cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of electronic discussion groups as a teaching/learning strategy in an evidence-based medicine course: a pilot study.

Background: As course directors, we wished to incorporate small group learning into our Evidence-based Medicine course for students to get feedback on the development of a well constructed, researchable clinical question. Scheduling of these groups was problematic. We sought to evaluate computer-mediated communication as an alternative to face-to-face small groups. Methods: Students were randomly assigned to either face-to-face small groups or asynchronous, electronic, small groups. Final examination scores were analyzed with an analysis of variance to determine if there were differences in student performance based on group type. Student survey items were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test to determine if there were differences in student attitudes based on group type. Results: There were no significant differences found in overall student performance. Significant differences in student attitudes were found to exist with respect to: (1) participation in discussions, with face-to-face groups reporting greater participation; (2) putting more thought into comments, with electronic groups reporting more thought put into comments; and (3) difficulty relating to other students in the class, with electronic groups reporting more difficulty. Discussion: We found electronic discussion groups (computer-mediated communication) to be a viable teaching/learning strategy with no adverse effects on student performance or attitudes.
Simulation and big data challenges in tuning building energy models

EnergyPlus is the flagship building energy simulation software used to model whole building energy consumption for residential and commercial establishments. A typical input to the program often has hundreds, sometimes thousands of parameters which are typically tweaked by a buildings expert to “get it right”. This process can sometimes take months. “Autotune” is an ongoing research effort employing machine learning techniques to automate the tuning of the input parameters for an EnergyPlus input description of a building. Even with automation, the computational challenge faced to run the tuning simulation ensemble is daunting and requires the use of supercomputers to make it tractable in time. In this paper, we describe the scope of the problem, particularly the technical challenges faced and overcome, and the software infrastructure developed/in development when taking the EnergyPlus engine, which was primarily designed to run on desktops, and scaling it to run on shared memory supercomputers (Nautilus) and distributed memory supercomputers (Frost and Titan). The parametric simulations produce data in the order of tens to a couple of hundred terabytes. We describe the approaches employed to streamline and reduce bottlenecks in the workflow for this data, which is subsequently being made available for the tuning effort as well as made available publicly for open-science.
Phenylbutazone in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract 1. 1. The long-term therapeutic value of phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) has been studied in 93 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and objective measurements of therapeutic effectiveness have been made over a shorter period on 20 patients. 2. 2. A method for measuring the degree of joint inflammation has been presented. 3. 3. Of 49 patients treated for periods of 2 to 5 years, 19 (39 per cent) have found this drug to be a satisfactory long-term therapeutic agent in terms of maintaining functional capacity. 4. 4. In a double-blind comparative study, phenylbutazone and cortisone were found to be superior to aspirin in suppression of inflammation and maintenance of functional capacity. Large doses of cortisone were superior to phenylbutazone but the differences were not striking. 5. 5. The natural course of the pathologic process of rheumatoid arthritis as reflected in the joint destruction shown in serial roentgenograms was not arrested by phenylbutazone. 6. 6. The toxic reactions in 222 patients who received phenylbutazone for a variety of rheumatic disorders have been analyzed. In no case was it established that phenylbutazone caused any permanent harm to the patients in this series.
Optimal pacing in a cycling time-trial considering cyclist's fatigue dynamics

Optimal pacing of one's effort during a cycling time-trial or even during leisurely long bicycle rides can be a challenge not only for a novice rider but also for the experienced. The rider's level of fatigue, upcoming elevation changes, and varying wind speed all contribute to the problem complexity. This paper formulates the pacing strategy for a bicycle time-trial as an optimal control problem with the goal of finishing in minimum time while considering pedaling force constraints imposed by velocity and rider's fatigue. A phenomenological dynamic model for a rider's fatigue is constructed and the model parameters are estimated using experimental data from road tests. Assuming prior knowledge of the route elevation profile, the optimal control problem is solved using dynamic programming which generates a feedback strategy: Given measured bicycle velocity and the estimated rider's state of fatigue, the solution suggests a pacing strategy that if followed can reduce total travel time. Preliminary simulation results based on experimental data from a century (100 mile) ride show the potentials of the proposed approach.
Project Manager Insights: An Analysis of Career Progression

The project manager is key to the success of any project. But the path to becoming a successful project manager is ill defined. In this study, the authors analyzed interview results of 87 project managers’ responses to questions associated with entry into the field, career progression, and advice for the new project manager, seeking to better understand practicing project manager career progression. Qualitative analysis techniques were used to identify recurring themes from the interview summaries. The themes and the resulting conceptual framework provide evidence that supports the development of successful project manager career path. Further, the results suggest individual project management competencies in soft skills as a key enabler of project execution.
Regulatory T cell subsets in human cancer: are they regulating for or against tumor progression?

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a key role in maintaining the balance of immune responses in human health and in disease. Treg come in many flavors and can utilize a variety of mechanisms to modulate immune responses. In cancer, inducible (i) or adaptive Treg expand, accumulate in tissues and the peripheral blood of patients, and represent a functionally prominent component of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Phenotypically and functionally, iTreg are distinct from natural (n) Treg. A subset of iTreg expressing ectonucleotidases, CD39 and CD73, is able to hydrolyze ATP to 5′-AMP and adenosine (ADO) and thus mediate suppression of those immune cells which express ADO receptors. iTeg can also produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). These iTreg, expanding in response to tumor antigens and cytokines such as TGF-β or IL-10, are presumably responsible for the suppression of anti-tumor immune responses and for successful tumor escape. On the other hand, in cancers associated with prominent inflammatory infiltrates, e.g., colorectal carcinoma or certain types of breast cancer, iTreg down-regulate excessive inflammation by producing ADO and/or PGE2 and protect the host from tissue injury and tumor development. Thus, iTreg utilizing the same adenosine pathway play a key but dual role in cancer, and their plasticity is controlled and driven by the microenvironment. Thus, monitoring for the frequency and functions of iTreg rather than nTreg is important in cancer. In addition, elimination of iTreg by various available strategies prior to immunotherapies may not be beneficial in all cases and needs to be undertaken with caution.
Aristotle on ‘First Transitions’ in De Anima II 5

In De Anima II 5, 417a21–b16, Aristotle makes three distinctions between types of transitions, affections, and alterations. First, he distinguishes between transitions such as from being able to know to knowing which a subject is able to undergo because his ‘kind and matter’ are of a certain sort (let us call these ‘first transitions’) and transitions such as from knowing to contemplating (417a27–b2). Then he contrasts affections involving ‘a kind of destruction of something by its contrary’ with affections involving ‘the preservation of that which is so potentially by that which is so actually’ (let us call these ‘preservative affections’) (417b2–5). Finally, he opposes alterations ‘toward privative conditions’ to alterations ‘toward a thing’s dispositions and nature’, e.g., learning (for the lack of a better name, let us follow Myles Burnyeat in calling these ‘unordinary alterations’) (417b14–6). The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature of first transitions. ‘First transition’ or πρώτη μeταβολή is Aristotle’s own term, and it occurs at 417b17, where he says, ‘The first transition (πρώτη μeταβολή) in that which can perceive is brought about by the parent, and when it is born it already has [the faculty of] sense-perception in the same way as it has knowledge. Actual sense-perception is so spoken of in the same way as contemplation.’ The analogy, here, between the faculty (δύναμις) of sense-perception and the disposition (ἕξις) of knowledge clearly implies that the term πρώτη μeταβολή denotes the acquisition of either of these things. I will take what I have
SLA Theory Building: “Letting All the Flowers Bloom!”

This article presents a postmodernist critical analysis of the SLA theory building-literature as primarily represented in the writings of Beretta, Crookes, Eubank, Gregg, Long, and to some extent Schumann. I argue that there is no foundational reason to grant privileged status to the modernist view of SLA theory these scholars espouse. Scientific theories are metaphorical constructs that are elevated to theoretical status because they are “taken seriously” by their developers. All of which argues against cutting off any would-be SLA theory before it has the opportunity to be taken seriously (i.e., to bloom).
Spectroscopic signatures of protonated perylene in concentrated sulfuric acid

Abstract Protonated perylene is an important intermediate in the oxidation of perylene to its radical cation in oxidizing environments, and has been implicated in recent investigations of photoinitiated reaction kinetics in nonpolar solvents. The literature on its spectral signatures in concentrated sulfuric acid provides a well-characterized absorbance spectrum, but its emission characteristics remain ambiguous. In this paper we present the absorbance and emission spectrum of protonated perylene in concentrated sulfuric acid. We demonstrate that dissolution of perylene in concentrated sulfuric acid occurs through the protonated perylene intermediate, which is completely oxidized to the radical cation in the air-saturated liquid within 1 h after dissolution of solid perylene. During this time it is possible to selectively excite protonated perylene in the presence of other absorbing species, and we use this fact to measure the emission spectrum of protonated perylene in concentrated sulfuric acid. Protonated perylene’s emission spectrum has a peak at 670 nm. The fluorescence decay of this species exhibits single-exponential behavior when excited at 625 nm, which demonstrates that a single emissive species is prepared.
Distribution of airborne heavy metals as measured in the lichens Ramalina stenospora and Parmotrema praesorediosum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The lichens Ramalina stenospora and Parmotrema praesorediosum were collected from 30 stations in the greater metropolitan area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and analyzed for Al, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Pb content. A univariate analysis of the data showed a significant difference between metal concentrations and sampling stations. When the stations were separated into two groups representing those in the industrial and urban zones, a discriminant analysis was over 90% successful in correctly assigning stations based solely on metal concentrations. No significant differences in metal concentration with species could be observed. Average metal concentrations for the two lichen species were used to construct contours and three-dimensional plots of metal distribution across the study area which clearly demonstrate the effects of the industrial zone on airborne metal levels.
Structural Issues in Distance Education

Abstract This article discusses the importance and implications of structure in distance education. The conceptual and theoretical basis of structure is discussed along with the primary elements that structure comprises: syllabi, study guides, course delivery format, the learning environment, and time scheduling. The article suggests that the appropriate type of structure will vary with the content, goals, audience, and length of a distance education course. These aspects of the Educational Technology Leadership program at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., are described, with the conclusion that a distance education program must have a high degree of structure to be successful.
Negative Regulation of the Stability and Tumor Suppressor Function of Fbw7 by the Pin1 Prolyl Isomerase

Fbw7 is the substrate recognition component of the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF)-type E3 ligase complex and a well-characterized tumor suppressor that targets numerous oncoproteins for destruction. Genomic deletion or mutation of FBW7 has been frequently found in various types of human cancers; however, little is known about the upstream signaling pathway(s) governing Fbw7 stability and cellular functions. Here we report that Fbw7 protein destruction and tumor suppressor function are negatively regulated by the prolyl isomerase Pin1. Pin1 interacts with Fbw7 in a phoshorylation-dependent manner and promotes Fbw7 self-ubiquitination and protein degradation by disrupting Fbw7 dimerization. Consequently, overexpressing Pin1 reduces Fbw7 abundance and suppresses Fbw7's ability to inhibit proliferation and transformation. By contrast, depletion of Pin1 in cancer cells leads to elevated Fbw7 expression, which subsequently reduces Mcl-1 abundance, sensitizing cancer cells to Taxol. Thus, Pin1-mediated inhibition of Fbw7 contributes to oncogenesis, and Pin1 may be a promising drug target for anticancer therapy.
Studies of the procoagulant and fibrinolytic activity of promyelocytes in acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Summary. Malignant cells from four patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) were analysed for coagulant and fibrinolytic activity. For comparison polymorphonuclear leucocytes from normal donors and myeloblasts from patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) were also tested. The APL cells compared to the other cells consistently shortened the recalcification time and partial thromboplastin time of normal, factor VIII deficient and factor IX deficient plasma, but had no effect on factor X deficient or factor VII-X deficient plasma. APL cells demonstrated increased (250–1500%) tissue factor activity when tested in a two-stage assay in which tissue factor is the rate limiting component. The increased tissue factor activity was primarily found in the granular fraction of APL cells. Fibrinolytic and proteolytic activity of the APL cells was variable. Cells from three of the APL patients demonstrated a slight increase (150–400%), while the cells from one APL patient had markedly diminished proteolytic activity. The increased fibrinolytic activity was associated primarily with the granular fraction. Although the fibrinolytic activity is increased, it does not parallel the increase in tissue factor activity. This imbalance of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the cellular composition of promyelocytes could explain the high incidence of clinical thrombo-haemorrhagic disorders related to intravascular coagulation in APL.
Off-the-cuff presentations

This article presents a list of tips to help improve impromptu speaking skills. The points discussed include developing the right attitude, having confidence while speaking, a series of steps to follow when called on to speak off-the-cuff, and a way to practice impromptu speaking.
Inactivation of human arginine-143, lysine-143, and isoleucine-143 Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases by hydrogen peroxide: Multiple mechanisms for inactivation

Site-specific mutants of human Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,ZnSOD) have been prepared in which the active-site arginine at position 143 (i.e., SODR143) has been replaced by either lysine (SODK143) or isoleucine (SODI143). As reported previously (W.F. Beyer, Jr., et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11182-11187), SODK143 and SODI143 have 43 and 11%, respectively, of the catalytic activity of SODR143. H2O2, at low concentrations, acts as an affinity reagent for the inactivation of SODR143. At pH 9.0 and 25 degrees C, the process is characterized by a half-saturation constant for H2O2, K50, of 5.1 mM and a maximum pseudo-first-order rate constant for inactivation, Kmax, of 0.53 min-1. At pH 11.5, the corresponding values are 0.63 mM and 1.23 min-1. The active species in the inactivation is likely HO2-, as previously found with yeast and bovine Cu,ZnSODs (see C.L. Borders, Jr., and I. Fridovich (1985) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 241, 472-476). SODK143 is also inactivated by HO2- by an affinity mechanism, i.e., one where reversible binding of H2O2 (HO2-) is a prerequisite for inactivation. At pH values of 9.0 and 11.5, the kmax values are 0.92 and 1.08 min-1, respectively; however, the corresponding K50 values increase to 42.5 and 15.8 mM, respectively. SODI143 is also inactivated by H2O2, but no evidence for an affinity mechanism was found; instead, a second-order kinetic mechanism was observed. Inactivation of each of the three enzymes is accompanied by the loss of one histidine per subunit. At elevated concentrations of H2O2, a second nonaffinity mechanism of inactivation of both SODR143 and SODK143 was found, in which a second equivalent of H2O2 reacts with the Cu,ZnSOD.HO2- complex to give a competing second-order inactivation. It appears that the positive charge of arginine-143 plays a role in the binding of HO2- at the active site of human Cu,ZnSOD, and that replacement of the arginine by lysine gives an enzyme with a similar affinity mechanism of inactivation, but with a greatly reduced affinity for HO2-. However, replacement with isoleucine causes an entirely different mechanism of inactivation; this raises the possibility that the mechanism of enzyme catalysis of superoxide dismutation by SODI143 is also different.
Spontaneous Dissection of Internal Carotid Artery Masquerading as Angioedema

Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery usually presents with stroke-like symptoms secondary to ischemia in its vascular territory, as well as local signs and symptoms, which may include head, face or neck pain, Horner’s syndrome, pulsatile tinnitus, and cranial nerve palsies. We report a case of a 44-year-old healthy white male who presented with tongue swelling mimicking angioedema as an unusual manifestation of spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery. Two weeks after the initial presentation, the patient returned with similar symptoms and slurred speech. Upon physical examination, he was noted to have isolated left-sided hypoglossal nerve palsy. Subsequent diagnostic imaging revealed segmental narrowing of the left internal carotid artery. The appearance was consistent with the presence of a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection with associated pseudoaneurysm formation.
Chemistry of 1,6-diazaphenalene. Reaction with alkylating and acylating agents

A study of the reactivity of 1,6-diazaphenalene (1) toward alkylating and acylating agents has been carried out in order to investigate the chemistry of this new heterocycle. Attempts to alkylate 1 were successfully completed by stirring the lithium stabilized anion of 1 with either methyl iodide or benzyl bromide to provide N-alkyldiazaphenalenes 4 and 5, respectively, whereas, experiments performed to alkylate 1 under conditions employed for alkylation of imidazole were unsuccessful. Studies directed toward acylation of 1 did not lead, in general, to isolable acyldiazaphenalenes; however, in one specific case successful acylation of 2-chloro-9-methoxy-1,6-diazaphenalene (10) did provide a characterisable amide (14). Where possible the chemistry of 1,6-diazaphenalene has been compared to that reported for imidazole.
De novo synthesis of NGF subunits in S-180 mouse sarcoma cell line.

It is an accepted hypothesis that the nerve growth factor protein (NGF) plays an important role in the development of vertebrate sympathetic and sensory ganglia and has effects on some central neurons. The best known NGF species is that isolated from the mouse submaxillary gland, MSG-NGF. MSG-NGF can be isolated as a subunit containing protein, 7S-NGF, made up of three dissimilar subunits called alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF. Beta-NGF is the biologically active subunit and its synthesis in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated. Less is known about the synthesis of the alpha- and gamma-NGF or the assembly of the subunits into the 7S complex. In order to develop a clonal model system for the study of NGF synthesis, processing and secretion, affinity chromatography techniques were applied to cell extracts of S180 mouse sarcoma, a cell line known to synthesize NGF. After incubating S180 cells in35S-Methionine, cell extracts were exposed to antibody directed against alpha-NGF, gamma-NGF or beta-NGF covalently bound to Sepharose beads in order to elute and characterize the desired NGF subunits. Parallel experiments using immunoabsorbed [35S]Methionine-beta-NGF were carried out in the presence or absence of excess NGF, in order to demonstrate the specificity of this procedure. Affinity chromatography with a substrate analogue to arginine ester bound to Sepharose beads was also used to isolate de novo synthesized gamma-NGF. We were able to show that the S180 line synthesized alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF indistiguishable from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF isolated from mouse submaxillary gland in terms of antigenic and physicochemical properties, and biological and enzymatic activities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that NGF is synthesized, assembled and secreted by a single cell type.
Preserving biodiversity in Korea's Demilitarized Zone

Amidst international tensions and military posturing, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea has, for 45 years, provided sanctuary to endangered and threatened animals and plants. The DMZ has been rigidly enforced: It is uninhabited by humans, and its inaccessibility has allowed damaged forests to rehabilitate and farmlands that are thousands of years old to return to a natural state. The DMZ has, in fact, become a unique nature reserve containing the last vestiges of Korea9s natural heritage. The Korean Peace Bioreserves System provides a strategy to preserve the rich biodiversity of the DMZ. Joint development of the Korean Peace Bioreserves System will foster trust, understanding, and respect between the Democratic People9s Republic of Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south.
Inference of temporally evolving network dynamics with applications in biological systems

Modeling of biological signal pathways forms the basis of systems biology. Also, the problem of identifying dynamics of biological networks is of critical importance in order to understand biological systems. In this paper, we propose a data-driven inference scheme to identify dynamics with a local point of view, the Jacobian matrix. A graph model is a natural way to represent a biological signal pathway and doesn't require any constraints on dynamics such as mass action kinetics or Hill function representations, used in Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) models. A graph is a set of vertices which represents state, and a set of edges which depicts the relationship or connection between two or more states. Once a system is abstracted by a graph, in order to identify the activity level of the corresponding interactions based on a given data set, we reformulate the problem as a Linear Quadratic (LQ) Optimal Control problem by transforming the unknown entries of the activity of edges into the control inputs of the LQ setting. In the formulation of the LQ problem, we use an adjacency map as a priori information and define a performance index which both drives the connectivity of the graph to match the biological data as well as generates a sparse network. Through simulation studies on simple examples, it is shown that this scheme can help to capture the topological change of a biological signal pathway and show the influence or activity of each edge over time. Also, we sketch briefly the potential application of this approach to correcting the graph model.
Overview of the Okapi projects

This paper gives a brief description of the Okapi projects and the work of the Centre for Interactive Systems research, as an introduction to this special issue of the Journal of Documentation. Okapi is the name given to an experimental text retrieval system (or rather, family of systems, as will be discussed below), based at City University, London. The current systems and their predecessors have been used as the basis for a series of projects, generally addressing aspects of user information‐seeking behaviour and user‐system interaction, as well as system design. The projects have been supported extensively by the British Library, and to some degree by a number of other funders. They have been at City since 1989; for the previous seven years they were based at the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster). In order to give a picture of the system(s) that now constitute Okapi, it is appropriate to describe one version containing some of the features that have become central to the Okapi projects, and then to indicate the variety of systems now implemented or implementable within the present setup, as well as the directions it may go in the future. In what follows, papers in this issue are referred to by brief titles.
The deposition of molybdenum in anoxic waters

Abstract Molybdenum deposition in anaerobic areas is a result of several processes. The primary one, which removes about 70% of the molybdenum in laboratory experiments, is the coprecipitation with iron sulfide on a relatively short time scale (order of a week after the hydrogen sulfide has built up). The formation of Mo(V) by any of the following mechanisms: reduction by organic acids, reduction of molybdenum in the nitrogen cycle or by sulfate-reducing bacteria, all result in a slow sorption or coprecipitation of about 20% of the total molybdenum after a three-week period onto almost any solid phase present. If the pH in the anoxic sediment decreases, this process becomes increasingly important. The total removal of molybdenum at any site is the sum of these processes.
Fecal Microbiota Therapy for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in HIV-Infected Persons

We report 2 cases of successful use of fecal microbiota therapy (fecal transplant) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in HIV-infected individuals. Both patients had many recurrences despite antibiotic therapy and improved after receiving fecal microbiota from healthy donors.Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common and difficult to manage problem. The risk of recurrence after a first episode is estimated to be around 20–30%, and is even higher after second or later recurrences[1]. A disrupted fecal microbiota from previous use of antibiotics plays a major role in recurrent CDI[1]. Because of the high rate of recurrence, many different treatment alternatives have been proposed[1]. In recent years several cases of successful use of fecal microbiota therapy (FMT) in the treatment of recurrent CDI have been published, with a reported success rate over 90% [1]. Here we present what to our knowledge is the first report of FMT in HIV-infected individuals.
Optimal Rebalancing for Institutional Portfolios

Institutional fund managers generally rebalance using ad hoc methods such as calendar periods or tolerance band triggers. Another approach is to quantify the cost of a rebalancing strategy in terms of risk-adjusted returns net of transaction costs. An optimal rebalancing strategy that actively seeks to minimize that cost uses certainty-equivalents and the transaction costs associated with a policy to define a cost-to-go function. Stochastic programming is then used to minimize expected cost-to-go. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the method outperforms traditional rebalancing strategies such as periodic and 5% tolerance rebalancing.
Signal Processing Collaborations from Engineer\/Art Historian Interactions

As data analytics and computation engage more fields and applications, engineers find themselves working to communicate the capabilities and benefits of complex algorithms and processing techniques to audiences that do not speak the engineer?s language of mathematics and computation. From biology to sociology to scholarship in the humanities, potential transformations and innovations rest on the ability of engineers and scientists to make the case for computational techniques and fruitfully engage with new kinds of institutions and practices. As an anthropologist of science and technology, Park Doing is interested in such interactions.
Role of PARP inhibitors in TN advanced breast cancer

s / The Breast 20 (2011) S12–S55 S17 in the first-line setting and diminishes as patients have received progressively more treatment. At this time, there are no targeted agents that are specifically approved for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Bevacizumab appears to prolong progression free survival when added to chemotherapy for patients with TNBC (as it does for those with estrogen receptor positive disease), but does not enhance survival. Although there was great enthusiasm based on phase II data for the combination of chemotherapy and iniparib, the phase III results did not support the preliminary data. Nevertheless, there are still many questions about the use of PARP inhibitors and similar agents in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. A variety of other targeted therapies, including the PI3K inhibitors and a number of agents that inhibit DNA repair are under active investigation. There is great hope that the current generation of trials will lead to new treatment approaches in the years ahead.
Effects of verapamil on left ventricular diastolic filling in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The effects of oral verapamil on resting left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling were examined in 10 children and adolescents with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Measurements of diastolic filling were made from gated technetium-99m radionuclide angiograms with postbeat rejection of data outside a 5% RR-interval window. LV time-activity curves were generated and the rapid-filling phase fit with a 3 degrees polynomial to calculate the peak filling rate and the time from end-systole to the point of peak filling. All patients had a radionuclide angiogram performed before and after 0.25 to 3 years of oral verapamil therapy. Verapamil did not change the LV ejection fraction but increased the peak filling rate (3.24 +/- 0.15 to 4.62 +/- 1.05 end-diastolic volume/s,p less than 0.01) and reduced the time to peak filling (217 +/- 57 to 168 +/- 63 ms, p less than 0.01). An increase in exercise endurance as measured by exercise treadmill test and subjective symptomatic improvement were also seen after verapamil therapy. Thus, in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, symptomatic improvement and LV diastolic filling parameters improved with long-term oral verapamil.
Rotational bands in the light odd-mass Tl nuclei

Abstract The odd-mass nuclei 191–197 Tl have been formed in a variety of (HI, x n) reactions and studied by in-beam spectroscopic techniques. The decay of the high-spin Pb isomers, also formed in (HI, x n) reactions, leading to 193–197 Tl has also been investigated. Evidence is presented for the existence of levels of the previously proposed 9 2 − [505] rotational bands in the nuclei. Tentative evidence is given for the existence of oblate rotational bands, based on the 13 2 + [606] state, in 191–195 Tl.
A strategic approach to computer science curriculum

Computer Science enrollments are off nationwide, due in part to the tech downturn, and due in part to the well-publicized movement of tech jobs overseas in a global economy with instantaneous communications. Program coordinators and curriculum committees are in a quandary: the organization and content of a science education should not be dependent upon the whims of the employment marketplace. Yet this new technology environment contains forces beyond the control of governments, let alone curriculum committees, and the employment marketplace is effecting academic environments through student enrollment, with a consequent effect on faculty positions. Current research analyzed the effectiveness of outsourcing concluded that IT-related business enterprise functions differ markedly in the ease and success in which they can be outsourced. Functions and knowledge areas that are of strategic importance to the enterprise and those that are critical to a firm's competitive-advantage, are less likely to be successfully out-sourced. Unfortunately, the traditional entry-level career step for computer science graduates in basic programming has been identified as relatively easy to move offshore with success, though there are challenges to that claim.By examining advanced CS knowledge areas in light of this observation, a potential strategy to position CS curriculum in order to counter the outsourcing movement is revealed: CS programs can use a portion of their upper-level and elective hours to emphasize high-level "Strategic Knowledge Areas" that build on a standard CS curriculum, yet are both critical and strategic to a business enterprise, and therefore more difficult to outsource. This work extends that which was previously published [5], by developing the concept of a curriculum "Strategic Knowledge Area", along with the development of model curriculums at graduate and undergraduate levels, and discussion of implementation in both graduate program and undergraduate programs at the author's home institution.
Theory and practice: applying the ecological model to formative research for a WIC training program in New York State

This article discusses the application of the ecological model to formative research in a practical setting of a training program developed for the Child Growth Monitoring Project of the New York State WIC program. The ecological model was selected to guide the formative research because it offered a concrete framework to account for the reciprocal interaction of behavior and environment. This model describes five levels of influence on behavior: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and policy. Because we knew from the start that the intervention would focus on training, we focused our efforts on collecting data at those ecological levels that we considered potentially amenable to change through a training program--individual (WIC providers and clients), interpersonal (provider-client interaction) and organizational (physical layout of WIC sites and sequence of activities). However, our experiences both with the training program and the post-training evaluation, using ecological theory, indicated the fallacy of failing to apply the ecological model consistently throughout the formative research. Therefore, for maximum effect when using the ecological model, it is recommended that the whole model be applied at all stages of formative research: development, implementation and evaluation. A matrix is presented for monitoring complete application of the model.
Subsolidus Relations in the System ZrO2-ThO2-P2O5

Subsolidus phase equilibrium studies and linear thermal expansion data in the binary system ZrP2O7-ThP2O7 show that a series of metastable, low-expansion cubic solid solutions can be obtained at room temperature by a process of mutual stabilization. These solid solutions are ordinarily stable only above the inversions of ZrP2O7 and ThP2O7 at 300° and 1294°, respectively. Compatibility relations in other areas of the ternary system are shown in a diagram for equilibrium at 1400° and in another showing the influence of the metastable but very persistent form of 2ZrO2·p2O5.
Two PARALLEL EULER run time models: The dangling reference, impostor environment, and label problems

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss two implementations of an extension, to support parallel computation, of the programming language EULER [WW66]. The run time environments of these two implementations are based, respectively, on the deletion and retention storage management policies [Be71b]. In addition to the effect of adding parallel computation, some of the more interesting conceptual and implementation problems associated with block-structured high level programming languages arise when the assignment as values of labels, references (pointers), and procedure descriptors is permitted. In particular, the choice of storage management policy significantly affects the correctness of implementation. Some of these problems are discussed in this paper. The basic mode of exposition centers around the EULER programming language and machine, chosen for their use of well-understood basic principles and their widely available, concise (if not always well explained), and reasonably precise definition. Familiarity with the principles of ALGOL 60 implementation [RR64], EULER [WW66], and the contour model of block-structured processes [Jo71] is assumed.
Granular magnetic cobalt metal/polymer thin film system

Thin films consisting of granular dispersions of cobalt nano-particles in a hydrocarbon matrix are fabricated by simultaneous sputtering of cobalt and plasma induced polymerization of hydrocarbon monomers. It is confirmed that cobalt nano-particles with a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure are uniformly distributed throughout the amorphous hydrocarbon matrix. In-plane magnetic hysteresis loops obtained by MOKE (Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect) magnetometry measurements show significant differences between granular cobalt crystallites dispersed throughout the polymeric film matrix and cobalt crystallites in a continuous polycrystalline pure cobalt film due to the mechanism of domain boundary pinning. For the first time, the domain structures and wall motion in a cobalt/polymer system are captured in real time by Lorentz microscopy.
Curvature covariation as a factor in perceptual salience

The salience of a contour depends upon several factors, including continuity, closure and curvature consistency. We analyze the statistics of curvature variation using a single image from Shimon Ullman's (1988) original work on contour salience. We develop a measure based on the arc length of a contour segment over which curvature variation remains within a constrained range. Locally, all contours in the image are similar with respect to curvature consistency. However, when the entire contour is considered, the most salient contours are found to have the most consistent curvatures. This finding reinforces Ullman's point that salience is a global property of the object. We interpret these results in view of Rosenholtz's (1999) recent model of salience as a statistical measure of outliers from a population. In addition, we speculate on the visual cortical mechanisms in striate and extrastriate cortex required to carry out salience measurements on this class of images.
Promoting recovery in an evolving policy context: What do we know and what do we need to know about recovery support services?

As both a concept and a movement, “recovery” is increasingly guiding substance use disorder (SUD) services and policy. One sign of this change is the emergence of recovery support services that attempt to help addicted individuals using a comprehensive continuing care model. This paper reviews the policy environment surrounding recovery support services, the needs to which they should respond, and the status of current recovery support models. We conclude that recovery support services (RSS) should be further assessed for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, that greater efforts must be made to develop the RSS delivery workforce, and that RSS should capitalize on ongoing efforts to create a comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered health care system. As the SUD treatment system undergoes its most important transformation in at least 40 years, recovery research and the lived experience of recovery from addiction should be central to reform.
Sanfilippo syndrome type A in two adult sibs

We report on 2 adult sibs with Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA; deficiency of heparin sulfamidase) who were less functionally impaired than other reported individuals with this disorder. These individuals expand our understanding of the range of clinical expression that one may see in Sanfilippo syndrome type A. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Floodless in seattle: a scalable ethernet architecture for large enterprises

IP networks today require massive effort to configure and manage. Ethernet is vastly simpler to manage, but does not scale beyond small local area networks. This paper describes an alternative network architecture called SEATTLE that achieves the best of both worlds: The scalability of IP combined with the simplicity of Ethernet. SEATTLE provides plug-and-play functionality via flat addressing, while ensuring scalability and efficiency through shortest-path routing and hash-based resolution of host information. In contrast to previous work on identity-based routing, SEATTLE ensures path predictability and stability, and simplifies network management. We performed a simulation study driven by real-world traffic traces and network topologies, and used Emulab to evaluate a prototype of our design based on the Click and XORP open-source routing platforms. Our experiments show that SEATTLE efficiently handles network failures and host mobility, while reducing control overhead and state requirements by roughly two orders of magnitude compared with Ethernet bridging.
Pretreatment photosensitizer dosimetry reduces variation in tumor response

Purpose: To compensate for photosensitizer uptake variation in photodynamic therapy (PDT), via control of delivered light dose through photodynamic dose calculation based on online dosimetry of photosensitizer in tissue before treatment. Methods and Materials: Photosensitizer verteporfin was quantified via multiple fluorescence microprobe measurements immediately before treatment. To compensate individual PDT treatments, photodynamic doses were calculated on an individual animal basis, by matching the light delivered to provide an equal photosensitizer dose multiplied by light dose. This was completed for the lower quartile, median, and upper quartile of the photosensitizer distribution. PDT-induced tumor responses were evaluated by the tumor regrowth assay. Results: Verteporfin uptake varied considerably among tumors and within a tumor. The coefficient of variation in the surviving fraction was found significantly decreased in groups compensated to the lower quartile (CL-PDT), the median (CM-PDT), and the upper quartile (CU-PDT) of photosensitizer distribution. The CL-PDT group was significantly less effective compared with NC-PDT (Noncompensated PDT), CM-PDT, and CU-PDT treatments. No significant difference in effectiveness was observed between NC-PDT, CM-PDT, and CU-PDT treatment groups. Conclusions: This research suggests that accurate quantification of tissue photosensitizer levels and subsequent adjustment of light dose will allow for reduced subject variation and improved treatment consistency.
Sexual Pollution: Reproductive Sex Taboos in American Society

A theory is presented to explain the similarity between America and other societies in reproductive sex taboos. The theory argues that these taboos are based on a concept of sexual pollution and represent implicit mechanisms used to solve inevitable social dilemmas produced by marriage. Data were collected from a representative sample of adults to test the theory. The results showed that measures of commitment to traditional marital obligations accounted for 24% of the variability in adherence to the menstrual sex taboo. Adding additional variables to the theoretical model did not substantially affect the proposed relationship.
Bauschinger and size effects in thin-film plasticity

We present an experimental investigation of the effects of surface passivation, film thickness and grain size on the plastic behavior of freestanding Cu thin films. The stress–strain curves of the films are measured using the plane–strain bulge test. Films with a passivation layer on one or both surfaces have an offset yield stress that increases significantly with decreasing film thickness; the yield stress of unpassivated films, by contrast, is relatively independent of film thickness and increases mainly as a result of grain-size strengthening. The stress–strain curves of passivated films show an unusual Bauschinger effect on unloading. This effect is not observed for unpassivated films. Our experimental results suggest that passivation layers prevent dislocations from exiting the films and that they block slip bands at the film–passivation interface. The back stresses associated with these blocked slip bands increase the resistance to forward plastic flow on loading and cause reverse plastic flow on unloading. The effect of the back stresses increases with decreasing film thickness and leads to the observed strengthening of the passivated films. The constraint of a passivating layer on dislocation motion and hence on plastic flow cannot be described by classical plasticity theories, but can be modeled with some strain–gradient plasticity theories. We evaluate the suitability of the strain–gradient plasticity theory developed by Fleck and Hutchinson to describe our experimental results in a continuum framework. Comparison between experimental results and calculations yields very good agreement for the effect of film thickness, but the strain–gradient plasticity model fails to describe the Bauschinger effect observed in passivated films.
The effect of age on the histopathogenesis of 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)‐anthracene‐induced mammary tumors in the lewis rat

The influence of age at time of DMBA administration on (l) the histopathogenesis and site of mammary tumor origin and (2) the precancerous nature of DMBA-induced mammary dysplasias was examined in Lewis rats between 25 and 200 days of age. Rats were killed at various times after carcinogen treatment and the numbers of tumors and dysplasias were recorded from microscopic examination of mammary gland wholemounts. We found that, in all age-groups tested, mammary tumors always appeared to originate within mammary end-buds and terminal ductules and that terminal due-tule hyperplasia appeared to be an early stage in tumor formation. Age-related differences in susceptibility to tumor development were paralleled by similar differences in susceptibility to the development of terminal ductule hyperplasias. In contrast, although age-related differences in susceptibility to the development of hyperplastic alveolar nodules were also noted, they did not correspond to those observed for tumor development. Thus, hyperplastic alveolar nodules did not appear to be a site of tumor origin in situ or directly related to tumor development.