cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Phase I/II adaptive design to determine the optimal treatment regimen from a set of combination immunotherapies in high-risk melanoma

In oncology, vaccine-based immunotherapy often investigates regimens that demonstrate minimal toxicity overall and higher doses may not correlate with greater immune response. Rather than determining the maximum tolerated dose, the goal of the study becomes locating the optimal biological dose, which is defined as a safe dose demonstrating the greatest immunogenicity, based on some predefined measure of immune response. Incorporation of adjuvants, new or optimized peptide vaccines, and combining vaccines with immune modulators may enhance immune response, with the aim of improving clinical response. Innovative dose escalation strategies are needed to establish the safety and immunogenicity of new immunologic combinations. We describe the implementation of an adaptive design for identifying the optimal treatment strategy in a multi-site, FDA-approved, phase I/II trial of a novel vaccination approach using long-peptides plus TLR agonists for resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. Operating characteristics of the design are demonstrated under various possible true scenarios via simulation studies. Overall performance indicates that the design is a practical Phase I/II adaptive method for use with combined immunotherapy agents. The simulation results demonstrate the method's ability to effectively recommend optimal regimens in a high percentage of trials with manageable sample sizes. The numerical results presented in this work include the type of simulation information that aid review boards in understanding design performance, such as average sample size and frequency of early trial termination, which we hope will augment early-phase trial design in cancer immunotherapy.
Cloning and expression of steroid sulfatase cDNA and the frequent occurrence of deletions in STS deficiency: Implications for X-Y interchange

Human STS is a microsomal enzyme important in steroid metabolism. The gene encoding STS is pseudoautosomal in the mouse but not in humans, and escapes X inactivation in both species. We have prepared monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the protein which has been purified and from which partial amino acid sequence data have been obtained. cDNA clones containing the entire coding sequence were isolated, sequenced, and expressed in heterologous cells. Variable length transcripts have been shown to be present and due to usage of alternative poly(A) addition sites. The functional gene maps to Xp22.3-Xpter and there is a pseudogene on Yq suggesting a recent pericentric inversion. Absence of STS enzymatic activity occurs frequently in human populations and produces a visible phenotype of scaly skin or ichthyosis. Ten patients with inherited STS deficiency were studied and eight had complete gene deletions. The possibility that STS deficiency results from aberrant X-Y interchange is discussed.
The role of dark chest patches and upright postures in the agonistic behavior of male hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus

Dyeing the chests of socially naive male hamsters black, and thus enlarging and darkening their normal dark brown chest patches, gives such males an advantage in initial aggressive encounters with partners matched in weight and age. This effect disappears if such initial encounters occur in the dark, indicating the importance of visual cues. Video and film analysis demonstrated that, contrary to previous claims, the normal chest patches were not displayed in threat postures prior to fighting, but rather were displayed by losers of fights in an upright posture with clearly defensive functions. It is suggested that the chest patches may have evolved in conjunction with this defensive posture for use in both intra- and interspecific conflict; the possible reasons for the effectiveness of larger and darker chest patches in interspecific aggression are discussed.
Dynamic web service composition based on OWL-S

Composing existing web services for enterprise applications may enable higher level of reuse. However the composition processes are mostly static and lack of support for runtime redesign. In this paper, we describe our approach to the extension of the OWL-S ontology framework for dynamic web service composition. We raise the level of abstraction and propose an abstract service layer so that web services can be composed at the abstract service level instead of the concrete level. Each abstract service is attached with an instance pool including all instances of the abstract service to facilitate fail-over and dynamic compositions.
Low temperature paramagnetic resonance of trapped O2

Low temperature paramagnetic resonance experiments of oxygen molecules trapped in single-crystal β-quinol clathrate are described. The large zero-field splitting of the trapped O2 dictated use of high fields and high frequencies. Measurements with d.c. and pulsed magnetic fields, and 4 mm and 8 mm wavelength radiation were therefore employed for the experiments with various fractions p of the β-quinol cages occupied by molecules. The results are interpreted in terms of the hindered rotation theory applied by Meyeret al. to magnetic susceptibility measurements. The trigonal axis was identified as the axis of minimum energy, and the zero-field splitting was measured to be about 4.4°K, in reasonable agreement with the value derived from magnetic susceptibility measurements. The paramagnetic resonance on samples with p⪞02 showed a complex structure composed of several lines which extended over a range of 2 kg, and could be resolved at 15°K. Experiments with dilute systems of O2 in N2 clathrate crystals (p02<005) showed three well resolved component lines corresponding to zero-field splittings D' D'0, D'2 with D'0k = 436 ±005°K, (D'1−D'0)k = 0127±001°K, and (D'−D')k = 0094±001°K. The relative intensities of the components can be interpreted quantitatively as a function of p by associating the three zero-field splittings with occupation of the two cages nearest to a resonating molecule by zero, one, or two molecules, respectively. The change in hindrance potential due to van der Waals forces between the O2 and its nearest N2 neighbors is calculated, and the resulting zero-field splitting changes are compared with those derived from the resonance spectrum. An upper limit for the paramagnetic spin-lattice relaxation time of O2 in β-quinol, T1⩽50 μsec at 15°K, was estimated from the pulsed field resonance data.
Excess Ultrasonic Attenuation Due to Solid−Solid and Solid−Liquid Transitions in Emulsified Octadecane

The crystallization and melting of emulsified n-octadecane (C 18 ) is monitored by microcalorimetry and by ultrasonic (2.25 MHz) velocity and attenuation measurements. During cooling, the lipid showed two thermal events (a large exothermic DSC peak at 12.8 °C and a smaller one at 7.8 °C) and during heating showed a similarly spaced pattern in reverse (a minor endothermic DSC peak at 15.9 °C and a major DSC peak at 27.3 °C). The minor DSC peaks during heating and cooling were attributed to a transition between a rotator phase stable at higher temperatures and a crystal phase stable at lower temperatures. The major DSC peaks were attributed to a transition between the liquid and rotator phases. The major DSC peaks corresponded to small but measurable changes in the speed of sound in the emulsions, and the major and minor endothermic DSC peaks during heating corresponded to peaks in ultrasonic attenuation. The peaks in attenuation were not seen during the cooling cycle. Scattering theory provided a good model for the temperature-dependent ultrasonic properties of the emulsion with the exception of the peaks in attenuation observed during melting transitions. However, by calculating an effective specific heat, density, and cubical expansion coefficient over the melting transition from the microcalorimetry data, it was possible to extend scattering theory to include the excess attenuation on melting.
Repeated antenatal corticosteroid treatments adversely affect neural transmission time and auditory thresholds in laboratory rats

Antenatal corticosteroid (AC) treatment is given to pregnant women at risk for preterm birth to reduce infant morbidity and mortality by enhancing lung and brain maturation. However, there is no accepted regimen on how frequently AC treatments should be given and some studies found that repeated AC treatments can cause growth retardation and brain damage. Our goal was to assess the dose-dependent effects of repeated AC treatment and estimate the critical number of AC courses to cause harmful effects on the auditory brainstem response (ABR), a sensitive measure of brain development, neural transmission and hearing loss. We hypothesized that repeated AC treatment would have harmful effects on the offspring's ABRs and growth only if more than 3 AC treatment courses were given. To test this hypothesis, pregnant Wistar rats were given either a high regimen of AC (HAC), a moderate regimen (MAC), a low regimen (LAC), or saline (SAL). An untreated control (CON) group was also used. Simulating the clinical condition, the HAC dams received 0.2mg/kg Betamethasone (IM) twice daily for 6 days during gestation days (GD) 17-22. The MAC dams received 3 days of AC treatment followed by 3 days of saline treatment on GD 17-19 and GD 20-22, respectively. The LAC dams received 1 day of AC treatment followed by 5 days of saline treatment on GD 17 and GD 18-22, respectively. The SAL dams received 6 days of saline treatment from GD 17 to 22 (twice daily, isovolumetric to the HAC injections, IM). The offspring were ABR-tested on postnatal day 24. Results indicated that the ABR's P4 latencies (neural transmission time) were significantly prolonged (worse) in the HAC pups and that ABR's thresholds were significantly elevated (worse) in the HAC and MAC pups when compared to the CON pups. The HAC and MAC pups were also growth retarded and had higher postnatal mortality than the CON pups. The SAL and LAC pups showed little or no adverse effects. In conclusion, repeated AC treatment had harmful effects on the rat offspring's ABRs, postnatal growth and survival. The prolonged ABR latencies reflect slowed neural transmission times along the auditory nerve and brainstem auditory pathway. The elevated ABR thresholds reflect hearing deficits. We concluded that repeated AC treatment can have harmful neurological, sensory and developmental effects on the rat offspring. These effects should be considered when weighing the benefits and risks of repeated AC treatment and when monitoring and managing the prenatally exposed child for possible adverse effects.
Learning Our ABCs: Rad50 Directs MRN Repair Functions via Adenylate Kinase Activity from the Conserved ATP Binding Cassette

In groundbreaking work, Bhaskara et al. (2007) demonstrate in a recent issue of Molecular Cell that the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (MRN) complex harbors distinct, yet chemically related, ATPase and adenylate kinase catalytic activities that together orchestrate multiple requisite MRN functional and conformational states in dsDNA break repair sensing and signaling with general implications for ABC ATPases.
C1B domain peptide of protein kinase Cγ significantly suppresses growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro and in an in vivo mouse xenograft model through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Two peptides derived from the C1B domain of protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ) were shown to associate with classical PKC isozymes and modulate their activities. These C1B peptides are designated C1B1 (amino acid residues 101-112) and C1B5 (residues 141-151). Since PKC enzyme activity is shown to be involved in colon cancer development, the effect of C1B peptides on the growth of various human colon cancer cell lines was examined in vitro and in vivo. Sub-micromolar to micromolar levels of both C1B peptides induced approximately 60-70% growth attenuation in multiple colon cancer cell lines in a soft agar tumor colony assay; however, C1B5 peptide was not cytotoxic to normal colon epithelial cells in two dimensional culture. The effect of C1B5 peptide on colony growth of COLO205 cells was reversed by treatment with the PKCα/β inhibitor, Ro-32-0432. C1B peptide treatment attenuated COLO205 cells via two mechanisms: 1) cell cycle arrest and 2) stimulation of apoptosis. This is evident in G 2 arrest and increases in levels of cleaved caspase 3 and p53 phosphorylated at serine 20. Intratumoral injection of C1B5 peptide (20 mg/kg/day, every three days) markedly attenuated the growth of subcutaneous xenografts of COLO205 cells in SCID mice by 76% compared with the control. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that C1B peptides have negligible effects on normal tissues but are potentially effective chemotherapeutic agents for colon cancer.
Alternatives to Validity: Some Thoughts Suggested by Campbell's Guidelines

The conventional scientific preoccupation with validation of knowledge is challenged: One might say that it itself lacks validity. Campbell's endorsement of it in his article in this issue of Knowledge is the point of departure. Noting that Campbell assumes rather than argues the case for such a preoccupation, this article proceeds to examine the grounds on which it might be justified and the counterarguments. It also suggests what other kinds of activities social scientists engage in other than pursuing valid knowledge, and why it makes sense that they do.
Breeding loggerhead marine turtles Caretta caretta in Dry Tortugas National Park, USA, show high fidelity to diverse habitats near nesting beaches

We used satellite telemetry to identify in-water habitat used by individuals in the smallest North-west Atlantic subpopulation of adult nesting loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta during the breeding season. During 2010, 2011 and 2012 breeding periods, a total of 20 adult females used habitats proximal to nesting beaches with various levels of protection within Dry Tortugas National Park. We then used a rapid, high-resolution, digital imaging system to map habitat adjacent to nesting beaches, revealing the diversity and distribution of available benthic cover. Turtle behaviour showing measurable site-fidelity to these diverse habitats has implications for managing protected areas and human activities within them. Protecting diverse benthic areas adjacent to loggerhead turtle nesting beaches here and elsewhere could provide benefits for overall biodiversity conservation.
Crosstalk noise control in an SoC physical design flow

Signal integrity closure is one of the key challenges in deep submicron physical design. In this paper, we propose a physical design methodology which includes signal integrity management through crosstalk noise analysis and repair at multiple phases of the design so that a quick noise convergence can be achieved. The methodology addresses both functional and delay noise problems in the design and is targeted for block-, platform-, and chip-level physical design of system-on-chip designs. A number of case studies are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology and to provide valuable insights useful for successful signal integrity management.
Factors influencing spatial pattern in tropical forest clearance and stand age : Implications for carbon storage and species diversity

[1] Little is known about the tropical forests that undergo clearing as urban/built-up and other developed lands spread. This study uses remote sensing-based maps of Puerto Rico, multinomial logit models and forest inventory data to explain patterns of forest age and the age of forests cleared for land development and assess their implications for forest carbon storage and tree species richness. Accessibility, arability and spatial contagion emerge strongly as overriding spatial controls on tropical forest age, determining (1) the pattern of agricultural abandonment that permits forest regrowth, and (2) where humans leave old-growth forest remnants. Covariation between the factors patterning forest age and land development explains why most forest cleared for land development is younger. Forests are increasingly younger in more accessible and fertile areas where agriculture has lasted longer and land development is most common. All else equal, more species-rich older forest on less arable lands are somewhat less likely to undergo development, but they are still vulnerable to clearing for land development if close to urban centers and unprotected. Accounting for forest age leads to a 19% lower estimate of forest biomass cleared for land development than if forest age is not accounted for.
An Adverse-Selection Explanation of Momentum: Theory and Evidence

This paper rationalizes momentum in a competitive market with information asymmetry and fixed transaction costs. The existence of a fixed cost per transaction faced by uninformed investors hampers information revelation through price and induces further adverse selection in quantity. The adverse selection in quantity drives a wedge between returns inferred from observable prices and returns obtained by an uninformed investor. This discrepancy becomes most pronounced when information asymmetry accompanies unbalanced non-information-driven trades. Momentum thus arises when uninformed investors accommodate sells (buys) by informed investors who unwind their positions upon the realization of strong (weak) stock performance. Properly adjusting stock returns for adverse selection by using data on trading volume substantially mitigates momentum-based arbitrage profits for the sample period from 1983 to 2004. In addition, an empirical proxy for exploitable information asymmetry forecasts the strength of momentum for extreme performers in the recent past.
C5a receptor and thymocyte apoptosis in sepsis

In sepsis, apoptosis occurs in many different organs. The mediators responsible for induction of apoptosis are not clearly known, although there are some suggestions that C5a and the C5a receptor (C5aR) might be directly linked to apoptosis. In the cecal ligation/puncture (CLP) model of sepsis in rats, apoptosis occurs early in a variety of organs, especially in the thymus. We demonstrate that thymocytes from normal rats show specific, saturable, and high affinity binding of 125I-labeled recombinant rat C5a. C5a binding to thymocytes was significantly increased 3 h after CLP and also when thymocytes from normal rats were first incubated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-6. The expression of C5aR mRNA in thymocytes was markedly increased 3, 6, and 12 h after CLP and increased similarly when normal thymocytes were first exposed to LPS or IL-6 in vitro. Thymocytes obtained 2 or 3 h after CLP and exposed in vitro to C5a, but not normal thymocytes, underwent increased apoptosis, as demonstrated by annexin-V binding, coinciding with increased activation of caspases 3, 6, and 8. These data provide the first direct evidence that in the early onset of sepsis, increased expression of C5aR occurs in thymocytes, which increases their susceptibility to C5a-induced apoptosis.
Dominance of misfolded intermediates in the dynamics of α-helix folding

Helices are the “hydrogen atoms” of biomolecular complexity; the DNA/RNA double hairpin and protein α-helix ubiquitously form the building blocks of life’s constituents at the nanometer scale. Nevertheless, the formation processes of these structures, especially the dynamical pathways and rates, remain challenging to predict and control. Here, we present a general analytical method for constructing dynamical free-energy landscapes of helices. Such landscapes contain information about the thermodynamic stabilities of the possible macromolecular conformations, as well as about the dynamic connectivity, thus enabling the visualization and computation of folding pathways and timescales. We elucidate the methodology using the folding of polyalanine, and demonstrate that its α-helix folding kinetics is dominated by misfolded intermediates. At the physiological temperature of T = 298 K and midfolding time t = 250 ns, the fraction of structures in the native-state (α-helical) basin equals 22%, which is in good agreement with time-resolved experiments and massively distributed, ensemble-convergent molecular-dynamics simulations. We discuss the prominent role of β-strand–like intermediates in flight toward the native fold, and in relation to the primary conformational change precipitating aggregation in some neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientific missions for earth orbital tether systems

The current available in situ data on the physical characteristics of the 90-130 km environment depends on sounding rocket and maneuverable satellite systems for its collection. Such data are, of necessity, sporadic in both time and space. The development of tethered systems in Earth orbit will allow global, long-term observations of this environment for the first time. In addition, tethered systems will allow spacial gradiometry at altitudes from 130400 km without the extensive celestial mechanics required to coordinate multiple satellite observing programs. This paper reviews some of the outstanding science questions for the altitude regime from 90-400 km which require the use of tethered observing systems for study. These questions involve the structure, temporal evolution, and composition of the uppermost atmosphere/lowermost ionosphere, the distribution of the high spatial frequency components of the magnetic and gravity fields, and the spatial gradients of the properties of the lowermost magnetosphere/uppermost ionosphere.
High-Q millimeter-wave MEMS varactors: extended tuning range and discrete-position designs

This paper presents the design, fabrication and measurement of two high-Q micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) varactors suitable for 20-60 GHz applications. The varactors are composed of a movable bridge placed in a shunt configuration on a coplanar waveguide line. The first design is an extended tuning range varactor showing a capacitance ratio of 1.46. The second design demonstrates a discrete-position varactor with a capacitance ratio of 1.90. Both designs result in a tuning voltage of 18-25 V and an excellent quality factor of 95-100 at 34 GHz (C=80 fF). The very high resonant frequency of the varactors makes them suitable for applications at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies.
Power generation of millimeter-wave diamond IMPATT diodes

The results of a large-signal simulation of diamond IMPATT (impact avalanche and transit time) diodes are presented. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the potential of diamond IMPATTs as millimeter-wave power generators. This computer simulation is used to compare the performance of diamond IMPATTs with that of similar Si, GaAs, and InP devices. In addition, diamond IMPATT output power and power conversion efficiency are compared with experimental results on Si, GaAs and InP IMPATT and Gunn diodes. Thermal effects on the RF performance are investigated by means of an area-current-density plane analysis. The results indicate that diamond IMPATTs could produce power conversion efficiencies comparable to those of Si and GaAs. Due to their higher operating voltages and thermal conductivity, diamond IMPATTs could produce output power much greater than that of the other materials at frequencies below 100 GHz. At higher frequencies, diamond IMPATT performance is limited by its electrical properties and produces powers comparable to those of Si devices. >
Responses to Tail Docking in Calves and Heifers

The primary objective of this study was to determine the behavioral and physiological effects of tail banding and atrophy using rubber rings 2 to 4 mo before first parturition in dairy heifers either with or without the use of epidural anesthesia. The secondary objective was to determine behavioral responses to tail banding using rubber rings in calves 7 to 42 d of age. Preparturient heifers (n = 24) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) tails were cleaned and handled; 2) tails were cleaned, handled, and an elastrator band was applied to the tail; 3) an epidural was administered 15 min before cleaning and handling; and 4) an epidural was administered 15 min before application of an elastrator band. Behavioral observations and physiological responses were collected for 6 wk. Additionally, behavioral responses to tail banding were recorded for 10 d on Holstein heifer calves that were 1 to 6 wk of age (n = 40). No significant differences in behavior were observed among treatment groups of preparturient heifers at any time during the 6-wk observation period. Preweaned calves that were 21 to 42 d of age demonstrated significantly more restlessness after application of tail bands compared to younger calves or control calves of the same age. Plasma cortisol values of preparturient heifers remained within limits previously described for nonstressed animals and no significant differences were detected among groups. Hematological values remained within the reference values for cattle, and there were no significant differences between groups except for relatively more eosinophils in the heifers that received epidurals. No significant differences in heart rate or body temperature were detected among groups.
Spindletop Boom Days . By Paul N. Spellman. College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001. Pp. xii, 266. $29.95.

This volume appears during the commemoration of the centennial of the landmark discovery of oil near Beaumont, Texas. The consequential volume of production, a sequence of nearby finds, and the creation of Gulf and Texaco from Spindletop antecedents all make the event noteworthy even after the original site has subsided into a swamp.
Predictive value of kidney stone composition in the detection of metabolic abnormalities.

Abstract Purpose To determine if kidney stone composition can predict the underlying medical diagnosis, and vice versa. Methods We studied 1392 patients with kidney stones who underwent a complete ambulatory evaluation and who submitted one or more stones for analysis. We ascertained the associations between medical diagnosis and stone composition. Results The most common kidney stones were composed of calcium oxalate (n = 1041 patients [74.8%]), mixed calcium oxalate–calcium apatite (n = 485 [34.8%]), and calcium apatite alone (n = 146 [10.5%]). The most common medical diagnoses were hypocitraturia (n = 616 patients [44.3%]), absorptive hypercalciuria (n = 511 [36.7%]), and hyperuricosuria (n = 395 [28.4%]). Calcium apatite and mixed calcium oxalate–calcium apatite stones were associated with the diagnoses of renal tubular acidosis and primary hyperparathyroidism (odds ratios ≥2), but not with chronic diarrheal syndromes. As the phosphate content of the stone increased from calcium oxalate to mixed calcium oxalate–calcium apatite, and finally to calcium apatite, the percentage of patients with renal tubular acidosis increased from 5% (57/1041) to 39% (57/146), and those with primary hyperparathyroidism increased from 2% (26/1041) to 10% (14/146). Calcium oxalate stones were associated with chronic diarrheal syndromes, but not with renal tubular acidosis. Pure and mixed uric acid stones were strongly associated with a gouty diathesis, and vice versa. Chronic diarrheal syndromes and uric acid stones were associated with one another, and brushite stones were associated with renal tubular acidosis. As expected, there was a very strong association between infection stones and infection, and between cystine stones and cystinuria. Conclusion Stone composition has some predictive value in diagnosing medical conditions, and vice versa, especially for noncalcareous stones.
The Teaching of Italian in America in the Eighteenth Century

Author's Summary— On the basis of information in American newspapers of the eighteenth century, the author reviews the efforts made in that period to teach the Italian language in several American cities. He also has studied the advertisements of American bookdealers to show what books were used in the teaching and study of Italian literature, history, and culture.)
Transanal endoscopic microsurgical resection of pT1 rectal tumors.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery has emerged as an improved method of transanal excision of neoplasms because its enhanced visibility, superior optics, and longer reach permit a more complete excision and precise closure. This study will show that transanal endoscopic microsurgical treatment of pT1 rectal cancers is safe and achieves low local recurrence and high survival rates. Retrospective review performed of all pT1 rectal cancers treated by a single surgeon (TS) using transanal endoscopic microsurgery between 1991 and 2003. Patient age, gender, tumor distance from the anal verge, lesion size, operative time, blood loss, complications, recurrence, and survival rates were prospectively recorded. Fifty-three patients (average age, 65.6 (range, 31–89) years) were studied. Forty-nine percent were male. Average tumor distance from the anal verge was 7 (range, 0–13) cm; average size was 2.4 (range, 1–10) cm. Radiation and/or chemotherapy were not administered. Sixteen patients had pT1 lesions removed piecemeal during colonoscopy; there was no residual tumor after transanal endoscopic microsurgical resection of the polyp site. Mean follow-up was 2.84 years. Fifty-one percent had longer than two-year follow-up. For the entire group, there were four recurrences (7.5 percent) occurring at 9 months, 15 months, 16 months, and 11 years. Two were treated with abdominoperineal resection, one with low anterior resection, and one with fulguration alone. There were no recurrences in the 16 patients who had excision of the polypectomy site. If excluded, recurrence was 11 percent (4/37). Patients were examined at three-month intervals for the first two years and every six months thereafter. There have been no cancer-related deaths. Transanal endoscopic microsurgical resection of pT1 rectal cancers yields low recurrence rates. Close follow-up permits curative salvage for those that do recur. Transanal excision remains a viable option.
Law, Culture and the Lore of Partnership: Of Entrepreneurs, Accountability, and the Evolving Status of Partners

In important respects, contemporary partnerships are modifying the associational form under which they operate in ways that represent clear departures from the classic partnership model. This article explores the mystique of partnership, the role of partnership in our culture, and how partnership law has evolved to encourage the structuring of relationships that bear little resemblance to the partnership model on which the law was developed (e.g., nonequity partners in professional services firms). It considers the implications of this change and questions whether long-standing assumptions concerning what it means to be a "partner" continue to hold.
Sputtering of Silicon with A + 2 Ions

A gravimetric technique involving a sensitive quartz microbalance was used for the determination of sputtering yields for the argon ion-bombardment of silicon. The sputtering yield for ${\mathrm{A}}^{+2}$ ions was deduced from the results of experiments in which the relative concentrations of ${\mathrm{A}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{A}}^{+2}$ ions were varied in a known manner. On the assumption that sputtering is a kinetic-energy-controlled phenomenon, we would expect ${S}_{E}({\mathrm{A}}^{+2})={S}_{2E}({\mathrm{A}}^{+})$, where $S$ is the number of atoms sputtered by an impinging ion of energy $E$. This investigation showed, however, that ${S}_{E}({\mathrm{A}}^{+2})\ensuremath{\simeq}4{S}_{2E}({\mathrm{A}}^{+})$. This indicates the influence in the sputtering process of some other factor in addition to the ion kinetic energy.
The role of hematopoietic stem cell niche in prostate cancer bone metastasis

Approximately 80% of prostate cancers exhibit some degree of bone metastasis. The role of the bone marrow and the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in attracting metastatic cells and maintaining dormancy of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) is an increasingly important topic towards the development of novel prostate cancer therapies. This paper reviews aspects of the HSC niche that lead to prostate cancer cell homing and dormancy in the bone marrow. This review also discusses the role of DTCs in the niche environment and discusses the role of erythropoietin in targeting DTCs within the HSC niche.
Neural network methods for fast and portable prediction of CPU power consumption

The need for energy efficient computing has established performance-per-watt as a first-class metric for evaluating HPC applications. Consequently, optimizations that target HPC systems and data centers are required to dynamically monitor system power consumption in order to be effective. Although newer architectures are making power sensors available on the chip, the general state of power measurement tools across different architectures remains deficient. This paper describes a neural-network based model for fine-grain, accurate and low-cost power estimation. The main novelty of the proposed approach is its portability. The methodology can be adopted to predict power consumption not only on a range of current processors but future architectures as well. This portability is achieved by taking advantage of performance monitoring units (PMU) available on current systems and applying a carefully constructed sequence of feature selection techniques. We evaluate our models along several dimensions on multiple platforms. The experimental results show that the constructed models are able to predict power consumption with high accuracy at a low overhead. The results also provide key insight as to the number of features necessary to achieve reasonable prediction accuracy.
Knowledge About Environments: Examining Expertise and Trust Under Deliberative Democracy

Beginning with a summary of typical forms of environmental science, I articulate the epistemological assumptions inherent in environmental knowledge. I then turn to Jurgen Habermas's arguments about the cognitive competence necessary for deliberation and analyze the likely performance of deliberative democracy on environmental problems where ordinary environmental knowledge claims are central. I develop this further by inquiring into the implications of environmental problems for Habermas's conception of deliberation. Finally, I broaden my focus to engage the role of trust in enabling the integration of expertise into democratic processes.
Characterization of an Inherited Neurologic Syndrome in Toyger Cats with Forebrain Commissural Malformations, Ventriculomegaly and Interhemispheric Cysts.

Author(s): Keating, MK; Sturges, BK; Siso, S; Wisner, ER; Creighton, EK; Lyons, LA | Abstract: BackgroundIn children, frequent congenital malformations with concomitant agenesis of the corpus callosum are diagnosed by neuroimaging in association with other cerebral malformations, including interhemispheric cysts and ventriculomegaly. Similar studies providing full characterization of brain defects by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and correlations with the pertinent anatomic pathologic examinations are absent in veterinary medicine.Hypothesis/objectivesCongenital brain defects underlie the neurologic signs observed in Toyger cats selectively bred for a short ear phenotype.AnimalsUsing proper pedigree analysis and genetic evaluations, 20 related Oriental-derived crossbred Toyger cats were evaluated. Seven clinically healthy (carrier) cats and 13 clinically affected cats that had neurologic signs, short ear phenotype and concomitant complex brain anomalies were studied.MethodsComplete physical and neurologic examinations and MRI were performed in all clinically healthy and affected cats. Postmortem and histopathologic examinations were performed in 8 affected cats and 5 healthy cats.ResultsNeurologic and MRI investigations confirmed 13 clinically affected cats with structural brain abnormalities. Ventriculomegaly with frequent concomitant supratentorial interhemispheric, communicating ventricular type-1b cysts and multiple midline and callosal malformations were detected in all cats displaying neurologic signs. Genetic analysis confirmed autosomal recessive mode of inheritance with no chromosomal abnormalities.Conclusions and clinical importanceNeuroanatomic dissections and histopathology were helpful for evaluation of abnormalities in midline brain structures, and for the full characterization of cysts. However, MRI was more sensitive for detection of small cysts. In this feline model, MRI diagnosis had extremely good correlation with pathologic abnormalities noted in the subset of animals that were examined by both modalities.
Initial Stages of Growth of ZnSe on Si

Zinc selenide films have been grown heteroepitaxially on Si(100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The initial stages of growth are dominated by the reaction of Se and Si atoms to form the compound SiSe2- The compound formation disrupts epitaxy, and several growth methods which avoid this are described and compared. We find that room temperature deposition plus solid phase epitaxy does not lead to significant SiSex formation and yields uniformly thick films which are misoriented with respect to the substrate and contain large regions of twinned ZnSe. The use of an As monolayer on the Si surface before the start of ZnSe growth allows good ZnSe epitaxy without any Si-Se reaction or any misorientation. ZnSe films have also been used as interlayers for GaAs growth on Si. This has allowed us to obtain uniform GaAs films at thicknesses which typically manifest a coalesced island morphology for GaAs grown directly on Si.
Nutritional Support in the Frail Elderly Surgical Patient

Malnutrition is common in the elderly population, particularly residents living in nursing homes. The decrease in nutrient intake associated with aging reduces cellular function and reserve capacity. Refeeding of malnourished elderly patients prior to elective surgeries, or following emergency surgeries, can reduce surgical morbidity and mortality. A large number of elderly patients become unable to maintain their nutritional status by oral feedings. Modern techniques and materials allow the use of the gastrointestinal tract for nutritional support in most of these patients. The ultimate goal for health care in the 1990s is to provide quality life at home. Nutritional support has become an integral component of home services for the elderly.
QUADRATURE-FREE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISCONTINUOUS GALERKIN METHOD FOR HYPERBOLIC EQUATIONS

A discontinuous Galerkin formulation that avoids the use of discrete quadrature formulas is described and applied to linear and nonlinear test problems in one and two space dimensions. This approach requires less computational time and storage than conventional implementations but preserves the compactness and robustness inherent in the discontinuous Galerkin method. Test problems include the linear and nonlinear one-dimensional scalar advection of smooth initial value problems that are discretized by using unstructured grids with varying degrees of smoothness and regularity, and two-dimensional linear Euler solutions on unstructured grids.
Pay Matters: The Piece Rate and Health in the Developing World

Abstract Background Piece rate pay remains a common form of compensation in developing-world industries. While the piece rate may boost productivity, it has been shown to have unintended consequences for occupational safety and health, including increased accident and injury risk. Objectives This paper explores the relationship between worker pay and physical and emotional health, and questions the modern day business case for piece rate pay in the developing world. Methods The relationship between piece rate and self-reported measures of physical and emotional health is estimated using a large survey of garment workers in 109 Vietnamese factories between 2010 and 2014. A random effects logit model controls for factory and year, predicting worker health as a function of pay type, demographics, and factory characteristics. Findings Workers paid by the piece report worse physical and emotional health than workers paid by the hour (OR = 1.38-1.81). Wage incentives provide the most consistently significant evidence of all demographic and factory-level variables, including the factory’s own performance on occupational safety and health compliance measures. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of how workers are paid to understanding the variability in worker health outcomes. More research is needed to better understand the business case supporting the continued use of piece rate pay in the developing world.
RGD-Targeted Liposome Binding and Uptake on Breast Cancer Cells Is Dependent on Elastin Linker Secondary Structure

The linker between the targeting moiety and the nanoparticle is often overlooked when engineering targeted drug delivery vehicles. We hypothesized that pH-triggered conformational changes of an elastin-like peptide (ELP) linker, with repeating VPGVG sequences, could alter the binding affinity of the well-established targeting moiety arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD), which is known to enhance the delivery of nanoparticles to tumor cells via integrin overexpression. The pH change from blood (pH 7.4) to the tumor environment (pH 6) was used to elicit a conformational change in the ELP linker, as described by circular dichroism. Atomic force microscopy confirmed that RGD-ELP resulted in stronger adhesion to both MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806 breast cancer cells at pH 6 relative to pH 7.4. No change in adhesion force was measured as a function of pH for the non-neoplastic MCF-10A cell line and the nontargeting GDR-ELP peptide. This translated to significant binding and uptake of RGD-ELP modified liposomes at pH 6.0 relative to pH 7.4. These results indicate that the pH-triggered conformational structure of the ELP linker shifts RGD-mediated cancer cell targeting from non-active (pH 7.4) to active (pH 6). The reversible shift in ELP secondary structure may be used to engineer targeted drug delivery vehicles with tunable uptake.
Meeting the World in the Center: Negotiating Meaning at the Writing Studio

The chapter describes a negotiation between two English professors who sought to support English as a Second Language students with the existing resources at the university’s writing center. Through the external funding of a professional development grant, this negotiation describes the process of crafting a sustained collaboration that further developed the writing center’s communal identity. The chapter reflects on feedback from L2 students and peer tutors as they participated in two workshops focused on intercultural communication and second language acquisition theory and practice. Among other conclusions, these workshops emphasized the necessity for students to advocate for their own voice in their written academic work. Overall, this chapter explores the influence of negotiation, identity, and language as situated by the influence of the multiple stakeholders and institutional context. (123)
Deconstructing plane anisotropic elasticity: Part II: Stroh’s formalism sans frills

Abstract Eigensolutions for all types of anisotropic elastic materials are obtained in terms of the eigenvalues and the anisotropic elastic stiffness. The generalized eigenvectors and eigensolutions in the degenerate and extra-degenerate cases are obtained by the derivative rule. A complete set of unnormlized eigenvectors, now given in terms of the elastic moduli, define the Barnett–Lothe tensors by the same expressions irrespective of material degeneracy. Explicit expressions of the Barnett–Lothe tensors are obtained in various forms depending on the multiplicity of eigenvalues. These expressions complement the alternative expressions of Part I in terms of the elastic compliances. A new family of extra-degenerate materials is found, suggesting the superabundance of such materials. A concise proof of the equivalence of the eigensystems of the compliance-based and elasticity-based formalisms is given. Eigenrelations applicable to all cases of material degeneracy are presented in both three-dimensional and six-dimensional matrix formalisms.
Towards Two-Photon Swept Confocally Aligned Planar Excitation Microscopy (2P-SCAPE)

We report progress on a two-photon implementation of Swept Confocally-Aligned Planar Excitation (SCAPE) microscopy for in-vivo imaging of the awake, behaving mouse brain.
Manual vs. Computerized Practice Set: Which Achieves Learning Objectives the Best?

ABSTRACT A major issue for accounting departments is how to adopt a user's approach to teaching the Principles level courses and still have the accounting majors adequately prepared for upper level...
Modeling compressible multiphase flows with dispersed particles in both dense and dilute regimes

Many important explosives and energetics applications involve multiphase formulations employing dispersed particles. While considerable progress has been made toward developing mathematical models and computational methodologies for these flows, significant challenges remain. In this work, we apply a mathematical model for compressible multiphase flows with dispersed particles to existing shock and explosive dispersal problems from the literature. The model is cast in an Eulerian framework, treats all phases as compressible, is hyperbolic, and satisfies the second law of thermodynamics. It directly applies the continuous-phase pressure gradient as a forcing function for particle acceleration and thereby retains relaxed characteristics for the dispersed particle phase that remove the constituent material sound velocity from the eigenvalues. This is consistent with the expected characteristics of dispersed particle phases and can significantly improve the stable time-step size for explicit methods. The model is applied to test cases involving the shock and explosive dispersal of solid particles and compared to data from the literature. Computed results compare well with experimental measurements, providing confidence in the model and computational methods applied.
Annals Understanding Clinical Research: Evaluating the Meaning of a Summary Estimate in a Meta-analysis

In meta-analyses, researchers combine data from individual studies into a summary measure to describe the benefits or harms of an intervention. This installment of the “Understanding Clinical Resea...
A software engineering course with a large-scale project and diverse roles for students

Industry software projects tend to be large enough and involve enough people that no one person can understand the entire project in detail. Teams are structured into groups that are responsible for different features of a product, with coordination between groups required. Typical industry software projects also involve people in many non-programming roles. Undergraduate software engineering courses, however, tend to be based on small projects that only require communication within each group of students rather than among groups. In this paper, we describe a software engineering course which uses a large-scale class project and diverse student roles to simulate a heterogeneous development environment.
Surgical Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a complex disease process that requires careful diagnosis and thoughtful medical and surgical management. The surgical management of patients with persistent or recurrent disease, inherited PHPT syndromes, and parathyroid carcinoma is particularly challenging. High-quality imaging and reliable intraoperative adjuncts are critical to success. However, parathyroidectomy achieves cure in nearly all patients managed in a high-volume center by experienced endocrine surgeons who frequently employ minimally invasive techniques.