cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing School Counselor Leadership in Multicultural Advocacy

As the nation becomes more demographically diverse, it is imperative that school counselors take a leadership role in promoting multicultural advocacy. This major ethical responsibility cannot happ...
Sociocultural Factors Influencing Caregiver Appraisals Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective To investigate the association of the sociocultural variables race/ethnicity, education, and poverty level to caregivers’ positive and negative appraisals following traumatic brain injury. Design Survey. Setting Community. Participants Caregivers (N=344; 216 white; 69 black; 39 Hispanic) of persons with complicated mild to severe TBI at least 1-year postinjury. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Modified Caregiver Appraisal Scale (M-CAS); Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results Black caregivers reported lower levels of perceived burden on both the M-CAS and the ZBI. Black and Hispanic caregivers reported more traditional caregiver ideology (caregiving as a responsibility) than did whites. Greater poverty was associated with higher burden on the M-CAS, lower caregiver satisfaction, and less mastery. Higher education was associated with higher burden on the ZBI and with lower caregiver mastery. Conclusions Treatment professionals should be culturally sensitive to the different perspectives that caregivers may have based on sociocultural factors. Sociocultural factors should be considered in research investigating caregiver outcomes, including appraisals.
Hydrazone covalent adaptable networks modulate extracellular matrix deposition for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract Cartilage tissue engineering strategies often rely on hydrogels with fixed covalent crosslinks for chondrocyte encapsulation, yet the resulting material properties are largely elastic and can impede matrix deposition. To address this limitation, hydrazone crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels were formulated to achieve tunable viscoelastic properties and to study how chondrocyte proliferation and matrix deposition vary with the time-dependent material properties of covalent adaptable networks. Hydrazone equilibrium differences were leveraged to produce average stress relaxation times from hours (4.01 × 103 s) to months (2.78 × 106 s) by varying the percentage of alkyl-hydrazone (aHz) and benzyl-hydrazone (bHz) crosslinks. Swelling behavior and degradation associated with adaptability were characterized to quantify temporal network changes that can influence the behavior of encapsulated chondrocytes. After four weeks, mass swelling ratios varied from 36 ± 3 to 17 ± 0.4 and polymer retention ranged from 46 ± 4% to 92 ± 5%, with higher aHz content leading to loss of network connectivity with time. Hydrogels were formulated near the Flory-Stockmayer bHz percolation threshold (17% bHz) to investigate chondrocyte response to distinct levels of covalent architecture adaptability. Four weeks post-encapsulation, formulations with average relaxation times of 3 days (2.6 × 105s) revealed increased cellularity and an interconnected articular cartilage-specific matrix. Chondrocytes embedded in this adaptable formulation (22% bHz) deposited 190 ± 30% more collagen and 140 ± 20% more sulfated glycosaminoglycans compared to the 100% bHz control, which constrained matrix deposition to pericellular space. Collectively, these findings indicate that incorporating highly adaptable aHz crosslinks enhanced regenerative outcomes. However, connected networks containing more stable bHz bonds were required to achieve the highest quality neocartilaginous tissue. Statement of Significance Covalently crosslinked hydrogels provide robust mechanical support for cartilage tissue engineering applications in articulating joints. However, these materials traditionally demonstrate purely elastic responses to deformation despite the dynamic viscoelastic properties of native cartilage tissue. Here, we present hydrazone poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with tunable viscoelastic properties and study covalent adaptable networks for cartilage tissue engineering. Using hydrazone equilibrium and Flory-Stockmayer theory we identified average relaxation times leading to enhanced regenerative outcomes and showed that extracellular matrix deposition was biphasic as a function of the hydrazone covalent adaptability. We also showed that the incorporation of highly adaptable covalent crosslinks could improve cellularity of neotissue, but that a percolating network of more stable bonds was required to maintain scaffold integrity and form the highest quality neocartilaginous tissue.
Dynamic Dirt: Medieval Holy Dust, Ritual Erosion, and Pilgrimage Ecopoetics

Environmental citizenship has intellectual roots extending into the Middle Ages. We need to get down and dirty—literally. This article—rooted in vibrant materialist intersections with medieval pilgrimage poetry—transverses literary and ecological paths as it explores pilgrimage ecopoetics. From the Middle Ages to today, voluntary migrants in the form of pilgrims cause environment degradation, everything from waste disposal to soil erosion on frequented paths. Focusing on dirt in which pilgrimage paths have sprung up and dirt used as healing relic, we come to understand actants like dirt and holy dust in a new way. Tomb dust and holy dirt convey an agency that catalyzes our understanding of pilgrimage as materially grounded in the earth. Things are not mere objects, but possess independence from us. Possessing agency, matter itself is not static but generative. Dirt’s extended fellows include reviled trash, waste, and crap. A modern-day pilgrimage shrine, the Cathedral of Junk in Austin, TX, is a refuse pile of rejected garbage. Sustainably reused by the creator, this shrine perfectly realizes a Judeo-Christian ethos of charity. See in this way, dirt—normally reviled as abject, even ‘out of place’ (Douglas 1966/2002: 44)—can be viewed as positive, even sacred. Like waste poetry, dirt ultimately heals homeopathically for both spirit and body.
Monozygotic dichorionic diamniotic twins with large interstitial deletion of chromosome 1p

We describe twins with an interstitial deletion of chromosome 1 with a severe phenotype compared to previously described cases. As genetic testing is more frequently performed, it is important for clinicians to understand the spectrum of clinical findings that can occur with this particular deletion.
Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation of Intracardiac Masses

Intracardiac masses are classified as neoplastic or non-neoplastic. Prognosis varies based on the diagnosis of the mass since treatment options differ greatly. As novel imaging techniques emerge, a multimodality approach to the evaluation of intracardiac masses becomes an important part of non-invasive evaluation prior to potential surgical planning or oncological treatment. The purpose of this article is to compare the available imaging modalities-echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, cardiac computed tomography, nuclear imaging, and emerging novel hybrid imaging techniques for future clinical applications-and to review the characteristic features seen on those modalities for the most common intracardiac masses.
Integrating Data Science into a General Education Information Technology Course: An Approach to Developing Data Savvy Undergraduates

The National Academies recommend academic institutions foster a basic understanding of data science in all undergraduates. However, data science education is not currently a graduation requirement at most colleges and universities. As a result, many graduates lack even basic knowledge of data science. To address the shortfall, academic institutions should incorporate introductory data science into general education courses. A general education IT course provides a unique opportunity to integrate data science education. Modules covering databases, spreadsheets, and presentation software, already present in many survey IT courses, teach concepts and skills needed for data science. As a result, a survey IT course can provide comprehensive introductory data science education by adding a data science module focused on modeling and evaluation, two key steps in the data science process. The module should use data science software for application, avoiding the complexities of programming and advanced math, while enabling an emphasis on conceptual understanding. We implemented a course built around these ideas and found that the course helps develop data savvy in students.
Classic Rock Tours 2. Exploring a Famous Ophiolite: A Guide to the Bay of Islands Igneous Complex in Gros Morne National Park, Western Newfoundland, Canada

Ophiolites are complex assemblages of ultramafic and mafic igneous rocks that are now widely considered to be pieces of ancient oceanic crust that were emplaced on to the continents courtesy of global plate tectonics. However, most examples were originally considered parts of enormous layered mafic intrusions and so were interpreted in that light. The new understanding of ophiolites in the late 1960s and early 1970s was a crucial part of the global Earth Science revolution, and they are now central to all plate tectonic models developed for ancient orogenic belts. Although their equivalence to oceanic crust is now well established, many ophiolites may not be ‘typical’ examples of such, and not all examples are identical. Most ophiolites likely formed in subduction-influenced environments rather than at mid-ocean ridges. Ophiolites remain important foci for research in the 21st century, and many questions remain about their environments of formation and especially their mechanisms of emplacement onto the continents. Although it was not the first to be seen as a relic of a vanished ocean, the Bay of Islands Igneous Complex in western Newfoundland is one of the best preserved and most easily accessible ophiolites in the world. In the late 20th century, research work in this area proved highly influential in understanding the oceanic crust, and in unravelling the diachronous events involved in the progressive destruction of an ancient stable continental margin as arcs and microcontinental blocks were accreted along it. Parts of the Tablelands Ophiolite lie within Gros Morne National Park, which is a UNESCO world heritage site because of its importance to our understanding of global tectonics. The wider region around the park also includes the Cabox Aspiring Geopark Project, now also in the process of seeking recognition through UNESCO. This article provides background information on ophiolites and the development of our ideas about them, and links this material to four self-guided field excursions that allow examination of many classic features. These excursions range from a collection of roadside outcrops, to some relatively easy hiking excursions on official National Park trails, and eventually to a more challenging off-trail hike that ascends to the summit plateau of the Tablelands to visit rare exposures of the Moho (the Mohorovicic Discontinuity, i.e. the lower boundary of the Earth’s crust) and the underlying upper mantle rocks. Collectively, the field stops should allow geologically-minded visitors to experience some amazing geology in a spectacular and sometimes surreal landscape.
Genetics and Genetic Counseling in Perinatal Palliative Care

When a life-limiting diagnosis is made during pregnancy, a multidisciplinary approach can enrich the information and support a family receives. Genetic counselors are key members of the multidisciplinary team, helping families through education and support. The role of the genetic counselor is to educate, empower, and support the needs of the patient, with particular emphasis on the potential genetic nature of the condition and the psychosocial issues that may arise. These goals overlap and complement those of the perinatal palliative care (PPC) model and support collaboration among genetic counselors and other members of the PPC multidisciplinary team. Through this interaction, genetic counselors learn of a patient’s goals and values, collect family and pregnancy history information, perform a genetic risk assessment, provide information about possible genetic conditions and their implications, communicate genetic testing options, facilitate testing and management decisions, and provide counseling and follow-up as needed, including referral to additional providers. The provision of medical information is balanced with psychosocial support in order to promote patient self-esteem, resilience, and autonomy. A thorough understanding of the complexities of the technology and psychosocial issues surrounding genetic testing is an essential component to genetic counseling, as genetic screening and diagnostic testing options continue to rapidly advance in their precision and breadth.
Securing a Connected Home

The modern home is becoming more and more reliant on connected devices. Nearly every device from the refrigerator to the thermostat is capable of connecting to the internet and communicating with other devices. Information security is discussed as it relates to smart home and Internet of Things devices. Several examples of exploits discovered in popular smart home hardware are discussed. A network security and monitoring appliance for the home is proposed as a possible solution.
Fabrication of solvent transfer-induced phase separation bijels with mixtures of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanoparticles

Bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels), in which the oil and water phases are co-continuous throughout the structure, have potential for applications in separation, catalysis, tissue engineering and energy devices. Among the possible fabrication paths, the solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STRIPS) method has proven to be a powerful approach to produce bijels in a continuous fashion with a broad selection of liquids and nanoparticles. The successful formation of bicontinuous domains requires the use of neutrally wetting particles which was achieved by in situ modification of silica nanoparticles with an oppositely charged surfactant. This approach, however, is not ideal for applications that are adversely affected by the presence of surfactant. In this work, we use a pair of nanoparticles, one hydrophilic, and the other hydrophobic, to stabilize STRIPS bijels without any surfactants and show that the ratio of the hydrophilic to hydrophobic nanoparticles required to form stable bijels changes with the polarity of the oil phase. Highly non-polar oils require a smaller ratio than moderately polar oils. Furthermore, if a sufficiently polar oil is selected, STRIPS bijels can be stabilized using only the hydrophilic nanoparticle. Our results demonstrate the potential to imbue the interface of biphasic liquid mixtures such as bijels with multifunctionality by using two functional nanoparticles of opposite polarity.
Clinical relevance of a Body Image Scale cut point of 10 as an indicator of psychological distress in cancer patients: results from a psychiatric oncology clinic.

Adequate adjustment to bodily changes during various phases of cancer treatment is important to patients’ emotional well-being. The Body Image Scale (BIS) is a widely used tool for assessment of body image concerns in different cancer types. However, a cut point score indicative of clinically relevant body image concerns has not been established. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the previously suggested, but not validated, BIS cut point score of ≥ 10 is an adequate indicator of psychological distress. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 590 adult patients were recruited from a psychiatric oncology clinic (November 2017–March 2018). Patient-reported body image concerns, depression, anxiety, and emotional distress were assessed with the BIS, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, respectively. Almost half of the patients had a BIS score ≥ 10; these were more likely to be younger, female, Hispanic, and to have breast cancer than patients with a score < 10. BIS scores were positively associated with depression, anxiety, and distress scores. A BIS score ≥ 10 was a significant predictor of moderate depression and anxiety (odds ratios = 3.555 [95% CI 2.478–5.102] and 3.655 [2.493–5.358]; p < 0.001 for both). To our knowledge, this is the first study to have assessed the validity of the previously suggested clinically relevant BIS cut point score of ≥ 10 as an indicator of psychological distress. Our results suggest that a BIS score of ≥ 10 or higher should lead to follow-up on body image concerns and/or appropriate referral.
Central-peg radiolucency progression of an all-polyethylene glenoid with hybrid fixation in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty is associated with clinical failure and reoperation.

Background Glenoid component loosening is a common cause of failure after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. Prior studies of all-polyethylene glenoid implants with hybrid fixation did not show early glenoid radiolucency to be clinically significant. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of progression of radiolucency around the central peg of the glenoid component. Methods We identified 73 shoulders that underwent primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty between January 1995 and May 2015 for osteoarthritis with an all-polyethylene pegged glenoid, with a minimum follow-up interval of 2 years between early and late follow-up. Demographic, radiographic (central-peg osteolysis [CPO] and central-peg grading [CPG]), and outcome variables comprising the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) and revision surgery were collected. Clinical failure was defined as a PSS decrease >11.4 points (ie, PSS failure) or revision surgery. Results The average patient age at surgery was 65 ± 7 years, and 63% of patients were men. The median initial follow-up period was 14 months (interquartile range, 12-25 months), and the final median follow-up period was 56 months (interquartile range, 47-69 months). Revision surgical procedures were performed in 4 patients, and 17 PSS failures occurred. We found that CPO at final follow-up, CPG progression, and worse PSS at follow-up were associated with revision surgery (P Discussion and conclusion CPO and CPG progression were associated with clinical failure, defined as decreasing clinical outcome scores or revision surgery.
Impressions of Vibrotactile Signals in Older Adults With and Without History of Stroke

Abstract Vibrotactile feedback is mechanical stimulation produced using actuators in contact with the body. The stimulation parameters (frequency, amplitude, location, duration) can be adjusted to produce a variety of sensations. By characterizing how users respond to different settings, interaction designers can create more usable and enjoyable haptic interfaces. This form of haptic feedback is being used widely for alerts, gaming, and simulation; however, emerging technologies in the fields of brain health and physical therapy are introducing new users to this stimulation. For applications using vibrotactile stimulation to advance, researchers are studying perceived sensations and affective response. However, these studies often focus on healthy, younger users. It is well known that older adults and those with acquired brain injury have different physiology and different perception than young adults. Here we present a set of vibrotactile signals to adults over 40 years old with and without history of stroke and query affective impression and experienced sensations. Signals on the palm and those with a changing stimulus location were associated with higher valence ratings, while low-amplitude signals showed lowest arousal. Users preferred stimulation that they could perceive, and they could not perceive most signals applied to the forearm. Reported sensations include tickle, tingling, and numbness. CCS Concepts Human-centered computing → User studies; Haptic devices; Ubiquitous and mobile devices.
The effects of psychological skills and mindfulness on well-being of student-athletes: A path analysis

Abstract Participation in elite level sport requires being subjected to considerably stressful training and competition environments. Psychological skills and mindfulness have been demonstrated to enhance performance in sport, but less is known regarding how they impact an athlete’s well-being in their sport and in their life. Greater knowledge of this relationship would aid practitioners in developing holistic, more psychologically well-adjusted student-athletes. To this end, 222 NCAA Division I athletes representing six different sports completed measures of mindfulness in sport, psychological skills, general well-being, and sport well-being. Path analyses indicated that both psychological skills and mindfulness had positive and moderate effects on sport well-being; however, only mindfulness was shown to have a positive moderate effect global well-being. Also, a nonjudgmental approach towards one’s experiences is highly correlated with global well-being. The practical implications of the findings include evidence for the importance of developing these skills in college athletes to enhance their sport well-being and global well-being.
Multicenter retrospective cohort study of the clinical significance of Staphylococcus lugdunensis isolated from a single blood culture set.

Abstract Background Staphylococcus lugdunensis is a coagulase negative Staphylococcus species and frequent human skin commensal with the potential for aggressive infection. Guidance surrounding S. lugdunensis bacteremia (SLB) from a single set of blood cultures is lacking. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients with SLB from at least one blood culture set within the University of Maryland Medical System from 2015 to 2019 is presented. Objectives are to describe baseline characteristics, compare the clinical status and treatment course, and to evaluate the clinical outcomes among patients with SLB in single versus multiple sets. Results Thirty-six patients were included, 24 with one set of blood cultures positive for S lugdunensis and 12 with multiple sets. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups, though patients with SLB in multiple sets were more commonly on hemodialysis (P = 0.029). Central lines were the most common source (17%). Most (97%) fulfilled systemic inflammatory response syndrome or Souvenir criteria, had an infectious focus on imaging, or had a second positive culture site. Most (78%) were treated as clinically significant. Patients with multiple positive sets were more commonly treated with antibiotics for >2 weeks (P = 0.02). Conclusions SLB was rare and occurred more frequently as a single set of positive cultures. Patient characteristics and clinical courses were similar between single and multiple set groups. Given the potential severity of S. lugdunensis bacteremia it seems prudent to treat S. lugdunensis in a single blood culture as true bacteremia, pending larger studies and guidelines.
From a cholesteric non-aqueous cellulose nanocrystal suspension to a highly ordered film

A highly ordered cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film was processed and characterized from a non-aqueous suspension. As a first step, by drawing upon the negative magnetic anisotropy of CNCs, a global order of the nanocrystals is achieved by magnetic field-assisted manipulation of a cholesteric suspension in n-methylformamide (NMF), and then the order is subsequently preserved into a solid-state film. We study the differences between the structures of the 4 T-dried film and the control film dried in the absence of magnetic field. Additionally, we compare the NMF-dried films to those dried from aqueous suspensions with and without magnetic field. Optical microscopy, cross-sectional imaging analysis, and sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy show that the CNC-NMF film dried under magnetic field exhibited a highly ordered layered structure throughout the film, comparable to that observed when films were produced from aqueous suspensions. Extending the potential of the CNC alignment to non-aqueous systems will enable a broad spectrum of applications for CNC-based polymer composites.
Evaluating Distributed PV Curtailment Using Quasi-Static Time-Series Simulations

By strategically curtailing active power and providing reactive power support, photovoltaic (PV) systems with advanced inverters can mitigate voltage and thermal violations in distribution networks. Quasi-static time-series (QSTS) simulations are increasingly being utilized to study the implementation of these inverter functions as alternatives to traditional circuit upgrades. However, QSTS analyses can yield significantly different results based on the availability and resolution of input data and other modeling considerations. In this paper, we quantified the uncertainty of QSTS-based curtailment evaluations for two different grid-support functions (autonomous Volt-Var and centralized PV curtailment for preventing reverse power conditions) through extensive sensitivity analyses and hardware testing. We found that Volt-Var curtailment evaluations were most sensitive to poor inverter convergence (−56.4%), PV time-series data (−18.4% to +16.5%), QSTS resolution (−15.7%), and inverter modeling uncertainty (+14.7%), while the centralized control case was most sensitive to load modeling (−26.5% to +21.4%) and PV time-series data (−6.0% to +12.4%). These findings provide valuable insights for improving the reliability and accuracy of QSTS analyses for evaluating curtailment and other PV impact studies.
Towards Applications of the “Surgical GPS” on Spinal Procedures

Surgical data science (SDS) and computer-assisted surgery (CAS) are becoming increasingly conventional as more physicians incorporate surgical navigation systems into their workflows. Consequently, the necessity for enhanced anatomical structure depictions during intraoperative surgical guidance is also increasing. Anatomically accurate musculoskeletal representations are particularly necessary for orthopedic operations, especially spinal procedures. Additionally, CAS system recognition of clinically relevant structures along surgical corridors is of equal importance; such recognition permits intraoperative guidance when procedures are supervised by surgical process models (SPMs). Therefore, this study outlines a comprehensive solution, termed the “Surgical GPS”, which merges patient-specific, ligamentoskeletal models and physician-designated landmarks and ontologies, to expand spinal anatomy representations and demonstrate SPM applications toward several spine procedures. Patient models are validated with Dice similarity coefficient and Hausdorff distance metrics. Anatomical landmarks are queried from SPMs using pertinent search engines and are highlighted on the patient models, potentially enhancing successful surgical outcomes through context-aware, “GPS” guided CAS.
Comparative impact of dietary carbohydrates on the liver transcriptome in two strains of mice.

Excessive long-term consumption of dietary carbohydrates, including glucose, sucrose or fructose, has been shown to have significant impact on genome-wide gene expression, which likely results from...
Difluoromethyl l,l,2-trifluoro-2-chloroethyl ether as an anaesthetic agent: Results with dogs, and a preliminary note on observations with man

1. Difluoromethyl l,l,2-trifluoro-2-chloro ethyl ether (DFMTFCE), a proposed new anaesthetic agent, was administered to dogs by open-drop and produced smooth anaesthesia without salivation, irritation, or nausea. 2. When epinephrine was given intravenously to 16 dogs asleep with DFMTFCE, three went into ventricular fibrillation. 3. The concentration of DFMTFCE required for surgical anaesthesia was roughly twice that with halothane for the same animals. 4. A latin square administration of DFMTFCE, halothane, methoxyflurane, and fluroxene demonstrated no significant effects on liver enzyme activity following the use of any of the drugs. 5. Blood glucose rose moderately with DFMTFCE; urea nitrogen was unchanged. 6. In eight volunteer subjects, DFMTFCE afforded a pleasant induction. Blood pressure dropped, as did cardiac output when anaesthesia deepened. The degree of analgesia was similar to that experienced with halothane. Spontaneous respiration ceased on attainment of surgical anaesthesia. Changing from oxygen to air produced mild hypoxaemia, at which time cardiac output increased. Waking was rapid. Three of the eight volunteers were nauseated for a short time during recovery. 7. Eleven surgical patients were given DFMTFCE for anaesthesia; the course was similar to that with halothane.
Many – Body Methods in Chemistry and Physics: The equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method for excited, ionized and electron-attached states

Introduction The conventional, single-reference, coupled-cluster method is very effective for electronic states dominated by a single determinant, such as most molecular ground states near their equilibrium geometry. Such states are predominantly closed-shell singlet states, and CC calculations on them produce pure singlet wave functions. But even these states become dominated by more than one determinant when one or more bonds are stretched close to breaking, so that single-reference CC based on RHF orbitals is then not usually appropriate for the calculation of entire potential-energy surfaces. While such problems can be partially treated by using UHF reference functions, which usually separate correctly, the UHF approach makes use of symmetry breaking and is poor in the spin-recoupling region. Most excited, ionized and electron-attached states are open-shell states, and CC calculations on them using UHF or ROHF orbitals do not usually result in pure-spin wave functions. Furthermore, such states often involve large contributions from more than one determinant and thus do not respond well to conventional single-reference treatments. One solution to these problems is to resort to multireference methods, such as those described in Chapters 8 and 14, but such treatments are still quite difficult to apply at a high enough level. An effective alternative in many cases is provided by the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster ( EOM-CC ) method (Emrich 1981, Sekino and Bartlett 1984, Comeau and Bartlett 1993, Stanton and Bartlett 1993a). A closely related approach is the coupled-cluster linear response (CCLR) method (Monkhorst 1977, Dalgaard and Monkhorst 1983, Koch and Jorgensen 1990).
Coupling locally conservative methods for single phase flow

This work presents the coupling of two locally conservative methods for elliptic problems: namely, the discontinuous Galerkin method and the mixed finite element method. The couplings can be defined with or without interface Lagrange multipliers. The formulations are shown to be equivalent. Optimal error estimates are given; penalty terms may or may not be included. In addition, the analysis for non-conforming grids is also discussed.
Theoretical Expectations for τ→ηπν

Known theoretical estimates are collected to stress that the reported second-class decay of the tau lepton at a 5% level is not explainable in conventional terms.
Radical Cataloging: From words to action

Radical cataloging seeks to give a voice to people and concepts that are difficult to access through library subject searches. This article will explore four areas of radical cataloging: cataloging rules and the inequities and hierarchical problems inherent in classification itself, the use of cataloging to further a cause, the challenges of language in subject headings; and cataloging efforts around unconventional collections, such as zines.
Preclinical Childhood Sarcoma Models: Drug Efficacy Biomarker Identification and Validation.

Over the past 35 years, cure rates for pediatric cancers have increased dramatically. However, it is clear that further dose intensification using cytotoxic agents or radiation therapy is not possible without enhancing morbidity and long-term effects. Consequently, novel, less genotoxic, agents are being sought to complement existing treatments. Here we discuss preclinical human tumor xenograft models of pediatric cancers that may be used practically to identify novel agents, and ‘omics’ approaches to identifying biomarkers that may identify sensitive and resistant tumors to these agents.
One-dimensional statistical mechanics models with application to peapods

Quasi one-dimensional systems of molecules of C60 encapsulated in (10/10) nanotubes were studied by both lattice-gas and Takashi–Gursey configurational integral methods of statistical mechanics for both open and capped finite nanotubes as well as infinite nanotubes. From well-established potentials, the energy, heat capacity compressibility, equation of state and absorption isotherms were computed as a function of temperature and molecular density. The existing theories were extended to include the calculation of clustering, and the number of clusters as a function of size was computed for a variety of temperatures and densities. For both models, all molecules are frozen into a single cluster, and increasing the temperature results in a break-up into smaller clusters. The corresponding heat capacity has a broad maximum, which is lower for the T–G model than for the lattice-gas model. The equations of state have a similar form in both models and are identical at low temperatures. The absorption isotherms show that filling of the tubes can take place at all temperatures of practical interest. Peapods are nearly ideal realizations of one-dimensional systems whose thermodynamic and structural properties can be accurately obtained by statistical mechanics.
Clinical laser photodynamic therapy in the treatment of bladder carcinoma.

Abstract The treatment of bladder carcinoma using dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE) and laser photodynamic therapy (PDT) is described herein. Patients selected for this study have cytology- and biopsy-proven transitional cell carcinoma, no histologic evidence of muscle invasion, and negative excretory urograms. Sixteen patients have been treated, with follow-up from 6 to 36 months. Eleven have had a complete response, and 3 a partial response in that they required re-treatment for recurrence. Two of these patients have not recurred at this time. One of the patients who recurred had tumor extension into the prostatic urethra and has been successfully re-treated (disease-free at 6 months). There was one treatment failure and 1 patient lost to follow-up. Photosensitivity for up to 4 weeks is a known side-effect, but unexpected morbidity included a transient but significant increase in urinary frequency, urgency, and occasionally hematuria which spontaneously resolved within 3-4 weeks. Careful placement of the fiberoptic tip in the centre of the bladder, bladder distension during treatment with saline rather than water, the instillation of the minimum volume required to “smooth out” the mucosa for complete bladder photoradiation, and delivered energy of 25 J cm’or less may have prevented the more severe complications (i.e. bladder shrinkage) reported by Dougherty and Nseyo (personal communication). We also feel that there is some early evidence that a heightened immune response (similar to intravesical BCG) may potentially play some role in explaining the efficacy of PDT in long disease-free intervals, although this is just a histologic observation at present. It appears the PDT offers another practical treatment modality for non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma in patients refractory to standard surgical and chemotherapeutic regimens, and has been addressed by numerous other investigators such as Benson (1985) and Hisazumi (1983). We are presently recommending to our patients in these categories to undergo a course of PDT prior to relinquishing to cystectomy.
Breast cancer subtyping from plasma proteins

Early detection of breast cancer in blood is both appealing clinically and challenging technically due to the disease's illusive nature and heterogeneity. Today, even though major breast cancer subtypes have been characterized, i.e., luminal A, luminal B, HER2+, and basal-like, little is known about the heterogeneity of breast cancer in blood, which could help to discover minimally invasive protein biomarkers with which clinical researchers can detect, classify, and monitor different breast cancer subtypes. In this study, we performed an integrative pathway-assisted clustering analysis of breast cancer subtypes from plasma proteome samples collected from 80 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 80 healthy women. First, four breast cancer subtypes and additionally unknown subtype (according to existing annotation) were determined based on pathology lab test results in primary tumors of enrolled patients. Next, we developed and applied four distance metrics, i.e., Protein Intensity, Q-Value, Pathway Profile, and Distance Score Function, to measure and characterize these cancer subtypes. Then, we developed a permutation test to evaluate the significant protein level changes in each biological pathway for each breast cancer subtype, using q-value. Lastly, we developed a pathway-protein matrix for each of the four distance methods to estimate the distance between breast cancer subtypes, for which further Pathway Association Network analysis were performed. We found that 1) the luminal group (luminal A and luminal B) are clustered together, as well as the basal group (basal-like and HER2+) and 2) luminal A and luminal B are more close to each other than basal-like and HER2+ to each other. Our results were consistent with a recent independent breast cancer research from the Cancer Genome Atlas Network using genomic DNA copy number arrays, DNA methylation, exome sequencing, messenger RNA arrays, microRNA sequencing and reverse-phase protein arrays. Our results showed that changes of different breast cancer subtypes at the pathway level are more profound and less variable than those at the molecular level. Similar subtypes share distinct yet similar pathway activation networks, while dissimilar subtypes are different also at the level of pathway activation networks. The results also showed that distance or similarity of cancer subtypes based on pathway analysis might be able to provide further insight into the intrinsic relationship of breast cancer subtypes. We believe integrative pathway-assisted proteomics analysis described here can become a model for reliable clustering or classification of other cancer subtypes.
Chlorphentermine-induced alterations in the lungs of vitamin E-deficient and -supplemented rats: Quantitative ultrastructural analysis of type II cell response

Response of alveolar Type II (T-II) cells of male Sprague-Dawley weanling rats maintained on vitamin E (VE)-deficient and -supplemented diets to chlorphentermine (CP) treatment was evaluated. Ultrastructural and quantitative procedures were used to assess the T-II cell-drug interaction. Subjective examination of photomicrographs revealed numerous disrupted surfactant lamellar bodies in the CP-treated animals, as compared to fewer in controls. In addition, an unusual amorphous material was associated with these cells in drug-treated animals. Quantitative assessment confirmed the above subjective impression and revealed an increase in the size of T-II cells in treated rats. Morphometric evaluation showed that CP treatment significantly altered the volume density of cytoplasm, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Furthermore, a significant interaction between the diet and treatment with respect to volume fractions of mitochondria, RER, and Golgi complex was observed. The present study indicates that cytoplasmic components in T-II cells are altered as a result of CP treatment and that VE status of the animals influences the nature and extent of these alterations.
Evolution of optimal heterogeneous wireless mesh networks

Wireless networks provide feasible solutions for a wide range of applications. Among the applications users may find environment monitoring, Internet access provision, and cellular communications. However, wireless networks have a common problem, independently of the technology used: deploying nodes in such a way, where the resources may be at optimum performance. These resources include map coverage, network power consumption, network cost, node anonymity, and data confidentiality. In this paper, we introduce an algorithm for deploying heterogeneous wireless mesh networks (HMWNs), named Optimal Network Evolver (ONE). ONE utilizes evolutionary computation to obtain the best network configuration for a given map, in order to meet the system requirements. ONE takes into account path loss of free space, trees, and walls. ONE also considers how the frequency of operation of a node is affected by such path loss. At the end of execution, ONE provides HWMNs designers the optimal number of nodes required for the given map, their placement location, and proper configuration. Results show map coverage, network power consumption, node anonymity, and data confidentiality are optimized by ONE on either simple or complex environments.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Identification and Implications

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is most commonly a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis in which the arterial lumen of the lower extremities becomes progressively occluded by atherosclerotic plaque. Patients with PAD are at triple the risk of all-cause mortality and at more than 6 times the risk of death from coronary heart disease as those without the disease, yet PAD is probably the most underdiagnosed and least aggressively managed atherosclerotic disease. In the diagnosis of PAD, a detailed history and physical examination are extremely important, although limited by a lack of consistent sensitivity and specificity. Other office-based noninvasive tests, including the ankle-brachial index, can be easily performed to confirm the diagnosis and help stratify the risk. The ankle-brachial index correlates well with disease severity and functional symptoms and can also be used to assess disease progression and to predict cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality. Once diagnosed, risk factor modification, symptomatic relief, and secondary prevention strategies with antiplatelet agents form the core of medical management of PAD.
Effects of selective opioid receptor antagonists on alcohol-induced and nicotine-induced antinociception.

BACKGROUND Despite synergistic increases in risks of various cancers, the incidence of concomitant smoking and drinking remains high. An additive or synergistic analgesic effect of combined alcohol and nicotine may contribute to their coabuse. Recently, we provided evidence that doses of alcohol and nicotine that are ineffective in inducing an antinociceptive effect alone, when combined, can induce such an effect. Moreover, this antinociceptive effect could be attenuated by pretreatment with the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of selective opioid receptor subtypes (micro, delta, and kappa) in mediating the antinociceptive effects of alcohol, nicotine, and their combination. METHODS Adult male Wistar rats were administered selective opioid antagonists, D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2) (CTAP, for micro receptor, 1.0 mg/kg), naltrindole (for delta receptors, 10 mg/kg), and norbinaltorphimine (nor-BNI, for kappa receptor, 10 mg/kg) before injection of alcohol, nicotine or their combination. The animals were tested in hot-plate and tail-flick assays, representing nociception mediated predominantly via brain or spinal pathways, respectively. All the injections were administered acutely and the nociceptive tests were carried out 20 minutes after alcohol and 10 minutes after nicotine administration. RESULTS In general, the antagonists were more effective in blocking the effects of alcohol, nicotine, or their combination in the tail-flick versus the hot-plate assay. CTAP was most effective in blocking the effects of alcohol alone and nicotine alone in the tail-flick test, whereas in the hot-plate test both CTAP and naltrindole were more effective than nor-BNI. All 3 antagonists had a very similar profile in attenuating the combination of alcohol and nicotine effect in the hot-plate assay. None of the antagonists had a significant effect against the highest alcohol-nicotine dose in this test. In the tail-flick test, however, CTAP and naltrindole were more effective than nor-BNI in attenuating the highest alcohol-nicotine dose. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest the utility of all 3 opioid antagonists in blocking the effects of alcohol, nicotine, or their combination in spinally mediated antinociception. Although the supraspinally mediated antinociception was also attenuated by the opioid antagonists, further investigation of combination doses of these antagonists in fully blocking the supraspinal effects or attenuating voluntary alcohol and nicotine intake is warranted.
Nuclear bodies in bovine mammary gland in different physiological states.

Abstract The frequency of nuclear bodies was determined in epithelial cells of mammary ductules or alveoli, milk cistern and teat sinus of virgin heifers, non-lactating cows and cows in early lactation. The determined frequency was within the range 12–16% with the single exception of the epithelial cells of secretory alveoli of lactating cows, in which the frequency was 3 %. These data support the concept that nuclear bodies are normal nuclear organelles which can respond to altered physiological conditions.
Clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of globoid cell leukodystrophy

The residual galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity in cultured skin fibroblasts from a child with late-onset globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) was distinctly different from that found in the typical infantile form of the disease. The residual enzyme activity and maximum velocity of the enzyme reaction were higher in this patient, while the Michaelis constant was similar in controls and in the two forms of GLD. The pH optimum of enzyme activity from the patient was similar to that of controls and a more acidic pH optimum was found in the infantile form. Cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient accumulated less [6(3)H]-galactosylceramide than did cells from the infantile form. These various biochemical measurements correlated well with the age of onset of the disease and suggest that different allelic mutations of the galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase locus are responsible for the different clinical forms of GLD.
Penetration of commercial and dental waxes.

Penetration of commercial and dental waxes was studied. Measurements indicated that resistance of paraffin and dental inlay waxes to penetration was closely related to the temperature at which solid-solid transformations occurred. Annealed waxes were more resistant to penetration than unannealed waxes.
Fullerene nanomaterials potentiate hair growth.

Hair loss is a common symptom resulting from a wide range of disease processes and can lead to stress in affected individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fullerene nanomaterials on hair growth. We used shaved mice as well as SKH-1 “bald” mice to determine if fullerene-based compounds could affect hair growth and hair follicle numbers. In shaved mice, fullerenes increase the rate of hair growth as compared with mice receiving vehicle only. In SKH-1 hairless mice fullerene derivatives given topically or subdermally markedly increased hair growth. This was paralleled by a significant increase in the number of hair follicles in fullerene-treated mice as compared with those mice treated with vehicle only. The fullerenes also increased hair growth in human skin sections maintained in culture. These studies have wide-ranging implications for those conditions leading to hair loss, including alopecia, chemotherapy, and reactions to various chemicals.
Photo-Voltaic System Using Micro-Optics

A photo-voltaic system is under development that uses large arrays of plastic micro-lenses, each illuminating a tiny PV cell stack. This 100-sun system has ±2.50 field of view. Cell efficiency target is >50% with 40% overall system efficiency.