cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redemption Performance in Exoneration and Parole: Two Pathways Home

This article, drawing from interviews, provides an examination of life after prison for two distinct groups returning from prison: people on parole and people exonerated of crimes. There is extensive research concerning people’s experiences after prison; however, the post-prison trajectories of those who have been subsequently exonerated after being falsely convicted of crimes is a far less studied topic. Exonerees benefit after prison from social support arising from various sources such as their families and non-profit organizations. Social networks allow exonerees to be successful in the job market, as well as assist them financially. I find that with the help of dense social networks exonerees must perform their redemption in order to have their basic needs met. Redemption performances are labor that aim to prove that previously incarcerated individuals are worthy of assistance from society. The various negative social and economic consequences of prison are more notable for individuals on parole who are less likely than exonerees to be equipped with networks to draw on for their redemption performances. However, despite exonerees having more support during their return home, they, like individuals on parole, were also left feeling isolated, lost, and de-humanized. I show how resources and the brokering of stigma of incarceration leads to diverging outcomes for people returning from prison, but that trauma still remains.
Adapting to a New World

Human beings arrived in the Americas 23,000–20,000 years ago, according to recent evidence (Kehoe,.North America Before the European Invasions, Routledge, 2017:15). In the centuries between their arrival and that of Columbus, American cultures evolved in parallel with those in Europe, Asia and Africa, adapting to the diverse environments, experiencing Neolithic Revolutions, building cities and empires. This chapter discusses the adaptive strategies used by these cultures and their resulting accomplishments.
Polyherbal Supplements can Modify Energetics and Lipid Metabolism in Cancer Cells by Activating AMPK Signaling

Extensive body of literature demonstrates that a selective blend of herbal extracts inhibit tumor growth at human doses. These tumor suppressive effects are due to multiple mechanisms that arise vi...
An Amino Acid Code for β-sheet Packing Structure

To understand the relationship between protein sequence and structure, this work extends the knob-socket model in an investigation of β-sheet packing. Over a comprehensive set of β-sheet folds, the contacts between residues were used to identify packing cliques: sets of residues that all contact each other. These packing cliques were then classified based on size and contact order. From this analysis, the two types of four-residue packing cliques necessary to describe β-sheet packing were characterized. Both occur between two adjacent hydrogen bonded β-strands. First, defining the secondary structure packing within β-sheets, the combined socket or XY:HG pocket consists of four residues i, i+2 on one strand and j, j+2 on the other. Second, characterizing the tertiary packing between β-sheets, the knob-socket XY:H+B consists of a three-residue XY:H socket (i, i+2 on one strand and j on the other) packed against a knob B residue (residue k distant in sequence). Depending on the packing depth of the knob B residue, two types of knob-sockets are found: side-chain and main-chain sockets. The amino acid composition of the pockets and knob-sockets reveal the sequence specificity of β-sheet packing. For β-sheet formation, the XY:HG pocket clearly shows sequence specificity of amino acids. For tertiary packing, the XY:H+B side-chain and main-chain sockets exhibit distinct amino acid preferences at each position. These relationships define an amino acid code for β-sheet structure and provide an intuitive topological mapping of β-sheet packing. Proteins 2014; 82:2128–2140. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Consumer Information, Marks of Origin and WTO Law: A Case Study of the United States – Certain Country of Origin Labeling Requirements Dispute

This paper uses the recently initiated United States – Certain Country of Origin Labeling Requirements (US- Meat COOL) dispute to examine the nature of the relationship between consumer information labeling regulatory measures and the applicable WTO provisions disciplining domestic regulation. The US measure in question mandates that retailers provide consumers with information on the national origin of their food as a means of facilitating consumer choice. The US- Meat COOL case is salient to the WTO legal regime because it presents an opportunity to establish a coherent legal jurisprudence relating to measures implemented on consumer information grounds (as separate from, but closely related to, labeling measures implemented on health or environmental grounds). The legal analysis revealed that WTO law does not categorically prohibit genuinely motivated consumer information labeling measures with disparate trade effects. The treatment of measures, which are motivated by both consumer and producer interests, however, remains unclear. Further, given that many of the relevant legal provisions are largely untested, the legal outcome for all consumer choice measures is far from certain, and are equally likely to produce a finding of non-compliance with WTO obligations. In light of this uncertainty, the case study identifies several issues critical to whether the US COOL regulation and, by extension, other consumer information labeling policies are judged compliant with key WTO disciplines. In addition, the paper compares the WTO legality of the US COOL regulation under the relevant provisions with hypothetical results based on an economic efficiency criterion. This analysis reveals that under several likely legal tests net welfare-enhancing labeling regimes risk being deemed in violation of WTO law. The author argues that prohibiting efficient de facto discriminatory consumer information measures runs contrary to the theoretical underpinnings of the treaty text, and that the dispute settlement bodies should, at a minimum, seek to employ legal tests that ensure that efficient consumer information labeling measures are deemed compliant with WTO law. Finally, this paper also explores issues specific to the subset of consumer choice measures, referred to as mandatory marks of origin regulations. It includes a discussion of the historical developments that led to the inclusion of a provision addressing such measures in the original GATT structure (GATT Article IX), the interaction of this Article with other applicable provisions, and the fundamental challenge of applying national treatment obligations to measures intended to facilitate differentiation of products on the basis of national origin.
Risk Propensity Surface

Investor confidence as risk propensity is measured with the SDT (Signal Detection Theory) formula. This piece presents theoretical relationships between risk propensity, implied volatility, and strike price (X), illustrated as the risk propensity surface against volatility and price. Derived from the volatility smile of the Black Scholes model and the SDT formula for risk propensity, one may predict that (1) risk propensity increases as volatility increases given stable price; (2) risk propensity increases as strike price increases given stable volatility; (3) above the money strike price increases as volatility increases given stable risk propensity; (4) the risk propensity surface may explain the volatility smile. The strategy derived from the risk propensity surface may lead to the creation of new financial instruments that consider both behavioral (risk propensity as investor confidence) and quantitative (volatility) ingredients.
The academic impact of the Triological Society theses--Mosher and Fowler awards: citations, impact factor, and h-index.

Objectives/Hypothesis The Triological Society requires thesis submission for full membership. Accepted theses (AT) may be recognized with designations of: Mosher Awards (MA), Fowler Awards (FA), Honorable Mention for Basic Science (HMBS), and Honorable Mention for Clinical Science (HMCS). We sought to determine and compare the scholarly impact of Triological Society theses, their authors, and whether differences exist between AT and those that receive special recognition. Study Design Retrospective analysis of awards and theses compiled by The Triological Society home office from 1998 to 2011. Methods Thomson Reuters' Integrated Search Interface (ISI) Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar and were used to determine citations and the author's h-index. Trend and statistical analysis was performed. Results Of the 307 Triological Society theses examined, 275 were published and had record of citation. H-indices and number of citations were found to be nonparametric; thus, median and quartile (1st−3rd quartiles) values were found to be the following: AT 11 (4–26), MA 18 (9–25), FA 6 (1–28), HMBS 11 (4–26), and HMCS 16 (1–28) for number of citations per published thesis. H-indices of authors with accepted theses were AT 15 (10–19), MA 16 (15–23), FA 18 (10–23), HMBS 16 (11–19), and HMCS 15 (11–21). When comparing all groupings of theses and award winners with bibliometric indices, no statistical significance was found (P >0.5). Conclusions The Triological Society cultivates a competitive pool of applicants as membership is highly regarded. Negligible difference in citations and author h-index were observed between AT, MA, and FA theses indicated that the level of excellence is uniform, and thesis submission remains influential and prestigious. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope, 123:2654–2657, 2013
Imaging of objects near rough surfaces based on time-reversal signal processing and surface flattening transform

This paper considers the imaging of objects located close to rough surfaces such as ocean or terrain. If transmitters and receivers are also located close to rough surfaces, incident wave is no longer a plane wave, nor a spherical wave in free space and it is necessary to consider Green's functions with the point source located close to the surface, similar to the Sommerfeld dipole problem.
Primary PCI in STEMI:The Role of Thrombo-aspiration

Acutemyocardial infarction is a potentially life-threatening disease that remains achallenge for the Interventional Cardiologist. Manual thrombectomy is easilyapplicable and several studies have confirmed its favorable effect onmyocardial perfusion especially when it is combined with intracoronary adjunctivepharmacotherapy. During the last years, several catheters with differentcharacteristics have been introduced in clinical practice. Newer randomizedtrials will further clarify the role and the indications of manual thrombectomyin patients with STEMI submitted to pPCI.
Further studies on a particulate enzyme preparation from nodules of soybean plants.

In previous publications (4, 6), the preparation and properties of a particulate enzyme complex from Rhizobiuin japonicum cells isolated from the nodules of soybean plants (Glycine max Merr.) have been described. It has been established that the particles catalyze the reduction of nitrate to nitrite andl that either DPNH or succinate serves as effective electron donor. Evidence indicates that the sequence of electron transport from DPNH involves an unidentified factor (replaced by menadione), a cytochrome, the Slater factor, nitrate reductase, and nitrate. When succinate is utilized, electron transfer appears to take place via succinic dehydrogenase, a cytochrome, and then a pathway from cytochronie to nitrate common with that utilized in reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) oxidation. Investigations (5) on the possible physiological role of the nodule-nitrate reductase complex have provided considerable evidence that the enzyme activity, as measured by the rate of nitrate reduction, is correlated positively with the capacity, or with factors associated with the capacity, to fix atmospheric nitrogen. In general the hemoglobin content of nodules from plants subjected to various treatments and the nitrate reductase activity of Rhizobium japonicum cells obtained from nodules of the same plants are positively correlated. Since there is no evidence that nitrate is involved in the nitrogen fixing process, it has been postulated (4, 5) that the enzyme complex may be non-specific for oxidant and that some unidentified substance with the appropriate oxidation-reduction potential may serve as the natural oxidant under physiological conditions. In view of the physiological experiments reported (5) and the experimental evidence of Bergersen and Wilson (3) concerning the role of nodule hemoglobin in the nitrogen fixing process, the possibility has been considered that some form of nodule hemoglobin may serve as an electron acceptor for the complex. In this paper we report results of experiments in which oxygen, nodule hemiglobin, and nodule oxyhemoglobin have been studied as electron acceptors for the catalysis of succinate oxidation by the particulate enzyme complex isolated from nodule bacteriods.
Serum complement levels in patients with digestive tract carcinomas and other neoplastic diseases

Total hemolytic complement activity was measured in the serum of 17 patients with digestive tract carcinomas, 24 patients with a variety of other malignant diseases, and in 34 normal controls. Mean complement levels and standard deviations associated with all neoplastic diseases tested were found to be significantly higher than normal values. However, no difference was found between mean complement levels associated with digestive tract carcinomas and the other neoplastic diseases. Mean complement levels in females were found to be higher than those in males regardless of diagnosis. However, the increase in mean complement levels of females with respect to males was more pronouced in the group harboring neoplastic diseases than in the control group. The data suggest that carcinomas of the digestive tract and certain other malignant disorders give rise to increases in serum complement activity, although the response of individuals may depend on sex and other yet unidentified factors.
Penetrating Radiation from Thunderclouds

IN their recent paper1 B. F. J. Schonland and J. P. T. Viljoen throw doubts on the ability of ionisation methods to detect the penetrating radiation from thunderclouds. However, this method has been in use at this station during the thunderstorm season October 1932–April 1933 with practically the same results as those obtained by Schonland and Viljoen. The order of the effect was about 1 per cent, as in their case, but storms had an effect when less than 30 km. distant. Storms less than 15 km. distant did not appear to have any effect and no appreciable diminution in the ionisation was observable from the majority of overhead storms. An important effect noted was that storms to the west of the station had more effect on the ionisation than those to the east, a fact which tends to confirm the electron spray hypothesis. The closer distance of approach of the storms, too, probably finds an explanation in this hypothesis as put forward by Hulbert2, for the station is practically located on the magnetic equator.
Varieties of Win-Win Solutions to Problems with Ethical Dimensions

The purpose of this article is to help educators and managers learn about a variety of win–win solutions to problems with ethical dimensions. The hope is that the larger the variety of win–win solutions we can consider, the higher the probability that we can find at least one that satisfies both ethical and material concerns. This article is motivated by the experiences of managers who have found that they need win–win solutions because it is very difficult to effectively advocate ethical solutions to problems that lose money or do not make money for their organizations. The purpose of the article is not to build theory or a theoretical taxonomy of win–win solutions, but to gather from eclectic theoretical and applied sources a variety of win–win solutions that can help solve problems with ethical dimensions. Examples of the types of win–win solutions are illustrated. Ethical problems with win–win solutions are also considered.
Behavioral analysis of clinical judgment.

Research on clinical judgment has produced conflicting information about effects of training on predictive accuracy, effects of the information available to the clinician, the correlates of accurate judgment, as well as the stability of such judgments. Such conflicting findings are largely related to lack of an adequate methodology. The present study examined the accuracy of judges making longitudinal clinical judgments with systematic increments in available information. Six judges, two non-experienced first-year graduate students in psychology, two medium-experienced practicum students, and two advanced interns, were asked to make discriminations between test protocols belonging to men convicted of first and second degree murder and men convicted of crimes against property. A discriminant function analysis classified 83% of these protocols accurately. Levels of information were increased in four phases. Most of the judges discriminated at a 50% accuracy level. No substantial increment in accuracy across...
Compressed Iterative Particle Filter for Target Tracking

Particle filtering has been widely used in the non-linear n-Gaussian target tracking problems. The main problem of particle filtering is the lacking and exhausting of particles, and choosing effective proposed distribution is the key point to overcome it. In this paper, a new mixed particle filtering algorithm was proposed. Firstly, the unscented kalman filtering is used to generate the proposed distribution, and in the resample step, a new certain resample method is used to choose the particles with ordered larger weights. GA algorithm is introduced into the certain resample method to keep the variety of the particles. Simuational results have shown that the proposed algorithm has better performances than other three typical filtering algorithms.
The dynamic dialogue between cells and matrices: Implications of fibronectin’s elasticity

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides vital structure and organization to all metazoans, but it is far from an inanimate, unchanging assemblage of collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins. ECM undergoes constant remodeling, most obviously during development, wound healing, and other repair processes. Defects in regulation of the deposition and turnover of ECM play important roles in pathological processes such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and fibrotic diseases. The deposition and remodeling of ECM is accomplished by cells, and the paper of Ohashi et al. in a recent issue of the Proceedings (1) provides some of the first observations of these processes in real time in living cell cultures. Ohashi et al. transfected cells with a chimera of green fluorescent protein and fibronectin (FN). FN is a prominent constituent of ECM around and beneath many cells, and FN-rich matrices provide substrates for cell adhesion and migration during development, wound healing, and other situations, as well as affecting many cellular functions including proliferation, survival, and differentiation (2). Ohashi et al. show that the FN–GFP chimera assembles into the FN-rich matrix surrounding their transfected cells, and they then use fluorescence microscopy to observe alterations in that matrix over time. This approach offers many opportunities for future research, but the observations they report already reveal some intriguing features that have implications not only for ECM structure and function but more widely in cell adhesion and beyond.
Obtaining Results through Modeling.

This article presents practical applications of the theoretical notion of modeling. Use of live and symbolic models is emphasized, along with the modeling techniques of role reversal and role identification.
Diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory dysfunction

The normal ejaculatory process requires complex coordination and integration of neurologic, physiologic, anatomic, and psychologic events. An understanding of these processes is critical to evaluate properly and manage patients with ejaculatory dysfunction. With the advent of improved techniques to treat patients, some men with ejaculatory dysfunction are being offered the opportunity to reproduce. Further research on the ejaculatory process and associated dysfunctional states should continue to improve treatment for patients presenting with ejaculatory disorders.
In vivo skin elastography with high‐definition optical videos

Background/aims: Continuous measurements of biomechanical properties of skin provide potentially valuable information to dermatologists for both clinical diagnosis and quantitative assessment of therapy. This paper presents an experimental study on in vivo imaging of skin elastic properties using high-definition optical videos. The objective is to (i) investigate whether skin property abnormalities can be detected in the computed strain elastograms, (ii) quantify property abnormalities with a Relative Strain Index (RSI), so that an objective rating system can be established, (iii) determine whether certain skin diseases are more amenable to optical elastography and (iv) identify factors that may have an adverse impact on the quality of strain elastograms. Methods: There are three steps in optical skin elastography: (i) skin deformations are recorded in a video sequence using a high-definition camcorder, (ii) a dense motion field between two adjacent video frames is obtained using a robust optical flow algorithm, with which a cumulative motion field between two frames of a larger interval is derived and (iii) a strain elastogram is computed by applying two weighted gradient filters to the cumulative motion data. Results: Experiments were carried out using videos of 25 patients. In the three cases presented in this article (hypertrophic lichen planus, seborrheic keratosis and psoriasis vulgaris), abnormal tissues associated with the skin diseases were successfully identified in the elastograms. There exists a good correspondence between the shape of property abnormalities and the area of diseased skin. The computed RSI gives a quantitative measure of the magnitude of property abnormalities that is consistent with the skin stiffness observed on clinical examinations. Conclusions: Optical elastography is a promising imaging modality that is capable of capturing disease-induced property changes. Its main advantage is that an elastogram presents a continuous description of the spatial variation of skin properties on the pixel level that would otherwise be impossible with other sensors. Its value will be further enhanced when used with a point-wise measuring device such as a cutometer that yields absolute elasticity values.
Analytic models for when and how to expedite in make-to-order systems

Expediting is defined as using overtime or subcontracting to supplement regular production. This is usually done when the number of backorders has grown to be unacceptably large. In this paper, we consider analytic models for deciding when and how to expedite in a single-product make-to-order environment. We derive the structure of the optimal expediting policy in both continuous- and discrete-time cases. The continuous-time model corresponds best to subcontracting and the discrete-time model corresponds to either overtime or subcontracting. Models for performance analysis of the continuous-time case are also given.
Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria of attached plasmas after loss of vertical stability in elongated tokamaks

Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria in elongated tokamaks after the loss of vertical stability are studied using externally measured magnetic data from the DIII-D device. The experimentally reconstructed equilibria are found to be generally of the type that has currents flowing along the magnetic field lines in the scrape-off region between the plasma and the vessel and hence involves both poloidal and toroidal currents in the surrounding vacuum vessel wall. Vertical forces on the vacuum vessel due to the induced toroidal and poloidal currents are evaluated. It is shown that the part of the vessel forces associated with the poloidal vessel current can be substantially larger than the part associated with the toroidal vessel current.
Charged nanoparticles crystallizing and controlling crystallization: from coatings to nanoparticle surfactants to chemical amplifiers

Metal nanoparticles functionalized with self-assembled monolayers of ligands terminated in charged groups constitute a unique class of nanoscopic polyions – or “nanoions” in short – capable of assembling into higher-order structures ranging from two-dimensional coatings on various types of surfaces (including chemically inert polymers as well as inorganic microcrystals) to three-dimensional nanoparticle crystals. These crystals can comprise either spherical or non-spherical nanoparticles, can feature unusual particle arrangements (e.g., diamond-like), and – after already being assembled – can be further “post-processed” to act as chemical sensors of unmatched sensitivity. This “post-processing” of the crystals involves functionalization with dithiols that bridge nearby particles but are cleavable in the presence of either small-molecule or enzyme analytes. When the dithiols are cut, the NP crystals disintegrate into tens of millions of brightly colored individual particles translating the presence of few analyte molecules into a macroscopic color change readily detectable to the naked eye. Demonstrations such as this one illustrate what we believe should be the future of nanoscale assembly – namely, synthesis of structures in which nanoscopic components enable new and useful functions.
Stability of 99mTc-labeled N-substituted iminodiacetic acids: Ligand exchange reaction between 99mTc-HIDA and EDTA

Abstract 99m Tc-labeled N -[2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl]iminodiacetic acid ( 99m Tc-HIDA) underwent an acid catalyzed ligand exchange reaction in the presence of EDTA with half-lives of 2.5, 11, and 72 hr at pH values of 2.9, 4.4, and 6.4, respectively. The half-life for dissociation of 99m Tc-HIDA in the presence of EDTA at pH 4.4 was found to be substantially independent of EDTA concentration. In addition, the formation constant for 99m Tc-EDTA prepared by stannous ion reduction is 300 times larger than the overall formation constant for 99m Tc-HIDA. This work indicates that 99m Tc-(HIDA) 2 exists as an anionic bis compound and that the bond between reduced technetium and N -substituted iminodiacetic acids should remain intact for long periods of time at physiologic pH and temperature.
What is the optimal minimally invasive surgical procedure for endometrial cancer staging in the obese and morbidly obese woman

Abstract Objective Thirty-three percent of U.S. women are either obese or morbidly obese. This is associated with an increased risk of death from all causes and is also associated with an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. We sought to compare minimally invasive surgical techniques for staging the obese and morbidly obese woman with endometrial cancer. Materials and methods Consecutive robotic endometrial cancer staging procedures were collected from 2005–2007 and were compared to consecutive laparoscopic cases (2000–2004). Demographics including age, weight, body mass index (BMI), operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node retrieval, hospital stay and complications were collected and compared. Results During the study period, there were 36 obese and 13 morbidly obese women who underwent surgery with the DaVinci® robotic system and 25 obese and 7 morbidly obese women who underwent traditional laparoscopy. For both the obese and morbidly obese patient, robotic surgery was associated with shorter operative time ( p =0.0004), less blood loss ( p p =0.004) and shorter hospital stay ( p =0.0119). Conclusions Robotic surgery is a useful minimally invasive tool for the comprehensive surgical staging of the obese and morbidly obese woman with endometrial cancer. As this patient population is at increased risk of death from all causes, including post-operative complications, all efforts should be made to improve their outcomes and minimally invasive surgery provides a useful platform by which this can occur.
Imposing Field Boundary Conditions in MD Simulation of Fluids: Optimal Particle Controller and Buffer Zone Feedback

We formulate a method for imposing continuous field boundary conditions on an MD simulation with little or no disturbance to its dynamics. Our approach combines the previously developed thermodynamic field estimator, which extracts macroscopic fields from particle data, with a novel procedure, optimal in the sense of least disturbance, for imposing prescribed continuum field boundary conditions on the atomistic system. By means of feedback control and assuming molecular chaos in fluids, that disturbance can further be eliminated entirely, thus providing an exact solution for general steady-state fluid problems, where the desired fields at the real boundary is achieved by adjusting actions in a region separated from the real boundary by a buffer zone.
Separation of glycerol and organic acids in model ethanol stillage by electrodialysis and precipitation

Abstract Glycerol and organic acids are often by-products of ethanol production by fermentation. The feasibility of separating these compounds from stillage was studied with model solutions of glycerol, lactic acid, and succinic acid. Electrodialysis of the mixture resulted in a lactate flux of 100–150 g m −2 h −1 A −1 and a succinate flux of 30 g m −2 h −1 A −1 . Glycerol remained largely in the diluting (feed) stream, but some appeared in the concentrating (product) stream owing to diffusion. Lactic acid was precipitated and crystallized as the zinc salt. The zinc lactate was then acidified to produce the lactic acid. Lactate recoveries were typically 85% or greater. Multiple-stage operation can maximize the yield of glycerol and purity of the organic acids. The glycerol transport rate through the electrodialysis membrane was a function of the feed concentration.
Electrophoretic Variation of Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridyltransferase

A specific method for starch-gel electrophoresis of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase has been developed. Electrophoresis of red-cell hemolyzate from normal subjects and subjects homozygous for the Duarte variant has shown that the Duarte variant has a slightly faster electrophoretic mobility than the normal enzyme under the various conditions used. Molecular-weight estimation on Sephadex G-200 indicates that this observed difference in electrophoreticmobility of the Duarte variant is not due to difference in molecular size. Both enzymes have a molecular weigh of approximately 85,000.
Erratum to: Modeling the Effects of Vaccination and Treatment on Pandemic Influenza

Erratum to: The AAPS Journal DOI 10.1208/s12248-011-9284-7 On page 429, after the last sentence “Further, the shape of the epidemic curve also strongly depends on the initial fraction of susceptibles in the population at t0 when β(t) is periodic.”, as well as after Fig. 11d, the reference below should be inserted. Bacaer N, Gomes MGM. On the final size of epidemics with seasonality. Bull Math Biol. 2009;71:1954–66.
Clinical Significance of HER2-Positive and Triple-Negative Status in Small (≤ 1 cm) Node-Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract Background Data regarding the clinical significance of HER2 + and TN status in patients with small node-negative tumors are limited and conflicting. It remains unclear who, among those with small lesions, might benefit from more aggressive adjuvant therapy. Patients and Methods We identified all node-negative breast cancer patients with tumor size ≤ 1 cm diagnosed between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2008 using our institutional breast service database. Patients were classified according to their receptor status into 3 groups: (1) hormone receptor (HR)-positive (estrogen receptor [ER]- or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive, HER2 − ); (2) HER2 + (immunohistochemistry 3 + or fluorescence in situ hybridization amplification ≥ 2); and (3) TN (ER − , PR − , and HER2 − ). RFS was calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results Among 656 patients with tumors ≤ 1 cm, 494 (75%) of the patients were HR + , 107 (16%) were HER2 + , and 55 (9%) were TN. Median age was 59 years (range, 27-92 years). Median follow-up was 3.5 years. The 5-year RFS rates were 98.2%, 97.1%, and 83.5% in patients with HR + , HER2 + , and TN tumors, respectively ( P + was not (hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.73-3.69). Conclusion TN, but not HER2 + status, was associated with worse RFS in patients with T1abN0 tumors, and adjuvant chemotherapy might be considered in patients with TN breast cancer.
DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL OF ERYTHROMYCIN FOR TREATMENT OF CAMPYLOBACTER ENTERITIS

Abstract Although most strains of Campylobacter jejuni are susceptible in vitro to erythromycin and the drug has been recommended for treatment of campylobacter enteritis, prospective controlled trials have not been done. Erythromycin (250 mg 6-hourly for adults and 40 mg/kg daily for children) has been compared with placebo in a double-blind trial of 5-day therapy for acute campylobacter enteritis. The mean number of days of illness at onset of therapy was 5·6 for the treatment group (n = 15) and 6·5 for the placebo group (n=14). There were no differences in temperature, symptoms, and stool characteristics between the two groups. The mean duration of unformed stools after treatment was 4·1 days in the erythromycin group and 3·5 days in the placebo group. Fever, when present, abated within 48 h in all but two patients in each group. Follow-up faecal cultures 2 days after completion of therapy, however, were negative in all 15 of the erythromycin-treated patients compared with 6 out of 14 controls. Thus erythromycin promptly eradicates C. jejuni from the faeces but does not alter the natural course of uncomplicated campylobacter enteritis when therapy begins 4 or more days after the onset of symptoms.
Heat-induced electrophoretic anomalies of red cell membrane nonsialoglycoproteins.

AbstractThe effects of heating at 100° in the presence and absence of dithiothreitol has been examined in SDS-solubilized ghost membranes and isolated integral membrane proteins from human red cells. A significant increase in electrophoretic mobility and broadening of the major polypeptide band 3 was found. The anomalous behavior of band 3 alone could explain the apparent disappearance of band 4 which has occasionally been reported in hereditary spherocytosis red cells.
Is the dynamical hypothesis falsifiable? On unification in theories of cognition

The dynamical hypothesis is strong in that, for it to be true, every cognitive phenomenon must be best modeled by a dynamical system. Depending on how it is interpreted, however, the hypothesis may be seen as probably false or even unfalsifiable. Strengthening the hypothesis to require unification, or at least coherence, across models in different cognitive domains alleviates this problem.
Long-term effects of parity on opioid and nonopioid behavioral and endocrine responses

Parity (number of parturitions) affects the endogenous opioid system. Multiparous lactating rats are less sensitive to the effects of morphine (MOR) on maternal behavior (MB) and analgesia than primiparous lactating rats. In order to determine whether these changes in opiate sensitivity persist beyond the lactational state, the present study compared the sensitivity of ovariectomized nulliparous and nonlactating primiparous rats to MOR's effects on MB (Experiment 1), analgesia (Experiment 2) and prolactin release (Experiment 3) in addition to stress-induced analgesia (Experiment 2). In Experiments 1 and 2 primiparous rats were allowed to give birth and remain with their litter (culled to 6 pups) until weaning. At that time the pups were removed and the dams and age-matched nulliparous rats were ovariectomized. Four weeks later animals were exposed to foster pups daily in order to induce MB (Experiment 1). On day 5 or 6 of full MB the primiparous and nulliparous rats received either saline or one of four doses of MOR (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg, SC) and 60 min later MB was assessed. MOR, at the 2.5 mg/kg dose, disrupted MB in a significantly greater percentage of nulliparous as compared to primiparous animals (100% vs. 55%, respectively). In Experiment 2, nulliparous and nonlactating primiparous animals received 2.5 mg/kg of MOR four weeks after ovariectomy. Analgesia was assessed on a tail-flick apparatus 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min postinjection. One week later the same animals were exposed to cold-water swims (CWS, 2 degrees C, 3.5 min) and tail-flick latencies were again recorded.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Successful treatment of massive intestinal hemorrhage due to hookworm infection in a neonate

A neonate with massive intestinal hemorrhage due to infection with Necator americanus is reported. The infant did not respond to treatment with tetrachlorethylene but did respond to treatment with bephenium hydroxynaphthoate. The latter appears to be the drug of choice for hookworm infection in the young infant.
Dorsomedial hypothalamic NPY modulation of adiposity and thermogenesis

In addition to controlling food intake, the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) plays an important role in thermoregulation. Within the DMH, a number of neuropeptides and receptors have been found and their roles in controlling energy balance are being investigated. We recently found that the orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the DMH has specific actions on body adiposity and thermogenesis using a viral-mediated manipulation of NPY in the DMH. Knockdown of NPY in the DMH promotes the development of brown adipocytes in white adipose tissue and increases brown adipocyte activity. DMH NPY knockdown also causes increased thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Finally, DMH NPY knockdown prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity and improves glucose homeostasis. This review focuses on the role of DMH NPY in modulating body adiposity and thermogenesis.
Solid-state fluorescence above 1000c: application to high temperature laser thermometry

Rare-earth doped phosphors are discussed here which exhibit intense fluorescence well above 1000C. This is a rare characteristic for solidstate materials. One immediate application for them is thermometry. For example surface temperatures of rotating components systems in hostile or restricted environments and systems in environments with very high temperature backgrounds are measurable with phosphor thermographic methods. The subject phosphors Y203:Eu LuPO4:Eu YPO4:Eu and LuPO4:Dy provide the capability to extend these methods to very high temperatures. The use of pulsed ultraviolet (UV) laser activation of these phosphors leads to numerous practical application possibilities. The phosphor characteristics plus various fluorescent decay times vs temperature are shown along with discussion of their high-temperature applications. The phosphor thermographic method Several papers in previous ICALEO meetings have described various aspects of the phosphor thermographic method. 13 Since 1982 the method has been used to perform temperature measurements under a variety of conditions. The major elements of the technology include the pulsed activation of a surface layer of phosphor usually by a UV laser and the recording of the characteristic decay of selected fluorescent emission bands. For applications above 1000C the methodology remains basically the same. The added difficulties arise from the need to find and calibrate phosphors that are temperature active in this range and the need to reject any effects from blackbody emissions or other background effects specific to hightemperature environments. L. I. A. Vol.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
1.55-um broadband fiber sources pumped near 980 nm

Stable, broadband, long-wavelength sources are required for accurate fiber sensors such as the fiberoptic gyroscope. The Er-doped superfluorescent fiber source and wavelength-swept fiber laser, which emit near 1 .55 m and can be pumped near 980 nm, are excellent candidates for this application. We discuss the design of such sources, their efficiency, pump source requirements, and the spectra they produce. The spectrum sensitivity to environmental factors such as temperature is also briefly discussed.
Effect of Piezoceramic Actuator Hysteresis on Helicopter Vibration and Noise Reduction

The objective of this studywas to assess the importance of actuator hysteresis on vibration and noise reduction in a rotorcraft equippedwith an actively controlledflap (ACF) system.Ahysteresismodel, based ona generalized formof the classical Preisach model, was developed using experimental data. The model displays good agreement with experimental data for inputs representative of those used for vibration and noise reduction in full-scale rotors. The hysteresis model has been incorporated into the AVINOR code to determine the effect of actuator hysteresis on vibration and noise reduction in both open and closed-loop modes of operation. It was found that the hysteresis level of a representative piezoceramic actuator does not produce a significant performance degradation of theACF system for vibration reduction under blade-vortex interaction (BVI) and dynamic stall conditions. For open-loop BVI noise control, the presence of hysteresis produces a significant effect on themaximumnoise reduction obtained using 2 per revolution (rev) and 5=rev harmonic inputs. For closed-loop BVI noise control, hysteresis introduces a substantial difference inflap deflection time histories; however, the overall noise reduction performance of theACF system is not affected because the controller compensates for actuator hysteresis.
Characterization of a streptococcal endopeptidase with homology to human endothelin-converting enzyme.

A gene encoding an endopeptidase from Streptococcus parasanguis FW213 has been cloned and shown to have high sequence homology to genes encoding mammalian metalloendopeptidases. The gene, designated S. parasanguis pepO, was cloned into the pET28a expression vector, resulting in a fusion of vector sequences encoding a hexahistidine tag at the carboxyl terminus. The recombinant PepO (rPepO) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using an Ni2+ affinity column. Polyclonal antiserum to rPepO was raised in rabbits and used to localize FW213 PepO to the cytosol. Southern hybridization and immunoblot analysis revealed that other oral streptococci contain regions of DNA with homology to pepO and produce a protein with antigenic properties similar to that of FW213 PepO. Enzymatic activity assays indicated that only S. parasanguis species possess the ability to cleave metenkephalin, the natural substrate of the human neutral endopeptidase (NEP). Inhibition assays revealed that S. parasanguis PepO is a member of the M13 category of metalloendopeptidases, which includes NEP and endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1), an enzyme involved in the maintenance of vascular tone. Thiorphan and phosphoramidon, two specific inhibitors of this category of endopeptidases, were used to determine that S. parasanguis PepO is more similar to ECE-1 than to NEP.
Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation of American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) somatic embryos with a wheat oxalate oxidase gene.

Background American chestnut is a tree of great historical, ecological, and economical importance. It once dominated forests in eastern United States until the introduction of chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) in the late 19th century. Within 50 years, C. parasitica killed almost all of the 4 billion American chestnut trees in the eastern United States. The fungus first infects wounded stem, secretes oxalic acid to decrease the pH of the infected tissue to toxic levels for the tree, but optimum for fungal enzymes, and then mycelia fans spread forming a canker which when it girdles a branch prevents water and nutrient transport, eventually killing the tree above the canker. The fungus does not infect the roots, thus allowing the growth of adventitious shoots to keep the tree alive. However, this survival is only temporary because these spouts will again get infected by the fungus and die back to the ground. It is this continuing circle that made American chestnut, once a great canopy tree, to no more than an early-succession-stage shrub today. Efforts to restore American chestnut back to its native range are currently being made. In our labs, we use an Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation system to deliver potential resistant genes into somatic embryos of American chestnut together with a selectable marker gene. The gene of interest we used is an oxalate oxidase gene from wheat (Triticum aestivum). Oxalate oxidase (OxO) can degrade the fungus secreted oxalic acid to carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. This action has a duel-effect: bringing up the pH of the infected sites thus neutralizing the virulent effect of oxalic acid, and increasing the expression of defense related genes induced by hydrogen peroxide byproduct. The selectable marker we used is Green Florescent Protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria, which allows us to have a direct visual selection of successful transformants.
Cross Section and Angular Distribution of the D(d,p)T Reaction

The D(d,p)T reaction cross section has been measured by two methods using D2O ice targets. For Ed from 206 to 516 kev, a double-focusing magnetic spectrometer was used to obtain the momentum spectrum of the protons and tritons, from which the reaction cross section can be determined. For Ed from 35 to 550 kev, the proton yield from a thick target was differentiated to obtain the cross section. Both thin and thick target methods were used to measure the angular distribution over the energy range Ed from 35 to 550 kev. The angular distribution is expressed in terms of a Legendre polynomial expansion. Various sources of experimental error are considered and the probable error of the total cross section is found to be ±5 percent.
Characterizing cellular contractility and cytoplasmic flow using spectral domain phase microscopy

The phase information inherent to spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) processing can be exploited to resolve sub-coherence length displacement variations. Spectral domain phase microscopy (SDPM) is a functional extension of Fourier domain OCT whose common-path topology enables extraordinary phase sensitivity. Here we demonstrate the usefulness of SDPM in three biologically relevant applications: real-time tracking of cell surface displacements of contracting cardiac myocytes, extracting cytoplasmic flow characteristics for a single-celled organism (flow rates ~10-30μm/s), and cellular mechanical responses to cytoskeletal drug treatments. The results of these experiments are corroborated by light microscopy acquired concurrently with the SDPM data.
Fluorescence Recovery after Two-Photon Bleaching for the Study of Dye Diffusion in Polymer Systems

Fluorescence recovery after two-photon photobleaching (TP-FRAP) was used to characterize the diffusion in polymer thin films. Using a two-photon/confocal microscope, a region was bleached inside a fluorophore-doped poly(vinyl alcohol) film. An ellipsoidal form of this spot was observed, and a simple form was derived for the fluorescence recovery at the spot center, enabling the local fluorophore diffusion coefficient to be determined. A series of films with varying amounts of added plasticizer were measured to determine the relation between plasticizer content and diffusion coefficient. In a second set of films with inhomogeneous distribution of plasticizer, three-dimensional maps of the diffusion coefficient were measured using TP-FRAP followed by confocal imaging. From these maps and the calibration curves, three-dimensional maps of the local plasticizer concentration were determined.