cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When One Door Closes, Another Opens: Community Colleges as Gateways to Higher Education for Refugee Students.

Currently, only 1% of refugees worldwide have access to postsecondary education as compared to global enrollment rates of 34%. In view of this disparity, it is clear that access to education is pro...
Image Artifacts on Prostate Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Trade-offs at 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla

Rationale and Objectives To identify the presence and extent of artifacts in prostate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and discuss tradeoffs between imaging at 1.5 T (1.5 T) and 3.0 T (3.0 T). In addition, we aim to provide quantitative estimates of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at both field strengths. Materials and Methods The institutional review board waived informed consent for this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant, retrospective study of 53 consecutive men who underwent 3.0 T endorectal DW-MRI and 53 consecutive men who underwent 1.5 T endorectal DW-MRI between October and December 2010. One radiologist and one physicist, blinded to patient characteristics, image acquisition parameters, and field strength, scored DW-MRI artifacts. On b = 0 images, SNR was measured as the ratio of the mean signal from a region of interest (ROI) at the level of the verumontanum (the “reference region”) to the standard deviation from the mean signal in an artifact-free ROI in the rectum. Results Both readers found geometric distortion and signal graininess significantly more often at 3.0 T than at 1.5 T ( P P = .001) and blurring more often at 1.5 T ( P = .006). Mean SNR at the urethra (87.92 ± 27.76) at 3.0 T was 1.43 times higher than at 1.5 T (64.51 ± 14.96) ( P Conclusions At 3.0 T (as compared to 1.5 T), increased SNR on prostate DW-MRI comes at the expense of geometric distortion and can also lead to more pronounced ghosting artifacts. Therefore, to take full advantage of the benefits of 3.0 T, further improvements in acquisition techniques are needed to address DW-MRI artifacts corresponding to higher field strengths.
Bystander T cell activation and attrition.

Acquired immunity against viruses relies on the activation of virus-specific T cells to combat and clear the virus from the infected host. CD8 T cells are essential to this process, due to their ability to differentiate between self and non-self antigens presented by class I major histocompatibility antigens (MHC I) found on the surface of the majority of nucleated cells (Margulies 1999; Germain 1999; Ahmed and Biron 1999). Virus-specific CD8 T cells that encounter viral antigen in the context of the proper MHC I must proliferate, migrate into areas of infection, and perform effector functions, which include the production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and the cytolysis of infected cells (Ahmed and Biron 1999). Much of our understanding of this process has been obtained using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) system. The immune response to an acute LCMV infection of mice is associated with a massive expansion of CD8 T cells, fueling a debate about how much of this response is antigen-specific and how much might be a consequence of “bystander” T cell activation.
Addressing a patient's refusal of care based on religious beliefs.

This dilemma is complex. In this scenario, the patient limited the efforts to help her because of religious beliefs, and attempts at persuasion were not successful.
Vascular network organization via hough transform (VaNgOGH): A novel radiomic biomarker for diagnosis and treatment response

As a “hallmark of cancer”, tumor-induced angiogenesis is one of the most important mechanisms of a tumor’s adaptation to changes in nutrient requirement. The angiogenic activity of certain tumors has been found to be predictive of a patient’s ultimate response to therapeutic intervention. This then begs the question if there are differences in vessel arrangement and corresponding convolutedness, between tumors that appear phenotypically similar, but respond differently to treatment. Even though textural radiomics and deep learning-based approaches have been shown to distinguish disease aggressiveness and assess therapeutic response, these descriptors do not specifically interpret differences in vessel characteristics. Moreover, most existing approaches have attempted to model disease characteristics just within tumor confines, or right outside, but do not consider explicit parenchymal vessel morphology. In this work, we introduce VaNgOGH (Vascular Network Organization via Hough transform), a new descriptor of architectural disorder of the tumor’s vascular network. We demonstrate the efficacy of VaNgOGH in two clinically challenging problems: (a) Predicting pathologically complete response (pCR) in breast cancer prior to treatment (BCa, N = 76) and (b) distinguishing benign nodules from malignant non-small cell lung cancer (LCa, N = 81). For both tasks, VaNgOGH had test area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (\(AUC_{BCa}\) = 0.75, \(AUC_{LCa}\) = 0.68) higher than, or comparable to, state of the art radiomic approaches (\(AUC_{BCa}\) = 0.75, \(AUC_{LCa}\) = 0.62) and convolutional neural networks (\(AUC_{BCa}\) = 0.67, \(AUC_{LCa}\) = 0.66). Interestingly, when a known radiomic signature was used in conjunction with VaNgOGH, \(AUC_{BCa}\) increased to 0.79.
Prevalence of pain reports in pediatric primary care and association with demographics, body mass index, and exam findings: a cross-sectional study.

Pediatric pain is associated to patient weight and demographics in specialized settings, but pain prevalence and its associated patient attributes in general pediatric outpatient care are unknown. Our objective was to determine the rate of positive pain screenings in pediatric primary care and evaluate the relationship between reported pain and obesity, demographics, and exam findings during routine pediatric encounters. Cross-sectional observational study of 26,180 patients ages 2 to 19 seen in five urban pediatric primary care clinics between 2009 and 2016. Data were collected from systematic screening using a computerized clinical decision support system. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the association between pain reporting and obesity (body mass index), age, sex, race, season, insurance status, clinic site, prior pain reporting, pain reporting method, and exam findings. Pain was reported by the patient or caregiver in 14.9% of visits. In adjusted models, pain reporting was associated with obesity (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.11–1.35) and severe obesity (OR 1.32, CI 1.17–1.49); adolescents (OR 1.47, CI 1.33–1.61); and females (OR 1.21, CI 1.12–1.29). Pain reported at the preceding visit increased odds of pain reporting 2.67 times (CI 2.42–2.95). Abnormal abdominal, extremity, ear, nose, throat, and lymph node exams were associated with pain reporting. Pain reporting increased in minority races within clinics that predominantly saw a concordant race. Pain is common in general pediatric encounters, and occurs more frequently in obese children and those who previously reported pain. Pain reporting may be influenced by seasonal variation and clinic factors. Future pediatric pain screening may be guided by associated risk factors to improve identification and targeted healthcare interventions.
An Unusual Trigger for Stress Cardiomyopathy

Our patient is a 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain. On laboratory examination, his sodium level was found to be 127 meq/L (normal range: 136 - 145 meq/L). During his hospital course, he developed retrosternal chest pain. His electrocardiogram (ECG) during this episode showed deep symmetrical T wave inversions in the anterior, septal and apical leads. His symptoms of chest pain and ECG changes prompted a cardiac catheterization, which revealed, non-obstructive coronary disease with left ventriculogram significant for apical near akinesis and preserved basal wall motion, characteristic findings of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, with an estimated left ventricle ejection fraction of 35-40%. J Med Cases. 2018;9(12):386-389 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3132w
Negligible Role for Deletion Mediated by cDC1 in CD8+ T Cell Tolerance.

Deletion of CD8+ T cells by dendritic cells (DCs) is recognized as a critical mechanism of immune tolerance to self-antigens. Although DC-mediated peripheral deletion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells has been demonstrated using T cells reactive to model Ags, its role in shaping the naturally occurring polyclonal CD8+ T cell repertoire has not been defined. Using Batf3-/- mice lacking cross-presenting CD8α+ and CD103+ DCs (also known as type 1 conventional [cDC1]), we demonstrate that peripheral deletion of CD8+ T cells reactive to a model tissue Ag is dependent on cDC1. However, endogenous CD8+ T cells from the periphery of Batf3-/- mice do not exhibit heightened self-reactivity, and deep TCR sequencing of CD8+ T cells from Batf3-/- and Batf3+/+ mice reveals that cDC1 have a minimal impact on shaping the peripheral CD8+ T cell repertoire. Thus, although evident in reductionist systems, deletion of polyclonal self-specific CD8+ T cells by cDC1 plays a negligible role in enforcing tolerance to natural self-ligands.
Applying the Haddon Matrix to evaluate sexual assault interventions on college campuses

Objective: A Haddon Matrix analysis was used to systematically review literature evaluating college campus sexual assault prevention programs to identify research gaps and intervention opportunitie...
Advancing Health Equity and Reducing Disparities with Collaborative Policy Research

Ethn Dis. 2019; 29 (Suppl 2). Welcome letter from the Transdisciplinary Collaborative Center for Health Disparities Reserach at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Self-diffusion of pure and mixed gases in mixed-linker zeolitic imidazolate framework-7-8 by high field diffusion NMR

Self-diffusion of pure gases including carbon dioxide, methane, ethylene, ethane, and xenon as well as selected two-component mixtures was studied in hybrid zeolitic imidazolate framework-7-8 (ZIF-7-8) crystals using pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR. This material was formed by mixing 2-methylimidazolate (ZIF-8 linker) and bulkier benzimidazolate (ZIF-7 linker) in the same framework. The intracrystalline diffusion data measured in mixed-linker ZIF-7-8 was compared with the corresponding data in the parent ZIF-8 material. It was found that under the same or comparable experimental conditions the intracrystalline gas diffusion was always slower in ZIF-7-8 than in ZIF-8. This observation is consistent with the expected lower pore aperture size in ZIF-7-8 than in ZIF-8. At the same time, the ethane/ethylene diffusion selectivity was found to be similar in both ZIFs. It was also observed that for the pure studied gases larger than carbon dioxide the diffusivity ratios in ZIF-8 and ZIF-7-8 do not increase with increasing gas size at all loading pressures used. All these data are attributed to greater framework flexibility effects in ZIF-7-8 than ZIF-8. Such effects manifest themselves in a distortion and/or increase in the aperture size in the presence of large sorbates due to linker flexibility.
Appendix C. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method

The simulations used in this work were all done using the finite-difference timedomain (FDTD) method. One of a fairly large number of methods and variations on methods applicable to the simulation of electromagnetic fields, the FDTD is particularly simple and intuitive, and its application is well adapted to computation of high-frequency electromagnetic fields. The FDTD method approximates the electromagnetic-field equations directly without the need for intermediate steps such as the approximation and minimization processes that are so important in many numerical computation methods such as the finite-element methods.
How does location based marketing affect mobile retail revenues? The complex interplay of delivery tactic, interface mobility and user privacy

Abstract Location Based Marketing (LBM) increases relevance of placed advertisements by increasing awareness of product offers and availability in the consumer’s proximity. However, depending on how it is executed, such advertising can be perceived as intrusive, irritating, or a violation of consumer’s privacy. Existing research does not offer clear directions for retailers, who are keen to know of LBM’s effectiveness on sales. In this paper, authors investigate the effects of LBM on application (app) driven revenues of 116 major mobile retailers from around the globe. In particular, we examine the contingency effects of the roles of device as well as privacy needs of the brand audience. Findings reveal that effects of LBM on app-based revenues vary by delivery tactic (inbound vs. outbound), interface mobility (Low: Tablet vs. High: Phone), and user privacy needs (Privacy-seeking Android users vs. Privacy-oblivious Apple users). Overall, this research identifies critical factors for retailers to consider in order to best monetize their location based efforts. Contributions of the analysis and managerial implications are discussed.
GENDER DISPARITIES IN PATIENTS WITH OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST IN THE ABSENCE OF ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION: A SUBSTUDY OF THE COACT TRIAL

Gender disparities and potential gender bias have been an issue of discussion in pathophysiology as well as treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Gender specific characterizations in a population of patients successfully resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the absence
Stimulus-Driven Retinal Intrinsic Signal Optical Imaging in Mouse Demonstrates a Dominant Rod-Driven Component.

Purpose The primary hypotheses tested are that (1) there exist stimulus-driven intrinsic optical signals in the mouse retina similar to those previously observed in other species, and (2) these optical signals require an intact rod photoreceptor phototransduction cascade. Methods We used 38 wild-type C57BL6J mice and 18 genetic knockout Gnat1-/- mice to study the light-evoked retinal intrinsic response. A custom mouse fundus camera delivered visual stimuli and collected mouse retinal imaging data of changes in retinal reflectance for further analysis. The retina was stimulated in the high-mesopic range with a 505-nm light-emitting diode while also being illuminated with 780-nm near-infrared light. Results Wild-type C57BL6J mice yielded retinal imaging signals that typically showed a stimulus-driven decrease in retinal reflectance of ∼0.1%, with a time course of several seconds. The signals exhibit spatial specificity in the retina. Overall, the mouse imaging signals are similar in sign and time course to those reported in other mammalian species but are of lower amplitude. In contrast, functional retinal imaging of Gnat1-/- mice that lack a functional rod transducin yielded no such stimulus-driven signals. Conclusions Previous studies have not shown which pathway component is essential for the generation of these imaged signals. The absence of the intrinsic signal responses in Gnat1-/- knockout mice indicates that a functional rod transducin is likely to be necessary for generating the retinal intrinsic signals. These studies, to the best of our knowledge, demonstrate for the first time in vivo mouse retinal functional imaging signals similar to those previously shown in other mammalian species.
Effect of a Culturally Adapted Behavioral Intervention for Latino Adults on Weight Loss Over 2 Years: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Identifying effective weight loss interventions for Latino adults at risk of diabetes is of critical public health importance. Objective To determine whether a culturally adapted behavioral intervention for Latino adults was more effective than usual care for weight loss over 24 months. Design, Setting, and Participants In this randomized clinical trial, Latino adults with a body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 24 or greater and a high risk for type 2 diabetes were recruited in primary care practices in the San Francisco, California, area, randomized to receive the Vida Sana intervention or usual care, and followed up for 24 months. The study was conducted from November 2015 to May 2019, and data were analyzed from July 2019 to Septmeber 2020. Interventions The treatment group received Vida Sana, a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention that included a family-based orientation session and 22 group sessions over 12 months. Participants were encouraged to use a wearable activity tracker and mobile applications to track their physical activity and dietary intake. Participants received monthly email messages for an additional 12 months. The control group received usual care. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was weight loss at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included weight loss at 12 months and achieving at least 5% weight loss at 12 and 24 months. Associations of baseline characteristics and intervention adherence with weight loss outcomes were also examined. Results Among 191 participants (mean [SD] age, 50.2 [12.2] years; 118 [61.8%] women; 107 participants [57.2%] of Mexican origin; mean [SD] baseline BMI, 32.4 [5.7]) randomized, 92 participants were randomized to the intervention and 99 participants were randomized to usual care. Of these, 185 participants (96.9%) completed 24-month follow-up. Mean (SD) weight loss did not differ significantly by group at 24 months (intervention: −1.1 [5.7] kg; control: −1.1 [7.1] kg;P = .93). However, mean (SD) weight loss was significantly greater in the intervention group (−2.6 [6.0] kg) than the control group (−0.3 [4.2] kg) at 12 months (mean difference, −2.1 [95% CI, −3.6 to −0.7] kg;P = .005). Intervention participants were more likely to achieve at least 5% weight loss than control participants at 12 months (22 participants [25.9%] vs 9 participants [9.2%];P = .003), and participants who achieved at least 5% weight loss attended more intervention sessions than those who did not (mean [SD], 16.6 [7.6] sessions vs 12.4 [7.5] sessions;P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that among Latino adults with high diabetes risk, a culturally adapted behavioral lifestyle intervention was effective for weight loss over 12 months but not 24 months. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02459691
Human urine alters methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus virulence and transcriptome

Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging cause of hospital-associated urinary tract infections, especially in catheterized individuals. Despite being rare, MRSA-UTI are prone to potentially life-threatening exacerbations such as bacteremia that can be refractory to routine antibiotic therapy. Hence, MRSA-UTI is an important of research topic. To delineate molecular mechanisms governing MRSA urinary pathogenesis, we exposed three S. aureus strains, of which two were MRSA, to human urine and analyzed virulence characteristics and gene expression. We also analyzed MRSA-1369 transcriptome following cultivation in human urine for 2h. Our results reveal that human urine induces global changes in MRSA transcriptome, marked by changes in genes encoding proteins involved in metabolic pathways, virulence, and transcriptional regulators. In addition, in vitro assays also showed that human urine alters, in a strain-specific manner, adherence to human bladder epithelial cells and fibronectin, hemolysis of sheep RBCs, and surface hydrophobicity. In summary, our results provide first important insights into how the urine may specifically alter MRSA physiology in turn facilitating MRSA survival in the nutrient-limiting and hostile urinary microenvironment. ImportanceMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an uncommon cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) in the general population. However, it is important to understand MRSA pathophysiology in the urinary tract because isolation of MRSA in urine samples is often secondary to potentially life-threatening MRSA bacteremia. In this report, we describe that cultivation in human urine alters MRSA global gene expression and virulence. We hypothesize that these alterations may aid MRSA adapt to the nutrient-limiting, immunologically hostile conditions within the urinary tract.
Dirhodium(II,II)/NiO Photocathode for Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Red Light.

A new Rh2(II,II) dimer has been synthesized and anchored onto a NiO photocathode. The dirhodium complex acts as both the sensitizer to inject holes into NiO and as catalyst for the production of hy...
Generation and Expansion of Human Cardiomyocytes from Patient Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Generating patient-specific cardiomyocytes from a single blood draw has attracted tremendous interest in precision medicine on cardiovascular disease. Cardiac differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is modulated by defined signaling pathways that are essential for embryonic heart development. Numerous cardiac differentiation methods on 2-D and 3-D platforms have been developed with various efficiencies and cardiomyocyte yield. This has puzzled investigators outside the field as the variety of these methods can be difficult to follow. Here we present a comprehensive protocol that elaborates robust generation and expansion of patient-specific cardiomyocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We first describe a high-efficiency iPSC reprogramming protocol from a patient's blood sample using non-integration Sendai virus vectors. We then detail a small molecule-mediated monolayer differentiation method that can robustly produce beating cardiomyocytes from most human iPSC lines. In addition, a scalable cardiomyocyte expansion protocol is introduced using a small molecule (CHIR99021) that could rapidly expand patient-derived cardiomyocytes for industrial- and clinical-grade applications. At the end, detailed protocols for molecular identification and electrophysiological characterization of these iPSC-CMs are depicted. We expect this protocol to be pragmatic for beginners with limited knowledge on cardiovascular development and stem cell biology.
The Seven Basic Equations in Weather Forecasting Models

The Seven Basic Equations represent the spatial and temporal dimensions of atmospheric motion, energy, and moisture, and are solved simultaneously in numerical weather prediction at many grid points in the atmosphere. The first three equations are collectively known as the Reynolds Equations of Motion. They solve for the time rate of change of wind speed in the west-to-east, south-to-north, and down-to-up direction at each grid point, as a function of the rate of advection and convection of wind, the pressure gradient force, the Coriolis effect, and the impact of friction. The fourth is the Thermodynamic Energy Equation. It expresses the sum of the internal energy of the individual molecules comprising the atmosphere and the kinetic energy that drives the macro-scale motion of the atmosphere (i.e., the wind). The Moisture Conservation Equation states that the change in moisture content at a grid point is equal to the sum of the contribution of moisture via advection and the contribution via phase changes. The sixth equation is most commonly known as the Continuity Equation or Mass Conservation Equation, which computes the time rate of change of density as a function of density advection in the west-to-east, south-to-north, and down-to-up directions, respectively, and the velocity convergence/divergence in the same three directions. The final equation, the Equation of State for an Ideal Gas, is the “glue” that binds the other equations because it relates pressure, density (or its reciprocal, specific volume), and temperature. A few of the most commonly used numerical weather prediction models are reviewed.
Self-supervised similarity search for large scientific datasets

We present the use of self-supervised learning to explore and exploit large unlabeled datasets. Focusing on 42 million galaxy images from the latest data release of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Surveys, we first train a self-supervised model to distill low-dimensional representations that are robust to symmetries, uncertainties, and noise in each image. We then use the representations to construct and publicly release an interactive semantic similarity search tool. We demonstrate how our tool can be used to rapidly discover rare objects given only a single example, increase the speed of crowd-sourcing campaigns, and construct and improve training sets for supervised applications. While we focus on images from sky surveys, the technique is straightforward to apply to any scientific dataset of any dimensionality. The similarity search web app can be found at https://github.com/georgestein/galaxy_search
Human Rights in Heaven

Even in the stereotypically hospitable precincts of Anglo-American liberalism, philosophers largely disdained natural or "human" rights from approximately the 1790s to the 1970s; and even thereafter, it was really only John Rawls's move to consider the implications of rights for the international order (which he had neglected in reviving rights for the purposes of theorizing domestic justice) in the late 1990s that has sparked the interesting and contentious debate concerning the nature, foundation, and implications of "human rights" among philosophers today. This paper inquires into the value of that discussion for those interested in international and transnational human rights politics and largely finds it wanting, with special attention to the example of John Tasioulas's inaugural lecture as Quain Professor of Jurisprudence as well as Jeremy Waldron's recent call to shift from a "human concern" to a "human bearer" approach to the topic. At a minimum, my goal is to insist that philosophers have an honest answer to what broader purposes they are serving when they bring their unique skills to a fraught global debate - and what risks of their own they incur given the temptation of falling back on their talents for affirming normativity and clarifying norms rather than explaining what the rest of us do with them in a complex world of passion and force. Slightly more boldly, the point is to call for an alternative version of philosophy - including an alternative philosophy of human rights - that embraces the situation that outsiders acknowledge as an unavoidable condition: caught in the rough and tumble or outright strife of politics, in a historically constituted world, that even philosophy cannot escape.
Abstract A23: Epigenetic Cis-regulatory interactions in HIF1a-activated melanocytes

Melanoma tumors are heterogeneous lesions that progress through distinct cellular phenotypes exhibiting either highly proliferative or invasive cell state gene expression signatures (SOX10+ vs. TGFB+ pathways, respectively) as disease progression occurs. It is appreciated that even within a single tumor, individual cells respond to hypoxic conditions through Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1a (HIF1a) activation, leading to gene expression that promotes invasive cell properties. Regulation of gene expression integrates the binding of intrinsic cell lineage factors and general transcription machinery to key cis-regulatory DNA sequences that are epigenetically defined. In order to identify the cis-regulatory sequences that are utilized in a cell9s response to HIF1a activation, we have established an integrated regulatory dataset from melan-Ink4a-ARF-/- immortalized mouse melanocytes. This dataset includes Dnase1 HS regions, enhancer regions marked by H3K4me1 and EP300 co-binding, ChIP-Seq for the transcription factors HIF1a and SOX10, and RNA-SEQ datasets under proliferative and HIF1a-activated growth conditions. We are evaluating HIF1a binding regions in order to identify the cis-regulatory sequences utilized to regulate gene expression, identify the key factors engaged at these sites, and assess the role that DNA variation has in modulating factor binding and gene transcription in the switch from proliferative to hypoxic cell signaling conditions. By identifying the epigenetic cis-regulatory interactions that occur as a result of HIF1a activation, we hypothesize that we will highlight pathways important for melanoma progression that may be relevant to future therapeutics. Citation Format: Stacie Loftus, Julie Cronin, Temesgen Fufa, Andrew McCallion, Gregory Crawford, William Pavan. Epigenetic Cis-regulatory interactions in HIF1a-activated melanocytes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr A23.
The role of women in the history of computing

Long before the electronic computing era, women were already a part of the information processing industry. For the first fifty years of information processing, women had an important role to play-from the women data entry operators of the early 1900s to the six women programmers of ENIAC in the 1940s and the scientific computation women computists of the 1950s. Sometimes an extraordinary partnership occurred, with women an integral part of a team. Sometimes a stroke of fate placed a woman at the right place at the right time to be a part of computing history. The paper provides a personal overview of the role of women in the history of information processing and computing, then gives a perspective on the workplace issues of supply and demand that continue to affect that role. Concern is expressed about the future role of women in computing and the sciences, with suggestions for consideration of new ways to approach the shortfall.
Phenomenology of bulk gettering

The salient characteristics of bulk getters are reviewed. The operation of a bulk getter is explained by a theory which incorporates the effects of surface reactions and bulk diffusion. Solutions are summarized for the particular scenarios involving pumping at a constant pressure and desorption at a constant pumping speed. Hydrogen pumping and desorption measurements of ZrA1 and ZrVFe bulk getters validate these predictions. From these data it is possible to extract the sticking coefficient, solubility and diffusivity. Using these materials parameters, the performance of the getter can be predicted for any operating regime. Related experiments which examine the isotopic dependence of the hydrogen solubility and a method for achieving the enhanced desorption of a hydrogen isotope are summarized.
Processing of lipid-modified prolipoprotein requires energy and sec gene products in vivo.

The kinetics of processing of glyceride-modified prolipoprotein that accumulated in globomycin-treated Escherichia coli has been found to be affected by sec mutations, i.e., secA, secE, secY, secD, and secF, and by metabolic poisons which affect proton motive force (PMF). The effect of sec mutations on processing of glyceride-modified prolipoprotein in vivo was not due to a secondary effect on PMF. Neither a secF mutation nor metabolic poisons affected the processing of previously accumulated proOmpA protein in vivo, suggesting that the requirements for functional sec gene products and PMF are specific to the processing of lipoprotein precursors by signal peptidase II.
Intrinsic Amino Acid Levels and the Blood-Brain Barrier

Publisher Summary The instantaneous substrate level of a compound at a given site in the nervous system reflects the interaction of at least five dynamic processes: synthesis, degradation, uptake, extrusion and exchange. Since the latter three processes define the kinetic interrelationship between the blood and the brain, it is apparent that substrate levels not only are affected by but will themselves affect this interrelationship. Certain experiments on intrinsic and extrinsic amino acids and results regarding the same are mentioned in the chapter. Also, experiments on the environmental effects on amino acid levels in eels and toad brains were conducted and summarized in the chapter. It briefs about the mechanisms of amino acid accumulation in toad brain. The influence of intrinsic amino acid levels in brain tissue upon amino acid movements from blood to brain has been studied.
Electrophoretic immunoassays for oral diagnostics

Analysis of oral fluid (e.g., saliva) has the potential to aid diagnosis of both oral and systemic diseases. Oral fluids offer advantages over other bodily fluids, including quick, non-invasive, and inexpensive collection in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Nevertheless, current assay techniques using saliva are time-consuming, require large sample volumes, and are not amenable to automation or portability. We report on a robust microfluidic platform that performs rapid immunoassay-based analysis (<3 minutes) of saliva with low sample volume requirements (10 /spl mu/L) and appreciable sensitivity (10/sup -12/ M) with a high-degree of autonomy. Immunoassays for the detection of the systemic disease biomarker, C-reactive protein, and the cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-/spl alpha/ were conducted in spiked human saliva using a microfluidic chip. The immunoassay developed is based on binding of fluorescently-labeled reporter antibodies to analytes followed by electrophoretic separation and quantitation of bound and unbound reporter. The separation selectivity was achieved using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a microchip containing in situ photolithographically patterned cross-linked polyacrylamide. Native electrophoresis conditions maintained the integrity of fragile immune complexes and provided rapid separations of complex samples. On-going work focuses on integration of the on-chip immunoassay with miniaturized hardware towards developing a portable prototype.
Tissue healing and infection in experimental animals irradiated with cobalt-60 and orthovoltage

T he use of telecobalt-60 therapy has been a major advance in the radiation therapy of cancer. Initial impressions of a bone-sparing quality of cobalt-60 radiation, as compared with orthovoltage radiation, have been confirmed experimentally.2s 3 Mandibles of rats received single large comparable doses of ort.hovoltage radiation and cobalt-60 radiation. In those animals receiving orthovoltage radiation, the alveolar bone of the mandible presented notable pathosis, including osteoporosis, decreased osteoblastic activity, and decreased density of fibrous connective tissue. In animals receiving comparable dosages of cobalt-60 radiation the alveolar bone presented an essentially normal tissue pattern. Furthermore, it was found that with cobalt-60 the highly reactive dental pulps were relatively unaffected, whereas in the animals receiving conventional radiation the pulpal pathosis was severe and ranged from marked odontoblastic degeneration to total hemorrhagic necrosis. Further studies revealed that cobalt-60 radiation also appeared to possess a skin-sparing quality. It was demonstrated experimentally that high dosages of orthovoltage applied to mandibles of rats resulted in degeneration and necrosis of gingival epithelium. In animals irradiated with comparable doses of cobalt-60, the gingival alterations did not occur and the gingival tissues resembled those of control animals. One of the major clinical problems following radiat,ion therapy for oral cancer in human beings is the development of osteoradionecrosis in the mandible or maxilla. It is now understood that the normal resistance of bone to oral in-
A light microscopical, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of spindle-cell adrenocortical tumours of ferrets

Twelve adrenocortical tumours with a variable spindle-cell component in ferrets (six spayed females, three intact females, two castrated males, and one intact male) were examined by light microscopy. One tumour with a moderate spindle-cell component was examined ultrastructurally, and three tumours were studied immunohistochemically. Light microscopy revealed a spindle-cell component in the tumours that varied from a few such cells occupying the stroma between packets of adrenocortical cells to cells in such large numbers that they formed almost the entire substance of the tumour. By light microscopy these spindle cells resembled smooth muscle cells, and the ultrastructural findings, particularly the presence of thin contractile filaments, suggested that the spindle cells were of smooth muscle origin. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the spindle cells were negative for cytokeratins and S-100 protein but positive for smooth muscle actin. Desmin was readily demonstrated in two tumours but not in the other examined. Vimentin was variable, generally producing a small to moderate amount of reaction product.
Some consequences of unitary symmetry model

Consequences of the unitary symmetry model based upon invariance of the theory under the three-dimensional unitary-unimodular group SU(3) or under the three-dimensional unitary group U(3) are investigated. A formula for the magnetic moment of baryons is derived and the electromagnetic decay modes of bosons are investigated. (C.E.S.)
Induction of conditioned taste aversion with a self-administered substance in rats.

Drugs of abuse such as cocaine induce a paradoxical aversive effect when paired with a novel taste. When a novel gustatory cue is paired with drugs of abuse the resulting conditioned effect is the avoidance of the novel taste. A conditioning paradigm was developed in order to pair saccharin with self-administered cocaine. Rats were trained to lever-press for sweetened milk in an operant chamber and then implanted with an intrajugular catheter for cocaine self-administration (SA). After recovery from surgery, food and water access were restricted and the operant behavior was reestablished using contingent milk. Pairings of 10-min saccharin access followed by 1-h cocaine (0.125 mg/kg per injection) SA sessions were alternated daily with pairings of 10-min water access followed by 30-min SA sessions of oral milk and i.v. saline, delivered simultaneously. Pairings were conducted once a day for 10 days. After four sessions of cocaine self-administration there was no significant decrease in saccharin intake. However, rats that avoided saccharin also self-administered more cocaine than non-avoiding rats. These results suggest that the development of taste aversion is accompanied by an acceptance of the drug rather than an aversion to it.
An exact integral method to evaluate wall heat flux in spatially developing two-dimensional wall-bounded flows

Abstract An integral method to evaluate wall heat flux in turbulent wall-bounded flows is presented. The method is mathematically exact and has the advantage of having no explicit streamwise gradient terms. Importantly, the mathematical exactness of the method allows for a direct measurement of the wall heat flux without any a priori assumptions regarding the flow or temperature field or invoking flow transport analogies. It is useful in cases when measurements at multiple streamwise locations are not available or feasible, for flows with ill-defined outer boundary conditions, or when the measurement grid does not extend over the whole boundary layer thickness. The method is applied to existing datasets for both forced and natural convection boundary layer flow for which independent estimates of wall heat flux were known, and the different results compare favorably. Complications owing to experimental limitations and measurement error in determining wall heat flux from the proposed method are presented, and mitigating strategies are described.
INHIBITION OF THYROXINE ACTION BY IODINATED PHENOXYACETIC ACIDS1

Thyroxine was first isolated by Kendall in 1915. After proof of its structure by Harington and Barger in 1927, Lyon (1927) demonstrated that upon administration of synthesized thyroxine it was possible t o duplicate the action of the thyroid gland in the control of metabolic rate. The problem of thyroxine release into the blood stream has undergone an interesting evolution from 1927 to the present. Early investigators believed that the thyroglobulin or colloid was formed in the thyroid gland and entered the circulation by migrating between the follicular cells. With later developments in protein chemistry it was realized that the thyroglobulin formed in the gland must first be hydrolyzed by proteolytic enzymes, and the smaller sized molecules formed were passed into the blood stream. For some time this material was believed to be a protein, but recent work of Harington (1944), Taurog and Chaikoff (1947), Leblond and Gross (1949), Laidlaw (1949)
Behavioral effects induced by acute exposure to benzo( a )pyrene in F-344 rats

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly persistent environmental pollutants which pose potential adverse effects on human health. Benzo(a)-pyrene (B(a)P) is the prototypical representative of these widely dispersed lipophylic contaminants. (B(a)P) exposure in experimental animals results in an array of tissue- and organ-specific responses including carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, reproductive and immunotoxicity. However, no previous studies have examined the potential neurobehavioral toxicity of B(a)P in vivo. The present study was conducted to investigate the behavioral effects induced by single oral doses of (B(a)P) in 8-week-old male and female F-344 rats. Rats were exposed to 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of B(a)P by oral gavage. Motor activity measurements and the functional observational battery (FOB) were used to assess behavioral changes induced by B(a)P at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post treatment. Statistical analyses revealed significant (p 0.05) behavioral toxicity in either males or females. All treated animals (25-200 mg/kg) recovered from the toxic effects of B(a)P by 72 h. Significant (p < 0.05) gender differences were noted in FOB test measures with males displaying greater sensitivity to B(a)P. These data suggest that motor activity and FOB measurements can be used as indices to detect B(a)P neurotoxicity.
Intravascular distribution of zidovudine: Role of plasma proteins and whole blood components

Knowledge of drug protein-binding and blood cell partitioning may be important for evaluating the pharmacokinetic parameters of zidovudine, particularly because of its intracellular site of action and potential to induce side effects. Equilibrium dialysis studies of zidovudine were performed over 2 h to identify the extent and site of binding. Zidovudine was added to anticoagulated whole blood to study blood cell distribution over a 24 h period at 37 degrees C and at 21 degrees C. Concurrent plasma and whole blood samples were determined at various time-points and blood partitioning was determined by application of a mass balance equation. All samples were analyzed using radioimmunoassay. The free fraction of zidovudine at a concentration of 500 ng/ml (1.7 microM) was 0.77 +/- 0.05 in plasma, 0.78 +/- 0.03 in serum, 0.88 +/- 0.03 in 4 g/dl albumin solution, and 1.0 in 100 mg/dl alpha 1-acid glycoprotein solution. A free fraction of 0.72 +/- 0.10 was observed in plasma from HIV-infected patients with zidovudine concentrations ranging from 16 to 91 ng/ml. Zidovudine equilibration between plasma and blood cells occurred rapidly, being complete within 10 min. After equilibrium was complete, the mean whole blood:plasma ratio was 0.86 +/- 0.02 and 0.80 +/- 0.04 (P = 0.20) and mean blood cell Partitioning ratio, [cell]/[plasma-free], was 0.85 +/- 0.06 and 0.66 +/- 0.14 (P = 0.25) for studies at 37 degrees C and 21 degrees C, respectively. The partitioning ratio was relatively consistent over the study period, suggesting no accumulation in blood cells. These results suggest that zidovudine binds to a small extent primarily to albumin. The free concentration equilibrates readily between blood cells and plasma independent of concentration and without signs of accumulation.
The role of vasopressin in the impaired water excretion of myxedema

The plasma vasopressin response to acute water ingestion was evaluated in 20 patients with myxedema prior to definitive treatment and in eight of these same patients following therapy of their hypothyroidism. Vasopressin levels were elevated and failed to completely suppress following water ingestion in 15 subjects (75 per cent). Two hypothyroid patients with elevated plasma vasopressin levels (10 per cent) had a normal renal response to the water challenge suggesting partial end organ hormonal unresponsiveness. In three (15 per cent) of the five patients with suppressible vasopressin, water excretion was impaired indicating a nonvasopressin-mediated renal defect. In eight patients restudied after achievement of a euthyroid state, vasopressin inhibition and urinary excretion were normal following the oral water load. Although intrinsic renal changes in the hypothyroid state may contribute to the observed defect in water diuresis, the present study suggests a role of endogenous vasopressin in this disorder.
Considerations of Stricter TOFD Acceptance Criteria for Severe Refinery Services

ASME Code Case 2235 and the new adoption of this Code Case into ASME Code Section VIII, Div. 2 has acceptance criteria which were based on predicted flaws and fracture mechanics modeled after the nuclear industry. These criteria were developed in response to a query about how to apply the acceptance criteria of ASME Article 4, Appendix 12 when using non-amplitude based ultrasonic methods such as phased array and time-of-flight diffraction. Since the traditional acceptance criteria were based on amplitude, they could not be applied for these alternative methods. The Code committees responded with a flaw size acceptance criteria based on the fracture mechanics properties of the materials and service conditions found in the nuclear industry. This was a major improvement and added a technical basis for the criteria lacking in past standards, however, there are no limitations or qualifications in CC 2235 on its applicability to other materials or service conditions. This is a concern for some oil refining and other plant services, especially those leading to embrittlement, various types of hydrogen-induced damage or high cycle fatigue cracking. The CC 2235 criteria were also not adequate for the recent major industry problem with reheat cracking in 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo-V reactor fabrication. This paper summarizes the basis for CC 2235, describes the concerns with applying the acceptance criteria without consideration of material or service conditions, and suggests how to approach the issue from a better informed perspective and in some cases, establish stricter maximum flaw sizes.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Alterations in norepinephrine and dopamine content in selected brain areas of guinea pigs adapted to simulated high altitude

The alterations in brain content of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were studied in guinea pigs adapted to simulated high altitude (hypobaric hypoxia) equivalent to 5500 meters. The animals were adapted for 46 days over a period of 82 days to a pressure of 375 mm Hg. The animals were then killed and the following brain parts dissected: cerebellum, neocortex, caudate head/basal forebrain, diencephalon/rhinencephalon, and brain stem. NE and DA content were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection by a technique described. Results showed a significant increase of NE and DA in neocortex; a significant increase of DA but not NE in caudate/basal forebrain, and a significant decrease of NE and not DA in diencephalon/rhinencephalon.