. The dimer interface is formed by an unusual association between five-stranded beta sheets present in each monomer. Comparison of known sequences with the Lactobacillus casei structure suggests that they all have a common core structure around which loops are inserted or deleted in different sequences. Residues from both subunits contribute to each active site. Two arginine side chains can contribute to binding phosphate on the substrate. The side chains of several conserved amino acids can account for other determinants of substrate binding.
Hydrogen-induced reconstruction on a high step density W(001) surface☆

The hydrogen-induced reconstruction on a high step density W(001) crystal, (2×2)R45°-H, with steps oriented parallel to the [110] and ∼ 28 A average terrace width has been investigated using LEED symmetry, beam shape analyses, and EELS. The symmetry of the LEED pattern is observed to change from p2mg for the (2×2)R45° clean surface reconstruction to c2mm for the commensurate phase (2×2)R45°-H reconstruction. Correspondingly, the shapes of the half-order beams indicate that the hydrogen-induced reconstruction domains are much less elongated than the clean surface domains. A splitting of each half-order beam into four beams at higher exposures indicates the existence of two domains of the incommensurate phase. A commensurate phase v1 vibrational loss peak centered at 160 meV in the EELS spectrum broadens on the low-energy side during the incommensurate phase and then shifts toward 130 meV and narrows as the (1×1)-H saturation structure develops. These observations imply that there is no long-range inhibition ( ∼ 20 A) to the formation of either commensurate or incommensurate phase; hydrogen induces a switching of the atomic displacements from 〈110〉 directions on a clean surface to 〈100〉 directions, even with steps oriented parallel to the [110]; and in the incommensurate phase there is a distribution of hydrogen site geometries with the most probable geometry more like the commensurate phase geometry than the saturation phase geometry.
Subungual melanoma: management considerations

Abstract Background Patients with subungual melanoma (SM) often experience delayed diagnosis and present with deep primary lesions. Breslow depth of the primary lesion is often unknown before definitive resection, thus complicating treatment planning. Methods Patients with SM treated at our institution from 1992 to 2004 were identified from our prospective melanoma database. Clinical and pathologic factors were reviewed; Student t test and Kaplan-Meier method were used for statistical analysis. Results Forty-nine patients were identified; most were female (63%). The median age was 66 years (range 24 to 83). The most common site was the great toe (n = 21), followed by the thumb (n = 15). Eight patients had in situ disease; 6 were treated initially with wide local excision, and 4 of these eventually required amputation. The median Breslow depth of invasive lesions was 2.1 mm (range .2 to 11). Toe lesions were thicker than finger lesions (mean 3.5 vs 2.5 mm, P = .005). Patients with invasive SM of the toe had a less favorable outcome than those with finger lesions (5-year overall survival 40% vs 72%, respectively; P = .05). Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was performed in 30 patients and was positive in 5 (17%); all underwent completion lymphadenectomy. Median Breslow depth in patients with positive SLN was 4 mm (range 1.2 to 11). Four of 5 patients with positive SLN developed recurrence (median 16 months); 3 patients died of disease within 40 months. Conclusions Patients with SM present distinct therapeutic challenges. They continue to present with deep primary melanoma, particularly on the toe. Undertreatment of early disease is associated with local recurrence.
Pig brain aldose reductase: purification, significance of the amino acid composition, substrate specificity and mechanism.

Abstract 1. 1. Pig brain aldose reductase (ALR2, EC 1.1.1.21) has been purified from fresh tissue with a ∼60% improvement in specific activity over an acetone-powder preparation. 2. 2. Dead-end inhibition and alternate substrate studies rule out an iso Theorell-Chance mechanism but are compatible with an ordered bi bi mechanism where NADPH and NADP + function as the outside reactants in the direction of xylitol formation. 3. 3. Subtle but significant differences are shown to exist in the distribution of apolar and mixed amino acid residues between aldose and aldehyde reductases when the mean fractional area loss [Rose et al. , 1985] is used as the measure of compositional relatedness.
Guaiacol peroxidase levels in human cervical mucus: A possible predictor of ovulation

Abstract Guaiacol peroxidase (G-Px) was serially measured in cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle of five volunteers. In the middle of the cycle, the levels of G-Px decreased 20- to 100-fold relative to other times of the cycle. This drop in G-Px coincided with the peak of plasma estrogens and may be causally related to them. Since a rise in plasma estrogens precedes ovulation, a test of cervical mucus G-Px may predict ovulation and be useful in fertility control.
Solvation of Dimethyl Succinate in a Sodium Hydroxide Aqueous Solution. A Computational Study

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study dimethyl succinate/water/NaOH solutions. The potential of mean force method was used to determine the transport mechanism of a dimethyl succinate (a diester) molecule across the aqueous/vapor interface. The computed number density profiles show a strong propensity for the diester molecules to congregate at the interface, with the solubility of the diester increasing with increasing NaOH concentration. It is observed that the major contribution to the interfacial solvation free-energy minimum is from electrostatic interactions. Even at higher NaOH concentrations, the increasing electrostatic interaction between the diester and ions is not large enough to favor the solvation of diester in bulk solutions. The calculated solvation free energies are found to be -2.6 to -3.5 kcal/mol in variant concentrations of NaOH aqueous solutions. These values are in qualitative agreement with the corresponding experimental measurements. The computed surface potential indicates that the contribution of diester molecules to the total surface potential is about 25%, with the major contribution from interfacial water molecules.
Bivariate constrained wavelet approximation

Shape-preserving properties of some naturally arising bivariate wavelet operators Bn are examined. Namely, let f∈Ck(R2), k > 0, r, s⩾ 0, all integers such that r + s = k. If ∂ r+s⨍(∂ xr∂ ys)(x,y)⩾ 0, then it is proved, under mild conditions of Bn, that ∂ r+s(∂ xr∂ ys)Bn(⨍)(x,y)⩾ 0; also pointwise converge of Bn(⨍) to ⨍ is given with rates through a Jackson-type inequality. Associated simultaneous shape-preserving results are also presented for special type of wavelet operators Bn.