cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of conducting composites of polypyrrole and porous cross-linked polystyrene with and without supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Composites of polypyrrole (PPy) and porous cross-linked polystyrene (PCPS) were prepared using a two-step batch method proposed by Ruckenstein and Park. However, the solvent employed by Ruckenstein and Park (methanol) in the polymerization step of their method was replaced with supercritical CO2. For comparison purposes, PPy/PCPS composites were also prepared using no solvent in the polymerization step. Conductivities as high as 10−2 S cm−1 were obtained, with or without the use of supercritical CO2. Uniformity of conductivity was determined via surface and bulk conductivity measurements, as well as by a new volume conductivity measurement that provides a measure of spatial (three-dimensional) distribution of the conducting component in the composite. The conductivity of composites prepared with or without the use of supercritical CO2 conformed to the same percolation behavior with respect to the amount of PPy formed. The percolation threshold in all cases was as low as 4 wt.%. The mechanical strength of the composites was found to be about the same as that of the host PCPS, as was the thermal stability. Therefore, the conductive component did not appear to adversely affect these properties of the host. Finally, the temperature behavior of the conductivity could be correlated with Mott's variable-range hopping (VRH) model for three-dimensional electronic transport.
Numerical simulation of forced convection in a two fluid layered system in a floating zone configuration

Forced convection due to rotational effects has been numerically studied in a stable two-fluid layered system in which the lighter fluid occupies the upper portion of the computational and physical domain. Results are presented for three different fluid height combinations for conditions prevailing in a microgravity environment. It is found that the heavier fluid tends to dominate the flow field, and that equal corotation and counterrotation cases produce nearly identical behavior in the flow and thermal fields.
Situations occasioning cocaine use and cocaine abstinence strategies.

We interviewed 265 cocaine-experienced methadone patients about situations that occasioned their cocaine use and strategies they used to avoid cocaine use. Subjects identified an average of 15 situations that occasioned cocaine use. The three most frequently identified were having the drug present (86% of subjects), being offered the drug (85%) and having money available (83%). Subjects reporting fewer situations also reported longer periods of lifetime abstinence (p < 0.01). A principal components analysis extracted 10 groups of situations that were most frequently identified in combination. Subjects identified a median of seven strategies for avoiding cocaine use ; however, there was large inter-subject variability. This variance was not accounted for by demographic variables, employment status or treatment experience. The three strategies identified most frequently were avoiding people and places (81%), thinking about what they could lose (76%) and leaving the situation (66%). The total number and type (reactive vs. proactive) of strategies identified by subjects had no relationship to cocaine abstinence, although four specific strategies (thinking about what could be lost, leaving the situation, moving to a new area and using a different drug) were positively correlated with cocaine abstinence. We discuss implications of these results for clinical practice.
The coordination chemistry and reactivity of amino-dithiaphospholanes with rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium

Abstract Novel amino-dithiaphospholane complexes of ruthenium, iridium, and rhodium were synthesized, and their properties were studied. Reaction of the new amino-dithiaphospholane (RS) 2 PNR 2 ′ (R = binaphthyl, R′ = CH 2 Ph, (rac)- 4 ) with [RuCl 2 ( p -cymene)] 2 afforded [RuCl 2 ( p -cymene)((rac)- 4 )] in 67% isolated yield. Similarly, the new amino-dithiaphospholanes (RS) 2 PNR 2 ′ (R = cyclohexyl, (rac)- 7 ) and (RS) 2 PNR 2 ′ (R = phenyl, 9 ) gave upon reaction with [RhCl(CO) 2 ] 2 and [IrCp ∗ Cl 2 ] 2 the novel complexes [RhCl(CO)(L) 2 ] and [IrCp ∗ Cl 2 (L)] (L = (rac)- 7 , 9 ) in 61–96% yields. The ruthenium complex is catalytically active for the etherification of propargylic alcohols with methanol and ethanol (8–48 h, 90 °C, 40–85% isolated yields).
Initiation of Oral Feedings in Infants Less Than 34 Weeks To Facilitate Early Discharge From Nicu.

Initiation of Oral Feedings in Infants Less Than 34 Weeks To Facilitate Early Discharge From Nicu.
Estimates of human-observer templates for a simple detection task in correlated noise

An observer template encapsulates the relative weight assigned to each pixel by an observer performing a detection or discrimination task. In previous work, Abbey et Al. (Proc. SPIE 3663, 1999.) have developed a methodology for estimating human-observer templates in two-alternative forced-choice detection and classification experiments. The methodology assumes a linear observer, and is designed for use on images with noise that is Gaussian distributed. In this work, the methodology is used to evaluate human-observer templates for tasks in correlated Gaussian noise. We consider detection of a Gaussian 'bump' signal in image noise that has either lowpass or highpass correlation structures, as well as white- noise task for reference. The estimated templates show that the human observers are sensitive to the correlation structure of the noise (as expected). However, the human-observer templates do not appear to fully adapt to noise correlations as the ideal observer does.
PRODUCTION OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI CYSTS IN VITRO.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis or Chaga's disease, has been found to produce cysts readily in culture if the medium is treated with a urease preparation. These forms resemble closely the description of cysts of some trypanosomes in their insect hosts1–3.
Tests of the accuracy of cladograms in Gilia (Polemoniaceae) and some other angiosperm genera

This paper deals with the use of cladistic methods and cladograms in phylogeny reconstruction in plant groups containing numerous taxa. How accurate are the cladograms as to details? Accuracy tests at the level of details require an independently known phylogeny, which excludes most plant groups, but such tests can be carried out in domesticated and experimental plant groups which have documented pedigrees. Four such tests are known and are presented here: a new case in Gilia and three previously published cases in Avena, Hordeum, and Helianthus. The four cases include domesticated and experimental plants, use of morphological and molecular evidence, and presence of dichotomous as well as reticulate phylogenies. The cladograms of the four plant groups all differ in significant details from the known pedigrees. These results are discussed in relation to problems of interpretation of cladograms.
Asymmetric Information and Economies of Scale in Service Contracting

We consider outsourcing in two important service settings: call center and order fulfillment operations. An important factor in both is the inherent economies of scale. Therefore, we advance a unifying model covering both applications and study the associated contracting problem under information asymmetry. At the time of contracting, the outsourcing firm, “the originator,” faces uncertainty regarding the demand volume but has private information about its probability distribution. The true demand is quickly observed once the service commences. The service provider invests in capacity before the start of the operation and offers a menu of contracts to screen different types of the originator. Adopting a mechanism design approach, we prove that a menu of two-part tariffs achieves the full-information solution. Hence, it is optimal among all possible contracts (in both settings) because of economies of scale and contractibility of realized demand.
Dynamic imaging of in vitro human airway epithelium using optical coherence tomography

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is employed to depth-resolve mucociliary transport on human bronchiepithelial cell cultures. This has relevance for monitoring airway mucus in lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and COPD.
Identification of Novel Helicobacter Species in Pig Stomachs by PCR and Partial Sequencing

Evidence of infection with Helicobacter species in pig stomach was investigated by the use of a PCR with Helicobacter genus-specific primers. Forty pig stomachs, each of four different ulcer lesion grades, 0, 1, 2, and 3 in the pars esophagea area, were collected from a slaughterhouse in Minnesota. Of 160 stomach samples examined, 102 (63.8%) were positive by the PCR assay. The 40 samples each of lesion grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 showed 22.5, 52.5, 85.0, and 95.0% PCR-positive results, respectively. There was a significant trend (P ≤ 0.01) in the proportions of PCR-positive cases relative to severity of the lesion. About 80% of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed. Of 102 PCR-positive samples, the PCR-RFLP patterns resulted in four different types, 32 samples being classified into type MN 1, 16 samples into type MN 2, 43 samples into type MN 3, and 11 samples into type MN 4. When the sequences of each RFLP type were compared to those reported in databases by using BLAST software, types MN 1, MN 2, MN 3, and MN 4 showed homologies of 97.3, 95.4, 96.7, and 99.5% with the 16S ribosomal DNA of Helicobacter flexispira taxon 3, Helicobacter sp. strains MIT 94-022 and MZ 640285, and Helicobacter suis, respectively. None of the 102 samples positive for the Helicobacter genus were positive with a primer set specific for Helicobacter pylori. Attempts to culture the organisms from selected stomachs in vitro were unsuccessful.
Spatial mapping of real-time quantitative shear stress with vascular oxidative stress

Fluid shear stress is intimately involved in vascular oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress induces molecular signaling that regulates the development of vascular calcification. The explants of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit aortas were used to assess vascular oxidative stress in non-obstructive, albeit inflammatory, lesions. The development of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) shear stress and oxidative stress sensors has provided a means to study atherogenic hemodynamics and vascular oxidative stress. Computational fluid dynamics and Doppler ultrasound were utilized in combination with the immunohistochemistry staining to show that the flow disturbance as assessed by the micro-scale sensors in non-obstructive plaques was associated with oxidative stress relevant for initiation of the arterial plaque. Our findings represent a concerted effort to assess the relationship between oxidative stress and the mechanically unstable plaque in the presence of vascular calcification.
THE STORY OF THE MIND: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR

. Persons have a curious dual nature. On the one hand, they are subjects, whose actions must be explained in terms of beliefs, desires, plans, and goals. At the same time, however, they also are physical objects, whose actions must be explicable in terms of physical laws. So far no satisfying account of this duality has been offered. Both Cartesian dualism and the modern materialist alternatives (reductionist and antireductionist) have failed to capture the full range of our experience of persons. I argue that an exciting new approach to this difficulty can be found by considering developments in clinical psychology. The clinical debate between those endorsing biological models of mental illness and those endorsing psychodynamic models mirrors broader debates in the philosophy of mind. The possible resolution of this debate through the development of integrated psychobiological models suggests a promising way to reconcile the dual nature of persons in a far more appealing way than any yet proposed.
EVALUATION OF TEACHERS: EFFECTS OF "OUTLIERS" ON INSTRUCTORS' RATINGS

Evaluation of teachers and college instructors has been studied extensively. The literature covers many variables, methodologies, and instruments; however, sloppy and careless evaluation on the par...
Single stage static level shifter design for subthreshold to I/O voltage conversion

A static subthreshold to I/O voltage level shifter is proposed. The proposed circuit employs a diode-connected pull-up transistor stack and a feedback structure to alleviate the drive strength requirement on the pull-down transistors. The proposed level shifter achieves less than 6 FO4 inverter delay under process and temperature variation when converting the input from 300 mV to 2.5 V. Compared to a conventional DCVS design, the new design consumes 8 times less power and is 10% faster under room temperature.
Elements in the C terminus of apolipoprotein [a] responsible for the binding to the tenth type III module of human fibronectin.

In previous studies, we showed that the C-termi- nal domain, F2, but not the N-terminal domain, F1, is re- sponsible for the binding of apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)) to human fibronectin (Fn). To pursue those observations, we prepared, by both elastase digestion and recombinant tech- nology, subsets of F2 of a different length containing either kringle (K) V or the protease domain (PD). We also studied rhesus monkey apo(a), which is known to contain PD but not KV. In the case of Fn, we used both an intact product and its tenth type III module ( 10 FN-III) expressed in Esche- richia coli . The binding studies carried out on microtiter plates showed that the affinity of F2 for immobilized 10 FN-III was � 6-fold higher than that for Fn (dissociation con- stants � 1.75 � 0.31 nM and 10.25 � 1.62 nM, respec- tively). The binding was also exhibited by rhesus apo(a) and by an F2 subset containing the PD linked to an upstream microdomain comprising KIV-8 to KIV-10 and KV, inactive by itself. Competition experiments on microtiter plates showed that both Fn and 10 FN-III, when in solution, are incompe- tent to bind F2. Together, our results indicate that F2 binds to immobilized 10 FN-III more efficiently than whole Fn and that the binding can be sustained by truncated forms of F2 that contain the catalytically inactive PD linked to an upstream four K microdomain. —Edelstein, C., M. Yousef, and A. M. Scanu. Elements in the C terminus of apo- lipoprotein (a) responsible for the binding to the tenth type III module of human fibronectin. J. Lipid Res. 2005. 46: 2673-2680.
Src activation in malignant and premalignant epithelia of Barrett's esophagus.

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The neoplastic progression of Barrett's esophagus (BE) may involve genomic instability, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, or activation of oncogenes. Because activation of Src tyrosine kinase occurs in malignant and premalignant epithelia of the colon, the aim of this study was to determine whether BE is associated with changes in Src expression and activity. METHODS: Src expression and in vitro protein-tyrosine kinase activity in endoscopic tissue samples of BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma were measured and compared with expression and activity in normal esophagus and duodenum from the same patient. Src phosphorylation was assessed by immunoblotting using antiphosphotyrosine antibodies and two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping. RESULTS: Src-specific activity was 3-4 fold higher in BE and 6-fold higher in esophageal adenocarcinoma than in control tissues. Different regions of BE from the same patient showed heterogeneity in Src activity compared with the uniform Src activity observed in different regions of normal esophagus and duodenum. In all tissues, Src kinase activity and protein were associated preferentially with the Triton X-100-soluble rather than-insoluble fraction. Immunoblotting and two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping showed dephosphorylation of Src at Tyr527 in BE. CONCLUSIONS: Src is activated in BE, in part, because of dephosphorylation of Tyr527. Src activation and its heterogeneous expression occur before development of dysplasia or carcinoma in BE. (Gastroenterology 1997 Feb;112(2):348-56)
Building a foundation for structure-based cellulosome design for cellulosic ethanol: Insight into cohesin-dockerin complexation from computer simulation.

The organization and assembly of the cellulosome, an extracellular multienzyme complex produced by anaerobic bacteria, is mediated by the high-affinity interaction of cohesin domains from scaffolding proteins with dockerins of cellulosomal enzymes. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations on both the wild type (WT) and D39N mutant of the C. thermocellum Type I cohesin-dockerin complex in aqueous solution. The D39N mutation has been experimentally demonstrated to disrupt cohesin-dockerin binding. The present MD simulations indicate that the substitution triggers significant protein flexibility and causes a major change of the hydrogen-bonding network in the recognition strips—the conserved loop regions previously proposed to be involved in binding—through electrostatic and salt-bridge interactions between β-strands 3 and 5 of the cohesin and α-helix 3 of the dockerin. The mutation-induced subtle disturbance in the local hydrogen-bond network is accompanied by conformational rearrangements of the protein side chains and bound water molecules. Additional free energy perturbation calculations of the D39N mutation provide differences in the cohesin-dockerin binding energy, thus offering a direct, quantitative comparison with experiments. The underlying molecular mechanism of cohesin-dockerin complexation is further investigated through the free energy profile, that is, potential of mean force (PMF) calculations of WT cohesin-dockerin complex. The PMF shows a high-free energy barrier against the dissociation and reveals a stepwise pattern involving both the central β-sheet interface and its adjacent solvent-exposed loop/turn regions clustered at both ends of the β-barrel structure.
Stress–Strain Behavior of Nicalon‐Fiber‐Reinforced Calcium Aluminosilicate Composites under Tensile Fatigue Conditions

The unusual stress–strain hysteresis loop shape exhibited by ceramic-matrix composites under cyclic loading has previously been explained as a result of either strain rate dependence of the frictional shear stress or crack closure. This investigation has determined that the response is due to neither mechanism. Instead, it is proposed that a variation of interfacial shear strength occurs during each cycle. A static coefficient of friction dominates immediately after loading or unloading. A much lower dynamic coefficient of friction operates once fiber sliding begins. This dynamic coefficient appears to be very dependent on surface roughness.
Prehospital and Enroute Care

We have seen many advances in combat casualty care in the last 12 or so years but none so dramatic as the revision in battlefield trauma as a concept. Tourniquet use, advanced IV fluids, and even some of our hemostatic dressings are improvements upon earlier models. It has been modifications in many of our tools combined with a better understanding of what kills soldiers on the battlefield and how to prioritize care that is the quantum leap forward. The break from civilian trauma concepts reflects the recognition that most of how we manage a trauma patient in the civilian setting is predicated on blunt trauma physiology. Blast trauma, penetrating injuries, massive extremity damage, and loss have necessitated an examination of battlefield mortality and a focus on interventions that manage the causes of the main battlefield killers, i.e., hemorrhage from a compressible site, tension pneumothorax, and airway compromise. The TC3 principles reflect that the medic, and sometimes physician, providing care on the battlefield must first neutralize the enemy and remember that the mission is still developing around him or her. Thus, one must think about providing care from a covered position realizing that he or she cannot engage so blindly as to become quickly overwhelmed. Once the enemy threat has quieted to a dull roar, then Tactical Field Care can take place and one can focus on more than just managing massive hemorrhage under fire.
A Simple Triatomic Model for Calculating Metal-Ligand Vibrations

The low-frequency spectra of a great many complexes have been reported in the last few years, and there has been much interest in assigning the metal-ligand vibrations.1 Normal coordinate analyses have been performed on some simple complexes, e.g., ammine complexes,2–4 hexahalo complexes,5 oxalato complexes,6 and carbonato complexes,7 and the assignments made for these spectra are presumably correct. Most assignments which have been made, however, result from the study of a series of homologous complexes. Neither of these methods are especially practical for complexes of lower symmetry containing complicated ligands: the first method, because the calculation becomes too arduous, and the second, because often too many bands present themselves as possibilities.
Comparison of multiplex meta analysis techniques for understanding the acute rejection of solid organ transplants

Background: Combining the results of studies using highly parallelized measurements of gene expression such as microarrays and RNAseq offer unique challenges in meta analysis. Motivated by a need for a deeper understanding of organ transplant rejection, we combine the data from five separate studies to compare acute rejection versus stability after solid organ transplantation, and use this data to examine approaches to multiplex meta analysis. Results: We demonstrate that a commonly used parametric effect size estimate approach and a commonly used non-parametric method give very different results in prioritizing genes. The parametric method providing a meta effect estimate was superior at ranking genes based on our gold-standard of identifying immune response genes in the transplant rejection datasets. Conclusion: Different methods of multiplex analysis can give substantially different results. The method which is best for any given application will likely depend on the particular domain, and it remains for future work to see if any one method is consistently better at identifying important biological signal across gene expression experiments.
Organizational development of biomedical engineering

The evolution of biomedical engineering is traced, beginning with its roots in electrophysiology about 200 years ago. Significant research and professional developments during the 1940s, '50s, and '60s are sketched. Five major events that contributed to these developments are discussed. They are the split between biophysics and bioengineering (1957), S. Talbot's BME study grant (1958-60), the impact of the National Institutes of Health (since 1958), the IEEE 'BME-crisis' (1967/68), and the IEEE Bioengineering Society's founding (1968) and its BME view as an extension of physiology. >
Erosion of gastric pacemaker lead into small bowel.

d e o i v a We report the erosion of a gastric pacemaker lead into he lumen of the small bowel. The patient had had an nterra Therapy (Medtronics, Minneapolis, MN) gastric timulator placed. Approximately 1 year later, she develped generator failure, prompting re-exploration. The lead roded into the mid-jejunum, requiring removal. The bowel id not require resection. To our knowledge this is the first eported of this complication.
A Connectionist Modeling Approach to Word Recognition and Dyslexia

Word recognition plays an essential role in learning to read, skilled reading, and dyslexia. The goal of the research I describe is to develop a theory of word recognition that is realized as a connectionist simulation model. Experience with a first-generation model suggests that the approach can reveal general principles underlying word recognition and its impairments. Although computational modeling introduces new problems of method and interpretation, it contributes in an essential way to understanding reading and other aspects of cognition.
Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Stroke Prevention in AF: The Quest for the Holy Grail∗

Strokes resulting from embolization of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) account for up to 25% of the 700,000 cerebrovascular accidents occurring annually in the United States. LAA, a complex structure with considerable anatomic variability, has been
Microseisms in the 11- to 18-second period range

Abstract Storm microseisms in the 11- to 18-second period range recorded at Palisades and Bermuda are attributed to ocean swell of identical periods in the vicinity of the seacoast near the seismograph station. Evidence is based on travel time, correlation with wave-recorder data, and dispersion of the waves from hurricane Dolly, which remained in deep water when near the Palisades station and passed at a speed greater than the group velocity of ocean swell. Ground-particle motion is longitudinal, with little or no vertical component. With some qualifications, the results agree with the classical surf theory of microseism generation. Certainly, the energy is transferred to the earth within the littoral zone.
Abstract B12: Co-targeting of MYC and BCL2 signaling is a promising treatment strategy for double hit and triple hit B-cell lymphomas

Background: Overexpression of MYC and BCL2 or/and BCL6 due to genomic rearrangements is the key molecular feature of double hit lymphoma (DHL) or triple hit lymphoma (THL). Patients with DHL and THL show very aggressive disease course and poor survival because there is no effective treatment modality. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of MYC and BCL2 inhibition on established DHL and patient derived THL cells in vitro. Methods: Primary THL cell line named as CS-THL1 was established from an 85 year-old lymphoma patient. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to determine the levels of MYC, BCL2, BCL6, or Ki-67 expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. MTS assays were employed to evaluate the anti-growth efficacy of MYC inhibitor 10058-F4 or JQ-1, and BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-199, a BH3 mimetic, in CS-THL1 and DoGKiT cells alone or together and with or without vincristine or doxorubicin. Apoptosis, cytochrome c release and intracellular expression of BCL2, BCL-xL, BIM, and MCL-1 protein in response to drugs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Expression of MYC, BCL2, BCL6 and proliferation factor Ki-67 protein was increased in THL, as shown by IHC. Analysis of cell viability demonstrated that inhibition of MYC by 10058-F4 or JQ-1 or BCL2 by ABT-199 as a single agent significantly attenuated the growth of CS-THL1 and DoGKiT cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Combination of 10058-F4 or JQ-1 and ABT-199 or together with vincristine or doxorubicin synergistically suppressed CS-THL1 and DoGKiT cell growth compared with single agent treatment. As demonstrated by multiple approaches, apoptosis due to inhibition of BCL2 by ABT-199 or inhibition of MYC with 10058-F4 or JQ-1 exposure was the underlying cause of the observed growth retardation in CS-THL1 and DoGKiT cells. Conclusion: These observations suggest that concurrent inhibition of MYC and BCL2 pathway signaling is a potential treatment modality for patients with aggressive DH and TH B-cell lymphomas. Citation Format: Munevver Cinar, Fred Rosenfelt, Sepehr Rokshar, Raju Pillai, Jean Lopategui, Melissa Cervania, Bekir Cinar, Serhan Alkan. Co-targeting of MYC and BCL2 signaling is a promising treatment strategy for double hit and triple hit B-cell lymphomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Myc: From Biology to Therapy; Jan 7-10, 2015; La Jolla, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2015;13(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B12.
Virulence factors of anaerobic bacteria: summary of the symposium.

1893 [2]. An avalanche of publications concerning anaerobes appeared in the early 1900s; these articles dealt primarily with clinical descriptions and bacteriological characterization. Certain important time-tested concepts also evolved during this period. It was learned that most of the infections involved multiple bacterial species-a violation of the monomicrobial etiology of infection according to the classical teaching and postulates of Koch, all of which required a single microbe in pure culture. It was also established that anaerobes were numerically the dominant forms of life on humans, leading to the theory of endogenous infection. The polymicrobial nature of the infections resulted in the belief that two
Prevalence of Rosacea in Community Settings

BackgroundThe prevalence of rosacea is poorly characterized. Because selection bias may affect prevalence estimates, there is a need to characterize the prevalence of rosacea outside the clinic setting.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of rosacea in community settings.MethodsA clinical research fellow and a medical student stood in public places (a mall, the Department of Motor Vehicles, a grocery store) and examined consecutive individuals who passed by ≤ 2 yards away. They tallied demographic and descriptive data on the subject and included the subject in one of three categories: clearly rosacea, possible rosacea, and definitely no rosacea. Subanalyses by perceived gender, age, race, and rosacea subtype were also performed. Comparisons between groups were made using the Fisher exact test.ResultsConsidering the prevalence of rosacea among all observed individuals in the community setting, 5.4% (95% CI 3.6-7.8) of individuals had “possible” rosacea and 6% (95% CI 4.1-8.5) of individuals had “definite” ros...
Embryonic vascular development: immunohistochemical identification of the origin and subsequent morphogenesis of the major vessel primordia in quail embryos

The development of the embryonic vasculature is examined here using a monoclonal antibody, QH-1, capable of labelling the presumptive endothelial cells of Japanese quail embryos. Antibody labelling is first seen within the embryo proper at the 1-somite stage. Scattered labelling of single cells appears ventral to the somites and at the lateral edges of the anterior intestinal portal. The dorsal aorta soon forms a continuous cord at the ventrolateral edge of the somites and continues into the head to fuse with the ventral aorta forming the first aortic arch by the 6-somite stage. The rudiments of the endocardium fuse at the midline above the anterior intestinal portal by the 3-somite stage and the ventral aorta extends craniad. Intersomitic arteries begin to sprout off of the dorsal aorta at the 7-somite stage. The posterior cardinal vein forms from single cells which segregate from somatic mesoderm at the 7-somite stage to form a loose plexus which moves mediad and wraps around the developing Wolffian duct in later stages. These studies suggest two modes of origin of embryonic blood vessels. The dorsal aortae and cardinal veins apparently arise in situ by the local segregation of presumptive endothelial cells from the mesoderm. The intersomitic arteries, vertebral arteries and cephalic vasculature arise by sprouts from these early vessel rudiments. There also seems to be some cell migration in the morphogenesis of endocardium, ventral aorta and aortic arches. The extent of presumptive endothelial migration in these cases, however, needs to be clarified by microsurgical intervention.
Probing Backbone Dynamics with Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Protein dynamics can be probed by the solution technique amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange. The exchange rate of hydrogen for deuterium along a peptide backbone is dependent on the extent of hydrogen bonding from secondary structure, accessibility by D2O, and protein motions. Both global and local conformational changes that alter bonding or structure will lead to changes in the amount of deuterium incorporated. The deuterium can be localized via pepsin digestion of the protein and quantified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry through the mass shifts of the resulting peptides. The technique is emerging as an essential tool to study protein structure in solution due to the exceptional capability of examining both dynamic and structural changes related to protein function.
NEW DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES IN THE EVALUATION OF ANATOMIC ABNORMALITIES OF THE INFERTILE MALE

SUMMARY New diagnostic imaging modalities have taken on a major role in the diagnosis of disease entities related to male infertility. Ultrasonography, MR imaging, and new operative diagnostic maneuvers will continue to define anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the male reproductive system. When any disease process affects the male in the reproductive or prereproductive years, potential repercussions on subsequent male factor fertility should always be addressed in the treatment plans of such patients. Scrotal ultrasonography is extremely helpful in identification of abnormalities of the testis parenchyma, paratesticular structures, and blood flow in the region of the testes. TRUS has replaced the vasogram as the initial diagnostic test for evaluation of the prostate, ejaculatory duct, and seminal vesicles in the infertile male. It may also be used as an adjunct to treatment in these patients. MR imaging may become a useful adjunct to TRUS in defining male genital ductal anatomy prior to surgical exploration. Vasal exploration, including subjective vasal injection pressure, vasal fluid examination, and vasography, is an important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis and treatment of male genital disorders.
A Tale of Two Centuries: Henry James’s “The Jolly Corner”

Written in England in 1906 but not published until December 1908, Henry James’s “The Jolly Corner” is considered one of the finest doppelganger tales ever produced. Likened to the parable of the pr...
Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective To examine the prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability and identify specific symptoms and other factors associated with mobility disability among a national sample of ovarian cancer (OC) survivors. Methods Descriptive, correlational secondary analysis of a National Ovarian Cancer Coalition mailed survey of women with a history of OC ( n =713). We used the Symptom Representation Questionnaire (SRQ), the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Interference Scale, and medical and demographic information to determine prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability. We constructed a multiple linear regression model to determine the relative contributions of specific symptoms and other factors to mobility disability. Results A majority of the sample (60.0%) reported symptom-related mobility disability. Independent predictors included: > one comorbidity (β=0.112, p =0.001), active OC (β=0.111, p =0.037), abdominal bloating (β=0.097, p =0.006), fatigue (β=0.314, p p =0.045), numbness/tingling (β=0.134, p p 2 =0.415). Unexpectedly, age (β=−0.028, p =0.412) and current chemotherapy (β=0.107, p =0.118) were not significant predictors. Conclusions Symptom-related mobility disability is common among women with OC and is associated with medical comorbidities, abdominal bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, numbness/tingling, and pain. Longitudinal research should clarify the relationship of these symptoms to mobility disability and determine whether effective symptom management minimizes disability.
Multi-institutional Nomogram Predicting Survival Free From Salvage Whole Brain Radiation After Radiosurgery in Patients With Brain Metastases.

Purpose Optimal patient selection for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as the initial treatment for brain metastases is complicated and controversial. This study aimed to develop a nomogram that predicts survival without salvage whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) after upfront SRS. Methods and Materials Multi-institutional data were analyzed from 895 patients with 2095 lesions treated with SRS without prior or planned WBRT. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent pre-SRS predictors of WBRT-free survival, which were integrated to build a nomogram that was subjected to bootstrap validation. Results Median WBRT-free survival was 8 months (range, 0.1-139 months). Significant independent predictors for inferior WBRT-free survival were age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.1 for each 10-year increase), HER2(−) breast cancer (HR 1.6 relative to other histologic features), colorectal cancer (HR 1.4 relative to other histologic features), increasing number of brain metastases (HR 1.09, 1.32, 1.37, and 1.87 for 2, 3, 4, and 5+ lesions, respectively), presence of neurologic symptoms (HR 1.26), progressive systemic disease (HR 1.35), and increasing extracranial disease burden (HR 1.31 for oligometastatic and HR 1.56 for widespread). Additionally, HER2(+) breast cancer (HR 0.81) and melanoma (HR 1.11) trended toward significance. The independently weighted hazard ratios were used to create a nomogram to display estimated probabilities of 6-month and 12-month WBRT-free survival with a corrected Harrell's C concordance statistic of 0.62. Conclusions Our nomogram can be used at initial evaluation to help select patients best suited for upfront SRS for brain metastases while reducing expense and morbidity in patients who derive minimal or no benefit.
Patterns of Failure in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma After Proton Therapy

Purpose To report on the patterns of failure in children with rhabdomyosarcoma treated with proton therapy. Patients and Methods Between February 2007 and November 2013, 66 children with a median age of 4.1 years (range, 0.6-15.3 years) diagnosed with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma were treated with proton therapy. Clinical target volume 1 was defined as the prechemotherapy tumor plus a 1-cm anatomically constrained margin. Clinical target volume 2 was defined as the postchemotherapy tumor (or tumor bed) plus a 0.5-cm anatomically constrained margin, further expanded to encompass potential pathways of spread, including soft tissue infiltrated with tumor at diagnosis. Results Of the 66 children, 11 developed locally progressive disease at a median of 16 months (range, 14-32 months), for an actuarial 2-year local control rate of 88%. Among the children who progressed, median age and tumor size at diagnosis were 6.7 years (range, 0.6-16 years) and 6 cm (range, 2-8 cm), respectively. Of the recurrences, 64% and 36% were embryonal and alveolar, respectively. Disease progression was observed in 7 (64%) parameningeal, 2 (18%) head and neck (other), and 2 (18%) bladder/prostate subsites. At diagnosis, 8 of 11 patients who developed a recurrence were Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study stage 3, and all 11 were group III. Of the relapses, 100% (11 of 11) were confirmed as in-field within the composite 95% isodose line. One of the 11 patients (9%) developed a new simultaneous regional nodal recurrence outside of the previously treated radiation field. Conclusion Early data suggest that the sharp dosimetric gradient associated with proton therapy is not associated with an increased risk of marginal failure. Routine use of a 0.5- to 1-cm clinical target volume 1/2 margin with highly conformal proton therapy does not compromise local control in children diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma with unfavorable risk features.
Novel deleterious dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase variants may contribute to 5-fluorouracil sensitivity in an East African population

Clinical studies have identified specific genetic variants in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD; DPYD gene) as predictors of severe adverse toxicity to the commonly used chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); however, these studies have focused on European and European-American populations. Our laboratory recently demonstrated that additional variants in non-European haplotypes are predictive of 5-FU toxicity. The objective of this study was to identify potential risk variants in an understudied East African population relevant to our institution's catchment area. The DPYD protein-coding region was sequenced in 588 individuals of Somali or Kenyan ancestry living in central/southeast Minnesota. Twelve novel nonsynonymous variants were identified, seven of which significantly decreased DPD activity in vitro. The commonly reported toxicity-associated variants, *2A, D949V, and I560S, were not detected in any individuals. Overall, this study demonstrates a critical limitation in our knowledge of pharmacogenetic predictors of 5-FU toxicity, which has been based on clinical studies conducted in populations of limited diversity.
A concise summary of spatial anomalies and its application in efficient real-time driving behaviour monitoring

This work is motivated by a smart car application which analyses streams of data generated from cars to enhance transportation safety. We treated the problem as real-time abnormal driving behaviour detection using spatio-temporal data collected from mobile devices including GPS location, speed and steering angle. A concise summary was proposed to summarise spatial patterns from GPS trajectory data for efficient real-time anomaly detection. An approach solving this problem by nearest neighbour search has O(n) space and O(log(n) + k) query time complexity, where k is the neighbourhood size and n is the data size. On the other hand, the concise summary approach requires only O(e * n) memory space and has O(log(e * n)) query time complexity, where k is several orders of magnitude smaller than one. Experiments with two large datasets from Porto and Beijing showed that our method used only a few megabytes to summarise datasets with n = 80 million data points and was able to process 30K queries per second which was several orders of magnitude faster than the baseline approach. Besides, in the work, interesting spatio-temporal patterns regarding abnormal driving behaviours from the real-world datasets are also discussed to demonstrate potential application of the work in many industries including insurance, transportation safety enhancement and city transport management.
Deep Granuloma Annulare Mimicking Inflamed Cysts in a Teenager

We describe deep granuloma annulare (DGA) of the forehead mimicking inflamed cysts. Reactive inflammation and sterile purulent drainage may be an underrecognized feature of DGA.
Sample Preparation and Analysis for Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a novel quantitative technique used to investigative diverse biomolecules in tissue sections. Specifically, IMS uses analytical separation of mass spectrometry to determine the spatial distribution of certain lipids and/or proteins located directly on biological sections from a single tissue sample. Typically, IMS is combined with histological analysis to reveal additional distribution details of characterized biomolecules including cell type and/or subcellular localization. In this chapter, we describe the use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Time-Of-Flight/Time-Of-Flight (TOF/TOF) to analyze various cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine species in atherosclerotic plaque of murine heart aortic valves. In particular, we detail animals used, tissue collection, preparation, matrix application, spectra acquisition for generating a color-coded image based on IMS spectral characteristics.
Policy, practice, and partnerships for climate change adaptation on US national forests

Climate change presents a challenge to land management agencies tasked with managing landscapes to protect natural resources and provide key goods and services in the face of ecological change, complexity, and uncertainty. Land management agencies, like the U.S. Forest Service, have developed multi-faceted strategies that utilize concepts like resilience and ecological integrity to guide adaptation. To address an extant research need, we conducted a qualitative case study, consisting of interviews with Forest Service staff in the Rocky Mountain Region, to explore how local federal land managers approach adaptation. Our goals were to understand what impacts managers are finding salient, perceptions of current agency strategies, and aspects of policy and practice that support effective adaptation planning. Interview participants anticipate impacts to disturbance regimes, wildlife species, and human uses. Participants intend to draw on agency policies, like its climate change scorecard and its land management planning regulations. However, the participants note that ambiguous concepts, uncertainty, and institutional variables make adaptation planning challenging in practice. A major theme apparent in the interviews was the use of partnerships with a range of other entities to address climate change. Ambiguity associated with concepts like resilience and ecological integrity allow them to function as boundary concepts; however, this ambiguity makes it challenging for managers to operationalize these concepts. These findings revealed that climate change adaptation is leading to and revealing the need for broader governance change. Moving forward, it will be crucial to adjust current governance structures to support long-term partnerships adept at translating scientific knowledge into actions and implementing complex boundary concepts.
Simulation of unequal-variance binormal multireader ROC decision data: an extension of the Roe and Metz simulation model.

Rationale and Objectives Roe and Metz (RM) proposed a model for simulating multireader multicase (MRMC) data collected from a factorial study design in which readers read the same cases in all modalities. However, a major weakness of the RM model is that it generates data according to an equal-variance binormal model for each reader. This article extends the RM model by allowing the diseased and nondiseased decision-variable distributions to have unequal variances for each reader. Materials and Methods I show how to modify the RM model so that it generates data according to an unequal-variance binormal model for each reader. In doing so, I preserve other important characteristics of the original simulation input values. The mean-to-sigma ratio, which describes the relationship between the means and variances of the diseased and nondiseased decision-variable distributions, is constrained to have a value that is representative of many data sets. This last point is illustrated with an example comparing the performances of spin echo and cine magnetic resonance imaging for detecting thoracic aortic dissection. Results A simulation study is performed to assess the performance of the MRMC methods proposed by Dorfman, Berbaum, and Metz and by Obuchowski and Rockette using the proposed unequal variance extension of the RM model. The methods show either excellent or acceptable performance when there are at least five readers and at least 25 normal and 25 abnormal cases. Conclusions The proposed extension of the RM simulation model generates data that are more similar to data collected from radiological studies.
Work-Life Balance in the Workplace

Numerous research studies reveal when leadership includes diversity and inclusion in the business ethics of the organization, it can have a positive effect on the health and well-being of all stakeholders. Work-life balance (WLB) in the workplace provides a new ethical construct being pursued by developed nations and public and private organizations around the world. The effectiveness of some WLB benefits is questionable because supervisors found a ‘one-size-fits-all’ WLB policy complicated to manage in a diverse workforce. This chapter explores broadening the ‘one-size-fits-all’ policies to a ‘create for implementation’ design. Practical applications will be shared to help diversify one’s hidden biases that might help mitigate unfavorable attitudes and behaviors of non-supporting WLB supervisors.