cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary report on the American Clark Fork mammal fauna, and its correlation with similar faunas in Europe and Asia

En se fondant sur des recoltes effectuees durant les deux derniers etes (1975, 1976), il apparait que pour l'Amerique du Nord, le Clarkforkian constitue un etage mammalien valide et important. La comparaison de la faune de mammiferes du Clarkforkian avec la succession de faunes de mammiferes qui encadre la limite Paleocene-Eocene en Europe, conduit a la conclusion que cette faune est tres proche de celle de meudon du Sparnacien inferieur. Aussi le Clarkforkian est considere comme l'etage mammalien de la base de l'Eocene inferieur en Amerique du Nord. La repartition stratigraphique et geographique des Notoungules, liees a l'histoire climatique de la periode Paleocene-Eocene, font qu'il est probable que ces Notoungules sont originaires d'Amerique Centrale ou d'Amerique du Sud. Ils ont atteint l'Amerique du Nord precocement dans le Clarkforkian, et ils ont atteint le continent asiatique doit durant le Clarkforkian soit le Wasatchian inferieur. L'âge des faunes de Mammiferes de Mongolie de Gashato et de Naran Bulak doit donc etre considere comme Eocene inferieur plutot que Paleocene superieur.
Activation and regulation of store‐operated calcium entry

The process of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), whereby Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane is activated in response to depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), has been under investigation for greater than 25 years; however, only in the past 5 years have we come to understand this mechanism at the molecular level. A surge of recent experimentation indicates that STIM molecules function as Ca2+ sensors within the ER that, upon Ca2+ store depletion, rearrange to sites very near to the plasma membrane. At these plasma membrane-ER junctions, STIM interacts with and activates SOCE channels of the Orai family. The molecular and biophysical data that have led to these findings are discussed in this review, as are several controversies within this rapidly expanding field.
The mechanism of cough syncope.

Abstract Although described in 1876 by Charcot, 1 the syndrome of cough syncope has until recently been considered a rare form of fainting. However, the excellent reports by Baker, 2 Sharpey-Schafer, 3 and Kerr and Derbes, 4 indicate that the condition may not be uncommon. Despite increasing recognition of the syndrome, the mechanism producing the syncope remains elusive. 4 Earlier investigators have suggested that this form of syncope is an epileptic equivalent 5–7 or the result of a laryngeal reflex. 6,8 These theories, however, have generally been abandoned in favor of a circulatory mechanism producing cerebral anoxia. 9 It has been suggested that the cerebral anoxia might be the result of marked reflex peripheral vasodilation 3 or a decreased cardiac output secondary to a reduced inflow or marked pulmonary vasoconstriction. 10 These theories, though attractive, fail to explain completely certain unique features of this form of syncope. For example, syncope may develop with remarkable rapidity (3 to 5 seconds) after the onset of cough. With the cessation of cough, consciousness is rapidly recovered without vasomotor or other sequelae. The syndrome is rarely observed in women and syncope may occur in the supine or standing subject. The present report, based on observations made on normal individuals and patients with cough syncope, suggests a more acceptable mechanism for this type of fainting.
Three-dimensional simulation of gap-controlled plate rolling by the finite element method

Abstract It has been suggested that the proper use of a preform plate with a thickness profile could reduce yield loss in plate rolling. A complete three-dimensional rigid-plastic finite element code was developed for simulation of gap-controlled plate rolling in order to investigate the effect of preform shapes on the geometry of the final plates. Simulations are performed for two-pass rolling under several pass schedules of roll gap control. The results are compared to examine the effect of rolling schedule on the shapes of final plates.
A Nonpolycationic Fully Proteinaceous Multiagent System for Potent Targeted Delivery of siRNA

Protein-based methods of targeted short-interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery have the potential to solve some of the problems faced by nanoparticle-based methods, such as poor pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, low tumor penetration, and polydispersity. However, protein-based targeted delivery has been limited to fusion proteins with polycationic peptides as siRNA carriers, whose high charge density in some cases results in undesirable biophysical and in vivo properties. Here, we present a fully proteinaceous, multiagent approach for targeted siRNA delivery to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), using a nonpolycationic carrier for siRNA. Each agent contributes a fundamentally different mechanism of action that work together for potent targeted RNA interference. The first agent is an EGFR-targeted fusion protein that uses a double-stranded RNA-binding domain as a nonpolycationic siRNA carrier. This double-stranded RNA-binding domain fusion protein can deliver siRNA to the endosomes of an EGFR-expressing cell line. A second agent delivers the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, perfringolysin O, in a targeted manner, which enhances the endosomal escape of siRNA and induces gene silencing. A third agent that clusters EGFR increases gene-silencing potency and decreases cytolysin toxicity. Altogether, this system is potent, with only 16 nmol/l siRNA required for gene silencing and a therapeutic window that spans two orders of magnitude of targeted cytolysin concentrations.
Feasibility of breast preservation in the treatment of occult primary carcinoma presenting with axillary metastases.

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the treatment outcomes in patients with occult primary carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastasis who were treated with mastectomy or with intent to preserve the breast. Methods: From 1951 to 1998, 479 female patients were registered with axillary lymph node metastasis from an unknown primary. After clinical workup, including mammography, 45 patients retained this diagnosis and received treatment for T0 N1–2 M0 carcinoma of the breast. Clinical and pathological data were collected retrospectively, and survival was calculated from the date of initial diagnosis using the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up time was 7 years. Results: Median age was 54 years (range, 32–79). Clinical nodal status was N1 in 71% and N2 in 29% of the patients. Surgical treatment was mastectomy in 29% and an intent to preserve the breast in 71% of the patients. Locoregional radiotherapy was used in 71% and systemic chemoendocrine therapy was used in 73% of the patients. Of the 13 mastectomy patients, only one had a primary tumor discovered in the specimen. Two patients (4%) were ultimately diagnosed with lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumor. No significant difference was detected between mastectomy and breast preservation in locoregional recurrence (15% versus 13%), distant metastases (31% versus 22%), or 5-year survival (75% vs. 79%). Regardless of surgical therapy, the most important determinant of survival was the number of positive nodes. Five-year overall survival was 87% with 1–3 positive nodes compared with 42% with ≥4 positive nodes (P < .0001). Conclusions: Occult primary carcinoma with axillary metastases can be treated with preservation of the breast without a negative impact on local control or survival.
The lack of a priori distinctions between learning algorithms

This is the first of two papers that use off-training set (OTS) error to investigate the assumption-free relationship between learning algorithms. This first paper discusses the senses in which there are no a priori distinctions between learning algorithms. (The second paper discusses the senses in which there are such distinctions.) In this first paper it is shown, loosely speaking, that for any two algorithms A and B, there are “as many” targets (or priors over targets) for which A has lower expected OTS error than B as vice versa, for loss functions like zero-one loss. In particular, this is true if A is cross-validation and B is “anti-cross-validation” (choose the learning algorithm with largest cross-validation error). This paper ends with a discussion of the implications of these results for computational learning theory. It is shown that one cannot say: if empirical misclassification rate is low, the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension of your generalizer is small, and the training set is large, then with high probability your OTS error is small. Other implications for “membership queries” algorithms and “punting” algorithms are also discussed.
The Career Development Needs of College Students with Learning Disabilities: In Their Own Words.

The career development and disability knowledge of 97 students with learning disabilities from three postsecondary institutions in the Midwest was examined through semi-structured interviews. Students with disabilities who were eligible for services while in high school generally did not engage in transition planning as required by federal law. Their career development activities were limited despite having unique career needs. The majority of students had difficulty describing their disability and its impact on their career exploration and planning. For students with learning disabilities at the postsecondary level, career development services should be provided, including training in self-advocacy and career exploration in the first two years. Instruction in career self-management skills should be ongoing.
Effect of Canards on Delta Wing Vortex Breakdown During Dynamic Pitching

The effect of a canard on delta wing vortices was investigated in the 2 3 3 ft water tunnel at Wichita State University. It is well known that the leading-edge vortices generated by a delta-shaped wing greatly enhance a vehicle’ s performance at high angles of attack. In this experiment, different canards were placed in front of a 70-deg swept main delta wing. Dye e ow visualization was used to observe the vortex breakdown location during dynamic pitch-up and pitch-down motion with varying pitch rates. Compared to the no-canard cone guration, results showed that there was a delay in vortex breakdown because of the presence of the canard and the dynamic pitch motion. The most favorable delay was obtained when the canard was located closest to the main delta wing and the model was pitched up at a fast rate or pitched down at a slow rate. Complete vortex breakdown on the main delta wing (i.e., full stall ) occurred at 53 deg for the static case without canard. In comparison, complete vortex breakdown occurred past 90 deg when a canard cone gured delta wing was pitched up at the fastest rate tested (i.e., k = 0.2).
Pedal Bypass Versus Tibial Bypass With Autogenous Vein: A Comparison of Outcome and Hemodynamic Results

Abstract Purpose: Autogenous vein grafts to infrapopliteal arteries performed for chronic limb-threatening ischemia between 1984 and 1991 were reviewed to determine whether bypasses to pedal arteries produce results comparable to those obtained after supramalleolar tibial or peroneal bypasses. Methods: Pedal bypass (dorsal pedal, n = 41; below-ankle posterior tibial, n = 12) was performed only if a suitable tibial target artery was not available. These grafts were compared with tibial (including peroneal) bypass grafts ( n = 203). All grafts were placed for rest pain (23%) or established tissue loss (77%). Results: Patients requiring pedal bypass were more likely to have diabetes and congestive heart failure but less likely to have a history of smoking. Age, gender, previous myocardial infraction, and other comorbidities were similar in the two groups. Operative mortality rates (30 days) were higher for pedal than tibial bypass (9% vs 2%; p = 0.021), possibly reflecting the higher prevalence of diabetes, congestive heart failure, and more advanced systemic atherosclerosis associated with severe tibial artery disease. Most grafts were in situ saphenous vein (70% pedal vs 79% tibial). Life-table 3-year primary graft patency (58% pedal vs 61% tibial), secondary patency (82% pedal vs 79% tibial), limb salvage (92% pedal vs 87% tibial), and patient survival (61% pedal vs 64% tibial) were comparable in the two groups. Improved assisted primary patency and secondary patency rates in both groups were primarily a result of revision of graft-threatening lesions detected with noninvasive graft surveillance before thrombosis. Mean postoperative ankle/brachial index was similar for pedal and tibial bypasses, whereas mean duplex-estimated graft flow was less for pedal grafts (88 ± 10 ml/min vs 129 ± 6 ml/min; p = 0.002). Pedal bypass represented 21% of our experience with infrapopliteal vein grafts for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and was required more frequently in diabetic patients. Operative mortality rates were higher in patients undergoing pedal bypass, suggesting that aggressive preoperative diagnostic studies and preoperative monitoring may be appropriate for this group. Long-term survival was similar. Conclusion: We conclude that autogenous vein pedal bypass grafts provide hemodynamic results and limb salvage rates comparable to more proximal tibial bypasses in properly selected patients. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:1029-40.)
Integration interval optimization and performance analysis for UWB transmitted reference systems

Transmitted reference (TR) modulation schemes, initially proposed for spread-spectrum systems in the 1920s, have regained popularity in the context of ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, where accurate channel estimation is a challenging task. By exploiting the statistics of the received signals, optimal and suboptimal correlation receivers for a single-user ultra-wideband communication system have been previously proposed. Performance analysis of these schemes is investigated and verified via simulations. UWB systems are likely to be employed in wireless indoor environments with different channel characteristics for different locations. Thus, the length of the integration interval is an important design parameter with respect to the achievable performance. An optimization of the length of the integration interval with respect to the effective SNR of the decision variable is proposed and simulation results reveal that optimizing the effective SNR provides significant performance improvements.
Beyond Access: Explaining Socioeconomic Differences in College Transfer

Reducing socioeconomic differences in college transfer requires understanding how and why parental education, occupational class, and family income are associated with changing colleges. Building on prior studies of traditional community college transfer, the authors explore relationships between those factors and two types of transfer among four-year college students. The results indicate that reverse transfer—the move from a four-year to a community college—is more common among students from less-educated families partly because of lower levels of academic performance during their freshman year. In contrast, students from advantaged backgrounds in terms of class and income are more likely than are others to engage in a lateral transfer—from a four-year to a four-year college—which may reflect individual preferences for changing colleges, rather than a reaction to poor academic performance. Implications for policy and practice are discussed in light of the fact that only reverse transfer is associated wi...
Designing for social data analysis

The NameVoyager, a Web-based visualization of historical trends in baby naming, has proven remarkably popular. We describe design decisions behind the application and lessons learned in creating an application that makes do-it-yourself data mining popular. The prime lesson, it is hypothesized, is that an information visualization tool may be fruitfully viewed not as a tool but as part of an online social environment. In other words, to design a successful exploratory data analysis tool, one good strategy is to create a system that enables "social" data analysis. We end by discussing the design of an extension of the NameVoyager to a more complex data set, in which the principles of social data analysis played a guiding role.
SPIDER DRAGLINE SILK: CORRELATED AND MOSAIC EVOLUTION IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

The evolution of biological materials is a critical, yet poorly understood, component in the generation of biodiversity. For example, the diversification of spiders is correlated with evolutionary changes in the way they use silk, and the material properties of these fibers, such as strength, toughness, extensibility, and stiffness, have profound effects on ecological function. Here, we examine the evolution of the material properties of dragline silk across a phylogenetically diverse sample of species in the Araneomorphae (true spiders). The silks we studied are generally stronger than other biological materials and tougher than most biological or man-made fibers, but their material properties are highly variable; for example, strength and toughness vary more than fourfold among the 21 species we investigated. Furthermore, associations between different properties are complex. Some traits, such as strength and extensibility, seem to evolve independently and show no evidence of correlation or trade-off across species, even though trade-offs between these properties are observed within species. Material properties retain different levels of phylogenetic signal, suggesting that traits such as extensibility and toughness may be subject to different types or intensities of selection in several spider lineages. The picture that emerges is complex, with a mosaic pattern of trait evolution producing a diverse set of materials across spider species. These results show that the properties of biological materials are the target of selection, and that these changes can produce evolutionarily and ecologically important diversity.
Decomposition of fine woody debris in a deciduous forest in North Carolina1

Abstract We examined the effect of position with respect to the soil surface, species, and piece size on the decomposition rate of fine woody debris (< 15 cm diameter) in a North Carolina forest disturbed by hurricane. To examine year-to-year trends, pieces of two species (Carya tomentosa ((Lam.) Nutt.) and Quercus alba (Lam.)) in four size classes were placed on the forest floor and collected annually for ten years. In addition, to examine position effects samples of the same species and sizes were suspended in the air and buried underground at a depth of 20 cm and collected at years 2, 4, and 8. Nine other species were placed on the forest floor and collected at years 2, 4, and 8 to determine the range of variability among species. Decomposition was slower the first year than subsequent years, therefore the lag exponential equation was used to determine time trends and an integrated decomposition rate-constant (kI) reflecting the overall decomposition rate-constant was calculated. The kI for C. tomentos...
Conservation genetics and demographic history of the endangered Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas)

We examined allelic variation at 22 nuclear-encoded markers (21 microsatellites and one anonymous locus) and mitochondrial (mt)DNA in two geographical samples of the endangered cyprinid fish Notropis mekistocholas (Cape Fear shiner). Genetic diversity was relatively high in comparison to other endangered vertebrates, and there was no evidence of small population effects despite the low abundance reported for the species. Significant heterogeneity (following Bonferroni correction) in allele distribution at three microsatellites and in haplotype distribution in mtDNA was detected between the two localities. This heterogeneity may be due to reduced gene flow caused by a dam built in the early 1900 s. Bayesian coalescent analysis of microsatellite variation indicated that effective population size of Cape Fear shiners has declined in recent times (11-25 435 years ago, with highest posterior probabilities between 126 and 2007 years ago) by one-two orders of magnitude, consistent with the observed decline in abundance of the species. A decline in effective size was not indicated by analysis of mtDNA, where sequence polymorphism appeared to carry the signature of an older expansion phase that dated to the Pleistocene ( approximately 12 700 > 1 million years ago). Cape Fear shiners thus appear to have undergone an expansion phase following a glacial cycle but to have declined significantly in more recent times. These results suggest that rapidly evolving markers such as microsatellites may constitute a suitable tool when inferring recent demographic dynamics of populations.
Using Classroom Response Technology to Create an Active Learning Environment in Marketing Classes.

Classroom response systems (CRS), also called student/audience response systems or clickers, have been used by business instructors, particularly in larger classes, to allow instructors to ask students questions in class and have their responses immediately tabulated and reported electronically. While clickers have typically been used to measure attendance, gauge comprehension and test students, we propose that classroom response systems can also be used to effectively create an active learning environment. Specifically we detail the use of classroom response systems to utilize active learning in large classes (i.e., more than 70 students) through describing five sample CRS exercises in Marketing courses: Sequential Elimination, Why Do You Think That?, Experiential Exercises, What Would You Do?, and Forced Choice. These exercises though, could be adapted for use in other business classes.
Measured K-shell fluorescence yields for multiply-ionized neon

Abstract The Ne K-shell fluorescence yields ω i have been measured for single K-shell and i th degree L-shell ionization. For O 5+ bombardment ω i × 100 = 1.8, 1.9, 2.2, 3.1, 5.4, 9.9, and 16.1 for i = 0 to 6, respectively. For the higher charge states ω i is measured to be up to 2 times larger than the theoretical prediction.
A Vital Fluid: Risk, Controversy and the Politics of Blood Donation in the Era of “Mad Cow Disease”:

This article examines the reasons for, and likely impact of, the decision by the US and other countries to permanently defer blood donors who have spent time in Britain or Europe, for fear they may transmit new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the human form of "mad cow disease". It begins by discussing how vCJD and blood transfusion are linked, and how these have been translated into policy. First, maintaining a safe and stable supply of blood entails not only maintaining the trust of recipients in the system, but also that of donors, who need to be assured that their blood will be welcomed and used. Often, the balance, once upset, is regained by sacrificing donors, but accompanying costs might also be high. Second, the article highlights the impact of various forms of globalization -of commerce, disease and travel, and immigration- on blood policies and public and policy attitudes. Third, it assesses the decision by the US to restrict blood donations from Europeans and travelers to combat such a pervasive risk. The conclusion discusses how donor deferral policies may be interpreted by the public in the light of earlier discussions, and raises issues for future research.
The Effects of Endotoxin–Contaminated Dialysate and Polysulfone or Cellulosic Membranes on the Release of TNFα during Simulated Dialysis

Simulated dialysis of whole blood was used to determine whether membrane factors (biocompatibility), endotoxin (ET) membrane diffusion, or transmembrane monocyte-ET interactions would stimulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) release. Whole blood containing EDTA and aprotinin was recirculated in the blood compartment of hollow fiber dialyzers containing either regenerated cellulose or polysulfone membranes. ET-free and ET-spiked dialysate were recirculated consecutively in the dialysate compartment for 30 min each. Blood and dialysate samples were collected at to and after each 30 min of simulated dialysis for determination of TNF alpha and ET concentrations. TNF alpha was not detected in any blood samples collected after simulated dialysis with regenerated cellulose (RC) membranes and ET-free or ET-spiked dialysate. However, blood ET concentrations, as determined by the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, increased in RC dialyzers after each 30 min of simulated dialysis even with ET-free dialysate. Since TNF alpha was not detected in these blood samples, the material detected by the LAL assay probably was not ET but an LAL-reactive material. After simulated dialysis with polysulfone dialyzers and ET-free dialysate, TNF alpha and ET were not detected in blood samples. ET also was not detected in blood samples after dialysis with ET-spiked dialysate. However, TNF alpha was detected in 7 of 13 (54%) of the blood samples following the 500 ng/ml of ET dialysate spike. TNF alpha release during simulated dialysis with polysulfone membranes and ET-contaminated dialysate may be due to transmembrane stimulation of circulating mononuclear cells and not diffusion of ET across the membrane.
Modeling adaptive behaviors in Context UNITY

Context-aware computing refers to a paradigm in which applications sense aspects of the environment and use this information to adjust their behavior in response to changing circumstances. In this paper, we present a formal model and notation (Context UNITY) for expressing quintessential aspects of context-aware computations; existential quantification, for instance, proves to be highly effective in capturing the notion of discovery in open systems. Furthermore, Context UNITY treats context in a manner that is relative to the specific needs of an individual application and promotes an approach to context maintenance that is transparent to the application. In this paper, we construct the model from first principles, introduce its proof logic, and demonstrate how the model can be used as an effective abstraction tool for context-aware applications and middleware.
Important excess morbidity due to upper airway anomalies in the perioperative course in infant cardiac surgery.

Background The study aimed at defining the excess morbidity or mortality caused by an additional airway malformation in children with congenital heart disease requiring surgery. Methods All patients requiring surgery for heart disease during an 8-year period ending in 2003 who had an associated upper airway malformation were retrospectively studied. All patients were seen in 2004 for a prospective follow-up examination. Results Eleven patients with upper airway anomalies were identified (tracheobronchial malacia in 6 patients, long-segment tracheal stenosis in 3, and bilateral vocal cord paralysis and tracheal hemangioma in 1 patient each). They accounted for 1.5% of the entire cardiac surgical load of 764 patients. In 5 infants, the airway anomaly was diagnosed before cardiac repair, in 6 patients thereafter. Diagnosis was made by bronchoscopy in all patients, by additional bronchography in 2. Failure of rapid postoperative extubation was the most common finding. Airway management was surgical in 2 and conservative in 8 patients, 1 newborn having been denied therapy because of the severity of airway hypoplasia. Compared with patients with isolated cardiac disease, those with additional airway anomalies had significantly longer duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (median, 24 days versus 3), perioperative hospitalization (median, 72 days versus 11) and total number of days of hospitalization during the first year of life (median, 104 days versus 14). After a maximum follow-up of 8 years (median, 37 months) only 3 of 10 surviving patients remained symptomatic owing to the airway malformation. Conclusions Upper airway anomalies accompanying heart disease in infancy resulted in a significant prolongation of perioperative intensive care and hospital stay, as well as duration of mechanical ventilation. Failure of early postoperative extubation was the leading symptom.
A solution to mapping an ASIC design hierarchy into an efficient block-place-and-route layout hierarchy

Netpar, a netlist partitioner tool developed to speed up and automate the process of layout partitioning and preparation is described. The Netpar partitioning commands allow the user to quickly convert the netlist into a good layout hierarchy. Instead of recapturing schematics, the user can easily direct Netpar to restructure the netlist for layout compatibility. Additionally, an automatic partitioner is available that attempts to equalize block sizes and minimize interconnect. This implements well-documented and tested algorithms for generating optimally partitioned netlists. Netpar's automatic and manual commands can be used to quickly modify hierarchy to improve design performance, turnaround times, and densities. >
Capitalists' Institutional Agenda, Class Conflict Spillover, and the Last Instance:

This paper constructs a model of the "institutional agenda" of capitalists in a closed domestic economy. The link between this agenda (i.e., the set of institutions capitalists desire) and the actual institutions regulating the economy is established. Some characteristics of this model are consistent with the claims of radical institutionalists; however, other characteristics are not. This model also permits, for the first time in a formal model, discussion of the link between the base and the superstructure, of the role of "the last instance" in historical development, and of the claim that there exists a "monopoly capital" stage of capitalism.
Singular value decomposition and principal component analysis

This chapter describes gene expression analysis by Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), emphasizing initial characterization of the data. We describe SVD methods for visualization of gene expression data, representation of the data using a smaller number of variables, and detection of patterns in noisy gene expression data. In addition, we describe the precise relation between SVD analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) when PCA is calculated using the covariance matrix, enabling our descriptions to apply equally well to either method. Our aim is to provide definitions, interpretations, examples, and references that will serve as resources for understanding and extending the application of SVD and PCA to gene expression analysis.
Carotenoid Excited State Kinetics in Bacterial RCs with the Primary Electron Donor Oxidized

Carotenoid singlet excited state kinetics in wild type reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides was investigated using ultrafast laser spectroscopy under conditions where the primary electron donor is either neutral or oxidized.
Abstract P245: Dry Air Triggers Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality, yet little is known about the environmental factors that may trigger AF episodes. Weather has been proposed as a potential precipitant of paroxysmal AF. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that changes in outdoor ambient temperature and outdoor absolute humidity may trigger paroxysmal AF in the following 24 hours. Methods: Patients with dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) living in eastern Massachusetts were enrolled between September 2006 and March 2010 from the Tufts Medical Center Cardiac Arrhythmia Clinic (Boston, Massachusetts) and followed prospectively for episodes of paroxysmal AF lasting at least 30 seconds. Arrhythmias documented by the ICD were reviewed and interpreted by an electrophysiologist masked to exposure. The date and time of AF episodes were linked to hourly weather data measured at Boston Logan International Airport. We examined the hypothesis using a time-stratif...
The Synergies research–practice partnership project: a 2020 Vision case study

This paper, describes Synergies, an on-going longitudinal study and design effort, being conducted in a diverse, under-resourced community in Portland, Oregon, with the goal of measurably improving STEM learning, interest and participation by early adolescents, both in school and out of school. Authors examine how the work of this particular research–practice partnership is attempting to accommodate the six principles outlined in this issue: (1) to more accurately reflect learning as a lifelong process occurring across settings, situations and time frames; (2) to consider what STEM content is worth learning; (3) to examine learning as a cultural process, involving varied repertoires of practice across learners’ everyday lives; (4) to directly involve practitioners (and learners) in the research process; (5) to document how existing and emerging technologies and new media are, and will continue, to shape and redefine the content and practice of STEM learning research; and, (6) to take into account the broader socio-cultural–political contexts of the needs and concerns of the larger global society.
Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Clinical Performance in a Physical Therapy Education Program

This study was performed to ascertain whether a relationship exists between physical therapy students' preprofessional academic achievement and their academic or clinical performance while attending professional school. A comparison was also made between professional academic achievement and clinical performance. The records of three classes of graduates (N = 65) were examined in relation to preprofessional grade point average, professional grade point average, and clinical performance. Pearson product-moment correlations showed no significant relationship between preprofessional and professional academic achievement or preprofessional academic achievement and clinical performance. The correlation between professional academic achievement and clinical performance was higher, but did not reach statistical significance. This study did find that preprofessional and professional grade point averages were related. The authors urge further study of current admission criteria and their relationship to clinical performance.
A low-cost wearable radiation sensor based on dose response viability of yeast cells

We present the first low-cost wearable radiation sensor that combines a MEMS structure with a microorganism (yeast) and utilizes the dose-response effect of ionizing radiation on yeast cells as a biologically relevant surrogate to measure radiation. Yeast cells are robust microorganisms which are semi-resistant to ionizing radiation. When exposed to radiation, yeast suffers DNA damage, mutations, and/or death, resulting in their decreased viability and ability to ferment a sugar solution. As a result, they provide a physical response (i.e., gas generation) to radiation that is biologically significant (DNA damage). Our dosimeter uses yeast housed in a low cost wearable MEMS structure as a biologically sensitive radiation indicator (canary in the coal mine). The dose response viability of yeast cells and the resulting gas generation in presence of sucrose solution is used to deflect a PDMS membrane and activate an LED indicator. The sensor allows radiation detection with sensitivity of −0.195 mm/decade-rad (1–1000 rad).
Diversification of the antigen-specific T cell receptor repertoire after varicella zoster vaccination

Diversity and size of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire are two critical determinants for successful control of chronic infection. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) that establishes latency during childhood can escape control mechanisms, in particular with increasing age. We examined the TCR diversity of VZV-reactive CD4 T cells in individuals older than 50 years by studying three identical twin pairs and three unrelated individuals before and after vaccination with live attenuated VZV. Although all individuals had a small number of dominant T cell clones, the breadth of the VZV-specific repertoire differed markedly. A genetic influence was seen for the sharing of individual TCR sequences from antigen-reactive cells but not for repertoire richness or the selection of dominant clones. VZV vaccination favored the expansion of infrequent VZV antigen-reactive TCRs, including those from naive T cells with lesser boosting of dominant T cell clones. Thus, vaccination does not reinforce the in vivo selection that occurred during chronic infection but leads to a diversification of the VZV-reactive T cell repertoire. However, a single-booster immunization seems insufficient to establish new clonal dominance. Our results suggest that repertoire analysis of antigen-specific TCRs can be an important readout to assess whether a vaccination was able to generate memory cells in clonal sizes that are necessary for immune protection.
Effect of synthetic double-stranded RNA on serum metals in the rat, rabbit, and monkey.

SummaryThe effect of the synthetic homopolymeric duplex of polyriboinosinic and polyribocytidylic acids on serum zinc and iron concentration in the rat, rabbit, and monkey was studied. Poly I:C, like entoxin, was shown to produce significant decreases in serum zinc and iron concentrations when administered to the rat and rabbit. Although poly I:C was found to be pyrogenic in the rabbit and monkey, a species difference was noted by the inability of poly I:C to alter serum zinc and iron concentrations in the monkey.
Direitos Humanos na aula de Química: um relato de experiência a partir da aplicação da Lei 10.639/2003

A lei 10.639/03 torna obrigatorio o ensino de historia e cultura Africana e afro-brasileira. Desse modo o presentetrabalho tem como proposta estabelecer uma conexao entre o Ensino de Quimica e a Lei 10.639/03, deforma a oportunizar discussoes sobre as violacoes dos Direitos Humanos sofridas pelos afrodescendentes,sem deixar de lado os conteudos quimicos presentes no curriculo escolar do Ensino Medio. Dessa forma,teve-se como objetivo relatar a experiencia de uma aula de Quimica que buscou levar ao alunado de umaescola publica em Araguaina, Tocantins, uma discussao sobre Direitos Humanos e racismo, a partir deuma abordagem da Quimica das proteinas. Primeiramente aplicou-se uma lista de exercicios, em seguidaocorreu um debate sobre racismo, gerado a partir da utilizacao de dois videos. Posterior ao debate ocorreua explicacao sobre proteina. Para findar a metodologia uma segunda lista de exercicios foi aplicada. Trabalharna perspectiva da lei 10.639/03 com vies em Direito Humanos ainda e algo recente, mas necessario.Atraves da analise das respostas percebemos inicialmente que grande parte alunos nao possuiam muitasinformacoes sobre proteinas, entretanto alguns sabiam que a proteina melanina que da a coloracao a pele. Apartir do questionario inicial foi possivel fazer a caracterizacao da turma, o que nos forneceu informacoessobre quais as disciplinas que trabalharam com racismo anteriormente, e sobre a identidade etnica de cadaestudante. Atraves dessa ardua e motivadora tarefa, percebemos que o Ensino de Quimica tem muito a contribuirno sentido de desconstrucao de paradigmas em torno dos negros.
Detection of unruptured intracranial aneurysms on noninvasive imaging. Is there still a role for digital subtraction angiography

To determine the utility of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) detected on noninvasive imaging, such as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). The follow-up of patients with untreated UIAs involves serial imaging; however, this diagnosis may be based on false positive (FP) results. We examined the incidence of FPs in our institutional series.DSAs performed at our institution from January 2011 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and patients referred with UIA detected on noninvasive imaging were selected. Clinical presentation as well as aneurysm location, size, and number reported on DSA and noninvasive imaging were assessed.Two hundred and eighty six patients (mean age 56.8 years, female 74.8%) with a total of 355 UIA were included. Thirty-one patients had a symptomatic presentation. Analysis per patient showed the pooled FP rate of noninvasive imaging was 15%. MRA FP was 13% (22/171) and CTA FP was 18% (22/120). FP increased significantly with aneurysm size < 3.5 mm on MRA (P < 0.001) and <4.0 mm on CTA (P = 0.01). Mean aneurysm size among symptomatic patients was significantly larger (P < 0.001) as compared to the incidental group (17.8 vs. 7.7 mm). No location was significantly susceptible to false detection of aneurysms.DSA detection of FP UIA diagnosed on noninvasive imaging is significantly higher for aneurysms <4.0 mm. Accurate diagnosis with DSA may eliminate the need for further follow-up and its associated negative psychological and economic effects. Within the limitations of this retrospective study, we conclude that DSA has a diagnostic role in small aneurysms detected on noninvasive imaging.
An Innovative External Protective Device for Abnormal Kidneys in Children

The increased risk of pediatric renal injury stresses the need for an external protective device in children with abnormal kidneys. The principles of construction of a protective device for kidneys and its application in 4 children are described.
Estéticas del disenso. Desapariciones, exilios y políticas de la visibilidad

In this essay, I study three moments of political dissent in Argentina during the last military dictatorship (1976-1983): the Siluetazo, a series of collages by Leon Ferrari titled Nosotros no sabiamos and the short story by Julio Cortazar “Recortes de prensa”. It deals with practices in which democratic demand, denouncement and creative imagination converge, a union that characterizes what I call the esthetics of dissent. By way of an artistic estrangement and a repositioning of the auratic, these three moments of protest made visible the crimes of the military and, furthermore, articulate a denouncement that was expressed in public space with a voice distinct from that of direct political discourse. The collective formal development of Siluetazo, the logic of montage of Nosotros no sabiamos and the fiction of “Recortes de prensa” habilitated a reflexive process that brought about a reinterpretation of the meaning of art and its functioning.
Investigating the accessibility and usability of job application web sites for blind users

Most companies today place their job advertisements online and frequently require that applications for jobs be submitted online. Unfortunately, many online employment Web sites are inaccessible to users with disabilities, preventing these individuals from even applying for jobs online. Previous studies have used automated tools or expert reviews to evaluate the accessibility of online employment applications. This study involved 16 blind, screen-reader users, attempting to apply for jobs online. Two applications were submitted to each of 16 companies in the southeastern United States, for a total of 32 applications submitted. Many of the online employment application processes were inaccessible to blind users, and users repeatedly asked for assistance from the researchers when they faced accessibility problems. Only 9/32 (28.1%) of application attempts could be completed independently without any assistance. This report details the problems discovered during the usability testing and discusses the most common problems for blind users, as well as problems related to general usability. It also provides suggestions for improvement, including providing accessible feedback, unique and clear hyperlink text, properly structured layout, logical grouping of questions, clearly identified data format and required form fields, and conducting regular accessibility evaluations. It is essential that companies ensure that their online employment applications are accessible and usable for all individuals, including individuals with disabilities.
Abstract 5233: Concordance of genomic alterations by next generation sequencing (NGS) in tumor tissue vs. cell-free DNA

Introduction: Genomic analysis of circulating tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA) represents a non-invasive method of assessing genomic alterations using peripheral blood. We compared the concordance between cfDNA and tissue biopsies across genomic alterations in 65 genes in this pilot retrospective study. Methods: 54 consecutive patients with cfDNA NGS testing (Guardant360) were identified. Of these, 28 had tissue DNA NGS testing (Foundation One). 65 genes were common to both assays. Concordance was defined as the absence or presence of the identical genomic sequencing alteration(s) in a single gene. The analysis included non-synonymous DNA mutations, rearrangements, and copy number variants regardless of clone percentage. Results: There were 14 lung cancers and 14 other advanced solid tumors. Including all alterations and variants of unknown significance (VUS), the average number of alterations per patient for tissue and cfDNA was 4.82 (SD 3.02) and 2.96 (SD 3.01), respectively. Concordance between the two assays was 91.9%. Among only genes with reported genomic alterations in either assay (n = 170), concordance was 12.4%. Concordance was similar when stratifying based on timeframe between biopsies (median time interval between assays; 89 days). 21.5% of alterations found in tissue were detected in cfDNA. 34.9% of alterations found in cfDNA were detected in tissue. Across the 5 most common genes, sensitivity and specificity were 40.0% and 94.2%, respectively (Table 1). Discussion: Concordance between tumor tissue and cfDNA NGS was 91.9%. The cfDNA assay had high specificity, but low sensitivity. In addition, more mutations were detected in tissue. Reasons for these findings may include different sequencing techniques, spatial and temporal factors, tumor heterogeneity, and inclusion of subclones. [AD and YC contributed equally.] Table 1: Diagnostic Accuracy across 5 Most Common Genes PPV: positive predictive value NPV: negative predictive value Citation Format: Young Kwang Chae, Andrew A. Davis, Benedito A. Carneiro, Sunandana Chandra, Nisha Mohindra, Aparna Kalyan, Jason Kaplan, Maria Matsangou, Leonidas C. Platanias, Massimo Cristofanilli, Francis J. Giles. Concordance of genomic alterations by next generation sequencing (NGS) in tumor tissue vs. cell-free DNA. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5233.
Challenges in Implementing Critical Literacy Practices in Remote Rural Teacher Education Programs

This chapter examines preservice teachers’ (PTs) responses and dispositions about critical literacy in two rural, traditionally homogeneous universities. The purpose of the study is to find out how PTs, in these two teacher education programs, respond to diversity and equity education to address race and social justice. I used Bourdieu’s (1986) concept of the field to understand participant PTs’ epistemology. New and groundbreaking findings of this study are the following: There exists a different demographic and epistemological divide in traditional rural teacher education programs. In the rural field where predominantly white demographic makeup exists, it was challenging to implement critical practices working with preservice teachers who take Eurocentric epistemological stances and continue their old ways when the world is highly globalized.
Resonant-tunneling Transport of Holes in Terahertz GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Cascade Superlattices

Design and experiments for a hole-based (p-type) GaAs/AlGaAs terahertz quantum-cascade structure are reported. Sequential resonant-tunneling transport is demonstrated, which indicates effective quantum-transport for heavy-holes and is promising toward development of the first hole-based intersubband laser.
Multiregional Clinical Trials for Simultaneous Global New Drug Development, Edited by Joshua Chen and Hui Quan

In recent years, drug development has become dramatically globalized, and clinical trials conducted across multiple countries/regions are now being extensively utilized in simultaneous global drug ...