cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract PR05: Clonal evolution enhances leukemia-propagating cell activity in T-cell acutelymphoblastic leukemia through AKT/mTORC1 pathway activation

Leukemia progression and relapse are driven by molecularly distinct and often-rare cancer cells called leukemia-propagating cells (LPCs). If LPCs are retained following treatment, they will ultimately initiate relapse disease. Despite the substantial number of genetic lesions that have been identified in relapse samples and the contention that these mutations likely modulate response to therapy, acquired mutations that increase the overall frequency of tumor propagating cells following continued clonal evolution have not been reported in any cancer to date. Here, we have developed a transgenic zebrafish model where single fluorescently-labeled T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells are transplanted into genetically identical recipient fish and functionally assessed for differences in leukemia propagating cell frequency, growth, and dexamethasone resistance. While subclonal variation was observed within single cells from the same primary leukemia, a subset of clones continued to evolve genetic lesions and epigenetic modifications to enhance growth and overall LPC frequency. A majority of evolved clones acquired activated AKT signaling, which simultaneously increased the number of leukemia propagating cells through activating the mTORC1 pathway, enhanced growth by stabilizing Myc protein levels, and rendered T-ALL cells resistant to dexamethasone, which was reversed by combined treatment with an AKT inhibitor. These results were confirmed using large-scale transgenic epistasis experiments and limiting-dilution cell transplantation studies. In total, our data suggest that diagnosis clones can stochastically acquire mutations necessary to survive treatment and drive relapse even before a patient begins treatment, with acquired mutations being independently selected based on important cancer phenotypes including elevated growth rate and leukemia propagating potential. Moreover, our work also identifies combination therapies that utilize dexamethasone and AKT inhibitor can kill LPCs in a subset of refractory T-ALL. Finally, these are the first studies performed in any model to follow single cell evolution as it relates to relapse, utilizing in excess of 6,000 transplant recipient animals and opening new and exciting avenues of study to uncover genetic pathways that drive cancer malignancy. This abstract is also presented as Poster B23. Citation Format: Jessica Blackburn, Sali Liu, Sarah Martinez, Kimberly Dobrinski, Finola Moore, Riadh Lobbardi, David Langenau. Clonal evolution enhances leukemia-propagating cell activity in T-cell acutelymphoblastic leukemia through AKT/mTORC1 pathway activation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pediatric Cancer at the Crossroads: Translating Discovery into Improved Outcomes; Nov 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;74(20 Suppl):Abstract nr PR05.
Application of an Interferometric Phase Unwrapping Technique to Dealiasing of Weather Radar VelocitY Fields

Abstract Dealiasing of Doppler weather radar velocity measurements is analogous to the problem of phase unwrapping encountered in radar and optical interferometry. A technique developed for phase unwrapping in interferometric synthetic aperture radar is described and successfully applied to weather radar velocity deallasing.
The 'learning curve' in hypospadias surgery.

For urologists who do not perform hypospadias surgery, the number of techniques which has been described may seem astonishing, but each one seems to have added something new to the art of penile and urethral reconstruction in these children. The authors from the USA describe the learning curve in this complicated technique. Authors from the UK present a large series of Y-type urethral duplication in the male and describe the surgical procedures required to correct this rare congenital anomaly. OBJECTIVE To provide an insight into the ‘learning curve’ of fellowship-trained paediatric urologists associated with hypospadias repair, as hypospadias surgery is one of the most common yet difficult procedures used by the paediatric urologist. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prospective data were collected on 231 consecutive hypospadias operations performed by one paediatric urologist (M.H.) over a 5-year period, beginning with his first year after completing his fellowship. All patients were having their first surgery and none had a staged repair. Fistula formation was used as a surrogate for the complication rate, as it is an objective measurable outcome that is easily identified with little interobserver or parental/physician variability. The follow-up included several visits in the 15 months after repair, during which virtually all complications could be identified and addressed. RESULTS The operative results improved throughout the 5 years of observation; there was a statistically significant decline in the fistula rate in each year of observation (P < 0.001; Kruskal–Wallis exact test for ranked groups). The absolute reduction in fistula rates between the first 2 and the last 2 years was 12.7% (P < 0.02; chi squared). CONCLUSIONS The science and surgery of hypospadiology is mostly and correctly delegated to the paediatric urologist. Even in the hands of a fellowship-trained paediatric urologist, a successful repair, as measured by complication rate, statistically improves with time and experience.
First Report of Eutypella spp. Associated with Branch Canker of Citrus in California

Eutypella is one of the few genera in the Diatrypaceae considered plant pathogens (1). In California, E. vitis and other members of the Diatrypaceae cause branch and trunk canker on grapevine (3,4). Eutypella spp. have not previously been documented as pathogens of citrus. In a 2010 survey on citrus branch canker and dieback in six citrus-growing counties of California, four isolates of Eutypella species were detected in Riverside and San Diego counties. Canker symptoms included dieback and bark cracking, and cuts made through symptomatic trees showed that the cankers were expanding through the center of the tree. Branch samples were collected from 10 trees per orchard and 5 to 10 orchards per county (102 trees for two counties). Pieces of symptomatic tissue (1 to 2 mm2) were plated onto potato dextrose agar amended with 0.01% tetracycline (PDA-tet) and incubated at 25°C for 4 days. All isolates were identified by morphological and molecular characteristics. PCR of isolates was performed in a thermal cycl...
IMPACT OF COUNTERION ON WATER MOTION IN AEROSOL OT REVERSE MICELLES

We have measured the dynamics of water solvation in two different reverse micellar environments with low water content, w0 = 1.7. In the water/Aerosol OT (AOT)/isooctane reverse micelles, the chara...
Increased insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA expression in pyloric muscle in infantile hypzertrophic pyloric stenosis

The etiology of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is unknown. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a polypeptide hormone that elicits various biological activities (cellular growth, replication, and differentiation) by binding to its receptors. IGF-I has been suggested to play an important role in both gastrointestinal (GI) maturation and smooth-muscle-cell (SMC) hypertrophy. Full-thickness muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 8 IHPS patients (age range 14–64 days, mean 28.1 days) at pyloromyotomy and from 8 age-matched controls (15–60 days, mean 33.8 days) without GI disease at autopsy. In-situ hybridization was performed using an IGF-I-specific and digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled oligonucleotide probe and visualized by nitroblue tetrazolium staining. In normal controls, IGF-I mRNA expression was absent or weak in both circular and longitudinal smooth-muscle layers of pyloric muscle. In contrast, the pyloric muscle in IHPS patients demonstrated strong IGF-I mRNA expression in the circular smooth-muscle layer and moderate expression in the longitudinal smooth-muscle layer. The increase in IGF-I mRNA in pyloric muscle in IHPS suggests that SMCs are actively synthesizing IGF-I, contributing to the development of pyloric muscle hypertrophy.
Hemithoracic radiation after extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Abstract Purpose The treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma remains a therapeutic challenge, with median survival rates of about 12 months and local failure rates of up to 80%. Our institution recently published results showing that extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) followed by hemithoracic radiation yielded excellent local control. This paper reports our technique for high-dose hemithoracic radiation after EPP. Methods Between 1990 and 2001, 35 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were treated with EPP followed by hemithoracic radiation therapy (median dose: 54 Gy, range: 45–54 Gy) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. EPP was defined as en bloc resection of the entire pleura, lung, and diaphragm with or without resection of the pericardium. The radiation therapy target volume was the entire hemithorax, including the pleural folds and the thoracotomy and chest tube incision sites. Patients were treated with a total dose of 5400 cGy delivered in 30 fractions of 180 cGy. Radiation therapy was well tolerated, and toxicity data are described. Results Of the 35 patients analyzed, 29 patients were male, and 18 had right-sided tumors. Twenty-six had epithelioid histologies. UICC stage was I in 4, II in 11, III in 19, and IV in 1 patient. As shown by axial and sagittal isodose distributions, we were able to deliver adequate doses to the target volume while limiting dose to critical structures such as heart, spinal cord, liver, and stomach. The most common toxicities were RTOG Grades 1 and 2 nausea and vomiting, as well as lung, esophageal, and skin toxicities. Conclusion Extrapleural pneumonectomy followed by high-dose hemithoracic radiation therapy is a feasible treatment regimen that is well tolerated for patients with malignant mesothelioma. We have demonstrated adequate dose distributions, using a combined photon and electron technique with blocking of critical normal structures.
Remifentanil inhibits rapid eye movement sleep but not the nocturnal melatonin surge in humans.

Background Postoperative patients are sleep deprived. Opioids, commonly administered for postoperative pain control, are often mistakenly considered inducers of naturally occurring sleep. This study describes the effect of the opioid remifentanil on nocturnal sleep in healthy volunteers. In addition, this study tests the hypothesis that opioid-induced sleep disturbance is caused by a circadian pacemaker disturbance, reflected by suppressed nocturnal plasma concentration of melatonin. Methods Polysomnography was performed in 10 volunteers from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am for four nights at 6-day intervals. On two nights, remifentanil (0.01-0.04 microg x kg x min) was infused from 10:30 pm to 7:00 am, and either a placebo capsule or 3.0 mg melatonin was administered at 10:30 pm. On two additional nights, saline was infused, and the placebo or melatonin capsules were administered at 10:30 pm. Blood was drawn at 12:00 am, 3:00 am, and 6:00 am to measure the plasma concentration of melatonin and cortisol. A repeated-measures analysis of variance model was used to determine the effect of remifentanil on sleep stages, the effect of remifentanil on the plasma concentration of melatonin, and the effect of exogenous melatonin on remifentanil-induced sleep disturbance. Results Remifentanil inhibited rapid eye movement sleep (14.1 +/- 7.2% to 3.9 +/- 6.9%). The amount of slow wave sleep decreased from 6.8 +/- 7.6% to 3.2 +/- 6.1%, but this decrease was not statistically significant. Remifentanil did not decrease melatonin concentration. Melatonin administration did not prevent remifentanil-induced sleep disturbance. Conclusions An overnight constant infusion of remifentanil inhibits rapid eye movement sleep without suppressing the nocturnal melatonin surge.
Scattering by circular metallic disks

The eigenfunction solution for the far-field scattering by a thin, circular metallic disk is summarized. This solution yields both components of the scattered electric field for an incident plane wave of arbitrary polarization and arbitrary incidence directions. Sample amplitude, phase, and cross section results are presented.
The contractile ring

What is the contractile ring? During cell division, the contractile ring generates the constricting force to separate one cell into two cells. Formed during cytokinesis, the last step of cell division, the contractile ring is composed of filamentous actin (F-actin) and the motor protein myosin-2, along with additional structural and regulatory proteins. The contractile ring forms under the surface of the plasma membrane and is linked to the plasma membrane such that, when it constricts, it creates a cleavage furrow that partitions the cell in two.
Malaria parasitemia in healthy Africans in North Mara, Tanzania.

Peripheral blood smears were examined for asymptomatic malaria parasitemia among 406 objectively healthy subjects in North Mara, Tanzania. A total of 33(8.1%) of subjects were found to have asymptomatic malaria parasitemia. Prevalence rates for parasitemia were highest among the youngest age groups and lowest in those 35 years of age and older. Of the 33 positive smears, 21 (63.6%) containedPlasmodium falciparum, 9(27.2%)plasmodium malariae and 3(9.2%) mixed infections of the two. General population surveys for asymptomatic malaria parasitemia in North Mara have shown much higher prevalence rates than those found in the present study. The lower prevalence rates in this study are accounted for by the fact that the population sample consisted of subjects determined to be healthy by objective criteria and lacking hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. The absence of splenomegaly and hepatomegaly in this group suggests that they represent a portion of the population who have already developed significant immunity levels to malarial infections.
Portable robotic platform for handheld landmine detection system

To support the development of advanced algorithms for hand-held detectors, it is desirable to collect data with a specific sweep rate, height and spacing. In addition, it is also important that the position of each data point produced by the detector is known. Since it is impossible for a human operator to precisely control these sweep parameters, we have developed a semi-autonomous robotic data collection system. It is designed as a portable robot with a 2-axis manipulator that can be used to sweep any hand-held detector at a precise sweep rate, height, and spacing. It is also equipped with an interface to the hand-held detector, so it can log the output data during the sweeping motion. It also tags the output data with the position data from the on-board positioning system. As a result, we can construct an accurate 2-D or 3-D grid of the detector's output as a function of horizontal and vertical position of the detector. The manipulator is also equipped with force sensing capability that can be used to sense terrain height or collision. To increase deployment flexibility, all functions of the robot are controlled through a wireless communication link by a hand-held computer with a maximum operating distance of at least 100m. Through the hand-held computer, the operator can move the robot, and program its behavior using a script based motion sequencer. The robot has been deployed successfully on several data acquisition activities, and successfully produced high-resolution 2-D map of the buried targets.
Context in word recognition

Abstract Relatively low character error rates can often lead to prohibitive levels of word error rates. This paper examines several techniques for integrating an independent contextual postprocessor (CPP) into a full classification system. Using positional binary n -grams the CPP can correct many errors directly. In those cases where the correction process leads to ambiguity, the CPP can direct additional processing. Experimental results demonstrate that almost all of the derived improvement results from CPP-directed reclassification. This only requires that the CPP have the classifier likelihood fed forward to it. Therefore, a standardized CPP can be built independently of the rest of the classification system. An initial 45% word error rate is reduced to about a 2% word error rate and a 1% reject rate. Presence of a dictionary allows these figures to be reduced even further.
A generalized programmable unambiguous state discriminator for unknown qubit systems

We discuss a state discriminator that unambiguously distinguishes between two quantum registers prepared with multiple copies of two unknown qubits. This device achieves the optimal performance by von Neumann measurement and general POVM in different ranges of the input preparation probabilities, respectively, and in the limit of very large program registers the optimal measurement reduces to only von Neumann measurements.
First-principles study of the Young’s modulus of Si ⟨001⟩ nanowires

We report the results of first-principles density functional theory calculations of the Young's modulus and other mechanical properties of hydrogen-passivated Si ⟨001⟩ anowires. The nanowires are taken to have predominantly {100} surfaces, with small {110} facets. The Young's modulus, the equilibrium length, and the residual stress of a series of prismatic wires are found to have a size dependence that scales like the surface area to volume ratio for all but the smallest wires. We analyze the physical origin of the size dependence and compare the results to two existing models.
School–University Partnerships: Reflections and Opportunities

Universities and schools have a long history of partnering with one another to achieve a range of educational goals in America's schools. For many years, the needs of the universities were the primary impetus for partnership. Universities needed practicum sites for student teachers and other educational professionals, as well as participants for the research of university social science faculty. In more recent years, the balance has begun to shift dramatically so that the needs of schools are increasingly driving the formation of school–university partnerships. This article briefly describes the recent history, development, and major foci of school–university partnerships. After identifying a relatively neglected area of school–university partnerships, the article describes an existing partnership that addresses this area in order to illustrate the potential and opportunities for partnership. Finally, this article closes with a discussion of the challenges and potential benefits of school–university partn...
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy and Its Effects on the Gallbladder: A Case Report

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of arylsulfatase A enzyme. This deficiency leads to accumulation of sulfatides in the central nervous system and other organs, such as the gallbladder. Here the authors discuss a 9-year-old Middle Eastern patient with late-infantile-type MLD who presented with symptoms of cholecystitis. Radiographic studies revealed an enlarged gallbladder with a thickened wall and a pericholecystic fluid collection with peripheral calcifications. Gross examination of the gallbladder showed multiple small to medium-sized papillary projections involving the entire mucosal surface. Sections through the gallbladder wall revealed multilocular dilated mucin-producing cystic spaces. Microscopically, the mucosa showed numerous papillary projections with complex folds lined by mucin-producing cuboidal to tall columnar cells. The cystic spaces were composed of numerous markedly distended Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses filled with mucin. Ultrastructurally, the epithelial cells and macrophages showed frequent secondary lysosomes containing closely packed lamellar amorphous to prismatic material with alternating leaflets and tubules, imparting a "herringbone" or "tuffstone" pattern. This case illustrates the features of gallbladder involvement in MLD and the potential role of ultrastructural examination in diagnosis of MLD.
Parkinsonism and neurological manifestations of influenza throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Abstract Purpose Given the recent paper by Jang et al. on “A Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus” which reported a novel animal model of parkinsonism, we aimed to perform a complete historical review of the 20th and 21st century literature on parkinsonism and neurological manifestations of influenza. Scope There were at least twelve major flu pandemics reported in the literature in the 20th and 21st century. Neurological manifestations most prevalent during the pandemics included delirium, encephalitis, ocular abnormalities, amyotrophy, myelopathy, radiculopathy, ataxia and seizures. Very little parkinsonism was reported with the exception of the 1917 cases originally described by von Economo. Conclusions To date there have been surprisingly few cases of neurological issues inclusive of parkinsonism associated with influenza pandemics. Given the recent animal model of H5N1 influenza associated parkinsonism, the medical establishment should be prepared to evaluate for the re-emergence of parkinsonism during future outbreaks.
The application of electrical counting to the compilation of frequency distributions and correlation tables

An electrical-mechanical tabulator is described which presents statistical data in array form immediately on the conclusion of a test, thereby eliminating the time-consuming process of measuring and transferring data from tape records. The basis of operation is to cause differential relays to direct a sampling pulse to appropriate counters representing different class intervals of the variable being examined. Thus the number of counts in each counter is proportional to the length of time that the variable was in a particular class interval. In its present form, the instrument is capable of presenting a nine class frequency distribution for one variable, a twenty-five cell correlation diagram for two variables, or six tetrachoric correlation diagrams for four variables.
Computers in schools: a new source of inequity

Abstract The results of a study of elementary and secondary school usage of microcomputers for one southern state are reported. In addition to summarizing the availability of hardware, software, and personnel resources, evidence is presented to suggest that various sub-groups of students, particularly the “regular” classroom student and the socioeconomically disadvantaged, are severely limited in their access to computer technology, and that access, when afforded, is restricted to drill and practice applications. School-, district-, and state-level recommendations are provided to address these inequities.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Adenocarcinomas With Bronchioloalveolar Components

Background Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has gained importance in non–small cell lung cancer given impressive responses to agents targeting this molecule, particularly in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) and adenocarcinomas, mixed subtype, with BAC components (adeno/BAC). This study assesses EGFR signaling in these tumors. Methods One hundred fifty tumors were classified as BAC or adeno/BAC. Tumor marker expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Correlations with expression were examined for all tumors (BAC and adeno/BAC), and by BAC and adeno/BAC subset analyses. Results Positive immunophenotype was observed in 40.6% of tumors for EGFR, 51.3% for p-AKT, 58.7% for p-ERK, and 28.0% for PTEN, with increased overexpression of EGFR ( p = 0.025) and p-AKT ( p p = 0.008) and correlated with improved overall survival ( p = 0.018). On subset analysis, EGFR correlated with improved overall survival ( p = 0.05) and disease-free interval ( p = 0.044) only in adeno/BAC. Epidermal growth factor receptor independently predicted improved disease-free interval in adeno/BAC ( p = 0.03; hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.23 to 0.94). Conclusions Overexpression of EGFR in lung adenocarcinomas with components of BAC histology correlate with never-smoker status and improved overall survival and disease-free interval. Epidermal growth factor receptor immunophenotype may be a useful predictor of clinical outcomes in this tumor subset.
Organizing for Effective Paraprofessional Services in Special Education: A Multilingual/Multiethnic Instructional Service Team Model

A challenge for the instruction of linguistically diverse exceptional students is the need for identifying individuals who can provide links between the students' home and the school. Individuals fluent in the students' home language and familiar with their culture can play important roles in the prereferral process and in staffing and intervention. Finding certificated bilingual/bicultural personnel in the many languages represented by exceptional students in schools remains difficult and, too often, support personnel are not sufficiently prepared to represent special education to their respective communities. This paper explores important elements necessary to develop a stable, well-prepared itinerant instructional team that includes paraprofessionals working collaboratively with, and under the direct instructional supervision of, a certified special education teacher. Such a team can provide a vehicle by which districts with limited bilingual/bicultural personnel can maximize their resources, integrate...
The presumption of innocence in the trial setting

The starting frame with which jurors begin trials and the approach which they should take toward the presentation of evidence by the prosecution and defense are distinguished. A robust interpretation of the starting frame, according to which jurors should begin trials by presuming the material innocence of defendants, is defended. Alternative starting frames which are less defendant-friendly are shown to cohere less well with the notion that criminal trials should constitute stern tests of the government's case against those it has charged with crimes. The intuitive case for the robust presumption of innocence is supplemented with empirical evidence concerning the psychology of belief formation and preservation. Various objections to the proposed starting frame are addressed.
Temporal relations and meaningfulness in paired-associate learning.

Each of 34 Ss was presented with a list of 12 paired associates which were arranged according to high-low or low-high stimulus and response meaningfulness and also in a simultaneous or sequential time relationship. Meaningfulness level on the stimulus side of the dyad rather than on the response side was found to be more crucial for learning, and significantly more learning occurred also when the dyads were presented in the simultaneous condition. The findings were discussed in terms of both association theory and the differences between the present procedure and the conventional anticipation method.
Single-parent families: a typology of life-styles

Helen A. Mendes, DSW, is Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. With few exceptions, society exfamily." Professionals who fail to see pects parents to perform certain functhe diversity among single-parent fam tions in behalf of their minor children. ilies while attempting to help them Parents are expected to feed, clothe, risk making use of stereotypes and shelter, nurture, and socialize their deficit models, that is, viewing the young. The ideal, in this society, is for family in terms of who and what are these parental functions to be carried missing rather than who and what are out by two adults of the opposite sex present. who are married to each other. This In spite of this diversity of life cir ideal does not reflect the reality of cumstances, the various life-styles that, over one-fourth of all families in the single-parent families adopt have United States. Indeed, an estimated some commonality fostered by the 4.9 million families do not conform common tasks society assigns to par to this ideal standard because the 11 ents. There is also mounting evidence million children in these families are that single-parent families can be via cared for by only one of their parents.1 ble families.4 This-^rtk4e_offers a be lt is frequently assumed that beginning conceptualization of some cause such families lack a second parthe diverse and common components ent they are inevitably dysfunctional, of five life-styles adopted by single In part, the assumption rests on the parent families. Because professionals belief that single-parent families have need to understand some of the psy available to them essentially only one chosocial consequences of the various life-style, or distinctive manner of life-styles, this article will discuss functioning as a group over time, some of the risks and opportunities characterized by the single parents' inassociated with each, ept attempts to be "both father and mother" to their children. Social sciTYPE 1: SOLE EXECUTIVE entists such as Glasser and Navarre
Error-Resilient Motion Estimation Architecture

In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient motion estimation architecture. The proposed architecture employs the principle of error-resiliency to combat logic level timing errors that may arise in average-case designs in presence of process variations and/or due to overscaling of the supply voltage [voltage overscaling (VOS)] and thereby achieves power reduction. Error-resiliency is incorporated via algorithmic noise-tolerance (ANT). Referred to as input subsampled replica ANT (ISR-ANT), the proposed technique incorporates an input subsampled replica of the main sum-of-absolute-difference (MSAD) block for detecting and correcting errors in the MSAD block. Simulations show that the proposed technique can save up to 60% power over an optimal error-free system in a 130-nm CMOS technology. These power savings increase to 78% in a 45-nm predictive process technology. Performance of the ISR-ANT architecture in the presence of process variations indicates that average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of the ISR-ANT architecture increases by up to 1.8 dB over that of the conventional architecture in 130-nm IBM process technology. Furthermore, the PSNR variation (sigma/mu) is also reduced by 7times over that of the conventional architecture at the slow corner while achieving a power reduction of 33%.
Correlation of plasma concentrations of cystatin C and creatinine to inulin clearance in a pediatric population

Measurement of blood concentrations of cystatin C (cysC), a cysteine protease inhibitor present in human plasma, has been suggested for use as an indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a manner analogous to the use of plasma creatinine (SCR). In this study, cysC and SCR were measured in plasma from pediatric patients (4-19 years) with renal disease for whom a "gold standard" measurement of GFR via inulin clearance (C(IN)) was available. The data analyses were divided into two age groups: group A (4-12 years, n = 26) and group B (12-19 years, n = 34). For both age groups, the linear correlation coefficient of [cysC](-1) vs C(IN) (mL/min/1.73 m2) (r = 0.765 for group A and r = 0.869 for group B) was less than that of the linear correlation coefficient of [SCR](-1) vs C(IN) (r = 0.841 for group A and r = 0.892 for group B). As a single measurement for detection of abnormal GFR, however, the optimum receiver-operator characteristic point for cysC measurement (for group A at cysC >1.2 mg/L, sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 91%; and for group B at cysC >1.4 mg/L, sensitivity = 87%, specificity = 100%) was numerically superior to that for SCR measurement (for group A at SCR >8.0 mg/L, sensitivity = 67%, specificity = 100%; and for group B at SCR >9.0 mg/L, sensitivity = 91%, specificity = 91%), using a reference value for normal GFR of C(IN) > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. However, these differences were not statistically significant. CysC measurement appears to be broadly equivalent to SCR measurement for estimation of GFR in pediatric patients.
Octopaminergic modulation of the visual flight speed regulator of Drosophila

Recent evidence suggests that flies' sensitivity to large-field optic flow is increased by the release of octopamine during flight. This increase in gain presumably enhances visually mediated behaviors such as the active regulation of forward speed, a process that involves the comparison of a vision-based estimate of velocity with an internal set point. To determine where in the neural circuit this comparison is made, we selectively silenced the octopamine neurons in the fruit fly Drosophila, and examined the effect on vision-based velocity regulation in free-flying flies. We found that flies with inactivated octopamine neurons accelerated more slowly in response to visual motion than control flies, but maintained nearly the same baseline flight speed. Our results are parsimonious with a circuit architecture in which the internal control signal is injected into the visual motion pathway upstream of the interneuron network that estimates groundspeed.
Frankfurt School Marxism and the Ethical Meaning of Art: Herbert Marcuse's The Aesthetic Dimension

This article takes up the ethical meaning of Herbert Marcuse's aesthetics, especially as espoused in his last book, The Aesthetic Dimension (1978). In it, Marcuse responds at both an ethical and aesthetic level to three versions of Marxist/Frankfurt school theory of art: realism, negation theory, and formalism. The first part of my article situates The Aesthetic Dimension in a tradition; the second part lets it speak for itself as a synthesis of the three ethical/aesthetic traditions; and the third part queries and develops Marcuse's synthetic efforts.
Auscultatory Findings in Patients with a Small Ventricular Septal Defect

The auscultatory and phonocardiographic findings were analyzed in 21 cases of small ventricular septal defect. Eleven patients had identical right ventricular and pulmonary artery systolic pressures, whereas in nine a minimal systolic gradient across the infundibulum of the right ventricle was demonstrated. One half of the patients, with or without an infundibular gradient, had a pansystolic plateau-shaped murmur. Several patients, mostly those with an infundibular gradient, had a distinct diamond-shaped murmur. A few children showed an early systolic decrescendo murmur. Appreciable, even wide splitting of the second sound with inspiratory widening, was demonstrated. It is proposed that a sharp differentation between "ejection" and "regurgitant" systolic murmurs may be difficult under certain circumstances. Furthermore, it is suggested that the definition of an "innocent" or "functional" murmur may depend on the sensitivity of the diagnostic methods used.
Fibrinogen and catheter-directed thrombolysis

Fibrinogen is a complex glycoprotein that is known to play a significant role in the process of thrombus formation and evolution, and has been linked to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Given the importance of fibrinogen in these processes, it has been evaluated as a biomarker for atherosclerotic disease and as a marker during treatment for venous and arterial thrombosis. Here we describe the expansive role that fibrinogen plays in human physiology.
Depressive symptoms and all-cause mortality in a nationally representative longitudinal study with time-varying covariates.

Objective: Toexaminetherelationshipbetweendepressivesymptomsandall-causemortalityinalongitudinalstudywithanationallyrepresentative sample. Research has shown that depressive symptoms increase mortality risk, but results have been inconclusiveregarding the role of physical health conditions in the relationship. This study asks whether the association between depressivesymptoms and mortality exists independent of contemporaneous physical health conditions, is spurious because of prior physicalhealth conditions, or is mediated by later physical health conditions. Methods: Data are drawn from the Americans’ Changing LivesStudy, a sample of 3617 noninstitutionalized Americans aged 25 years or older. Respondents were interviewed in 1986, 1989, 1994,and2002.Depressivesymptoms(CenterforEpidemiologicStudiesDepressionScale[CES-D]),physicalhealth,andconfoundersweremeasured at each wave. Mortality status was ascertained yearly through 2007. Discrete time hazard models with time-varyingcovariates were used to estimate the association between CES-D scores and mortality. Results: Between 1986 and 2007, 1411 surveyrespondents died.Depressivesymptomswereassociated withmortality afteradjusting forstress,copingcharacteristics, socialsupport,and health behaviors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% conﬁdence interval [CI] = 1.11Y1.36, p G.001). However, the association becamenonsigniﬁcant after accounting for contemporaneous physical health conditions (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.95Y1.17, p = .31). Priorphysical health conditions did not explain the association (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.11Y1.39, p G.001). The association between laggeddepressive symptoms and mortality was mediated by later physical health conditions (p = .94). Conclusions: Study ﬁndings supportthemediationhypothesis.Theeffectofdepressivesymptomsonmortalityismediatedbylater physicalhealth.KeyWords: depressivesymptoms, mortality, time-varying covariates, Americans’ Changing Lives Survey.CES-D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale;ACLS = Americans’ Changing Lives Study; CVD = cardiovascularand/or cerebrovascular disease.
Invariant formulation of the strain dependence of the critical temperature Tc of Nb3Sn in a three term approximation

Abstract It has been shown previously in a full detailed analysis that the strain dependence of the critical temperature may be obtained from a general strain invariant formulation of T c in strong superconductivity. A physical model was presented in which the phonon frequency spectrum is represented through generalized elastic stiffness coefficients that include strain dependence. The primary purpose of the present work is to achieve a simplification of the analysis in order to facilitate calculation and reveal the essential physical content. The formulation in wave vector space of the equations for T c in strong superconductivity is reviewed. The method of simplification employs a succession of approximations to the effective elastic constants that enter the relation between phonon frequency and wave number. It is found that the effective elastic constants in the crystal symmetry directions may be grouped into sets having similar form, and this form includes terms in common among the sets and difference terms. The difference terms are found to be in the nature of gradients and may be eliminated to good approximation. The common terms include the strain dependence in a form identified as a deformation strain parameter. The analysis treats spherical (hydrostatic) and deformation strain dependence under longitudinal and transverse applied strain for wire and tape conductor. The analysis is applicable over a full range of applied strain, including small strains often described by a power law strain dependence, and larger strains often described by a deviatoric strain approach. A comparison is provided between the results of the full detailed analysis and the results of the approximate treatment showing the degree of agreement in the various applied strain orientations.
Performance of Rocketdyne phase-optimized pure permanent magnet undulator

Preliminary results of magnetic measurements of a high-field, pure permanent magnet undulator are presented. A two-step optimization process, using simulated annealing, was applied to reduce the RMS field error and to minimize RMS phase shake, trajectory walkoff, and integrated dipole and multipole field errors by optimally arranging the magnets. The field-terminating end module design is a novel implementation of Halbach's displacement-free termination scheme. Simulations of entry/exit trajectories for this termination are compared to trajectories computed from field measurements. >
Considering a relational model for depression in navy recruits

ABSTRACT Objective: Key variables that have influenced depression in previous research were examined in this study including adult attachment, perceived social support, sense of belonging, conflict in relationships, and loneliness for their relationships in a relational model for depression with U.S. Navy recruits in basic training. Methods: This theory-testing analysis study was part of a larger cross-sectional cohort study that examined the factors associated with depression in Navy recruits. The sample for this study included 443 recruits. Structural equation modeling was used to test the fit of the theoretical model. Results: The proposed model explained 49% of the variance in depressive symptoms with loneliness and sense of belonging as the strongest indicators of depression. Conclusions: The Navy should consider interventions that increase sense of belonging in high risk for depression recruits to decrease loneliness and depression and circumvent recruits not completing basic training. The assumptio...
The Integration of Mindfulness-Based Biofeedback and Compassion in the Healthcare Setting

Compassion has emerged as a major factor in the therapeutic benefit of mindfulness-based techniques, which have been integrated into mainstream healthcare. Combining compassion practices with biofeedback can maximize the advantageous psychological and physical changes that are seen with both. This article will provide a framework for augmenting biofeedback treatment with compassion-based techniques and discuss treatment considerations.
Experimental studies of the pharmacology of quinidin

It has recently been shown that in certain patients suffering from fibrillation of the auricles, the normal cardiac mechanism may be restored by the oral administration of quinidin sulphate. Knowledge concerning the pharmacological action of this drug is desirable for the clinic and is important insofar as it may furnish information concerning the nature of the fibrillatory process.Experiments were done on 12 dogs. Anesthesia was accomplished by intratracheal etherization. The thorax was opened in the median line. A myocardiograph of the Roy and Adami type was sewed into the tip and base of the ventricles and connected with a system of Marey tambours. Changes in the degree of cardiac contraction obtained by this method may be taken to represent alterations in volume output. The blood pressure was recorded from the right femoral artery; injections of the drug were made into the left femoral vein. In eight experiments the threshold for the production of transient auricular fibrillation was determined by far...
Boundary Element Analysis of Thermoelastic Effects in Size-Dependent Mechanics

A new boundary element formulation is developed to analyze two-dimensional size-dependent thermoelastic response in linear isotropic couple stress materials. The model is based on the recently developed consistent couple stress theory, in which the couple-stress tensor is skew-symmetric. The size-dependency effect is specified by one characteristic parameter length scale l, while the thermal effect is quantified by the classical thermal expansion coefficient α and conductivity k. We discuss the boundary integral formulation and numerical implementation of this size-dependent thermoelasticity boundary element method (BEM). Then, we apply the resulting BEM formulation to a computational example to validate the numerical implementation and to explore thermoelastic couplings as the non-dimensional characteristic scale of the problem is varied. Interestingly, for a cantilever beam with a transverse temperature gradient, we find significantly reduced non-dimensional tip deflections as the beam depth h approaches the material characteristic length scale l. On the other hand, when l/h < 0.01, the classical size-independent deflections are recovered.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Development of the PDRI Virtual Users Group on the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (WWW) has tremendous potential to improve project performance through communication improvement among project professionals. This paper will describe development of the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) Virtual Users Group (VUG). The intent of the PDRI VUG is to stimulate implementation of a Construction Industry Institute (CII) research product, specifically the PDRI, through wide distribution via the Internet. The PDRI VUG consists of a publicly accessible web-site that provides general information regarding the PDRI and a password protected site that is designed specifically for members of the user group. The development methodology will be briefly discussed, including insights gained from the development process. Web-site specifications for VUG development are outlined. Finally, lessonslearned and the challenges of producing an actively used web-site are presented to assist future development of web-based user groups.
Effect of Weedy Backgrounds on Colonization of Collards by Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae , and Its Major Predators

Insect colonization of collards in contiguous weedy and weed-free plots was monitored in 1978 and 1979. Green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) preferentially invaded weed-free collards and developed higher densities thereon. Numbers of Chrysopa oculata (Say), Coccinellidae, and Syrphidae were higher in plots in which weeds were uncut, despite lower aphid densities. When weeds were trimmed to 10 cm maximum height, predators became more numerous on weedless collards. Predator response were generally inefficient, especially when overall aphid densities were low.
Results of monitoring of acute flaccid paralysis in Wuhua County from 1994 to 2005

Objective To understand the incidence and acute flaccid paralysis(AFP)and running status of monitoring system from 1994 to 2005 in Wuhua County and offer reference for elimination.Methods The AFP cases reported from 1994 to 2005 were epidemiologically analyzed.Results Forty-nine AFP cases were reported during 1994 to 2005,including a non-AFP ease with an annual average incidence of 1.26/100 000.Most of AFP cases were children age between 0 to 4 years,accounted for 70.83%. About 47.92% of the AFP cases occurred from May to August.20.83% were without vaccination history or unknown immunization history.Wild strain of epidemic infantile paralysis were not isolated from excrement specimens.Conclusion AFP cases monitoring system in this County is effective and up to the national requirement.Fully implementation of immunization work,enhancement of the sensitivity of AFP cases monitoring system,strengthening the management of mobile population and consolidation of achievements are the main tasks in the near future.
Draft Genome Sequence of Oral Bacterium Streptococcus mutans JH1140

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans JH1140 is an oral bacterium known to produce the bacteriocin mutacin 1140, and the strain has been genetically engineered to combat dental caries. Here, we report the 2.0-Mb draft genome of S. mutans JH1140. This genome provides new insights into the strain9s superior colonization properties and its utility in replacement therapy.
Barrington Moore’s ‘Social Origins’ and the Global System

The main purpose of this chapter on Barrington Moore is to generate insights from a classic text in the field of comparative historical sociology that point to the impact of the global system on the prospects for democratic governance worldwide. It is designed also to probe the assumptions that sustain liberal internationalism’s optimistic prognosis with regard to the spread of this form of state.
Resilient Scholars: Reflections from Black Gay Men on the Doctoral Journey

Using an intersectionality and Black queer studies framework, this article presents reflections from Black gay men who are current doctoral students or recent graduates of higher education, student affairs, and leadership studies programs to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes that they experienced during their doctoral journey. The authors conclude with recommendations for providing comprehensive support for doctoral students who are at the intersection of identities, specifically Black gay men.