cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Phase I Pilot Study of the Oral mTOR Inhibitor RAD001 in Combination with Capecitabine for Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background:RAD001 is an oral inhibitor of mTOR, an intracellular protein kinase downstream of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. There is evidence to suggest that Akt promotes breast cancer resistance to cytotoxic treatment and thus targeting this pathway with RAD001 may increase the efficacy of standard chemotherapy. We combined RAD001 in a Phase I dose escalation study with Capecitabine (oral fluorpyrimidine), as treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This study evaluated the oral combination for tolerability and safety. Pharmacokinetics of RAD001 was examined in all dosing cohorts.Methods:This was a single center, Phase I trial. Eligible patients had stage IV breast cancer, have not received endocrine or chemotherapy for 3 weeks prior to initiation and not receiving concurrent endocrine therapy. Patients must not have received prior therapy with capecitabine or an mTOR inhibitor and up to 3 prior chemotherapy regimens were allowable. Pharmacokinetic data are collected weekly for first 2 cycles.All patients received capecitabine (825 mg PO BID) and RAD001 in 3 dose-escalation cohorts: 2.5 mg every other day (Cohort 1), 2.5 mg daily (Cohort 2) and 5 mg daily (cohort 3). The primary endpoint is to determine the DLT of RAD001 + capecitabine, secondary endpoints include tumor response. Treatment continues until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Efficacy assessed every 6 weeks for first 4 cycles, then every 9 weeks until end of the 1st year of treatment, then every 12 weeks after.Results: As of April 2009, 12 patients with a median age of 58 years (range 34-75) have been treated at 3 dose levels: 3 in the 1st cohort, 6 in the 2nd cohort and 3 in the 3rd cohort. Toxicities in cohort 1 were generally manageable and expected. They most commonly consisted of nausea, hand-foot syndrome and elevated LFTs. 2 patients in cohort 2 had a grade 3/4 neutropenia and responded to dose reduction. 1 patient had a grade 3/4 elevated lipid panel. Other adverse events (all grade 1/2) included leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated LFTs, nausea, hand-foot syndrome, fatigue, sensory neuropathy, and thrombocytopenia. Of the 9 evaluable patients, the clinical benefit rate (CR+PR+SD ≥ 24 weeks) in this heavily pretreated group is 44%. No patient had DLT during cycle 1. 3 patients remain on treatment. Enrollment to the 3rd cohort continues.Conclusion:The all-oral regimen of RAD001 with capecitabine is well tolerated. The maximal tolerated dose (MTD) after 3 dose escalations was not reached. The maximal dose of 5 mg per day of RAD001 was well tolerated. Final toxicity data and preliminary efficacy will be presented at the meeting. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6112.
Electroelastomers: Applications of dielectric elastomer transducers for actuation, generation and smart structures

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) can overcome many limitations of traditional smart material and transducer technologies. A particularly promising class of EAP is dielectric elastomer, also known as electroelastomer. Dielectric elastomer transducers are rubbery polymer materials with compliant electrodes that have a large electromechanical response to an applied electric field. The technology has been developed to the point where exceptional performance has already been demonstrated: for example, actuated strains of over 300 percent. These strains and the corresponding energy densities are beyond those of other field-activated materials including piezoelectrics. Because of their unique characteristics and expected low cost, dielectric elastomer transducers are under development in a wide range of applications including multifunctional (combined actuation, structure, and sensing) muscle-like actuators for biomimetic robots; microelectromechanical systems (MEMS); smart skins; conformal loudspeakers; haptic displays; and replacements for electromagnetic and pneumatic actuators for industrial and commercial applications. Dielectric elastomers have shown unique performance in each of these applications; however, some further development is required before they can be integrated into products and smart-materials systems. Among the many issues that may ultimately determine the success or failure of the technology for specific applications are durability, operating voltage and power requirements, and the size, cost, and complexity of the required electronic driving circuitry.
Perceptual Learning in Parafoveal Vision

The present study tests the effects of practice on parafoveal vernier and resolution acuity. By measuring task specificity, transfer of training to other retinal locations in the trained eye and transfer of training to the untrained eye, we directly address whether improvement on these tasks is the result of changes in the underlying physiological processes or simply the development of new cognitive strategies. We found that: (1) significant learning can occur for both vernier and resolution acuity in many (but not all) individuals; (2) there were significant individual differences in the degree and time-course of learning: (3) learning transfers to the untrained task; and (4) learning transfers to the other eye particularly when the visual pathway leads to the trained hemisphere. These results suggest that both physiological and cognitive processes contribute to the improvement seen after repetitive practice on these visual tasks.
Outcomes of treatment for hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus vertebral osteomyelitis in the MRSA ERA.

Summary Objectives Hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis is caused predominantly by Staphylococcus aureus . The rise in incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has complicated the treatment of this infection. Our objective was to evaluate therapeutic outcomes for S. aureus vertebral osteomyelitis in a setting of high MRSA prevalence. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who presented with S. aureus vertebral osteomyelitis over a 7-year period at 2 tertiary care hospitals in Houston, TX, USA. Results Thirty-five patients were identified who received ≥2-week course of parenteral antibiotics and had a follow-up period of at least 12 months post-therapy. MRSA was responsible for 20 (57%) cases. Mean duration of total antibiotic therapy was 61.4 days. The overall relapse rate was 14%. At 12 months post-therapy, 86% patients were cured. The one factor significantly associated with relapse was presence of undrained abscesses ( p =0.04). Conclusions When the mean duration of effective antibiotic therapy was 60 days, cure rates for S. aureus vertebral osteomyelitis exceeded 80%. Drainage of all associated abscesses correlated with a significantly higher rate of cure.
Magnetic field control of the potential distribution and current at microdisk electrodes

Abstract Au and Pt microdisk electrodes (6.4, 12.5, and 25 μm radii) have been used to investigate the influence of a uniform external magnetic field on faradaic reactions. Magnetohydrodynamic flow within a microscopic volume element adjacent to the microdisk surface results in an increase in steady-state limiting voltammetric currents for reduction and oxidation of both neutral and ionic electroactive molecules. The dependence of limiting currents on external field strength suggests the existence of a threshold value of the magnetic force necessary to induce convective flow. Above this threshold value, the voltammetric current is found to increase in proportion both to the external magnetic field strength and to the steady-state current measured in the absence of the field. The results are used to establish an empirical correlation between faradaic currents and the magnetic force acting on the solution within the depletion layer. In low ionic strength solutions, the external magnetic field also reduces the electrostatic driving force for electron-transfer. This magnetic field-induced reaction overpotential is shown to result from a steady-state displacement of charge-balancing counterions at the electrode-solution interface, analogous to that recently observed for a rotating microdisk electrode.
The demonstration of arylsulfatases with 4-nitro-1,2-benzenediol mono(hydrogen sulfate) by the formation of osmium blacks at the sites of copper capture.

A new method is described for the direct cytochemical demonstration of lysosomal arylsulfatases utilizing a synthetic substrate, 4-nitro-1,2-benzenediol mono)hydrogen sulfate), and a copper capture reaction. A small amount of Hatchett's brown (cupric ferrocyanide, Cu2Fe(CN)6·7 H2O) formed at the subcellular sites of copper capture is then utilized as a heterogeneous catalyst to effect the oxidative polymerization of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine which results in the formation of an insoluble, highly colored osmiophilic indamine polymer at the sites of enzymatic activity. The reaction product even at this stage prior to osmication is highly visible. It is readily seen with a light microscope in 50 μm sections of fixed tissues prepared with a mechanical chopper or in 10 micron cryostat sections treated for arylsulfatase activity. Upon osmication, an electron-opaque osmium black is formed which is much less soluble than the products of either the lead or barium capture reactions currently used for the demonstration of arylsulfatase with the electron microscope. The selection of areas of plastic-embedded tissues for ultrathin sectioning is facilitated by the ready visibility of these osmium black end products on 1–2 μm plastic sections which can be studied with the light microscope. This method gives permanent specimens demonstrating arylsulfatases A or B in lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles. In addition, enzyme activity is seen occasionally in the Golgi region or lamellae of certain cells believed to be elaborating sulfated products. In these instances, it may be demonstrating sulfotransferase activity.
An elementary test for the Galois group of a quartic polynomial

(1989). An Elementary Test for the Galois Group of a Quartic Polynomial. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 96, No. 2, pp. 133-137.
Temporarily detained: tuberculous alcoholics in Seattle, 1949 through 1960.

Repeatedly noncompliant tuberculosis patients (who are often homeless or substance users) are once again being forcibly detained. Health officials intend that confinement be used only when "less restrictive alternatives" have failed. Past programs of detention can inform current efforts. In 1949, Seattle's Firland Sanatorium established a locked ward. Although initially intended only for active public health threats, the ward was eventually used to maintain order among Firland's alcoholic patients. That is, the staff detained alcoholics--regardless of their infectivity or compliance with medications--for breaking sanatorium rules. In this manner, maintaining institutional order became a legitimate reason for invoking public health powers. Although new detention regulations strive to protect patients' civil liberties, attention must also be paid to the day-to-day implementation of coercive measures. When public health language is used to justify administrative or institutional requirements, disadvantaged p...
On the quadratic mapping z→z2-μ for complex μ and z: The fractal structure of its M set, and scaling

Abstract For each complex μ, denote by F (μ) the largest bounded set in the complex plane that is invariant under the action of the mapping z→z2-μ. Mandelbrot 1980, 1982 (Chap. 19) reported various remarkable properties of the M set (the set of those values of the complex μ for which F (μ) contains domains) and of the closure M ∗ of M . The goals of the present work are as follows. A) To restate some previously reported properties of F (μ), M and M ∗ in new ways, and to report new observations. B) To deduce some known properties of the mapping f for real μ and z, with μϵf- 1 4 , 2[and zϵ]- 1 2 - 1 2 √1+4μ, 1 2 + 1 2 √1+4μ[. In many ways, the properties of the transformation f are easier to grasp in the complex plane than in an interval. (This exemplifies the saying that “when one wishes to simplify a theory, one should complexify the variables”,) C) To serve as introduction to some recent pure mathematical work triggered by Mandelbrot 1980. Further pure mathematical work is strongly urged.
Challenges of Mobile Clinical System Design: What do Nurses Think?

Mobile clinical systems hold great potential for facilitating nursing documentation and communication activities. In this paper, we explore the possibilities of evaluating a mobile clinical system prototype by nurses in the early system design stage. Nurses' concerns and perceptions regarding the mobile system were solicited using a scenario-based design approach. The results revealed tensions between managing general usability principles of ease of use and efficiency with the medical principles of dealing with medical errors, privacy and interruptions. The findings can be used to inform future nursing mobile system design and to provide evidence for supporting nurses' involvement in the early system design and evaluation process.
Departure From Nucleate Boiling Modeling Development for PWR Fuel

Current Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assembly thermal-hydraulic (T/H) analyses are performed on a subchannel basis that neglects detailed heat transfer and flow distributions surrounding fuel rods. Subchannel codes such as VIPREW require input of thermal mixing and hydraulic loss coefficients that are obtained from costly experiments. Fuel thermal margin or performance is quantified in terms of Departure from Nuclear Boiling Ratio (DNBR) for PWR applications or Critical Power Ratio (CPR) for Boiling Water Reactors. DNBR and CPR predictions for reactor design and safety analysis rely on empirical correlations that are developed and qualified from costly rod bundle water DNB tests. Demands for extended power uprate, high fuel burnup, zero fuel failure, and new nuclear plant designs require a revolutionary advancement in T/H capability for better understanding of coolant behavior and more accurate predictions of thermal margin of the Light Water Reactor (LWR) core and fuel designs under normal operation and postulated accident conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been used in many aspects of PWR fuel designs in Westinghouse. Significant advancement in 2-phase flow modeling has been made in the recent years. This paper will illustrate CFD–based DNB modeling development in Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel. A 5×5 test bundle PWR experiment from the ODEN DNB test facility was modeled in CFD using a relatively new 2-phase boiling model. The model geometry included the details of the mixing vane spacer grids. When compared to the test data, the CFD model demonstrated that the DNB power was reasonably predicted. The CFD model also revealed the detailed flow behavior and the 2-phase flow distribution, both of which will be beneficial for the development of new grid spacers.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Recent progress by mid-IR antimonide type-II W interband cascade lasers and LWIR detectors

Significant recent advances in the high-temperature, high-power performance of type-II antimonide interband cascade lasers (ICLs) operating in the mid-infrared are reported. A 5-stage ICL with a 12μm ridge width and Au electroplating for improved epitaxial-side-up heat sinking operates cw to a maximum temperature of 257 K, where the emission wavelength is 3.7 μm. A similar device with a ridge width of 22 μm emits > 260 mW per facet for cw operation at 80 K (λ = 3.4 μm) and 100 mW at 200 K (λ = 3.6 μm). Beam qualities for the narrowest ridges approach the diffraction limit. The recent development of type-II "W" photodiodes for the long-wave infrared is also reviewed. A "W" photodiode with an 11.3 μm cutoff displayed a 34% external quantum efficiency (at 8.6 μm) operating at 80 K. A graded-gap design of the depletion region is shown to strongly suppress dark currents due to tunneling and generation-recombination processes. The median dynamic impedance-area product of 216 Ω-cm 2 for 33 devices with 10.5 μm cutoff at 78 K is comparable to that for state-of-the-art HgCdTe-based photodiodes. The sidewall resistivity of ≈70 kΩ-cm for untreated mesas is also considerably higher than previous reports for passivated or unpassivated type-II LWIR photodiodes, apparently indicating self-passivation by the graded bandgap.
Jitter analysis of an IPP tagged traffic stream in an {IPP,M}/M/1 queue

We study a single server queue with two different arriving streams, a tagged arrival process and a background arrival process. The tagged traffic is assumed to be an interrupted Poisson process (IPP) and the background traffic is Poisson. The service time is exponentially distributed, and customers are served in a FIFO manner. We obtain numerically the probability density function of the inter-departure time of the IPP tagged arrival process, from which we calculate its jitter, defined as a percentile of the inter-departure time. Numerical results of the 95th percentile and the squared coefficient of variation of the tagged inter-departure time are given as a function of the arrival rate of the background traffic.
Budget regimes and internal governance: considerations for the sustainability of fiscal policy

In a fiscal policy set-up with Ricardian equivalence and rational expectations, the decision-making of private agents is based on the knowledge that current deficits will be met with future tax increases or spending decreases. This view requires that the government's budget exhibit intertemporal balance, or that fiscal policy be sustainable. This paper examines the extent to which sustainability holds in the light of changes in the institutional structure of the budget process and changes in internal House governance rules. The results indicate that certain aspects of sustainability are related to the underlying institutional structure and governance of the budget process.
Comparison of hospital charges for closure of patent ductus arteriosus by surgery and by transcatheter coil occlusion

Hospital charges for coil occlusion were significantly less than for surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, and were reduced over time as experience permitted refinement of the coil occlusion protocol. The expected hospital charges for closure by a coil occlusion strategy, including the charges for surgical closure in patients with failed coil occlusion, was less than the hospital charges for surgical closure strategy under any reasonable estimate of coil occlusion efficacy.
A Granular Bed for Use in a Nanoparticle Respiratory Deposition Sampler

A granular bed was designed to collect nanoparticles as an alternative to nylon mesh screens for use in a nanoparticle respiratory deposition (NRD) sampler. The granular bed consisted of five layers in series: a coarse mesh, a large-bead layer, a small-bead layer, a second large-bead layer, and a second coarse mesh. The bed was designed to primarily collect particles in the small-bead layer, with the coarse mesh and large-bead layers designed to hold the collection layer in position. The collection efficiency of the granular bed was measured for varying depths of the small-bead layer and for test particles with different shape (cuboid, salt particles; and fractal, and stainless steel and welding particles). Experimental measurements of collection efficiency were compared to estimates of efficiency from theory and to the nanoparticulate matter (NPM) criterion, which was established to reflect the total deposition in the human respiratory system for particles smaller than 300 nm. The shape of the collection...
Equality of Educational Opportunity at Racially Isolated Schools: Balancing the Need for Teacher Certification with Teacher Shortage.

Providing for equality of educational opportunity at racially isolated schools continues to be an important area of concern for educational policy makers. Quality teachers to staff instruction programs at these schools is essential to promoting equal opportunity for minority groups. Unfortunately, these schools continue to suffer chronic teacher shortages. Recently, California implemented a teacher certification examination (CBEST) designed specifically to improve the quality of teachers entering the profession. An unintended consequence of the certification movement was the exacerbation of the teacher shortage problem at racially isolated schools. The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of teachers who passed and failed the CBEST. The study finds that failure rates are highest among minority teachers that are presently employed. The study also finds that the mathematics knowledge subscale scores best discriminate those passing from those failing the CBEST. An analytical approach for determining “optimal” cutoff scores on the CBEST which balances the need for certification with the problem of teacher shortage is proposed.
Peripheral nerve lesion in spongy degeneration of the central nervous system.

This report describes a peripheral nerve lesion found in a case of spongy degeneration of the central nervous system. The lesion consisted of abnormal cellular infiltrates in the peri- and endoneurium, axonal changes, and demyelination. Possible relation of the lesion to that of the central nervous system is discussed.
Cargo‐Towing Fuel‐Free Magnetic Nanoswimmers for Targeted Drug Delivery

Fuel-free nanomotors are essential for future in-vivo biomedical transport and drug-delivery applications. Herein, the first example of directed delivery of drug-loaded magnetic polymeric particles using magnetically driven flexible nanoswimmers is described. It is demonstrated that flexible magnetic nickel-silver nanoswimmers (5-6 μm in length and 200 nm in diameter) are able to transport micrometer particles at high speeds of more than 10 μm s(-1) (more than 0.2 body lengths per revolution in dimensionless speed). The fundamental mechanism of the cargo-towing ability of these magnetic (fuel-free) nanowire motors is modelled, and the hydrodynamic features of these cargo-loaded motors discussed. The effect of the cargo size on swimming performance is evaluated experimentally and compared to a theoretical model, emphasizing the interplay between hydrodynamic drag forces and boundary actuation. The latter leads to an unusual increase of the propulsion speed at an intermediate particle size. Potential applications of these cargo-towing nanoswimmers are demonstrated by using the directed delivery of drug-loaded microparticles to HeLa cancer cells in biological media. Transport of the drug carriers through a microchannel from the pick-up zone to the release microwell is further illustrated. It is expected that magnetically driven nanoswimmers will provide a new approach for the rapid delivery of target-specific drug carriers to predetermined destinations.
FluGenome: a web tool for genotyping influenza A virus

Influenza A viruses are hosted by numerous avian and mammalian species, which have shaped their evolution into distinct lineages worldwide. The viral genome consists of eight RNA segments that are frequently exchanged between different viruses via a process known as genetic reassortment. A complete genotype nomenclature is essential to describe gene segment reassortment. Specialized bioinformatic tools to analyze reassortment are not available, which hampers progress in understanding its role in host range, virulence and transmissibility of influenza viruses. To meet this need, we have developed a nomenclature to name influenza A genotypes and implemented a web server, FluGenome (http://www.flugenome.org/), for the assignment of lineages and genotypes. FluGenome provides functions for the user to interrogate the database in different modalities and get detailed reports on lineages and genotypes. These features make FluGenome unique in its ability to automatically detect genotype differences attributable to reassortment events in influenza A virus evolution.
Soluble Domain 1 of Platelet–Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (PECAM) Is Sufficient to Block Transendothelial Migration In Vitro and In Vivo

The inflammatory response involves sequential adhesive interactions between cell adhesion molecules of leukocytes and the endothelium. Unlike the several adhesive steps that precede it, transendothelial migration (diapedesis), the step in which leukocytes migrate between apposed endothelial cells, appears to involve primarily one adhesion molecule, platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM, CD31). Therefore, we have focused on PECAM as a target for antiinflammatory therapy. We demonstrate that soluble chimeras made of the entire extracellular portion of PECAM, or of only the first immunoglobulin domain of PECAM, fused to the Fc portion of IgG, block diapedesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the truncated form of the PECAM-IgG chimera does not bind stably to its cellular ligand. This raises the possibility of selective anti-PECAM therapies that would not have the untoward opsonic or cell-activating properties of antibodies directed against PECAM.
Nuclear receptor 4A2 and C/EBPβ regulate the parathyroid hormone-mediated transcriptional regulation of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-hydroxylase

Abstract 1α-Hydroxylase is the enzyme responsible for the production of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . 1α-Hydroxylase, found largely in the kidney, is known to be up-regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), however the mechanism of action of PTH and any required transcription factors have not been clearly identified. During gene array analysis we observed that NR4A2, a nuclear orphan receptor, is markedly up-regulated in a porcine kidney cell line (AOK-B50) following PTH stimulation. NR4A2 over-expression increases the endogenous induction of 1α-hydroxylase mRNA in the absence of PTH, however optimal stimulation is achieved when both NR4A2 and PTH are present. An unconventional site of action of NR4A2 was localized to a fragment comprising the sequence from −35/+22 of the 1α-hydroxylase promoter at a C/EBP consensus site. Study of the involvement of C/EBPβ in the 1α-hydroxylase regulation revealed that the transcriptional enhancement by NR4A2 on the 1α-hydroxylase promoter is inhibited by C/EBPβ. In addition, C/EBPβ over-expression decreases the endogenous levels of both NR4A2 and 1α-hydroxylase mRNA.
A force identification method for slider/disk contact force measurement

Slider/disk contacts existing during operation in almost all current disk drives significantly affect drive reliability and performance. We propose a force identification method to measure the contact force from a single impact. Laser Doppler Vibrometers (LDV) are used to measure the slider's response. A procedure, which combines experiment and FE analysis, is proposed to model the system, and it is claimed to have many advantages over other methods. The proposed method is successfully applied to measure the contact forces of two nano sliders when they make contact with a bump on a disk. A smaller contact force was noted with the negative pressure slider. Also, the contact force is smaller at higher rpm for these two sliders.
Comparison of DMSP and NTS-2 Dosimeter Measurements with Predictions

The uncertainties in predicting the effects of energetic particles on satellite systems remain a concern to all spacecraft designers and users. Employing the latest models of the naturally trapped particle environment and current analytical techniques, a comparison of the measured and predicted space radiation dose for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NTS-2) satellites has been made. These satellites are in different orbits and therefore encounter different environments; in both cases, the predicted doses differ somewhat from the measurements. Several reasons for these discrepancies are presented.
Spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy after unilateral placement of tubal occlusive microinsert

Objective To present a case in which the use of a titanium/nickel microinsert in the management of unilateral hydrosalpinx contributed to a spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy. Design Case report. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) A 37-year-old nulligravid female with dense pelvic adhesive disease and unilateral hydrosalpinx. Intervention(s) Unilateral proximal occlusion of left fallopian tube with titanium/nickel microinsert. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy. Result(s) Spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy after confirmation via hysterosalpingogram of left tubal occlusion and right tubal patency. Conclusion(s) Transcervical proximal tubal occlusion using titanium/nickel microinserts provides an alternative in the management of hydrosalpinx in the setting of tubal factor infertility. Additionally, in the setting of a unilateral hydrosalpinx, unilateral occlusion can contribute to spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy.
Delayed matching in pigeons with food and no-food samples: Further examination of backward associations

When pigeons are trained on a delayed conditional discrimination with presence versus absence samples and tested with delays, a bias to choose the comparison associated with the absence sample is observed with increasing delay. Additionally, when the samples consist of food versus no food, this trial-type performance difference is reversed on short-delay trials: a bias to choose the comparison associated with the presence sample develops with delay testing. This reversal in comparison bias at short delays has been attributed to a preference produced by backward associations between the hedonic samples and the nonhedonic choice stimuli. In the present experiment, we tested an alternative hypothesis, that the short-delay comparison bias is produced by proactive interference— in particular, from reinforcement obtained on the previous trial—by including a group trained with reinforcement on only half of the trials with a correct response. According to the proactive interference account, this group should have shown a smaller short-delay comparison bias than would the typical 100% reinforcement group. Instead, consistent with a backward-association interpretation, the magnitude of the short-delay comparison bias shown by the 50% group was significantly greater than that shown by the 100% group.
The origin of the interaction between learning method and delay in the testing effect: the roles of processing and conceptual retrieval organization.

Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between retrieval organization and the efficacy of prior repeated retrieval on delayed tests. The present study asked why repeated study engenders higher recall at a short delay despite lower retrieval organization but produces a decline at a long delay, and why repeated retrieval engenders lower recall at a short delay despite higher retrieval organization but produces stable recall over time. This relationship was examined through the inclusion of two successive recall tests—one immediately after learning method and one a week later. Results replicated the interaction in recall between learning method and delay characterizing the testing effect and, critically, revealed the qualitative differences inherent in the retrieval organization of each method. Specifically, stable recall in repeated retrieval was accompanied by strong and sustained conceptual organization, whereas organization for repeated study was tenuous and weakened across tests. These differences quantitatively were assessed through the use of five targeted analyses: specifically, the examination of cumulative recall curves, the accumulation of organization across time (a curve akin to cumulative recall), item gains and losses across time, changes in the size of categories across time, and the fate of specific clusters of recalled items across time. These differences are discussed within the context of differential processes occurring during learning method.
A major polypeptide of chloroplast membranes of Chlamydomonas reinhardi. Evidence for synthesis in the cytoplasm as a soluble component

Electrophoresis of thylakoid membrane polypeptides from Chlamydomonas reinhardi revealed two major polypeptide fractions. But electrophoresis of the total protein of green cells showed that these membrane polypeptides were not major components of the cell. However, a polypeptide fraction whose characteristics are those of fraction c (a designation used for reference in this paper), one of the two major polypeptides of thylakoid membranes, was resolved in the electrophoretic pattern of total protein of green cells. This polypeptide could not be detected in dark-grown, etiolated cells. Synthesis of the polypeptide occurred during greening of etiolated cells exposed to light. When chloramphenicol (final concentration, 200 µg/ml) was added to the medium during greening to inhibit chloroplastic protein synthesis, synthesis of chlorophyll and formation of thylakoid membranes were also inhibited to an extent resulting in levels of chlorophyll and membranes 20–25% of those found in control cells. However, synthesis of fraction c was not affected by the drug. This polypeptide appeared in the soluble fraction of the cell under these conditions, indicating that this protein was synthesized in the cytoplasm as a soluble component. When normally greening cells were transferred from light to dark, synthesis of the major membrane polypeptides decreased. Also, it was found that synthesis of both subunits of ribulose 1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase was inhibited by chloramphenicol, and that synthesis of this enzyme stopped when cells were transferred from light to dark.
Fast approximate search algorithm for nearest neighbor queries in high dimensions

We present a fast approximate nearest neighbor (NN) search index structure called the AB-tree, which uses heuristics to decide whether or not to access a node in the index tree based on the intersecting angle and the weight of the node. The goal of the NN search algorithm presented is to decrease unnecessary node accesses in the search due to overlap among bounding regions in existing index structures. We have observed the following three properties of bounding hyperspheres that motivated the creation of the proposed heuristics for NN search: distance property; radius property; and angle property.
A neuropeptide speeds circadian entrainment by reducing intercellular synchrony

Shift work or transmeridian travel can desynchronize the body's circadian rhythms from local light-dark cycles. The mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) generates and entrains daily rhythms in physiology and behavior. Paradoxically, we found that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a neuropeptide implicated in synchrony among SCN cells, can also desynchronize them. The degree and duration of desynchronization among SCN neurons depended on both the phase and the dose of VIP. A model of the SCN consisting of coupled stochastic cells predicted both the phase- and the dose-dependent response to VIP and that the transient phase desynchronization, or "phase tumbling", could arise from intrinsic, stochastic noise in small populations of key molecules (notably, Period mRNA near its daily minimum). The model also predicted that phase tumbling following brief VIP treatment would accelerate entrainment to shifted environmental cycles. We tested this using a prepulse of VIP during the day before a shift in either a light cycle in vivo or a temperature cycle in vitro. Although VIP during the day does not shift circadian rhythms, the VIP pretreatment approximately halved the time required for mice to reentrain to an 8-h shifted light schedule and for SCN cultures to reentrain to a 10-h shifted temperature cycle. We conclude that VIP below 100 nM synchronizes SCN cells and above 100 nM reduces synchrony in the SCN. We show that exploiting these mechanisms that transiently reduce cellular synchrony before a large shift in the schedule of daily environmental cues has the potential to reduce jet lag.
Effects of a β2-Agonist on Airway Hyperreactivity in Subjects With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Study objective Aerosolized ipratropium bromide or orally administered baclofen or oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan) block methacholine-associated airway hyperreactivity in subjects with chronic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), whereas these agents do not inhibit airway hyperreactivity associated with the inhalation of histamine. The present study was performed to determine whether pretreatment with aβ 2 -agonist attenuates airway hyperresponsiveness in these subjects. Participants Subjects with chronic cervical SCI previously demonstrating airway hyperreactivity were challenged with methacholine (n = 9) or histamine (n = 16) alone and, on a separate day, 25 min following inhalation of nebulized metaproterenol sulfate. Results Inhalation of theβ 2 -agonist was associated with an increase in provocative concentration causing a 20% decrease in FEV 1 (PC 20 ) values (geometric mean) from 1.01 ± 2.76 to 20.54 ± 6.24 mg/mL for methacholine and from 2.29 ± 2.26 to 19.82 ± 5.93 mg/mL for histamine. No correlation was found between specific PC 20 values for individual subjects and percentage improvement in FEV 1 (liter) following inhalation of metaproterenol sulfate and between PC 20 values and baseline FEV 1 percent. Conclusion These data, combined with findings that patients with chronic high cervical SCI experience increased breathlessness following exposure to exogenous agents, suggest that long-term prophylactic β 2 -agonist therapy may reduce respiratory symptoms associated with airway hyperreactivity in these patients.
Self-assembled monolayers that transduce enzymatic activities to electrical signals

The development of chemical methods to control the interactions of materials with proteins, enzymes, and cells is important to fundamental studies in chemical biology and to many applications in biotechnology. A wide range of strategies for immobilizing ligands to materials now allows excellent control over ligand–receptor interactions at an interface. An emerging theme in this field aims to add dynamic control over ligand–receptor interactions to enable the design of active substrates that can manipulate, in real time, the interactions of proteins and cells with a surface. Okano and co-workers, for example, exploited the thermalphase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) films to demonstrate substrates that could reversibly modulate the adhesion of cells. Willner and co-workers developed a class of monolayer substrates in which the activities of immobilized ligands can be reversibly switched with light. We have developed electroactive substrates that allow discrete ligands to be switched on or off in response to electrical potentials. These advances have provided an unprecedented ability to study and manipulate the adhesion of cells. In this communication, we extend on these early reports by demonstrating an interface that can specifically translate biological activities to electrical signals. This example now establishes the basis for designing electroactive interfaces that not only manipulate but also respond to cellular activities. Our approach for transducing a biological activity to an electrical signal relies on the enzymatic conversion of a redoxinactive molecule to generate a redox-active product (Figure 1). By tethering the substrate molecule to an electrode, the redox-active product resulting from enzyme action can be efficiently detected. We implement this strategy with the enzyme cutinase and 4-hydroxyphenyl valerate as the substrate. Cutinase is a 22 kDa serine esterase that efficiently removes the acyl group from this substrate, to produce the redox-active hydroquinone. We prepared a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) containing an alkanethiolate terminated by a 4-hydroxyphenyl valerate moiety [8] , and a tri(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkanethiolate in a ratio of 1:2. We used MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to establish that the interfacial enzymatic
Complete Moles and Parthenotes Are Not Organisms

The complete hydatidiform mole is an embryo-like entity that is generated by an abnormal fertilization event. In the past, noted moralists have argued that hydatidiform moles are not embryos since these so-called embryos are substantially defective from the outset. More recently, however, other bioethicists have suggested that the human mole may once have been a human embryo. In response, I argue that the ontological status of moles, parthenotes, and other embryo-like entities that develop into tumors will depend upon two distinctions, the distinction between an active and a passive potential and the distinction between a whole and a part. I propose that an embryo-like entity that has an active potential to become a tumor in the whole (such entities would include complete hydatidiform moles and parthenotes) is a non-embryo, while an entity that only has an active potential to become a tumor only in the part (such entities would include partial hydatidiform moles) is an embryo, albeit a disabled one.
The Effects of Hospital-Level and Physician-Specific Surgical Volume on Patient Outcomes

In this paper, we examine how patient outcomes are related to surgical volume, at both the hospital and individual surgeon levels. In particular, we hypothesize that both overall hospital volume of...
Proof Without Words: A Line through the Incenter of a Triangle

(2002). Proof Without Words: A Line through the Incenter of a Triangle. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 214-214.
Biology of Ophraella notulata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The biology of the leaf beetle, Ophraella notulata (F), was studied in the laboratory. The pyriform eggs measure 0.53±0.03 mm in width and 0.69±0.03 mm in length, and hatch in 5.1±1.1 days. There are 3 larval instars which have a combined development time of 8.9-11.4 days. Head capsule measurements for each instar are as follows: 1st, 0.31±0.01 mm; 2nd, 0.45±0.03; and 3rd, 0.69±0.04 mm. Prepupae spin cocoons in which pupation occurs within 3.0 days. Duration of the pupal stages is 3.7-4.4 days. Total development time from egg deposition to adult emergence is 21.8±0.86 days. All stages occur on common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.
Shocking News for Social Liberals and Economic Conservatives? Moral Judgments and the Comprehensive Misconduct Inventory

In two recent studies, I reported finding systematic relationships between “conservative” moral judgments and three antisocial personality traits: the Dark Triad of Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy. I also proposed a methodology to test the question of whether these relationships are indicative of moral vice: namely, testing the same liberal and conservative judgments for relationships to overt moral misbehaviors (e.g. crime, drug abuse, bullying, etc.) – behaviors that are widely recognized, across a vast array of different cultures and eras, to be morally problematic. The present study followed through on my suggested methodology. I presented 685 participants (427 male, 250 female, 8 unreported; mean age 30) with my original 17-item Moral Intuition Survey and a 58-item Comprehensive Misconduct Inventory (the CMI-58), a survey in which respondents self-report past and present instances of overt misbehavior ranging from criminal activity to drug abuse, bullying, aggressive traffic behavior, etc. Although I found fairly systematic correlations between self-reported misconduct and conservative economic views, I unexpectedly found stronger and more systematic relationships between self-reported misbehavior and liberal views on social issues.
The Impact of Obesity on Patient Reported Outcomes Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer.

Purpose Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers large radiation doses to the prostate while minimizing exposure to adjacent normal tissues. Large fraction sizes may increase the risks of functional decrements. Elderly men may be at an increased risk of these toxicities due to poor baseline function and hence limited reserve. This study describes patient-reported outcomes following SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer in the elderly. Methods Between 2007 and 2017, 179 hormone-naive elderly patients (≥ 70 years old) and 210 patients under 70 years old with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with 35-36.25 Gy SBRT in five fractions utilizing the CyberKnife Radiosurgical System (Accuray Inc.). Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Expanded Prostate Index Composite-Short Form (EPIC-26) questionnaire at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months following the completion of treatment. EPIC scores range from 0 to 100, with lower values representing worsening symptoms. Results EPIC scores in the elderly cohort mirrored those in the younger cohort. EPIC urinary obstructive/irritative scores declined at one month post-SBRT (mean change from baseline ≥70: -7.9; <70: -11.1) before returning to baseline at three months post-SBRT (mean change from baseline ≥70: -0.4; <70: -1.4). The EPIC urinary incontinence scores declined slowly over the three years following treatment without recovery (mean change from baseline ≥70: -6.6; <70: -4.8). EPIC Bowel scores transiently declined at one month post-SBRT (mean change from baseline ≥70: -8.5; <70: -9.1) and then experienced a second more protracted decline over the next three years without recovery (mean change from baseline ≥70: -4.5; <70: -1.8). Hormonal EPIC scores were not impacted by radiation treatment or age. Older men had lower baseline and post-treatment EPIC sexual summary scores at all time points. However, there was no clinically significant difference in the EPIC sexual bother score between younger and older men at baseline and following treatment. Conclusions In the first three years following treatment, the impact of SBRT treatment on patient-reported outcomes was minimal. Our findings suggest that SBRT for clinically localized prostate cancer should not be deferred in older men solely due to concerns of increased morbidity. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the impact of age on outcomes or morbidity following SBRT.
Abstract 214: Is Goal-Striving Stress Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Among Jackson Heart Study Participants?

Introduction: It is known that psychosocial stress is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent research has reported that goal-striving stress (GSS) is associated with poor health outcomes for African Americans. GSS is the “¼discrepancy between aspiration and achievement, and the level of disappointment experienced if goals are not reached.” As far as we know, no research has examined the relationship between GSS and CVD prevalence among African Americans. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between GSS and CVD prevalence among a large sample of African Americans. Methods: The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) includes 5,181 men (37%) and women who completed a baseline survey to capture data on psychosocial variables, CVD history, demographic variables, and CVD risk factors. It was hypothesized that higher levels of GSS would be associated with CVD prevalence. The average GSS level was 4.49. GSS was categorized into tertiles with CVD prevalence and associations assessed cross-sectionally by multivariable logistic regression analysis that adjusted for demographic, behavioral and clinical risk factors. Results: It was found that GSS was significantly associated with CVD for tertiles 1, 2, and 3 at 41.26%, 36.25%, and 22.49% respectively. Additionally, GSS was significantly associated with CVD prevalence per unit increase after adjusting for age and sex (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05), SES (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05), and smoking, diet, physical activity, and sleep (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05). However, there was slight attenuation after adjustment for CVD risk factors (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.04). Conclusions: The present study represents an important contribution to the literature in that it appears to be the first to empirically investigate the link between GSS and CVD prevalence among African American men and women.