cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of modern chemotherapy on the survival of women presenting with de novo metastatic breast cancer

Data that directly associate utilization of novel systemic therapies with survival trends in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are limited. In the setting of de novo MBC, large registry analyses cite positive temporal trends in survival, but the extent to which advances in systemic therapy have contributed to these gains is not clear. The City of Hope Cancer Registry was used to identify a consecutive series of patients with de novo MBC who received their first line of therapy between 1985 and 2004. Comprehensive clinicopathologic and treatment-related data were collected for each patient. Univariate analyses were conducted via Cox regression to identify factors associated with improved survival. Multivariate analysis was also conducted via Cox regression and the stepwise procedure was used to identify independent predictors of survival. A total of 324 patients with de novo MBC were identified. After application of exclusion criteria, including the sole presence of supraclavicular node metastasis, 274 patients were retained in the analysis. The treatment-related characteristics associated with improved survival included: use of endocrine therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95%CI 0.47-0.77; P<0.0001), and addition of bisphosphonates (HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.52-0.96; P=0.02). However, recipients of novel cytotoxic agents (defined as drugs approved for MBC since 1994) had no improvement in survival relative to patients treated with older cytotoxic agents. On multivariate analysis, age (< 50), receipt of aromatase inhibitors, and receipt of zoledronic acid were independent predictors of survival. The overall survival of women with de novo metastatic breast cancer has improved over the past 20 years. However, the contribution of conventional cytotoxic agents to this improvement is minimal.
Catalytic enantioselective alkylative dearomatization-annulation: total synthesis and absolute configuration assignment of hyperibone K.

The asymmetric total synthesis of the polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol hyperibone K has been achieved using an enantioselective alkylative dearomatization−annulation process. NMR and computational studies were employed to probe the mode of action of a chiral phase-transfer (ion pair) catalyst.
An unconditionally stable finite difference scheme for solving a 3D heat transport equation in a sub-microscale thin film

Heat transport at the microscale is of vital importance in microtechnology applications. The heat transport equation is different from the traditional heat diffusion equation since a second-order derivative of temperature with respect to time and a third-order mixed derivative of temperature with respect to space and time are introduced. In this study, we develop a finite difference scheme with two levels in time for the 3D heat transport equation in a sub-microscale thin film. It is shown by the discrete energy method that the scheme is unconditionally stable. The 3D implicit scheme is then solved by using a preconditioned Richardson iteration, so that only a tridiagonal linear system is solved for each iteration. The numerical procedure is employed to obtain the temperature rise in a gold sub-microscale thin film.
Development of second generation EP2 antagonists with high selectivity

EP2 receptor has emerged as an important biological target for therapeutic intervention. In particular, it has been shown to exacerbate disease progression of a variety of CNS and peripheral diseases. Deletion of the EP2 receptor in mouse models recapitulates several features of the COX-2 inhibition, thus presenting a new avenue for anti-inflammatory therapy which could bypass some of the adverse side effects observed by the COX-2 inhibition therapy. We have recently reported a cinnamic amide class of EP2 antagonists with high potency, but these compounds exhibited a moderate selectivity against prostanoid receptor DP1. Moreover they possess acrylamide moiety in the structure, which may result in liver toxicity over longer period of use in a chronic disease model. Thus, we now developed a second generation compounds that devoid of the acrylamide functionality and possess high potency and improved (>1000-fold) selectivity to EP2 over other prostanoid receptors.
Naturopathic Management of Females with Cervical Atypia: A Delphi Process to Explore Current Practice

Background: Human papillomavirus is the most significant factor contributing to cervical cancer. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) implement an integrative approach to treat cervical atypia. This study explored practice consensus and variance among NDs. Methods: A purposefully selected panel of six NDs participated in a modified Delphi study to validate practice. Three electronic web-based surveys were completed over nine months. Results: Local and systemic treatments were included in all ND protocols. Six protocols included cervical cancer screening guidelines, green tea suppositories, and oral folic acid. Five protocols included oral green tea, diindoylemethane (DIM), and cartenoids. Four protocols incorporated Vitamin C. Two NDs considered escharotics when managing cervical atypia. All NDs included health behavior management in their protocols. Conclusion: Naturopathic management of cervical atypia varies across practitioners. However, in general, elements of management include (1) cervical cancer screening guidelines, (2) local and systemic treatments, (3) health behavior/lifestyle recommendations, and (4) immune system support.
Nutrient Dynamics in Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Future Directions

Abstract The most comprehensive investigations of N and P dynamics in Great Lakes coastal wetlands have been done at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC); whether OWC is a good general model of coastal freshwater wetlands remains to be shown. This wetland is probably a nutrient sink, storing P in sediments (at least temporarily) and releasing N by dissimilatory denitrification. Also, its biotic community transforms dissolved inorganic N and P inputs into organic dissolved and particulate outputs, thereby altering nutrient availability to Lake Erie communities. Nutrient dynamics in coastal wetlands probably differs greatly from that of inland marshes (where slow decomposition rates permit peat to accumulate as a nutrient sink) and estuaries (where high salinity alters sediment nutrient dynamics). A conceptual model specific for coastal wetlands is presented that accounts for the wide range of redox potentials encountered over the short vertical span of the shallow OWC wetland ecosystem. Future studies need to be conducted within the context of testable hypotheses generated from this model. Future investigations should focus attention on annualized nutrient budgets, sediment-water nutrient exchanges and their dependence on organic matter generated within the ecosystem.
Lack of thromboxane A2 involvement in the arrhythmias occurring during acute myocardial ischemia in dogs.

Coronary artery occlusion (CAO) followed by reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium has been associated with the onset of ventricular arrhythmias. It has been suggested that platelet aggregates in the ischemic area may release thromboxane A2 (TxA2) which may then be responsible for the arrhythmias that occur during reperfusion. To study this possibility, the effect of TxA2 synthetase inhibition on arrhythmias was examined in anesthetized dogs during occlusion and for 60 minutes following release. Imidazole (30 mg/kg) was infused intravenously for 10 minutes, followed by continuous infusion of 100 mg/kg/hr for 125 minutes. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded, 5 minutes after the initial dose, for 60 minutes. Three minutes after release of CAO, TxB2 concentrations were significantly higher in the arterial blood of vehicle-treated animals (2.06±0.53 pmoles/ml) than in either CAO + imidazole (0.66±0.16 pmoles/ml) or sham-CAO animals receiving imidazole (0.66±0.09 pmoles/ml). However, CAO dogs whether receiving imidazole or 0.9% NaCl generated a significantly greater number of ectopic beats during and after occlusion than sham-CAO animals. Therefore, release of TxA2 does not appear to be a major causative factor in the generation of reperfusion arrhythmias in dogs following coronary artery occlusion.
Connectivity threshold for random chordal graphs

We introduce a model for random chordal graphs. We determine the thresholds for: the first edge, completeness, isolated vertices and connectivity. Like the Erdos-Renyi model, the thresholds for isolated vertices and connectivity are the same. Unlike the Erdos-Renyi model in which the threshold occurs at 1/2n logn edges, this threshold occurs atO(n 2) edges.
Patient perceptions of chiropractic treatment for primary care disorders.

Abstract Objective Although some surveyed groups of chiropractors consider themselves qualified as primary care providers, consumer attitudes of such may affect practice success. The purpose of this study is to determine chiropractic patients' perception of chiropractors as primary care providers and to determine what disorders patients believe chiropractors can treat. Methods A 2-page survey was developed to collect information from current chiropractic patients at a teaching chiropractic clinic in the United States. Questions included (1) brief patient demographic information, (2) whether their chiropractor was their primary care physician, and (3) patient beliefs about chiropractors assessing and treating conditions that are common to a primary care medical practice. Conditions listed in the survey were based on a previous study on primary care medical physicians' practices. The sample of chiropractic patients was divided into suburban, urban, and chiropractic university–affiliated patients. Results There were 163 subjects who responded to this survey for a 58% response rate. Only 19% (30/157) saw their chiropractor as their primary care physician. However, for each ‘primary care condition’ listed, the percent of patients who affirmed that chiropractors could treat the condition varied greatly with many conditions showing an affirmative response of higher than 50% especially in the urban and university-affiliated patient groups. All patients overwhelmingly believed that chiropractors could treat musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions Patients have varied views of what chiropractors can and cannot treat. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for specific primary care disorders. The results of such studies may be the determining influence for public and physician opinion on the appropriateness of chiropractic care for these conditions.
Modal Filtering for Control of Flexible Aircraft

Modal regulators and deformation trackers are designed for an open-loop fluttering wing model. The regulators are designed with modal coordinate and accelerometer inputs respectively. The modal coordinates are estimated with simulated fiber optics. The robust stability of the closed-loop systems is compared in a structured singular-value vector analysis. Performance is evaluated and compared in a gust alleviation and flutter suppression simulation. For the same wing and flight condition two wing-shape-tracking control architectures are presented, which achieve deformation control at any point on the wing.
The lupus susceptibility locus Sle3 is not sufficient to accelerate atherosclerosis in lupus-susceptible low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice

Cardiovascular disease risk is increased in individuals suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus. Understanding the mechanism(s) of systemic lupus erythematosus-accelerated atherosclerosis is critical for the development of effective therapies. Our laboratory previously demonstrated that radiation chimeras of systemic lupus erythematosus-susceptible B6.Sle1.2.3 and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)(-/-) mice have augmented atherosclerosis, which is associated with increased T-cell burden and activation in the lesion. The goals of this study were to further define specific immune mechanisms that mediate accelerated atherosclerosis and to determine whether the gene interval Sle3, which is linked to lupus-associated T-cell dysregulation, was sufficient to modulate atherogenesis. We transferred B6.Sle3 or C57Bl/6-derived bone marrow cells into lethally irradiated LDLr( -/-) mice (hereafter referred to as LDLr.Sle3 and LDLr.B6, respectively). Sixteen weeks after transplantation, the mice were placed on a western-type diet for 8 weeks. Our analyses revealed that LDLr.Sle3 mice had increased auto-antibody production against double-stranded DNA and cardiolipin compared with LDLr.B6 controls. We also found an increase in atherosclerosis-associated oxLDL antibodies. Antibody isotypes and serum cytokine analysis suggested that the humoral immune response in LDLr.Sle3 mice was skewed toward a Th2 phenotype. This finding is consistent with lupus-associated immune dysregulation. Additionally, LDLr.Sle3 mice had decreased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, there was no difference in lesion area or cellular composition of lesions between the two groups. These data demonstrate that, despite no change in lesion area, transfer of Sle3-associated T-cell dysregulation alone to LDLr-deficient mice is sufficient to decrease serum cholesterol and to exacerbate humoral immune responses that are frequently associated with atherosclerosis.
Metabolic costs of viviparity in yellowtail rockfish,Sebastes flavidus

We estimated the energy utilized by developing embryos and larvae of yellowtail rockfish,Sebastes flavidus, by determining the routine metabolic rate of adult females throughout gestation and subtracting the mean metabolic rate of non-gestating fish. The pattern of maternal oxygen consumption during gestation was such that metabolic demands did not become significantly elevated until intra-ovarian embryos had hatched and larvae were being incubated (i.e. 24–28 d post-fertilization). Metabolic rates of females in this latter stage of gestation were 82% higher than spent females and 101% higher than those of non-reproductive males. We determined that 0.08996 cal embryo-1 was consumed during gestation as compared to the change in energy content of embryos from fertilization to birth which was 0.08690 cal embryo-1. The difference between the energy consumed and the energy lost during the 29 d gestation period indicated that extra embryonic sources contributed only 3.4% or 0.00306 cal embryo-1 of the energy utilized after fertilization. Our observations agree with previous work which determined that embryos and larvae ofS. flavidus are primarily lecithotrophic and that the relatively high fecundity ofS. flavidus coupled with a small egg size, rapid embryogenesis and brief gestation period characterize this species as a relative r-strategist within a genus whose species range broadly over the ‘K end’ of the r-K continuum.
Interstellar bullets - H2O masers and Herbig-Haro objects

The paper considers the energy input to H2O masers in a dense molecular cloud and analyzes the response time scales for both collisional and radiative pump models. Specific mechanisms for magnetic energy input are given. The evolution of dense H2O maser clouds is studied in the environment of a young pre-main-sequence star that has developed an appreciable supersonic wind. It is shown that compact clouds can be ejected at high velocity to distances of order 1 pc. It is suggested that these clouds (referred to as interstellar bullets) might explain the phenomena of Herbig-Haro objects and high-velocity gas motions observed near compact infrared objects.
Fast, cheap requirements prototype, or else!

Managing requirements modeling and prototyping is risky. If things go awry, projects can spiral out of control. Over the years, with the help of colleagues from industry and academia, the author has identified a requirements modeling and prototyping process that is fast, powerful, cost-effective, sane, and objective. The main lesson learnt is that throwaway prototyping (sometimes called exploratory prototyping) is always cost-effective and always improves specifications. The process has nine steps: elicit initial requirements; model requirements; identify constraints; prioritize initial requirements; design; evaluate designs; specification; interactive prototyping; and requirements validation. >
Human 12(R)-Lipoxygenase and the Mouse Ortholog MOLECULAR CLONING, EXPRESSION, AND GENE CHROMOSOMAL ASSIGNMENT

Expressed sequence tag information was used to clone the full-length sequence for a new human lipoxygenase from the B cell line CCL-156. A related mouse sequence with 83% nucleotide identity to the human sequence was also cloned. The human lipoxygenase, when expressed via the baculovirus/insect cell system produced an ≈80-kDa protein capable of metabolizing arachidonic acid to a product identified as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by mass spectrometry. Using chiral phase-high performance liquid chromatography, the product was identified as >98% 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid as opposed to the S-stereoisomer formed by all other known mammalian lipoxygenases. The single copy human 12(R)-lipoxygenase gene was localized to the chromosome 17p13 region, the locus where most other lipoxygenase genes are known to reside. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, but not by Northern blot, analysis the 12(R)-lipoxygenase mRNA was detected in B cells and adult skin. However, the related mouse lipoxygenase mRNA was highly expressed in epidermis of newborn mice and to a lesser extent in adult brain cortex. By in situhybridization the mouse lipoxygenase gene was demonstrated to be temporally and spatially regulated during embryogenesis. Expression was induced at embryonic day 15.5 in epidermis, nasal epithelium, and surface of the tongue. These results broaden the mammalian lipoxygenase family to include a 12(R)-lipoxygenase whose biological function remains to be determined.
Prolonged expression of IFNγ induced by protective blood-stage immunization against Plasmodium yoelii malaria

Mice vaccinated with whole blood-stage antigens of Plasmodium yoelii develop protective, antibody-mediated immune responses to homologous challenge infection. In this model the level of protection induced by whole parasite antigen vaccination is dependent on antibody isotype, which can be influenced by adjuvant formulations. In this study the ability adjuvant formulations to affect cytokine production and protection against P. yoelii blood-stage infection was investigated. Survival of mice in groups vaccinated with P. yoelii antigens in an aqueous mix of copolymer P1005 + RaLPS was 100%. Mice vaccinated with either P. yoelii antigens alone or combined with a water-in-oil emulsion of copolymer P1005 + RaLPS demonstrated 83 or 50% survival, respectively. The fully protective aqueous vaccine group produced higher levels of interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) than the water-in-oil vaccine group following a live parasite challenge infection. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with the aqueous vaccine displayed prolonged IFNgamma and IL-4 response as compared to mice that received the same antigens without adjuvants. These data support the hypothesis that both the Th1 cytokine IFNgamma, and the Th2 cytokine IL-4 are modulated by the vaccine vehicle and adjuvant used for vaccination, thus possibly affecting expression of protective immune responses. However, it is the long-lasting IFNgamma response following blood-stage P. yoelii parasite challenge that is associated with enhanced survival.
Integrating Retinotopic Features in Spatiotopic Coordinates

The receptive fields of early visual neurons are anchored in retinotopic coordinates (Hubel and Wiesel, 1962). Eye movements shift these receptive fields and therefore require that different populations of neurons encode an object's constituent features across saccades. Whether feature groupings are preserved across successive fixations or processing starts anew with each fixation has been hotly debated (Melcher and Morrone, 2003; Melcher, 2005, 2010; Knapen et al., 2009; Cavanagh et al., 2010a,b; Morris et al., 2010). Here we show that feature integration initially occurs within retinotopic coordinates, but is then conserved within a spatiotopic coordinate frame independent of where the features fall on the retinas. With human observers, we first found that the relative timing of visual features plays a critical role in determining the spatial area over which features are grouped. We exploited this temporal dependence of feature integration to show that features co-occurring within 45 ms remain grouped across eye movements. Our results thus challenge purely feedforward models of feature integration (Pelli, 2008; Freeman and Simoncelli, 2011) that begin de novo after every eye movement, and implicate the involvement of brain areas beyond early visual cortex. The strong temporal dependence we quantify and its link with trans-saccadic object perception instead suggest that feature integration depends, at least in part, on feedback from higher brain areas (Mumford, 1992; Rao and Ballard, 1999; Di Lollo et al., 2000; Moore and Armstrong, 2003; Stanford et al., 2010).
Comparison of Physical Activity Sensors and Heart Rate Monitoring for Real-Time Activity Detection in Type 1 Diabetes and Control Subjects

Abstract Background: Currently, patients with type 1 diabetes decide on the amount of insulin to administer based on several factors, including current plasma glucose value, expected meal input, and physical activity (PA). One future therapeutic modality for patients with type 1 diabetes is the artificial endocrine pancreas (AEP). Incorporation of PA could enhance the efficacy of AEP significantly. We compared the main technologies used for PA quantitation. Subjects and Methods: Data were collected during inpatient studies involving healthy control subjects and type 1 diabetes. We report PA quantified from accelerometers (acceleration units [AU]) and heart rate (HR) monitors during a standardized activity protocol performed after a dinner meal at 7 p.m. from nine control subjects (four were males, 37.4±12.7 years old, body mass index of 24.8±3.8 kg/m2, and fasting plasma glucose of 4.71±0.63 mmol/L) and eight with type 1 diabetes (six were males, 45.2±13.4 years old, body mass index of 25.1±2.9 kg/m2, and...
Comment on “Precipitation in gold-platinum alloys: thermodynamics”

Abstract : The purpose of the present note is to point out a computational error in a paper on the thermodynamics of the gold-platinum system by van der Toorn and Tiedema. It is also shown that the method used by these authors for calculating the free-energy curve from the phase diagram is, in any case, unreliable because of its extreme sensitivity to small shifts in the position of the phase boundaries.
Human leukocyte antigen class I‐independent pathways may contribute to hepatitis B virus‐induced liver disease after liver transplantation

The proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to the HBcAg was compared with serological, molecular and immunohistochemical parameters of hepatitis B virus infection and with biochemical and histological parameters of liver disease in a patient who received a completely human leukocyte antigen class I-mismatched liver allograft for fulminant hepatitis. The proliferative response increased progressively after transplantation, as hepatitis B virus infection became reestablished in the hepatic allograft. Strikingly, the HBcAg-specific T cells suddenly disappeared from the peripheral blood immediately before the acute onset of a severe necroinflammatory liver disease in which more than 80% of the hepatocytes expressed HBcAg. These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that human leukocyte antigen class I-independent hepatitis B virus-specific T cells might play a previously unsuspected role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus-induced liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;18:491–496.)
Explicit Demonstration of Spinor Character for a Spin 1/2 Nucleus via NMR Interferometry.

The results of a nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiment are presented which directly demonstrate the spinor character of a spin-1/2 nucleus, C-13. The interferometric spectroscopic technique used and its potential applications are discussed.
A review of the Child Development Associate Credential

The origins, development, and evaluations of the Child Development Associate Credential program are reviewed to provide the framework of its assumptions and implications for current practice. Several concerns are raised about the potential biases and narrowness inherent in the system. Evaluation efforts to date have been inadequate in addressing issues of reliability and validity in the system.
EFFECT OF LIGHT ON SOLANINE SYNTHESIS IN THE POTATO TUBER.

In 1820 Desfosses (15) discovered solanine, a basic substance in juice expressed from the berries of Solanum nigrum. He found (14) it almost insoluble in all solvents tried, except alcohol and acids. Six years later Baup reported (5) it also to be present in the potato (Solanum tuberosum), but he found much more in the sprouts than in the tubers. The chemical nature of the substance is even yet only partially known. Zwenger and Kind (51) found that it is stable when boiled with potassium hydroxide, and that it cannot reduce Fehling's solution, but (50) that it can be hydrolized by strong acids, giving rise to salts of an alkaloid (solanidine) and a solution which is able to reduce Fehling's solution. Identification of the hydrolytic products has been a gradual achievement of several investigators. It appears (24) that a molecule of solanine is composed of one molecule each of solanidine, glucose, galactose, and rhamnose ; and that three molecules of water are split out in the formation of the glucoside whose constituent groups are linked in the order in which they have been mentioned (35, 49). The empirical formula of solanidine is still a matter of disagreement (6, 35, 42, 46, 49), but it is known to be a tertiary base with a secondary alcohol group (42, 46). The glucoside is interesting for several reasons : 1. It is the only basic-reacting glucoside known (31 ).1 2. It has the foam-producing and haemolytic properties of saponins, yet contains nitrogen. 3. It frequently occurs in poisonous concentrations in market potatoes. 4. It is claimed that lesser concentrations increase intestinal absorption (28) by precipitating sterols (?). 5. It is uniquely toxic to conidiospores of Cladosporium fulvum which have been raised on glucose agar (1, 41) although spores taken directly from infected tomato leaves tolerate it better.
What Matters Most? A Review of MNE Literature, 1990‐2000

Based on a review of over 450 articles on multinational enterprises published in leading management journals from 1990‐2000, we identified eighteen issues that had engaged the attention of academic scholarship and evaluated their topical relevance. Ironically, very few of them addressed two of the most pressing issues facing business and society at the turn of the last millennium: terrorism and socio‐economic inequality. These glaring omissions suggest a gap between academic scholarship that focuses on “what is,” and research that speculates as to “what could be.” Suggestions are offered on how to close this important gap in the fi eld of international business.
Left thoracotomy approach for implantation of the Abiomed left ventricular assist device.

We describe a left thoracotomy approach for implantation of the Abiomed AB5000 left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The technique is easily performed and spares the patient a sternotomy in anticipation of future transplantation or LVAD exchange. (J Card Surg 2012;27:395-396)
Recent observations on the regulation of fetal metabolism by glucose

Glucose is the principal energy substrate for the the fetus and is essential for normal fetal metabolism and growth. Fetal glucose metabolism is directly dependent on the fetal plasma glucose concentration. Fetal glucose utilization is augmented by insulin produced by the developing fetal pancreas in increasing amounts as gestation proceeds, which enhances glucose utilization among the insulin-sensitive tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, heart, adipose tissue) that increase in mass and thus glucose need during late gestation. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion increases over gestation. Both insulin secretion and insulin action are affected by prevailing glucose concentrations and the amount and activity of tissue glucose transporters. In cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal weight-specific tissue glucose uptake rates and glucose transporters are maintained or increased, while synthesis of amino acids into protein and corresponding insulin–IGF signal transduction proteins are decreased. These observations demonstrate the mixed phenotype of the IUGR fetus that includes enhanced glucose utilization capacity, but diminished protein synthesis and growth. Thus, the fetus has considerable capacity to adapt to changes in glucose supply by relatively common and understandable mechanisms that regulate fetal metabolism and growth and could underlie certain later life metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes mellitus.
General anesthesia complicated by unexpected hypertension and tachycardia

A 33-year-old, 63-kg man with systemic lupus erythematosus, mild diastolic hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) was admitted for elective myocardial revascularization and mitral valve replacement. His chronic preoperative medications included prednisone, isosorbide dinitrate, enalapril, and furosemide. Physical examination was remarkable for a loud holosystolic murmur radiating to the axilla and stigmata of systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient received his usual medications on the morning of surgery, plus 100 mg of intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone. In addition to standard monitoring (electrocardigraphic [ECG] leads II and Vs, and digital pulse oximetry), invasive hemodynamic monitoring was established using local anesthesia, and included radial arterial and pulmonary artery catheters (PAC). Upon induction of anesthesia using fentanyl, 4,000 pg, midazolam, 2 mg, and metocurine, 20 mg, the heart rate (HR) rapidly increased from 80 to 140 beats/min, mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased from 90 to 135 mm Hg (Fig l), and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) increased from 27 to 53 mm Hg. A Berman-type oral airway was placed to facilitate mask ventilation, but controlled ventilation by mask was extremely difficult due to truncal rigidity. Upper extremity rigidity and cutaneous pallor were also noted. IV esmolol, 150 mg, labetalol, 20 mg, and nitroprusside, 40 ug, were administered during the next 1.5 minutes, and a nitroglycerin infusion (1.6 pg/kg/min) was begun. The MAP returned to an acceptable level in approximately 10 minutes. Pancuronium, 5 mg, was admin-
Role of Study Skills in Graduate-Level Educational Research Courses

Abstract Graduate students' predominant study skill strengths and weaknesses were examined, as well as the relationship between specific study skills and achievement in a research methodology course. Graduate students (N = 122) from various education disciplines who were enrolled in 3 sections of an educational research course at a southeast university were administered the Study Habits Inventory (Jones & Slate, 1992). Students responded appropriately to 57.8% of the statements measuring study skills. Although that proportion was significantly higher than that found for undergraduate students in previous studies, graduate students could benefit from study skills training. Study skill weaknesses were identified in the areas of note taking and reading skills. Regression and discriminant analyses led to the identification of specific study behaviors that discriminated higher and lower levels of course achievement. Implications for intervention programs are discussed.
Flow Compactifications of Nondiscrete Monoids, Idempotents and Hindman's Theorem

We describe the extension of the multiplication on a not-necessarily-discrete topological monoid to its flow compactification. We offer two applications. The first is a nondiscrete version of Hindman's Theorem, and the second is a characterization of the projective minimal and elementary flows in terms of idempotents of the flow compactification of the monoid.
An MPI tool for automatically discovering the switch level topologies of Ethernet clusters

We present an MPI topology discovery tool for homogeneous Ethernet switched clusters. Unlike existing Ethernet topology discovery methods that rely on simple network management protocol (SNMP) queries to obtain the topology information, our tool infers the topology from end-to- end measurements. The tool works on clusters connected by managed and/or unmanaged Ethernet switches, and does not require any special privilege. We discuss the theoretical foundation of the tool, present the algorithms used, and report our evaluation of the tool.
Doors opening: A mechanism for growth after adversity

People commonly experience positive psychological changes after adversity, but little is known about how this growth happens. We propose that engagement with new possibilities – seeing ‘doors opening’ in the wake of loss – is key in this process. We hypothesized that people would report greater growth if they saw new possibilities in the aftermath of adversity. We also predicted that unless people had engaged with new possibilities, they would report greater deterioration when adversity disrupted their core beliefs. A diverse group of adults (N = 276) from the US and India participated in a cross-sectional online study. Individuals experienced more growth if they had experienced more core belief disruption and more engagement with new possibilities. Engagement partially mediated the relationship between core belief disruption and growth. Engagement may also buffer against deterioration when core beliefs are disrupted. We conclude that pursuing new opportunities may be a crucial step in growth.
Charting the roadmap to magnetic fusion energy

With the ITER era now well underway, the fusion community is considering the next major steps in magnetic fusion energy (MFE) development. It follows that there is heightened interest worldwide in understanding the roadmap to commercial MFE. In reality, there is no unique roadmap. An important differentiator among possible pathways is risk, i.e. the risks accepted in going from step to step and how risks are mitigated through R&D programs that accompany and support the progression of major nuclear devices. We consider a rollback approach, starting from a definition of what Demo (a power plant that is the last step before commercialization) must accomplish. We assess, in fusion science and technology terms, the mission and requirements for Demo, its prerequisites, and the requirements for a major nuclear devices and the accompanying programs that could precede Demo in order to satisfy its prerequisites. One option for a pre-Demo MFE device is a pilot plant, a facility that would develop and test nuclear components surrounding the plasma, prototype maintenance schemes applicable to a power plant, and demonstrate both tritium self-sufficiency and net electricity generation. An initial assessment of the pilot plant, in terms of its potential to satisfy Demo prerequisites and the associated risks, is presented.
Abstract IA20: Targeted lung cancer chemoprevention through reverse migration

The hypothesis that lung cancer can be prevented with agents selected on the basis of epidemiologic data has, unfortunately, been disproven in many large randomized trials conducted in the last 25 years. The results of these trials have overwhelmingly demonstrated not only the lack of benefit of most chemopreventive agents selected in this manner but also, importantly, the harmful effects of some of these agents in subsets of patients including current smokers. Despite limited progress in the multimodality treatment of lung cancer, the cure rate for this disease is very disappointing; however, more recent discoveries of molecular “driver mutation” targets in lung cancer and treatment approaches with “matched” targeted agents in selected patient cohorts has been highly promising. This latter approach demonstrates that progression of even heterogeneous cancers can be intercepted by “molecularly relevant” targeted agents for the treatment of advanced disease. A proposed new strategy for lung cancer prevention, therefore, is to apply a “reverse migration” of agents from the advanced disease to the chemopreventive setting; that is, to first identify the molecular drivers in the premalignant target tissue, and then to match these “hallmark” changes with molecularly targeted agents seen to be effective in advanced disease. This approach can be applied in the adjuvant as well as prevention settings, as has been demonstrated by the use of tamoxifen in breast cancer. Thus, the major points I am going to present include the current landscape of chemoprevention in lung cancer and a new strategy of “reverse migration” for future chemoprevention trials in the 21st century.
A 7 Mbyte/s (65 MHz), mixed-signal, magnetic recording channel DSP using partial response signaling with maximum likelihood detection

A mixed-signal, 7.0 Mbyte/s PRML (partial-response maximum likelihood) read/write channel is discussed in this paper. PR-IV (minimum signal bandwidth) for signal encoding is used, along with ML (maximum likelihood) detection to achieve superior error rate performance. Signal equalization is provided using a programmable ten-tap FIR (finite impulse response) digital filter. This read/write channel is implemented on a single chip using analog circuits and 20 K CMOS logic gates. The 7.5 mm square chip uses a 5 V, 1 /spl mu/m, BiCMOS process with a 6 GHz n-p-n and a 1 GHz p-n-p and is packaged in a 100-lead metal QFPK (quad flat pack). >
Adolescents with or at ultra‐high risk for bipolar disorder exhibit erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid deficits: a candidate prodromal risk biomarker

Aim Mood disorders are associated with low levels of the long-chain omega-3 (LCn-3) fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This study investigated LCn-3 fatty acid biostatus in youth with or at varying risk for developing mania to assess its utility as a prodromal risk biomarker. Method Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was determined in healthy adolescents (n = 28, HC), asymptomatic adolescents with a biological parent with bipolar I disorder (n = 30; ‘high risk’, HR), adolescents with a biological parent with bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder, or depressive disorder not otherwise specified (n = 36; ‘ultra-high risk’, UHR), and first-episode adolescent bipolar manic patients (n = 35, BP). Results Group differences were observed for DHA (P ≤ 0.0001) and EPA (P = 0.03). Compared with HC, erythrocyte EPA + DHA (‘omega-3 index’) was significantly lower in BP (−24%, P ≤ 0.0001) and UHR (−19%, P = 0.0006) groups, and there was a trend in the HR group (−11%, P = 0.06). Compared with HC (61%), a greater percentage of HR (77%, P = 0.02), UHR (80%, P = 0.005) and BP (97%, P = 0.001) subjects exhibited EPA + DHA levels of ≤4.0%. Among all subjects (n = 130), EPA + DHA was inversely correlated with manic (r = −0.29, P = 0.0008) and depressive (r = −0.28, P = 0.003) symptom severity. The AA/EPA + DHA ratio was significantly greater in BP (+22%, P = 0.0002) and UHR (+16%, P = 0.001) groups. Conclusions Low EPA + DHA levels coincide with the initial onset of mania, and increasing risk for developing bipolar disorder is associated with graded erythrocyte EPA + DHA deficits. Low erythrocyte EPA + DHA biostatus may represent a promising prodromal risk biomarker warranting additional evaluation in future prospective studies.
Disease detection technique using the principal orthogonal decomposition on DNA microarray data

In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility in disease detection using a pattern recognition technique on DNA data expressed in microarrays. Specifically, we employ the Principal Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) method (also known as the Karhunen-Loeve method) to extract the characteristics of a disease from a collection of DNA samples of individuals who suffer the disease. The resulting primary component captures the dominant features of the original samples. Such representatives are then correlated with an arbitrary sample to determine whether the sample carries the disease. Though the approach can be applied to other diseases, in our study we showed that the POD method could be applied to the DNA microarrays to positively detect liver and bladder cancers. s n i i x V 1 & . Our goal is to construct a set of basis functions �� ^` s n i i x 1 ) & , whose first few elements can capture all the dominant features of the entire snapshots collection. In other words, the primary component 1
The Community College Survey of Men: An Initial Validation of the Instrument's Non-Cognitive Outcomes Construct

The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss the utility of the Community College Survey of Men (CCSM©), an instrument designed to examine predictors of student success for men in community colleges. The authors highlight initial validation results from a recent pilot of the CCSM©, with a focus on the non-cognitive outcomes construct employed in the instrument. A factor analysis enabled the identification of multiple non-cognitive outcomes and item elimination. Reliability analyses indicated that the instrument has strong internal consistency for men as a whole, and for cross-racial/ethnic comparisons. Given this, the authors suggest that this instrument be used to inform programming and service-delivery designed to enhance the success of men of color in the community college.
Modeling ablation of charring heat shield materials for non-continuum hypersonic flow

We describe the on-going development of physical models for use with the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method that allow the injection of pyrolysis gases generated by the ablation of charring thermal protection system material for ows in translational nonequilibrium. The test case used in the study is the Stardust reentry capsule, which employed a Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) heat shield and experienced very high heat loads during its descent through the atmosphere of the Earth. We systematically examine the e ect of improving the level of sophistication of the physical models used for chemical reactions, surface temperature, and ablative mass ux on the predicted ow eld and surface properties.
Using passive traces of application traffic in a network monitoring system

Adaptive grid applications require up-to-date network resource measurements and predictions to help steer their adaptation to meet performance goals. To this end, we are interested in monitoring the available bandwidth of the underlying networks in the most accurate and least obtrusive way. Bandwidth is either measured by actively injecting data probes into the network or by passively monitoring existing traffic, but there is a definite trade-off between the active approach, which is invasive, and the passive approach, which is rendered ineffective during periods of network idleness. We are developing the Wren bandwidth monitoring tool, which uses packet traces of existing application traffic to measure available bandwidth. We demonstrate that the principles supporting active bandwidth tools can be applied to passive traces of the LAN and WAN traffic generated by high-performance grid applications. We use our results to form a preliminary characterization of the application traffic required by available bandwidth techniques to produce effective measurements. Our results indicate that a low overhead, passive monitoring system supplemented with active measurements can be built to obtain a complete picture of the network's performance.
Range Education in the 21st Century: Striking the Balance to Maintain a Relevant Profession

Range science education programs strive to keep pace with the changing needs of the range profession and to ensure that range graduates are knowledgeable, skilled, and able to address contemporary, complex problems unique to rangelands. Today, range education programs face many challenges in our ability to meet the demands and needs of our profession and society. First, our capacity to meet the demands for range science graduates has been diminished by 1) elimination or restructuring of academic rangeland science programs, 2) reduced numbers of range-trained faculty teaching rangeland courses, and 3) limited public awareness of degrees and careers in rangeland science and management. Second, range education programs are challenged to strike a balance between retaining traditional basics and modernizing curriculum to include contemporary concepts and technologies. Third, range science graduates need to understand the current social, political, and economic context of resource management, including global change issues that are of paramount concern to society. We propose multiple approaches to meet these challenges: 1) perform needs assessments with diverse stakeholders to ensure that range education programs are relevant to society’s needs and address the future of the profession; 2) find innovative approaches to strike the educational balance between fundamental concepts, practical field experiences, and mastery of technical and interpersonal skills; 3) collaborate across institutional boundaries to share educational resources and incorporate course formats that meet the diverse needs of today’s students; 4) examine and align professional qualifications, educational standards, and curriculum by defining learning outcomes and core competencies needed by well-trained range professionals; and 5) communicate the unique features of the rangeland profession that solidify its position among the disciplinary pillars of natural resource science and management.
Television Broadcast Demand for National Football League Contests

Previous research estimating demand for sporting events has focused largely on professional baseball and European football (soccer), using attendance as a proxy of demand. This article estimates demand for National Football League games using television broadcast ratings, permitting the additional novelty of generating estimations in both the home and visiting clubs’ markets. The study uses a linear mixed model to demonstrate that many of the factors influencing attendance hold true with respect to television demand. Furthermore, many of the factors influencing demand for the aforementioned leagues hold true for the National Football League. Team quality, tenure in the market, and games contested in primetime all increased ratings, while income and sharing a market were negatively associated with ratings. Intradivisional games showed no statistically significant effect. The findings further suggest that the factors influencing ratings in home and road markets are essentially similar.
Low Profile Packaging for MEMS Aero-acoustic Sensors

This paper describes a semi-automated conductive ink process used for packaging MEMS devices. The method is applied to packaging of MEMS sensors for wind tunnel testing. The primary advantage of the method is a reduction in surface topology between the package and the integrated MEMS sensors. In this paper we explore the relationship between trace dimensions, resistivity, and deposition parameters such as feed rate, tip-substrate separation and tip diameter. Using this procedure it is possible to generate interconnects between a PC board and MEMS sensor chip with a topology of less than 25 micrometers.