cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting In Vivo Responses to Biomaterials via Combined In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

The host response to both synthetic and biologically derived biomaterials is a temporally regulated, complex process that involves multiple interacting cell types. This complexity has classically limited the efficacy of in vitro assays for predicting the in vivo outcome, necessitating the use of costly animal models for biomaterial development. The present study addressed these challenges by developing an in vitro assay that characterized the dynamic inflammatory response of human monocyte-derived-macrophages to biomaterials, coupled with quasi-mechanistic analysis in silico analysis: principal component analysis (PCA) and dynamic network analysis (DyNA). Synthetic and extracellular matrix (ECM)–derived materials were evaluated using this method, and were then associated with the in vivo remodeling and macrophage polarization response in a rodent skeletal muscle injury model. PCA and DyNA revealed a distinct in vitro macrophage response to ECM materials that corresponded to constructive remodeling and an increased M2 macrophage presence in vivo. In contrast, PCA and DyNA suggested a response to crosslinked ECM and synthetic materials characteristic of a foreign body reaction and dominant M1 macrophage response. These results suggest that in silico analysis of an in vitro macrophage assay may be useful as a predictor for determining the in vivo host response to implanted biomaterials.
Climate Drives Sea Change

Changes in Arctic climate have contributed to shifts in abundances and seasonal cycles of a variety of species in the northwest Atlantic.
Abstract P5-18-02: Trastuzumab interruption for treatment-induced cardiotoxicity in HER2 positive early breast cancer

Background Trastuzumab (H) improves outcomes among patients with HER2-positive breast cancer but is associated with a risk of treatment-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC), especially when administered after an anthracycline (A). H interruption is recommended for significant asymptomatic or symptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is unclear how frequently TIC leads to H interruption, and the subsequent management is variable in clinical practice. Methods Patients (pts) with HER2-postive early breast cancer receiving adjuvant H with chemotherapy between January 2005 and October 2010 were studied (n=608). Tumor characteristics, chemotherapy regimen, cardiac risk factors, LVEF (at baseline and during treatment), and treatment interruption were obtained from the medical record. We evaluated the incidence, time of occurrence, management, and associated risk factors of H interruption due to TIC. Results Median age was 51 years (range 26-81); 488 (80%) pts had A prior to H administration. H was interrupted in 108 (18%) pts. Cumulative dose of H was lower among pts in the interrupted group (median 86 vs. 108 mg/kg, p Conclusion At our institution, interruption of H therapy is common and most often due to TIC, from both A and H, with the majority of pts receiving A prior to H. Risk factors associated with H interruption were older age and lower LVEF prior to A and H administration. Cardiac dysfunction improved after interruption of treatment but did not fully recover to baseline. Strategies to prevent cardiotoxicity and minimize H treatment interruption should be investigated to prevent persistent LV dysfunction in affected pts. Citation Format: Anthony F Yu, Nandini U Yadav, Betty Y Lung, Anne A Eaton, Howard T Thaler, Clifford A Hudis, Chau T Dang, Richard M Steingart. Trastuzumab interruption for treatment-induced cardiotoxicity in HER2 positive early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-02.
Vortex Pair Energy in an Anisotropic Superfluid Film

The energy and impulse of a vortex pair are calculated for a helium film in which the superfluid density is anisotropic in the plane of the film, such as might be induced by a supercurrent. Surprisingly, the energy of the pair in its rest frame is found not to depend on the angle between the anisotropy direction and the axis of the pair, but to have the same form as for an isotropic film, the only change being that the superfluid density is replaced by the geometric mean of the parallel and perpendicular components of the superfluid tensor. PACS numbers: 47.37.+q, 67.40.Hf, 67.40.Rp
The pseudosquares prime sieve

We present the pseudosquares prime sieve, which finds all primes up to n. Define p to be the smallest prime such that the pseudosquare Lp> n/(π(p)(logn)2); here π(x) is the prime counting function. Our algorithm requires only O(π(p)n) arithmetic operations and O(π(p)logn) space. It uses the pseudosquares primality test of Lukes, Patterson, and Williams. Under the assumption of the Extended Riemann Hypothesis, we have p≤2(logn)2, but it is conjectured that $p\sim \frac{1}{\log 2}\log n \log\log n$. Thus, the conjectured complexity of our prime sieve is O(nlogn) arithmetic operations in O((logn)2) space. The primes generated by our algorithm are proven prime unconditionally. The best current unconditional bound known is $p \le n^{1/(4\sqrt{e}-\epsilon)}$, implying a running time of roughly n1.132 using roughly n0.132 space. Existing prime sieves are generally faster but take much more space, greatly limiting their range (O(n/loglogn) operations with n1/3+e space, or O(n) operations with n1/4 conjectured space). Our algorithm found all 13284 primes in the interval [1033,1033+106] in about 4 minutes on a 1.3GHz Pentium IV. We also present an algorithm to find all pseudosquares Lp up to n in sublinear time using very little space. Our innovation here is a new, space-efficient implementation of the wheel datastructure.
Walking with the scarecrow: The information-processing approach to decision research.

From the mid-twentieth century on, the “information-processing” approach has been a theoretical and methodological framework (paradigm) driving much research on human judgment and choice. Part of the so-called “cognitive revolution” in psychology, this approach builds upon the pioneering work of Herbert A. Simon. By the time this volume is published, it will be almost exactly 50 years since Simon’s path-breaking 1955 article on the concept of bounded rationality. Our chapter takes its title from the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz (Baum, 1903), in which the Tin Man seeks a heart, the Lion courage, and the Scarecrow a brain. The information-processing approach to decision research has traditionally focused on understanding the cognitive (mind/brain) aspects of decision making; however, as noted later in this chapter, recent work has attempted to integrate the cognitive with more emotional and motivational aspects of decision making (Luce, Bettman, & Payne, 2001; Shiv & Fedorikhin, 1999). Simon captures three key aspects of the information-processing approach to decision research in the following quotes:
Response to Open Peer Commentaries on "Addressing Consent Issues in Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death".

We are very grateful for the diverse and thoughtful commentaries generated in response to our recent paper on ethical issues related to consent for organ donation after circulatory determination of...
Absorption rates and free radical scavenging values of vitamin C-lipid metabolites in human lymphoblastic cells.

Summary Background: In this study we investigated the cellular absorption rates, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of vitamin C-lipid metabolites. The absorption was measured in a human lymphoblastic cell line using a spectrophotometric technique. Material/Methods: Cellular vitamin C levels in the human lymphoblastic H9 cell line were measured using the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine spectrophotometric technique. Free radical scavenging activity of vitamin C-lipid metabolites was measured by the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine. Vitamin C-lipid metabolite scavenging of peroxyl radical oxygen reactive species (ORAC) was determined by fl uorescence spectrophotometry. Results: Compared to ascorbic acid (AA), calcium ascorbate (CaA), and calcium ascorbate-calcium threonate-dehydroascorbate (Ester-C ® ), vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C™) were more rapidly absorbed by the H9 human T-lymphocytes. The vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C™) also reduced pesticide-induced T-lymphocyte aggregation by 84%, while calcium ascorbate-calcium threonate-dehydroascorbate (Ester-C ® ) reduced aggregation by only 34%. The vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C™) demonstrated free radical scavenging activity of nearly 100% reduction of DPPH at 20 μg/ml and oxygen radical scavenging of over 1200 μ Trolox® equivalents per gram. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C™) are more rapidly taken-up and absorbed by cells than other forms of vitamin C, including Ester-C ® . This increased rate of absorption correlates with an increased protection of the T-lymphocytes from pesticide toxicities. Further, vitamin C-lipid metabolites (PureWay-C™) are a potent antioxidant and have significant free radical scavenging capabilities.
Development of continuous implantable renal replacement: past and future.

Most of the 400,000+ patients in the United States with kidney failure depend on dialysis treatments in dedicated dialysis centers for 3 h to 5 h, usually 3 times a week, but they still suffer from accelerated cardiovascular disease and infections. Extended daily dialysis, for 6 to 8 hours every day, seems to be associated with better outcomes but would overwhelm the dialysis networks and severely limit patient activity. Technology to miniaturize and automate home dialysis will be necessary to offer extended daily dialysis to most dialysis patients. Miniaturization of existing hollow-fiber polymer membranes is constrained by requirements for high driving pressures for circulation and convective clearance. Recent advances in membrane technology based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) promise to enable the development of continuous implantable renal replacement therapy. Silicon nanoporous membranes with a highly monodisperse pore size distribution have been produced using protocols amenable to low-cost batch fabrication similar to those used to produce microelectronics. Hydraulic permeability of the flat-sheet membranes with critical pore sizes in the range of 8–100 nm has been measured to confirm that conventional fluid transport models are sufficiently accurate for predictive design for bulk liquid flow in an implantable hemofilter. Membrane biocompatibility was tested in vitro with human proximal tubule cells and revealed that silicon does not exhibit cytotoxicity, as evidenced by the formation of confluent cell layers with tight junctions and central cilia. Filtration characterization demonstrated that the nanoporous membranes exhibit size-dependent solute rejection in agreement with steric hindrance models. These advances in membrane technology are fundamentally enabling for a paradigm shift from an in-center to implantable dialysis system.
Security Issues on Wireless Body Area Network for Remote Healthcare Monitoring

A case study of security risk analysis of a wireless body area network for remote health monitoring as a after measure fordeploying security and privacy features is introduced in this paper. The target system has a scalable platform that requires minimum human interaction during setup and monitoring. The core components of the system include: (i) biosensor/transceiver pairs, (ii) hardware modules to automatically setup the wireless body area network, (iii) data delivery mechanism to an internet sever, and (iv) automatic data collection, profiling and reporting. As the system contains personal health records that require high level of security when the records are being shared and transferred to health professionals and service providers. We assess security risk based on this critical needs of acknowledged risks and threats in the real time remote health monitoring system.
Differentiation of 5-HT1A receptor ligands by drug discrimination

Abstract Pigeons were trained to discriminate 0.64 mg/kg (high dose) of 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-(2-di-n-propylamino)tetralin) from saline or were retrained to discriminate 0.16 mg/kg (low dose) of 8-OH-DPAT from saline. This resulted in a decrease of the ED50 for recognition of the 8-OH-DPAT cue from 0.14 to 0.04 mg/kg. Partial agonists for the 5-HT1A receptor (e.g. buspirone) were generalized fully in the low dose condition, but only partially in the high dose condition. Full antagonists, such as N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY-100635), antagonized the 8-OH-DPAT cue in both groups without producing generalization in either group. (−)-Pindolol produced full generalization in the low dose group, but antagonized the high dose stimulus cue. The behavioral effects of other compounds with 5-HT1A receptor activities (4-iodo-N-[2-[4-(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-pyridinyl-benzamide hydrochloride (p-MPPI); (−)-1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2-propanol maleate ((−)-LY206130); racemic pindolol and idazoxan) also differed between groups. Comparing results obtained using differing training doses in the drug discrimination paradigm simplifies determination of the full agonist, partial agonist, or antagonist properties of compounds.
Mindset, optimistic bias about personal risk and health-protective behaviour

Objectives. Taylor & Gollwitzer (1995) suggested that optimistic biases about risk are not an impediment to precaution adoption. Their ‘mindset hypothesis’ proposes that such biases are suspended during deliberation over new behaviours and reappear only later during thoughts about implementing these behaviours. This paper examines the research on which the mindset hypothesis was based and presents new data on this issue from an experiment designed to encourage home radon testing (Weinstein, Lyon, Sandman & Cuite, 1998). Method. Homeowners (N = 1346) in an area of high radon risk watched either a ‘risk’ video that gave information about the need to test, a ‘how to test’ video that focused on the implementation of testing decisions, or both. Risk perception biases were assessed before and after viewing the videos and purchases of radon test kits were determined. Results. No support was found for the mindset-illusions predictions. In contrast, the data indicated that optimistic biases about personal risk are barriers to action. Conclusion. There are several methodological problems in the design used to support the mindset-illusions hypothesis. In contrast to this hypothesis, it appears that acceptance of personal vulnerability is an important aspect of progress toward precaution adoption. The adaptiveness of optimistic biases about risk is also discussed.
Ectopic Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Expression in Human Brain Tumor Cells Enhances Oncolytic HSV Vector Infection

Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) vectors have shown promise in the treatment of patients with recurrent brain tumors although few complete responses have accrued. Impediments to effective therapy include limited vector distribution on delivery, a consequence of injected virion particle trapping in the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). To enhance virus delivery and spread, we investigated the use of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a means to degrade collagen type IV, a major component of the ECM and basement membranes of gliomas that is absent in normal brain tissue. SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cells were transduced for constitutive, elevated expression of MMP-9, which did not enhance tumor cell migration in vitro or tumor progression in a murine xenograft brain tumor model. MMP-9 expression improved the distribution and infection of oHSV vectors in spheroid model in vitro. Furthermore, MMP9 induced a vector infection over larger areas of brain tumors in vivo. These results suggest that vector delivery and distribution in vivo can be improved by compromising the ECM, potentially enhancing oncolytic efficacy.
A stable linear algorithm for fitting the Lognormal model to survival data

The lognormal model can be fitted to survival data using a stable linear algorithm. When tested on 800 sets of mathematically generated data, this method proved more stable and efficient than the iterative method of maximum likelihood, which requires initial estimates of model parameters and failed to fit a substantial fraction of data sets. Though maximum likelihood yielded more consistent estimates of proportion cured, mean, and standard deviation of log(survival time), the linear normal algorithm may nevertheless prove useful for these purposes: (i) computing initial estimates of model parameters for the maximum likelihood method; (ii) fitting data sets that cannot be fit by this method; and (iii) deriving the lognormal model directly from cumulative mortality.
An efficient lightning energy source on the early earth

Miller and Urey suggested in 1959 that lightning and corona on the early Earth could have been the most favorable sources of prebiotic synthesis. In 1991 Chyba and Sagan reviewed the presently prevailing data on electrical discharges on Earth and they raised questions as to whether the electrical sources of prebiotic synthesis were as favorable as was claimed. The proposal of the present paper is that localized lightning sources associated with Archaean volcanoes could have possessed considerable advantages for prebiotic synthesis over the previously suggested global sources.
The adrenal and vascular effects of angiotensin II and III in sodium depleted rats.

Abstract The effects of angiotensin II and angiotensin III on mean arterial pressure, serum aldosterone, and serum corticosterone were studied in normal and sodium depleted, conscious rats. In normal rats, angiotensin III was 76% (p > 0.10) as potent as angiotensin II on aldosterone release but only 31% (p in vivo experiments taken with in vitro studies support the interpretation that angiotensin III could function to control aldosterone release in altered sodium states either as a circulating hormone if present in concentrations far in excess of those of angiotensin II or as a local hormone formed in the adrenal from angiotensin II.
Prediction of stress-strain relation using cone indentation: effect of friction

Atkins and Tabor's approach (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 1965; 13: 149) for predicting uniaxial stress–strain relation of metals from cone indentation tests has been studied using numerical (finite element) simulation of cone indentation. Two indentation parameters, namely representative strain and constraint factor, which are central to the prediction approach, have been estimated using the simulation for cone indenters of different apical angles. The effect of specimen–indenter interface friction on these parameters has been characterized. It is shown that uncertainty in our knowledge of this friction condition has an important bearing on the prediction of the stress–strain curve. However, a good estimate of the stress–strain curve can be obtained by making reasonable assumptions about the nature of the friction at the specimen–indenter interface. The simulation results are found to agree well with those reported in the experimental study of Atkins and Tabor, when a coefficient of friction value typical for the specimen–indenter interface is used. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the role of enduring contact in powder lubrication

This paper is devoted to a study of the enduring contact between granules of powder lubricants in an effort to better understand the flow characteristics of powder lubricants. Appropriate formulation of the governing equations is reported that can be used for prediction of the flow velocity, pseudo temperature, and volume fraction distribution of powders for a wide range of operating speeds. A set of parametric simulations and a limiting analytical solution is presented for predicting the behavior of a powder lubricant under low operating speeds when the enduring contact tends to dominate the kinetic regime. The limiting solution shows that below a certain sliding speed the volume fraction remains unchanged due to the effect of the enduring contact. It is also shown that below this limiting speed the enduring contact plays a major role and should not be neglected.
More questions than answers in 6 cases.

Bechara and colleagues1 report a series of 12 patients treated over 11 years who sustained intraoperative carotid artery introducer sheathplacementduringattempted jugular vein cannulation. Six earlier patients were treated with open carotid artery exploration and primary repair, whereas the more recent 6 patients were treated with percutaneous closure using a suture-mediated closure device. No patients in either group had neurological events or other complications. However, the mean duration of treatment was shorter in the endovascular group than the operative group, 6 vs 32 minutes, respectively. The authors conclude that endovascular closure is as safe and effective as operative repair but more expeditious. Is it possible to extend the authors’ findings to the general group of patients having catheters placed into the carotidartery?Arterialpunctureduring internal jugularveincatheterization occurs in approximately 6% to 9% of cases.2 The low frequency of the authors’ cases, their carotid artery catheterplacement in theoperating roombyanesthesiologists, and their repairbyexperiencedvascularsurgeonssuggest that these cases are a highly selected group at low risk for complications after any repair.However, ifmost carotidartery catheterplacements occur outside the operating roomandoften involve inexperienced trainees who do not use ultrasonographic guidance, is endovascular repair appropriate for these patients? Interestingly, thecathetersplaced inthisstudywereall8.5F introducer sheaths, facilitating endovascular closure; smaller central venous catheters may be more amenable to manual compression or repair with a single Prolene stitch. The authors’ conclusion that “repair of the carotid artery puncture site” is mandatory seems unfounded given the lack of patients treatedwith compression, the lack of smaller catheters in the group, and the lack of a prospective trial. This case series is certainly intriguing and suggests that some patientsmay be treatedwith endovascular techniques. However, that group of patients is not yet clearly defined and the algorithm is not well understood. For example, angiographywas performed selectively in this series, in addition to ultrasonography, but this additional risk of stroke requires justification; who should undergo angiography in this scenario? Is it mandatory to inspect the runoff bed for emboli? The role of endovascular treatment continues to evolve, especially when performed by endovascular leaders. However, success in 6 attempts does not replace the standard of care; a single complicationmay have led to devastating complications. The gold standard for carotid artery repair remains open surgical exploration; the time savings (mean, 26 minutes) must be weighed against the cost of the closure device aswell.Despite theauthors’ success in6patients,wecaution readers against the quick and broad adoption of this method and suggest its use only in selected cases, such as in sites that have difficult surgical exposure.3
Kaplan-Meier Analysis of Dental Implant Survival: A Strategy for Estimating Survival with Clustered Observations

The study's purposes were to estimate dental implant survival in a statistically valid manner and to compare three models for estimating survival. We estimated survival using three different statistical models: (1) randomly selecting one implant per patient; (2) utilizing all implants, assuming independence among implants from the same subject; and (3) utilizing all implants, assuming dependence among implants from the same subject. The cohort was composed of 660 patients who had 2286 implants placed. Due to the high success rates of implants, the five-year survival point and standard error estimates varied little among the three models. Patients at high risk for implant failure (smokers) manifested greater variation in the standard error estimates among the three models, 8.2%, 4.0%, and 5.6%, respectively. To obtain statistically valid survival confidence intervals when performing Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, we recommend adjusting for dependence when there are multiple observations within the same subject.
High-energy vibrational overtones of polyatomic molecules in solids: inequivalent local C–H modes and subpicosecond dephasing of naphthalene at 1.3 K

We report on the assignment of inequivalent C–H local modes in naphthalene by observation of overtones of symmetrically deuterated naphthalene (αd_4) at low temperatures (1.3–2 K). Careful lineshape analysis gives information on the dephasing of these high-energy states as inferred from homogeneous linewidths. We observe new trends in the linewidths that suggest the relative importance of local-normal and local-local mode coupling.
Structure and dynamics of des-pentapeptide-insulin in solution: the molten-globule hypothesis

Structures of insulin in different crystal forms exhibit significant local and nonlocal differences, including correlated displacement of elements of secondary structure. Here we describe the solution structure and dynamics of a monomeric insulin analogue, des-pentapeptide-(B26-B30)-insulin (DPI), as determined by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and distance geometry/restrained molecular dynamics (DG/RMD). Although the solution structure of DPI exhibits a general similarity to its crystal structure, individual DG/RMD structures in the NMR ensemble differ by rigid-body displacements of alpha-helices that span the range of different crystal forms. These results suggest that DPI exists as a partially folded state formed by coalescence of distinct alpha-helix-associated microdomains. The physical reality of this model is investigated by comparison of the observed two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) spectroscopy (NOESY) spectrum with that predicted from crystal and DG/RMD structures. The observed NOESY spectrum contains fewer tertiary contacts than predicted by any single simulation, but it matches their shared features; such "ensemble correspondence" is likely to reflect the effect of protein dynamics on observed NOE intensities. We propose (i) that the folded state of DPI is analogous to that of a compact protein-folding intermediate rather than a conventional native state and (ii) that the molten state is the biologically active species. This proposal (the molten-globule hypothesis) leads to testable thermodynamic predictions and has general implications for protein design.
REPEAT MRI FOR PATIENTS WITH IMPLANTED CARDIAC DEVICES DOES NOT INCREASE THE RISK OF CLINICAL EVENTS OR PARAMETER CHANGES: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE MAGNASAFE REGISTRY

The MagnaSafe Registry is a multicenter, prospective study designed to determine the frequency of major adverse clinical events and device parameter changes for 1500 patients with standard implantable cardiac electronic devices who undergo clinically-indicated, non-thoracic MRI at 1.5T. Device
Experience of HeRO dialysis graft placement in a challenging population

Objective:To assess the outcomes of the hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) device in a subset of hemodialysis access-challenged patients with central venous obstruction.Methods:Retrospective anal...
Effect of sodium delivery on superoxide and nitric oxide in the medullary thick ascending limb.

Hypertension is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and medullary renal injury. Previous studies have shown that elevations in renal perfusion pressure increase Na+ delivery to the...
Distributed filaments: efficient fine-grain parallelism on a cluster of workstations

A fine-grain parallel program is one in which processes are typically small ranging from a few to a few hundred instructions. Fine-grain parallelism arises naturally in many situations such as iterative grid computations recursive fork/join programs the bodies of parallel FOR loops and the implicit parallelism in functional or dataflow languages. It is useful both to describe massively parallel computations and as a target for code generation by compilers. However fine-grain parallelism has long been thought to be inefficient due to the overheads of process creation context switching, and synchronization. This paper describes a software kernel. Distributed Filaments (DF) that implements fine-grain parallelism both portably and efficiently on a workstation cluster DF runs on existing off-the-shelf hardware and software. It has a simple interface so it is easy to use. DF achieves e ciency by using stateless threads on each node overlapping communication and computation, employing a new reliable datagram communication protocol and automatically balancing the work generated by fork/join computations.
Prediction of Mortality in Clinical Practice for Medicare Patients Undergoing Defibrillator Implantation for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Objectives The aim of this study was to derive and validate a practical risk model to predict death within 4 years of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Background ICDs for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death improve survival, but recent data suggest that a patient subset with high mortality and minimal ICD benefit may be identified. Methods Data from a development cohort (n = 17,991) and validation cohort (n = 27,893) of Medicare beneficiaries receiving primary prevention ICDs from 2005 to 2007 were merged with outcomes data through mid-2010 to construct and validate complete and abbreviated risk models for all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Over a median follow-up period of 4 years, 6,741 (37.5%) development and 8,595 (30.8%) validation cohort patients died. The abbreviated model was based on 7 clinically relevant predictors of mortality identified from complete model results, referred to as the “SHOCKED” predictors: 75 years of age or older (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62 to 1.79), heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III) (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.42), out of rhythm because of atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.33), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.61 to 1.80), kidney disease (chronic) (HR: 2.33; 95% CI: 2.20 to 2.47), ejection fraction (left ventricular) ≤ 20% (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.33), and diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.36 to 1.50). This model had C-statistics of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.75 to 0.76) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.74 to 0.75) in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Validation patients in the highest risk decile on the basis of the SHOCKED predictors had a 65% 3-year mortality rate. A nomogram is provided for survival probabilities 1 to 4 years after ICD implantation. Conclusions This useful model, based on more than 45,000 primary prevention ICD patients, accurately identifies patients at highest risk for death after device implantation and may significantly influence clinical decision making.
Refractive index mapping of concentration profiles

We report an optical microscopy technique for mapping variations in refractive index across an electrode surface that result from non-uniform electrochemical generation of a soluble species
Spectral Gromov-Wasserstein distances for shape matching

We introduce a spectral notion of distance between shapes and study its theoretical properties. We show that our distance satisfies the properties of a metric on the class of isometric shapes, which means, in particular, that two shapes are at 0 distance if and only if they are isometric. Our construction is similar to the recently proposed Gromov-Wasserstein distance, but rather than viewing shapes merely as metric spaces, we define our distance via the comparison of heat kernels. This allows us to relate our distance to previously proposed spectral invariants used for shape comparison, such as the spectrum of the Laplace-Beltrami operator. In addition, the heat kernel provides a natural notion of scale, which is useful for multi-scale shape comparison. We also prove a hierarchy of lower bounds for our distance, which provide increasing discriminative power at the cost of increase in computational complexity.
Raman spectroscopy of La2NiMnO6 films on SrTiO3 (100) and LaAlO3 (100) substrates: Observation of epitaxial strain

Abstract La 2 NiMnO 6 is a multiferroic material of interest due to its unique dielectric and electrical resistance properties under an applied magnetic field. Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor the quality of La 2 NiMnO 6 films grown on LaAlO 3 (1 0 0) and SrTiO 3 (1 0 0) substrates. The films have strikingly different properties at the film–substrate interface owing to the relative quality of heteroepitaxial growth. The films grown on SrTiO 6 (1 0 0) did not have any biaxial strain, because of strong epitaxial match to the substrate. The films grown on LaAlO 6 (1 0 0), however, showed large shifts in the A g and B g phonon modes due to biaxial strain. This was observed in both depth profile experiments in 200 nm films using confocal microscopy and in thinner films (down to 10 nm) grown on the substrates.
Proteolytic enzymes in extracts of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Abstract The enzymatic mechanisms by which cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni invade mammalian skin have been investigated. Cercarial extracts prepared by sonication were assayed for activity against a variety of substrates including purified components of connective tissues. These extracts contain activity against gelatin, casein, Azocoll and elastin, but do not hydrolyze undenatured soluble or fibrous collagen. Cercarial extracts are very active against a chondromucoprotein complex from cartilage but do not hydrolyze the major mucopolysaccharide component of this complex. Sephadex G-150 chromatography of cercarial extracts revealed the existence of multiple peaks of proteolytic activity. It is suggested that carcarial proteases exert their main activity against the protein backbone of the protein-polysaccharide present in mammalian connective tissues.
ΔQ = — ΔS Decays and interrnediate bosons

The experimental facts (1) vanishing, of K10-K20 mass difference in lowest order, (2) ΔQ= — ΔS leptonic decays, and (3) domination of ΔS= l non-leptonic decays by ΔT= 1/2 transitions are shown to be consistent with an extension of d’Espagnat’s veton theory involving four intermediate bosons, two postive and two negative. The theory is contrasted with those of Behrends and Sirlin and Lee, which involve six bosons (including two neutral ones) and yield an exact ΔT =1/2 rule instead of the approximate one obtained here. There are two general predictions: (1) ΔT=1/2 for. those leptonic decays with ΔQ=ΔS and (2) no forbiddenness of ΔS = 2 leptonic decays.
Tumor necrosis factor induces sodium retention in diabetic rats through sequential effects on distal tubule cells.

Tumor necrosis factor induces sodium retention in diabetic rats through sequential effects on distal tubule cells. Background Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) contributes to sodium retention during diabetes. TNF selectively stimulates sodium uptake in distal tubule cells isolated from diabetic rats, but not in cells from control rats. We propose that distal tubule cells are sensitized to acute effects of TNF during diabetes. Methods We examined acute TNF-stimulated sodium uptake in distal tubule cells chronically cultured with exogenous TNF and in distal tubule cells freshly isolated from diabetic rats treated with a specific TNF inhibitor. We also tested the sodium transport and intracellular signaling pathway underlying TNF-induced sodium transport with pharmacologic inhibitors. Results Chronic TNF exposure in vitro sensitized distal tubule cells to the acute effects of TNF in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and TNF inhibition in vivo during diabetes prevented distal tubule sensitization. TNF receptor expression was equivalent in distal tubule cells from both control and diabetic rats. In sensitized distal tubule cells, TNF-stimulated sodium uptake was blocked by amiloride and PD098059, inhibitors of epithelial sodium channels and extracellular signal-related protein kinase (ERK) activation, respectively. Conclusion TNF alters distal tubule sodium transport during diabetes through consecutive chronic and acute effects. Chronic TNF exposure leads to distal tubule sensitization that permits acute TNF-induced activation of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). These findings are consistent with a sequential mechanism by which chronic and acute TNF actions at the distal tubule cellular level contribute to whole animal sodium retention during diabetes.
Optimal Product Design Under Price Competition

Engineering optimization methods for new product development model consumer demand as a function of product attributes and price in order to identify designs that maximize expected profit. However, prior approaches have ignored the ability of competitors to react to a new product entrant; thus these methods can overestimate expected profit and select suboptimal designs that perform poorly in a competitive market. We propose an efficient approach to new product design accounting for competitor pricing reactions by imposing Nash and Stackelberg conditions as constraints, and we test the method on three product design case studies from the marketing and engineering design literature. We find that a Stackelberg leader strategy generates higher profit than a Nash strategy. Both strategies are superior to ignoring competitor reactions: In our case studies, ignoring price competition results in overestimation of profits by 12%–79%, and accounting for price competition increases realized profits by up to 3.4%. The efficiency, convergence stability, and ease of implementation of the proposed approach enables practical implementation for new product design problems in competitive markets.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
High frequency ac-link transformer isolated three phase inverter with natural commutation of leakage energy

A high frequency ac link, transformer isolated three phase inverter capable of bidirectional power flow is presented in this paper. Such an inverter finds widespread use in applications like interfacing alternate energy sources to the grid, UPS systems. A resonant LC circuit is used to achieve natural commutation of leakage energy in the leakage inductance of the transformer. This natural commutation of leakage energy eliminates the need for additional circuitry otherwise needed to commutate the trapped energy. Additionally, the high frequency ac link makes it possible to reduce the size of the transformer resulting in a lower cost and a compact design. The ac link is utilized to achieve zero voltage switching in the output cycloconverter. A 3 phase, 5 kW inverter is simulated in the SIMULINK environment and the results are discussed.
Engaging public administrators in training: Technical communication as a responsive rhetorical art

How might technical communicators assist students training to become public administrators to develop the capacity to listen to those with firsthand knowledge of the policies they put in place or oversee to serve adult refugees? Serious games such as those that Games for Change hosts on Facebook offer one ready scheme, presenting players with realistic scenarios in which underserved women characters leverage available resources in pursuit of basic health care and education. But digital media experts warn that too often the very grammar of such games tacitly reinforce damaging attitudes and practices that students may unknowingly transfer from the classroom to the workplace. This paper presents findings from a data-visualization study designed to fill this gap. Responsive to current conditions in Phoenix but adaptive to other locales, the prototypes featured here were designed to support active “intercultural knowledge building” among policy makers, refugees and other immigrants in Phoenix resettling under conditions not of their making, and those serving in a variety of capacities as literacy sponsors for these residents.
Surface and interfacial FTIR spectroscopic studies of latexes. IX. The effect of homopolymer and copolymer structures on surfactant mobility in Sty/BA latices

The effects of homopolymer and copolymer compositions and structures in styrene/n-butyl acrylate (Sty/BA) latices on sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDOSS) surfactant mobility and its preferential concentration at the film-air (F-A) and film-substrate (F-S) interfaces were examined using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy. It appears that the SDOSS concentration at the F-S interface is highest when the Sty/BA feed ratio is 50/50, and excess of Sty results in migration of SDOSS surfactant to the F-A interface. This behavior is attributed to the increased glass transition temperature and diminished compability between surfactant molecules and copolymer latex. This study also shows that the primary factors that influence exudation to either F-A or F-S interfaces are surface tension of the substrate, glass transition temperature, water flux during coalescence, and compatibility between latex components
BRAF V600E mutation and Its Association with Clinicopathological Features of Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: There is conflicting literature regarding the association of the BRAF V600E mutation and aggressive clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Nevertheless, some propose that BRAF status be incorporated into the management of patients with PTC, specifically recommendations regarding lymph node dissection. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between BRAF and clinicopathological features of PTC. Methods: A literature search was performed within PubMed and EMBASE databases using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords: “braf,” “mutation,” “thyroid,” “neoplasm(s),” “tumor,” “cancer,” and “carcinoma.” Individual study-specific odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated, as were Mantel-Haenszel pooled odds ratios for the combined studies. Results: Thirty-two studies including 6372 patients were reviewed. BRAF mutation was associated with lymph node metastases (LNM), advanced stage, extrathyroidal extension, tumor size, ...
Emotions in context: Revolutionary accelerators, hope, moral outrage, and other emotions in the making of Nicaragua's revolution

Building on the social movement/revolutions and recent social movement emotions literature and using interviews and oral history from revolutionary Nicaragua, I make a case for recognizing the significance of emotions when studying revolutions. The essay aims for a contextual understanding of the role of emotions in the making of revolution during the insurrectionary period in Nicaragua. These are examined from the vantage point of “revolutionary accelerators” the conflictual event-contexts from which revolutionary actors emerge. Through the historical analysis of testimonies associated with a number of politically significant events that changed the course of political dynamics in 1970s Nicaragua, the piece illustrates: (1) how events function as generators of revolutionary action and (2) how event-related emotions such as anger and fear, but primarily moral outrage and hope, contribute to a transformation in consciousness that leads potential participants to define their circumstances as needing their revolutionary involvement. It also attempts to demonstrate how the latter two emotions—moral outrage and hope—are dominant under different event-contexts. Lastly, the relationships between these emotions and how these are connected to revolutionary accelerators are similarly explored.
Toxicity and anticholinesterase activity of two halogenated phosphorothioates to Boettcherisca peregrina and Chrysomya megacephala.

Relative toxicity of Ciba C-9491 ( O - (2,5-dichloro-4-iodophenyl) O,O -dimethyl phosphorothioate), and C-8874 ( O - (2,5-dichloro-4-iodophenyl) O,O -diethyl phosphorothioate) to mature 3rd-stage larvae, 1- to 2-day-old pupae, and 3- to 4-day-old male and female adults of Boettcherisca peregrina . (Robineau-Desvoidy) and Chrysomya megacephala (F.) was investigated. In vitro and in vivo anticholinesterase activity and the correlation between toxicity and anticholinesterase activity of the 2 insecticides to the adult females of both species also were determined. The insecticides were of low toxicity to the immature stages of both fly species. Based on the LD50 values, larvae of B. peregrina were approximately 2 and 4 times more susceptible than the larvae of C. megacephala to C-9491 and C-8874, respectively. In terms of the LD95 values, B. peregrina larvae were approximately 6 times more susceptible than the larvae of C. megacephala to C-8874, but were equally susceptible to C-9491. Pupae of both species were highly tolerant to the insecticides, and dosage levels as high as 16,000 μ g/g resulted in less than 25% mortality. In general, C. megacephala adults were either as susceptible or more susceptible than B. peregrina adults to both insecticides. At the LD50 and LD95 levels, adults of both species were equally susceptible to topically applied C-9491, but after injection with C-9491, C. megacephala adults were more susceptible than B. peregrina . Females of both species were equally susceptible to the topical application of C-8874, but C. megacephala males were more susceptible than B. peregrina. C. megacephala was more susceptible than B. peregrina to injected C-8874 at the LD50 level, but both species were equally susceptible at the LD50 level. The natural head cholinesterase activity of both species was similar when based on the number of heads needed to produce 80% hydrolysis of acetylcholine chloride after 30 minutes' incubation. However, based on the actual head weights, the head cholinesterase of B. peregrina was approximately 1.7 times more active than that of C. megacephala . Sex had no effect on enzyme activity. C-9491 and C-8874 were both moderate in vitro cholinesterase inhibitors and were equally effective in decreasing the enzyme activity of the head breis of both species. There was a direct correlation between insecticidal toxicity and in vitro head cholinesterase inhibition for the adult flies of B. peregrina and C. megacephala . On the other hand, there was no correlation between insecticidal toxicity and in vivo head cholinesterase inhibition. Both C-9491 and C-8874 were slow-acting insecticides and were weak in vivo inhibitors. In all cases, maximum inhibition was somewhat higher in dead flies than in surviving flies. Little or no recovery of cholinesterase activity occurred in surviving flies of either species treated with C-9491 or C-8874, but some enzyme recovery in dead flies was demonstrated.
In the Shadows of Terror: A Community Neighboring the World Trade Center Disaster Uses Art Therapy To Process Trauma.

(2002). In the Shadows of Terror: A Community Neighboring the World Trade Center Disaster Uses Art Therapy to Process Trauma. Art Therapy: Vol. 19, on 9/11, pp. 120-122.