cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cohort study of multiple families with FBN1 p.R650C variant, ectopia lentis, and low but not absent risk for aortopathy.

Marfan syndrome is a multisystem disease with cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, and skeletal features. Diagnosis is made clinically with emphasis on presence of aortic root dilation and ectopia lentis (EL). Most individuals meeting these criteria have a pathogenic variant in FBN1, usually unique or observed rarely. Individuals with EL alone may also have FBN1 pathogenic variants, and the risk for aortic disease is not well known. We identified a unique cohort of 31 individuals (mean age 29, range 2–78) from nine families ascertained by a proband with EL alone, who had the same FBN1 p.R650C variant. Comparison was made to individuals with Marfan syndrome (n = 103 from 97 families) at our institution. Those with the p.R650C variant had few skeletal features of Marfan syndrome. Age of onset of EL was later compared to others with cysteine variant changes. Aortic root dilation occurred in 4/16 (25%) of the p.R650C group versus 71/83 (86%) in the comparator group (p < 0.001) and dissection or replacement in 1/31 (3%) versus 20/103 (19%; p < 0.04). Aortic root Z scores were much lower in the p.R650C (0.34 ± 1.70) versus the comparator (2.99 ± 2.54; p < 0.0002). Kaplan–Meier failure curves for aortic root dilation demonstrated later age of onset and differed significantly for incidence rate ratio (comparator vs. p.R650C = 5.35, CI 1.84–21.17; p = 0.0001). Individuals with p.R650C predominantly have EL, but do have risk for aortic dilation at ages later than typical for Marfan syndrome in general and for cysteine changes specifically. Surveillance for aortic dilation is required but may occur less frequently.
Public Health and School Nurses’ Perceptions of Barriers to HPV Vaccination in Missouri

ABSTRACTHuman Papilloma Virus (HPV) is associated with various forms of cancer and is preventable with vaccination. Nurses are in a unique position to directly influence a person’s decision to receive the HPV vaccine. A statewide sample of both school and public health nurses was used to assess knowledge and attitudes related to the HPV vaccine as well as nurse’s behaviors and behavioral intentions toward educating parents and recommending the vaccine. Positive attitudes and adequate knowledge levels were found, however, the majority of school nurses did not provide information and resources to parents. Targeted health promotion programs for school nurses are recommended.
Panama: democracy under the shadow of corruption

En el ano 2016 Panama fue azotada por escandalos de corrupcion y una economia en desace­leracion que tuvo consecuencias negativas en la posicion politica del Presidente Juan Carlos Varela. Los “Papeles de Panama” revelaron la patologia subyacente en el sistema politico y economico de Panama. Tras una decada de rapido crecimiento la economia panamena mostro signos de desaceleracion. Sin embargo, la terminacion del proyecto de ampliacion del Canal de Panama genera un impulso economico en la medida que la via maritima puede servir una mayor proporcion de trafico comercial.
Abstract IA15: Genetic screens to study cancer

We will describe our efforts to use the CRISPR/Cas9 system to systematically identify the genetic liabilities of cancer cells and the synthetic lethal relationships of common oncogenes. Citation Format: David M. Sabatini. Genetic screens to study cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Opportunities and Challenges of Exploiting Synthetic Lethality in Cancer; Jan 4-7, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2017;16(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.
Friction coefficient of an intact free liquid jet moving in air

Here, we propose a novel method of determining the friction coefficient of intact free liquid jets moving in quiescent air. The middle-size jets of this kind are relevant for such applications as decorative fountains, fiber-forming, fire suppression, agriculture, and forensics. The present method is based on measurements of trajectories created using a straightforward experimental apparatus emulating such jets at a variety of initial inclination angles. Then, the trajectories are described theoretically, accounting for the longitudinal traction imposed on such jets by the surrounding air. The comparison of the experimental data with the theoretical predictions shows that the results can be perfectly superimposed with the friction coefficient $${C_{{\text{fd}}}}=5R{e_d}^{{ - 1/2 \pm 0.05}}$$ , in the $$621 \leqslant R{e_d} \leqslant 1289$$ range, with Red being the Reynolds number based on the local cross-sectional diameter of the jet. The results also show that the farthest distance such jets can reach corresponds to the initial inclination angle $$\alpha =35^\circ$$ which is in agreement with already published data.
Tick-Borne Infections of the Central Nervous System

Abstract Ticks are versatile arthropod vectors of a variety of infectious agents. The tick-borne encephalitis viruses (TBEV) are the most widespread tick-transmitted viral infections that primarily affect the central nervous system. They can cause severe disease with significant neurologic morbidity as well as mortality. The Powassan virus and the closely related deer tick virus are an emerging cause of tick-borne encephalitis in North America and Russia, with about 10% mortality in neuroinvasive disease. Lyme Borreliosis is the most common tick-transmitted bacterial infection in the United States and Europe and causes neurologic disease in about 15% of cases. While effective antimicrobial therapy is available for Lyme disease as well as other spirochetal and rickettsial infections that occasionally cause neurologic disease, treatment for viral infections is mainly supportive. Prevention of tick bites is important in reducing morbidity and mortality due to these illnesses. Effective vaccines are available to prevent TBEV infections.
Genetic variants in the HLA class II region associated with risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

The immune system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) as evidenced by the substantially increased risk of cSCC in immunosuppressed individuals. Associations between cSCC risk and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HLA region have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The translation of the associated HLA SNPs to structural amino acids changes in HLA molecules has not been previously elucidated. Using data from a GWAS that included 7238 cSCC cases and 56,961 controls of non-Hispanic white ancestry, we imputed classical alleles and corresponding amino acid changes in HLA genes. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between cSCC risk and genotyped or imputed SNPs, classical HLA alleles, and amino acid changes. Among the genotyped SNPs, cSCC risk was associated with rs28535317 (OR = 1.20, p = 9.88 × 10− 11) corresponding to an amino-acid change from phenylalanine to leucine at codon 26 of HLA-DRB1 (OR = 1.17, p = 2.48 × 10− 10). An additional independent association was observed for a threonine to isoleucine change at codon 107 of HLA-DQA1 (OR = 1.14, p = 2.34 × 10− 9). Among the classical HLA alleles, cSCC was associated with DRB1*01 (OR = 1.18, p = 5.86 × 10− 10). Conditional analyses revealed additional independent cSCC associations with DQA1*05:01 and DQA1*05:05. Extended haplotype analysis was used to complement the imputed haplotypes, which identified three extended haplotypes in the HLA-DR and HLA-DQ regions. Associations with specific HLA-DR and -DQ alleles are likely to explain previously observed GWAS signals in the HLA region associated with cSCC risk.
Responses to comments and closer to a definition of applied psychophysiology

This paper responds to the nine response papers to the initial paper in this series. This paper also presents a revised working definition of applied psychophysiology which is in concert with many of the responses.
Stabilization and Regulation of Small Frequency Fluctuations by Means of Governor and Flywheel Control

In this chapter we introduce a control and communications framework for ensuring that frequency remains within the prespecified industry standards in systems with high penetration of wind power. It is assumed that wind power changes are persistent low-amplitude fast fluctuations around a given equilibrium. We derive a linearized dynamic model which relates small changes in wind power and frequency. The model is derived in the standard state-space form needed for systematic control design. We further assume that the effects of voltage changes on frequency dynamics are negligible, which results in a mathematical model representing decoupled electromechanical system dynamics. Based on this model, we propose a general control and communications framework for systematic frequency stabilization and regulation in future electric energy systems with highly variable disturbances. First, according to the proposed control design approach, the ability of the primary controllers of individual resources to stabilize their own dynamics while modeling the rest of the system as a disturbance around the equilibrium is assessed. Next, the stability of the interconnected system whose dynamic components are stand-alone-stable is assessed. The potential of fast storage controllers, such as flywheels, is studied in order for avoiding excessive wear and tear of the existing primary controllers, governors in particular, and for increasing the stability margin of the interconnected system. Depending on the electrical distances between the flywheels and wind power plants, system-level communications may be needed for coordination. The proposed framework is illustrated using the electrical systems of Flores and Sao Miguel Islands.
Family, Class and School: The Capitalist Evolution

To paraphrase Marx, people raise their own children, but they do not raise them just as they please; they do not raise them under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past. We cannot comprehend the condition of the child in the family fully without also attending to other elements of the society that share directly or indirectly in childrearing.
Many-Electron Transport Phenomena in Nondegenerate 2D Electron Systems

We consider static conductivity and cyclotron resonance in a normal two-dimensional electron fluid and Wigner crystal. The analysis is nonperturbative in the electron-electron interaction. It is based on the concept of a Coulomb force that drives an electron due to thermal fluctuations of electron density. This force controls electron dynamics in classical and semiclassical systems, where it is uniform over the electron wavelength, and strongly affects electron scattering by helium vapor atoms and ripplons, and thus electron transport. We derive and develop techniques for solving the many-electron quantum transport equation in the range from zero to quantizing magnetic fields B. We show that the static conductivity σ is nonmonotonous as a function of B, and that many-electron effects give rise to substantial narrowing of the cyclotron resonance absorption peak and to strong nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristic even in the absence of electron heating. The results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiment and explain why different types of B-dependence of σ have been observed.
General Considerations for Spine Surgery Including Consent and Preparation. General Surgical Principles, Guidelines for Informed Consent, Patient Positioning for Surgery, Equipment Needed, and Postoperative Considerations

The general surgical principle in spine surgeries is to remember that there are no small spine surgeries. These are usually bigger surgeries, and most patients are sick and/or debilitated as well as deconditioned because of their chronic pain. The general surgical principle for spine surgery is “Do no harm.” The second rule is to know your limitations, and the third rule is to ensure that the surgeon’s and the patient’s expected outcomes are synonymous.
Embodiment and embodied cognition

Progressive embodiment and the subsequent enhancement of presence have been important goals of VR researchers and designers for some time (Biocca, 1997). Consequently, researchers frequently explore the relationship between increasing embodiment and presence yet rarely emphasize the ties between their work and other work on embodiment. More specifically, we argue that experiments manipulating or implementing visual scale, avatar customization, sensory enrichment, and haptic feedback, to name a few examples, all have embodiment as their independent variable. However, very few studies explicitly frame their work as an exploration of embodiment. In this paper we will leverage the field of Embodied Cognition to help clarify the concept of embodiment.
Cocaine and Cocaine Expectancy Increase Growth Hormone, Ghrelin, GLP-1, IGF-1, Adiponectin, and Corticosterone While Decreasing Leptin, Insulin, GIP, and Prolactin

The dopamine system-essential for mood and movement-can be activated in two ways: by excitatory inputs that cause burst firing and stamp-in learning or by slow excitatory or inhibitory inputs-like leptin, insulin, ghrelin, or corticosterone-that decrease or increase single-spike (pacemaker) firing rate and that modulate motivation. In the present study we monitored blood samples taken prior to and during intravenous cocaine or saline self-administration in rats. During cocaine-taking, growth hormone and acetylated ghrelin increased 10-fold; glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) doubled; non-acetylated ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and corticosterone increased by 50% and adiponectin increased by 17%. In the same blood samples, leptin, insulin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and prolactin decreased by 40-70%. On the first day of testing under extinction conditions-where the animals earned unexpected saline instead of cocaine-5-fold increases were seen for growth hormone and acetylated ghrelin and equal changes-in amplitude and latency-were seen in each of the other cases except for IGF-1 (which increased at a slower rate). Single-spike firing affects the tonic activation level of the dopamine system, involving very different controls than those that drive burst firing; thus, the present data suggest interesting new targets for medications that might be used in the early stages of drug abstinence.
Predicting Lichen-based Critical Loads for Nitrogen Deposition in Temperate Forests

Critical loads (CLs) define the quantitative exposure to one or more pollutants below which significant harmful effects on sensitive elements of the environment do not occur, according to present knowledge. Management according to CLs generated for epiphytic lichens, a highly nitrogen (N)-sensitive indicator, should protect forested ecosystems from N deposition effects. We tested the hypothesis that epiphytic lichen community composition, specifically the relative contribution of oligotrophs vs. eutrophs to species richness, can be predicted from mean annual precipitation and N deposition. We applied a multiple linear regression model developed for the North American Marine West Coast Forests to dry, mesic, and wet deciduous forests in California and Scotland. Replication of previously published CLs using this model validated our hypothesis, implying that lichen-based CLs for N can be estimated for other temperate forests where natural lichen community composition and mean annual precipitation are known.
Visual Degree of Doneness Impacts Beef Palatability for Consumers with Different Degree of Doneness Preferences

The objective of this study was to determine the impact on beef palatability perceptions when consumers with varying degree of doneness (DOD) preferences are served steaks cooked to multiple DOD. Paired Low Choice strip loin steaks were randomly assigned to a DOD of either rare (60°C), medium-rare (63°C), medium (71°C), medium-well (74°C), or well-done (77°C). Consumer panelists were prescreened for DOD preference (rare, medium, or well-done) prior to sensory panels and were assigned to panels based on their DOD preference. In the first round of testing, consumers were served 1 sample from each of the 5 DOD under low-intensity red incandescent light to mask any DOD differences among samples. In round 2 of testing, consumers were fed the paired samples cooked to the same DOD under white incandescent lights. There were no (P > 0.05) consumer DOD preference × steak DOD interactions or consumer DOD preference effects for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor ratings when steaks were evaluated under both lighting types. Within the white-lighting testing, there was a consumer DOD preference × steak DOD interaction (P 0.05) in overall palatability among DOD under white-lighting, whereas consumers who preferred steaks cooked to rare and medium rated steaks lower (P < 0.05) for overall palatability as DOD increased. Regardless of DOD preference, consumer sensory ratings decreased (P < 0.05) when steaks were cooked above the consumer’s preferred DOD; whereas sensory ratings improved (P < 0.05) when steaks were served below the consumers’ preferences. These results indicate that overcooking steaks has the greatest negative impact on beef palatability perception and thus, foodservice should err on the side of undercooking steaks to preserve, and potentially improve, eating satisfaction.
Security Frameworks in Mobile Cloud Computing

The concept of mobile cloud computing (MCC) combines mobile computing with cloud resources, and therefore, has opened up new directions in the field of mobile computing. Cloud resources can help in overcoming the memory, energy, and other computing resource limitations of mobile devices. Thus, the mobile cloud computing applications can address some of the resource constraint issues by offloading tasks to cloud servers. Despite these advantages, mobile cloud computing is still not widely adopted due to various challenges associated with security in mobile cloud computing framework including issues of privacy, access control, service level agreements, interoperability, charging model, etc. In this chapter, we focus on the challenges associated with security in mobile cloud computing, and key features required in a security framework for MCC. Initially, we describe key architectures pertaining to various applications of mobile cloud computing, and later, we discuss few security frameworks proposed for MCC in terms of handling privacy, security, and attacks.
Developing Workforce Diversity in the Health Professions: A Social Justice Perspective

Abstract Purpose People of color often face challenges in accessing equitable healthcare. Disparities in healthcare pose very real moral and ethical social justice dilemmas for society, and prevent efforts to improve the nation's health and manage escalating healthcare costs. A diverse healthcare workforce is necessary as a means to help care for an increasingly diverse patient population. Method This paper focuses on programmatic and research information that is a collaborative effort between a number of researchers and educators in schools of medicine and allied healthcare. The paper looks at the current state of racial and ethnic diversity in the health professions and describes the social justice implications of a representative healthcare workforce. Using a “pipeline to practice” model, the authors will present information spanning the pipeline from encouraging high school students of color to enter the allied healthcare professions to introducing undergraduate and graduate students in health professions program to responsive policy making and cross-cultural communication. The authors reviewed the research literature across multiple institutions and professional health programs, and include illustrative case studies. Results The authors found that overall, the healthcare workforce is becoming more diverse however, with the majority of people of color in healthcare jobs remaining in entry-level and often lower paying jobs. The need to increase the diversity of the healthcare workforce in all fields of allied health is a continuing need. The most promising practices tended to be comprehensive programs that include a combination of social support, academic support, and financial support. Discussion This information has great significance for health professions education programs as they strive to diversify their student populations, retain students of color, and provide culturally responsive education and training. This interdisciplinary collaborative perspective illustrates what can be learned from varied health professional programs as well as making new connections across often disconnected practice settings.
Introduction: The status of the concept of identity in economics

The subject of this special issue of the Forum for Social Economics is ‘Identity, Institutions, and Power.’ As an introduction and as background for how the papers in the issue address this complex...
Magnetospheric interaction in white dwarf binaries AR Sco and AE Aqr

We develop a model of the white dwarf (WD) - red dwarf (RD) binaries AR Sco and AE Aqr as systems in a transient propeller stage of highly asynchronous intermediate polars. The WDs are relatively weakly magnetized with magnetic field of $\sim 10^6$ G. We explain the salient observed features of the systems due to the magnetospheric interaction of two stars. Currently, the WD's spin-down is determined by the mass loading of the WD's magnetosphere from the RD's at a mild rate of $\dot{M}_{WD} \sim 10^{-11} M_\odot $/yr. Typical loading distance is determined by the ionization of the RD's wind by the WD's UV flux. The WD was previously spun up by a period of high accretion rate from the RD via Roch lobe overflow with $\dot{M} \sim 10^{-9} M_\odot $/yr, acting for as short a period as tens of thousands of years. The non-thermal X-ray and optical synchrotron emitting particles originate in reconnection events in the magnetosphere of the WD due to the interaction with the flow from the RD. In the case of AR Sco, the reconnection events produce signals at the WD's rotation and beat periods - this modulation is due to the changing relative orientation of the companions' magnetic moments and resulting variable reconnection conditions. Radio emission is produced in the magnetosphere of the RD, we hypothesize, in a way that it is physically similar to the Io-induced Jovian decametric radiation.
Chapter 27 – Stress-Degree-Day Concept and Crop Water Stress Index

This chapter describes the stress-degree-day and the crop water stress index (CWSI) to evaluate water stress in plants. They were developed in the 1970s by Ray Jackson and Sherwood Idso at the US Department of Agriculture's Water Conservation Laboratory in Phoenix, Arizona. The procedures to determine them are based on measurements of canopy temperature obtained with handheld infrared thermometers. The CWSI is being used widely to determine water stress in crops. An example is given to show how to calculate the CWSI. One needs to measure the difference between canopy temperature and air temperature and plot those measurements against vapor pressure deficit. The importance of having a wide range in vapor pressure deficit values is pointed out. The normalized difference vegetation index, which measures reflectance from plant leaves in the red and near-infrared regions, is defined and distinguished from the CWSI, which is based on temperature measurements. An appendix gives the biography of Idso.
A Phase 1 study using autologous antigen presenting cells loaded with BA7072 (APC8024) to treat subjects with metastatic breast cancer that over expresses HER-2/neu

1229 APC8024 is an immunotherapy product consisting of autologous antigen presenting cells loaded with a fusion protein (BA7072), which contains GM-CSF and sequences from the intracellular and extracellular portions of HER-2/neu. In this dose-escalation study, 18 subjects with metastatic breast cancer that over expressed HER-2/neu (IHC 3+, or ICH2+ and FISH+) were immunized with three infusions of APC8024, given at biweekly intervals. Subjects were evaluated for safety, immune response and clinical response. All subjects were evaluable for safety and there were no serious treatment-related adverse events. Approximately 50% of the subjects reported mild to moderate pyrexia and rigors after treatment. Antigen specific cellular immune responses were evaluated using T cell proliferation and IFNγ ELISPOT assays. Thirteen of the fourteen subjects evaluable for immune response demonstrated an antigen specific response. The only subject in whom an immune response was not induced had a significant HER-2/neu specific response prior to treatment. The HER-2/neu specificity of the response was confirmed in a subset of subjects by the isolation of HER-2/neu specific T cell clones. Clinically, one partial response in a supraclavicular mass was observed, and seven patients had stable disease (SD) until week 12. Notably, three of these patients showed long-term SD lasting >52 weeks, and all three received retreatment per protocol one year after study entry. Additionally, antigen specific cellular immune responses were induced in two of the three subjects following retreatment. In conclusion, APC8024 was well-tolerated, antigen specific cellular immune responses were induced and potential clinical benefit was observed.
The Closed Circle: Joining and Leaving the Muslim Brotherhood in the West: by Lorenzo Vidino, New York, Colombia University Press, 2020, 275 pp., $30 (paperback), ISBN 9780231193672

Should the Muslim Brotherhood be considered a “terrorist” organization? By 2019, the president of the U.S. and several congressmen had floated the idea. The Brotherhood is proscribed by the United ...
De novo structural mutation rates and gamete-of-origin biases revealed through genome sequencing of 2,396 families

Each human genome includes de novo mutations that arose during gametogenesis. While these germline mutations represent a fundamental source of new genetic diversity, they can also create deleterious alleles that impact fitness. The germline mutation rate for single nucleotide variants and factors that significantly influence this rate, such as parental age, are now well established. However, far less is known about the frequency, distribution, and features that impact de novo structural mutations. We report a large, family-based study of germline mutations, excluding aneuploidy, that affect genome structure among 572 genomes from 33 families in a multigenerational CEPH-Utah cohort and 2,363 cases of non-familial autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 1,938 unaffected siblings, and both parents (9,599 genomes in total). We find that de novo structural mutations detected by alignment-based, short-read WGS occurred at an overall rate of at least 0.160 events per genome in unaffected individuals and was significantly higher (0.206 per genome) in ASD cases. In both probands and unaffected samples, nearly 73% of de novo structural mutations arose in paternal gametes, and predict most de novo structural mutations to be caused by mutational mechanisms that do not require sequence homology. After multiple testing correction we did not observe a statistically significant correlation between parental age and the rate of de novo structural variation in offspring. These results highlight that a spectrum of mutational mechanisms contribute to germline structural mutations, and that these mechanisms likely have markedly different rates and selective pressures than those leading to point mutations.
Modeling Adaptive Resistance of KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancer to MAPK Pathway Inhibitors with a Three-Dimensional Tumor Model.

Single-agent drug treatment of KRASmut colorectal cancers is often ineffective because the activation of compensatory signaling pathways leads to drug resistance. To mimic cyclic chemotherapy treatments of patients, we showed that intermittent treatments of 3D tumor spheroids of KRASmut colorectal cancer cells with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway temporarily suppressed growth of spheroids. However, the efficacy of successive single-agent treatments was significantly reduced. Molecular analysis showed compensatory activation of PI3K/AKT and STAT kinases and EGFR family proteins. To overcome the adaptation of cancer cells to MAPK pathway inhibitors, we treated tumor spheroids with a combination of MEK and EGFR inhibitors. This approach significantly blocked signaling of MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways and prevented the growth of spheroids, but it was not effective against STAT signaling. Although the combination treatment blocked the matrix invasion of DLD1 cells, additional treatments with STAT inhibitors were necessary to prevent invasiveness of HCT116 cells. Overall, our drug resistance model elucidated the mechanisms of treatment-induced growth and invasiveness of cancer cells and allowed design-driven testing and identifying of effective treatments to suppress these phenotypes.
Cyber-Physical Anomaly Detection in Microgrids Using Time-Frequency Logic Formalism

Modern cyber-physical microgrids rely on the information exchanged among power electronics devices (i.e., converters or inverters with local embedded controllers) making them vulnerable to cyber manipulations. The physical devices themselves are susceptible to potential faults and failures. Effects of these cyber and physical anomalies can propagate throughout the entire microgrid due to information exchanged and the inherent low inertia of the distribution network. This work employs the parametric time-frequency logic (PTFL) framework to detect such cyber-physical anomalies. PTFL is a formalism to analyze the time-frequency content of the observable quantities of interest (such as current, voltage, or frequency) of power electronics devices in comparison with the predefined time-frequency properties. PTFL formalism is presented to detect the anomalies such as false data-injection attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and faults on a cluster of four DC microgrids and an inverter-populated IEEE 34-bus feeder system in a controller/hardware-in-the-loop environment.
Life-Threatening Fungal Infection in Richter Transformation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Case Report and Brief Review of Literature

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma is an indolent B cell lymphoproliferative malignancy typically affecting the elderly. Clinical outcomes of this condition have steadily improved as a result of advances in therapy. However, an increase in survival is accompanied by increased incidence of Richter transformation into an aggressive lymphoma. We present one such case and delve into its risk factors and associated complications. Exposure to increased lines of treatment appears to be a contributing factor in transformation, such that those with fewer than two lines of treatment are considered to have a lower risk of transformation. Fever, rapid lymph node involvement and drastic increases in lactate dehydrogenase, as seen in our patient, are concerning for transformation and treatment options include chemotherapy versus novel agent therapy. However, patients receiving therapy are at risk for adverse outcomes such as invasive infections, particularly in those receiving consolidation chemotherapy. Fungal infections such as Aspergillus and Candida are gaining prominence in the setting of neutropenia which adversely impact survival, but are underreported. Efforts to improve outcomes may include consideration of growth factor therapy in neutropenic patients and continuing to be vigilant for early signs of infection.
The role of assessment in enhancing the vocational success of people with multiple sclerosis

The person/environment or ecological perspective on vocational evaluation provides a comprehensive assessment strategy for people with multiple sclerosis. The ecological model requires assessment of both personal variables such as rehabilitation outlook and MS symptoms and environmental variables such as barriers to workplace accessibility and performance of essential job functions. Measures of person and environment constructs are presented as are applications of the resulting information in vocational counseling and disability management services.
Algebras associated to elliptic curves

This paper completes the classification of Artin-Schelter regular algebras of global dimension three. For algebras generated by elements of degree one this has been achieved by Artin, Schelter, Tate and Van den Bergh. We are therefore concerned with algebras which are not generated in degree one. We show that there exist some exceptional algebras, each of which has geometric data consisting of an elliptic curve together with an automorphism, just as in the case where the algebras are assumed to be generated in degree one. In particular, we study the elliptic algebras A(+), A(−), and A(a), where a ∈ P2, which were first defined in an earlier paper. We omit a set S ⊂ P2 consisting of 11 specified points where the algebras A(a) become too degenerate to be regular. Theorem. Let A represent A(+), A(−) or A(a), where a ∈ P2 \ S. Then A is an Artin-Schelter regular algebra of global dimension three. Moreover, A is a Noetherian domain with the same Hilbert series as the (appropriately graded) commutative polynomial ring in three variables. This, combined with our earlier results, completes the classification.
A Design Concept for an Aluminum Sport Utility Vehicle Frame

As part of the joint government/industry Partnership for a New Generation Vehicle (PNGV), Ford Motor Company, with the support of Alcan Aluminum Corporation and The Budd Company, conducted a feasibility study of the design and high volume manufacturing of a lightweight aluminum sport utility vehicle frame. The specific objective of the study was to assess the capability of an aluminum frame to achieve equivalent performance to the 2002 Ford Explorer frame, but at a 40% weight reduction. Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), it was determined that if a design was constrained to the same section size as the production steel frame, the maximum weight savings that can be realized by use of aluminum is approximately 20%. However, if the side rail sections between the front and rear suspension points can be modestly increased, the aluminum frame can match the production steel frame in static bending and torsional stiffness and have greater normal mode frequencies than the production steel frame. In addition, this allows for an approximate 40% reduction in weight compared to the production steel frame. Preliminary analysis also indicates an aluminum frame with the gage required to achieve the desired stiffness needed for ride, handling and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) will probably have excellent energy absorption during frontal impacts.
Associations Between Severe Obesity and Depression: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2006

Introduction My objectives were to investigate the association between obesity and depression in a representative sample of American adults, investigate sex and severity of obesity as modifiers of the association between depression and body mass index, determine whether large waist circumference is associated with depression, and explore whether specific health behaviors and poor physical health are possible mediators of the association between obesity and depression, if found.
The involvement of mechanical barriers in the resistance response of a field-resistant and a field-susceptible potato cultivar to Verticillium dahliae.

The association of phytotoxin production by the pathogen Verticillium dahliae with the production of wilt symptoms in susceptible potato cultivars has been well documented. However, certain cultivars exhibit field resistance although isolated tissues and cell cultures of these cultivars demonstrate susceptible responses when treated with phytotoxins from V. dahliae. Therefore more than one type of resistance, other than biochemical insensitivity to phytotoxins such as hypersensitivity and mechanical barriers, may be present. We investigated several defence mechanisms, including hypersensitivity, suberization, wound periderm formation and phytoalexin production in tubers of a field-susceptible (Kennebec) and a field-resistant (Reddale) cultivar, both of which are sensitive to V. dahliae phytotoxins. Although the total number of suberized cell layers and wound periderm formed were not different between the two cultivars, the response was more rapid in the resistant cultivar. Tuber tissue discs of the resistant cultivar exhibited more rapid and intense hypersensitive browning than the susceptible cultivar when inoculated with V. dahliae, whereas treatment with the elicitor arachidonic acid produced similar responses in both cultivars. High levels of the phytoalexin rishitin where produced in the susceptible cultivar when inoculated with the fungus, but only trace levels of rishitin were found in the resistant cultivar regardless of treatment. These results indicate that rapid mechanical defensive mechanisms play an important role in the resistance of potato cultivars to seed-piece infection by V. dahliae, while in the cultivars studied the production of phytoalexins is not correlated with resistance.
Experiment and theory highlight role of native state topology in SH3 folding.

We use a combination of experiments, computer simulations and simple model calculations to characterize, first, the folding transition state ensemble of the src SH3 domain, and second, the features of the protein that determine its folding mechanism. Kinetic analysis of mutations at 52 of the 57 residues in the src SH3 domain revealed that the transition state ensemble is even more polarized than suspected earlier: no single alanine substitution in the N-terminal 15 residues or the C-terminal 9 residues has more than a two-fold effect on the folding rate, while such substitutions at 15 sites in the central three-stranded β-sheet cause significant decreases in the folding rate. Molecular dynamics (MD) unfolding simulations and ab initio folding simulations on the src SH3 domain exhibit a hierarchy of folding similar to that observed in the experiments. The similarity in folding mechanism of different SH3 domains and the similar hierarchy of structure formation observed in the experiments and the simulations can be largely accounted for by a simple native state topology-based model of protein folding energy landscapes.
What Influences the Changes in REIT CEO Compensation? Evidence from Panel Data

This study examines what influences the changes in REIT CEO compensation using the following performance measures: average three-year total returns to shareholders, market value added, Tobin's q, and change in funds from operations. The impact of managerial power on the change in compensation is also examined. The empirical evidence indicates that firm performance and size do not influence the change in CEO salary, while risk, tenure, title, ownership, and age have significant impacts. Bonuses are not influenced by risk, size, or CEO power; however, they are influenced by performance. Option awards are affected by performance and CEO power.
Mass Spectrometry‐Based Proteomics in Systems Toxicology

Advances of proteomics and its application to toxicological studies have led to the development of a new discipline, toxicoproteomics. Toxicoproteomics and its associated technologies are vital for the understanding of toxicity in systems toxicology. Many quantitative proteomic technologies including gel-based and solution-based approaches have been developed. Mass spectrometry is the core technology in proteomics for its capabilities of protein identification and quantification. While global quantitative proteome analysis using either stable isotope labeling or label-free approaches enables the discovery of toxicity biomarkers and toxicity mechanisms, targeted proteomic approaches such as MRM could play important roles in biomarker validation and quantitative analysis of targeted proteins and pathways. To qualify biomarkers for clinical application, biomarker candidates have to be clinically verified and the assay has to be analytically validated. It is essential that quantitative proteomic analysis is eventually conducted in an absolute fashion. Such absolute quantification should be relied on robust stable isotope labeled peptide/protein standards. Keywords: proteomics; 2D-PAGE; mass spectrometry; tandem MS; protein quantitation; stable isotope labeling; biomarker; toxicity mechanism; toxicoproteomics; systems biology
The RNA polymerase II 15-kilodalton subunit is essential for viability in Drosophila melanogaster.

A small, divergently transcribed geneislocated 500bpupstreamofthesuppressorofHairy-wing locus of Drosophila melanogaster. Sequencing ofafull-length cDNAclone ofthepredominant 850-nucleotide transcript reveals that this geneencodes a 15,100-Da protein withhighhomology toasubunit ofRNApolymerase II.The RpII15 protein is46%identical totheRPB9protein ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, oneofthesmallest subunits ofRNA polymerase IIfromthatspecies. Amongthose identical residues are fourpairs ofcysteines whose spacing issuggestive oftwometal-binding "finger" domains. Thegeneisexpressed atalldevelopmental stages andinalltissues. Twodeletions within theRpII15 genearemultiphasic lethal deletions, withaccumulation of deadanimals commencing atthesecond larval instar. Ovarytransplantation experiments indicate that survival ofmutantanimals tothis stageisduetothepersistence ofmaternal gene product throughout embryogenesis andearly larval development. TheRpII15 geneproduct isthus necessaryforviability ofD.melanogaster. Thecomplex multimeric nature ofRNA polymerases has beenrecognized formanyyears. RNA polymerases in eukaryotes consist of9 to14subunits (forreviews, see references 43,45,and53). Someofthese subunits aresimilar oridentical inallthree formsofpolymerase inallspecies, whileothers areformandspecies specific. Thelargest subunits ofRNA polymerase formsI,II, andIIIoftheyeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae aresufficiently similar toallow detection ofallthree proteins byusing antibodies generated toanyoneofthepeptides (18). Furthermore, thefifth-, sixth-, andeighth-largest subunits (RPB5, RPB6,andRPB8) ofRNA polymerase IIarenotjust similar tothose ofthe other polymerases butareshared between allthree forms in yeast cells (51). Thissequence conservation isnotrestricted toS.cerevisiae. Thelargest subunit ofRNA polymerase II inyeast cells hasregions withahighdegree ofinterspecies homology, including similarity toDrosophila, mammalian, andevenprokaryotic RNA polymerases (2,3,7,11,15). While there aremanysimilarities between RNA polymerase complexes, eachpolymerase hasunique features aswell. In fact, thenumberandimmunological relatedness ofsubunits varies indifferent enzymeforms andindifferent species (45). Tounderstand thefunctional andphylogenetic relationships ofdifferent polymerases, itwill benecessary tomolecularly analyze thecomponents ofeach. Withtherecent cloning of RPB9(50), theidentification ofthegenesforall thesubunits ofRNA polymerase II, theenzymeresponsible fortranscription oftheprotein coding genes, hasnearly beencompleted inS.cerevisiae (reviewed inreferences 43and53). Analysis ofdeletions constructed foreachofthesepolypeptides indicates that 7ofthese 10loci arerequired forviability. While molecular analysis oftheRNA polymerase subunits inS.cerevisiae isalmost complete, identification ofcomponentgenesinothereukaryotes isjustbeginning. RNA polymerase IIfromDrosophila melanogaster comprises at
Ratio of actual to predicted weight as an alternative to a power-type weight-height index (Benn index)

In 1971 Benn described a form of relative weight that can be calculated as the ratio of actual to predicted weight from the linear regression of weight on height in a population. He also showed how to compute the exponent for a power-type weight-height index that would be approximately equivalent to this relative weight. Benn did not, however, recommended that this "Benn index" be used instead of relative weight. The properties of these two weight-height functions were investigated in data on 10,606 white men and women aged 18-74 y examined in the 1976-1980 Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Compared with the power-type index, relative weight was preferable in that it was easier to compute with current software packages, was invariant at standard weight-for-height, and offered more flexibility. The limitations shared by both functions are discussed. Neither function should be used uncritically.
BILIARY SECRETION OF COPPER IN HEALTHY MAN Quantitation by an intestinal perfusion technique

A duodenal perfusion technique which permitted a normal daytime eating pattern of three liquid meals and an overnight fast was used to measure the 24-hr output of copper in bile in 19 studies in 14 persons with normal hepatic and gallbladder function. Daily biliary output was also determined by direct measurement on four 24-hr bile collections obtained from 3 patients with complete biliary diversion, and in 4 patients measurements of dietary copper intake and fecal copper output were also made. A mean bile copper output of 25 ± 13 μg per kg-day (1.7 mg ± 0.8) (mean ± SD) was obtained in 19 perfusion studies; the range was 9.0 to 53.0 gg per μg-day. The values in the 24-hr bile collections were similiar to those obtained using the perfusion method. Biliary copper output was similar during the day and night, and there was no correlation between hourly rates of copper output and hourly rates of bile acid output, nor was there any correlation between daily copper output and daily bile acid output. The similar values for dietary intake, biliary output, and fecal output provide additional support for the current view that in healthy man copper balance is maintained by biliary secretion and subsequent fecal excretion of copper which has been absorbed in the stomach and proximal duodenum.
Cesarean delivery of the breech very-low-birth-weight infant: does it make a difference?

We evaluated the impact of cesarean section (CS) delivery on the outcome of breech very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) (500–1,499 g) infants. This retrospective study used data from a large perinatal data base with 109,428 consecutive deliveries including 1,564 VLBW infants born between 1982 and 1987. The study infants included 982 (62.8%) vertex and 582 (37.2%) breech presentations. The CS rate was higher for the breech group than for the vertex group (72.5% breech, 34.3% vertex, OR 5.1, 95% CI 4.0, 6.4). Breech infants delivered by CS were twice as likely to survive until discharge than those delivered vaginally (breech CS 71.7%, breech vaginal 36.5%, P <. 0001). The increased survival with CS for breech presentation (mainly due to fewer deaths on day 1) was not seen with vertex presentation. The CS survival advantage for breech infants was seen in all 250g birth weight subgroups. However, breech VLBW infants delivered by CS had a mean birth weight 233 g more and gestational age 2.1 weeks more than those deliv...
Noninvariant integrals on semisimple groups of R-rank one

Integrales invariantes et non invariantes: definition et proprietes. Integrales d'Eisenstein et paquets d'onde. Quelques estimations elementaires. Application aux asymptotes. Le role du terme constant. Utilisation des equations differentielles. Operateurs d'entrelacement et c-fonctions. Definition et proprietes de la transformee de Fourier. Interpretation des calculs. Elimination de la K-finitude. Isolation de centralite. Passage a la limite
Surface segregation in liquid GaSn alloys by AES

Abstract The surface segregation of Sn in liquid GaSn alloys has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy as a function of bulk concentration at 350° C. The Sn was found to be strongly adsorbed at the surface. The surface concentrations of Sn and Ga were calculated from the Auger measurements using inelastic mean free paths and backscattering factors estimated in recent theoretical work. The values found for the surface concentrations are essentially in agreement with those deduced from surface tension measurements using Gibbs adsorption theory. This result supports a monolayer adsorption distribution in the GaSn system.