cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Splice Variant of Pmel17 Expressed by Human Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells Lacking Some of the Internal Repeats

Pmel17 is a ≈100 kDa pigment cell specific glycoprotein that plays a crucial part in the morphogenesis of melanosome precursors. Anti-Pmel17 immunoprecipitates from metabolically pulse labeled melanoma cells and melanocytes contain, in addition to full-length Pmel17, a glycoprotein that migrates with a lower relative molecular weight. Here we show that this glycoprotein is encoded by an mRNA that results from alternative splicing of the human Pmel17 gene from which a cryptic intron is excised. Immunoprecipitation recapture experiments showed that this glycoprotein contained both the N- and C-termini of full-length Pmel17. Sequence analysis of cDNA corresponding to the alternatively spliced form reveals the loss of three of 10 imperfect direct repeats from the central region of the lumenal domain. The product of the splice variant is processed with similar kinetics to full-length Pmel17, and localizes similarly to late endosomes when expressed ectopically in nonpigment cells. We speculate that truncation of the repeat region within Pmel17 alters either fibrillogenic activity or the interaction of Pmel17 with melanin intermediates. The expression of an alternatively spliced product may furthermore affect the cohort of peptides generated for recognition of melanoma cells by tumor-directed T lymphocytes.
Balancing Act for the Future: How the Academic Library Engages in Collection Development at the Local and Consortial Levels

ABSTRACT Collection development remains a major focus and concern of current interest for all types of libraries. Consortia began as a means of sharing resources and of leveraging purchasing power for its members. How does a library balance its individual collection needs, both present and future, when it is a member of a consortium? Do the expectations of the consortium outweigh the needs of the individual library member? This article will address how an academic library engages in collection development at the local and consortia levels, addresses the benefits and challenges of consortia memberships, and responds to its local patrons in light of its obligations and commitment to a consortium.
Model for Shock-Compressed Liquid Deuterium

The equation of state of dense liquid deuterium has been calculated using a model in which the Helmholtz free energy is approximated as the composition average of the free energy of pure molecular and metallic hydrogen. The composition is determined by free energy minimization. Calculations for shock-compressed liquid deuterium are in good agreement with experiments to a pressure of 2.1 Mbar. At about 1 Mbar and 20000 K, liquid deuterium is 90 % dissociated and is a nearly liquid degenerate metal. The model predicts that molecular dissociation will lead to negative values of (∂P/∂T)v in the range 4000 K to 10 000 K and volumes below 7 cm3/mol. This feature suggests the formation of covalently bonded species in the partially dissociated mixture.
Small-Group Problem-Based Learning as a Complex Adaptive System.

Abstract Small-group problem-based learning (PBL) is widely embraced as a method of study in health professions schools and at many different levels of education. Complexity science provides a different lens with which to view and understand the application of this method. It presents new concepts and vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to practitioners of small-group PBL and other educational methods. This article looks at small-group PBL from the perspective of complex adaptive systems (CAS). It begins with a brief review of the current understanding and practice of PBL. Next some of the characteristics of CAS are reviewed using examples from small-group PBL to illustrate how these characteristics are expressed in that context. The principles and the educational theory in which small-group PBL are embedded are related to CAS. Implications for health professions education are discussed.
Night eating and obesity in the EP3R-deficient mouse.

Adult mice carrying a null mutation of the prostanoid receptor EP3R (EP3R−/− mice) exhibit increased frequency of feeding during the light cycle of the day and develop an obese phenotype under a normal fat diet fed ad libitum. EP3R−/− mice show increased motor activity, which is not sufficient to offset the increased feeding leading to increased body weight. Altered “nocturnal” activity and feeding behavior is present from a very early age and does not seem to require age-dependent factors for the development of obesity. Obesity in EP3R−/− mice is characterized by elevated leptin and insulin levels and >20% higher body weight compared with WT littermates. Abdominal and subcutaneous fat and increased liver weight account for the weight increase in EP3R−/− mice. These observations expand the roles of prostaglandin E2 signaling in metabolic regulation beyond the reported stimulation of leptin release from adipose tissue to involve actions mediated by EP3R in the regulation of sleep architecture and feeding behavior. The findings add to the growing literature on links between inflammatory signaling and obesity.
Solving the "Rural School Problem": New State Aid, Standards, and Supervision of Local Schools, 1900-1933.

“The greatest educational problem now facing the American people is the Rural School Problem,” argued Minnesota county superintendent Julius Arp in 1918. “There is no defect more glaring today than the inequality that exists between the educational facilities of the urban and rural communities. Rural education in the United States has been so far outstripped by the education of our urban centers, that from an educational standpoint, the country child is left far behind in the struggles of life.” This conceptualization of the Rural School Problem, framed within a larger national discussion about the growing disparity between urban and rural life wrought by industrialization, galvanized a broad based coalition of educators, ministers, farmers, agro-businessmen, sociologists, and social reformers into a robust campaign for rural school reform in the early twentieth century. Often lost in recent education histories which have paid much greater attention to urban school reform, this rural school movement had far-reaching consequences, not only for local school governance in the countryside, but for emerging state administration of education. The Rural School Problem, this article argues, helped to stimulate and legitimate significant new state interventions into local schools and define the forms of state aid, regulation, and bureaucracy in a formative period of state development.
Longitudinal ionization cooling without wedges

The emittance of a muon beam must be reduced very rapidly due to the finite lifetime of the muons. The most effective known way to accomplish this is ionization cooling. It is straightforward to reduce transverse emittance through ionization cooling, but the reducing the longitudinal emittance is more challenging. Longitudinal cooling is necessary for a muon collider, and would be helpful for a neutrino factory. The method traditionally proposed for longitudinal cooling is emittance exchange involving wedges of absorber material: the longitudinal emittance is reduced at the cost of increased transverse emittance. The larger transverse emittance can then be reduced straightforwardly. An alternative method is proposed here, which does not require wedges of material but instead makes slight modifications to the standard transverse cooling lattice. We demonstrate a lattice which is a slight modification to a standard "Super FOFO" transverse cooling lattice, which has linear eigenvalues all of which have magnitude less than one.
Balanced Budget Requirements and State Spending: A Long–Panel Study

This study tests the effects of balanced budget requirements on three measures of state expenditure using data on 48 states for the years 1950–2004. We find that the following rules are effective in constraining expenditures: (1) requiring that the governor submits a balanced budget; (2) placing controls on supplemental appropriations; and (3) prohibiting the carry-over of a deficit from one fiscal year or biennium into the next. The latter two rules exert larger individual effects than the first.Allelseequal,statescanbestimprove theirprospectsofreigning inspendingby instituting technical rules that govern budgetary outcomes, as opposed to political rules that dictate how the budget is assembled and approved.
Terminal Impedance and Antenna Current Distribution of a VLF Electric Dipole in the Inner Magnetosphere

The current distribution and input impedance of an electric dipole antenna operating in a cold magnetoplasma at very low frequency (VLF) is determined through numerical simulation. A full wave solution of Maxwell's equations using a finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method is implemented to simulate electromagnetic wave propagation in this highly anisotropic medium. The classical perfectly matched-layer (PML) boundary condition is found to exhibit instabilities in the form of nonphysical wave amplification in this environment. To circumvent these difficulties, a PML is developed that is tailored to the cold plasma environment at VLF frequencies. It is shown that the current distribution for antennas with length <100 m is approximately triangular for magnetospheric conditions found at L = 2 and L = 3 in the geomagnetic equatorial plane. Calculated variations of input impedance as a function of drive frequency are presented for two case studies and compared with predictions of existing analytical work.
When Rewards Are Scarce: Equal or Equitable Distributions?

This research examines the influence of reward scarcity on individual allocation preferences in performance-differentiated three-person groups. We argue that the nondyadic context alters the zero-sum nature of the distribution, enhancing con- cern for the group especially when rezairds are insufficient to fulfill pay expecta- tions. Thus, when rezairds are scarce, actors are less likely to make self-interested distributions. Experimental results focusing on low and high performers' prefer- ences indicate that under conditions of reward scarcity, performance level is posi- tively related to a preference for equality and negatively related to a preference for equity, as expected. The reverse, self-interested preference trends emerge when re- wards are sufficient. The preferences of the average actors, however, deviated un- expectedly from the predicted linear trends. The distribution of benefits is a fundamental feature of all social organiza- tions ranging from the smallest units like nuclear families or friendship dyads to the largest ones like nation states. In a recent review of current social psychological perspectives on justice, Deutsch notes, "There has been a general acceptance of the view that there are a variety of distri- butive principles and systematic knowledge is beginning to accumulate about . . . the factors leading to preferences and choices of one or another principle" (1983, p. 309).
Reduction of stored NOx on Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/BaO/Al2O3 catalysts with H2 and CO

Abstract In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, coupled with mass spectrometry and time-resolved X-ray diffraction, were used to study the efficiency of nitrate reduction with CO and H 2 on Pt/Al 2 O 3 and Pt/BaO/Al 2 O 3 NO x storage reduction (NSR) catalysts. Surface nitrates were generated by NO 2 adsorption, and their reduction efficiencies were examined on the catalysts together with the analysis of the gas-phase composition in the presence of the two different reductants. H 2 was found to be a more effective reducing agent than CO. In particular, the reduction of surface nitrates proceeds very efficiently with H 2 even at low temperatures (∼420 K). During reduction with CO, isocyanates form and adsorb on the oxide components of the catalyst; however, these surface isocyanates readily react with water to form CO 2 and ammonia. The NH 3 thus formed in turn reacts with stored NO x at higher temperatures (>473 K) to produce N 2 . In the absence of H 2 O, the NCO species are stable to high temperatures and are removed from the catalyst only when they react with NO x thermal decomposition products to form N 2 and CO 2 . The results of this study point to a complex reaction mechanism involving the removal of surface oxygen atoms from Pt particles by either H 2 or CO, the direct reduction of stored NO x with H 2 (low-temperature NO x reduction), the formation and subsequent hydrolysis of NCO species, and the direct reaction of NCO with decomposing NO x (high-temperature NO x reduction).
Open Source Finance

Open source finance brings the benefits of open source development to academic research and professional practice in finance. The three main parts of open source finance are: 1) the use of open source software in testing hypotheses and implementing investment strategies, 2) cheap access to financial data, and, 3) replication to confirm published research results. Although neither open source software nor replication are widely employed in finance today, their use is growing and their advantages substantial. Academics and professionals who embrace these changes are more likely to be successful than those who do not.
Importance of O(3P) atoms and OH radicals in hydrocarbon oxidation during the nonthermal plasma treatment of diesel exhaust inferred using relative-rate methods†

The consumption of acetylene and propene during passage of simulated diesel exhaust through a nonthermal plasma at 453 K and atmospheric pressure was studied using experimental and computational techniques. Experimental observations of the relative decay rates of acetylene and propene and computer modeling of the chemical and physical processes in the plasma suggest that O(3P) atoms and, to a lesser extent, OH radicals are the dominant species responsible for initiating hydrocarbon oxidation in this system. Results are discussed in terms of the gas-phase chemistry occurring during the nonthermal plasma treatment of diesel exhaust. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 231–238, 2003
Reevaluation of the utilization of arterial blood gas analysis in the Intensive Care Unit: Effects on patient safety and patient outcome

Abstract Purpose Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a useful tool to evaluate hypercapnia in the context of conditions and diseases affecting the lungs. Oftentimes, indications for ABG analysis are broad and nonspecific and lead to frequent testing without test results influencing patient management. Materials and methods Electronic charts of 300 intensive care unit (ICU) patients at a single institution were reviewed retrospectively. Reassessment of indications for ABGs led to a decrease of the number of ABGs in the ICU between March and November 2012. Data relating to ventilator days, length of stay, number of reintubations, mortality, complications after arterial puncture, demographics, and medications in 159 ICU patients between December 2011 and February 2012 (group 1) were compared with 141 ICU patients between December 2012 and February 2013 (group 2). Subgroup analysis in ventilated patients was performed. Results A decrease of number of ABGs per patient (6.12 ± 5.9, group 1 vs 2.03 ± 1.66, group 2 in ventilated patients; P = .007) was found along with a decrease in the number of ventilator days per patient (P = .004) and a shorter length of stay for ventilated patients in group 2 compared with group 1 (P = .04). Conclusion A significant decrease of ABGs obtained in the ICU does not negatively impact patient outcome and safety. A decrease in the number of ABGs per patient allows cost-efficient patient care with a lower risk for complications.
Ezrin is a Component of the HIV-1 Virological Presynapse and Contributes to the Inhibition of Cell-Cell Fusion

ABSTRACT During cell-to-cell transmission of HIV-1, viral and cellular proteins transiently accumulate at the contact zone between infected (producer) and uninfected (target) cells, forming the virological synapse. Rearrangements of the cytoskeleton in producer and target cells are required for proper targeting of viral and cellular components during synapse formation, yet little is known about how these processes are regulated, particularly within the producer cell. Since ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins connect F-actin with integral and peripheral membrane proteins, are incorporated into virions, and interact with cellular components of the virological presynapse, we hypothesized that they play roles during the late stage of HIV-1 replication. Here we document that phosphorylated (i.e., active) ezrin specifically accumulates at the HIV-1 presynapse in T cell lines and primary CD4 + lymphocytes. To investigate whether ezrin supports virus transmission, we sought to ablate ezrin expression in producer cells. While cells did not tolerate a complete knockdown of ezrin, even a modest reduction of ezrin expression (∼50%) in HIV-1-producing cells led to the release of particles with impaired infectivity. Further, when cocultured with uninfected target cells, ezrin-knockdown producer cells displayed reduced accumulation of the tetraspanin CD81 at the synapse and fused more readily with target cells, thus forming syncytia. Such an outcome likely is not optimal for virus dissemination, as evidenced by the fact that, in vivo , only relatively few infected cells form syncytia. Thus, ezrin likely helps secure efficient virus spread not only by enhancing virion infectivity but also by preventing excessive membrane fusion at the virological synapse. IMPORTANCE While viruses, in principal, can propagate through successions of syncytia, HIV-1-infected cells in the majority of cases do not fuse with potential target cells during viral transmission. This mode of spread is coresponsible for key features of HIV-1 pathogenesis, including killing of bystander cells and establishment of latently infected T lymphocytes. Here we identify the ERM protein family member ezrin as a cellular factor that contributes to the inhibition of cell-cell fusion and thus to suppressing excessive syncytium formation. Our analyses further suggest that ezrin, which connects integral membrane proteins with actin, functions in concert with CD81, a member of the tetraspanin family of proteins. Additional evidence, documented here and elsewhere, suggests that ezrin and CD81 cooperate to prevent cytoskeleton rearrangements that need to take place during the fusion of cellular membranes.
The role of ultrasound in the management of retinopathy of prematurity

The authors reviewed the ultrasonic appearance of 54 eyes (27 patients) with advanced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and compared the various retinal configurations with the findings at surgery. They found that ultrasound is a sensitive indicator of retinal configuration (type and degree of retinal detachment [RD]), as well as showing the existence of subretinal or choroidal hemorrhage often present in these severely affected eyes. Ultrasound is a useful modality to evaluate, document, and follow the progression of RD in ROP.
Common Stock Returns in Corporate Takeover Bids: The Case of Brokerage House Acquisitions

This paper examines the common stock returns of three groups of bidders that purchased brokerage houses. Only in the cases of horizontal mergers, one brokerage house purchasing another, are there abnormal returns associated with the purchase. Neither bank holding company bidders nor non-financial bidders gain significantly when purchasing a brokerage house. Bank holding company bidders face considerable regulatory delays, and these economic disturbances may eliminate their gains. Bank holding company expansion into these non-bank activities does not appear, at the time of announcement, to either hurt or benefit them; hence, this expansion does not appear to further the loss exposure of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
A real-time cascade pedestrian detection based on heterogeneous features

In this paper, we are introducing a real-time pedestrian detector in traffic scenes. To improve the running efficiency of the whole detection system, a cascade framework is implemented. Three heterogeneous types of features are used, including aggregate channel feature (ACF), the responses of self-similarity and checkerboard filters on ACF. Based on the observations that 1) these three types of features take different complexities to compute, and 2) most of the false positives are rejected in the former cascade stages, we propose to divide the cascade into 3 parts, and each type of features is selected in each cascade part according to the feature complexity. The ACF features are computed for the whole image before any cascade stage, and the other two types of features are computed when they are needed at specific stages. This strategy significantly outperforms ACF-only features with only a little loss of speed. Finally, we achieve a pedestrian detector with running speed of 10 frames per second on a 640×480 image.
An Equivalent Form of the Residual Income Valuation Model

The purpose of this note is to show that if clean surplus is assumed, Easton's model (2004) can be viewed as an equivalent form of the residual income valuation model (RIVM). While Easton's model does not require clean surplus and there are problems with the clean surplus assumption (Ohlson, 2003), the fact that his model can be derived directly from the RIVM is of interest.
Growth of Metal−Organic Frameworks on Polymer Surfaces

Polymer substrates have been functionalized with a MOF material (MIL-47) synthesized directly on polyacrylonitrile using in situ microwave irradiation. The growth of MIL-47 on these substrates was studied as a function of microwave irradiation time using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The conversion of nitrile to carboxylic acid groups on the PAN surface was necessary for the growth of MIL-47 on the substrate. MIL-47 crystals grew over time at the expense of a related disordered precursor phase, which lacks the long-range order of MIL-47. This work paves the way for the development of a new class of hybrid MOF-polymer materials that will extend the applications of MOFs to fields such as membrane separations, filtration, and protective textiles.
Late-life depression in primary care. How well are we doing?

OBJECTIVE: To discover primary care physicians’ attitudes toward their abilities to detect and treat depression in the elderly. DESIGN: A self-administered questionnaire sent to 1,000 primary care physicians in the state of Michigan. SETTING: The survey was sent to physicians who practice general internal medicine or family medicine. PARTICIPANTS: The questionnaire was sent to 500 MD and 500 DO physicians; equal representation was given to general internal medicine and family medicine. Of all 1,000 physicians, 60% (n=604) responded, 51% (n=309) were MD’s, 48% (n=295) were DO’s, 41% (n=245) were general internists, and 59% (n=359) were family medicine physicians. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Despite positive attitudes about their skills for detecting and treating depression in the elderly, only one quarter of the respondents routinely used a screening tool in practice. Forty-one percent of all physicians were not aware of depression practice guidelines. Family physicians were more confident about their treatment skills than were general internists (85% vs 50%;x 2=11.42,p≤.003). Male physicians more often endorsed pharmacologic treatment, while female physicians more frequently used counseling and exercise techniques to treat depressed older patients. Half of all physicians felt knowledgeable about community resources to treat older depressed patients. CONCLUSIONS: This survey identified several perceived needs for future targeted interventions: (1) additional Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guideline exposure for all primary care physicians, (2) targeted counseling skill intervention for male physicians and medication management for female physicians, and (3) additional continuing medical education intervention for practicing general internists. Further research is needed to correlate physician attitudes with ensuing behaviors to fully appreciate the nature of late-life depression treatment within the primary care arena.
Genetic Differentiation, Geographic Variation and Hybridization in Gulls of the Larus glaucescens-occidentalis Complex

Survey of morphometric, colorimetric, and allozymic variation in the Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens), the Western Gull (L. occidentalis) and their hybrids is based on 706 specimens taken from 33 colony areas located throughout the breeding range of both species. Whereas most morphometric characters overlap between taxa, colorimetric characters exhibited significant intraspecific and interspecific clinal variation. Canonical discriminant function analysis of colorimetric characters clearly separated pure and hybrid morphotypes and confirmed the intermediacy of character expression in hybrids. Plumage melanism of the mantle and primary tips are among the best discriminators of hybrids. Twenty-five of 32 presumptive genetic loci were polymorphic. Although there were no fixed differences between taxa, gene frequencies exhibited significant heterogeneity across geography. Despite moderately high gene flow (Nm = 2.8 individuals per generation), populations of the L. glaucescens-occidentalis complex are not panmictic, and the hybrid zone forms a partial barrier to gene flow. Hybrids are genetically more similar to L. glaucescens than to L. occidentalis. The hybrid zone extends from Juan de Fuca Strait, Washington, south to Coos Bay, Oregon. A broad zone of introgression extends from the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia south to Coos Bay, Oregon. The hybrid zone appears to have expanded in recent years, yet its midpoint near Grays Harbor, Washington, has remained stable. Hybridization appears to be responsible for skewed introgression and elevated genic diversity in L. glaucescens. The fact that L. glaucescens shows high levels of introgression while maintaining its genetic identity lends support to the hypothesis that hybridization in birds may serve as a mechanism for increasing or restoring genetic diversity in forms that are adapted to local environments.
Analysis and Control of Harmonic Level of Electric Vehicle Battery-Exchange & Charging Stations

Under the vigorous promotion by the government,electric vehicles(EV) enjoy a rapid growth period in China,fueling the large-scaled construction of charging facilities. The harmonic currents caused by EV chargers,however,may have significant impacts on power grids. This paper presents the test results of a battery-exchange charging station for electric buses and analyzes the harmonic pollutions caused different sizes of chargers. Finally,the effects of harmonic control measures are tested and evaluated. The test results show that the 5th,7th harmonic currents can be effectively suppressed with the filter installed;reaching the limited value stipulated in the GB/T14549-2008.
Preparation and Mechanical Properties of SiCp/Fe Composite by Rapid Densification Process

SiCp/Fe composites are fabricated by an electric current heating dynamic process hot-pressing and rapid densification,which overcomes the limitations of powder metallurgy and casting.The densification behavior and mechanical properties of the iron matrix composites with 10vol% SiC in different voltages and sintering time are investi- gated.The SiCp/Fe composite fabricated by this process achieves a relative density of 99.6%,a Brinell hardness of 477HB,a tensile strength of 912MPa and the refined microstructure.
An adaptive DES smodel that allows wall-resolved eddy simulation

Abstract A modification to the Adaptive-DES method of Yin et al. (2015) is proposed to improve its near-wall behavior. The modification is to the function (Clim) that imposes a lower limit on the dynamically evaluated coefficient (CDES). The modification allows Adaptive-DES to converge to wall-resolved eddy simulation, when grid resolution supports it. On coarse grids, or at high Reynolds number, it reverts to shielded DES — that is to DDES. The new formulation predicts results closer to wall-resolved LES than the previous formulation. It provides an ability to simulate transition: it is tested in both orderly and bypass transition. In fully turbulent, attached flow, the modification has little effect. Any improvement in predictions stem from better near-wall behavior of the adaptive method.
From Liberal Theology to Völkisch Christianity? Heinrich Weinel, the Volkskirchenbund, and the Church Struggle in Thuringia

For much of his career, New Testament scholar and systematic theologian Heinrich Weinel promoted theological pluralism, progressive politics, and humanitarian ideals. However, near the end of his life he gave qualified support to the Deutsche Christen, a movement that sought to establish a “German Christianity” informed by Nazi ideology. Examination of Weinel’s published works, unpublished manuscripts, and private correspondence reveals that his support for the Deutsche Christen was a strategic compromise, driven by situational factors and limited ideological affinity rather than a thoroughgoing embrace of volkisch (populist/racist) Christianity. Weinel’s story represents one of many paths to complicity within the German churches during the Third Reich.
Online Professional Learning for Science Teachers of Multilingual Learners

In this chapter, an approach to professional learning for content teachers of multilingual students is presented that is grounded in teachers collaboratively engaging in an online instructional cycle. It includes exploring new concepts, apply new teaching strategies to their classrooms and sharing their results. The approach is presented with specific examples of activities offered online for science teachers working with multilingual learners. This chapter also presents teachers responses to the online learning experiences and future directions of this kind of collaborative, online professional learning.
Fundamental Physics of Tumor Treating Fields

The application of physics into the field of medicine has had a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers over many decades. Recently, the anticancer Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), which are alternating electric fields applied according to the principles of Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism, has made available a novel method of treating patients with glioblastomas, brain metastases, and certain systemic malignancies. Basic laws of physics that govern TTFields include Coulomb’s law, Gauss’s law, Ohm’s law, and the law of continuity. Derivatives of these laws include principles such as capacitive reactance and specific absorption rate, which are important quantities that characterize, respectively, the electric field distribution and power absorption within the brain as the TTFields are applied externally on the scalp by the Optune device. Furthermore, the alternating characteristics of TTFields are driven by changing electric potentials, and the distribution of these fields is dependent on tissue characteristics, such as electric conductivity and relative permittivity, which in turn determine the changing magnitude and direction of electric charge flow through different regions of the brain as time varies. Therefore, understanding the biophysical behavior of these fields is essential for optimizing this treatment for glioblastoma and other types of malignancies. Future improvements in TTField therapy will require deeper knowledge and smarter application of electricity and magnetism at various levels of biological organizations.
Time to Initiation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Pancreas Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Experience

Background Despite randomized trials addressing adjuvant therapy (AT) for pancreas cancer, the ideal time to initiate therapy remains undefined. Retrospective analyses of the ESPAC-3 trial demonstrated that time to initiation of AT did not impact overall survival (OS). Given the absence of confirmatory data outside of a clinical trial, we sought to determine if AT timing in routine clinical practice is associated with OS differences.
Scaling relationships and vessel packing in petioles.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY While tradeoffs among mechanical and conductive functions have been well investigated in woody stems, these tradeoffs are relatively unexplored in petioles, the structural link between stems and laminas. We investigated size-independent scaling relationships between cross-sectional areas of structural and vascular tissues, relationships between tissue areas of xylem and phloem, vessel packing within xylem, and scaling of vascular and structural tissues with lamina traits. METHODS We examined allometric relationships among petiole tissues and as a function of lamina and petiole size variation on eleven species of Pelargonium. From transverse sections of methacrylate-embedded tissue, we measured the cross-sectional areas of all tissues within the petiole and vessel lumen, and cell wall areas of each vessel. Allometric scaling relationships were analyzed using standardized major axis regressions. KEY RESULTS Pelargonium petiole vessels were packed as predicted by Sperry's packing rule for woody stems. In contrast to woody stems, there was no evidence of a tradeoff between vessel area and fiber area. Within cross-sections, more xylem was produced than phloem. Among bundles, xylem and phloem scaling relationships varied with bundle position. Except for lamina dry mass and petiole fiber cross-sectional area, petiole and lamina traits were independent. CONCLUSIONS Petioles share vascular tissue traits with stems despite derivation from leaf primordia. We did not find evidence for a tradeoff between structural and vascular tissues, in part because fibers occur outside the xylem. We propose this separation of conduction and support underlies observed developmental and evolutionary plasticity in petioles.
Avoiding Neutrality in Climates of Constraint: Moving from Apathy to Action.

In the current educational climate, it is not surprising for teachers to experience apathy or to disengage politically. This essay examines the ways that educators can confront climates of constraint in an effort to engage and act. By highlighting the work of a variety of educators in Indianapolis, Indiana, the authors encourage educators to identify those ideas they hold up or onto as they debunk the myth of neutrality and move toward engagement and activism.
Substance P in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

Considerable evidence suggests that the undecapeptide substance P (SP) is a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS).29,41 Bioassay, immunoassay, and immunohistochemical techniques have demonstrated that SP is widely but unevenly distributed in the nervous system, with particularly high concentrations in extrapyramidal structures, central autonomic nuclei, dorsal root ganglia, and peripheral autonomic ganglia.1,2,14,15,31,32 By virtue of this distribution, SP has been suggested to have a role in sensory, autonomic, and extrapyramidal functions. This chapter will emphasize our endeavors to determine the role of SP neurotransmission in human neurological function by examining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) substance-P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in normal subjects and individuals with neurological disorders.39 Discussion of the physiological neurochemistry of SP in CSF is included in the recent review by Wood in other publications53,55 and in Chapter 3.54
Brain Angiotensin II Receptor Subtypes

After injection in the circulation, angiotensin II (ANG II) produces effects in the brain.1 However, circulating ANG II does not cross the blood-brain barier,2,3 suggesting that the brain contains ANG II receptors in the circumventricular organs, which are areas outside the blood-brain barrier. This hypothesis was confirmed with the use of autoradiographic and fluorescence methods, and ANG II binding sites were identified in the pituitary gland, area postrema, organon vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, and median eminence.4
Hypofractionation for Lung Tumors (Primary Malignant, Secondary Malignant)

Surgery has traditionally been the standard of care for early-stage (T1–T2 N0) NSCLC and lung metastases as local control with conventionally fractionated EBRT was clearly inferior to surgical resection. However, the emergence of SBRT (1–5 fractions of >5 Gy/fx) for lung lesions is challenging this standard as local control rates of >80–95% can be achieved with either modality. Less extreme hypofractionation (15–25 fractions of 2.5–3.5 Gy/fx) regimens have also been utilized in an attempt to escalate the BED of radiation for more advanced (stages III–IV) NSCLC. Clinical experience has demonstrated that while these approaches can produce encouraging tumor control rates, they are not without the risk of severe, even fatal complications as a result of damage to the many critical structures located in the thorax. This chapter will review the sizeable literature for lung SBRT and hypofractionation regimens and highlight the technical considerations that are necessary to properly utilize these techniques.
Stage at presentation for incarcerated patients at a single urban tertiary care center.

e18649Background: As with many high risk vulnerable patient groups, incarcerated patients with cancer have worse outcomes and mortality than the general population; the reasons for which are poorly...
Airway: Pediatric Anatomy, Infants and Children

Kids are not small adults, and their airways are different. Here we have an excellent image of the differences with pediatric airway anatomy and the classic seven Ps for intubation. This is a must-have quick reference for the pediatric airway.
A Robust and Efficient Algorithm for the PnL Problem Using Algebraic Distance to Approximate the Reprojection Distance

This paper proposes a novel algorithm to solve the pose estimation problem from 2D/3D line correspondences, known as the Perspective-n-Line (PnL) problem. It is widely known that minimizing the geometric distance generally results in more accurate results than minimizing an algebraic distance. However, the rational form of the reprojection distance of the line yields a complicated cost function, which makes solving the first-order optimality conditions infeasible. Furthermore, iterative algorithms based on the reprojection distance are time-consuming for a large-scale problem. In contrast to previous works which minimize a cost function based on an algebraic distance that may not approximate the reprojection distance of the line, we design two simple algebraic distances to gradually approximate the reprojection distance. This speeds up the computation, and maintains the robustness of the geometric distance. The two algebraic distances result in two polynomial cost functions, which can be efficiently solved. We directly solve the first-order optimality conditions of the first problem with a novel hidden variable method. This algorithm makes use of the specific structure of the resulting polynomial system, therefore it is more stable than the general Grobner basis polynomial solver. Then, we minimize the second polynomial cost function by the damped Newton iteration, starting from the solution of the first cost function. Experimental results show that the first step of our algorithm is already superior to the state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of accuracy and applicability, and faster than the algorithms based on Grobner basis polynomial solver. The second step yields comparable results to the results from minimizing the reprojection distance, but is much more efficient. For speed, our algorithm is applicable to real-time applications.
Do HIV risk and prevention behaviors change over time among adults in permanent supportive housing

Persons experiencing homelessness have a disproportionate burden of HIV infection and high rates of HIV risk behavior. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) has been identified as a primary solution to homelessness, but little is known about HIV sexual risk behavior among persons in PSH, nor about how HIV risk and prevention behavior may change as persons move from homelessness into PSH. Utilizing longitudinal data from 421 persons prior to moving in and over their first year living in PSH, this study assesses change over time in HIV risk and prevention behavior utilizing generalized linear mixed models. Results reveal changes in sexual risk behavior over time, including an overall increase in the rate of sexual activity, but a decrease in rates of some sexual risk behaviors, including condomless sex and multiple partners. While decreasing overall, the prevalence of condomless sex remains high (63%) at 12-months. Combined with a precipitous drop in HIV prevention programming exposure (from 56% at baseline to 23% at 12-months), only two-thirds of those sexually active reporting a past year HIV test at 12-months post-housing, and rare use of PrEP, these findings suggest a need for additional attention to promotion of sexual health behaviors and HIV prevention within PSH.
Design of a cost-effective magnetic gearbox for an aerospace application

Magnetic gears are designed to perform in a highly reliable manner, and offer several advantages compared to mechanical gears but difficulties with manufacturing techniques and cost are strong handicaps. In contrast to conventional gears, the contact and lubrication free force transmitting elements lead to a considerable lifetime and range extension of drive systems. In recent years, magnetic gears have been extensively researched and discussed by both academics and engineers from different industries. However, the vast majority of published work on magnetic gearing relates to novel topologies and performance improvement but not on optimisation of cost and weight. With a judicious parametric model analysis, design can be optimised in terms of torque capability, cost and weight. Moreover, the design process is time and cost consuming, but can be also be reduced by the use of modelling methods. An earlier paper addressed the parametric model approach and its benefits, but did not include a comparison between test and simulation data. This study will summarise the findings and present the test data from a magnetic gearbox designed for an aerospace application such as a high lift system.
Data Shepherding: A Last Level Cache Design for Large Scale Chips

Newer chips include cache memories as large as 128 MB to sustain the bandwidth for the GPGPU module. As 128 MB was a reasonable main memory size a decade ago, we examine the design impact of a larger granularity in the management of caches. We thus propose a cache memory design called the Data Shepherding Cache for larger last level caches. Even with a granularity as large as a page for the management of the last level cache, our Data Shepherding Cache could achieve reasonable performance from a smaller area footage over the same sized set associative cache.
Effects of suspended clay on bioconcentration of Kelthane in fathead minnows.

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of suspended clay sediments on the bioconcentration of the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide Kelthane® (dicofol, 4-chloro-α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-(trichloromethyl) benzene methanol) in fathead minnowsPimephales promelas). The test was carried out under continuous-flow conditions with a modified Mount-Brungs toxicant dilution apparatus and an exposure period of 28 days. Two known safe Kelthane® treatment levels were tested in both filtered lake water and lake water containing approximately 65 mg/L of clay particles. The clay sediments decreased bioconcentration in fathead minnows by 35%, indicating that the 30 + % of total Kelthane® sorbed onto clay was biologically unavailable to the fish. Bioconcentration factors at the two Kelthane® concentrations were not significantly different. Steady-state concentrations were estimated to occur in 39 to 60 days of exposure at 9,500 to 18,900 times water levels.
The emergence of age-related changes in recognition memory in healthy middle-aged adults using the CVLT-II

Although age-related memory differences between young and older adults have been well documented, fewer studies have investigated memory changes in middle age. We examined the performance of health...
Power analysis for cluster randomized trials with multiple binary co-primary endpoints.

Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are widely used in different areas of medicine and public health. Recently, with increasing complexity of medical therapies and technological advances in monitoring multiple outcomes, many clinical trials attempt to evaluate multiple co-primary endpoints. In this study, we present a power analysis method for CRTs with K≥2 binary co-primary endpoints. It is developed based on the GEE (generalized estimating equation) approach, and three types of correlations are considered: inter-subject correlation within each endpoint, intra-subject correlation across endpoints, and inter-subject correlation across endpoints. A closed-form joint distribution of the K test statistics is derived, which facilitates the evaluation of power and type I error for arbitrarily constructed hypotheses. We further present a theorem that characterizes the relationship between various correlations and testing power. We assess the performance of the proposed power analysis method based on extensive simulation studies. An application example to a real clinical trial is presented.
Pathogenesis of Syringomyelia with Description of Non-Communicating Type That Arises Immediately Caudal to Obstructive Lesions

The pathogenesis of syringomyelia is incompletely understood. Since the condition is known to occur in association with hindbrain malformations and a variety of other lesions that occur at the level of the foramen magnum, attempts have been made to explain its development hydrodynamically. According to Gardner (Gardner et al. 1957; Gardner and Goodall 1950; Gardner and McMurry 1976), syringomyelia is caused by mechanical obstruction of the outlets of the fourth ventricle which results in a redirection of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulse wave into the central canal. The caudal focusing of the pulse wave presumably distends the central canal and leads to a net accumulation of fluid that may be confined to the lumen of the canal (hydromyelia) or may dissect into the paracentral tissues if the ependymal lining ruptures (syringohydromyelia).
The Reliability of Framework for Teaching Scores in Kindergarten

We evaluated the score stability of the Framework for Teaching (FFT), a prominent observation instrument used for teacher evaluation. Three raters each scored 200 reading and mathematics lessons ta...