cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heats of Formation for the Boronic Acids R-B(OH)2 and Boroxines R3B3O3 (R=H, Li, HBe, H2B, H3C, H2N, HO, F, and Cl) Calculated at the G2, G3, and G4 Levels of Theory.

Abstract Boronic acids (R–B(OH)2) and their boroxine (R3B3O3) dehydration products have emerged as important classes of compounds with a multitude of diverse applications. However, the available heats of formation for these compounds are not always as accurate as would be required for further use. In this study the heats of formation at 298.15 K of R–B(OH)2 and R3B3O3 (R = H, Li, HBe, H2B, H3C, H2N, HO, F, and Cl) have been calculated at the G2, G3[G3B3], and G4 levels of theory and used to determine the enthalpy changes for the dehydration reactions: 3R–B(OH)2 → R3B3O3 + 3H2O; comparisons are made with other rigorous levels of theory, e.g. CBS-Q[CBS-QB3] and W1U, as well as with experimental values wherever possible. Enthalpy changes for the dehydration reactions have also been calculated using second-order Moller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the Dunning–Woon correlation-consistent aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets, and B3LYP density functional theory with the 6-311++G(2df,2pd) basis set. With the exception of H2N–B(OH)2, the dehydration reactions are consistently predicted to be endothermic. Our results provide a cautionary note for the use of the B3LYP functional in the calculation of structures and energies of boronic acids and boroxines. Where comparisons could be made, the G4 and W1U predictions for the heats of formation of these boron compounds differ significantly.
A RE-EXAMINATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EVALUATION OF ASSERTIONS

The research reported here was stimulated by part of a paragraph from Roger Brown's Words and Things which describes an experiment by Solomon Asch.1 Asch presented the following statement to two different groups of subjects: "I hold that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are in the physical." One of the groups was told, correctly, that the author of the statement was Thomas Jefferson, but the other was told it came from the works of Lenin. Brown reports that the statement was evaluated with more approval when attributed to Jefferson than when attributed to Lenin, and concludes: "Most American college students will disagree with the statement recommending rebellion when it is attributed to Lenin and agree when it is attributed to Jefferson."2 We were struck by the significance of the Jefferson statement for the social milieu of late 1969 and wondered how students at that time would evaluate the statement when it was attributed to different authors. Going back to Asch, we could not find any quantitative reports indicating the extent of agreement or disagreement with the statement, and discovered that Asch was arguing for a Gestalt interpretation of results originally reported by Irving Lorge.3 Lorge had assessed quantitatively the extent of agreement and disagreement with a large number of statements by many different authors, including the Jefferson statement. He demonstrated that subjects would give more positive evaluations of statements they thought had been made by authors toward whom they had positive attitudes, and interpreted his results as "acceptance by association." The basic assump-
Functions of humor in conversation: Conceptualization and measurement

The purpose of this research was to explore humor from a functional perspective. Twenty‐four functions of humor were derived from prior literature. Items representing these 24 functions were subjected to factor analysis resulting in an 11‐item “Uses of Humor Index.”; Three primary factors emerged from this analysis: positive affect, expressiveness, and negative affect. Initial validation of the Uses of Humor Index was achieved via a peer evaluation, a measure of sense of humor, and assessment of interpersonal competence in naturalistic conversations. The implications of this study for future research concerning the use of humor in social interaction and the influence of humor on perceptions of interpersonal competence are discussed.
Mutants of Rous sarcoma virus with extensive deletions of the viral genome.

Abstract Deletion mutants of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) have been isolated from a stock of Prague RSV which had been irradiated with ultraviolet light. Quail fibroblasts were infected with irradiated virus and transformed clones isolated by agar suspension culture. Three clones were obtained which did not release any virus particles. Analysis of DNA from these non-producer clones with restriction endonucleases and the Southern DNA transfer technique indicated that the clones carry defective proviruses with deletions of approximately 4 × 10 6 daltons of proviral DNA. The defective proviruses, which retain the viral transformation ( src ) gene, contain only 1.7–2.0 × 10 6 daltons of DNA. Multiple species of viral RNA containing the sequences of the src gene were detected in these clones; some of these RNAs may contain both viral and cellular sequences. The protein product of the src gene, p60 src ( Brugge and Erikson, 1977 ), was also synthesized in the nonproducer clones. However these clones did not contain the products of the group-specific antigen ( gag ), DNA polymerase ( pol ), or envelope glycoprotein ( env ) genes, nor did they contain the 35 and 28 S RNA species which are believed to represent the messengers for these viral gene-products. The properties of these mutants indicate that expression of the src gene is sufficient to induce transformation. These clones may represent useful tools for the study of the expression of this region of the genome.
On the mechanism of intergranular embrittlement by phosphorus in transformer steel

Transformer steel (Fe-6 at. pct Si) was doped with varying amounts of phosphorus and given an embrittling step-cool heat treatment. Auger electron spectroscopy was used to determine that large increases in intergranular phosphorus concentration occurred in approximate proportion to the bulk phosphorus level through an equilibrium segregation mechanism. Bicrystals of this material were fractured at 300, 77 and 4.2 K. Grain boundary fracture energy, γgb was determined as a function of intergranular phosphorus concentration at 4.2 K. An analysis of γgband fracture mode, as a function of temperature, was used to evaluate the relative merits of intergranular fracture models based on reduced interatomic separation energy (Gibbs-Griffith model) and reduced interatomic cohesive strength (Seah model). It was found that the reduced interatomic separation energy model best fits the experimental findings.
Advances in Amphibian Clinical Therapeutics

This review covers recent developments in the field of amphibian therapeutics without repeating previous extensive clinical reviews, formularies, and compendia. The information provided in this article would aid the veterinary practitioner treating amphibian species through the use of updated clinical therapeutic techniques and dosages.
Reliability evaluation of distribution system containing microgrid

This paper presents a simulative technique to evaluate the reliability of distribution system including distributed generations (DGs) and energy storage system, which compose microgrids with load. The introduction of energy storage system will play an important role on the stable of power supply in microgrids where renewable energy DGs are connected. Stochastic characteristic of photovoltaic and wind power DGs is firstly studied, and then a reliability model for the combined DGs and storage energy system is established. On the base of the above models, a reliability evaluation algorithm for microgrids based on Monte Carlo simulation is proposed. Case studies on the modified IEEE RBTS Bus 4 system containing two microgrids verify the validity of the proposed technique. Results prove that microgrids are capable to improve the power supply reliability for their customers.
Surface plasmon enhanced nanopillar photodetector array

We demonstrate surface plasmon-enhaced nanopillar (NP) photodetector arrays in the near IR spectral range. Light coupling into the NPs takes place via surface plasmons through subwavelength, self-aligned metal holes. A novel fabrication technique produces elongated subwavelength holes in the gold top electrode such that the holes are self-aligned to the NPs. Surface plasmons excited on the metal/NP and metal/polymer interfaces couple into the NP resulting in electric field intensity “hot spots”. The measured responsivity shows the typical cos2(θ) dependence with respect to incident light polarization showing the antenna effect of the nanohole array. The shape resonance of the elongated metal hole produces polarization sensitive light absorption1. Surface plasmon enhanced nanopillar detector arrays are a compelling technology for small foot print subwavelength photodetectors.
Propagation of Action Potentials: An Active Participation Exercise:

In this article, I describe an active participation exercise that demonstrates the propagation of action potentials along unmyelinated and myelinated axons. This activity helps students visualize p...
A Diagnostic System for Air Brakes in Commercial Vehicles

The safe operation of vehicles on roads depends, among other things, on a properly functioning brake system. Air brake systems are widely used in commercial vehicles such as trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses. In these brake systems, compressed air is used as the energy transmitting medium to actuate the foundation brakes mounted on the axles. In this paper, a model-based diagnostic system for air brakes is presented. This diagnostic system is based on a nonlinear model for predicting the pressure transients in the brake chamber that correlates the brake chamber pressure to the treadle valve (brake application valve) plunger displacement and the pressure of the air supplied to the brake system. Leaks and "out-of-adjustment" of push rods are two prominent defects that affect the performance of the air brake system. Diagnostic schemes that will monitor the brake system for these defects will be presented and corroborated with experimental data obtained from the brake testing facility
Currents: Legal Developments

This is the first in a series of quarterly columns devoted to legal issues involving myriad employee relations issues. We will vary its format from edition to edition, but we hope to provide you with a working perspective on current legal issues that arise in the workplace. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dispelling "design" as the black art of CHI

We discuss the legacy and processes of creative design, and differentiate it from the type of user-centered design commonly found in CHI. We provide an example of this process, and discuss how design practice constitutes an essential mode of inquiry. We argue the complementary nature of creative design and user-centered design practices. Syncretic disciplines shift and drift from their original practice. A key issue is how CHI is to respond to changes in acceptable design practice. A key contribution of this work is an illustrative example showing how designers can communicate their intellectual rigor to the CHI community.
Horizontal and Vertical Factors Influencing the Adoption of Web Services

Organizations across many industries are implementing or exploring Web services technology. According to recent industry surveys, however, many organizations are still hesitating to adopt Web services on a larger scale. This article explores the challenges organizations are facing and identifies factors that can lead to differences in the adoption of Web services between industries. While Web services at their core are a horizontal or cross-industry technology, the findings of this exploratory study suggest that there are important vertical or industry specific factors that can either promote or inhibit the adoption of Web services in a particular industry.
Management of Sexual Expression in Long-Term Care: Ombudsmen’s Perspectives

Purpose: This study investigates sexual expres sion management in long-term care settings based on cases requiring intervention from ombudsmen. Although the literature frequently mentions a lack of policies governing sexual expression in these settings, there is little information available on management of situations when they occur. This study addresses these missing elements through the perspective of resident advocates. Design and Methods: 31 in-depth inter views using a multiple case study approach were conducted with long-term care ombudsmen in 6 states. A thematic analysis was performed on the interview transcripts. Results: Ombudsmen inter vened in cases based on dilemma or conflict due to risk, risk associated with dementing illness, limited knowledge, privacy, and values. The theoretical framework of the total institution was utilized to interpret the results. Implications: The results underscored the impor tance of resident advocates to support residents’ rights. This research also highlights the importance of workforce training and examination of the institutional impact on resident sexual expression. Formulation of standards of practice for ethically complex situations is also critically important.
Interactions of Thrombospondin with Sulfated Glycolipids and Proteoglycans of Human Melanoma Cells

Human melanoma cell spreading on thrombospondin substrates and chemotaxis in a gradient of soluble thrombospondin requires the aminoterminal heparin/sulfatide-binding domain of thrombospondin. Some melanoma cell lines attach but do not spread or respond in chemotaxis assays. Sulfated glycoconjugates produced by melanoma cells that could mediate these activities were identified by metabolic labeling with [35S] sulfate and tested for their ability to bind thrombospondin. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans that bind thrombospondin are made by both spreading and non-spreading melanoma cell lines. Thrombospondin binds with high affinity to a high molecular weight heparan sulfate proteoglycan, but not to the major chondroitin sulfate. The active heparan sulfate proteoglycan can be partially purified by affinity chromatography on thrombospondin-agarose or hydrophobic interaction with octyl-Sepharose. Thrombospondin binding requires the amino-terminal domain and is inhibited by monoclonal antibody A2.5 or fucoidan. Binding activity is lost following degradation of the proteoglycan with heparatinase or nitrous acid. [35S]Sulfate labels several melanoma cell glycolipids including galactosylceramide-I3-sulfate, lactosyl ceramide-II3-sulfate, and sulfated glucuronosylparagloboside. The latter glycolipid was detected in three cell lines that spread on thrombospondin but not in the nonspreading C32 melanoma cells. Thrombospondin binds to the isolated glycolipid, and the glycolipid and an antibody to this structure inhibit cell spreading on thrombospondin substrates. Thus, the presence of glycoconjugates with terminal nonreducing glucuronosyl 3-sulfate correlates with melanoma cell spreading on thrombospondin, whereas expression of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that bind thrombospondin does not.
Patients want granular privacy control over health information in electronic medical records.

Objective To assess patients’ desire for granular level privacy control over which personal health information should be shared, with whom, and for what purpose; and whether these preferences vary based on sensitivity of health information. Materials and methods A card task for matching health information with providers, questionnaire, and interview with 30 patients whose health information is stored in an electronic medical record system. Most patients’ records contained sensitive health information. Results No patients reported that they would prefer to share all information stored in an electronic medical record (EMR) with all potential recipients. Sharing preferences varied by type of information (EMR data element) and recipient (eg, primary care provider), and overall sharing preferences varied by participant. Patients with and without sensitive records preferred less sharing of sensitive versus less-sensitive information. Discussion Patients expressed sharing preferences consistent with a desire for granular privacy control over which health information should be shared with whom and expressed differences in sharing preferences for sensitive versus less-sensitive EMR data. The pattern of results may be used by designers to generate privacypreserving EMR systems including interfaces for patients to express privacy and sharing preferences. Conclusions To maintain the level of privacy afforded by medical records and to achieve alignment with patients’ preferences, patients should have granular privacy control over information contained in their EMR.
A phase-noise reduction technique for quadrature LC-VCO with phase-to-amplitude noise conversion

A phase-noise reduction technique for quadrature VCOs reduces and shapes the transistor thermal noise injected into the system, and also provides a phase-to-amplitude noise conversion mechanism to further reduce phase noise. Two experimental designs provide 17% and 1% tuning ranges centered at 5.1GHz and 5.3GHz with phase noise of -132.6dBc/Hz and -134.4dBc/Hz at a 1MHz offset, respectively
Aggregate employment dynamics and lumpy adjustment costs

Abstract This study examines what one can infer from aggregate time-series of employment under the assumption that adjustment at the micro level is discrete. Using various sets of quarterly and monthly data for the United States, I find no consistent evidence of any effect of sectoral shocks on the path of aggregate employment. Aggregate time series generated from microeconomic processes in which firms adjust employment discretely produce the same inferences as the actual data. This simulation suggests that the literature on employment dynamics based on industry or macro data cannot inform us about the size of adjustment costs and cannot yield useful information on variations in adjustment costs over time or among countries.
Integration of the Load-Matching and Routing Problem with Equipment Balancing for Small Package Carriers

Small package delivery is a multibillion dollar industry with complex planning decisions required to efficiently utilize costly resources and meet tight time requirements. The planning process is typically decomposed into sequential subproblems to establish tractability. This decomposition can greatly degrade solution quality. This paper therefore considers the integration of two closely related key subproblems: load matching and routing and equipment balancing. First, we identify critical challenges faced in trying to solve these problems. Then we present a novel modeling approach to address these challenges. Finally, we conclude with computational results from United Parcel Service, the world's largest package delivery company, demonstrating an improvement of approximately 5% over the company's existing methods for solving this pair of problems.
Dendrimers and chirality

The preparation, chiroptical properties and potential application of chiral dendritic polymers are reviewed. Mislow's analysis of the manifestation of chirality, cryptochirality and fuzzy chirality is useful in studying these unique chiral macromolecules. Chirality 10:53–59, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss,Inc.
Inflation of subordinates' performance ratings: main and interactive effects of rater negative affectivity, documentation of work behavior, and appraisal visibility

We hypothesized that raters' tendency to deliberately inflate performance appraisal ratings of subordinates would be associated with rater negative affectivity (NA) and two characteristics of the performance appraisal context: documentation of subordinates' work behaviors and appraisal visibility. We further hypothesized interactions among these variables, such that high-NA, but not low-NA raters, would be more likely to inflate ratings under conditions of low documentation and high appraisal visibility. Moreover, we predicted that NA would be associated most strongly with rating inflation when documentation was low and appraisal visibility was high, simultaneously. Results from a sample of 148 supervisors from a variety of organizations supported these hypotheses. We discuss several practical implications of the results and suggest areas for future inquiry. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First-trimester risk assessment for trisomies 21 and 18 in twin pregnancy.

Objective Our objective was to describe performance of first-trimester combined risk assessment in twin pregnancies. Study Design Twin pregnancies that underwent risk assessment in our ultrasound unit from 2003-2006 were included. Adjusted risks for trisomies 21 and 18 that were based on age, nuchal translucency (NT), and biochemistry were provided for each twin. Detection rates for Down syndrome and trisomy 18 were calculated for age/NT, and age/NT/biochemistry at a screen-positive rate of 5% of pregnancies. Results Five hundred thirty-five pregnancies were included. Median maternal age was 34 years, with 47% of women ≥35 years old. There were 7 fetuses in 6 dichorionic pregnancies with Down syndrome and 3 fetuses in 3 pregnancies with trisomy 18. For a 5% false-positive rate, age/NT identified 83.3% of Down syndrome and 66.7% of Trisomy 18 pregnancies. Adding biochemistry resulted in 100% detection rates for both conditions. Conclusion The addition of biochemistry may enhance first-trimester risk assessment in twin pregnancies. Further studies with larger numbers of affected pregnancies are needed.
Effect of surface swelling on diffusion in polymers. I. Infrared spectroscopy

The effect of stress transfer-limited swelling in the surface region on the hydroxylation of styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymers in the bulk state was investigated. Films of the copolymer were allowed to react with peracetic acid to effect epoxidation and simultaneously with acetic acid and water to cleave the epoxy rings. By infrared spectroscopy it was observed that the hydroxyl content of the films decreased with increasing film thickness and the epoxy content increased commensurately. This was attributed to the presence of a lag between the advancing diffusion fronts for the epoxide groups and for the cleavage agents. This lag increases with increasing thickness due to the presence of stress-transfer mechanisms which act to reduce the degree of swelling in the surface region and which are more effective in thicker films. The hydroxyl content increased exponentially with time, giving rise to the observation of significant induction time before there was any infrared evidence of hydroxyl formation. This resulted from the relief of part of the compressive stress in the surface region by the reaction process, which in turn increased the permeation rate of peracid.
Intervention with parental smokers in an outpatient pediatric clinic using counseling and nicotine replacement.

Objective. To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a smoking cessation intervention for par- ents at the time of the pediatric visit. Methods. A prospective cohort of smoking parents whose child was seen in an outpatient pediatric practice was offered the Stop Tobacco Outreach Program, which includes 3 brief counseling sessions, written materials, free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), proactive refer- ral to a free state telephone quitline, and fax referral to the parents' primary clinician. The primary outcome was completion of all three counseling sessions. Other out- comes were quit attempts, cessation, NRT use, state quit- line use, and household smoking assessed at 2-month follow-up. Results. One hundred fifty-eight smoking parents met eligibility criteria and 100 (63%) enrolled in the study. Of the 100 enrollees, 81% completed all three counseling sessions and 78% accepted free NRT at the time of enrollment. At 2-month follow-up, of the 100 enrollees, 56% reported making a quit attempt of >24 hours, 18% reported 7-day tobacco abstinence, 34% used NRT, and 42% received additional counseling from the state telephone quitline. The mean number of cigarettes smoked inside the home and car declined over 2 months (home, 5.1 vs 1.4; and car, 2.5 vs 1.4). Conclusions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of engaging parents in a smoking cessation intervention at the time of a child's clinic visit. This approach may be an effective way to reach smokers who otherwise are unlikely to access smoking cessation interventions. High rates of program enrollment, use of NRT, and completion of telephone counseling in this study support the hy- pothesis that a child's clinic visit is a teachable moment to address parental smoking cessation. Pediatrics 2003; 112:1127-1133; parent, smoking, tobacco, smoking cessa- tion, tobacco control, proactive, telephone counseling, nic- otine replacement therapy, pediatrics, outpatient, clinic, environmental tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke, respi- ratory illness, asthma.
SEED DISPERSAL, SEED PREDATION, AND SEEDLING RECRUITMENT OF A NEOTROPICAL MONTANE TREE

Postdispersal fate of seeds from Ocotea endresiana (Lauraceae), a bird-dispersed Neotropical montane tree, was studied in Costa Rica to determine the influence of seed dispersers, seed predators, and microhabitat characteristics on seedling recruitment. Particular emphasis was placed on finding naturally dispersed seeds in order to study the link between dispersal and postdispersal fate of seeds. Four species of birds (Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus; Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno; Three-wattled Bellbird, Procnias tricarunculata; and Mountain Robin, Turdus plebejus) dispersed the seeds by regurgitation, and one species (Black Guan, Chamaepetes unicolor), by defecation. Most seeds (80%) were dispersed within 25 m of parent trees and under high (>92%) canopy cover. Bellbirds deposited 52% of the seeds they dispersed under habitual song perches in standing dead trees on the edges of treefall gaps >25 m from parent trees. In contrast, the other four species dispersed only 6% of the seeds...
Effect of Heavy Chain Phosphorylation on the Polymerization and Structure of Dictyostelium Myosin Filaments

In Dictyostelium amebas, myosin appears to be organized into filaments that relocalize during cell division and in response to stimulation by cAMP. To better understand the regulation of myosin assembly, we have studied the polymerization properties of purified Dictyostelium myosin. In 150 mM KCl, the myosin remained in the supernate following centrifugation at 100,000 g. Rotary shadowing showed that this soluble myosin was monomeric and that approximately 80% of the molecules had a single bend 98 nm from the head-tail junction. In very low concentrations of KCl (less than 10 mM) the Dictyostelium myosin was also soluble at 100,000 g. But rather than being monomeric, most of the molecules were associated into dimers or tetramers. At pH 7.5 in 50 mM KCl, dephosphorylated myosin polymerized into filaments whereas myosin phosphorylated to a level of 0.85 mol Pi/mol heavy chain failed to form filaments. The phosphorylated myosin could be induced to form filaments by lowering the pH or by increasing the magnesium concentration to 10 mM. The resulting filaments were bipolar, had blunt ends, and had a uniform length of approximately 0.43 micron. In contrast, filaments formed from fully dephosphorylated myosin were longer, had tapered ends, and aggregated to form very long, threadlike structures. The Dictyostelium myosin had a very low critical concentration for assembly of approximately 5 micrograms/ml, and this value did not appear to be affected by the level of heavy chain phosphorylation. The concentration of polymer at equilibrium, however, was significantly reduced, indicating that heavy chain phosphorylation inhibited the affinity of subunits for each other. Detailed assembly curves revealed that small changes in the concentration of KCl, magnesium, ATP, or H+ strongly influenced the degree of assembly. Thus, changes in both the intracellular milieu and the level of heavy chain phosphorylation may control the location and state of assembly of myosin in response to physiological stimuli.
Nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency associated with essential cryofibrinogenemia

Cryofibrinogenemia (CF) is defined by the presence of circulating cold insoluble complexes of fibrin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, and fibrin split products with albumin, immunoglobulins and plasma proteins that precipitate from the patient’s plasma in the cold. Cryofibrinogen clots form when the patient’s plasma is cooled to 48C and stored in the cold for up to 72 h [1,2]. Cryofibrinogen clots typically redissolve upon warming to normal body temperature down to 378C. Lesions in patients with symptomatic CF are attributed to cryoprecipitation of patient’s native fibrinogen in the small and medium sized arteries. Symptoms of CF are mainly cutaneous including purpura, ecchymosis, ulcerations, livido reticularis, ischaemic necrosis and rarely gangrene [3,4]. Cold exposed body areas like hands, feet, ears, and nose are commonly affected. While essential CF is a rare, nonfatal, often asymptomatic disorder that develops spontaneously in previously healthy persons, the secondary form occurs in patients suffering from underlying inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. The most common conditions associated with CF are malignancy, collagen vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, vasculitis and active infection. Renal lesions rarely develop in patients with essential CF [5–7]. Conversely, a high incidence of CF was identified in a cohort of French patients with IgA nephropathy [8]. CF has also been reported in patients on renal replacement therapy, either dialysis or transplantation [9,10]. This is the first reported case of chronic essential symptomatic CF in association with membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Case report
Proliferation Indices as Molecular Pharmacodynamic Endpoints in Evaluation of Anticancer Drug Effect in Human Solid Tumors

Purpose. The present study compared proliferative indices, i.e. incorporation of DNA precursor (i.e. thymidine or TdR, and bromodeoxyuridine or BrdU) and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as molecular pharmacodynamic endpoints in evaluation of anticancer drug effect in human solid tumors.
Phase II trial of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors.

The safety and possible efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) were evaluated in 40 consecutive patients who received transplants from unrelated donors. rhGM-CSF was administered by 2-hour daily intravenous infusion from day 0 to day 20 or day 27 after the marrow infusion. These patients were compared with 78 historical patients who received transplants from unrelated donors who did not receive rhGM-CSF. The rhGM-CSF-treated patients were older (P = .037) and were treated less frequently in laminar air flow rooms (P = .005) than were control patients. However, the rhGM-CSF-treated group had a higher proportion of "good risk" patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase (P = .006) than did the comparison group (P = .017), rendering comparisons of transplant-related complications not meaningful. rhGM-CSF was well tolerated and did not adversely increase the incidence of graft rejection or increase the incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease. The median day the absolute neutrophil count reached 500/mm3 in patients who received rhGM-CSF was day 21, which was not different from that of historical patients. Nevertheless, the numbers of febrile days and septicemic episodes within the first 28 days in patients who received rhGM-CSF were less than in historical patients. The probability of nonrelapse mortality at 1 year in patients who received rhGM-CSF was 22%. In view of the retrospective nature of the control group, we cannot conclusively determine whether rhGM-CSF administration was beneficial. A prospective, randomized controlled study of rhGM-CSF is required to confirm these suggestive data.
Evaluating the Effect of Physician Fellowship Programs on Surgical Outcomes for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Procedures.

This study examined the relationship between fellowship training of thoracic surgeons and their patient outcomes following a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure. The study used data obtai...
A3 adenosine receptor activation attenuates neutrophil function and neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury

This study tested the hypothesis that A3adenosine receptors inhibit neutrophil (PMN) function and PMN-mediated reperfusion injury. 2-Chloro-N 6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide (Cl-IB-MECA), an A3 agonist, did not attenuate superoxide production or myeloperoxidase release from stimulated PMNs. However, Cl-IB-MECA reduced platelet-activating factor-stimulated PMN adherence to coronary endothelium at low concentrations: 52 ± 27, 45 ± 10, and 87 ± 23 PMNs/mm2 at 0.1, 1.0, and 10 nM vs. 422 ± 64 PMNs/mm2 with platelet-activating factor alone. This inhibition was not blocked by A1 (5 μM KW-3902) or A2a (5 μM KF-21326) antagonists: 44 ± 3 and 43 ± 2 PMNs/mm2, respectively. Endothelial pretreatment with 1 nM Cl-IB-MECA reduced PMN adherence, which was reversed by the A3antagonist MRS-1220 (100 nM). PMN-mediated reperfusion injury was initiated in isolated rabbit hearts by infusion of 28 × 106 PMNs/min for 10 min early in reperfusion. PMNs caused a significant decrease in recovery of left ventricular ...
Abstract 3689: Comparative oncology drug discovery for Osteosarcoma in dogs and humans

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify FDA approved drugs that initiate cell death or growth arrest in canine and human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines in vitro followed by confirmation of anticancer activity in these cell lines. The ultimate objective of this comparative oncology project is to identify promising agents for the treatment of osteosarcoma in dogs and humans, a disease in which survival rates have remained low and stagnant for the last three decades. Procedures: A library of 2,328 FDA approved drugs was screened for activity in 2 canine and 2 human OS cell lines, as well as in 1 corresponding normal cell line. Cell viability was measure using the Cell Titer-Glo™ Luminescent Cell Viability Assay (Promega). FDA approved drugs meeting pre-determined screening criteria for activity, selectivity, and potency were selected for confirmatory studies. Effects on cell proliferation were confirmed using cell counting using trypan blue exclusion performed over a 10 day period. Effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were performed using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Summary: Nine FDA approved drugs were identified based on activity and selectivity. Auranofin, a FDA approved rheumatoid arthritis agent, was selected for cell proliferation and cell cycle evaluation due to its IC50 value in control cells in comparison to OS cell lines. Auranofin displayed cytostatic effects in canine and human OS cell lines at low doses and drugs appeared to induce G2 arrest in treated cells. Conclusions: Auranofin is an FDA approved drug that demonstrates promising, selective anticancer activity in canine and human OS cell lines. The next steps are to determine whether this agent possesses additive or synergistic activity in combination with anticancer agents that have already demonstrated clinical activity in dogs and humans with OS. In vivo preclinical proof of concept will be determined in mouse xenograft studies and dogs with spontaneous OS for promising drug combinations. Subsequently, we hope to rapidly translate preclinical proof of concept findings to human OS patients. Citation Format: Joy M. Fulbright, Kathleen Neville, Melinda Broward, Tyce A. Bruns, Anuradha Roy, Peter McDonald, Megan Ottomeyer, Douglas H. Thamm, Tomoo Iwakuma. Comparative oncology drug discovery for Osteosarcoma in dogs and humans. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3689. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3689
Seasonal Abundance and Control of the Rhododendron Gall Midge, Clinodiplosis rhododendri (Felt), in Container Grown Rhododendron catawbiense Michaux

Abstract The seasonal abundance and control of the rhododendron gall midge, Clinodiplosis rhododendri (Felt), were investigated on container grown Rhododendron catawbiense Michaux. Most of the midg...
The Kinematics of 3-D Cable-Towing Systems

Aerial towed-cable-body systems consisting of helicopters with payloads suspended by cables have been widely used to transport payloads to environments inaccessible by other means. This chapter addresses the kinematics of cooperative transport with multiple aerial robots. Given the desired position and orientation of the payload suspended by cables from aerial robots, we want to determine the positions of the aerial robots to which the cables are attached. This is the inverse kinematics problem. The inverse kinematics problem has, in general, no solutions for the case with one or two aerial robots, and infinitely many solutions for three or more aerial robots. However, in the case with three robots, when the tensions of the cables are given, the inverse kinematics problem is shown to have a finite number of solutions. The problem of determining the position and orientation of the suspended payload for given positions of the aerial robots is the direct kinematics problem. This problem has multiple solutions regardless of the number of cables and robots and is harder than the inverse kinematics problem, as is generally the case with parallel mechanisms. For symmetric geometries, the motion of the system restricted to vertical planes of symmetry can be studied by analyzing equivalent planar four-bar linkages allowing the derivation of closed form solutions. In addition to the direct and inverse kinematics, we briefly discuss the stability analysis that allows us to limit the number of solutions for the direct kinematics to those that are stable.
Internal wave attractors over random, small-amplitude topography

We consider whether small-amplitude topography in a two-dimensional ocean may contain internal wave attractors. These are closed orbits formed by the characteristics (or wave beam paths) of the linear, inviscid, steady-state Boussinesq equations, and their existence may imply enhanced scattering and energy decay for the internal tide when dissipation is present. We develop a numerical code to detect attractors over arbitrary topography, and apply this to random, Gaussian topography with different covariance functions. The rate of attractors per length of topography increases with the fraction of supercritical topography, but surprisingly, it also increases as the amplitude of the topography is decreased, while the supercritical fraction is held constant. This can partly be understood by appealing to Rice’s formula for the rate of zero crossings of a stochastic process. We compute the rate of attractors for a covariance function typical of ocean bathymetry away from large features and find it is about 10 attractors per 1000 km. This could have implications for the overall energy budget of the ocean.
Prostate MRI prior to radical prostatectomy: effects on nerve sparing and pathological margin status.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the positive surgical margin (PSM) and nerve sparing (NS) rates in patients who underwent prostate MRI (pMRI) prior to radical prostatectomy (RP) and compare them with matched, nonimaged control RP patients. Methods We identified 204 men who underwent preoperative pelvic MRI (pelMRI), of whom 176 (86.3%) underwent pMRIs, within 60 days of RP, and compared them (1:1) with a nonim-aged control group matched by surgeon, age, race, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), pathological Gleason score, prostate specimen weight, and RP year. Results The rates of nonfocal extracapsular extension (nfECE) on RP pathology in the MRI and control groups were similar. PSM rates were lower in the MRI group (13.7% vs 19.3%; P=0.14), but the difference did not meet statistical significance; this was also the case in patients with nfECE on RP pathology (27.7% vs 39.5%; P=0.3). NS rates were similar between groups. In the MRI group, 54 (26.5%) patients had an MRI suspicious for nfECE; their PSM rate (20.4%) was higher than that of patients with an MRI not suspicious for nfECE (11.3%; P=0.11), but the difference lacked statistical significance; the former group had significantly lower rates of NS. Limitations of the study include sample power and nonuniform heeding of MRI results by each surgeon. Conclusion MRI did not significantly decrease the rates of PSM, including in the subset of patients with nfECE on final pathology. Even wider resection may be necessary in patients with MRIs suggesting locally-advanced disease. Studies with greater power are needed.
Racial/ethnic differences in multiple-gene sequencing results for hereditary cancer risk.

We examined racial/ethnic differences in the usage and results of germ-line multiple-gene sequencing (MGS) panels to evaluate hereditary cancer risk. We collected genetic testing results and clinical information from 1,483 patients who underwent MGS at Stanford University between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015. Asians and Hispanics presented for MGS at younger ages than whites (48 and 47 vs. 55; P = 5E-16 and 5E-14). Across all panels, the rate of pathogenic variants (15%) did not differ significantly between racial groups. Rates by gene did differ: in particular, a higher percentage of whites than nonwhites carried pathogenic CHEK2 variants (3.8% vs. 1.0%; P = 0.002). The rate of a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) result was higher in nonwhites than whites (36% vs. 27%; P = 2E-4). The probability of a VUS increased with increasing number of genes tested; this effect was more pronounced for nonwhites than for whites (1.1% absolute difference in VUS rates testing BRCA1/2 vs. 8% testing 13 genes vs. 14% testing 28 genes), worsening the disparity. In this diverse cohort undergoing MGS testing, pathogenic variant rates were similar between racial/ethnic groups. By contrast, VUS results were more frequent among nonwhites, with potential significance for the impact of MGS testing by race/ethnicity.
Introduction: How the Failed Political Messaging of Moderate Political Actors Strengthens Populist Radical Right Parties

The introductory chapter outlines why many widespread explanations for the rise of populist radical right parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) are misleading. Their rise and fall can hardly be accounted for by historical particularities or under the auspices of socio-economic variables. Instead, the key explanatory variable lies with the supply side of political competition: the interaction of and political messaging by established, moderate parties in salient debates about identity politics. Whether or not populist radical right parties succeed depends on whether and how immigration and EU issues are politicized and framed by conservatives and social democrats. The chapter concludes with an outline of the structure of the study and advice on how it could be read.
New Graphical Tools for Visualizing the Laplace and z-Domains

A new computer-based plotting method for the Laplace and ztransforms and network transfer functions is presented. Pixels in a bit-mapped plotting image are colored to represent the phase of the transform with a mapping relation. This graphical approach lets designers visualize more fully the mathematical properties of the entire complex frequency domain and exhibits several important numerical advantages over previous techniques. Closely separated singularities may be readily resolved with arbitrary precision, and the complex frequencies of poles and zeroes may be found graphically without any of the convergence issues commonly encountered with the iterative pole-zero analysis of simulation tools. Design of circuits and feedback systems with complicated high order loci of roots in the Laplace or z-domain can be aided with simple computational tools.
Ocular Complications of Radiotherapy

Although radiotherapy is the standard treatment for most intraocular malignancies, various ocular complications may occur, including radiation-induced dry eye, cataract, secondary glaucoma from neovascularization of the iris, scleral necrosis, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy. In this chapter we review the ocular side effects of radiation administered from brachytherapy, proton beam radiotherapy, and external beam radiotherapy and their potential treatments. Particular emphasis will be placed on radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy, the two most visually significant complications of radiotherapy.
Evaluating Check-In Check-Out With Peer Tutors for Children With Attention Maintained Problem Behaviors

School Wide Positive Behavior Support provides schools with three tiers of support to address both academic and behavior challenges. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of peer tutors with three elementary students when applied to a Tier 2 intervention known as Check-In Check-Out (CICO). Peer tutors performed the morning check-in with the tutees by setting the expectations for the day and giving the tutees their Daily Progress Report (DPR) form. Throughout the day, the tutees took the DPR form to each class where they received a score from the teacher. At the end of the class period, the peer tutors provided the tutees with feedback on the scores received on the DPR form. Once the school day finished, the peer tutees checked-out with the tutors and received a reward if they met their percentage goal. The results of this study showed that CICO implemented by peers improved classroom behavior for all three participants.
Fundamental Concepts in X-ray Diffraction

Diffraction methods of residual stress determination basically measure the angles at which the maximum diffracted intensity occur when a crystalline sample is irradiated with x-rays or neutrons. From these angles one then obtains the spacing of the diffracting lattice planes by using Bragg’s law. If the material is under load, these values will be different than the unstressed plane spacing, and the difference will be proportional to the stress acting on the planes. At this point one can use elasticity theory, Is discussed in Chap. 2 and 3, to determine the stress (residual or applied) acting on these planes. Thus, no matter how sophisticated the elasticity analysis, the final stress results are only as good as the data supplied by the diffraction methods.