cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Antiparallel Dimerization of Myosin X Imparts Bundle Selectivity for Processive Motility

Myosin X is an unconventional actin-based molecular motor involved in filopodial formation, microtubule-actin filament interaction, and cell migration. Myosin X is an important component of filopodia regulation, localizing to tips of growing filopodia by an unclear targeting mechanism. The native α-helical dimerization domain of myosin X is thought to associate with antiparallel polarity of the two amino acid chains, making myosin X the only myosin that is currently considered to form antiparallel dimers. This study aims to determine if antiparallel dimerization of myosin X imparts selectivity toward actin bundles by comparing the motility of parallel and antiparallel dimers of myosin X on single and fascin-bundled actin filaments. Antiparallel myosin X dimers exhibit selective processivity on fascin-bundled actin and are only weakly processive on single actin filaments below saturating [ATP]. Artificial forced parallel dimers of myosin X are robustly processive on both single and bundled actin, exhibiting no selectivity. To determine the relationship between gating of the reaction steps and observed differences in motility, a mathematical model was developed to correlate the parameters of motility with the biochemical and mechanical kinetics of the dimer. Results from the model, constrained by experimental data, suggest that the probability of binding forward, toward the barbed end of the actin filament, is lower in antiparallel myosin X on single actin filaments compared to fascin-actin bundles and compared to constructs of myosin X with parallel dimerization.
No Laughing Matter? Humour and the performance of South Africa

Despite the contemporary prominence of cartoonists and stand-up comedians in South Africa, woefully little scholarship exists on the history of South African humour. In the 1990s and into the twent...
A Copula-Based Conditional Probabilistic Forecast Model for Wind Power Ramps

Efficient management of wind ramping characteristics can significantly reduce wind integration costs for balancing authorities. By considering the stochastic dependence of wind power ramp (WPR) features, this paper develops a conditional probabilistic WPR forecast (cp-WPRF) model based on copula theory. The WPRs dataset is constructed by extracting ramps from a large dataset of historical wind power. Each WPR feature (e.g., rate, magnitude, duration, and start-time) is separately forecasted by considering the coupling effects among different ramp features. To accurately model the marginal distributions with a copula, a Gaussian mixture model is adopted to characterize the WPR uncertainty and features. The Canonical maximum likelihood method is used to estimate parameters of the multivariable copula. The optimal copula model is chosen based on the Bayesian information criterion from each copula family. Finally, the best conditions based cp-WPRF model is determined by predictive interval based evaluation metrics. Numerical simulations on publicly available wind power data show that the developed copula-based cp-WPRF model can predict WPRs with a high level of reliability and sharpness.
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Sleep

Although sleep is considered to be a cardioprotective state due to the enhanced parasympathetic activation, which likely inhibits arrhythmogenesis by direct effects on cardiac electrophysiology, indirect effects on heart rate, inhibition of excitatory sympathetic activity, and/or elevating the ventricular arrhythmia threshold, increasing data has implicated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to cardiac arrhythmogenesis. The focus of this article is to provide an overview of various cardiac arrhythmias including definitions, epidemiology, and public health impact, describe OSA-related physiologic consequences leading to arrhythmogenesis, and discuss epidemiologic and clinical work investigating the relationships of OSA and arrhythmias.
Composite materials for electrical applications

Composite materials are traditionally designed for use as structural materials. With the rapid growth of the electronics industry, composite materials are finding more and more electronic applications. Owing to the vast difference in property requirements between structural composites and electronic composites, the design criteria for these two groups of composites are different. While structural composites emphasize high strength and high modulus, electronic composites emphasize high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, low dielectric constant, high/low electrical conductivity and/or electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness, depending on the particular electronic application. Low density is desirable for both aerospace structures and aerospace electronics. Structural composites emphasize processability into large parts, such as panels, whereas electronic composites emphasize processability into small parts, such as stand-alone films and coatings. Owing to the small size of the parts, material costs tend to be less of a concern for electronic composites than structural composites. For example, electronic composites can use expensive fillers, such as silver particles, which serve to provide high electrical conductivity.
New Strategies to Improve Tumor Cell Vaccine Therapy

The advantage of using a tumor cell vaccine is that it is rich in multiple tumor-associated antigens. The immune responses to those antigens are elicited by most of current tumor cell vaccines that are transduced with immunostimulatory cytokines or costimulatory molecules. However, the lack of long-lasting and objective tumor regression in clinical trials prompted reevaluation of the immunogenicity of tumor cell vaccines and the molecular basis of the immune responses they induced. New vectors for the genetic modification of tumor cell vaccines to improve immunogenicity have been developed. The identification of negative regulators during vaccination has lead to the discovery of new reagents to specifically target regulatory cells or molecules to improve the efficacy of these vaccines. On the basis of their enhancing effects during the cross-priming of CD8 T cells, toll-like receptor ligands have been used in the modification of tumor cells to improve their immunogenicity. Therefore, the endeavors in developing new tumor cell vaccines not only extend our knowledge about the tumor-reactive immunity but also promise an effective treatment regimen in human cancers.
Modeling multi-object activities in phase space

Modeling and recognition of complex activities involving multiple, interacting objects in video is a significant problem in computer vision. In this paper, we examine activities using relative distances in phase space via pairwise analysis of all objects. This allows us to characterize simple interactions directly by modeling multi-object activities with the Multiple Objects, Pairwise Analysis (MOPA) feature vector, which is based upon physical models of multiple interactions in phase space. In this initial formulation, we model paired motion as a damped oscillator in phase space. Experimental validation of the theory is provided on the standard VIVID and UCR Videoweb datasets capturing a variety of problem settings.
Investigating the pressure loss associated with two-phase flow in a rectangular microchannel suddenly expanding into a manifold

Abstract This study focuses on the experimental investigation of the two-phase pressure loss occurring as air-water flow exits a microchannel to a larger manifold. The microchannel has dimensions of 3.23 mm wide by 0.304 mm high by 164 mm long and expands into an exit manifold of 1.4 cm diameter oriented 90 ∘ relative to the flow direction. The expansion results in an additional 150–400 Pa pressure loss. Visualization of the flow illustrates water accumulation at the channel exit with varying behavior, resulting in the range of the pressure loss. Using the sudden expansion model of Abdelall et al. resulted in a mean absolute percent error of 96%. Treating the pressure loss as a result of the 90 ∘ bend, the model of Paliwoda produced a mean absolute percent error of 81%. The combined influence of the models of Abdelall et al. and Paliwoda predicted the experimental measurement with a mean absolute percent error of 78%.
Chapter 11 – Aging-Related Memory Disorders: Alzheimer's Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is an aging-related memory dysfunction. A decline in learning and memory is a part of the normal aging process for most people over 60. Most noticeable in humans is the decline in hippocampus-dependent forms of memory, the learning and remembering of new names, recent events, and even spatial information. In clinical terms, dementia refers to a specific and pronounced decline of cognitive function in humans—a decline in mentation. The symptoms of dementia are loss of learning and memory capacity, decline in reasoning ability, attention problems, language difficulties, and problems with perception. Genetic engineering is the only practical route available for modeling AD in vivo. The principal unifying theme of the chapter is the amyloid beta (Aβ) hypothesis of AD. There is a reassuring convergence of many different sorts of data that support the Aβ hypothesis of AD. More than most other areas of contemporary neuroscience research, it seems that the AD field is at the intersection of basic and clinical research—a critically important clinical problem in search of answers that only basic science can provide. The complexity of AD pathogenesis is rooted in the complexity of memory itself. Hopefully advances in understanding the basic science of memory will soon translate into tangible improvements in treating AD.
A Defense of the Electoral College in the Time of Trump

In the 2016 Presidential Election, Donald J. Trump lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes but still secured victory in the Electoral College. The second election in the last 16 years to yield a President without a popular majority has renewed efforts to alter or abolish the Electoral College system. Some legal scholars suggest that the Electoral College lacks legitimacy because the Framers designed it to advantage the slave states. This Essay responds to these criticisms of the Electoral College by providing a historical perspective on the Framers’ decision-making. The drafting and ratification process demonstrate that the Electoral College was not designed to be “racist,” and that it was a conscious mix of federalism and majoritarianism that provides benefits today. The Essay cautions against an overreaction to the 2016 election despite the Electoral College’s failure to filter out a candidate such as Trump. It argues that the alternative to the Electoral College – a system of direct election that would not benefit from the state structure to dissipate and diffuse rash popular movements – could present a higher risk of danger of tyranny by the majority.
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Management on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit:

BACKGROUND. Between 4% to 70% of inpatients engage in self-harming behaviors and effective interventions are needed to address this population. AIM. This article reviews literature from 2007 to 2017 to address treatment and management strategies specific for the treatment of nonsuicidal self-injury in the inpatient psychiatric setting. METHODS. Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL were searched for relevant articles with 34 studies reviewed for applicability to the question, and 9 parsed into a summary of Findings table. RESULTS. Therapeutic approaches that show promise include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mentalization as well as medications that act on the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opioid systems. Effective models of care aim toward enhancing therapeutic relationships with staff, providers, and most important, encouraging the internal shift toward recovery within the patient. CONCLUSIONS. More research with controlled designs in the inpatient setting is needed, however, regardless of which approach is used, the impact of the individual caregiver on the patient's recovery is key.
Diagnostic Adjuncts for Screening and Surveillance in Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers tend to be diagnosed at a late stage. This has prognostic implications for the patient. Research interest has been directed to developing diagnostic and screening adjuncts that would facilitate earlier diagnosis of this condition. Adjuncts include vital staining, visual light-based adjuncts, exfoliative-based techniques, molecular biology, and in vivo microscopy. These will be discussed in this chapter. Although these techniques have not been shown to be as effective as a thorough clinical oral examination, they remain as an area of interest and active research.
Postsurgical Follow-Up Phone Calls: Worth the Investment?

Abstract Purpose To analyze differences in health confidence levels regarding discharge instructions between two groups of same-day surgery patients. Design Comparative and descriptive design. Methods Phone surveys to two groups: those who received follow-up phone calls from a registered nurse (RN) and those who received standard care instructions at discharge only. Findings In 74 same-day surgery patients (n = 37 per group), all participants expressed high health confidence in implementing discharge instructions. Results revealed no higher health confidence levels in patients who received RN follow-up phone calls, no difference between groups attending postoperative appointments, and no relationships between subject demographics, health confidence level, and postoperative complications between groups. Conclusions The use of specialized RNs to conduct postoperative phone calls may not be cost effective. When RNs provide excellent instructions to patients in person, it may lead to sufficient patient health confidence. Personal and nurse-provided education should be considered a standard, and the outcomes of costly follow-up phone calls should be examined.
Morphea after Borrelia-induced facial nerve palsy:

Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin. The exact pathogenesis of morphea is unknown, but generally includes genetic predisposition ...
Rat Auditory Inner Hair Cell Mechanotransduction and Stereociliary Membrane Diffusivity Are Similarly Modulated by Calcium.

Summary The lipid bilayer plays a pivotal role in force transmission to many mechanically-gated channels. We developed the technology to monitor membrane diffusivity in order to test the hypothesis positing that Ca2+ regulates open probability (Po) of cochlear hair cell mechanotransduction (MET) channels via the plasma membrane. The stereociliary membrane was more diffusive (9x) than the basolateral membrane. Elevating intracellular Ca2+ buffering or lowering extracellular Ca2+ reduced stereociliary diffusivity and increased MET Po. In contrast, prolonged depolarization increased stereociliary diffusivity and reduced MET Po. No comparable effects were noted for soma measurements. Although MET channels are located in the shorter stereocilia rows, both rows had similar baseline diffusivity and showed similar responses to Ca2+ manipulations and MET channel blocks, suggesting that diffusivity is independent of MET. Together, these data suggest that the stereociliary membrane is a component of a calcium-modulated viscoelastic-like element regulating hair cell mechanotransduction.
Arguing for Teachers and for Friends: Eighth-Graders' Sensitivity to Argumentation Features When Judging and Revising Persuasive Essays.

A novel instrument, the Features of Excellent Arguments task (FEXA), was developed to elicit adolescents’ judgments about argumentative essays displaying to varying degrees features characteristic ...
Strategically overconfident (to a fault): How self-promotion motivates advisor confidence.

Unlike judgments made in private, advice contexts invoke strategic social concerns that might increase overconfidence in advice. Many scholars have assumed that overconfident advice emerges as an adaptive response to advice seekers' preference for confident advice and failure to punish overconfidence. However, another possibility is that advisors robustly display overconfidence as a self-promotion tactic-even when it is punished by others. Across four experiments and a survey of advice professionals, the current research finds support for this account. First, it shows that advisors express more overconfidence than private decision-makers. This pattern held even after advice recipients punished advisors for their overconfidence. Second, it identifies the underlying motivations of advisors' overconfidence. Advisors' overconfidence was not driven by self-deception or a sincere desire to be helpful. Instead, it reflected strategic self-promotion. Relative to the overconfidence revealed by their private beliefs, advisors purposely increased their overconfidence while broadcasting judgments when (a) it was salient that others would assess their competence and (b) looking competent served their self-interest. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Impact of contracted manufacturing organization protocols on operations in an academically based Current Good Manufacturing Practice facility.

Immunotherapy of cancer and other diseases is often dependent on adoptive transfer to patients of cellular products generated in Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facilities. With the availability and approval of various cellular products for therapy, cell production facilities are experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for services. Increasingly, these services involve processing of externally generated cells for transfer to the bedside. The arrival of cells from external manufacturing facilities for processing and eventual infusion of cell therapy products into patients creates a new layer of responsibility and adds to an already demanding list of the existing procedures in academic cGMP facilities. Sponsors introduce their own requirements for the handling of cells that the laboratory must incorporate and follow. The challenges of creating additional access to cleanrooms, writing new standard operating procedures, expanding personnel training, altering pre-existing schedules and incorporating additional monitoring for safety of external products alter the balance of laboratory operations. Adjustments for accommodating externally manufactured products are numerous and varied, as each sponsor has requests that are product-specific. If cells produced by several different external manufacturers are handled by the same facility, the negative impact on the regular activities in this facility may be considerable. Here the authors provide a review of operational challenges that an academic-based laboratory faces and discuss solutions that could ameliorate the difficulties related to an increasing volume of industry-sponsored trials. The solution may be the development under the auspices of the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy or the Food and Drug Administration of regulations that will guide the processing of products manufactured by external companies and make these regulations broadly applicable in all cGMP facilities.
Modeling single-phase permeability in uniform grain packs

Accurate estimation of single-phase permeability (k) has broad application in numerous areas, particularly modeling flow and transport in porous materials. Various techniques have been proposed in the literature to estimate k from other medium's properties, such as porosity, grain and/or pore size distribution, and pore connectivity. Among them critical path analysis (CPA) from statistical physics, first developed to model fluid flow in media with broad conductance distributions, has been successfully applied to heterogeneous soils and rocks. However, its application to uniform sphere and/or glass bead packs that represent homogeneous porous media with narrow conductance distributions needs to be investigated. In this study, we invoke concepts from CPA and estimate k from average grain diameter and formation factor in uniform sand and glass bead packs. By comparing theory with eight datasets including 105 packs from the literature, we demonstrate that CPA estimates permeability in homogeneous media accurately. We also compare our CPA-based model estimations with those from the Kozeny-Carman, Revil and Cathles, and RGPZ models. Results indicate that the CPA approach estimates k more precisely than other three models studied here.
A reinforcement learning model to inform optimal decision paths for HIV elimination1

The 9Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE)9 national plan aims to reduce annual HIV incidence in the United States from 38,000 in 2015 to 9,300 by 2025 and 3,300 by 2030. Diagnosis and treatment are two most effective interventions, and thus, identifying corresponding optimal combinations of testing and retention-in-care rates would help inform implementation of relevant programs. Considering the dynamic and stochastic complexity of the disease and the time dynamics of decision-making, solving for optimal combinations using commonly used methods of parametric optimization or exhaustive evaluation of pre-selected options are infeasible. Reinforcement learning (RL), an artificial intelligence method, is ideal; however, training RL algorithms and ensuring convergence to optimality are computationally challenging for large-scale stochastic problems. We evaluate its feasibility in the context of the EHE goal. We trained an RL algorithm to identify a 9sequence9 of combinations of HIV-testing and retention-in-care rates at 5-year intervals over 2015-2070, which optimally leads towards HIV elimination. We defined optimality as a sequence that maximizes quality-adjusted-life-years lived and minimizes HIV-testing and care-and-treatment costs. We show that solving for testing and retention-in-care rates through appropriate reformulation using proxy decision-metrics overcomes the computational challenges of RL. We used a stochastic agent-based simulation to train the RL algorithm. As there is variability in support-programs needed to address barriers to care-access, we evaluated the sensitivity of optimal decisions to three cost-functions. The model suggests to scale-up retention-in-care programs to achieve and maintain high annual retention-rates while initiating with a high testing-frequency but relaxing it over a 10-year period as incidence decreases. Results were mainly robust to the uncertainty in costs. However, testing and retention-in-care alone did not achieve the 2030 EHE targets, suggesting the need for additional interventions. The results from the model demonstrated convergence. RL is suitable for evaluating phased public health decisions for infectious disease control.
Common Techniques Panel: Common Techniques in Fault-Tolerance and Security

It is our opinion that the security community should draw on the techniques developed by the fault-tolerance community to a significant extent; presently, there seems to be less opportunity for transfer in the other direction. The fault-tolerance community has given significant attention to the development of systems where reliability is a key requirement which pervades all aspects of the design. Security, although clearly a requirement, is often achieved through retrofitting, e.g. intrusion detection, and firewalls.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN DNA METHYLATION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO RISK OF PTSD AND DEPRESSION: A REVIEW OF EXISTING EVIDENCE

There are well-established sex differences in the prevalence of certain mental disorders. Work in animal models has provided us with an emerging understanding of the role that epigenetic factors play in establishing sex differences in the brain during development. Similarly, work in animal models, and a more limited but growing literature based on human studies, has demonstrated that DNA methylation (DNAm) changes occur in response to environmental stress, with some of these occurring in a sex-specific manner. In this review, we explore whether DNAm plays a role in contributing to the observed sex differences in prevalence of mental disorders in which stress contributes significantly to their etiologies, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. We propose that investigating sex differences in DNAm among genes known to influence brain development may help to shed light on the sexually dimorphic risk for, or resilience to, developing PTSD and depression.
Psychosocial function in women treated for vaginal agenesis

The psychosocial functioning of 23 women treated both surgically and nonsurgically for vaginal agenesis was assessed by means of a retrospective questionnaire. Subjects were also physically examined to evaluate anatomic outcome. It was concluded that the patients psychological adjustment before treatment and the sensitivity of her family and medical advisors during treatment took precedence over anatomic results in the eventual resolution of this disorder. Sexual function, emotional stability, self-image, and choice of marital partner in these women are described in some detail and are, in general, far healthier than had been depicted in earlier psychological reports.
Space-time adaptive processing in bistatic passive radar exploiting group sparsity

In this paper, we propose a novel method to estimate the clutter covariance matrix (CCM) and perform space-time adaptive processing (STAP) for effective clutter suppression based on a small number of secondary data samples. By exploiting the group sparsity of the angle-Doppler domain clutter profile shared by nearby range cells in a bistatic passive radar platform, we first apply the complex multi-task Bayesian compressive sensing (CMT-BCS) algorithm to reconstruct the sparse clutter profile based on the secondary data samples. The clutter profile in the range cell under test is then obtained within the common clutter support over all secondary data samples to ensure the exclusion of target signals in the estimated CCM. Compared to the conventional STAP method, the number of required secondary samples is significantly reduced due to the group sparsity of the clutter profile. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified using simulation results.
In situ fixture for multi-modal characterization during electromigration and thermal testing of wire-like microscale specimens

Abstract A fixture has been designed and fabricated to facilitate accelerated electromigration (EM) testing with in situ imaging capability of wire-like specimens. This fixture design has enabled microstructural evolution studies in microscale (100 μm–500 μm in dimension) solder volumes. The fixture allows application of thermal and electrical stimulus to wire-like solders in situ during multi-modal characterization. The design is compatible with surface (2D) characterization techniques including optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) based analyses. SEM characterization using the fixture has also been coupled with electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). Grain orientation image maps (OIMs) were obtained for in situ crystallographic microstructural analysis of the test volumes. The fixture is also compatible with X-ray computed tomography (non-destructive and 3D), or XCT, analysis of microstructure volume. To apply 2D techniques, a facet has been polished into the solder volumes prior to mounting within the fixture, though this surfacing requirement is not required for XCT characterization. A demonstration of the fixture's successful EM testing function is provided. The compatibility of the fixture with these characterization tools is also demonstrated. Both functional thrusts of the new in situ fixture's design have been accomplished through the fixture's form which is provided in reproducible detail.
A Calculus for Link-Time Compilation

We present a module calculus for studying a simple model of link-time compilation. The calculus is stratified into a term calculus, a core module calculus, and a linking calculus. At each level, we show that the calculus enjoys a computational soundness property: if two terms are equivalent in the calculus, then they have the same outcome in a small-step operational semantics. This implies that any module transformation justified by the calculus is meaning preserving. This result is interesting because recursive module bindings thwart confluence at two levels of our calculus, and prohibit application of the traditional technique for showing computational soundness, which requires confluence. We introduce a new technique, based on properties we call lift and project, that uses a weaker notion of confluence with respect to evaluation to establish computational soundness for our module calculus.We also introduce the weak distributivity property for a transformation T operating on modules D1 and D2 linked by ⊕: T(D1 ⊕ D2) = T(T(D1) ⊕ T(D2)). We argue that this property finds promising candidates for link-time optimizations.
Arbitrary-order corrections for finite-time drift and diffusion coefficients.

We address a standard class of diffusion processes with linear drift and quadratic diffusion coefficients. These contributions to dynamic equations can be directly drawn from data time series. However, real data are constrained to finite sampling rates and therefore it is crucial to establish a suitable mathematical description of the required finite-time corrections. Based on Ito-Taylor expansions, we present the exact corrections to the finite-time drift and diffusion coefficients. These results allow to reconstruct the real hidden coefficients from the empirical estimates. We also derive higher-order finite-time expressions for the third and fourth conditional moments that furnish extra theoretical checks for this class of diffusion models. The analytical predictions are compared with the numerical outcomes of representative artificial time series.
The impact of resident involvement on otolaryngology surgical outcomes.

Objectives/Hypothesis Intraoperative experience is an essential element of surgical training, but has the potential to impact patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) to evaluate the effect of resident involvement on morbidity and mortality following otolaryngology procedures and 2) to examine the influence of resident training level on the same outcomes. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods This study reviewed 2,320,920 patients captured in the 2005 to 2012 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases to identify surgical otolaryngology cases. Outcomes of interest included surgical complications, medical complications, and mortality. Cases with and without resident involvement were propensity matched (caliper = 0.2) to account for nonrandomized assignment, and data were subject to multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Residents participated in 38.4% of the 20,307 cases identified. Cases with resident involvement demonstrated longer operative duration (178.8 minutes vs. 80.1 minutes, P < .001), increased surgical complexity (23.5 relative value units [RVU] vs. 12.4 RVU, P < .001) and greater overall morbidity burden. Logistic regression analyses of the matched cohort revealed that resident participation did not independently increase morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.969, P = .751) or mortality (OR = 0.893, P = .758). A separate logistic regression analysis of the unmatched cohort using resident postgraduate year showed that training level did not confer differential risk to patients. Conclusions Our data indicate that resident involvement does not increase the risk of morbidity or mortality, and that trainees are being assigned to appropriate cases for their level of experience. These findings suggest that the contemporary paradigm of graduate otolaryngology surgical education does not negatively impact patient outcomes. Level of Evidence 2c Laryngoscope, 2014
Phase I trial of GTI-2040, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine in the treatment of advanced metastatic solid tumors: a California Cancer Consortium Study

Background GTI-2040 is a 20-mer antisense oligonucleotide targeting the mRNA of ribonucleotide reductase M2. It was combined with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in a phase I trial in patients with advance solid tumors based on previous studies demonstrating potentiation of chemotherapy with ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors.
Problem of intraoperative anatomical shift in image-guided surgery

Experience with image guided, frameless stereotactic neurosurgery shows that intraoperative brain position shifts can be large enough to be problematic, and can occur in different directions at different directions at different stages of an operation. An understanding of the behavior of shifts will allow the surgeon to make the most appropriate use of the image guidance by first minimizing the shift itself, and then anticipating and compensating for any influence the remaining shift will have on the accuracy of the guidance. Three types of shift are described. Type I shift is a local outward bulging that occurs after the skull and dura are opened but before a mass lesion is resected. Type II shift is a local collapse of the brain tissue into the space previously occupied by the tumor. Type III shift is related to loss of cerebrospinal fluid or brain dehydration and is a generalized, more symmetric loss of brain volume. Strategies to minimize these types of shift include appropriate use of medical measures to reduce brain swelling early in the procedure without producing so much brain dehydration that Type II shift is accentuated later in the procedure. Other strategies include mechanical stabilization of brain position with retractors. Anticipating shift, the neurosurgeon should use the guidance as far as possible to map key boundaries early in the procedure before shift becomes more pronounced. Ultimately, however, the correction for the problem of intraoperative brain shift will require the ability to update the imaging data during the surgery.
Key Resources on Community College Governance.

This chapter offers a selection of references and resources on structures, processes, and outcomes of community college governance.
Quantifying blood flow and wall shear stresses in the outflow tract of chick embryonic hearts

Wall shear stresses (WSS) exerted by blood flow on cardiac tissues modulate growth and development of the heart. To study the role of hemodynamic conditions on cardiac morphogenesis, here, we present a methodology that combines imaging and finite element modeling to quantitate the in vivo blood flow dynamics and WSS in the cardiac outflow tract (OFT) of early chicken embryos (day 3 out of 21-day incubation). We found a distinct blood flow field and heterogeneous distribution of WSS in the chicken embryonic heart OFT, which have physiological implications for OFT morphogenesis.
Constitutive activity of the δ-opioid receptor expressed in C6 glioma cells: identification of non-peptide δ-inverse agonists

1. G-protein coupled receptors can exhibit constitutive activity resulting in the formation of active ternary complexes in the absence of an agonist. In this study we have investigated constitutive activity in C6 glioma cells expressing either the cloned delta-(OP1) receptor (C6delta), or the cloned mu-(OP3) opioid receptor (C6mu). 2. Constitutive activity was measured in the absence of Na+ ions to provide an increased signal. The degree of constitutive activity was defined as the level of [35S]-GTPgammaS binding that could be inhibited by pre-treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX). In C6delta cells the level of basal [35S]-GTPgammaS binding was reduced by 51.9+/-6.1 fmols mg-1 protein, whereas in C6mu; and C6 wild-type cells treatment with PTX reduced basal [35S]-GTPgammaS binding by only 10.0+/-3.5 and 8.6+/-3.1 fmols mg-1 protein respectively. 3. The delta-antagonists N, N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH (ICI 174,864), 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) and naltriben (NTB), in addition to clocinnamox (C-CAM), acted as delta-opioid receptor inverse agonists. Naloxone, buprenorphine, and naltrindole were neutral antagonists. Furthermore, naltrindole blocked the reduction in [35S]-GTPgammaS binding caused by the inverse agonists. The inverse agonists did not inhibit basal [35S]-GTPgammaS binding in C6mu; or C6 wild-type cell membranes. 4. Competition binding assays in C6delta cell membranes revealed a leftward shift in the displacement curve of [3H]-naltrindole by ICI 174,864 and C-CAM in the presence of NaCl and the GTP analogue, GppNHp. There was no change in the displacement curve for BNTX or NTB under these conditions. 5. These data confirm the presence of constitutive activity associated with the delta-opioid receptor and identify three novel, non-peptide, delta-opioid inverse agonists.
Planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging☆

Abstract New measurement techniques based on planar (2-D) imaging of laser-induced fluorescence provide a powerful complement to single-point laser-based diagnostics, with significant potential to impact combustion and fluid mechanics research. Though still in an early stage of development, these imaging methods offer prospects for non-invasive, spatially and temporally resolved measurements of species concentrations and mole fractions, temperature, density, velocity and pressure. Extensions of these 2-D techniques to new flowfield variables and species, and to 3-D imaging by rapid scanning of the illumination plane, are already in progress.
Opposite responses of rabbit and human globin mRNAs to translational inhibition by cap analogues.

The translational efficiency of an mRNA may be determined at the step of translational initiation by the efficiency of its interaction with the cap binding protein complex. To further investigate the role of these interactions in translational control, the authors compare in vitro the relative sensitivities of rabbit and human ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-globin mRNAs to translational inhibition by cap analogues. They find that rabbit ..beta..-globin mRNA is more resistant to translational inhibition by cap analogues than rabbit ..cap alpha..-globin mRNA, while in contrast, human ..beta..-globin mRNA is more sensitive to cap analogue inhibition than human ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-globin mRNAs is unexpected as direct in vivo and in vitro comparisons of polysome profiles reveal parallel translational handling of the ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-globin mRNAs from these two species. This discordance between the relative translational sensitivities of these mRNAs to cap analogues and their relative ribosome loading activities suggests that cap-dependent events may not be rate limiting in steady-state globin translation.
“Taub-NUT-like” cosmologies

Abstract We investigate vacuum cosmologies with quasiregular singularities, in particular Taub-NUT, three-torus flat Kasner, and Moncrief's spatially inhomogeneous spacetimes. In each model the metric and topology, null geodesics, and massless scalar test fields show similar structure near a null hypersurface containing the singularity and its associated Cauchy horizons.
On the design of nonlinear controllers for flight control systems

A method of approximate input-output linearization by dynamic state feedback is presented, with the flight control of VTOL aircraft used as an example. It is shown that the closed loop system has a graceful degradation of performance as the moment-to-force coupling is increased. It is also demonstrated that the approach proposed here leads to an asymptotically stable closed loop system with guaranteed bounds on the tracking error caused by the nonminumum phase character of the system.
A Parametric Study of Mixed-Mode I/III Ductile Fracture in Tough Materials under Small Scale Yielding

Abstract Mixed-mode I/III crack growth in high purity, tough materials under small-scale yielding conditions are studied using an elastic–plastic continuum model. The fracture process is controlled by the interaction of two mechanisms, the growth of the existing voids and the nucleation of new voids under increased plastic strain. Crack growth is constrained to occur only along the initial crack plane because of the symmetry conditions of load and geometry. The effects of mode mixity on mixed-mode fracture toughness are studied under different circumstances, and the effects of other factors, such as microstructural parameters, continuum properties of the solid and the crack-tip constraint, are also examined. The study indicates that mixed mode I/III fracture resistance, followed by some amount of ductile crack growth, displays a minimum at a critical phase angle [φ=tan−1(KIII/KI)] between 45° and 55°. This indicates a direction at which an initially flat mode I crack may reorient to cause slant fracture or formation of shear lips.
Computational fluid dynamic simulations of aortic coarctation comparing the effects of surgical- and stent-based treatments on aortic compliance and ventricular workload.

Objectives: In this work, we examine the effects of stent-induced aortic stiffness on cardiac workload and blood pressure using computational fluid dynamic simulations. Background: Treatment of aortic coarctation (CoA) consists of either open, surgical repair or angioplasty with or without stenting. Although stenting is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, aortic stiffness increases in the stented section. Concern over this increased stiffness has long been argued to be detrimental to the overall vascular health of the patient. Methods: MR imaging was performed on a 15-year-old female with CoA. A 3D model of the large thoracic arteries was created, and the heart and downstream vasculature were represented by lumped parameter models at the model inlet and outlets, respectively. A deformable wall assumption was used in conjunction with variable wall properties and tissue support, and 3D velocity, pressure, and wall dynamics were computed. The lumped parameter values and wall properties were tuned to match the mean flow and aortic deformation as measured by MRI. The CoA was then virtually removed from the model representing an end-to-end surgical correction. In a second model, the repaired section was prescribed to be nearly rigid, representing stenting. All other variables remained the same. Results: When compared to surgery, stenting resulted in clinically negligible increases in cardiac work (0.4%) and no change in mean blood pressure. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests CoA stenting may not affect cardiac work to any significant degree as is commonly believed in the clinical community. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of Replacing Forage Fiber or Nonfiber Carbohydrates with Dried Brewers Grains

Four primiparous Holstein cows in late lactation were used in a 4 x 5 Youden square design. Each cow was fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas. Treatments were a control diet with a high concentration of forage, a control diet with a low concentration of forage, and three diets in which dried brewers grains replaced a portion of the forage, concentrate, or both. Cows were fed and milked twice daily in 14-d periods. Chromic oxide and Yb (soaked in acid) were used as markers for digesta flow and rate of passage, respectively. No significant differences in ruminal pH or rates of passage caused by treatment were detected. Although brewers grains had slower digestion rates of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in situ and faster passage rates than did alfalfa, brewers grains had minor effects on site of NDF digestion. Intake of dry matter was depressed by the higher NDF concentrations in diets in which brewers grains replaced concentrate, but a long-term feeding study is needed to verify this conclusion. Although brewers grains did not appear to be very effective at stimulating milk fat percentage, dry matter intake was maintained when brewers grains replaced forage, and it appears that brewers grains can successfully replace a portion of the forage NDF in the diets of lactating cows.
The Pain-Buffering Functions of Money and Social Support: A Motivational Account

Zhou and Gao's (this issue) account of how money, social support, and pain relate to each other is highly insightful; furthermore, it is rendered all the more timely by the massive global financial...
Scattering from metallic gratings made of various strip conductivity profiles

Metallic gratings have long been used as frequency selective surfaces for applications ranging from beam splitters to polarization filters. These gratings are generally modeled as an infinite array of evenly spaced metallic strips. These structures are usually modeled by assuming that each of the strips in the grating has an infinite conductivity or that all strips are made of the same finite conductivity. An analytical method, based on the electric field integral equation and the method of moments, is developed in which the conductivity of each strip is taken into account. Various strip conductivity profiles are analyzed for their effect on the radar cross section area (RCS). The induced currents on each strip are solved to calculate the scattered field.
Coenzyme Q and the stability of biological membranes.

Abstract We have recently observed that anemic and dystrophic monkeys develop reticulocytosis on treatment with a normally synthesized body component, coenzyme Q 10 ( Fitch, et al ., 1965 ). Complete remission of the anemia is effected by hexahydrocoenzyme Q 4 therapy ( Fitch, et al ., 1965 ). The anemia, which develops in monkeys deprived of vitamin E, also responds well to vitamin E-treatment ( Dinning and Day, 1957 ). This apparent connection between an intrinsic coenzyme and a vitamin has been studied by observing the ability of hexahydrocoenzyme Q 4 to protect red blood cells from lysis by H 2 O 2 . This study was prompted by two facts: (a) vitamin E protects cells and subcellular particles from lysis by oxidants ( Rose and Győrgy, 1952 ; McKnight, Hunter, and Oehlert, 1965 ), and (b) coenzyme Q is present in the lipoprotein complexes of cellular membranes ( Green, 1965 ). We found that hexahydrocoenzyme Q 4 and the 6-chromanol of hexahydrocoenzyme Q 4 protect erythrocytes of premature infants from hemolysis by H 2 O 2 .
Insect allergy as a possible cause of inhalant sensitivity.

Abstract 1.1. Insects cause a considerable number of skin-test reactions in most highly sensitive allergic patients. 2.2. Insect allergy may be a significant causative factor in clinical allergic respiratory disease, especially of the seasonal type.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity Risk Count Assessment: A New Concept for Detection of Life-Threatening Prostate Cancer During Window of Curability

OBJECTIVES To determine whether the number of times the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity (PSAV) exceeds a threshold (PSAV risk count) is predictive of high-risk prostate cancer. METHODS The PSAV was determined in 717 men (606 without prostate cancer; 32 with high-risk prostate cancer defined as death from cancer, PSA level of 20 ng/mL or more, or a Gleason score of 8 or more; and 79 with prostate cancer who were alive or dead of another cause). Multiple PSAVs determined from three repeated measures from each subject during 10 to 20 years were used to determine the risk count by summing the number of times a subject exceeded a PSAV threshold. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between the risk count and the probability of high-risk disease. The statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The probability of high-risk disease increased directly with the risk count. After adjusting for age, PSA level, PSAV, and date of diagnosis, the PSAV risk count was significantly associated with the development of high-risk prostate cancer (relative risk 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 1.59 for a PSAV cutpoint 0.2 ng/mL/yr; relative risk 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 1.71 for a PSAV cutpoint of 0.4 ng/mL/yr; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The PSAV risk count could be a useful method of interpreting a PSA history to help identify those men who will benefit from a diagnosis of prostate cancer at PSA levels associated with curable disease.