cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent transverse arch hypoplasia is associated with systemic hypertension after coarctation of aorta repair

Methods A retrospective review of clinical, CMR and exercise data on patients after coarctation repair was performed to include patients who had CMR from 2005-2014. Patients with atypical coarctation, major heart defects, residual coarctation (right arm-leg blood pressure gradient > 20 mm Hg) or >mild semilunar or atrioventricular valve stenosis/regurgitation were excluded. Patients satisfying standard criteria for resting hypertension and those on anti-hypertensive medication were classified as being “hypertensive”. In a subset of patients, exercise testing was used to evaluate the increase in right arm systolic blood pressure (SBP) and arm-leg SBP gradient during peak exercise. CMR images were analyzed to calculate the minimum TAA diameter z-score, the ratio of TAA and thoracic descending aorta (DAO) diameters, isthmus diameter z-score and, LV mass/BSA.
Relationship between cone pigments and genes in deuteranomalous subjects

Nathans et al. (1986) investigated the molecular genetic basis of red-green color vision deficiencies by Southern analysis using cloned human pigment genes as probes. Results obtained from dichromats were used to develop a scheme to identify which genes encode middle-wavelength sensitive (MWS) pigments and which encode long-wavelength sensitive (LWS) pigments. According to this scheme, most deuteranomalous subjects have both normal MWS and normal LWS pigment genes in addition to ‘fusion’ pigment genes (i.e., having sequences derived from both types of normal genes). From this they proposed that deuteranomaly arises from the expression of both normal MWS and anomalous pigments in the same cones. We have examined both the cone pigment genes and the color vision of deuteranomalous subjects. The results from Southern analysis of the genes agree with those of Nathans et al. (1986). However, the results from color matching indicate that these deuteranomalous subjects do not express any significant amount of normal MWS pigment. One interpretation is that the genes in deuteranomals identified as normal MWS pigment genes actually encode LWS pigments.
The biodistribution of Lu177-AMBA in normal monkeys by planar and SPECT imaging

267 Objectives: Bombesin receptors are expressed in prostate and other cancers. A novel bombesin receptor binding peptide, AMBA, labeled with Lu177 is in phase 1 clinical trials for the radiotherapy of prostate cancer. This study evaluated the biodistribution in monkeys of Lu177-AMBA preliminary to late radiation toxicity studies. Methods: Lu177-AMBA was prepared via a DO3A-CH2CO-G-4 aminobenzoyl chelate. Radiochemical purity at administration was established by RP-HPLC and averaged 91%. Four male cynomologus monkeys received in a leg vein 1 ug/kg (1 mCi/ug) delivered at 1ug/ml/min. Planar images were obtained every minute for 20 min, then periodically over 3 h and finally at 24 h. Radioactivity accumulations were estimated for major organs by comparison with a set of standard phantoms. SPECT images were acquired for 3 animals in the first 3 h. Results: The early images confirmed the fast renal clearance of Lu177-AMBA. At 20 min, the remaining radioactivity was primarily in the blood pool (heart), liver, pancreas and kidneys. Activity in all four tissues decreased steadily, reaching about 5%, 2-4%, 1-2% and 5-8% at 2.5 h, respectively, while at 24 h neither the liver nor heart was visible. The pancreas was obscured by the kidneys and liver in early planar images so SPECT was used to confirm accumulations in this organ. The pancreas became visible in the planar images at 24 h, since clearance was slower than that of the kidneys. At 24 h whole body radioactivity was about 8%, essentially in intestinal contents and pancreas, and was confirmed by counting urine and faeces that showed about 90% had cleared by this time. Conclusions: Lu177-AMBA in the non-human primate cleared major organs including the kidneys. There was a small percentage in the pancreas, a GRP receptor containing tissue. These results generally support observations in rodents and suggest that the monkey is a reasonable animal model for the study of late radiation toxicity.
Phenotypic Characterization of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors

Abstract Context Although paclitaxel is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, little is known about the impact of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) on cancer survivors. Objectives The purposes of this study were to evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics as well as measures of sensation, balance, upper extremity function, perceived stress, symptom burden, and quality of life (QOL) between survivors who received paclitaxel and did (n = 153) and did not (n = 58) develop PIPN. Methods Pain characteristics associated with PIPN are described in detail. Both subjective and objective measures were used to evaluate the impact of PIPN. Results Survivors with PIPN were significantly older, had a higher body mass index, and a worse comorbidity profile. The duration of PIPN was almost four years, and pain scores were in the moderate range. Compared with survivors without PIPN, survivors with PIPN had a higher number of upper and lower extremity sites that had lost light touch, cold, and pain sensations. Survivors with PIPN had worse upper extremity function, more problems with balance, a higher symptom burden, and higher levels of perceived stress. In addition, survivors with PIPN had worse QOL scores particularly in the domain of physical functioning. Conclusion The findings from this large descriptive study are the first to document the impact of PIPN on survivors' symptom burden, functional status, and QOL.
99Tc immobilization from off-gas waste streams using nickel-doped iron spinel.

Abstract Technetium-99 (99Tc) incorporation within stable spinel phases is a novel method for 99Tc removal and immobilization from waste streams. In this study, transformation of Ni-doped Fe(OH)2(s) to spinel minerals, e.g. trevorite (NiFe2O4), is explored as a method for removing 99Tc from Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) primary off-gas waste stream simulant. The Fe(OH)2(s) transformation process was found to reduce 99Tc(VII) to 99Tc(IV) and incorporate reduced Tc(VI) into the produced spinel simultaneously. Nickel doping was applied in the mineral transformation to inhibit potential reoxidation of 99Tc(IV). Solid phase characterization by XRD and XANES confirmed the formation of nickel substituted ferric-spinel, and suggest incorporation of 99Tc(IV) in the final spinel. Furthermore, in the primary off-gas stream, which contains both redox-sensitive contaminants Cr(VI) and 99Tc(VII), results from solution analysis and solid digestion indicate that nearly 100% Cr and over 80% 99Tc can be simultaneously removed by adding Fe(OH)2(s) to solution with a solid to solution ratio of 5 g/L under near neutral and alkaline conditions. The 99Tc removal approach developed herein provides an alternative treatment method to eliminate the proposed recycle process of the off-gas waste stream, which ultimately can reduce WTP mission cost and operation time.
QoS guaranteed online management of battery swapping station under dynamic energy pricing

Further popularisation of electric vehicles (EVs) is hindered by their relatively short driving distance and long battery charging time. To overcome these shortcomings, the battery swapping station (BSS) has been proposed as a means of satisfying the increasing demands for fast EV battery recharging. At a BSS, (partially) depleted batteries from EVs can be replaced with partially or fully charged ones almost instantaneously. Recharging scheduling and maintenance of batteries are done by the operator of BSS, with the target of minimising electrical energy costs while satisfying customer demands. In this study, the authors consider a realistic BSS framework in which EVs can arrive at BSS with time of day dependent rates having different battery state-of-charges. They investigate the battery charging scheduling problem in the BSS under a dynamic energy pricing. They solve (i) an online optimal BSS control problem to minimise the energy cost with a quality-of-service (QoS) guarantee, and (ii) an offline optimal BSS design problem to determine the optimal number of stored batteries so as to achieve a desirable tradeoff between flexibility in charging and amortised battery costs. The experimental results show that the total charging energy cost can be reduced significantly under different traffic scenarios.
Exploring the Use of Smartphone Geofencing to Study Characteristics of Alcohol Drinking Locations in High-Risk Gay and Bisexual Men.

Background Geofencing offers new opportunities to study how specific environments affect alcohol use and related behavior. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using geofencing to examine social/environmental factors related to alcohol use and sexual perceptions in a sample of gay and bisexual men (GBM) who engage in heavy drinking and high-risk sex. Methods HIV-negative GBM (N = 76) completed ecological momentary assessments for 30 days via a smartphone application and were prompted to complete surveys when inside general geofences set around popular bars and clubs. A subset (N = 45) were also asked to complete surveys when inside personal geofences, which participants set themselves by identifying locations where they typically drank heavily. Results Approximately 49% of participants received a survey prompted by a general geofence. Among those who identified at least 1 personal drinking location, 62.2% received a personal geofence-prompted survey. Of the 175 total location-based surveys, 40.2% occurred when participants were not at the location that was intended to be captured. Participants reported being most able to openly express themselves at gay bars/clubs and private residences, but these locations were also more "sexualized" than general bars/clubs. Participants did not drink more heavily at gay bars/clubs, but did when in locations with more intoxicated patrons or guests. Conclusions Geofencing has the potential to improve the validity of studies exploring environmental influences on drinking. However, the high number of "false-positive" prompts we observed suggests that geofences should be used carefully until improvements in precision are more widely available.
The development of the continental rule through law

This will be the third chapter in a forthcoming book on the Rule of Law, Economic Development, and Corporate Governance. The first chapter will introduce the book’s themes and theses, the second (already on SSRN) gives the history of the development of the English concept of the Rule of Law, and this chapter discusses the development of the similar civil law concept, the Rule through law, otherwise known as Rechtsstaat.
Present-day management of uterine leiomyosarcoma: Evaluation of treatment sequencing and other prognostic factors.

e18035Background: Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a rare tumor with limited therapeutic options and no clearly established best treatment sequence strategy. Methods: Women with ULMS between 2013-2...
Overcoming Classroom Skepticism with Evolution in Action

Public acceptance of evolution is conspicuously low in the United States. This is especially true in the American Southeast, where the famous “Scopes Monkey Trial” made the religious objections of rural Tennesseans to Darwin’s theory famous. In this piece I argue that disbelief in evolution in the Southeast is caused more by social factors than by scientific ones, and I present some efforts that I have successfully used to side-step these social issues in order to effectively teach evolutionary biology to diverse college students in Alabama. I close by calling on other educators to work to defuse the religious, political, and social minefields that separate academic biologists and the public in order to be more effective communicators and teachers of evolution.
Implementing Technology That Disrupts Health Systems but not Quality of Care: The Pocket Colposcope in Lima, Peru

PURPOSEInnovative devices are often targeted at increasing access, improving quality, or reducing costs—the three axes of the infamous Iron Triangle of Health Care, which are notoriously difficult ...
Efficient Adjoint Computation for Wavelet and Convolution Operators [Lecture Notes]

First-order optimization algorithms, often preferred for large problems, require the gradient of the differentiable terms in the objective function. These gradients often involve linear operators and their adjoints, which must be applied rapidly. We consider two example problems and derive methods for quickly evaluating the required adjoint operator. The first example is an image deblurring problem where we must compute efficiently the adjoint of multistage wavelet reconstruction. Our formulation of the adjoint works for a variety of boundary conditions, which allows the formulation to generalize to a larger class of problems. The second example is a blind channel estimation problem taken from the optimization literature where we must compute the adjoint of the convolution of two signals. In each example, we show how the adjoint operator can be applied efficiently while leveraging existing software.
Antireflux surgery leads to durable improvement in laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms are often present in patients with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Whereas antireflux surgery (ARS) provides predictably excellent results in patients with typical GERD, those with atypical symptoms have variable outcomes. The goal of this study was to characterize the response of LPR symptoms to antireflux surgery. Patients who underwent ARS between January 2009 and May 2020 were prospectively identified from a single institutional database. Patient-reported information on LPR symptoms was collected at standardized time points (preoperative and 2 weeks, 8 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively) using a validated Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaire. Patients were grouped by preoperative RSI score: ≤ 13 (normal) and > 13 (abnormal). Baseline characteristics were compared between groups using chi-square test or t-test. A mixed effects model was used to evaluate improvement in RSI scores. One hundred and seventy-six patients fulfilled inclusion criteria (mean age 57.8 years, 70% female, mean BMI 29.4). Patients with a preoperative RSI ≤ 13 (n = 61) and RSI > 13 (n = 115) were similar in age, BMI, primary reason for evaluation, DeMeester score, presence of esophagitis, and hiatal hernia (p > 0.05). The RSI > 13 group had more female patients (80 vs 52%, p = 30) had the best response to ARS. When analyzing individual symptoms, the most likely to improve included heartburn, hoarseness, and choking. In our study population, patients with LPR symptoms achieved a rapid and durable response to antireflux surgery. Those with higher preoperative RSI scores experienced the greatest improvement. Our data suggest that antireflux surgery is a viable treatment option for this patient population.
Specification and Informational Issues in Credit Scoring

Lenders use rating and scoring models to rank credit applicants on their expected performance. The models and approaches are numerous. We explore the possibility that estimates generated by models developed with data drawn solely from extended loans are less valuable than they should be because of selectivity bias. We investigate the value of reject inference - methods that use a rejected applicant's characteristics, rather than loan performance data, in scoring model development. In the course of making this investigation, we also discuss the advantages of using parametric as well as nonparametric modeling. These issue are discussed and illustrated in the context of a simple stylized model.
New pi-model of bipolar transistor noise for circuit analysis and simulation and technique to reduce phase noise in bipolar oscillators

A new bipolar transistor noise model for SPICE and SPICE based simulation software is introduced. The parameters of the new bipolar transistor noise model are predicted using MATLAB and the results are compared with measurement results. The new model avoids the unreal situation in the current model where the transistors will have no 1/f noise in the collector current output if the impedance in the base circuit is small. Low frequency feedback is utilized to reduce the effect of base-emitter current 1/f noise in bipolar transistor oscillators. A resistance in the emitter that is bypassed at the higher oscillation frequency but not at the lower 1/f noise frequency will reduce the nonlinear mixing of the two current signals and phase noise in oscillator. The concepts are demonstrated by a simple low frequency oscillator.
A framework architecture for student learning in distributed embedded systems

Academic courses focused on individual microcomputers or client/server applications are no longer sufficient for students to develop knowledge in embedded systems. Current and near-term industrial systems employ multiple interacting components and new network and security approaches; hence, academic preparation requires teaching students to develop realistic projects comparable to these real-world products. However, the complexity, breadth, and technical variations of these real-world products are difficult to reproduce in the classroom. This paper outlines preliminary work on a framework architecture suitable for academic teaching of modern embedded systems including the Internet of Things. It defines four layers, two of which are at the edges of the network, and not adequately covered in academia. For each layer of the architecture, specific technology and suitable devices are identified. Desired academic outcomes for courses using projects based on the architecture are identified. Feedback and comparison is sought on how effective student course and research activities based on the framework will be to real-world embedded systems developers.
Mirage of Defense: Reexamining Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty After the Terrorist Attacks on the United States

In 1949, twelve nations formed a regional alliance in an effort to counter perceived Soviet expansion, creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Collective defense-assisting member states under attack by an outside country, as articulated in Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty-has historically been its core function. Following fifty years of dormancy, Article Five was invoked after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. This Note discusses the expanding role of Article Five, increasing regionalization challenges, and whether the Treaty's obligations compel affirmative actions from its members.
A doubly vergent fan structure in the Peninsular Ranges batholith: Transpression or local complex flow around a continental margin buttress?

[1] The Jura-Cretaceous Peninsular Ranges batholith (PRB) of southern and Baja California contains a remarkable example of a crustal transition between juxtaposed oceanic and continental floored arcs. Jura-Cretaceous deformation in the PRB is focused along this lithospheric discontinuity and defines a zone of contractional deformation that stretches at least 800 km along the batholith. The western edge of this zone is associated with a dramatic eastward increase in maximum recorded metamorphic pressures (from 2 to 6 kbar) and temperatures (from 650°C). Elsewhere in the North American Cordillera, similar lithospheric boundaries are thought to accommodate various amounts of orogen-parallel displacements of outboard tectonic fragments. To test this proposal in the PRB, we examined an unusually well-preserved part of the transition zone in the southern Sierra San Pedro Martir (SSPM). Here a spectacular ∼20 km wide, doubly vergent fan structure, which developed over a period >40 m.y. during both Jurassic and Cretaceous magmatism, occurs along the transition zone. This structure consists of moderately inward dipping, outward vergent, fold and thrust belts with widespread mylonitic fabrics that steepen toward the center where both mylonitic and magmatic fabrics occur in syntectonic, vertically sheeted plutons. Mineral lineations change from steeply pitching on the sides of the fan to moderately pitching in the center. A number of constraints on possible displacements, rotation of units, and duration of fabric formation limit the amount of orogen-parallel displacement to a few kilometers across the fan structure in the SSPM. Instead, we propose that the fan structure is a local feature that results from a combination of tectonic wedging caused by a cusp of rigid, pre-Mesozoic continental margin crust at this location and vise tectonics that arose from strong lateral rheological gradients resulting from extensive heating by the sheeted tonalite complex, focused deformation along the lithospheric discontinuity, and subsequent strain softening. We suggest that these mechanical controls on deformation during orthogonal convergence may be common in other orogens where similar fan structures have been attributed to transpression, emphasizing the need for caution in interpreting such features as zones of significant, orogen-parallel displacement.
Evaluation of self-heating in SOI CMOS ULSI

SOI technology potentially offers numerous benefits over bulk silicon at deep submicron dimensions. However, the presence of a buried SiO/sub 2/ layer causes self-heating to occur which can impair device performance. The effects of self-heating on SOI MOSFET performance are examined as device dimensions are scaled from 1.0 /spl mu/m to 0.25 /spl mu/m. Results show severe self-heating under static conditions which has implications for IC reliability issues.
Statistical electromagnetic theories and applications: A review of recent advances

Statistical Electromagnetic Theories have been developed over many years and applied to a wide range of practical problems in remote sensing of geophysical media, biological media, medical optics, ultrasound imaging and object detection and communication in clutter. This paper gives a review of recent developments in applications of statistical wave theories. The super resolution of images occurs in random media due to the multiple scattering and the increase of apparent aperture size of the transmitter. Another interesting effect is that the scattered wave from multiple scattering remembers the direction of the incident wave and strong correlations can be observed under certain conditions. This is called the “Memory Effect”. Recent study shows that under certain conditions, the angular and frequency correlations of the scattered wave can be enhanced or reduced and this effect can be used to reduce the clutter from the rough surface. It is also noted that the coherence in multiple scattering causes the increase of radar cross sections in turbulence due to the interference between the forward and backward waves, called the “double passage effect”. This is related to the Anderson localization and the coherent backscattering.
Experimental and Computational Investigations into Cooperative Cargo Transport by Mixtures of Kinesins from Different Families

Transport of intracellular cargo often involves multiple motor types, either having opposite directionality such as during bidirectional transport of vesicles, or having the same directionality but different speeds. While significant progress has been made in characterizing motors at the single-molecule level, predicting their ensemble behavior is still challenging. To uncover the force-dependent properties of diverse kinesins and to understand how diverse kinesins attached to the same cargo coordinate their movement, we carried out microtubule gliding assays using pairwise mixtures of motors from the kinesin-1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 families. To match their processivities and ensure identical binding to the glass substrate, the motors were fused to the dimerization domain and coil-1 of kinesin-1, and the neck linkers were adjusted to have a uniform length of 14 amino acids. Uniform motor densities were used and microtubule-gliding speeds were measured as the ratio of fast motors varied from 0 to 1. Depending on the motor pair, velocity versus motor fraction curves varied from convex up to nearly linear to convex down. These findings were recapitulated using a coarse-grained computational model of gliding assays. The simulations incorporate force dependent velocities and dissociation rates from the literature along with mechanical interactions between motors bound to the same microtubule. The simulations also suggest that the motor compliance plays a minimal role in the observed gliding speed compared to observations in quantum dots. The gliding assays combined with the modeling allows us to test hypotheses regarding the characteristics of diverse kinesins under predominantly axial load, avoiding the large normal forces inherent in optical tweezer experiments.
An in situ neutron diffraction study of shape setting shape memory NiTi

Abstract A bulk polycrystalline Ni 49.9 Ti 50.1 (at.%) shape memory alloy specimen was shape set while neutron diffraction spectra were simultaneously acquired. The objective was to correlate internal stress, phase volume fraction, and texture measurements (from neutron diffraction spectra) with the macroscopic stress and shape changes (from load cell and extensometry measurements) during the shape setting procedure and subsequent shape recovery. Experimental results showed the evolution of the martensitic transformation (lattice strains, phase fractions and texture) against external constraints during both heating and cooling. Constrained heating resulted in a build-up of stresses during the martensite to austenite transformation, followed by stress relaxation due to thermal expansion, final conversion of retained martensite, and recovery processes. Constrained cooling also resulted in stress build-up arising from thermal contraction and early formation of martensite, followed by relaxation as the austenite fully transformed to martensite. Comparisons were also made between specimens pre-shape set and post-shape set with and without external constraints. The specimens displayed similar shape memory behavior consistent with the microstructure of the shape set sample, which was mostly unchanged by the shape setting process and similar to that of the as-received material.
Azido Derivatives of Germanium(II) and Tin(II): Syntheses and Characterization of [(Mes)2DAP]GeN3, [(Mes)2DAP]SnN3, and the Corresponding Chloro Analogues Featuring Heterocyclic Six-π-Electron Ring Systems (where [(Mes)2DAP] = {N(Mes)C(Me)}2CH)

Chloro and azido germanium(II) and tin(II) 1,5-diazapentadienyl complexes have been investigated. The treatment of GeCl2·(1,4-dioxane) or SnCl2 with [(Mes)2DAP]Li in a 1:1 molar ratio gave the corresponding germanium(II) or tin(II) chloro complexes [(Mes)2DAP]MCl (where [(Mes)2DAP] = 2,4-dimethyl-N,N‘-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,5-diazapentadienyl; M = Ge or Sn). [(Mes)2DAP]GeCl and [(Mes)2DAP]SnCl are monomeric in the solid state. The C3N2M rings adopt a flattened boat conformation. The metathesis reaction between [(Mes)2DAP]MCl and sodium azide affords the azido compounds [(Mes)2DAP]MN3 in excellent yield. X-ray analysis revealed that [(Mes)2DAP]GeN3 features an essentially linear azide moiety and a nearly planar heterocyclic C3N2Ge ring system. The azide group occupies a site above the C3N2Ge ring. The solid-state structure of the tin azide [(Mes)2DAP]SnN3 shows weak intermolecular Sn···N contacts. It features a linear azide moiety and a planar heterocyclic C3N2Sn ring system. Both azides have long (M...
Application of isotopic doping techniques to evaluation of reaction kinetics and fluid/mineral distribution coefficients: An experimental study of calcite at elevated temperatures and pressures

Abstract Isotopic doping techniques have been combined with flexible cell hydrothermal equipment to evaluate the kinetics of calcite recrystallization at elevated temperatures and pressures. Two “free-drift” experiments were performed with a fluid/calcite mass ratio of 15, using Iceland spar calcite as the starting solid and a 0.5 m NaCl fluid of variable pH and total dissolved carbon. The first experiment was conducted at 250°C and 500 bar with a starting fluid near calcite saturation, while a second experiment was conducted at a series of temperature steps of 300°, 350° and 400°C and 500 bar, with a fluid chemistry initially adjusted to be far from calcite saturation. As determined from the changes in fluid isotopic compositions, the rates of calcite recrystallization were observed to increase with increasing temperature, but were found to be exceedingly slow under near-equilibrium conditions. Results indicate an initial period of relatively fast dissolution, followed by a period of slow-steady-state recrystallization for which rates of 10−12.7, 10−12.33, 10−11.55 and 10−10.88 (mol s−1 cm−2) were measured at 250°, 300°, 350° and 400°C, respectively, yielding an activation energy of 25.5 kcal mol−1 for this process. Using these values, estimates of the amount of time required to approach isotopic equilibrium between a pore fluid and a host carbonate rock are calculated to be on the order of several days to several million years, depending on the temperature, fluid flow rate, and the relative concentrations of the element in the fluid and host rock. Fluid/calcite distribution coefficients for Sr were determined in the experiment performed at 250°C and 500 bar, and were found to be dependent on the rate of calcite recrystallization, corroborating previous reports of this type of behavior.
Teaching a course on human factors and computer systems

The goal of the course was to teach students how to design and evaluate computer systems for ease of use by conducting human performance experiments, using analytic models and methods, and examining the research literature. This was accomplished through lectures, discussions, videotapes, demonstrations, guest lecturers, homework assignments, and projects. The link between research and design was particularly emphasized. In the postcourse evaluations, students gave the course a `very good' rating.
Abstract 3612: Detection and quantification of tumor-derived microparticles in a murine orthotopic tumor progression model

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Approximately 85% of newly identified pancreatic cancer patients are estimated to die within one year of diagnosis. This poor prognosis is attributable in part to inadequate early detection methods, with the presence of pancreatic cancer often becoming evident only upon metastasis. Development of non-invasive early detection technologies that permit earlier initiation of treatment might increase the likelihood of patient survival. Our research centered on the task of developing a method for the detection of tumor-derived microparticles (MPs) using a murine orthotopic pancreatic tumor model. MPs are 100nm to 1.5µm membrane blebs released from cells via budding upon cell activation or during apoptosis which then circulate in the bloodstream. Cell-derived MPs retain characteristics, including cell surface antigens, of their parent cells. These antigens serve as cellular “fingerprints” of MP origin. In this way, the presence of cell-specific (e.g. tumor-specific) MPs signals the presence of a tumor, and therefore, serves as a biomarker of disease. The Mia-Paca-2 human pancreatic cell line expresses the cell surface tumor marker MUC-1 and this model has been widely used as a murine xenograft model to evaluate experimental therapeutics. In a novel orthotopic model of tumor growth, 5x106 Mia-Paca-2 cells were injected directly into the pancreas of athymic nude mice, while control mice were sham-injected. Treated and control mice groups of mice were sacrificed every two weeks for 8 weeks, at which points, each pancreas was weighed, tumor weight calculated, and blood drawn. Blood-derived MUC-1 expressing MPs were enriched from a subset of Mia-Paca-2-injected mice representing treatment and compared by flow cytometry with MPs enriched from control mice. Our findings suggested a correlation between tumor size and the concentration of detected MPs in early time-points following injection of tumor cells. This relationship changed with advanced tumor progression, where a significant drop in detectable MPs was observed. These preliminary findings support the contention that measurement of circulating tumor-derived MPs may be used for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. While sensitivity remains to be confirmed and further characterization is needed, this potentially translational method is non-invasive and compatible with multiple, longitudinal measurements. Further work will be needed to elucidate the relationship between MPs generation and tumor growth, and the relationship between MPs and metastatic tumor progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3612. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3612
Data-adaptive principal component signal processing

Principal component (eigenvalue-eigenvector) analysis is applied to processing of narrow band signals in noise. The amount of data available is assumed to be limited. Principal eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a sample correlation matrix are used to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the data and to increase the resolution capability of nonlinear least squares at low SNR and linear prediction based frequency estimation methods. Relation to Pronylike methods is explored. Performance of different methods is compared experimentally among themselves and to the Cramer-Rao (CR) bound.
Field dependence and perceptual, cognitive, and affective measures of body image in asymptomatic college students

Abstract The relationship of field dependence/independence (FD/FI) and gender to perceptual, cognitive, and affective measures of body image distortion (BID) was investigated in a nonclinical population. Both genders perceived themselves to be larger than they actually are, suggesting that men generally possess a flattering body image and women an unflattering one. Supporting this view were the differing cognitions of men and women about the normalcy of their size and men's greater satisfaction with their body. The magnitude and direction of BID varied with the centrality of body part to body image. FD men judged the upper torso to be smaller, and FD, and to a lesser extent FI, women judged the lower torso to be larger than normal. Women generally magnified the Other's lower torso as much as the Self's. FI men rated the upper torso of Self and Other as being equally larger than normal; FD men, while rating their own upper torso as smaller than normal, inflated the size of the Other more than did FI men. The difference in motivation underlying BID of men and women is considered.
Multiple lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases in Neisseria meningitidis

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and phosphatidic acid (PA) are critical phospholipid intermediates in the biosynthesis of cell membranes. In Escherichia coli, LPA acyltransferase (1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.51) catalyses the transfer of an acyl chain from either acyl-coenzyme A or acyl-acyl carrier protein onto LPA to produce PA. While E. coli possesses one essential LPA acyltransferase (PlsC), Neisseria meningitidis possesses at least two LPA acyltransferases. This study describes the identification and characterization of nlaB (neisserial LPA acyltransferase B), the second LPA acyltransferase identified in N. meningitidis. The gene was located downstream of the Tn916 insertion in N. meningitidis mutant 469 and differed in nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence from the previously characterized neisserial LPA acyltransferase homologue nlaA. NlaB has specific LPA acyltransferase activity, as demonstrated by complementation of an E. coli plsC(Ts) mutant in trans, by decreased levels of LPA acyltransferase activity in nlaB mutants and by lack of complementation of E. coli plsB26,X50, a mutant defective in the first acyltransferase step in phospholipid biosynthesis. Meningococcal nlaA mutants accumulated LPA and demonstrated alterations in membrane phospholipid composition, yet retained LPA acyltransferase activity. In contrast, meningococcal nlaB mutants exhibited decreased LPA acyltransferase activity, but did not accumulate LPA or display any other observable membrane changes. We propose that N. meningitidis possesses at least two LPA acyltransferases to provide for the production of a greater diversity of membrane phospholipids.
Coercion, Contract, and Free Labor in the Nineteenth Century

Introduction: free wage labor in the history of the West Part I. American Contract Labor and English Wage Labor: The Use of Pecuniary and Nonpecuniary Pressure: 1. 'Free' contract labor in the United States: an anti-essentialist view of labor types I 2. 'Unfree' wage labor in nineteenth-century England: an anti-essentialist view of labor types II 3. Explaining the legal content of English wage labor 4. Struggles over the rules: the Common Law Courts, parliament, the people, and the master and servant acts 5. Struggles under the rules: strategic behavior and historical change in legal context 6. Struggles to change the rules 7. Freedom of contract and freedom of person Part II. 'Free' and 'Unfree' Labor in the United States: 8. 'Involuntary servitude' in American fundamental law 9. Labor contract enforcement in the American north Conclusion.
Design and implementation of a blind adaptive equalizer using Frequency Domain Square Contour Algorithm

Square Contour Algorithm (SCA) is a relatively new blind equalization algorithm which reduces the dispersion between the output of the equalizer and a square contour. In this paper we develop Frequency Domain Square Contour Algorithm (FD-SCA) which is based on frequency domain implementation of block based SCA. Simulation results reveal that FD-SCA exhibits the same performance as that of existing time domain SCA with significantly low computational complexity. The performance of the FD-SCA in terms of convergence rate is further enhanced using normalization in frequency bins. The complete hardware architecture for the proposed FD-SCA based on ASM design flow along with implementation results is also presented.
Incidence of Intraocular Pressure Spike and Other Adverse Events after Vitreoretinal Surgery

Purpose To determine the incidence of significant postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and other adverse medical events during the first postoperative day in patients undergoing inpatient vitreoretinal surgery. Design Noncomparative interventional case series. Participants Two hundred two consecutive patients were admitted prospectively as inpatients after vitreoretinal surgery (vitrectomy and/or scleral buckling). Methods Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively, 5 to 12 hours postoperatively, and on postoperative day 1. Additionally, pain, nausea, and serious systemic adverse events were monitored. Results Seventeen patients (8.4%) had a 5- to 12-hour IOP measurement above 29 mmHg. Thirty patients (14.8%) had a postoperative day 1 IOP measurement above 29 mmHg. Three patients (1.5%) required a parenteral narcotic to achieve adequate analgesia. Nine patients (4.5%) utilized a parenteral antiemetic for nausea control. Six patients (3.0%) had a hyperglycemic event. No serious systemic adverse events occurred in the early postoperative period. Conclusions The incidence of a significant IOP spike or systemic adverse events in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery is low.
Performance metrics for serious games: Will the (real) expert please step forward?

The literature on human training performance has long attested to the behavioral differences between experts and novices, in which `competency' is a demonstrable attribute based on a person's course of action in problem solving. The advances in technology have made it possible to trace players' actions and behaviors (as user-generated data) within an online serious gaming environment for performance assessment purposes. In this study, we introduce string similarity as a performance metric to identify likely-experts among a group of unknown performers (mixture of novices and experts) according to their in-game course of action in problem solving. Our findings indicate that string similarity is both viable and potentially useful as the first performance metric for Serious Games Analytics (SEGA).
Photochemical precipitation of thorium and cerium and their separation from other ions in aqueous solution.

Abstract Thorium was precipitated from homogeneous solution by exposing solutions of thorium and periodate in dilute perchloric acid to 253.7 nm radiation from a low-pressure mercury lamp. Periodate is reduced photochemically to iodate which causes the formation of a dense precipitate of the basic iodate of thorium(IV). The precipitate was redissolved, the iodate reduced, the thorium precipitated first as the hydroxide, then as the oxalate and ignited to the dioxide for weighing. Thorium(IV) solutions containing 8–200 mg of ThO 2 gave quantitative results with a standard deviation ( s ) of 0.2 mg. Separations from 25 mg each of iron, calcium, magnesium, 50 mg of yttrium and up to 500 mg of uranium(VI) were quantitative ( s = 0.25 mg). Separations from rare earths, except cerium, were accomplished by using hexamethylenetetramine rather than ammonia for the precipitation of the hydroxide. Cerium(III) was similarly precipitated and converted into CeO 2 for weighing. Quantitative results were obtained for 13–150 mg of CeO 2 with a standard deviation of 0.2 mg. Separations from 200 mg of uranium were quantitative. Other rare earths and yttrium interfered seriously. The precipitates of the basic cerium(IV) and thorium iodates obtained are more compact than those obtained by direct precipitation and can be handled easily. Attempts to duplicate Suzuki's method for separating cerium from neodymium and yttrium were not successful.
Gender Differences in Foreign Policy Attitudes: A Longitudinal Analysis

Although a number of studies have reported gender differences on attitudes toward the use of force in foreign policy, several recent studies have reported that gender is a weak and non- significant...
Capillary Isoelectric Focusing of Individual Mitochondria

Mitochondria are highly heterogeneous organelles that likely have unique isoelectric points (pI), which are related to their surface compositions and could be exploited in their purification and isolation. Previous methods to determine pI of mitochondria report an average pI. This article is the first report of the determination of the isoelectric points of individual mitochondria by capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF). In this method, mitochondria labeled with the mitochondrial-specific probe 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO) are injected into a fused-silica capillary in a solution of carrier ampholytes at physiological pH and osmolarity, where they are focused then chemically mobilized and detected by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Fluorescein-derived pI markers are used as internal standards to assign a pI value to each individually detected mitochondrial event, and a mitochondrial pI distribution is determined. This method provides reproducible distributions of individual mitochondrial pI, accurate determination of the pI of individual mitochondria by the use of internal standards, and resolution of 0.03 pH units between individual mitochondria. This method could also be applied to investigate or design separations of organelle subtypes (e.g., subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar skeletal muscle mitochondria) and to determine the pIs of other biological or nonbiological particles.
The challenge of working with an evolving media

The technology used to create virtual reality training systems is still new and evolving rapidly. This article points out some of its current limitations and the difficulty of attempting to assemble the best possible system to meet a training objective while research remains to be done in overcoming these limitations. The article then examines the contributions contained in this journal issue in light of this challenge.
Kant on mental disorder. Part 1: An overview

This paper sets out Kant’s anthropological account of mental disorder. I begin with a discussion of the nature of Kant’s ‘pragmatic anthropology’ and the implications of the fact that his discussion of mental disorder takes place in that context. I then set out Kant’s taxonomy of the mind and discuss the various disorders affecting the cognitive faculty and the faculties of feeling and desire. I end with a brief discussion of Kant’s views on the causes, preventions, and treatments of mental disorder.
Biophysical mechanisms for morphogenetic progressions at the shoot apex

Leaf primordia, first visible as small bumps, are produced in a cyclical pattern at the edges of the shoot apex, a smooth region at the top of the stem. Their formation is a biomechanical process. This review first considers hypothetical construction mechanisms and then summarizes research that provides information about how and where the primordia are made. Studies of growth at the primordium site indicate the importance of growth parallel to the surface in generating the forces for primordium emergence. The symmetry of the pattern of reinforcement by cellulose microfibrils correlates with the subsequent pattern of primordium production. Finite element models of the apex reveal that lateral bulging of the apex results in a gradient of shear stress, with high shear at the future primordium site. In contrast, tension parallel to the surface is lowest at the primordium site. Response of apical surface tissue to punctures indicates that an existing primordium can exert a pulling force tangential to its base and a compressive force perpendicular to its base. These observations lead to identification of a continuous biophysical cycle for apex morphogenesis, in which most of the steps are direct physical consequences of the previous step. Biophysical processes, subject to input from genetic, hormonal, and environmental sources, are thus involved in the construction and patterning of leaf primordia.
Economic stabilization and structural transformation: Lessons from the Chilean experience, 1973–87☆

Abstract This paper evaluates the experience of economic reforms and stabilization efforts in Chile during 1973–87. The paper presents a brief historical background, and then reviews the main goals, policy tools, and results of the economic program implemented since the military government came to power in September 1973. The paper discusses in detail the stabilization and structural transformation aspects of the economic program — including the privatization of the economy and the trade and financial liberalization. The main conclusion is that, despite a healthy improvement in the economic situation during 1985–87, the future of the Chilean economy remains uncertain and vulnerable to external shocks. The paper concludes by summarizing the main policy lessons of the Chilean experience.