cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naturalness of three generations in free fermionic Z2n

We study the construction of free fermionic spin structure models with [ital Z][sub 2][sup [ital n]][direct product][ital Z][sub 4] boundary-condition vectors. We argue that requiring chiral space-time fermions in the massless spectrum and the existence of a well-defined hidden gauge group severely constrain the allowed boundary-condition vectors. We show that the minimal way to obtain these requirements is given by a unique set of [ital Z][sub 2][sup 5] boundary-condition vectors. We classify the possible extensions to this basic set. We argue that a result of this fundamental set is that obtaining three generations in this construction is correlated with projecting out all the enhanced gauge symmetries which arise from nonzero vacuum expectation values of background fields. We propose that this correlation and the properties of the fundamental [ital Z][sub 2][sup 5] subset suggest that three generations is natural in this construction.
PEP-19 immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus and superior olive of the cat

Abstract We applied antiserum to PEP-19, a presumptive calcium-binding polypeptide, to the auditory brainstem of cats to determine whether this antiserum would selectively reveal cochlear nucleus neurons and their projections. We report that the entire populations of ventral cochlear nucleus bushy and multipolar cells, but not octopus cells, express this peptide in their somata and dendrites. Presumed axons of spherical bushy cells located dorsally and thicker globular bushy cell fibers located ventrally in the trapezoid body are immunostained, as are thin fibers presumed to represent the axons of multipolar cells. Large calyceal endings in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body are densely immunoreactive as are smaller punctate profiles that outline immunonegative neuronal profiles in the medial and lateral superior olives. These features of immunolabeling indicate that PEP-19 is expressed in all neuronal compartments. Within the entire superior olivary complex, relatively few neurons are immunolabeled, and the vast majority of these are found in the periolivary nuclei. There are many more immunostained neurons in lateral than in medial periolivary cell groups, but their combined numbers are dwarfed by the numbers of immunolabeled cells in the ventral cochlear nucleus. The borders of the principal nuclei and some of the periolivary cell groups are well defined by the distribution of PEP-19-immunoreactive fibers and puncta. Since ventral cochlear nucleus bushy cells comprise the predominant input to principal nuclei of the superior olive, and the entire bushy cell population is immunolabeled by PEP-19 antiserum, the numbers and distribution of their inputs can be quantified. In this study we report that immunoreactive puncta apposed to the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of neurons in the medial superior olive occur at a density of 20/100 μ m 2 . Moreover, we demonstrate by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy that the PEP-19-immunoreactive punctate profiles observed in the medial superior olive by light microscopy represent presynaptic terminal boutons that contain round synaptic vesicles and form asymmetric synaptic junctions, features traditionally associated with excitatory synapses. Thus, this antiserum represents a useful tool for investigating the distribution of ventral cochlear nucleus fibers and synaptic terminals within their target nuclei in the superior olive.
Functional Redundancy of SWI/SNF Catalytic Subunits in Maintaining Vascular Endothelial Cells in the Adult Heart

Rationale: Mating type swi tching/sucrose n on-fermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complexes utilize either BRG1 or BRM as a catalytic subunit to alter nucleosome position and regulate gene expression. BRG1 is required for vascular endothelial cell (VEC) development and embryonic survival, whereas BRM is dispensable. Objective: To circumvent embryonic lethality and study Brg1 function in adult tissues, we used conditional gene targeting. To evaluate possible Brg1-Brm redundancy, we analyzed Brg1 mutant mice on wild-type and Brm -deficient backgrounds. Methods and Results: The inducible Mx1-Cre driver was used to mutate Brg1 in adult mice. These conditional-null mutants exhibited a tissue-specific phenotype and unanticipated functional compensation between Brg1 and Brm . Brg1 single mutants were healthy and had a normal lifespan, whereas Brg1/Brm double mutants exhibited cardiovascular defects and died within 1 month. BRG1 and BRM were required for the viability of VECs but not other cell types where both genes were also knocked out. The VEC phenotype was most evident in the heart, particularly in the microvasculature of the outer myocardium, and was recapitulated in primary cells ex vivo. VEC death resulted in vascular leakage, cardiac hemorrhage, secondary death of cardiomyocytes due to ischemia, and ventricular dissections. Conclusions: BRG1-catalyzed SWI/SNF complexes are particularly important in cardiovascular tissues. However, in contrast to embryonic development, in which Brm does not compensate, Brg1 is required in adult VECs only when Brm is also mutated. These results demonstrate for the first time that Brm functionally compensates for Brg1 in vivo and that there are significant changes in the relative importance of BRG1- and BRM-catalyzed SWI/SNF complexes during the development of an essential cell lineage.
Abrogation of heparan sulfate synthesis in Drosophila disrupts the Wingless, Hedgehog and Decapentaplegic signaling pathways.

Studies in Drosophila and vertebrate systems have demonstrated that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) play crucial roles in modulating growth factor signaling. We have isolated mutations in sister of tout velu ( sotv ), a gene that encodes a co-polymerase that synthesizes HSPG glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. Our phenotypic and biochemical analyses reveal that HS levels are dramatically reduced in the absence of Sotv or its partner co-polymerase Tout velu (Ttv), suggesting that both copolymerases are essential for GAG synthesis. Furthermore, we find that mutations in sotv and ttv impair Hh, Wg and Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling. This contrasts with previous studies that suggested loss of ttv compromises only Hh signaling. Our results may contribute to understanding the biological basis of hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), a disease associated with bone overgrowth that results from mutations in EXT1 and EXT2 , the human orthologs of ttv and sotv .
Black Diversity in New York City: West Indians, Haitians, African Americans

Islands in the City: West Indian Migration to New York. Nancy Foner. ed. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001.312 pp. Trends in Ethnic Identification among Second-Generation Haitian Immigrants to New York City. Flore Zephir. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey, 2001. 248 pp.
Leiomyosarcoma: One disease or distinct biologic entities based on site of origin?

Background Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) can originate from the retroperitoneum, uterus, extremity, and trunk. It is unclear whether tumors of different origin represent discrete entities. We compared clinicopathologic features and outcomes following surgical resection of LMS stratified by site of origin. Methods : Patients with LMS undergoing resection at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic variables were compared across sites. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank and Cox regression analyses. Results From 1983 to 2011, 138 patients underwent surgical resection for LMS. Retroperitoneal and uterine LMS were larger, higher grade, and more commonly associated with synchronous metastases. However, disease-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, and recurrence patterns were not significantly different across the four sites. Synchronous metastases (HR 3.20, P < 0.001), but not site of origin, size, grade, or margin status, were independently associated with worse DSS. A significant number of recurrences and disease-related deaths were noted beyond 5 years. Conclusions Although larger and higher grade, retroperitoneal and uterine LMS share similar survival and recurrence patterns with their trunk and extremity counterparts. LMS of various anatomic sites may not represent distinct disease processes based on clinical outcomes. The presence of metastatic disease remains the most important prognostic factor for LMS. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:808–812. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using a “culture audit” to pick M&A winners

It pays to look before you leap. By using a “culture audit,” the authors say you can save yourself from potential M&A disasters. Here's how to do it. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Hepatitis B Virus x Binding Protein That Inhibits Viral Replication

The hepatitis B virus and the mammalian hepadnavirus genomes encode for a short open reading frame called x. Expression of the protein product (HBx) appears necessary for establishment of natural infection. However, in vitro studies have suggested a multifunctional role for HBx as an indirect transcriptional transactivator of a variety of different viral and cellular promoters. Indeed, HBx has no known direct DNA binding properties but may interact with transcription factors as well as activate intracellular signaling pathways associated with cell growth. To further address the possible functional role of HBx in the life cycle of hepatitis B virus, we performed an analysis using the yeast two-hybrid system to screen a cDNA library derived from a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with a HBx fusion bait in an attempt to identify cellular partners that may bind to and alter the biologic properties of HBx. A HBx-interacting protein that specifically complexes with the carboxy terminus of wild-type HBx was identified and designated XIP. This 9.6-kDa protein is capable of binding to HBx in vitro, and transient and stable expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells abolishes the transactivation properties of HBx on luciferase constructs driven by AP-1 and endogenous hepatitis B virus enhancer/promoter elements. Investigation of the role of XIP in hepatitis B virus replication in differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma cells revealed that XIP expression reduces wild-type hepatitis B virus replication to levels observed following transfection with an HBx-minus virus. In contrast, the replication levels of the duck hepatitis B virus, a hepadnavirus that lacks the x open reading frame, were unchanged in the context of XIP expression. We propose that one of the physiologic functions of the cellular protein XIP is to negatively regulate HBx activity and thus to alter the replication life cycle of the virus.
Abuse liability of oxycodone as a function of pain and drug use history.

Abstract The relationship between pain and prescription opioid abuse is poorly understood. Determining whether a patient is seeking additional opioid medications in order to alleviate pain or to abuse the drugs can be difficult. The present study was designed to evaluate two variables that may influence the abuse liability of opioids: drug use history and the presence or absence of experimentally induced pain. Eighteen healthy participants completed this outpatient study. One group was abusing prescription opioids (N = 9) and one group had used prescription opioids medically but did not abuse them (N = 9). All participants completed twelve sessions during which the effects of orally delivered oxycodone (0, 15, 30 mg/70 kg, PO) were examined. One dose was tested per day under double-blind conditions and sessions were separated by at least 48 h. During the first “sample” session each week, participants were given $10 and the dose that was available later that week. During the second “choice” session, participants could self-administer either money or the previously sampled dose. Six sessions involved repeated hand immersions in cold water (4 °C) and six sessions involved immersions in warm water (37 °C). Most of the positive subjective effects of oxycodone were similar between the groups, but oxycodone self-administration significantly differed between groups. Non-abusers self-administered active doses of oxycodone only when they were in pain while abusers self-administered oxycodone regardless of the pain condition. These data suggest that an assessment of the reinforcing effects of opioids may be a sensitive method for differentiating opioid abusers from non-abusers.
Education for Citizenship: Interethnic Pedagogy and Formal Education at Escola Criativa Olodum

This paper depicts how an Afro-Brazilian carnival group turned community development organization addresses socioeconomic inequalities by educating a traditionally marginalized population as part of their larger goal of the preservation of black culture and full citizenship. Specifically, it examines the theory and practice of interethnic pedagogy, a unique approach to critical pedagogy specifically focused on incorporating the experiences and values of subaltern groups. Through ethnographic passages and analysis it examines their work in formal education at Escola Criativa Olodum in Salvador, Bahia and shows how Afro-Brazilian teachers, students and administrators engage in learning experiences while they strive to understand and redefine their own educational processes and outcomes. Lastly, through the lens of racial formation theory, it attempts to explain how these educators and activists periodically adjust their methods and considers their potential impact on Brazilian society.
Experiencing Rare and Unusual Events Richly: The Role of Middle Managers in Animating and Guiding Organizational Interpretation

Organizations have difficulty learning from rare and unusual events because of their inability to interpret these events. Because organizations develop habitual ways of interpreting events---often top down---they can easily miss the novelty of rare and unusual events, which prevents them from experiencing events “richly.” We propose a multilevel, multistaged model of organizational interpretation that highlights the important, but generally unacknowledged, role middle managers can play in helping organizations experience rare and unusual events richly. Our model accounts for the effect of cognitive biases and hierarchical context on organizational interpretation. Because of their proximity to the interpretations of both strategic and front-line managers, middle managers can encourage divergence in interpretations of managers across hierarchical levels during early stages of the interpretation process and can blend and synthesize the divergent interpretations of managers during later stages. In this way middle managers contribute to a dynamic process of organizational interpretation in which multiple filters from throughout the organization help frame and enrich interpretations of rare and unusual events, which enables organizational learning.
Integrating radar stratigraphy with high resolution visible stratigraphy of the north polar layered deposits, Mars

Abstract Shallow Radar (SHARAD) on board NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully detected tens of reflectors in the subsurface of the north polar layered deposits (NPLD) of Mars. Radar reflections are hypothesized to originate from the same material interfaces that result in visible layering. As a first step towards verifying this assumption, this study uses signal analyses and geometric comparisons to quantitatively examine the relationship between reflectors and visible layers exposed in an NPLD outcrop. To understand subsurface structures and reflector geometry, reflector surfaces have been gridded in three dimensions, taking into account the influence of surface slopes to obtain accurate subsurface geometries. These geometries reveal reflector dips that are consistent with optical layer slopes. Distance–elevation profiling of subsurface reflectors and visible layer boundaries reveals that reflectors and layers demonstrate similar topography, verifying that reflectors represent paleosurfaces of the deposit. Statistical and frequency-domain analyses of the separation distances between successive layers and successive reflectors confirms the agreement of radar reflector spacing with characteristic spacing of certain visible layers. Direct elevation comparisons between individual reflectors and discrete optical layers, while necessary for a one-to-one correlation, are complicated by variations in subsurface structure that exist between the outcrop and the SHARAD observations, as inferred from subsurface mapping. Although these complications have prevented a unique correlation, a genetic link between radar reflectors and visible layers has been confirmed, validating the assumption that radar reflectors can be used as geometric proxies for visible stratigraphy. Furthermore, the techniques for conducting a stratigraphic integration have been generalized and improved so that the integration can be undertaken at additional locations.
The Hermeneutics of Frames and Framing: An Examination of the Media’s Construction of Reality

Frames are organizing principles that are socially shared and persistent over time, and that work symbolically to meaningfully structure the social world. The study of framing has grown over the past decades as mass media has become more and more ubiquitous in society. People rely on media for information and access to local, national, and world events. This reliance on the media is important to address as news stories are essentially narratives and interpretations—By focusing on one aspect of an event and presenting it to an audience, media outlets construct reality. This construction operates by making certain aspects of stories more salient than others. This salience then “frames” an event and provides a reference point for viewers in which all subsequent information is judged upon. This article examines the current literature on framing and examines what techniques and methodologies are used by past and present sociologists and media scholars. Particular attention is given to the hermeneutics of frames, that is, how frames and framing influence individuals to interpret events in various ways.
Fetal Bovine Bladder: Physiology and Pharmacology

The function of the lower urinary tract is to store urine at low intravesical pressure, and then to periodically expel the urine via a highly coordinated sustained contraction. To a large extent, urinary bladder function is dependent on the state of the neuronal innervation, the structure of the organ as a whole and the contractile response of smooth muscle elements1,2.
Contradictions of Mississippian Political Economy

This book is a beginning analysis of the political economy of what are loosely known as Mississippian social formations. I do not see this as a particularistic task. I have painted with a broad brush, since in this book 1 more interested in the similarities that make these societies recognizable than I am in their differences. I have, when concerned with other problems, explicitly called for understanding the diversity of Mississippian complexes (e.g., Muller and Stephens 1991). I have not tried to survey all expressions of Mississippian evenly—I have taken my data where I could find them. This is not a culture-historical textbook. However, to those who say that these conditions couldn’t apply to their Mississippian, I say “De te fabula narratur” (This story is about you). Although the complexes where data are available may all be atypical, I think there are enough general similarities to ask for empirically grounded arguments for differences rather than assumptions.
The Eleatic and the Indispensabilist

The debate over whether we should believe that mathematical objects exist quickly leads to the question of how to determine what we should believe to exist. Indispensabilists claim that we should believe in the exist- ence of mathematical objects because of their ineliminable roles in scientific theory. Eleatics argue that only ob- jects with causal properties exist. Mark Colyvan's recent defenses of Quine's indispensability argument present an intriguing attempt to provide reasons to favor the indispensabilist's criterion against some contemporary eleatics. I show that Colyvan's argument is not decisive against the eleatic and then sketch a way to capture some of the important intuitions behind both views.
The effect of social norms and product knowledge on purchase of organic cotton and fair-trade apparel

AbstractThis research study examined the influence of different types of social norms (injunctive and descriptive) and product knowledge (subjective and objective) on consumers’ purchase of organic cotton and fair-trade apparel to clarify our understanding in this scholarly domain. An online survey was conducted among 500 Generation Y participants to examine purchasing behaviors toward the two products. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and independent t-tests were used to test the cause–effect relationships among constructs and to compare the results between the two product groups. Injunctive norms were more effective in encouraging positive attitudes while descriptive norms had a stronger effect on increasing purchase intentions of organic cotton and fair-trade apparel. Additionally, this study confirmed the important role of knowledge in the purchase process. Both objective and subjective knowledge significantly influenced attitudes toward purchasing the products.
The Geometry of Riemann and Einstein

(1924). The Geometry of Riemann and Einstein. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 26-39.
Hemodynamic responses to converting enzyme inhibition in patients with renal disease.

We studied the effects of lisinopril on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), plasma renin activity (PRA), and renal hemodynamics in nine patients with chronic renal disease and hypertension, before, and after three months of therapy. Lisinopril normalized blood pressure in five of nine patients (responders) and did not in the remaining four (nonresponders). PRA rose after lisinopril (4.8 +/- 2.6 ng/mL/h to 25 +/- 15 ng/mL/h, P less than 0.05) in responders, but not in nonresponders (2.0 +/- 1.4 ng/mL/h to 3.4 +/- 2.9 ng/mL/h). Glomerular filtration rate remained stable in both groups (responders: 43 +/- 11 mL/min to 43 +/- 22 mL/min; nonresponders: 39 +/- 25 mL/min to 32 +/- 21 mL/min). In the responders renal hemodynamics remained stable after lisinopril (renal plasma flow: 223 +/- 80 mL/min to 216 +/- 91 mL/min; filtration fraction: .20 +/- .04 to .20 +/- .05; renal vascular resistance: 386 +/- 179 to 326 +/- 209 units). In the nonresponders, renal plasma flow decreased (228 +/- 141 mL/min to 162 +/- 117 mL/min, P less than 0.005), filtration fraction increased (.19 +/- .08 to .24 +/- .12, P less than 0.05), and renal vascular resistance increased (695 +/- 747 to 1265 +/- 1574 units, P less than 0.05) after chronic lisinopril therapy. We conclude (1) there is a heterogeneous response to lisinopril in patients with chronic renal disease and hypertension, (2) lisinopril monotherapy may result in effective blood pressure control without renal hemodynamic compromise, and (3) an increase in PRA following converting enzyme inhibition may identify those in whom the circulating renin angiotensin system is participating in systemic hypertension and intrarenal hemodynamic changes.
Measurement of Peropperative Lactic Acid Concentration of Artery Blood for Infant with Coronary Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE To observe the changes of lactic acid concentration of artery blood during coronary heart disease(CHD) operation of infants and to evaluate its effect in the CHD operation.METHODS One hundred and five CHD cases from January 2007 to June 2007 were reviewed.The artery blood samples were collected after anesthesia,CPB on,CPB off and 48 hours after operation.The lactic acid concentration of artery blood was observed continuously.RESULTS In all one hundred and five cases,patient's lactic acid concentration of artery blood increased gradually from anaesthesia to end of CPB.It reached the highest level at end of CPB.If the lactic acid concentration of artery blood is higher than 5.6 mmol/L at any time during the operation,a bad prognosis of the patient may be indicated.CONCLUSION The lactic acid concentration of artery blood in the infant with CHD is reliable and effective prognosis indicator.
Abstract A41: Targeting the ARK5/MYC axis to develop second generation CDK4/6 inhibitors

Inhibition of cyclin dependent kinases CDK4/6 is an emerging therapeutic approach in myeloma and other cancers. A direct link between MYC and the cell cycle machinery exists through its ability to directly transactivate the CCND1 and CCNE genes. Deregulated MYC expression is linked to increased cyclin A, cyclin E expression and activation of CDK4 via its direct target gene CDC25. We describe a novel mechanism of MYC silencing that is therapeutically targeted by small molecule inhibitors. ARK5 (AMPK-related protein kinase 5), a novel member of the human AMPK family, represses MYC and MYC-driven gene expression, leading to rapid induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. RNAi loss of function studies confirm that ARK5 decreases MYC expression via post-translational de-acetylation by NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). In ARK5 over-expressing primary myeloma cells and cell lines, treatment with dual ARK5 and CDK4/6 inhibitor ON123300 resulted in down-regulation of pS6K, Rb and MYC, resulting in cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis in vitro. Treatment of MM tumor-bearing mice with ON123300 significantly decreased the growth of tumors as opposed to control treated mice and was well tolerated, with no significant weight loss. The CDK4/6 selective inhibitor PD0332991 in contrast does not inhibit the ARK5 or mTOR/pS6K pathways. We hypothesized that the modest activity for the current class of CDK4/6 inhibitors could be the result of a narrow kinase inhibition profile and incomplete targeting of critical onco-kinases, resulting in cytostatic rather than cytotoxic effects. This is the first report showing that dual CDK4/6 and ARK5 inhibitor ON123300 has significant effects on mTOR and MYC. In summary, our results demonstrate a novel mechanistic connection between ARK5 and SIRT1 in the regulation of MYC in MM cells. Our data showing potent cytotoxicity of ARK5 inhibition along with inhibition of MYC and mTOR signaling provides the foundation for further development of ARK5 inhibitors and second generation CDK inhibitors such as ON123300 for MM and potentially other MYC over expressing cancers. Citation Format: Samir Parekh, Deepal Perumal, Pei Yu Kuo, Violetta Leshchenko, Zewei Jiang, Ajai Chari, Hearn Jay Cho, Sundar Jagannath, E. Premkumar Reddy. Targeting the ARK5/MYC axis to develop second generation CDK4/6 inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A41.
A high power density single-phase inverter using stacked switched capacitor energy buffer

This paper presents a high power density 2 kW single-phase inverter, with greater than 50 W/in3 power density and 90% line-cycle average efficiency. This performance is achieved through innovations in twice-line-frequency (120 Hz) energy buffering and high frequency dc-ac power conversion. The energy buffering function is performed using an advanced implementation of the recently proposed stacked switched capacitor (SSC) energy buffer architecture, and the dc-ac power conversion is performed using a soft-switching SiC-FET based converter, with a digital implementation of variable frequency constant peak current control.
Experimental Mapping of the Acoustic Field Generated by Ultrasonic Transducers

In recent years, a laboratory noncontact excitation method based on the focused ultrasound radiation force, generated by an ultrasonic transducer has been exploited to excite vibrations within structures with size ranging from the micro to macro scale. The excitation frequency has a range from a few kHz to 1 MHz and can potentially be used for modal testing. However, the inability to monitor the real time acoustic radiation force prevents this approach from being used as a practical technique for measuring the frequency response functions in modal testing. This work deals with understanding the acoustic field generated from ultrasonic transducers in order to monitor and control the acoustic radiation pressure and force imparted to a structure.
Pharmacokinetic modeling of a gel-delivered dapivirine microbicide in humans.

Abstract Although a number of drugs have been developed for the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, it has proven difficult to optimize the drug and dosage parameters. The vaginal tissue, comprised of epithelial, stromal and blood compartments presents a complex system which challenges evaluation of drug kinetics solely through empirical effort. To provide insight into the underlying processes, mathematical modeling and computational simulation have been applied to the study of retroviral microbicide pharmacokinetics. Building upon previous pioneering work that modeled the delivery of Tenofovir (TFV) via topical delivery to the vaginal environment, here we computationally evaluate the performance of the retroviral inhibitor dapivirine released from a microbicide gel. We adapt the TFV model to simulate the multicompartmental diffusion and uptake of dapivirine into the blood plasma and vaginal compartments. The results show that dapivirine is expected to accumulate at the interface between the gel and epithelium compartments due to its hydrophobic characteristics. Hydrophobicity also results in decreased diffusivity, which may impact distribution by up to 2 orders of magnitude compared to TFV. Maximum concentrations of dapivirine in the epithelium, stroma, and blood were 9.9e7, 2.45e6, and 119 pg/mL, respectively. This suggests that greater initial doses or longer time frames are required to obtain higher drug concentrations in the epithelium. These observations may have important ramifications if a specific time frame is required for efficacy, or if a minimum/maximum concentration is needed in the mucus, epithelium, or stroma based on combined efficacy and safety data.
Pacemaker Placement in Patients with Stroke-Mediated Autonomic Dysregulation.

Lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) is an ischemic disease of the medulla oblongata, which involves the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Lateral medullary syndrome is often missed as the cause of autonomic dysregulation in patients with recent brain stem stroke. Due to the location of the baroreceptor regulatory center in the lateral medulla oblongata, patients with LMS occasionally have autonomic dysregulation-associated clinical manifestations. We report a case of LMS-associated autonomic dysregulation. The case presented as sinus arrest and syncope, requiring permanent pacemaker placement. A dual-chamber pacemaker was placed, after failure of conservative measures to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Our case shows the importance of recognizing LMS as a potential cause for life-threatening arrhythmias, heart block, and symptomatic bradycardia. Placement of permanent pacemaker may be necessary in some patients with LMS presenting with syncope, secondary to sinus arrest.
Do [18F]FLT plasma levels and metabolism change with chemoradiation therapy?

1105 Objectives To examine the intra- and inter-subject variability in [18F]FLT plasma levels and metabolic rate before and after chemoradiation therapy. Methods Subjects (N= 12, 11M 1F, age range: 35 - 69 years) with Stage 3 or 4 head and neck cancer were imaged with [18F]FLT prior to and after one cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy and 10 Gy of a 70 Gy radiation therapy regimen. FLT (2.6 MBq/kg, max dose = 185 MBq) was administered by infusion over 2 minutes. Venous blood samples were drawn at 3, 5, 20 and 60 minutes post-start of infusion. Plasma aliquots were assayed for unchanged FLT using QMA Sep-pak separation methods. For comparison purposes, the plasma levels at each time point were normalized to 2.6 MBq/kg. The unmetabolized fractions were fit to a single exponential curve. Results The metabolite-corrected, dose-normalized plasma concentrations pre- and mid-therapy, respectively, were, at 3 min, 14.9 ± 14.9 versus 14.5 ± 7.8; at 5 min, 6.7 ± 2.1 versus 6.9 ± 2.5; at 20 min, 2.5 ± 0.7 versus 2.8 ± 1.0; and at 60 min, 1.5 ± 0.6 versus 1.6 ± 0.5 kBq/cc (p = 0.92, 0.84, 0.37, 0.77, respectively). From 5 min onward, the inter-subject coefficient of variation in normalized plasma concentrations ranged from 27% to 37% and the mean intra-subject percent change ranged from 7.6% to 13.4%. The mean fitted metabolic rate constant was 0.0049 ± 0.0014 min-1 versus 0.0051 ± 0.0015 min-1 ,with 74.3% versus 74.2% unchanged FLT at 60 min (p = 0.74 and 0.99). Conclusions Effective monitoring of the response to therapy with FLT requires that changes in uptake reflect changes in proliferation not the delivery or availability of the tracer imposed by alterations in systemic pharmacokinetics induced by therapy. There is no evidence of changes in intra-subject metabolite-corrected plasma concentration or inter-subject variability with short-term chemoradiation therapy, suggesting that blood sampling is not necessary for reliable quantitative FLT uptake comparisons during response to therapy assessments
Using occupancy modeling to monitor dates of peak vocal activity for passerines in California

ABSTRACT Advancement in timing of important life history events for birds due to climate change presents conservation and monitoring challenges. Song and other vocal activity are strong indicators of avian phenology because they correspond to territorial defense and mate attraction during the breeding season. We combined data from 2 projects using point counts and automated sound recorders to survey passerines during the breeding season in northern California, USA (553 sites, 2009–2011). We used multi-species occupancy modeling to estimate how detection probability based on vocalizations varied over the course of the breeding season. We estimated dates of peak vocal activity, which we reasoned were indicative of reproductive phenology. We demonstrated a strong unimodal relationship between vocal activity and survey date for 8 focal species for which average detectability peaked on June 21 (90% CI: June 19–June 22). Although we found no difference in peak dates of average detectability for migrants vs. res...
Solving the Acoustic Issue in Physical Education Settings

The audibility of teachers and peers is an essential factor in determining the academic performance of school children. However, acoustic conditions in physical education settings are less than optimal and have been viewed as “hostile listening environments” that undermine the learning of children in school. While typical classroom teachers are faced with many voice concerns, gymnasiums with poor acoustics, covered areas, and outdoor teaching environments can be more challenging to the voices of physical education teachers. They often rely on shouting instructions over noises and hope their students will hear and understand. This article reviews current acoustic research in classrooms and in physical education settings and future actions designed to improve sound issues and their related policies.
Anode passivation mitigation in ultra thick metal plating

In IC manufacturing, ultra thick metal (UTM) plating poses significant challenges for the hardware. The plating tool is subject to operating at high current density for extended periods of time to fill UTM features and provide enough overburden for CMP. The anode is vulnerable to passivation at high currents typically found in the final plating step. The passivation results in rising resistance ultimately leading to a tool fault. Various hardware settings are explored supported with equipment trace data. Ultimately it was found that increasing fresh bath feed to the anode mitigates the problem.
Thermal Properties of Amorphous Dielectric Films

The present chapter is concerned with the thermal transport properties of dielectric thin films. The thermometry techniques discussed in Chapter 3 form the basis of the techniques that measure the in- and out-of-plane thermal conductivity thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity heat capacity of thin dielectric films. The characterization capability is applied to the study of process-dependent thermal properties of silicon dioxide, which serves as a model amorphous solid.
Effects of Genetics, Health, Biology, the Environment, and Drugs on Subjective QOL

This chapter describes the effects of personal factors such as genetics, health, biology, the environment, and drugs on the subjective aspects of QOL. Toward the end of the chapter, I will make an attempt put forth unifying ideas toward a neurochemical theory of QOL and another foundation of a theory of brain reward center. I will start this chapter out by discussing the effects of genetics on subjective well-being.
The Appropriate Role of a Clinical Ethics Consultant’s Religious Worldview in Consultative Work: Nearly None

Ethical reasoning is an integral part of the work of a clinical ethics consultant (CEC). Ethical reasoning has a close relationship with an individual's beliefs and values, which, for religious adherents, are likely to be tightly connected with their spiritual perspectives. As a result, for individuals who identify with a religious tradition, the process of thinking through ethical questions is likely to be influenced by their religious worldview. The connection between ethical reasoning and one's spiritual perspective raises questions about the role that CECs' personal religious worldviews should play in their professional lives and their consultative work. This paper offers numerous arguments critiquing the inclusion of a consultant's own spiritual perspective in her work and has identified only limited circumstances under which such inclusion might be permissible. In particular, these arguments lead to the conclusion that a CEC's personal beliefs should never influence her ethical analysis or development of a recommendation. Further, religious appeals should not be used in communication during decision-making conversations other than to describe the patient or surrogate's stated perspective. There may be limited cases in which a CEC may share her spiritual worldview with a patient with the intent of building a collaborative relationship, but such situations should be approached with extreme caution.
Simultaneous Presentation of Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia and MYD88 Gene Mutation with Multiple Myeloma.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and multiple myeloma (MM) are two distinct forms of mature hematologic B-cell malignancies. A missense somatic mutation in MYD88 gene (MYD88L265P) has been found in hematologic B-cell malignancies. The simultaneous presentation of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and MYD88 mutation with multiple myeloma in the same patient is very rare and only a few cases have been reported in the literature.
MDM2/P53 Inhibitors as Sensitizing Agents for Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract The tumor suppressor p53, the guardian of the genome, serves as one of the major cellular barriers against cancer development. The p53 pathway is impaired in almost all human cancers, and about 50% of cancer cells sustain mutations in the TP53 gene. The function of p53 is tightly controlled by its two crucial negative regulators MDM2 and MDMX, both are oncoproteins and each has been shown to be amplified and/or overexpressed in different types of human cancers. Reactivation or restoration of the p53 function in tumors has been envisioned as an attractive cancer therapeutic strategy. In this chapter, we will review different approaches that have been employed for the restoration of p53 activity. In wild-type p53-bearing tumors, MDM2/MDMX inhibitors to disrupt the interaction between p53 and MDM2/MDMX have been developed to activate p53. In tumors carrying mutant p53, small molecules that stabilize protein folding have been discovered to reactivate the mutant p53 proteins.
A Comparison of the Fatigue Life of Shot-Peened 4340M Steel with 100, 200, and 300% Coverage

Shot peening has been widely used for improving the fatigue performance of structural components. The objectives of this study are to increase the fatigue life of 4340M steel by shot peening and to compare performance at three different shot-peening coverages (100, 200, and 300%). The results show that the optimum coverage for 4340M steel is 200% in this experiment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the microstructural properties and estimate the depth and length of the resulting cracks. A proposed innovative technique, which still needs further verification, was applied to enable SEM to differentiate between the appearances of the three coverages. Residual stresses measured using x-ray diffraction showed that 200% coverage had comparatively the highest residual compressive stresses.
A Close Look at BACE1 Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of age-dependent dementia, is one of the most significant healthcare problems worldwide. Aggravating this situation, drugs that are currently US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for AD treatment do not prevent or delay disease progression. Therefore, developing effective therapies for AD patients is of critical urgency. Human genetic and clinical studies over the past three decades have indicated that abnormal generation or accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is a likely culprit in AD pathogenesis. Aβ is generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP) via proteolytic cleavage by β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) (memapsin 2, β-secretase, Asp 2 protease) and γ-secretase. Mice deficient in BACE1 show abrogated production of Aβ. Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of BACE1 is being intensively pursued as a therapeutic approach to treat AD patients. Recent setbacks in clinical trials with BACE1 inhibitors have highlighted the critical importance of understanding how to properly inhibit BACE1 to treat AD patients. This review summarizes the recent studies on the role of BACE1 in synaptic functions as well as our views on BACE1 inhibition as an effective AD treatment.
Who Reveals, Who Conceals?: Candidate Gender and Policy Transparency:

Do women candidates in the United States more openly provide the specific details of their policy preferences and make clear their political ideology? Previous research supports all manner of confl...
Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation: Beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc Score.

Stroke prevention is the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the anticoagulation decision is currently based on CHA2DS2-VASc risk score. We discuss several novel risk factors besides those included in CHA2DS2-VASc score and alternative models for stroke prediction. Several clinical markers including obstructive sleep apnea and renal failure, laboratory markers like brain natriuretic peptide, imaging criteria including left atrial appendage morphology, spontaneous echo contrast, and coronary artery calcium score may predict stroke in AF patients. Addition of African American ethnicity to CHA2DS2-VASc score also improves stroke prediction in AF. Finally, novel models including TIMI-AF score, ATRIA score, and GARFIELD-AF scores have potential roles in risk stratification for stroke. While CHA2DS2-VASc score is the currently recommended risk stratification model for stroke prediction in AF, use of additional clinical, laboratory, imaging markers, ethnicity, and novel stroke prediction models may further assist in decision to anticoagulate the AF patient for stroke prevention.
Urban Stormwater: An Overlooked Pathway of Extensive Mixed Contaminants to Surface and Groundwaters in the United States.

Increasing global reliance on stormwater control measures to reduce discharge to surface water, increase groundwater recharge, and minimize contaminant delivery to receiving waterbodies necessitate...
Comparison of Neonatal Intubation Practice and Outcomes between the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Delivery Room.

BACKGROUND Characteristics of neonatal tracheal intubations (TI) may vary between the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and delivery room (DR). The impact of the setting on TI outcomes is not well characterized. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to define variation in neonatal TI practice between settings, and identify the association between setting and TI success and safety outcomes. DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of TIs in the National Emergency Airway Registry for Neonates from October 2014 to September 2017. The setting (NICU vs. DR) was the exposure of interest. The outcomes were first attempt success, course success, success within 4 attempts, adverse TI-associated events, severe desaturation, and bradycardia. We compared TI characteristics and outcomes between settings in univariable analysis. Factors significant in univariable analysis (p < 0.1) were included in a logistic regression model, with adjustment for clustering by center, to identify the independent impact of the setting on TI outcomes. RESULTS There were 3,145 TI encounters (2279 NICU, 866 DR) in 9 centers. Almost all baseline characteristics significantly varied between settings. First attempt success rates were 48% (NICU) and 46% (DR). In multivariable analysis, the setting was not associated with first attempt success. DR was associated with a higher adjusted OR (aOR) of success within 4 attempts (1.48, 95% CI 1.06-2.08) and a lower aOR for bradycardia (0.43, 95% CI 0.26-0.71). CONCLUSION Significant differences in patient, provider, and practice characteristics exist between NICU and DR TIs. There is substantial room for improvement in first attempt success rates. These results suggest interventions to improve safety and success need to be targeted to the distinct setting.
Spectrum and Resolvent

This chapter introduces the notion of the spectrum of an operator (possibly unbounded) on a Hilbert space. The theory of the resolvent operator is developed and used to establish basic properties of the spectrum.
Diffusion-Controlled Spontaneous Emulsification of Water-Soluble Oils via Micelle Swelling

Spontaneous emulsification of toluene, xylenes, cyclohexane, and mineral oil in a nonionic nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactant solution was investigated by visual observations coupled with dynamic light scatting measurements and interfacial tensiometry. For water-soluble oils, nanoscale emulsions formed spontaneously by diffusion of oil molecules into the aqueous surfactant solutions and subsequent swelling of surfactant micelles with oil. Micelle swelling rates were quantified to assess system spontaneity, revealing that oil solubility in water was directly correlated to the spontaneity of the emulsion (toluene > xylenes > cyclohexane). When experiments were intentionally designed to create surfactant concentration gradients, Marangoni flows were found to enhance spontaneity. Despite their spontaneous formation, emulsion stability was limited over the course of 40 days by Ostwald ripening followed by creaming and evaporation. These results provide insights on the likelihood of nanoemulsion formation and persistence in oily wastewater as the components in this study are present in many wastewater systems.