cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of MODTRAN®6 and its line-by-line algorithm

Abstract A new line-by-line (LBL) algorithm has been developed for use within the MODTRAN ® 6 1 atmospheric radiative transfer model. The model computes both emitted and scattered line-of-sight radiances utilizing a spherical refractive geometry package and the DISORT discrete ordinate model to solve the 1-D scattering problem. The MODTRAN6 LBL method distinguishes itself from most other monochromatic models in that the radiative transfer problem is solved at arbitrarily fine spectral resolution within disjoint and contiguous 0.1 cm -1 steps, marching through the user-specified band pass. The advantage of this approach is that the predominantly Lorentzian, temperature and pressure dependent contributions to each 0.1 cm -1 spectral bin from molecular transitions centered more than 0.05 cm -1 from the bin can be summed off-line and fit to a simple analytic form. The line-shape of each molecular transition is explicitly modeled on-the-fly only over a narrow 0.2 cm -1 sub-region. The challenge of this approach is to ensure that spectral discontinuities do not arise at spectral bin edges, where the method for modeling absorption from individual molecular lines changes abruptly. Interpolations based on the radiative transfer physics of the pre-computed line tail data are introduced to produce a smooth transition across these edges. Spectral validations against LBLRTM verify the fidelity of the approach. The new MODTRAN LBL algorithm is used to quantify the accuracy of the MODTRAN band model and correlated- k statistical approaches under varying conditions. Future upgrades to the MODTRAN band model, correlated- k and LBL methods are also discussed.
Update of biomarker tracing technique in stem cell molecular imaging

干细胞具有自我更新和多向分化潜能,能分化成神经细胞、心肌细胞、胰岛细胞、成骨细胞、肝细胞和造血祖细胞等,是细胞治疗的理想资源[1].例如,神经干细胞能向受损脑组织迁移,分化成神经元和神经胶质细胞,且基因修饰后能表达治疗性分子;移植骨髓间充质干细胞、血管内皮祖细胞和胚胎干细胞能改善缺血损伤心脏功能[2].细胞分子影像技术能在活体状态下对移植干细胞进行纵向研究,示踪细胞迁移,评价治疗效果,帮助优化细胞应用和选择合适治疗窗口[3]。
Power analysis of a single degree of freedom (DOF) vibration energy harvesting system considering controlled linear electric machines

In this paper, the power analysis of a single degree of freedom (DOF) is presented considering the controlled linear electric machines. The vibration energy harvesting system is modeled by tuned mass-damper models, subject to a sinusoidal force. Then the linear electrical machine is controlled to provide the extra damping force to vibration energy systems, and the damping force is modeled in terms of the electric stiffness and the electric damping coefficient. Therefore, in the vibration energy harvesting systems, linear electric machines have two functions: vibration control and energy harvesting. The generated electric power is analyzed for a single DOF energy harvesting system in different operating conditions. The power analysis of the vibration energy harvesting systems shows that the generated electric power is greatly impacted by the dimensionless excitation frequency, the electric stiffness, and the electric damping coefficient/ratio. To improve both the electric power generation and vibration control, the required electric stiffness, and the electric damping coefficient/ratio provided by the linear electric machines must be selected.
The test-retest reliability of three computerized neurocognitive tests used in the assessment of sport concussion

Abstract Computerized neurocognitive tests (CNTs) are widely used at all competitive levels of sport to assess sport concussion (SC). Whereas there are multiple CNTs available, little is known about how some of the most popular platforms compare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), Concussion Vital Signs (CVS) and the Immediate Postconcussion and Cognitive Testing battery (ImPACT) using clinically relevant time points in healthy college-age participants. Participants were healthy college-age students ( N = 128) randomly assigned into one of three groups which were administered ANAM, CVS, or ImPACT at Days 1, 45 and 50. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Pearson correlations were used to assess reliability of the various CNT scores and subtest scores between time points. Participants were tested approximately 47.1 ± 2.75 days after time point 1 and approximately 7.0 ± 2.45 days after time point 2. ICC values ranged from 0.18 (Procedural Reaction Time) to 0.53 (Mathematical Processing and Simple Reaction Time 1) for ANAM, 0.14 (Continuous Performance Test) to 0.85 (Reaction Time) for CVS, and 0.19 (Verbal Memory) to 0.89 (Visual Motor Speed) for ImPACT. Significant improvements ( p 0 . 05 ) across time were observed for (7/10) CNS Vital Signs composite scores, but no additional significant changes in performance were observed for the remaining CNTs. Overall, weak to strong reliability coefficients for ANAM, CVS, and ImPACT were observed when using clinically relevant time points of repeated administration.
Promoting Physician/Attorney Collaboration on Behalf of Older Individuals: The Contribution of Medical School Regional Campuses

There are many situations in which an older person needs the services of both an attorney and a physician and communication and collaboration between members of those two professions would be highly advantageous to the older patient/client’s well-being. Unfortunately, the record of physician/attorney interprofessional collaboration on behalf of the shared older patient/client in such circumstances too often is deficient and needs to be improved. This article reports on a project designed to maximize the synergistic value of physicians as patient advocates and attorneys as problem solvers when the two professions work together. The project consisted of several components, culminating in the availability of a continuing education toolkit for these two helping professions that identifies and aims to overcome an array of potential impediments inhibiting effective physician/attorney collaboration in the aging arena. One project component featured here focuses on the contribution of the Florida State University College of Medicine’s Regional Campuses in carrying out the described project. Financial support: This project was supported by Retirement Research Foundation Grant #2015-121 to the Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc. Human Subjects: This project was approved and reapproved by the Florida State University Human Subjects Committee, HSC No. 2017.20466.
Supportive Care for the Head and Neck Cancer Patient.

Patients with head and neck cancers (HNC) face multiple psychosocial and physical challenges that require multidisciplinary attention and care throughout their disease process. The psychoemotional symptoms may be triggered by cosmetic disfigurement and/or functional deficits related to the cancer itself or cancer-directed treatments. These physical and emotional symptoms can be demoralizing and require acute and long-term professional assistance throughout a patient’s lifespan. HNC remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat due to disfigurement, emotional suffering, social isolation, and loss of self-esteem. The emotional and physical symptoms a supportive care team can address are discussed in this chapter.
Service Learning Trips Abroad Benefit Both Communities and Seasoned Health Educators.

Service learning experiences abroad provide an excellent opportunity for seasoned health educators to share their skills with underresourced communities in other parts of the world while enriching ...
Combining Content and Sentiment Analysis on Lyrics for a Lightweight Emotion-Aware Chinese Song Recommendation System

Traditional music recommendation systems (RS) rely on collaborative filtering technique (CF) to recommend songs or artists in which recommendations are made based on the neighboring analysis of items/users. It is computationally efficient and performs well when the data is ideally full, when there are limited user inputs or few user/item inputs, it immediately lost its competitive advantage. Additionally, traditional RS techniques including content-based one heavily rely on explicit user feedback (e.g. user rating) to generate recommendations. In music/song recommendation, however, implicit feedbacks such as play frequency, play list prevail. Making recommendation on such implicit feedbacks requires efficient and accurate latent factor learning techniques to construct user or item feature space, which is inherently computationally costly. This paper presents a new and lightweight classification model for Chinese song RS based on computational analysis of the lingual part of song lyrics. Through extracting and combining the term frequency and inverse document frequency (tf*idf) from song lyrics, we construct a composite emotion point matrix for each song which can then be used to further classify songs based on its inherent emotion and make recommendation accordingly.
Standardized Tracheostomy Education Across the Enterprise.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this quality improvement project was to create a Tracheostomy Subject Matter Expert (Trach SME) Committee to standardize tracheostomy care, education, and the discharge process across Boston Children's Hospital. Design and Methods Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) is a free-standing urban tertiary pediatric hospital with 15 inpatient units. The newly formed Trach SME Committee evaluated the discharge process across the enterprise including hospital satellites and intra-hospital practice. Education materials were centralized, and policies were reviewed, revised and standardized to reflect current best practice. The Trach SME provided education to Trach Champions from each area that became resources for their respective units. The Trach SME also developed measurement outcomes to assess the effectiveness of the education process. Results In the implementation year of 2104, our 7-day unplanned readmission rate for tracheostomy patients was 18.18%. This rate decreased to 6.67% in 2015 and to 0% in 2016. In 2015, we began to monitor 30-day unplanned readmissions and the rate was 6.67% in 2015 and decreased to 0% in 2016. Conclusions and Practice Implications Standardization of policies, procedures and caregiver educational materials for the management of patients with a tracheostomy tube improved tracheostomy care across the enterprise and reduced tracheostomy readmission rates.
Clinical Application of Total Artificial Heart (TAH) and Blood Rheology

Hemorheology was studied in 18 patients ranging in age from 27–57, who received the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart (TAH) implant from 1–48 days as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Thrombus and embolus formation leading to transient ischemic attacks has been a major problem in these patients, and formation of thrombosis on the artificial heart valve housing is also frequently seen. Our studies in these patients were aimed at the rheologic impact of TAH and the role of rheology in thrombus formation. Blood viscosity, red cell rigidity and plasma fibrinogen were evaluated during TAH implantation. Observed abnormalities in blood rheology may be crucial factors in thrombus formation on artificial heart valves as well. Our results show that the therapeutic management of rheologic parameters should prove to be a unique and important advancement in the clinical course of treatment of these patients.
Content validation of an assessment tool to measure lean deployment based on the Toyota Production System and Toyota Way

This research focused on the development and content validity of an assessment tool to measure an organisation's level of lean deployment based on the Toyota Production System-Toyota Way model. Survey items were developed from a first-person perspective in order to capture an assessment of an organisation's culture from the inside out. The survey was subjected to subject matter expert review for qualitative content validation. Quantitative methods such as parametric and non-parametric exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis were used to evaluate and modify the structure of the assessment tool. The result of this research was an assessment tool that exhibits strong content validity and consists of 30 items that measure the five constructs of the Toyota Production System and the Toyota way culture. The finalised survey can now be subjected to further statistical analysis to test for overall construct validity.
Microbial Engraftment and Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Clostridium Difficile in Patients With and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background Recurrent and severe Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are treated with fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). Uncertainty exists regarding FMT effectiveness for CDI with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and regarding its effects on disease activity and effectiveness in transferring the donor microbiota to patients with and without IBD. Methods Subjects with and without IBD who underwent FMT for recurrent or severe CDI between 2013 and 2016 at The Mount Sinai Hospital were followed for up to 6 months. The primary outcome was CDI recurrence 6 months after FMT. Secondary outcomes were (1) CDI recurrence 2 months after FMT; (2) frequency of IBD flare after FMT; (3) microbiota engraftment after FMT; (and 4) predictors of CDI recurrence. Results One hundred thirty-four patients, 46 with IBD, were treated with FMT. Follow-up was available in 83 and 118 patients at 6 and 2 months, respectively. There was no difference in recurrence in patients with and without IBD at 6 months (38.7% vs 36.5%; P > 0.99) and 2 months (22.5% vs 17.9%; P = 0.63). Proton pump inhibitor use, severe CDI, and comorbid conditions were predictors of recurrence. Pre-FMT microbiota was not predictive of CDI recurrence. Subjects with active disease requiring medication escalation had reduced engraftment, with no difference in engraftment based on CDI recurrence or IBD endoscopic severity at FMT. Conclusions Inflammatory bowel disease did not affect CDI recurrence rates 6 months after FMT. Pre-FMT microbiota was not predictive of recurrence, and microbial engraftment was impacted in those requiring IBD treatment escalation, though not by CDI recurrence or IBD disease severity.
Incidence of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) following allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (alloBMT) using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT-Cy) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis.

7009 Background: Immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection and GVHD is associated with an increased incidence of PTLD in the first year after alloBMT. AlloBMTs using partially HLA-mismatched or ...
Changes in metacognitive monitoring accuracy in an introductory physics course

Student learning in introductory science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses is often self-regulated. For self-regulated learning to be effective, students need to engage in accurate metacognitive monitoring to make appropriate metacognitive control decisions. However, the accuracy with which individuals monitor their task performance appears to largely overlap with their ability to perform that task. This study examined the trajectories in the accuracy of students’ metacognitive monitoring over the course of a semester, along with the effect of monitoring accuracy feedback. The results indicate that some students improve the accuracy of their predictions over the course of a semester. However, low-performing students are less accurate at predicting their exam grades, and tend not to improve their metacognitive calibration over the course of a semester. In addition, providing low-performing students with calibration feedback may lead to greater overconfidence.
Successful Tracheal Extubation within Eleven Minutes in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit in Children after Adenotonsillectomy

Abstract Background Some pediatric centers prefer to extubate their patients in the operating rooms (ORs) while others prefer post-anesthesia care units (PACUs) for the same. Objectives To share our retrospective experience of 214 pediatric adenotonsillectomy (T&A) patients’ cohort extubated in our pediatric PACU during a seven-month retrospective study-period. Materials and Methods After institutional review board approval for retrospective chart review, institutional electronic surgical database was used to identify patients who underwent T&A and the peri-anesthetic records were obtained from patients’ electronic medical records and/or from hospital paper records. Results Patients’ tracheas were extubated in average 11 minutes (standard deviation 8 minutes) after arrival to PACU care and only one patient required tracheal re-intubation. Patients were ready for discharge from PACU in average 56 minutes (standard deviation 20 minutes) thus averaging only 44 minutes (standard deviation 20 minutes) after their tracheas had been extubated. Conclusion Summarily for re-validating or refuting our results, institutions can prospectively create PACU extubation quality improvement projects to discern if tracheal extubation in PACU of all or some pediatric surgical patients is beneficial when their rapid turnover surgeries warrant anesthesia providers to not attempt their tracheal extubation in ORs.
The impacts of uterine type and fetal genotype on determining litter size in the pig

Prolific Chinese Meishan pigs have an ovulation rate (16-18 ova), fertilization rate and uterine size similar to females of U.S. pig breeds yet farrow three to four more piglets per litter. To determine the mechanism(s) for this increased litter size two studies focused on breed comparisons of the interaction between uterine type and fetal genotype during late gestation. A third study examined the effects of utilizing a selection criterion based on information obtained in the first two studies to increase litter size, 21-d weights and days to 105 kilograms. Experiment 1: The surface area of Yorkshire placentae doubled in size (P < .001) between days 90 and 110 of gestation while placental and adjacent endometrial vascular density remained relatively constant. In contrast, there was no increase in placental surface area between day 70 and 110 in the Meishan pig. Instead, the vascular density of Meishan placentae and adjacent endometrium increased markedly (P < .05). As a consequence the ratio of fetal weight/placental weight (placental efficiency; RATIO) was greater for Meishan compared to Yorkshire conceptuses. Experiment 2: Meishan x Yorkshire crossbred conceptuses were 40% smaller when recovered from Meishan or Yorkshire uteri on either day 90 or 110 of gestation. While fetal weight increased (P < .001) between day 90 and 110, regardless of uterine environment, placental size remained unchanged. Additionally, the vascular density of placentae and the associated endometrium were similar, regardless of uterine type and remained constant from day 90 to 110 of gestation. RATIO was similar for conceptuses in either uterine type. While placental weight was significantly correlated with RATIO (r = -.66, P < .001), fetal weight was not. Experiment 3: No significant association was seen between RATIO and piglet weight at 21-days, days to 105 kilograms, backfat depth or loin muscle area in a herd of purebred Yorkshire and Landrace breeding stock. Thus an above average RATIO is indicative of a smaller more efficient placenta which appears to have no detrimental effects on growth rate. These experiments indicate that selecting for females with the capacity to limit placental growth should maintain an optimum litter size. Additionally, selecting piglets with a high placental efficiency would not inhibit economically important production traits.
“A grand sisterhood”: Black American women speakers at the 1893 World’s Congress of Representative Women

In May 1893, the World's Congress of Representative Women (“WCRW”) convened alongside the Chicago World's Fair to commemorate the progress of women since 1492. The speeches of six Black women were ...
Evaluation of scar revision after inadequate primary excision of cutaneous mast cell tumors in 85 dogs (2000-2013).

Objective To determine the frequency of residual tumor, and factors associated with local recurrence and disease progression in dogs with incompletely excised mast cell tumors (MCT) following scar revision surgery. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Eighty-five dogs. Methods Medical records from January 2000 to April 2013 were reviewed. Dogs with scar revision surgery after incomplete primary MCT excision were included. Recorded were signalment; initial tumor size, location and grade; time interval between primary excision and scar revision surgery; presence of MCT in the resected scar; local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, systemic metastasis, and cause of death. Results Eighty six tumors in 85 dogs were studied. Residual MCT was found in 23 (27%) resected scars. Seven (8%) scars with residual MCT had incomplete or narrow margins. Follow-up was available for 68 dogs (69 tumors; median 403 days; range 4-2939). Local recurrence was reported in three (4%) dogs at 212, 555, and 993 days. Disease progressed in 10 dogs (14.5%) with regional or systemic metastasis at a median of 207 days (64-1583). Margin status and presence of MCT in the resected scar were not associated with local recurrence or disease progression. Lymph node metastasis (p = .004), locoregional recurrence (p = .013), and disease progression (p = .001) were significantly more likely in Grade III tumors. Conclusion Twenty-seven percent of resected scars contained residual MCT, but recurrence was uncommon after surgical revision. Clinical significance Clinicians should primarily consider tumor grade when estimating the likelihood of local recurrence and disease progression and determining the need for ancillary treatment of MCT after scar resection.
A new species of Petalon Schönherr, 1833 from central Vietnam (Coleoptera: Dascillidae)

A new species of the genus Petalon Schonherr, 1833, P. vietnamensis sp. nov., is described from central Vietnam. An update of the identification key of the genus Petalon and a distribution map of t...
Failure Mechanisms of Cascode GaN HEMTs Under Overvoltage and Surge Energy Events

Surge energy robustness of power devices is highly desired in many power applications such as automotive powertrains and power grids. While Si and SiC power MOSFETs withstand surge energy through avalanching, GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) have no avalanche capability. Recent studies have revealed that the p-gate GaN HEMT withstands surge energy through capacitive charging and fails when the peak capacitive voltage reaches its breakdown voltage (BV). This work, for the first time, studies the surge-energy robustness of a 650-V rated cascode GaN HEMT in the unclamped inductive clamping (UIS) test. The cascode GaN HEMT was found to withstand the surge energy via capacitive charging but accompanied by the Si MOSFET avalanching. Two failure modes were observed, both occurring in the GaN HEMT. The first mode is featured by a short between the HEMT gate and drain (cascode source and drain), while the second mode is featured by a short between the HEMT source and drain. Statistical results of multiple devices tested under different load inductance show that the second failure mode predominates. Additionally, the device failure voltage in mode I is statistically higher than that in mode II. Failure analysis of both modes is presented, and the physical explanations of the two modes and their competitions are proposed. These results provide important new insights into the robustness of cascode GaN HEMTs.
High-Speed Simulation of the 3D Behavior of Myocardium Using a Neural Network PDE Approach.

The full characterization of three-dimensional (3D) mechanical behaviour of myocardium is essential in understanding their function in health and disease. The hierarchical structure of myocardium results in their highly anisotropic mechanical behaviors, with the spatial variations in fiber structure giving rise to heterogeneity. The optimal set of loading paths has been used to estimate the constitutive parameters of myocardium using a novel numerical-experimental approach with full 3D kinematically controlled (triaxial) experiments [1, 2]. Due to the natural variations in soft tissue structures, the mechanical behaviors of myocardium can vary dramatically within the same organ. To alleviate the associated computational costs for obtaining responses of myocardium under a range of loading conditions with a given realization of structure, we developed a neural network-based method integrated with finite elements. The boundary conditions were parameterized. The neural network generated a corresponding trial solution of the underling hyperelasticity problem for each boundary condition. Thus, the neural network approximated the parameter-to-state map. A physics-informed approach was used to train the neural network. Due to their learnability characteristics, the neural network was able to predict solutions for a range of boundary conditions with given individual specimen fiber structures. The neural network was validated with finite element solutions. This method will provide efficient and robust computational models for clinical evaluation to improve patient outcomes.
Effects of Different Planting Density on Economic Traits and Seed Production Yield of Rice Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line Luxiang 91A

[Objective] The study aimed to confirm the optimum planting density of Luxiang 91A.[Method] With the cytoplasmic male sterile line Luxiang 91A as the female parent,Luhui 615 as the male parent,they were made for the seed production yield of hybrid rice Luxiang 615.Luxiang 91A was set up as 5 density treatments of 36.00×104,30.00×104,25.65×104,22.50×104 and 19.95 ×104 nest/hm2 to compare the economic traits and seed production yield of Luxiang 91A treated with different density treatments.[Result] The different planting density had little effects on 1 000-grain weight and outcrossing rate of Luxiang 91A,but had greater effects on the effective spike,spike length,grains per spike and filled grains,with the differences at the significant level of 0.01 or at the extremely significant level of 0.05.[Conclusion] In the combinations of seed production for Luxiang 91A,the appropriate planting density was 25.65×104 nest/hm2 and 2 rice plantlets were planted in every nest.
Self-stabilizing Minimal Global Offensive Alliance Algorithm with Safe Convergence in an Arbitrary Graph

In a graph or a network G = (V, E), a set \({\mathcal{S}} \subseteq V\) is a global offensive alliance if each node \(i \in \{V-{\mathcal{S}}\}\) has \(|N[i] \cap{\mathcal{S}}| \ge |N[i]-{\mathcal{S}}|\). A global offensive alliance \({\mathcal{S}}\) is called minimal when there does not exist a node \(i \in{\mathcal{S}}\) such that the set \({\mathcal{S}}-\{i\}\) is a global offensive alliance. In this paper, we propose a new self-stabilizing algorithm for minimal global offensive alliance. It has safe convergence property under synchronous daemon in the sense that starting from an arbitrary state, it quickly converges to a global offensive alliance (a safe state) in two rounds, and then stabilizes in a minimal global offensive alliance (the legitimate state) in O(n) rounds without breaking safety during the convergence interval, where n is the number of nodes. Space requirement at each node is O(logn) bits.
Prefrontal lobotomy on Evita was done for behavior/personality modification, not just for pain control

Eva Peron, best known as Evita, underwent a prefrontal lobotomy in 1952. Although the procedure was said to have been performed to relieve the pain of metastatic cancer, the author carried out a search for evidence that suggests that the procedure was prescribed to decrease violence and to modify Evita’s behavior and personality, and not just for pain control. To further elucidate the circumstances surrounding the treatment of this well-known historic figure, the author reviewed the development of the procedure known as prefrontal lobotomy and its three main indications: management of psychiatric illness, control of intractable pain from terminal cancer, and mind control and behavior/personality modification. The role of pioneering neurosurgeons in the development of prefrontal lobotomy, particularly in Connecticut and at Yale University, was also studied, and the political and historical conditions in Argentina in 1952 and to the present were analyzed. Evita was the wife of Juan Peron, who was the suprem...
Abstract ES2-3: Management of metastatic HER2 positive disease: optimizing current therapies and an overview of new agents in development

Amplification of the HER2/neu gene occurs in approximately 20% of invasive breast cancers and is associated with aggressive clinical behavior. The development of HER2-targeted therapies, including trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has revolutionized the treatment of this disease, leading to dramatic improvements in clinical outcomes. Given these improvements, the goals in treating patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer are to both extend survival as well as to minimize toxicities of therapy. In patients with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer, pertuzumab, in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel, markedly improves survival and only mildly increases toxicity compared to trastuzumab and docetaxel. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and a taxane should thus be considered the standard of care for most patients in the first line setting. In the second line setting, the antibody-drug conjugate T-DM1is the standard of care as it is associated with longer survival and less toxicity than capecitabine and lapatinib. In 3 rd and later lines of therapy, continuation of HER2-directed therapy is important, but there are no definitive data that a particular regimen (e.g. trastuzumab + chemotherapy, lapatinib + chemotherapy, trastuzumab + lapatinib) is superior in this setting. Thus decisions regarding choice of therapy should be guided by patients9 preferences regarding toxicity profiles and route of administration. Although HER2-directed therapy has improved outcomes, resistance to these agents eventually develops in almost all patients. CNS metastases represent one increasingly common manifestation of treatment resistance in HER2-positive cancers. Understanding mechanisms of resistance and development of novel agents to overcome this resistance is critical. A multitude of agents designed to overcome resistance are currently being evaluated in the clinic including PI3-kinase inhibitors, more potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors, new antibody-drug conjugates, and novel immunotherapies. In addition, studies evaluating the genomic alterations present in metastatic HER2-positive cancer tissue are beginning to provide clues as to the mechanisms of resistance present in treatment refractory disease. It is possible that with continued improvements in therapies and a better understanding of molecular resistance mechanisms, mortality associated with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer can be largely eliminated. Citation Format: Ian Krop. Management of metastatic HER2 positive disease: optimizing current therapies and an overview of new agents in development [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr ES2-3.
Proximity Ligation Assay of Interactions between β-1 Integrin and Ca2+ Sensitization Proteins During the Contractile Response of Gastric Fundus Smooth Muscles to Cholinergic Stimuli

Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle involves the regulation of myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). Rho-a...
First Spectroscopic Results from the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey

We present first results of Spitzer spectroscopy from SINGS, the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey. Spitzer's Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) is being used to spectrally map various-sized regions centered on the nucleus, and covering starforming rings and extra-nuclear Hii regions. We highlight the powerful diagnostic capabilities made possible by the sensitivity of the IRS for local samples of low, moderate, and active star-forming galaxies, including [Oiv] as a tracer of very massive stars, a new PAH feature at 17.1 µm, and molecular hydrogen lines tracing hot photo-dissociation regions. We also demonstrate the versatility of the IRS spectral mapping mode for producing spatially resolved maps tracking variations of the physical parameters of the gas, dust and stars on kpc scales.
An-AUV Based Investigation of the Role of Nutrient Variability in the Predictive Modeling of Physical Processes in the Littoral Ocean

Abstract : Our long-term goal is to explore and test the potential effectiveness of low-level nutrient concentrations (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia) as descriptors of geophysical fields and tracers of physical processes in oligotrophic coastal waters, with particular attention to adapting our laboratory sensor of these nutrients for use in an AUV. The resulting nutrient data are to be incorporated into prognostic physical-biogeochemical models in a feedback mode.
Cell-based quantification of molecular biomarkers in histopathology specimens

Aims To investigate the use of a computer-assisted technology for objective, cell-based quantification of molecular biomarkers in specified cell types in histopathology specimens, with the aim of advancing current visual estimation or pixel-level (rather than cell-based) quantification methods.
Further Research Opportunities in Project Management

The practice of project management has expanded exponentially over the last 15 years. Currently, one-fifth of the world’s economic activity, or U.S. $12 trillion annually, is organized as projects. Meanwhile, the range of business applications that are conducted as projects has also expanded greatly into areas with quite different characteristics. However, these developments have not been matched by a corresponding increase either in research activity, or in the training of academic researchers in project management. This mismatch is creating significant opportunities for academic research in project management to be conducted over the next 10 years. The present work is a successor to a previous article (Hall, J Syst Sci Syst Eng 21(2):129–143, 2012) on recent developments and research opportunities in project management. It updates the information given in the previous article, and identifies an additional research agenda for project management. The 11 new topics presented support a wide range of practical aspects of project management, and require the use of widely varying research methodologies. The conclusions suggest that significant research opportunities remain open within project management.
Sugar transport across the peritubular face of renal cells of the flounder.

The transport of some sugars at the antiluminal face of renal cells was studied using teased tubules of flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). The analytical procedure allowed the determination of both free and total (free plus phosphorylated) tissue sugars. The inulin space of the preparation was 0.333 ± 0.017 kg/kg wet wt (7 animals, 33 analyses). The nonmetabolizable α-methyl-D-glucoside entered the cells by a carrier-mediated (phloridzin-sensitive), ouabain-insensitive process. The steady-state tissue/medium ratio was systematically below that for diffusion equilibrium. D-Glucose was a poor inhibitor of α-methyl-glucoside transport, D-galactose was ineffective. The phloridzin-sensitive transport processes of 2-deoxy-D-glucose,D-galactose,and 2-deoxy-D-galactose were associated with considerable phosphorylation. Kinetic evidence suggested that these sugars were transported in free form and subsequently were phosphorylated. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose accumulated in the cells against a slight concentration gradient. This transport was greatly inhibited by D-glucose, whereas α-methyl-glucoside and also D-galactose and its 2-deoxy-derivative were ineffective. D-Galactose and 2-deoxy-D-galactose mutually competed for transport; D-glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and α-methyl-D-glucoside were ineffective. Studies using various sugars as inhibitors suggest the presence of three carrier-mediated pathways of sugar transport at the antiluminal cell face of the flounder renal tubule: the pathway of α-methyl-D-glucoside (not shared by D-glucose); the pathway commonly shared by 2-deoxy-D-glucose and D-glucose; the pathway shared by D-galactose and 2-deoxy-D-galactose.
Binding of naphthalene dyes to the N and A conformers of bovine α-lactalbumin

Abstract Contrary to earlier findings, monomeric native α-lactalbumin does bind naphthalene dyes such as ANS and TNS with marked enhancement of their fluorescence. Nanosecond decay measurements indicate there to be two dye binding sites per protein molecule with lifetimes of ca. 2 and 15 ns for ANS and 5 and 11 ns for TNS. The fluorescence titrations curves of α-lactalbumin with ANS and TNS reflect this site multiplicity, i.e., it was not possible to analyze such curves with a single K diss . The apparent dissociation constants for binding of ANS and TNS to native bovine α-lactalbumin, as determined by an ultracentrifugal technique, ca. 950 and 900 μ m , respectively, indicate that such binding is considerably weaker than previously supposed. The A conformer (metal ion-free form) of α-lactalbumin binds ANS and TNS more tightly than the N (native) form of the protein with marked fluorescence enhancement. The A conformer has two dye binding sites with lifetimes for ANS and TNS comparable with those seen with native protein.
Phytoplankton Distribution in Saginaw Bay

Abstract Phytoplankton cell counts were made on samples taken in Saginaw Bay during each of 11 cruises from April 1980 through November 1980. A spring assemblage numerically dominated by diatoms was followed by a brief period of dominance by green algae. Blue-green algae were numerically dominant from July through October when diatoms again became the dominant taxonomic group. Two regions of the bay were recognized based on the results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis of the average phytoplankton assemblage. The inner bay was typified by algal species with a Saginaw River origin and/or species typical of eutrophic waters in the Great Lakes. The outer region was typified in part by species of open Lake Huron. Wild Fowl Bay and the area to the southwest of Oak Point each have unique phytoplankton assemblages and are apparently not well integrated with the rest of the bay. On occasion, stations at or near the eastern side of the Saginaw Bay-Lake Huron interface have phytoplankton assemblages similar to inner bay and/or Wild Fowl Bay or Oak Point waters. Taken together, these findings indicate a possible strong nearshore effect on transport of Saginaw Bay populations to Lake Huron. The nearshore effect modifies the effect of Saginaw River on the phytoplankton of the Saginaw Bay-Lake Huron system.
Updated SAID analysis of pion photoproduction data

Energy-dependent and single-energy fits to the existing pion photoproduction database have been updated to cover the region from threshold to 2.7 GeV in laboratory photon energy. Revised resonance photo-decay couplings have been extracted and compared to previous determinations. The influence of recent measurements is displayed. Remaining problems and future approaches are discussed.
Neural nicotinic acetylcholine responses in sensory neurons from postnatal rat.

Abstract The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to study nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) responses in freshly dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells frompostnatal rat. At negative holding potentials with physiological solutions in the bath and the pipette, ACh (20 μM), nicotine (5 μM) or DMPP (20 μM) activated inward currents in 51% of the cells. Average current density was higher in 1-month-old compared to newborn animals. Nicotinic agonist-induced currents were unaffected by atropine (10 μM) but reversibly blocked by hexamethonium (20 μM). Although labeling with fluorescent α-bungarotoxin (BGT) demosntrated the presence of toxin binding sites on DRG cells, DMPP-induced inward currents were unaffected by micromolar BGT. Neuronal bungarotoxin (100 nM), in contrast, led to a largely irreversible block of the nicotinic responses. These results show that postnatal DRG cells express functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) of a neuronal type.
Intracellular Concentrations of Borrelia burgdorferi Cyclic Di-AMP Are Not Changed by Altered Expression of the CdaA Synthase

The second messenger nucleotide cyclic diadenylate monophosphate (c-di-AMP) has been identified in several species of Gram positive bacteria and Chlamydia trachomatis. This molecule has been associated with bacterial cell division, cell wall biosynthesis and phosphate metabolism, and with induction of type I interferon responses by host cells. We demonstrate that B. burgdorferi produces a c-di-AMP synthase, which we designated CdaA. Both CdaA and c-di-AMP levels are very low in cultured B. burgdorferi, and no conditions were identified under which cdaA mRNA was differentially expressed. A mutant B. burgdorferi was produced that expresses high levels of CdaA, yet steady state borrelial c-di-AMP levels did not change, apparently due to degradation by the native DhhP phosphodiesterase. The function(s) of c-di-AMP in the Lyme disease spirochete remains enigmatic.
Dosimetric comparison of Acuros XB deterministic radiation transport method with Monte Carlo and model-based convolution methods in heterogeneous media.

Purpose: The deterministic Acuros XB (AXB) algorithm was recently implemented in the Eclipse treatment planning system. The goal of this study was to compare AXB performance to Monte Carlo (MC) and two standard clinical convolution methods: the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and the collapsed-cone convolution (CCC) method. Methods: Homogeneous water and multilayer slab virtual phantoms were used for this study. The multilayer slab phantom had three different materials, representing soft tissue, bone, and lung. Depth dose and lateral dose profiles from AXB v10 in Eclipse were compared to AAA v10 in Eclipse, CCC in Pinnacle 3 , and EGSnrc MC simulations for 6 and 18 MV photon beams with open fields for both phantoms. In order to further reveal the dosimetric differences between AXB and AAA or CCC, three-dimensional (3D) gamma index analyses were conducted in slab regions and subregions defined by AAPM Task Group 53. Results: The AXB calculations were found to be closer to MC than both AAA and CCC for all the investigated plans, especially in bone and lung regions. The average differences of depth dose profiles between MC and AXB, AAA, or CCC was within 1.1, 4.4, and 2.2%, respectively, for all fields and energies. More specifically, those differences in bone region were up to 1.1, 6.4, and 1.6%; in lung region were up to 0.9, 11.6, and 4.5% for AXB, AAA, and CCC, respectively. AXB was also found to have better dose predictions than AAA and CCC at the tissue interfaces where backscatter occurs. 3D gamma index analyses (percent of dose voxels passing a 2%/2 mm criterion) showed that the dose differences between AAA and AXB are significant (under 60% passed) in the bone region for all field sizes of 6 MV and in the lung region for most of field sizes of both energies. The difference between AXB and CCC was generally small (over 90% passed) except in the lung region for 18 MV 10 � 10 cm 2 fields (over 26% passed) and in the bone region for 5 � 5 and 10 � 10 cm 2 fields (over 64% passed). With the criterion relaxed to 5%/2 mm, the pass rates were over 90% for both AAA and CCC relative to AXB for all energies and fields, with the exception of AAA 18 MV 2.5 � 2.5 cm 2 field, which still did not pass. Conclusions: In heterogeneous media, AXB dose prediction ability appears to be comparable to MC and superior to current clinical convolution methods. The dose differences between AXB and AAA or CCC are mainly in the bone, lung, and interface regions. The spatial distributions of these differences depend on the field sizes and energies. V C 2011 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3582690]
Hydrate formation and growth in pores

Abstract Gas hydrates consist of guest gas molecules encaged in water cages. Methane hydrate forms in marine and permafrost sediments. In this study, we use optical, mechanical and electrical measurements to monitor hydrate formation and growth in small pores to better understand the hydrate pore habit in hydrate-bearing sediments. Hydrate formation in capillary tubes exposes the complex and dynamic interactions between nucleation, gas diffusion and gas solubility. The observation of hydrate growth in a droplet between transparent plates shows that the hydrate shell does not grow homogeneously but advances in the form of lobes that invade the water phase; in fact, the hydrate shell must be discontinuous and possibly cracked to justify the relatively fast growth rates observed in these experiments. Volume expansion during hydrate formation causes water to flow out of menisci; expelled water either spreads on the surface of water-wet substrates and forms a thin hydrate sheet, or remains next to menisci when substrates are oil-wet. Hydrate formation is accompanied by ion exclusion, yet, there is an overall increase in electrical resistance during hydrate formation. Hydrate growth may become salt-limited in trapped water conditions; in this case, aqueous brine and gas CH 4 may be separated by hydrate and the three-phase system remains stable within the pore space of sediments.
What are the long-term results of endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy?

Abstract Background: Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy has been touted as effective therapy for chronic pancreatitis and unexplained abdominal pain resulting from pancreatic sphincter dysfunction. Although short-term data are encouraging, there are no reports on how these patients fare beyond the first few months. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of records on all patients who had pancreatic sphincterotomy during a 4-year period between August 1992 and November 1996. Chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed by pancreatography. Patients were evaluated for symptomatic response to pancreatic sphincterotomy and clinical improvement was defined as greater than 50% reduction in the magnitude of pain. Results: Fifty-five patients had pancreatic sphincterotomy including patients with (n = 40) and without (n = 15) chronic pancreatitis. After a median follow-up of 16 months, 60% of all patients reported improvement of pain scores (3.6 ± 3.4 vs. 8.8 ± 1.8; p Conclusions: In a subgroup of patients with pancreatic sphincter dysfunction, endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy results in significant sustained clinical improvement. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:15-9.)
Exponential estimates for singularly perturbed linear fuctional differential equations

Abstract Exponential estimates on the fundamental matrix, uniform on the perturbation parameter, are obtained for singularly perturbed systems of linear retarded functional differential equations, under the assumption that the eigenvalues of a certain coefficient matrix in the system have negative real parts. The exponential rates in the estimates are computable from upper bounds on the real parts of the characteristic values of the system or of associated simpler equations. Differences between differential-difference equations and equations with distributed delays are emphasized.