cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antimalarial preclinical drug development: A single oral dose of a 5-carbon-linked trioxane dimer plus mefloquine cures malaria-infected mice

Three new 5-carbon-linked trioxane dimer carboxylate esters have been prepared from the natural trioxane, artemisinin in only 3-steps and 40-50% overall yields. Each one of these new chemical entities is at least as efficacious as the clinically used trioxane antimalarial drug artemether when combined with mefloquine hydrochloride in a low single oral dose cure.
Temporal progression of cocaine dependence symptoms in the US National Comorbidity Survey.

Objective Cocaine dependence first appeared as a diagnostic category in 1987 with the publication of DSM-III-R. While the temporal sequencing of alcohol symptoms has a long history, little such attention has been focused on cocaine dependence. This paper examines the retrospective recall of DSM-III-R cocaine dependence symptom progression among a large sample of cocaine users and the relationship of these symptoms to psychiatric comorbidity. Methods Using data from the US National Comorbidity Survey, DSM-III-R criterion ‘’ cocaine dependence symptoms were sequenced temporally based on age of symptom onset. Each of these numerical symptom strings was examined to determine its prevalence and association to comorbid psychiatric disorders. Results Cocaine users represented 16% of the sample. Although hundreds of symptom sequence permutations are possible, only a few are highly prevalent. Subjects whose early onset symptoms are neuroadaptive (e.g. tolerance and withdrawal) are more likely to develop cocaine dependence than subjects whose early symptoms are characterized by psychosocial consequences. Furthermore, certain temporal patterns were found to increase or decrease the presence or absence of cocaine dependence and psychiatric comorbidity. Finally, psychiatric comorbidity preceded rather than followed cocaine use onset disproportionately. Conclusions Like alcohol users, cocaine users follow a limited array of symptom sequence pathways from first use to dependence. By better understanding and examining the temporal progression of drug use symptoms, clinicians might improve screening and assessment activities and determine more effectively the extent of risks associated with continued premorbid drug use and enhance treatment-matching. We encourage clinicians to develop evaluation instruments that specifically ask patients to sequence their cocaine use-related symptoms temporally.
Techniques to maximize flexible ureteroscope longevity.

Abstract Objectives To assess methods to improve the longevity and durability of flexible ureteroscopes by using the ureteral access sheath, 200-μm holmium laser fiber, and nitinol baskets or graspers during routine ureteroscopic procedures. Despite adequate advances in fiberoptics and endoscope design, the decreased size of currently available flexible ureteroscopes makes damage inevitable after repeated use. However, new auxiliary tools may be able to enhance ureteroscope durability. Methods The indications for performing flexible ureteroscopy were proximal ureteral stones (n = 32), renal calculi (n = 59), treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (n = 3), evaluation of hematuria or filling defect (n = 7), and treatment of ureteral strictures or ureteropelvic junction obstruction (n = 8). Using four new 7.5F flexible ureteroscopes, we prospectively evaluated the number of passes of each ureteroscope until more than 20 optical fibers were broken, more than a 25° loss of deflection in either direction had occurred, or the instrument sustained injury requiring repair by the manufacturer. Results One hundred nine flexible ureteroscopic procedures (average 27.5 procedures per instrument; range 19 to 34) were performed with the four new flexible ureteroscopes before being sent for repair. Adjuncts to reduce scope damage during these procedures were the use of the ureteral access sheath (n = 109), nitinol devices allowing lower pole stone retrieval (n = 27), and the 200-μm holmium laser fiber for stone fragmentation, tumor ablation, and incision of ureteropelvic junction/ureteral stenoses (n = 91). The average number of passes until more than 20 optical fibers were broken was 15.3 (range 12 to 20), until more than a 25° loss of deflection occurred was 50.3 (range 42 to 66), or until the scope required repair was 66.7 (range 46 to 82). Conclusions Flexible ureteroscopy will be used increasingly to manage upper urinary tract pathologic findings. Historically, the number of procedures performed before a flexible ureteroscope requires repair averaged 6 to 15. By incorporating the new ureteroscopic accessories, such as nitinol devices, a ureteral access sheath, and the 200-μm holmium laser fiber into common practice, one can reduce the strain on these fragile 7.5F endoscopes, thereby maximizing their longevity.
A Multiband Inductor-Reuse CMOS Low-Noise Amplifier

This paper presents the design and implementation of a new multiband, multistandard CMOS low-noise amplifier (LNA) that reuses inductors for different frequency bands to minimize chip area. The idea is to adaptively reconfigure a CMOS transistor in either common source or common gate configuration to achieve narrow-band (NB) or wide-band (WB) input matching, respectively, while conveniently reusing input and load inductors for both bands. This architecture is suitable for 802.11 a/b/g and Public Safety Broadband (PSB) applications, where the NB configuration covers wireless local area network (WLAN) 802.11 b/g, while the WB configuration accommodates the PSB at 4.9 GHz and WLAN 802.11 a. Two versions of the proposed idea, a tapped-capacitor and a tapped-inductor input-matched LNA, have each been designed and fabricated in 0.13-mum CMOS and measurement results are demonstrated.
Channel Modeling and Signal Processing for Probe Storage Channels

Probe-storage devices employ large arrays of probes to write/read data in parallel in some storage medium, and combine ultra-high density, low access times, and low power consumption. A particular probe-storage technique utilizes thermomechanical means to store and retrieve information in thin polymer films. In this paper, a system-level channel model for the thermomechanical probe-storage channel is presented. Each of the components of the proposed model is derived by extensive characterization of experimentally obtained readback signals from probe recording tests. Moreover, detection techniques that are actually utilized in a probe-storage prototype implementation are described, followed by coding techniques for added reliability in the presence of particles or other impurities of the storage medium. In addition to low-complexity coding constructs, a concatenated coding scheme with an outer LDPC and inner modulation code is considered, in order to establish a benchmark for overall system performance. A novel methodology for joint decoding of outer LDPC and inner (d,k) modulation codes is developed. Furthermore, an optimal soft decoder for the modulation code is proposed, based on a modification of the decoder metrics to accurately account for the probe storage channel output statistics. Experimental results are used throughout the paper to validate the channel model and identify its relevant parameters, as well as to verify the system performance obtained by simulations.
Boundary-layer instability experiment with localized disturbance

Laminar boundary layer on a flat plate with zero pressure gradient was excited by a solitary three-dimensional disturbance. The growth of the disturbance was studied using a 10-channel linearized d.c.-coupled hot-wire system. The development of the disturbance flow field was studied and compared with theory by Criminale & Kovasznay (1962). The experimental results indicate a departure from the theory on account of the simplifying assumptions made in the theory. Certain new results were also obtained.
Measurement of Gratifications

Various operational problems confronting researchers working in the area of media gratifications are discussed. Strategies are delineated and difficulties inherent in each detailed Data from four studies are presented to provide solutions to some of these problems.
Photosynthetic and Respiratory Rates of Two Psychrophilic Diatoms

The photosynthetic rates in two psychrophilic diatoms, Chaetoceros sp. strain K3-10 and Nitzschia sp. K3-3 for cells grown at 0°C were 8 to 10 microliters O2 evolved per milligram dry weight per hour, and 10-fold higher, about 80 for cells grown at 10°C. The respiration rates followed the same pattern, with a value of around 1 microliter dark uptake per milligram dry weight per hour for both organisms grown at 0°C, and 6 to 10 for cells grown at 10°C. When cells grown at 0°C were immediately shifted to 10°C or cells grown at 10°C were shifted to 0°C, the respiratory rates quickly adapted to values characteristic of cells grown at the shift temperature. On the other hand, the light-saturated rate of O2 evolution showed much less immediate adaptation, especially on the up shift, 0° to 10°C. The chlorophyll a content of 0°C grown cells was about 0.5% of dry weight, in 10°C grown cells 1.3% (strain K3-10) and 2.2% (strain K3-3). In addition to a diminished chlorophyll a content in 0°C grown cells, there seemed proportionally (by absorbance and calculation) less c to a than in 10°C grown cells. The relative fluorescence excitation spectra of 680-nm emission also showed a lower contribution by both chlorophyll c and fucoxanthin in 0°C grown cells of Chaetoceros sp. strain K3-10 as compared to 10°C grown cells. The data at hand suggest that in psychrophilic diatoms continuously growing at 0°C there may be problems associated with synthesis of an effective accessory pigment system, and as a working hypothesis it is suggested this is related to restriction of synthesis of one or several accessory pigment proteins.
Low-heat alkaline pretreatment of biomass for dairy anaerobic codigestion

In this research, low-heat alkaline pretreatment was evaluated to determine the extent to which urban landscape waste (yard waste), corn stover, and switchgrass could be codigested under conditions typical of US farm-based anaerobic digestion (AD). Waste heat from combined heat and power (CHP) units associated with AD could make such pretreatment economical. Short-term batch digestion studies and 8-week continuous-feed studies were used to screen and evaluate various pretreatment conditions. Results indicate that maple and oak leaves did not digest well, even with pretreatment. Pretreatment did improve digestion of corn leaves and stalks as well as switchgrass. However, these materials also digested reasonably well even without pretreatment. No digester operational problems were observed during continuous-feed studies of intermittently stirred bench top digesters, but optimal levels of alkali, temperature, and pretreatment time may be specific to the feedstock, particle size, and digester loading rate. Results suggest that some common lignocellulosic biomass materials, such as corn stover and switchgrass, could be successfully codigested in many existing farm-based digesters. Interestingly, without pretreatment, switchgrass digestion improved over 20-fold when digested with seed culture from a dairy digester compared to seed culture from a municipal digester, suggesting that culture acclimation could be as important as pretreatment in improving digestion of specific lignocellulosic feedstocks.
Changes in microvascular diameter and oxygen tension induced by carbon dioxide.

Microvascular diameters in the hamster cheek pouch were measured with a Vickers image-shearing eyepiece, and oxygen tension (Po2) was measured amperometrically with 2-6µ microcathodes. Perivascular...
Cytotoxicity of TNFα is regulated by integrin-mediated matrix signaling

Cytokines of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family regulate inflammation and immunity, and a subset of this family can also induce cell death in a context-dependent manner. Although TNFα is cytotoxic to certain tumor cell lines, it induces apoptosis in normal cells only when NFκB signaling is blocked. Here we show that the matricellular protein CCN1/CYR61 can unmask the cytotoxic potential of TNFα without perturbation of NFκB signaling or de novo protein synthesis, leading to rapid apoptosis in the otherwise resistant primary human fibroblasts. CCN1 acts through binding to integrins αvβ5, α6β1, and syndecan-4, triggering the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through a Rac1-dependent mechanism via 5-lipoxygenase and the mitochondria, leading to the biphasic activation of JNK necessary for apoptosis. Mice with the genomic Ccn1 locus replaced with an apoptosis-defective Ccn1 allele are substantially resistant to TNFα-induced apoptosis in vivo. These results indicate that CCN1 may act as a physiologic regulator of TNFα cytotoxicity, providing the contextual cues from the extracellular matrix for TNFα-mediated cell death.
Signalling in the yeasts: an informational cascade with links to the filamentous fungi

All cells, from bacteria and yeasts to mammalian cells, respond to cues from their environment. A variety of mechanisms exist for the transduction of these external signals to the interior of the cell, resulting in altered patterns of protein activity. Eukaryotic cells commonly transduce external cues via a conserved module composed of three protein kinases, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. This module can then activate substrates, some of which include transcriptional activators. Multiple MAPK signalling pathways coexist in a cell. This review considers different MAPK cascade signalling pathways that govern several aspects of the life cycle of budding and fission yeasts: conjugation and meiosis by the pheromone response pathway, stress response by the high-osmolarity sensing pathway, cell wall biosynthesis in response to activation of the low-osmolarity and heat-sensing pathway, and pseudohyphal growth in response to activation of a subset of the components of the pheromone response pathway. Because the MAPK cascade components are highly conserved, a key question in studies of these pathways is the mechanism by which specificity of response is achieved. Several other issues to be addressed in this review concern the nature of the receptors used to sense the external signals and the mechanism by which the receptors communicate with other components leading to activation of the MAPK cascade. Recently, it has become apparent that MAPK cascades are important in governing the pathogenicity of filamentous fungi.
Portal flow and arterioportal shunting after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation.

PURPOSE It was postulated that a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) produces arterioportal shunting and accounts for reversed flow in the intrahepatic portal veins (PVs) after creation of the TIPS. This study sought to quantify this shunting in patients undergoing TIPS creation and/or revision with use of a direct catheterbased technique and by measuring changes in blood oxygenation within the TIPS and the PV. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study consisted of 26 patients. Median Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Child-Pugh scores were 13 and 9, respectively. Primary TIPS creation was attempted in 21 patients and revision of failing TIPS was undertaken in five. In two patients, TIPS creation was unsuccessful. All TIPS creation procedures but one were performed with use of polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts. Flow within the main PV (Q portal ) was measured with use of a retrograde thermodilutional catheter before and after TIPS creation/revision, and TIPS flow (Q TIPS ) was measured at procedure completion. The amount of arterioportal shunting was assumed to be the increase between final Q portal and Q TIPS , assuming Q TIPS was equivalent to the final Qportal plus the reversed flow in the right and left PVs. Oxygen saturation within the TIPS and the PV was determined from samples obtained during TIPS creation and revision. RESULTS Mean Q portal before TIPS creation was 691 mL/min; mean Q portal after TIPS creation was 1,136 mL/min, representing a 64% increase ( P = .049). Mean Q TIPS was 1,631 mL/min, a 44% increase from final Q portal ( P = .0009). Among cases of revision, baseline Q portal was 1,010 mL/min and mean Q portal after TIPS revision was 1,415 mL/min, a 40% increase. Mean Q TIPS was 1,693 mL/min, a 20% increase from final Q portal ( P = .42). Arterioportal shunting rates were 494 mL/min after TIPS creation and 277 mL/min after TIPS revision, representing 30% of total Q TIPS after TIPS creation and 16% of Q TIPS after TIPS revision. No increase in oxygen tension or saturation was seen in the PV or TIPS compared with initial PV levels. Q TIPS did not correlate with the portosystemic gradient. CONCLUSION TIPS creation results in significant arterioportal shunting, with less arterioportal shunting seen among patients who undergo TIPS revision. Further work is necessary to correlate Q TIPS with the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure.
RNA regulatory element BLE1 directs the early steps of bicoid mRNA localization

Deployment of the bicoid morphogen gradient in early Drosophila embryos requires the prelocalization of bicoid mRNA to the anterior pole of the egg. This anterior localization is mediated by a cis-acting localization signal contained within the 3' untranslated region of the bicoid mRNA. Here we use a series of bicoid transgenes carrying small deletions in the 3' untranslated region to survey for functional elements that constitute the localization signal. We identify and characterize one essential element, BLE1, which specifically directs the early steps of localization. In addition, we find that many deletions within the bicoid mRNA 3' untranslated region impair but do not prevent localization. One such deletion specifically interferes with a later step in localization. Thus the bicoid mRNA localization signal appears to consist of multiple different elements, each responsible for different steps in the localization process.
Hydration status affects mood state and pain sensation during ultra-endurance cycling

Laboratory-based studies indicate mild dehydration adversely affects mood. Although ultra-endurance events often result in mild to moderate dehydration, little research has evaluated whether the re...
Impacts of Multiprocessor Configurations on Workloads in Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is among the most active research areas in computer science. In this study, we investigate a suite of workloads in bioinformatics on two multiprocessor systems with different configurations, and examine the effects of the configurations on the performance of the workloads. Our result indicates that the configurations of the multiprocessor systems have significant impact on the performance and scalability of the workloads. For example, a number of workloads have significantly higher scalability on one of the systems, but poorer absolute performance than on the other system. However, traditional scalability failed to capture the impacts of the system configurations on the workloads. We present insights on what kinds of workloads will run faster on which systems and propose new metrics to capture the impacts of multiple processor configurations on the workloads. These findings not only provide an easy way to compare results running on different systems, but also enable re-configuration of the underlying systems to run specific workloads efficiently. We also show how processor mapping and loop spreading may help map the workoads to the underlining multiprocessor configuration and achieve consistent scalability for these workloads.
Angiotensin II and bradykinin stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown in intact rat kidney glomeruli but not in proximal tubules: glomerular response modulated by phorbol ester.

Abstract We have investigated the effect of angiotensin II, bradykinin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor I on phosphoinositide turnover in intact rat glomeruli and tubules. Angiotensin II produced a dose-dependent increase in inositol monophosphate formation with an IC 50 of 10 −7 M, when added to isolated rat glomeruli. Angiotensin II-stimulated inositol phosphates formation was inhibited by the angiotensin receptor antagonist [Sar-Leu8]angiotensin II, indicating that the above response was mediated through activation of an angiotensin receptor in intact glomeruli. Besides angiotensin, in intact glomeruli, only bradykinin stimulated a phosphoinositide response, while in intact proximal tubules, none of the agonists tested produced an activation of the inositol phosphate formation. Angiotensin II- and bradykinin-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation in intact glomeruli was inhibited by phorbol myristate acetate, an activator of protein kinase C.
New mathematical models of an optical communication system

In this paper we present two new dynamic (mathematical) models for passive optical coupler for optical fibre local area network. The input, measured in terms of the number of user requests in each time slice, is modeled as a Poisson random process with time varying mean intensity thereby allowing time varying data traffic. We introduce a cost functional reflecting the measure of performance of the system in terms of average throughput, channel under utilization, and loss of service. The proposed models allow estimation of design parameters that cannot be achieved by static analysis. >
Systemic Therapeutic Agents and Retinal Toxicity

With the thousands of systemic therapeutic agents available, only a limited number of medications have been associated with retinal and retinal pigment epithelial toxicity. The intent of this report is to review these medications and discuss the mechanisms of toxicity when known. Emphasis will be placed on agents producing toxicity to the mature retina
Dynamic behavior of ultra-thin polymer films deposited on surface acoustical wave devices

Abstract This paper reports the experimental results for polymer-coated surface acoustic wave (SAW) that were exposed to various gases (carbon dioxide, methane, ethane). The polymers used to coat the SAW devices were polycarbonate (PC; glassy), polyisobutylene (PIB; rubbery), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS; most rubbery). It was observed that the direction of the frequency shift of the SAW delay line oscillator for the SAW filters coated with PC and PIB could be described from existing work by Wohltjen [H. Wohltjen, Mechanism of operation and design considerations for surface acoustic wave device vapor sensors, Sensors and Actuators A 5 (1984) 307-325] in which the modulus terms and the electrical terms are insignificant compared to the mass loading terms. However, for the PDMS-coated SAW this was not the case. In every experiment performed, the frequency shift was positive, exactly opposite of what was predicted by the Wohltjen's equation for acoustically thin, perfectly elastic films. It is felt that operation at high frequencies causes changes in the oscillation frequency due to changes in the modulus term in Wohltjen's equation to be comparable to the change in frequency due to the mass loading (Δ hρ ′) term. This is especially relevant if the solubility of the penetrant gases is low.
Poststructuralist Theory and Sociolinguistics: Mapping the Linguistic Turn in Social Theory

Poststructuralist theory has been broadly influential throughout the humanities and social sciences for two decades, yet sociolinguistic engagement with poststructuralism has been limited to select subfields. In this paper, I consider the possibilities for richer cross-disciplinary work involving sociolinguistics and poststructuralist social theory. I begin by describing the place of social theory within sociolinguistics, paying attention both to the possibilities of interdisciplinarity and the resistance to it. I then introduce the basic tenets of poststructuralism, focusing primarily on its two main constructs, ‘performativity’ and ‘discourse,’ and briefly discuss the discontentment with structuralism that resulted in ‘the linguistic turn’. I outline the sites in the literature where sociolinguists have already made use of poststructuralist approaches, and conclude by suggesting new possibilities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Though the paper focuses primarily on variationist sociolinguistics in the U.S. academy, I also make reference to other fields that work with non-static, anti-essentialist approaches to sociality, such as critical discourse analysis. I contend that poststructuralist approaches to social theory are useful for sociolinguists, especially variationists, in that they resist the false dichotomy between agency and structure and provide a comprehensive way of thinking about identity that ignores neither practice nor subjectivity.
Bored with the core: stimulating student interest in online general education

Motivating students to learn in general education courses, particularly in an online environment, is a challenge for many colleges and universities. A general education curriculum, by definition, is wide-ranging in its scope of topics, disciplines, and applications, but many students enter college with specific personal interests or affinities for particular areas of academic study. This interest gap between individual student interests and general education offerings is frequently expressed by students in their desire to “get the core courses out of the way.” For those institutions that appreciate the role that a general education curriculum plays in providing students with a holistic liberal arts education, this “get them out of the way” attitude must be addressed. Through the application of text-based situational interest research, and creative writing principles and techniques to instructional design, this article offers educators theoretical insights and practical ways to stimulate student interest i...
National Mapping for Urban Areas

The need for topographic mapping with increasing scales and more detail has grown steadily since the inception of the national program. As a result, a mapping scale which began at 1:250,000 has evolved into the present 1:24,000 basic scale. The Geological Survey is exploring the need for general-purpose maps at a larger scale that might help solve the environmental problems of urban areas. The Urban Mapping Coordination Group (five Federal bureaus) is also working towards this goal. A study completed by the System Development Corporation provided valuable related information and statistics. To ascertain how the functions of city agencies can be better served by maps and cartographic data, the Geological Survey recently conducted a study of map use in the District of Columbia government. Also beneficial to urban use is the Survey's development of the orthophotomap and a rapid method of map revision called interim revision. Although the Geological Survey is pledged to continue its primary program - to provide standard-quadrangle topographic coverage at 1:24,000 scale - it will also continue to assess the need for an urban series of general-purpose maps at a larger scale.
The use of Spanish by a monolingual kindergarten teacher to support English language learners

This article reports on a case study of a kindergarten, monolingual teacher and how she used Spanish, the home language of her Latino/a students who are English language learners (ELLs), in the classroom. The article focuses on how the teacher develops and uses her emerging knowledge of Spanish to scaffold students' learning, specifically when emphasizing instruction, reinforcing key concepts, checking comprehension, managing the classroom, relating to students and providing encouragement. This study provides evidence that monolingual teachers can develop skills to use students' home languages as an effective literacy teaching tool.
Fixed single-cell transcriptomic characterization of human radial glial diversity

The diverse progenitors that give rise to the human neocortex have been difficult to characterize because progenitors, particularly radial glia (RG), are rare and are defined by a combination of intracellular markers, position and morphology. To circumvent these problems, we developed Fixed and Recovered Intact Single-cell RNA (FRISCR), a method for profiling the transcriptomes of individual fixed, stained and sorted cells. Using FRISCR, we profiled primary human RG that constitute only 1% of the midgestation cortex and classified them as ventricular zone-enriched RG (vRG) that express ANXA1 and CRYAB, and outer subventricular zone-localized RG (oRG) that express HOPX. Our study identified vRG and oRG markers and molecular profiles, an essential step for understanding human neocortical progenitor development. FRISCR allows targeted single-cell profiling of any tissues that lack live-cell markers.
The Effects of Stress on the Immune System

There are presently seven known and characterized human herpesviruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein—Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), and HHV-7. Recently, another human herpesvirus has been linked to Kaposi’s sarcoma and designated HHV-8; studies are still under way to characterize this virus.
Telokin expression is restricted to smooth muscle tissues during mouse development

Telokin is a 17-kDa protein with an amino acid sequence that is identical to the COOH terminus of the 130-kDa myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Telokin mRNA is transcribed from a second promoter, l...
Regional anaesthesia and analgesia: relationship to cancer recurrence and survival

Cancer treatment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Surgery is a mainstay of treatment for many tumours, and anaesthetists care for cancer patients on a daily basis. Surgery itself induces a stress response and inhibits the immune system, and cancer surgery is associated with the release of tumour cells systemically. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the anaesthetics and adjuvants given in the perioperative period can affect cancer recurrence and survival, perhaps tipping the balance in some instances to determine whether cancer progresses or regresses. Retrospective studies have hinted that regional anaesthesia can play a protective role in cancer surgery, but many of these studies are small and subject to bias. We eagerly await the results of several large, randomized controlled trials examining the impact of regional anaesthesia and analgesia on cancer recurrence and survival.
Molecular Scale Modeling of Polymer Imprint Nanolithography

We present the results of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of two different nanolithographic processes, step-flash imprint lithography (SFIL), and hot embossing. We insert rigid stamps in...
Does Social Support Buffer the Stress of Discrimination and Reduce Psychological Distress Among Asian Americans

Using the stress process paradigm and data from the first national epidemiological survey of Asian Americans, we investigate whether social support from family and friends buffers the stress of dis...
Grain Boundary Confinement in Soi Films Using Patterned Ar Coatings and Seeded Oscillatory Growth

Regular arrays of grain-boundary-free silicon strips several hundred microns long have been produced in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure by using a patterned anti-reflection (AR) coating in combination with seeded oscillatory growth techniques. The AR coating pattern consists of a series of parallel stripes (typically 10 μm wide, separated by 10 μm spaces) starting from a seeding window. A laser beam (typically a 50) μm × 250 μm elliptical beam) is scanned perpendicular to the stripes, with the long axis of the beam parallel to the scan direction. The beam is stepped 1–2 μm between successive scans to advance the single crystal along the direction of the AR stripes. Grain boundaries are confined to the region under the AR stripes. Stereographic analysis of KOH etch pits formed in the single-crystal strips has shown that the orientation of the stripes gradually rotates from (001) % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaagKart1ev2aqatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn % hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr % 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9 % vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x % fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaam4waiqadg % dagaqeaiqadgdagaqeaiaadcdacaWGDbaaaa!3A0A! $[\bar 1\bar 10]$ to (013) % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaagKart1ev2aqatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn % hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr % 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9 % vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x % fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaam4waiqado % dagaqeaiqadodagaqeaiaadgdacaWGDbaaaa!3A0F! $[\bar 3\bar 31]$ as the crystal propagates away from the seed. MOS transistors formed in the single-crystal strips have mobilities comparable to devices formed in bulk films. These mobilities are approximately 20% higher than those found in devices formed in large-grain recrystallized polysilicon films.
The valuation of emerging media arts in the age of digital reproduction

The proliferation of artists, audiences, and participants who have the ability to create mirror copies of original digital media arts work challenges us to re-examine how value is assigned to digital media arts work. Historically, space and capital limitations restricted the public's accessibility to artwork, but the growth of mass digital reproduction and alternative forms of art exhibition spaces is having a profound effect on the experience and valuation of digital media arts work. For example, the online distribution of digital media arts work across networks facilitates the circumvention of traditional valuation models. In this essay, I explore the background and challenges to assigning value to digital media arts work. This essay also investigates alternative models of exhibition and valuation of digital media arts work in the institutional, private, and public spheres.
Still Photography Throwdown: Silver Halide vs. Silicon.

Still photography has a rich history of technological innovations to record the light in a scene dating back to the early 19th century (at least). The recent decades have seen these technological innovations create a revolutionary shift in the materials, processes, and uses of still images. Most of the still photography world has completed a move from silver halide (AgX) technology that dominated the field for over a century to digital still cameras based on silicon (Si) sensors that arrived on the scene about two decades ago and have essentially supplanted AgX capture technologies in most applications. This research ponders the question of whether the image quality obtained with Si has also surpassed that of AgX in the context of typical consumer and professional photographic prints and soft displays. Four camera systems, two digital and two film based, were evaluated using both objective image quality metrics and psychophysical evaluation of prints and displayed images. The results show that a high-end digital SLR does indeed produce better images than an equivalent 35mm film system, but that a typical digital point-and-shoot camera has substandard quality that can be somewhat attributed to “too many megapixels” and “too much post processing” for the lens capabilities and sensor size. The conclusion is that indeed film is done, but there remain significant areas for improvement in digital systems. In particular improvements in printing techniques, lens-sensor matching, and noise reduction are called for.
Hematuria, proteinuria, and urinary tract infections.

The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders, the most common persistent problems in the area of renal disease, are reviewed.
Combinatorial extracellular matrix microenvironments promote survival and phenotype of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells in hypoxia.

Abstract Recent developments in cell therapy using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) hold great promise for treating ischemic cardiovascular tissues. However, poor post-transplantation viability largely limits the potential of stem cell therapy. Although the extracellular matrix (ECM) has become increasingly recognized as an important cell survival factor, conventional approaches primarily rely on single ECMs for in vivo co-delivery with cells, even though the endothelial basement membrane is comprised of a milieu of different ECMs. To address this limitation, we developed a combinatorial ECM microarray platform to simultaneously interrogate hundreds of micro-scale multi-component chemical compositions of ECMs on iPSC-EC response. After seeding iPSC-ECs onto ECM microarrays, we performed high-throughput analysis of the effects of combinatorial ECMs on iPSC-EC survival, endothelial phenotype, and nitric oxide production under conditions of hypoxia (1% O2) and reduced nutrients (1% fetal bovine serum), as is present in ischemic injury sites. Using automated image acquisition and analysis, we identified combinatorial ECMs such as collagen IV + gelatin + heparan sulfate + laminin and collagen IV + fibronectin + gelatin + heparan sulfate + laminin that significantly improved cell survival, nitric oxide production, and CD31 phenotypic expression, in comparison to single-component ECMs. These results were further validated in conventional cell culture platforms and within three-dimensional scaffolds. Furthermore, this approach revealed complex ECM interactions and non-intuitive cell behavior that otherwise could not be easily determined using conventional cell culture platforms. Together these data suggested that iPSC-EC delivery within optimal combinatorial ECMs may improve their survival and function under the condition of hypoxia with reduced nutrients. Statement of Significance Human endothelial cells (ECs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-ECs) are promising for treating diseases associated with reduced nutrient and oxygen supply like heart failure. However, diminished iPSC-EC survival after implantation into diseased environments limits their therapeutic potential. Since native ECs interact with numerous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins for functional maintenance, we hypothesized that combinatorial ECMs may improve cell survival and function under conditions of reduced oxygen and nutrients. We developed a high-throughput system for simultaneous screening of iPSC-ECs cultured on multi-component ECM combinations under the condition of hypoxia and reduced serum. Using automated image acquisition and analytical algorithms, we identified combinatorial ECMs that significantly improved cell survival and function, in comparison to single ECMs. Furthermore, this approach revealed complex ECM interactions and non-intuitive cell behavior that otherwise could not be easily determined.
Improved Near-Field Transducer Design for Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is the next-generation data storage technology that can address the challenge of increasing data storage capacity. The key to the design of an HAMR system is the near-field transducer (NFT) that focuses light to a very small scale in the range of tens of nanometers with a very high intensity. This is also associated with unwanted self-heating of the NFT, which is detrimental to the functionality of the NFT, and hence there is a need to improve NFT designs. We investigate a third dimension in the typical planer NFT design by introducing a taper in the model of an E antenna NFT design and study its effect on the optical and thermal performances of the NFT. We find that the proper optimization of the taper geometry gives rise to improved operation of the NFT. In addition, in terms of thermal figures of merit, its performance is also significantly superior.
Immunotherapy of Primary Ovarian Cancer Using Autologous Cytokine Induced Killer Cells Retargeted with Bispecific Antibodies: A Preclinical Study.

Abstract Cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells are ex-vivo activated and expanded CD8+ natural killer T cells that have been shown to have anti-tumor activity. This is the first study exploring cell killing of primary ovarian carcinoma with and without bispecific antibodies (BSAbs). Primary cancer cells and autologous CIK cells were collected from women with epithelial ovarian cancer. BSAbs against CA125 (BSAbxCA125) and Her2 (BSAbxHer2) were developed using chemical heteroconjugation. On FACS analysis, the expansion and stimulation of CIK cells resulted in a significant increase of CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD56+ T cells. With enhancement by BSAbs, the mean percent lysis in a 51Cr release assay of fresh ovarian cancer cells exposed to autologous CIK cells increased from 22% (±0.3) to 89% (±2.1) at an effector to target ratio (E:T) of 100:1. Anti-NKG2D antibodies significantly attenuated the CIK activity by 57% on primary cells. In a xenograft SCID mouse model, real-time tumor regression and progression was visualized using a non-invasive in vivo bioluminescence imaging system. Four hours after CIK cell injection, we were able to visualize CD8+NKG2D+ CIK cells infiltrating Her2-expressing cancer cells on fluorescence microscopy. Mice that underwent adoptive transfer of CIK cells redirected with BSAbxCA125 (p=0.0002) and BSAbxHer2 (p=0.0002) had a significant reduction in tumor burden and improvement in survival versus those treated with CIK cells alone (p=0.03). BSAbs significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of CIK cells in primary ovarian cancer cells and in our in vivo mouse model. The mechanism of cytolysis appears to be mediated in part by the NKG2D receptor.
Coordination Properties of Magnesium in Chlorophyll from IR and NMR Spectra

The infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of chlorophyll are best interpreted on the basis that the central magnesium atom of the chlorophyll always has a coordination number larger than 4. In electron-donor solvents, chlorophyll exists as monomer, with solvent molecules filling the axial position(s). In nonpolar solvents, the coordination unsaturation of the magnesium is relieved by coordination of the ketone oxygen function of one molecule of chlorophyll with the magnesium of another. This leads to dimer or higher aggregate formation in nonpolar media. Chlorophyll-ligand interactions can be studied by observing ring- current shielding effects on the chemical shifts of protons in ligands coordinated to the magnesium atom of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is shown by this procedure to coordinate ethanol and lutein but not 0 carotene. With plant sulf olipid, chlorophyll probably dissolves in sulf olipid micelles present in CCI4 solution as a result of phytyl long-chain fatty acid interactions rather than as a primary result of coordination interactions involving magnesium. Deuterated chlorophyll is shown to be very useful for these NMR studies.
The Active Isopotential Cell

Abstract The passive model constructed in Chapter 2 provides a fairly accurate prediction of the cell's response to ‘small’ current and/or synaptic input. For inputs of moderate size the passive model however fails to capture the characteristic oscillatory overshoot and undershoot, as in Figure 4.1A, while for large inputs it can not reproduce the cell's characteristic ‘action potential,’ see Figure 4.1B.
Huge traumatic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm is a very rare complication of penetrating thoracic trauma. We present a case of a 27-year-old woman who developed a 6.5-cm traumatic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm after suffering multiple stab wounds to the chest and the abdomen. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated endovascularly with vascular plug occlusion and coil embolization.
Evaluation of a School and Peer Based Anti-Smoking Program Targeting Southwest Louisiana Grade School Students:

Evidence suggests that anti-smoking programs that target school-aged children can be effective and that they can assist in reducing tobacco use among peers. This article presents an evaluation of a peer and school based mentoring program offered by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana in conjunction with local elementary schools. The program matches high school mentors with elementary school children believed to be at a high risk for smoking, as well as for alcohol and drug abuse. The results of the evaluation were mixed. Teachers and mentors praised the program. Participation in the program was also associated with a reduction in peer use of alcohol and tobacco. However, there was no significant difference between experimental and control groups with respect to how the grade school subjects recognized the harm that alcohol can produce for children. Further, there was no significant difference in how experimental and control groups viewed the damage to children that could be done by a combinati...
Ethical issues in pragmatic trials of "standard-of-care" interventions in learning health care systems.

Introduction Learning health care systems (LHS) hold the promise of improving medical care by systematically and continuously integrating the delivery of medical services with clinical research. One important type of integration would involve embedding trials that compare interventions that are already commonly in use (as "accepted" or "standard of care") into the clinical setting-trials that could cost-effectively improve care. But the traditional requirement of informed consent for clinical trials stands in tension with the conduct of such trials. Method Narrative analysis. Results Although some have suggested that the idea of LHS makes the distinction between research and ordinary clinical care obsolete, the distinction remains ethically relevant even when it comes to randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compare standard-of-care interventions. This paper presents an ethical framework for analyzing standard-of-care RCTs in resolving the tension between such trials and traditional requirements of research ethics. Conclusion It is important not to treat all standard-of-care RCTs as a monolithic category of special ethical status. Close attention to ethical issues in specific standard-of-care RCTs is crucial if the LHS movement is to avoid ethical lapses that could be counterproductive to its long term vision.
Towards breaking the spatial resolution barriers: An optical flow and super-resolution approach for sea ice motion estimation

Abstract Estimation of sea ice motion at fine scales is important for a number of regional and local level applications, including modeling of sea ice distribution, ocean-atmosphere and climate dynamics, as well as safe navigation and sea operations. In this study, we propose an optical flow and super-resolution approach to accurately estimate motion from remote sensing images at a higher spatial resolution than the original data. First, an external example learning-based super-resolution method is applied on the original images to generate higher resolution versions. Then, an optical flow approach is applied on the higher resolution images, identifying sparse correspondences and interpolating them to extract a dense motion vector field with continuous values and subpixel accuracies. Our proposed approach is successfully evaluated on passive microwave, optical, and Synthetic Aperture Radar data, proving appropriate for multi-sensor applications and different spatial resolutions. The approach estimates motion with similar or higher accuracy than the original data, while increasing the spatial resolution of up to eight times. In addition, the adopted optical flow component outperforms a state-of-the-art pattern matching method. Overall, the proposed approach results in accurate motion vectors with unprecedented spatial resolutions of up to 1.5 km for passive microwave data covering the entire Arctic and 20 m for radar data, and proves promising for numerous scientific and operational applications.