cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of adult and neonatal RBC lifespans in anemic neonates using RBCs labeled at several discrete biotin densities

Prior conclusions that autologous neonatal red blood cells (RBC) have substantially shorter lifespans than allogeneic adult RBCs were not based on direct comparison of autologous neonatal vs. allogeneic adult RBCs performed concurrently in the same infant. Biotin labeling of autologous neonatal RBCs and allogeneic adult donor RBCs permits concurrent direct comparison of autologous vs. allogeneic RBC lifespan. RBCs from 15 allogeneic adult donors and from 15 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates were labeled at separate biotin densities and transfused simultaneously into the 15 neonates. Two mathematical models that account for the RBC differences were employed to estimate lifespans for the two RBC populations. Mean ± SD lifespan for adult allogeneic RBC was 70.1 ± 19.1 d, which is substantially shorter than the 120 d lifespan of both autologous and adult allogeneic RBC in healthy adults. Mean ± SD lifespan for neonatal RBC was 54.2 ± 11.3 d, which is only about 30% shorter than that of the adult allogeneic RBCs. This study provides evidence that extrinsic environmental factors primarily determine RBC survival (e.g., small bore of the capillaries of neonates, rate of oxygenation/deoxygenation cycles) rather than factors intrinsic to RBC.
Optimal distributed generation allocation for reactive power control

One of the main concerns of utilities is to minimise voltage variations along their feeders when they enhance their networks by various distributed generation (DG) systems that have uncertainty in their output. Furthermore, such DG systems can provide reactive power to the grid. Thus, the objective of this study is to optimally allocate locations and capacities of DG systems, particularly photovoltaic systems in this study, on distribution networks that host DG inverters with the capability of reactive power control, in other words, Volt/Var management and control. For this purpose, this study proposes a hybrid method based on optimal reactive power control and genetic algorithms. The proposed method is verified in well-known test feeders.
Establishing Baseline Normative Values for the Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool.

Importance The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3) is a postconcussion sideline assessment tool measuring symptoms, cognition, and balance in preadolescent children. Minimal normative baseline data exist to aid decision making in clinical and athletic settings. Objective To collect normative baseline data for the Child SCAT3 in a large cohort of young athletes. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 31 to August 12, 2014, at various sporting events (basketball, soccer, baseball, and swimming) in Central Wisconsin among children 5 to 13 years of age who were English-speaking and did not report a lower leg injury within the past 2 months or a concussion within the past month. Data were analyzed between October 8, 2014, and September 12, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures All Child SCAT3 components were assessed: child and parent report of symptom number and severity, cognition (Standardized Assessment of Concussion–child version [SAC-C]), and balance (modified Balance Error Scoring System [mBESS] and tandem gait). Summary statistics, mean differences, and effect sizes were calculated for each test component. Results Participants included 478 children (234 girls and 241 boys; mean [SD] age, 9.9 [1.9] years]) and their parents. Age had the largest effect on all Child SCAT3 components, with children 5 to 7 years of age reporting higher mean (SD) symptom severity scores compared with those 11 to 13 years of age (18.2 [10.0] vs 11.3 [9.0]; mean difference, 6.86 [95% CI, 4.22-9.50]; effect size, 0.74) and performing more poorly on the total SAC-C (mean [SD] score, 19.5 [5.1] vs 26.1 [2.1]; mean difference, –6.59 [95% CI, –7.49 to –5.68]; effect size, –2.1), mBESS (mean [SD] score, 1.67 [1.8] vs 0.76 [1.2]; mean difference, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.53-1.29]; effect size, 0.68), and tandem gait (mean [SD] time, 22.2 [8.3] vs 14.0 [3.7] seconds; mean difference, 8.23 seconds [95% CI, 6.63-9.82]; effect size, 1.55). Sex had a small effect on the mean (SD) number and severity of symptoms reported by the child (severity: boys, 15.1 [9.8] vs girls, 11.8 [9.2]; mean difference, 3.31 [95% CI, 1.60-5.02]; effect size, 0.35), mean (SD) number and severity of symptoms reported by the parent (severity: boys, 11.1 [7.7] vs girls, 9.4 [8.1]; mean difference, 1.63 [95% CI, 0.21-3.05]; effect size, 0.21), mean (SD) total SAC-C score (boys, 23.9 [3.9] vs girls, 24.9 [3.5]; mean difference, –0.92 [95% CI, –1.61 to –0.23]; effect size, –0.25), and mean (SD) mBESS score (boys, 1.21 [1.5] vs girls, 0.71 [1.0]; mean difference, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.27-0.74]; effect size, 0.38). Conclusions and Relevance Child SCAT3 baseline normative symptom, cognitive, and balance scores were different, with a large main effect for age and a small effect for sex. These findings may assist health care professionals with interpretation of Child SCAT3 scores for young athletes with a concussion in athletic and clinical settings.
An Empirical Study of Control Flow Graphs for Unit Testing

This paper conducts an empirical study of a Control Flow Graphs (CFG) visualizer from which various test coverages can be exercised directly. First, we demonstrate how control structures are extracted from bytecode and compound conditions are decomposed into simple multi-level conditions in Java bytecode. Then, we visualize the decomposed compound conditions in CFG. The layout of a CFG is calculated by extending a force-directed drawing algorithm. Each control node of CFG represents a simple condition. The empirical study shows that (1) the tool successfully decomposes a compound condition into simple multi-level conditions and (2) the extended force-based layout algorithm produces the best layout for visualizing CFG.
Minimum variance unbiased estimation in the presence of an adversary

Consider a setup in which a central estimator seeks to estimate an unknown deterministic parameter using measurements from multiple sensors. Some of the sensors may be adversarial in that their utility increases with the Euclidean distance between the estimate of the central estimator and their own local estimate. These sensors may misreport their measurements to the central estimator at a falsification cost. We formulate a Stackelberg game in which the central estimator acts as the leader and the adversarial sensors act as the follower. We present the optimal linear fusion scheme for the estimator and the optimal attack pattern for the adversarial sensors in the Nash equilibrium sense. Interestingly, the estimate at the central estimator may be better than if the measurements from the adversarial sensors were altogether ignored.
BV DSS (drain to source breakdown voltage) instability in shielded gate trench power MOSFETs

In this paper, we develop a constant current avalanche injection stress method for evaluating BV DSS instability in shielded gate trench MOSFETs, a low/medium voltage power transistor technology used in a broad range of applications. We show this test is very sensitive to the BVDSS instability in charge balance devices whereas traditional HTRB (high temperature reverse bias) reliability test cannot capture the BVDSS instability issue. The new stress methodology allows us to study the root cause for BVDSS instability, suggesting ways for stabilizing the breakdown voltage for this important class of power transistors.
Space and time in classroom networks: mapping conceptual domains in mathematics through collective activity structures

This paper reports on a design-based research project in which we are developing collaborative activities for classroom networks. Research in generative design has explored classroom activities that analogize the many participants in a classroom with an often-infinite family of mathematical objects. By contrast, our project focuses on classroom activity structures that support interactions among two to four students, each aligned with different components of a shared mathematical object. In each case, these network-based relationships among students are intended to serve as resources to support learners' efforts to jointly navigate the conceptual territory delineated by their corresponding mathematical relationships in the space of the network. We compare the kinds of exploration of mathematical terrain respectively supported by whole-class and small group activities in classroom networks in order to examine the distinctive learning opportunities provided by each, and consider the potential of these different activity structures for providing mutually supportive instructional experiences.
Continuous Vocal Fry Simulated in Laboratory Subjects: A Preliminary Report on Voice Production and Listener Ratings.

Purpose Vocal fry is prevalent in everyday speech. However, whether the use of vocal fry is detrimental to voice production is unclear. This preliminary study assessed the effects of using continuo...
Decompression Hemicraniectomy for Refractory Intracranial Hypertension in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a disorder of dysregulation of cerebrovascular tone resulting in transient segmental vasoconstriction which resolves in 1–3 months. Cerebral edema is an underrecognized complication in RCVS. It is likely multifactorial. This edema can lead to intracranial hypertension that can be refractory to medical management. Limited evidence exists regarding surgical management of intracranial hypertension in RCVS. We present a 29-year-old Caucasian right-handed female patient with a medical history of migraine, polysubstance abuse presented to the emergency department (ED) daily for 3 days with the chief complaint of recurrent thunderclap headache. She declined neuroimaging and lumbar puncture. She was treated for migraine with abortive medications with no improvement. During the third ED visit, she became lethargic with right-sided homonymous hemianopia. Computerized tomography of the brain showed left parietal intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular extension, cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage, and diffuse cerebral edema. Digital subtraction angiography showed multifocal moderate-to-severe segmental vasoconstriction suggestive of vasculopathy. Oral verapamil was initiated. Continuous intracranial pressure monitoring showed uncontrolled intracranial hypertension, despite maximal medical management with hyperosmolar therapy, induced coma, and hypothermia. Decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty was performed for refractory intracranial hypertension. We provisionally diagnosed her with RCVS. She was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation with residual right homonymous hemianopia. Transcranial Doppler study during follow-up showed improved mean flow velocities. She continued to have residual cognitive deficits with complete resolution of headache.
Electrochemical characterization of the chalcopyrite/solution interface

The results of an investigation to characterize the chalcopyrite/solution interface are presented. Several techniques were used, including galvanostatic and steady-state polarization, cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the dissolution of chalcopyrite was incongruent. Initially, at low potentials ( 0.48 V), further oxidation led to the dissolution of the copper and sulfur species, with a resultant breakdown of the IDS layer. The changes in surface-coating properties, resulting from various electrochemical treatments, are discussed.
Health and Physical Education Advocacy Efforts with At-Risk Youth

At-risk youth have specific needs, yet teachers often lack the training or knowledge to help these students succeed. The purpose of this article is to spotlight the successes of one HPE department ...
CT Practice Optimization

Based on the clinical perspective, the three essential elements of CT practice optimization are appropriate clinical indications for the CT scan, CT protocol design based on a team-based approach, and adjustments of scan parameters according to patient size, body region, and clinical indication. Dose monitoring can identify CT protocols with excessive doses that need attention and modifications. Active surveillance strategies ensure a good diagnostic quality of performed CT examinations while adhering to the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle for radiation doses.
Airway Remodeling in Ferrets with Cigarette Smoke Induced COPD using µCT Imaging.

Structural changes to airway morphology, such as increased bronchial wall thickness (BWT) and airway wall area, are cardinal features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ferrets are a ...
Zinc Inhibits Hedgehog Autoprocessing: Linking Zinc Deficiency with Hedgehog Activation

Zinc is an essential metal with wide-ranging biological functions while Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays crucial roles in both development and disease. Here we describe a mechanistic interaction between zinc and Hh signaling. Hh ligand, the upstream activator of Hh signaling, originates from Hh autoprocessing, in which Hh precursor protein undergoes self-cleavage and cholesterol modification. In vitro assay showed zinc inhibits Hh autoprocessing with IC50 of 2 μM. Solution NMR revealed that zinc interacts with active site residues of Hh autoprocessing domain while ITC indicated that the binding is driven mostly by enthalpy with 1:1 stoichiometry. We further demonstrated zinc inhibition of Hh autoprocessing extends to a cellular environment through cell culture studies. In normal physiology, zinc likely acts as a negative regulator of Hh autoprocessing and inhibits the generation of Hh ligand and Hh signaling. In many diseases, zinc deficiency and elevated level of Hh ligand co-exist, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and autism. Our data suggest a novel, causal relationship between zinc deficiency and the overproduction of Hh ligand: zinc deficiency likely enhances Hh autoprocessing and the production of Hh ligand, thereby activating Hh signaling in diseases.
Predictive factors of Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis outcomes: A long-term analysis.

Abstract Purpose To study the long-term visual- and device retention-related outcomes and complications of the Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis (KPro). Methods Single-center, retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing KPro implantation from February 2007 to April 2014 with at least 5 years of follow-up. Results 68 eyes from 65 patients underwent KPro implantation during the study period. At 5 and 10 years, the probability of maintaining or improving visual acuity (VA) was 75.0% and 66.7%, respectively, and the probability of KPro retention was 89.2% and 89.2%, respectively. Initial device retention rate at 10 years was significantly lower in those with underlying ocular surface disease (46.8% [30.6–63.2] vs 75.8% [61.0–90.7], P = 0.03), while other baseline characteristics showed no significant association. Final VA was more likely to be stable or improved in patients with fewer failed grafts (2 [1–6] vs 3 [1–6], P Conclusions KPro devices show favorable long-term visual and retention outcomes in select patients. Careful long-term, multidisciplinary follow-up is warranted to address potential complications.
Real-time, passive measurement of communication during family leisure: An exploratory study of wearable sociometric badges

Research on family communication in the leisure context has been limited to retrospective survey reconstructions of perceptions of communication patterns. This study examines the validity of sociom...
Splicing factor SRSF1 limits IFN-γ production via RhoH and ameliorates experimental nephritis.

Objective CD4 T helper 1 (Th1) cells producing IFN-γ contribute to inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of SLE and lupus nephritis. Moreover, elevated serum type II IFN levels precede the appearance of type I IFNs and autoantibodies in patient years before clinical diagnosis. However, the molecules and mechanisms that control this inflammatory response in SLE remain unclear. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) is decreased in T cells from SLE patients, and restrains T cell hyperactivity and systemic autoimmunity. Our objective here was to evaluate the role of SRSF1 in IFN-γ production, Th1 differentiation and experimental nephritis. Methods T cell-conditional Srsf1-knockout mice were used to study nephrotoxic serum-induced nephritis and evaluate IFN-γ production and Th1 differentiation by flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was used to assess transcriptomics profiles. RhoH was silenced by siRNA transfections in human T cells by electroporation. RhoH and SRSF1 protein levels were assessed by immunoblots. Results Deletion of Srsf1 in T cells led to increased Th1 differentiation and exacerbated nephrotoxic serum nephritis. The expression levels of RhoH are decreased in Srsf1-deficient T cells, and silencing RhoH in human T cells leads to increased production of IFN-γ. Furthermore, RhoH expression was decreased and directly correlated with SRSF1 in T cells from SLE patients. Conclusion Our study uncovers a previously unrecognized role of SRSF1 in restraining IFN-γ production and Th1 differentiation through the control of RhoH. Reduced expression of SRSF1 may contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune-related nephritis through these molecular mechanisms.
Contemporary Trends and Predictors of Utilization of Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction Recent innovations have led to the use of percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) in patients presenting with ST- elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shocks (CS). The purpose of this study was to look at recent trends and predictors of utilization of pVADS in patients with STEMI-CS Methods Data from national inpatient from the year 2008 to 2017 was used for temporal trends. International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes were used to identify patients of STEMI with CS. Pearson Chi-square was used for categorical variables for statistical analysis. Linear regression was used for trend analysis. Stepwise forward entry Logistic regression with analysis was used for predictors of utilization of pVADs (with entry of p 0.1). Standard Elixhauser comorbidities were used. Results 258,749 patients were identified. The median age was 67 (IQR, 58-77) years. Mortality was very high at 37.5% (97061). 52.0% (134,640) patients underwent Percutaneous intervention (PCI). 4.7% (12,098) percutaneous Ventricular assist devices (pVADs) used. This has increased over the years from 0.4%(100) in 2008 to 12.4% (3,510) in 2017 [p Conclusion Use of pVADs has increased over the years in patients with STEMI-CS over the years.
Introduction to the Special Issue on "Informing Longitudinal Studies on the Effects of Maternal Stress and Substance Use on Child Development: Planning for the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study".

The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study will establish a large cohort of pregnant women from regions of the country significantly affected by the opioid crisis and follow them and their children for at least 10 years. Findings from this cohort will help researchers understand normative childhood brain development as well as the long-term impact of prenatal and postnatal opioid and other drug and environmental exposures. The study will collect data on pregnancy and fetal development; infant and early childhood structural and functional brain imaging; anthropometrics; medical history; family history; biospecimens; and social, emotional, and cognitive development. Knowledge gained from this research will be critical to help predict and prevent some of the known effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to certain drugs or environmental exposures, including risk for future substance use, mental disorders, and other behavioral and developmental problems. In this special issue, a subset of investigators that received funding for planning grants for the HBCD study provide careful guidelines and frameworks for study design, recruitment and retention of vulnerable populations, culturally sensitive practices, and biospecimen and neurodevelopmental assessment recommendations gathered in feasibility studies that will help inform the full HBCD study planned to begin recruitment in 2022.
Rural Chinese youth during the transition into adulthood: Family dynamics and psychological adjustment.

Rural youth in China experience numerous challenges during their transition into adulthood. Yet, research on this transition and its relevant influential factors is rare. Through the lens of family systems theory, this study examined the impacts of family dynamics (i.e., interparental and parent-adolescent interactions) in adolescence on the psychological adjustment of youth as they transition into adulthood. Participants were 1330 youth and their mothers in rural Gansu. In 2004, mothers completed questionnaires of interparental and parent-adolescent interactions when youth were adolescents (Mage = 15.03, SD = 1.15). In 2009, youth completed questionnaires of depression and self-esteem when they were emerging adults (Mage = 20.03, SD = 1.15). Results of structural equation modelling suggested that while interparental interactions in adolescence were not associated with the psychological adjustment of youth in emerging adulthood, positive parent-adolescent interactions in adolescence predicted better psychological adjustment of youth in emerging adulthood. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that although interparental interactions did not directly affect the psychological adjustment of youth, they were positively associated with parent-adolescent interactions, which in turn contributed to the psychological adjustment of youth. The results reveal an enduring influence of family dynamics on psychological adjustment among rural Chinese youth during the transition into adulthood.
Acetylcholine-dopamine interactions in the pathophysiology and treatment of CNS disorders

Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area of the midbrain form the nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathways that, respectively, project to dorsal and ventral striatum (including prefrontal cortex). These midbrain dopaminergic nuclei and their respective forebrain and cortical target areas are well established as serving a critical role in mediating voluntary motor control, as evidenced in Parkinson's disease, and incentive-motivated behaviors and cognitive functions, as exhibited in drug addiction and schizophrenia, respectively. Although it cannot be disputed that excitatory and inhibitory amino acid-based neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA, play a vital role in modulating activity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, recent evidence suggests that acetylcholine may be as important in regulating dopaminergic transmission. Midbrain dopaminergic cell tonic and phasic activity is closely dependent upon projections from hindbrain pedunculopontine and the laterodorsal tegmental nuclei, which comprises the only known cholinergic inputs to these neurons. In close coordination with glutamatergic and GABAergic activity, these excitatory cholinergic projections activate nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area to modulate dopamine transmission in the dorsal/ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex. Additionally, acetylcholine-containing interneurons in the striatum also constitute an important neural substrate to provide further cholinergic modulation of forebrain striatal dopaminergic transmission. In this review, we examine neurological and psychopathological conditions associated with dysfunctions in the interaction of acetylcholine and dopamine and conventional and new pharmacological approaches to treat these disorders.
The Far Ultraviolet Background

The diffuse far-ultraviolet (FUV) background has received considerable attention from astronomers since the seventies. The initial impetus came from the hope of detecting UV radiation from the hot intergalactic medium. The central importance of the FUV background to the physics (heating and ionization) of the diffuse atomic phases motivated the next generation of experiments. The consensus view is that the diffuse FUV emission at high latitudes has three components: stellar FUV reflected by dust grains (diffuse galactic light or DGL), FUV from other galaxies (extra-galactic background light, EBL) and a component of unknown origin. During the eighties, there was some discussion that decaying dark matter particles produced FUV radiation. In this paper I investigate production of FUV photons by conventional sources: the Galactic Hot Ionized Medium (line emission), two photon emission from the Galactic Warm Ionized Medium and low-velocity shocks, and Lyman-beta excitation of hydrogen at several locales in the Solar System (the interplanetary medium, the exosphere and thermosphere of Earth). I conclude that two thirds of the third component can be explained by the sum of the processes listed above.
Rationale and design of the Health Professional Students at the University of Illinois Chicago (HOLISTIC) Cohort Study

Objectives: The objectives of the HOLISTIC Cohort Study are to establish a 3-year prospective cohort study that characterizes the health of students within and across health professional education programs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, implement an interprofessional student research team, and inform initiatives to improve student health. This report describes the rationale and design of the HOLISTIC Cohort Study, including recruitment strategy, survey development, data management, and descriptive statistics of the first wave of study participants. Methods: An interprofessional student research team was formed to continuously inform study design. The first wave of recruitment was conducted from April 14, 2021 to May 5, 2021 across seven health science colleges (applied health, dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, social work) at the University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL. Eligible students were sent an invitation via email to complete an online survey after providing electronic informed consent. The online survey was based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2019 survey and the 2014 World Health Organization Report of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts Working Group Questionnaire. Two additional recruitment waves are planned in the Spring 2022 and Spring 2023; follow-up of participants previously enrolled will occur during these second and third recruitment waves. Results: Of 5,118 students invited to participate in the first wave, 553 (10.8%) completed the survey and includes participants from all seven health science colleges. The average age of participants is 27.3 years, 435 (78.8%) identify as female, and 137 (24.8%) identify as an underrepresented minority. Overall, 465 (84.6%) participants reported being currently employed for wages. Just over half (51%) reported no days with poor physical health within a month but only 11.2% reported no days with poor mental health within a month. Nearly one in ten (9.4%) reported having ever had a positive test for COVID-19. Conclusion: The HOLISTIC Cohort Study of health professional students across seven health science colleges has completed the first of three waves of enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the first wave of study participants, increased attention to supporting the mental and physical health of health professional students is needed.
A Lesson In Unintended Consequences: How Juvenile Justice And Domestic Violence Reforms Harm Girls In Violent Family Situations (And How To Help Them)

The increasing number of girls coming into the juvenile justice system, especially for violent offenses, has been well documented, but the causes are not well understood. Some contend that girls have become more violent, while others suggest that law enforcement policies toward girls have changed, and still others claim that the influx of girls in the system is attributable to both of these causes. Although it has been hypothesized that the decriminalization of status offenses and the criminalization of domestic violence may have contributed to the increasing number of girls in the juvenile justice system, there have been few, if any, systematic studies to help explain the nature of the increase and the specific problems associated with it. This article will explore reforms in the juvenile justice system and domestic violence law, and will argue that the convergence of these two seemingly progressive and pro-feminist legal reforms have inadvertently harmed girls in violent family situations. Regardless of cause, it is generally accepted that girls experience the juvenile justice system differently than boys and that the system is not well equipped to handle girls and their unique needs. Female juvenile offenders have significantly higher rates of violent victimization, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other mental and physical health issues than their male counterparts. Furthermore, girls are significantly more likely to be victimized inside detention. This article will argue that girls entering the juvenile justice system for domestic violence related
Recurrence and survival among breast cancer patients achieving a pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Patients who achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab (NAT) have better outcomes than patients with residual disease. Despite the excellent prognosis associated with achieving a pCR, tumors still recur. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with tumor recurrence and survival among patients achieving pCR after NAT. We identified 749 patients with primary breast cancer who achieved pCR after NAT between 1988 and 2009. pCR was defined as no evidence of invasive cancer in the breast and ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes on pathological evaluation. The Kaplan–Meier product limit method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between clinical and demographic factors and outcomes. Median follow-up was 35 months (range, 1–258 months). Overall 5-year distant metastasis-free survival was 93 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 90–95 %) and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 96 % (95 % CI, 93–97 %). In the multivariable model, we observed that patients >50 years had significantly decreased risk of distant metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47; 95 % CI, 0.22–0.98) and that patients with clinical stage at diagnosis IIIB–C cancer had both an increased risk of distant metastasis (HR 3.92; 95 % CI, 1.54–10.00) and lower OS (HR 4.75; 95 % CI, 1.60–14.08). Patients with pCR after NAT have excellent outcomes. However, our data show that younger patient and those with clinical stage at diagnosis IIIB and IIIC cancers are at increased risk of developing distant metastasis.
Jurisprudence and Social Policy: Aspirations and Perspectives

In these pages I shall try to sketch the aspirations and perspectives of the Boalt Hall program in Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP). What I have to say is in no sense official. It is a personal interpretation of what we are about. Although I have tried to identify an emerging consensus, I know others would put things very differently. The faculty is diverse, strong-minded, and incomplete. There are generations of students yet to come. A more mature statement must await their experience and their criticism.
Earthquake Events and Real Estate Portfolios: A Survey Result

A report on a survey of major equity REIT and corporate investors in California real estate after the October 17, 1989 earthquake. Only 43% of the respondents reported that they planned to formally reconsider California investment policies and only about 13%-17% suggested that it was likely that their current investment policy would change as a result of the quake.
Slippery when dry

Friction and wear account for massive amounts of wasted energy annually (estimates run in the hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States), in addition to unwanted and even unsafe failures of vehicles, machines, and devices ( 1 ). For example, nearly one-third of a vehicle's fuel energy is spent on overcoming engine, transmission, and tire friction ( 2 ). Engineers have devised many ways to reduce and control friction and wear, but it remains unknown whether superlubricity—the reduction of friction forces to nearly immeasurable levels—can be achieved with practical materials. On page 1118 of this issue, Berman et al. ( 3 ) describe an approach that combines the advantages of two nanomaterials with very different mechanical properties—stiff nanodiamonds and bendable graphene—to achieve apparent superlubricity on the macroscopic scale.
Oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor in breast adipose tissue and risk of female breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Organochlorine compounds, including organochlorine pesticides, have been suggested by some, but not all, studies to be associated with female breast-cancer risk. So far, studies relating organochlorine compounds and breast-cancer risk have mainly focused on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as risk factors for female breast cancer. This paper examines the hypothesis that environmental exposure to trans-nonachlor (TNC) and oxychlordane (OCD), a major metabolite of the insecticide chlordane, increases the METHODS A total of 304 histologically confirmed, incident primary breast-cancer patients and 186 histologically confirmed incident benign breast-disease controls were included in the study between 1994 and 1997. Breast adipose tissue not needed for diagnostic purposes was collected and analysed for TNC, OCD and other organochlorine compounds. A standardised, structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on major known, or suspected, risk factors for breast cancer. RESULTS The age and lipid-adjusted geometric mean adipose-tissue levels of OCD were similar between the cases [36.4 p.p.b., 95% confidence interval (CI) 34.7-38.2 p.p.b.] and controls (38.0 p.p.b., 95% Cl 35.7-40.6 p.p.b.). The age and lipid-adjusted geometric mean adipose-tissue levels of TNC between the cases (55.5 p.p.b., 95% CI 52.6-58.5 p.p.b.) and controls (58.1 p.p.b., 95% CI 54.2-62.3 p.p.b.) were also similar. There was no association between breast-cancer risk and mean adipose-tissue levels of OCD and TNC. The covariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.7 (95% CI 0.4-1.3) for OCD and 1.1 (95% CI 0.6-1.9) for TNC, when the highest quartile was compared with the lowest. The risk also did not vary based on oestrogen or progesterone receptor status or menopausal status. DISCUSSION We found no significantly increased risk of breast cancer associated with breast adipose-tissue levels of OCD or TNC; this is consistent with recent epidemiological studies, indicating that environmental exposure to organochlorine compounds does not have an overall significant impact on breast-cancer risk.
Inhibition of IFN-γ Signaling by Glucocorticoids

Recent reports suggest that a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid (GC) immunosuppressive action is inhibition of signaling by IL-2 and IL-12, cytokines that use the Janus kinase-STAT signaling pathway. We investigated whether GCs could also block activation of Janus kinase-STAT signaling by IFN-gamma, a potent proinflammatory cytokine. Addition of dexamethasone to PBMC cultures resulted in a dramatic inhibition of IFN-gamma activation of STAT1. Several days of exposure to GCs were required for inhibition of IFN-gamma signaling to become apparent, and the underlying mechanism was down-regulation of STAT1 expression. GCs suppressed the expression of STAT1 mRNA, but did not affect STAT1 protein stability. STAT1 expression and IFN-gamma signaling were preferentially suppressed in macrophages. GCs did not act directly on macrophages, but worked indirectly by regulating macrophage-lymphocyte interactions that control STAT1 expression. GCs inhibited IFN-gamma-inducible gene expression, thus demonstrating the physiological significance of inhibition of signal transduction. Our results identify a novel level of regulation of IFN-gamma signaling, whereby GCs control the amplitude of IFN-gamma signaling by regulating STAT1 expression. These results suggest that inhibition of IFN-gamma signaling contributes to the immunosuppressive action of GCs.
Pigments, size, and distributions of Synechococcus in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Dual-beam flow cytometry was used to analyze the distribution and optical characteristics of Synechococcus in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The depth range over which Synechococcus cells were abundant was related to the depth of the nitrite maximum and the chlorophyll maximum, but was not significantly correlated with the depth of the surface isothermal layer. Dual-beam analysis of chromophore pigment types revealed that the majority of the populations were of the high-urobilin type; low-urobilin types, similar to the isolate WH7803, were found only in coastal waters where they almost always co-occurred with high-urobilin strains. Phycoerythrin fluorescence intensity per cell increased dramatically with depth in the lower euphotic zone at all stations; at some open-ocean stations, very deep cells were as much as 100 times brighter than those at the surface. The maximal fluorescence intensity per cell was about the same at the coastal and oceanic stations, and the depth of maximal fluorescence was closely related to the depth of the nitrite maximum. At most stations, fluorescence per cell was constant throughout the mixed layer, but at some open-ocean stations it decreased continuously to the surface. The latter pattern suggests that mixing rates in these areas are slow relative to the abilities of the cells to photoacclimate. A distinct diel pattern in forward-angle light scatter was observed in cells in the mixed layer over vast regions, which we hypothesize to be coupled to growth of the cells during daylight hours.
Some notes on voting schemes and the will of the majority

This paper is a study in the theory of committees and elections. By a committee we will mean any group of people who arrive at a decision by means of voting. By a voting scheme1 we will mean any method by which individual voting decisions are aggregated into committee decisions. Given various voting schemes we shall examine three techniques by which members may seek to manipulate committee decisions to their advantage: a) additions or deletions to the alternatives to be considered b) deliberate distortions of one's own voting preferences c) manipulation of the order in which alternatives are voted upon, and shall prove some theorems about rational voting behavior when preferences are unidimensionally scalable.
Efficient reduction techniques for statistical model generation of standard cells

Statistical analysis has become an important technique to accurately factor in the effect of process variations in circuit behavior. Statistical analysis techniques depend on the generation of compact, fast, accurate and robust models that capture some specific aspect of the circuit behavior. The process of characterizing the circuit behavior to generate variation-aware models for standard cells has a large runtime penalty (l00x of nominal model generation). This runtime explosion is primarily due to the additional numbers of simulations required to capture the effects of within-die (WID) variations. We look at the techniques used for capturing WID effects in model generation and present some techniques to reduce the runtime of statistical delay and leakage characterization significantly. We show that our technique can speed up timing model generation by l0x and leakage model generation by approximately 2x.
Egg Size as Influenced by Morning or Evening Lights

Abstract Leghorn-type hens (40 weeks of age) were used to study the effect of: 1) increasing the morning photoperiod and total photoperiod, and 2) shifting artificial lights from morning to evening while maintaining a constant photoperiod length. Time of lay, egg size, egg production, and feed consumption were evaluated. By increasing morning photoperiod, egg weights were inreased during the first 4 weeks. After the 3rd week, ambient temperature decreased, and egg weights gradually equalized for the two treatment groups. Number of eggs laid before 1000 hr by birds exposed to morning light was increased, which indicated a shift in time of oviposition. Egg production for the birds with increased morning light was 4% higher for the first 4 weeks and 1% higher for the second 4 weeks than control birds. Birds subjected to increased morning light consumed 2.5 g more feed/bird/day than the control birds for the first 5 weeks, after which time feed intake was equal. When artificial morning lights were shifted from morning to evening, egg weights were reduced, and the laying cycle shifted toward the afternoon. Egg production and feed consumption were not significantly affected by evening light treatment.
Some variation of the twisted cord illusion and their analyses

Two approaches to the analysis of the twisted cord illusion are discussed. One suggests that the illusion is produced by embedded illusions (e.g., Zollner’s illusion); the other points to nonillusion features such as the lines of the cord strands. A number of novel variations of the illusion are presented, and four experiments using these variations are described in an attempt to discern which of the two approaches was more viable. The implications of these remits for various theories, including a multicomponent theory, are discussed.
Apatite induction by insoluble dentin collagen

Phosphoproteins are thought to play a role in mineral formation in dentin. A portion of this phosphoprotein is bound to collagen. We have investigated the requirement for bound phosphate in mineral induction by isolated dentin collagen. Insoluble bovine dentin collagen obtained by ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) demineralization had 19.5 mol of P/mol of collagen that could not be extracted with 0.5 M EDTA in 4 M guanidine HCl. When this collagen was incubated in supersaturated solutions that did not spontaneously precipitate, apatite was induced. With progressive enzymatic dephosphorylation, induction times for mineral formation became progressively longer. The dentin did not induce mineral formation when 90% of the ester phosphate was removed. Insoluble bone collagen, which had even less phosphate, also did not induce mineral formation. Mineral induction times by dentin collagen increased with decreasing solution saturations. Using these data, the interfacial tension for mineral induction was determined to be 90 ergs/cm2. This value approximated that of phosphatidic acid liposomes and of phosvitin cross-linked to agarose beads, and it might reflect the energetics of heterogeneous nucleation on a highly phosphorylated surface. Sequestering of calcium-phosphate clusters on the phosphoprotein probably accounts for the observed calcium binding by dentin collagen in excess of that required to neutralize the phosphate esters of the collagen. Because the phosphoprotein is immobilized at a low density on the collagen, it cannot self-associate in calcium-phosphate solutions as it does when it is free in solution. This immobilized phosphoprotein allows the mineral clusters formed on its surface to grow into a crystalline order.
MULTIPLE GASTRIC FREEZING.

A series of 120 patients had gastric freezing for the treatment of duodenal ulcer; 30 of these were treated a second time and, of these, 6 were treated a third time. Gastric secretory changes and clinical follow-up after multiple gastric freezing demonstrate that alterations are of temporary duration, as with the first freeze. The secretory findings support the conclusion that repeat freezing duplicates the mechanism of temporary selective vagotomy (as in the first freeze) without enhancing possible cumulative therapeutic effects.
Phytotoxins. II. Characterization of a phytotoxic fraction from alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici

Abstract A host-specific phytotoxic fraction obtained from the cell-free culture filtrate of A. alternata f. sp. lycopersici is shown to consist of two esters of 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid and 1-amino-11,15-dimethylheptadeca-2,4,5,13,14-pentol 1. The sites of esterification are a terminal carboxyl of the acid and C13 (major component 2a) and C14 (2b) of 1.
RACING TOWARD THE 21ST CENTURY: SOME CHALLENGES FOR MANAGERS IN CHINA

The transformation taking place in China's economy is simultaneously characterized by rapid growth (estimated at 13% in 1992 and 1993), movement toward a free market economic model, and the "opening" of China to active participation in and by the outside world. As these changes take place, managers in China are challenged to adopt new management practices. This paper briefly discusses three major challenges facing managers in China today: 1) enhancing customer orientation; 2) increasing effective utilization of human resources; and 3) development of financial information systems. The paper warns against the temptation to "clone" free market economic systems and management practices. Instead, Chinese managers and policy makers can selectively adopt "best practices" from around the world even as they retain selected Chinese management practices and economic policies which remain effective models from which the rest of the world may learn.
Commercially important species of oysters in the world

This paper deals with the distribution, morphology, taxonomy and cultivation of commercially valuable species of oysters in the world, i.e. Crassostrea gigas, C. angulata, C. rhizophorae, C. virginica, Saccostrea commercialis, S. forskalli, Ostrea edulis, O. angasi, O. chilensis and O. lurida.
Modeling nipi solar cells under concentration accounting for state filling effects

Significant development work has been completed in recent years to improve experimental results reaching a record efficiency of 9.14% under one sun AM0 conditions with no anti-reflection coating. The nipi solar cell utilizes epitaxial regrowth contacts to ensure carrier selective contacts to the alternating n and p-type doped layers, forming selectively ohmic and rectifying contacts. Defects or traps formed in the rectifying contact during the epitaxial regrowth process result in injected current that contributes directly to dark current. As a result detailed characterization of the epitaxial regrowth interface is required to understand and minimize the formation of interface traps. Concentration measurements have been completed to characterize the trap states impact on efficiency as higher concentration results in state filling and a recovery in open circuit voltage. A model has been developed to gain further understanding of the measurements under concentration.