cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesothelial cell apoptosis is confirmed in vivo by morphological change in cytokeratin distribution.

Apoptosis of mesothelial cells has been demonstrated in vitro but not in vivo. To identify apoptotic pleural cells as mesothelial, we used cytokeratin as a marker and found a striking spheroid, aggregated appearance of cytokeratin in apparently apoptotic mesothelial cells. In in vitro studies, we found that the aggregated cytokeratin pattern correlated with apoptosis in primary mesothelial cells from mice, rabbits, and humans and was not seen with necrosis. In in vivo studies in mice, we then used this cytokeratin pattern to identify and quantitate apoptotic mesothelial cells. Apoptotic mesothelial cells were best harvested by pleural lavage, indicating that they were loosely adherent or nonadherent. Instillation of RPMI 1640 medium or wollastonite for 24 h induced apoptosis in 0.1 ± 0.1 (SE) and 1.0 ± 0.7%, respectively, of all mesothelial cells recovered, whereas instillation of known apoptotic stimuli, crocidolite asbestos (25 μg) for 24 h or actinomycin D plus murine tumor necrosis factor-α for 12 h, induced apoptosis in 5.1 ± 0.5 and 22.4 ± 4.5%, respectively (significantly greater than in control experiments, P < 0.05). By analysis of cytokeratin staining, mesothelial cell apoptosis has been confirmed in vivo.
Controlling synthesis of carbon nanostructures by plasma means in arc discharge

Properties of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are determined to large extent by synthesis techniques. Great interest in arc discharge production of SWNTs has been stimulated by its high practical utilization. While numerous studies of thermal stability of SWNTs were carried out, it is still under the question what is the critical temperatures that SWNTs can survive. At the same time thermal stability of SWNTs at conditions of atmospheric arc is crucial for determination of region of their synthesis in arc and in general for clarification of the thermal regime of SWNT in arc plasmas. We investigated electrical resistance dependence on temperature of mats of SWNTs under variable pressures in helium atmosphere, in the air and in vacuum in high temperature ranges (300-1200K) which closely mimic conditions during the synthesis in arc discharge. Dependence of SWNT resistance on temperature exhibits similar “V-shape” behavior for all applied conditions which characterized by two temperatures, namely Tmin-temperature corresponding to the minimum of resistance and Tcr-temperature of destruction of SWNT bundles. It is found that Tmin and Tcr in vacuum were 800 K and 900 K respectively and increased with helium pressure. Tcr increased faster with pressure than Tmin, so that at 500 Torr Tcr was around 1100K, while Tmin -900 K. This is the temperature that corresponds to buffer region between the arc plasma and helium background in arc discharge. Based on that it can be suggested that region of formation of SWNTs in arc should be close to arc periphery. Our study also demonstrates a strong effect of electric and magnetic fields on properties and growth conditions of SWNTs and other carbon nanostructures such as graphene. These effects are quantified by variety of diagnostics tools such as SEM, TEM, AFM - microcopies, TGA, RAMAN and UV-vis-NIR.
End-to-End Simulation and Analytical Model of Remote-Sensing Systems: Application to CRISM

The simulation of remote-sensing hyperspectral images is a useful tool for a variety of tasks such as the design of systems, the understanding of the image formation process, and the development and validation of data processing algorithms. The lack of ground truth and the incomplete knowledge of the Martian environment make simulation studies of Mars hyperspectral images a useful tool for automated analysis of Mars data. Hyperspectral near-infrared scenes of mineral mixtures have been simulated to analyze the contributions of surface minerals, atmosphere, and sensor noise on images of Mars. Modeling the remote-sensing process creates a means for the independent analysis of the influence of the environment and instruments on the detection accuracy of the surface composition (e.g., the scene endmembers). The end-to-end model builds surface reflectance scenes based on laboratory sample spectra, creates atmospheric effects using radiative transfer routines, simulates the instrument response function using CRISM data files, and adds instrument noise from thermal and other sources. The purpose of this paper is to understand the hyperspectral remote-sensing process to eventually enable the elevated detection accuracy of minerals on the surface of Mars. The viability of a linear approximation of the complete model is also investigated. The approximation is compared to the complete model in an image classification task.
Evaluation of a distributed broadcast scheduling protocol for multihop radio networks

In Ma and Lloyd (1998) we introduced a fully distributed algorithm (FDAS) for broadcast scheduling in multihop packet radio networks. In this paper we analyze the performance of that algorithm relative to non distributed broadcast scheduling algorithms and to a random access method. Both analytical and simulation results are presented. These analyses establish that FDAS has superior throughput and medium access delay performance at both the node and system levels.
Spirochete-like cells in a Dominican amber Ambylomma tick (Arachnida: Ixodidae)

Amber preserves microscopic, soft-bodies organisms and is a good medium in which to trace the evolution of pathogen–vector associations. Spirochetes-like cells (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) in the hemocoel and lumen of the alimentary tract of a larva tick (Amblyomma sp. Arachnida: Ixodidae) in Dominican amber are described in the collective fossil genus and species, Palaeoborrelia dominicanan. gen., n. sp. The size and shape of the fossil spirochetes closely resemble those of present-day Borrelia species. This discovery represents the first record of spirochete-like cells associated with fossil ticks.
Target Classification and Pattern Recognition Using Micro-Doppler Radar Signatures

Micro-motions, such as vibrations or rotations of an object or structures on the object, induce additional frequency modulations on returned radar signal, which generates sidebands about the object's Doppler frequency, called micro-Doppler by V.C. Chen et al. (2002). In this paper, we investigated statistical classification methods for target classification using their micro-Doppler signatures. At this stage only simulated data are studied, and two models are used to generate simulation data: point scatter model and RCS model. Both models are tested and compared for their performance on target classification
Specific absorption rate studies of the parallel transmission of inner‐volume excitations at 7T

Purpose: To investigate the behavior of whole-head and local specific absorption rate (SAR) as a function of trajectory acceleration factor and target excitation pattern due to the parallel transmission (pTX) of spatially tailored excitations at 7T. Materials and Methods: Finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulations in a multitissue head model were used to obtain B1 and electric field maps of an eight-channel transmit head array. Local and average SAR produced by 2D-spiral-trajectory excitations were examined as a function of trajectory acceleration factor, R, and a variety of target excitation parameters when pTX pulses are designed for constant root-mean-square excitation pattern error. Results: Mean and local SAR grow quadratically with flip angle and more than quadratically with R, but the ratio of local to mean SAR is not monotonic with R. SAR varies greatly with target position, exhibiting different behaviors as a function of target shape and size for small and large R. For example, exciting large regions produces less SAR than exciting small ones for R 4, but the opposite trend occurs when R 4. Furthermore, smoother and symmetric patterns produce lower SAR. Conclusion: Mean and local SAR vary by orders of magnitude depending on acceleration factor and excitation pattern, often exhibiting complex, nonintuitive behavior. To ensure safety compliance, it seems that model-based validation of individual target patterns and corresponding pTX pulses is necessary.
Analysis of the linearization around a critical point of an infinite dimensional Hamiltonian system

Partial differential equations that conserve energy can often be written as infinite-dimensional Hamiltonian systems of the following general form: du/dt=JE'(u), where J:X * →X is a symplectic matrix (i.e., JJ * =−1) and E: X→R is a C 2 functional defined on some Hilbert space X
The Doctrine of Friendship in Everyman

THE plot of Everyman obviously consists of a test of friendship made by a worldly young man when he suddenly learns that God has summoned him to his reckoning. The doctrine of friendship in this morality is accordingly worth examining even though our conclusion can be anticipated, namely, that this doctrine consists of the essential commonplaces of the mediaeval doctrine of friendship.' As in certain of the Faithful Friend analogues,2 these commonplaces have been adapted to the plot in keeping with two articles of faith in particular: (1) the necessity, for salvation, of good works, and (2) divine judgement after death.
Efficacy of Stenorol® (Halofuginone) I. Against Recent Field Isolates of Six Species of Chicken Coccidia

The efficacy of Stenorol (halofunginone) was tested against six species of chicken Eimeria in a series of four battery experiments utilizing 3- to 4 1/2-week-old Cobb color-sexed broiler chickens. There were five replicates of eight chickens per replicate for each treatment of an experiment or a total of 1080 birds used in the study. The isolates were predominantly E. tenella, E. maxima, E. acevulina, E. necatrix, E. brunetti, or E. mivati and had previously been proven partially to totally resistant to several commercially available anticoccidial drugs. Halofunginone, at 3 ppm in the ration, was highly effective (P less than .01) against all six isolates as measured by weight gain at D+6 or +7and D+12 or +14 postinoculation; feed efficiency at D-2 to D+12 or +14; morbidity; mortality; dropping score; lesion score (D+6 or +7); and oocyst production during 4 or 5 days postinoculation (D = day of inoculation). The drug was not as effective against E. acervulina as against the other species, and increasing halofuginone to 4 ppm failed to improve activity of the drug signif;cantly against this isolate. However, 3 ppm of drug was effective against two other isolates of E. acervulina (from Alabama and Mississippi); 4 ppm was quite effective (P less than .01) in reducing dropping and lesion scores, but not significantly better than 3 ppm as measureed by other parameters. No relapse occurred after drug withdrawal and halofuginone was found to be cidal rather than static.
Viscoelastic Taylor–Couette flow: bifurcation analysis in the presence of symmetries

The morphogenesis of secondary vortices is investigated for the axisymmetric flow of a viscoelastic fluid, confined between two independently rotating, infinitely long cylinders, in the region near the onset of instability of the purely azimuthal Couette flow. The Oldroyd-B constitutive equation is used to model viscoelasticity. Three characteristic regions in the parameter space, corresponding to three distinct solution families have been investigated where the onset of instability is due primarily to inertia, both inertia and elasticity, and exclusively elasticity, respectively. The secondary flow corresponds to a steady Taylor vortex in the first case, but to a time-periodic one when elasticity becomes important (Hopf bifurcation). Degenerate Hopf bifurcation theory in the presence of symmetries ( O (2) × S 1 ) has been used to show the existence of two different time-periodic solution families, each following either one of two possible patterns, the rotating wave or the standing wave. Through a computer-aided nonlinear analysis, all of the steady and time-periodic bifurcating solutions are shown to be supercritical, implying that one and only one is stable. These results are consistent with the conclusions of time-dependent numerical simulations which have demonstrated an exchange of stabilities from the rotating to the standing wave pattern emerging after the bifurcation, as the elasticity of the fluid increases.
Probabilistic wave spectrum and fatigue estimation

This study introduces a new way to characterize a long-term random ocean wave by using a ‘probabilistic’ wave spectrum. Based on this probabilistic wave spectrum, an efficient and accurate method for estimating the fatigue damage of offshore structures is developed. A numerical example involving 8136 archived wave spectra measured at the Gulf of Mexico is provided to demonstrate the use, and to show the accuracy, of the proposed method.
Nuclear mechanics in disease.

Over the past two decades, the biomechanical properties of cells have emerged as key players in a broad range of cellular functions, including migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Although much of the attention has focused on the cytoskeletal networks and the cell’s microenvironment, relatively little is known about the contribution of the cell nucleus. Here, we present an overview of the structural elements that determine the physical properties of the nucleus and discuss how changes in the expression of nuclear components or mutations in nuclear proteins can not only affect nuclear mechanics but also modulate cytoskeletal organization and diverse cellular functions. These findings illustrate that the nucleus is tightly integrated into the surrounding cellular structure. Consequently, changes in nuclear structure and composition are highly relevant to normal development and physiology and can contribute to many human diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, (premature) aging, and cancer.
Screening for hepatitis C virus infection: a review of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Screening tests can detect hepatitis C virus, and antiviral treatment can eradicate the virus. However, long-term outcomes of treating patients identified by screening are not known, and therefore ...
Experimental toxaemia in mice due to chagastoxin

Abstract In experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice, there is a double pathological process: 1. a. The invasion of the parenchymal and reticulo-endothelial cells of the viscera for growth and multiplication of the pathogen in the leishmania stage causes cellular destruction, followed by fibrosis. 2. b. Direct toxic action of chagastoxin causes degeneration of the vital organs and is manifested as toxic hepatitis, myocarditis and nephropathy. Chagastoxin shares some of the features of exotoxins as well as those of endotoxins. It has immunizing properties, gives rise to antibodies which may have toxin neutralizing properties.
The Role of Conscious Reasoning and Intuition in Moral Judgment Testing Three Principles of Harm

Is moral judgment accomplished by intuition or conscious reasoning? An answer demands a detailed account of the moral principles in question. We investigated three principles that guide moral judgments: (a) Harm caused by action is worse than harm caused by omission, (b) harm intended as the means to a goal is worse than harm foreseen as the side effect of a goal, and (c) harm involving physical contact with the victim is worse than harm involving no physical contact. Asking whether these principles are invoked to explain moral judgments, we found that subjects generally appealed to the first and third principles in their justifications, but not to the second. This finding has significance for methods and theories of moral psychology: The moral principles used in judgment must be directly compared with those articulated in justification, and doing so shows that some moral principles are available to conscious reasoning whereas others are not.
Ethical Controversies in Neuropsychological Test Selection, Administration, and Interpretation

Due to the lack of uniform agreement on certain aspects of neuropsychological assessment practice, ethical issues can arise. Ethical controversies related to some of the most basic assessment practices of the clinical neuropsychologist are addressed. Current controversies related to neuropsychological test selection, test administration, and test interpretation are discussed and illustrated by case vignettes. Brief analyses of the ethical ramifications of the controversies are offered, followed by suggestions and recommendations for dealing with these conflicts. By resolving these conflicts as a discipline, more consistent standards of neuropsychological practice could be established, which would be of ultimate benefit to both professional and consumer alike.
Hygiene Hypothesis: Is the Evidence the Same All Over the World?

Background: The hygiene hypothesis refers to where modern living conditions are responsible for the increasing incidences of immune-related diseases including the
On the existence of a pressor substance in the blood of clinical cases of hypertension.

Conclusions1. Blood from cases of hypertension contains a pressor substance.2. The blood proteins by virtue of their anaphylactic reaction and the intact vagi of the experimental animals inhibit the otherwise obvious pressor response. Henlce these factors should be eliminated in such experiments.3. No pressor effect of any kind was ever seen by us from the injections of comparable amounts of saline, rabblits'blood or human blood of people with normal blood pressures.
Near Disappearance of Rhinovirus Along a Fomite 'Iransmission Chain

Rhinovirus infections are the most common cause of human respiratory illness and in children may cause serious respiratory disease and exacerbations of asthma [1]. The transmission of these infections requires the spread of contaminated respiratory secretions by one or more of three methods: aerosol, direct contact, or indirect contact involving environmental objects (fomites). In recent volunteer experiments in our laboratory [2], natural transmission of rhinovirus infections by aerosol alone was nearly as efficient (56^0 transmission) as transmission by aerosol and indirect (fomite) contact combined (67 ^o transmission). Moreover, in one experiment, when indirect transmission via only fomites was attempted, rhinovirus spread did not occur at all. In this latter experiment, the fomites (playing cards, poker chips, and pens), heavily used for an average of 9 h during a poker game among eight men (donors) with moderate-to-severe rhinovirus type 16 (RV16) colds, were the only possible route of spread to 12 men who were free of RV16 antibody (fomite recipients) and who were located in an isolated room. Each hour, the cards, chips, and pens were interchanged between the separated donor and fomite recipient rooms in order to maintain a continuous supply of freshly contaminated fomites for the recipients. Every 15 min, hand-to-nose and face contact, often with conjunctival and nasal mucosal rubbing, was carried out by all 12 fomite recipients. Surprisingly, even after this exaggerated 12-h exposure to much-handled fomites, no virus could be recovered from the 12 fomite recipients' hands [2]. To understand why rhinovirus spread did not occur via these fomites, we embarked on a series of experiments to quantitate the amount of rhinovirus traveling from a donor's nose onto his hands, then via a fomite to the hands of a recipient and onto the recipient's nose.
The Zentrales Staatsarchiv of the German Democratic Republic as a Source for Late Ottoman and Middle East History

The archives of the imperial German government, 1871–1918, are an important but somewhat neglected source for late Ottoman and Middle East history. These collections fell into Soviet, American, French, and British hands after World War II and are presently divided between the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the German Federal Republic (West Germany).
Morphology of Type II Poliomyelitis Virus (MEF1) as Determined by Electron Microscopy.

SummaryThe particles of the MEF1 poliomyelitis virus, grown in monkey-kidney tissue culture, and subsequently purified by chemical and physical means, are spherical in shape and highly uniform in diameter. The diameter of individual particles, prepared by normal air-drying from a 0.1 M ammonium acetate suspension, is found to be 31 mμ. The diameter of particles packed in a crystalline array, or frozen-dried from a 0.1 M ammonium bicarbonate suspension, is found to be 21 mμ. It is believed that the latter diameter is the more significant and reliable figure.
The Kurodaia (Mallophaga: Menoponidae) Parasitic on the Strigiformes, with a Key to the Species of the Genus

The 11 species of Kurodaia that occur on the Strigiformes are keyed and described. These include two new species, K. acadicae from Cryptoglaux acadica and K. flammei from Asio flammeus . New synonymy: K. magna Emerson, 1960, (= K. edwardsi Emerson, 1961).
Enhanced Air Stability, Charge Separation, and Photocurrent in CdSe/CdTe Heterojunction Nanorods by Thiols

CdSe/CdTe heterojunction nanorods with type II staggered band offset can allow directional and efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers. However, CdTe nanocrystals can often be easily oxidized even with postsynthesis processing in air, which can then lead to charge traps that negate the benefits of the type II band offset. Here, we introduce a simple ligand exchange method to replace the native ligands on CdSe/CdTe heterojunction nanorods with 1-octanethiol resulting in improved photoluminescence and good stability in air. Transient absorption measurements reveal that electron transfer from CdTe to CdSe remains efficient/fast (∼400 fs) despite the hole trapping nature of thiol ligands for CdSe. Absorption bleach arising from CdTe-to-CdSe electron transfer can be observed out to 1 μs even after days of storage in air, an order of magnitude longer than heterojunction nanorods with native ligands that are processed with anhydrous solvents under air-free conditions and kept air-free. This improv...
A Guidance Law of Variable Structure Adaptive Research for Target Escape with Acceleration

In the course of UCAV approach to the enemy plane,the beast coefficient of tradition proportion lead law is related to target and UCAV's distance,and if target move with high acceleration or have disturb,the result will became bad.For resolve this question,this paper given a variable structure adaptive method.The simulation result show that the method not only resolve the question of quickly approach to the enemy plane,but also reduce the overload of the UCAV,improve guiding precision and robust,restrict the line of sight absoluteness angle's speed.
[Follow-up studies in epilepsy of late onset (after age of 45)].

Es werden die klinischen und elektrencephalographischen Befunde von 115 Patienten (72 mannlich, 43 weiblich) mit sogenannter Spatepilepsie (Erstmanifestation nach dem 45. Lebensjahr) mitgeteilt und der Krankheitsverlauf (Beobachtungszeit durchschnittlich 6–7 Jahre) katamnestisch kontrolliert. Ursachlich blieben 22 Falle ungeklart, in 50 Fallen waren eine cerebrale Arteriosklerose oder Herz- und Kreislaufstorungen die wahrscheinlichste Ursache. Hirntumoren fanden sich noch in 9 Fallen im weiteren Verlauf, obgleich zunachst Falle mit primar nachweisbarem Hirntumor ausgeschlossen waren. Nach klinischen und EEG-Kriterien uberwiegt die Temporallappen-Epilepsie. EEG-Veranderungen, insbesondere spezifische Krampfpotentiale waren selten, in 43,7% war das EEG normal. - Uber 1/3 der Patienten ohne Hirntumor wurden im weiteren Verlauf vollig anfallsfrei. In uber 1/3 waren die Anfalle seltener oder leichter geworden, nur 1/4 der Patienten hatte im weiteren Verlauf unvermindert Anfalle oder eine Zunahme der Anfallshaufigkeit. Die Ergebnisse bestatigen allgemeine klinische Eindrucke uber die relativ gutartigen Verlaufe von Spatepilepsien.
Basic Concepts of Developmental Diagnosis

Development generally follows four domains, namely motor, speech and language, social–emotional, and cognitive. Development is considered typical when it is progressing as expected. The predominant signs and symptoms of atypical development vary depending on the age of the infant or the child. For example, a delay in achieving motor milestones as expected is generally recognized early in infancy, atypical language development is more often recognized in early childhood, and academic difficulties are recognized in late childhood and adolescence. This chapter reviews the basic concepts and definitions applied in the study of developmental problems, the main features of common conditions considered in the differential diagnoses of developmental disorders, and describes signs that should prompt further developmental evaluation.
Perceived barriers to treatment predict adherence to aromatase inhibitors among breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND Although poor adherence to hormonal therapies such as aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is widely documented, to the authors' knowledge less is known regarding whether health beliefs predict treatment nonadherence. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between health beliefs (perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, perceived benefits of AI treatment, and perceived barriers to AI treatment) and adherence to AIs. METHODS Postmenopausal women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who were currently receiving treatment with an AI completed the 3-factor Health Beliefs and Medication Adherence in Breast Cancer scale and questionnaires concerning their demographics and symptoms. Adherence data (treatment gaps and premature discontinuation) were abstracted from participants' medical charts. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between health beliefs and adherence. RESULTS Among 437 participants, 93 (21.3%) were nonadherent. Those who perceived greater barriers to their AI treatment were more likely to demonstrate AI nonadherence behaviors by the end of their treatment period compared with those who reported fewer barriers to AI therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.86 [P = .04]). In contrast, perceived susceptibility to cancer recurrence and perceived benefits of AIs did not appear to predict AI adherence. Minority individuals were found to have lower perceived susceptibility to breast cancer recurrence and higher perceived barriers to AI treatment (P<.05 for both). Conclusions Greater perceived barriers appeared to predict nonadherence to AIs. Interventions addressing women's negative beliefs regarding the challenges of AI treatment are needed to help optimize adherence in survivors of breast cancer. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Glass interposer substrates: Fabrication, characterization and modeling

There is growing interest in applying glass as a substrate for 2.5D/3D applications. Glass has many material properties that make it well suited for interposer substrates. Glass based solutions provide significant opportunities for cost benefits by leveraging economies of scale as well as forming substrates at design thickness. A lot of work is being done to validate the value of glass as an interposer substrate. One important area is the electrical performance of glass relative to silicon. Because glass is an insulator, it is expected to have better electrical performance than silicon. Electrical characterization and electrical models demonstrate the advantages of the insulating properties of glass, and its positive impact on functional performance. Further advantages are anticipated in reliability performance, because of the ability to adjust thermal properties such as coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of glass. Modeling results demonstrating these improvements will be presented. Additionally, significant progress has been made in the demonstration of glass interposer fabrication. Fully patterned wafers and panels with through holes and blind holes are being fabricated today. Leveraging existing downstream processes for metallization on these substrates is also important for cost effectiveness and ease of transition into production. Progress on demonstrating the ability to leverage existing downstream processes to make functional glass interposers using both through and blind via technology will be presented.
50 – Environmental Exposures and Women's Reproductive Health

Environmental chemicals have the potential to alter female reproductive tissues and thus affect the ability of women to conceive healthy offspring. During the twentieth century, industrial and technological advances lead to the production and use of many new chemicals. Chemical exposures can interfere with the structure and function of the ovaries, uterus, breasts, cervix, and the hypothalamic pituitary unit. Chemicals also may affect reproductive health by altering reproductive processes such as menarche, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, libido, and menopause. The incidence of many reproductive disorders is unknown. However, data from Global Health Statistics show that the incidence of infertility for women of all ages varies by country. The lowest incidence is reported in China and the highest incidence is found in Africa. Relatively few studies have examined associations between chemical exposures and adverse reproductive outcomes in women. Observations in wildlife have suggested the specific possibility that human exposure to environmental compounds with endocrine-disrupting capability may have adverse effects on reproduction.
Continued Improvement in Survival in Multiple Myeloma and the Impact of Novel Agents

Abstract Abstract 3972 Background: The treatment paradigm for myeloma has undergone a dramatic shift in the past decade with the introduction of the novel agents and their application at every stage of the treatment. We and others had previously shown that survival of patients with myeloma had improved in the earlier half of the last decade and attributed this to a combination of novel therapies as well as increased use of stem cell transplant. It is not clear if this momentum in improving survival has been maintained. We examined the survival trends of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma seen within the past decade to examine this question. Patients and Methods: We studied 1056 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, who were seen at Mayo Clinic between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2010; who were seen within 30 days of their diagnosis. For examination of the time trends, we grouped the time interval into two five year periods, 2001–2005 and 2006–2010. Survival was estimated using Kaplan Meier method and survival curves were compared by log rank test. Impact of various prognostic factors was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards test. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 65 (range; 22–92), and 59% were male. The median estimated follow up for the entire cohort was 4.6 years (95% CI; 4.4, 4.9) and 57% of the patients were alive at last follow up. The median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 5.4 years (95% CI; 5, 6.3). The overall survival for patients in the 2001–2005 group was 4.6 years compared with not reached for the 2006–2010 cohort (P 65 years; 49%). The 5-year survival of the older patients improved significantly from 31% (2001–2005) to 56% (2006–2010) (P Conclusions: The current results confirm continued improvement in the overall survival of patients, even within the last 10 year period, and highlight the impact of initial therapy with novel agents. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the improved survival has primarily benefited older patients. Our study highlights that urgent need for additional new agents to provide further survival improvement for younger patients, and in order achieve a cure for this disease. Download : Download high-res image (27KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: Kumar: Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding. Dispenzieri: Celgene: Research Funding; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Janssen Research & Development: Research Funding. Gertz: Binding Site: Honoraria.
Adolescent Girls’ STEM Identity Formation and Media Images of STEM Professionals: Considering the Influence of Contextual Cues

Popular media have played a crucial role in the construction, representation, reproduction, and transmission of stereotypes of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals, yet little is known about how these stereotypes influence STEM identity formation. Media images of STEM professionals may be important sources of information about STEM and may be particularly salient and relevant for girls during adolescence as they actively consider future personal and professional identities. This article describes gender-stereotyped media images of STEM professionals and examines theories to identify variables that explain the potential influence of these images on STEM identity formation. Understanding these variables is important for expanding current conceptual frameworks of science/STEM identity to better understand how and when cues in the broader sociocultural context may affect adolescent girls’ STEM identity. This article emphasizes the importance of focusing on STEM identity relevant variables and STEM identity status to explain individual differences in STEM identity formation.
Effects of Reinforcement on Peer Imitation in a Small Group Play Context

Children with disabilities often have deficits in imitation skills, particularly in imitating peers. Imitation is considered a behavioral cusp—which, once learned, allows a child to access addition...
UV-A activated TiO2 embedded biodegradable polymer film for antimicrobial food packaging application

Abstract TiO2 nanoparticles embedded polymer films were fabricated by solution casting method using three biodegradable polymers (cellulose acetate (CA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA)). Optical and physical properties of the films were assessed by measuring the thickness, color, UV–vis absorption spectra and UV-A transmission. Photodegradation of methylene blue was used to evaluate photocatalytic activity of different TiO2 embedded polymer films. Photocatalytic bactericidal property of the films was evaluated by inactivation of Escherichia. coli O157:H7 under UV-A light illumination at a light intensity of 1.30 ± 0.15 mW/cm2 for 2 h. CA film incorporated with 5 wt% TiO2 NPs had highest bactericidal activity and achieved 1.69 log CFU/ml reduction. Whereas, TiO2 embedded PCL and PLA composite films did not show significant bactericidal property. TiO2 embedded CA film has the potential to be used as antimicrobial food packaging.
Evolution of microstructure during annealing of low-dose SIMOX wafers implanted at 65 keV

The microstructural changes that occur during annealing of ultra-thin oxygen-implanted silicon-on-insulator have been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Silicon substrates were implanted at 65 keV with a dose of 4.5×1017 O+ cm−2, followed by annealing at various temperatures. TEM results show that the defects observed in the as-implanted material (stacking faults and {1 1 3} defects) were reduced after annealing at 900 °C for 2 h and were eliminated after annealing at 1100 °C for 2 h. A continuous buried oxide (BOX) layer was formed after annealing at 1300 °C for 6 h. Numerous silicon islands were present in the BOX layer. The silicon islands can be traced to a precursor structure that developed at the implantation step. RBS results indicate that the crystallinity of the top Si layer is significantly restored after annealing at 1100 °C for 2 h and is completely restored after annealing at 1300 °C for 6 h. It was also found through AES analysis that the redistribution of oxygen during annealing is initiated at 1100 °C.
ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE : Normal and Disordered Function

In humans and most other mammals, the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a nonapeptide often referred to as arginine vasopressin (AVP). It is produced by large neurons that originate in the supraoptic and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and project through the pituitary stalk to terminate on capillary plexuses scattered throughout the posterior pituitary. These plexuses drain into the systemic circulation by way of the cavernous sinus and superior vena cava.
Response to Comment on “Friction at the bed does not control fast glacier flow”

Minchew et al. take issue with our main conclusion that friction at the glacier bed does not control fast glacier flow. In this response, we further justify our methodology. We also point out that numerical studies referred to by Minchew et al. rely on inversions that are based on a sliding relation in which sliding speed is proportional to basal drag. Furthermore, observational studies referred to by Minchew et al. apply to glaciological settings that do not correspond to the terminal regions of Greenland outlet glaciers that we studied.
Selection of benign primitive hematopoietic progenitors in chronic myelogenous leukemia on the basis of HLA-DR antigen expression

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a lethal malignancy of the human hematopoietic stem cell. Here we report that coexistent benign, primitive hematopoietic progenitors can be distinguished from their malignant counterparts in CML bone marrow by differences in cell surface antigen expression. Selection of bone marrow cells expressing the CD34 antigen but lacking the HLA-DR antigen results in recovery of small lymphocyte-like blasts, which initiate and sustain production of myeloid clonogenic progeny in vitro. Secondary clonogenic cells derived at week 1, 5, and 8 from long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs) initiated with primitive progenitors, which lack HLA-DR antigens, exhibit neither the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) nor the corresponding bcr/abl mRNA characteristic of CML. In contrast, clonogenic cells recovered at week 1, 5, and 8 from LTBMCs initiated with the CML HLA- DR+ population contain Ph1 and express bcr/abl mRNA. This observation indicates that it may be possible to select a population of viable, exclusively benign hematopoietic stem cells from CML bone marrow capable of repopulating the hematopoietic compartment following autologous bone marrow transplantation.
Use of Nonselective β-Blockers in Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease and Select Complications:

Objective: To review the literature and recommendations for nonselective β-blockers (NSBBs) in the setting of variceal bleeding prophylaxis and decompensated liver disease. Data Sources: Literature search of MEDLINE was performed (1988 to October 2019) using the following search terms: cirrhosis, advanced cirrhosis, β-blocker, decompensation, prophylaxis. Abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, clinical practice guidelines, and product monographs were reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant English language studies and those conducted in humans were considered for analysis and inclusion. Data Synthesis: Evidence that suggests that NSBBs are harmful in advanced cirrhosis is overshadowed by confounding variables and small patient populations. The majority of the available evidence suggests neutral or beneficial effects on mortality with continuation of NSBBs despite liver disease progression. Based on the available literature, guidelines, and expert consensuses, NSBBs can be considered within this patient population and may have a positive impact on the majority of these patients. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review summarizes current place in therapy for NSBBs in the setting of cirrhosis and variceal bleeding prophylaxis. It also includes a discussion of the literature for use of NSBBs within the setting of different acute decompensations in which the data and recommendations for use are less clear. Conclusions: Recent evidence shows neutral or positive results for NSBB use in particular decompensation subgroups, which suggests that NSBBs can be used cautiously with close monitoring in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Questions still remain regarding optimal agent and dose and whether agents can be safely restarted after an acute decompensation episode.
Electronic Clinical Challenges and Images in GI

Question: A 60-year-old woman presented with retrosternal burning and intermittent solid food dysphagia. These symptoms had been gradually progressive over the preceding 18 months. With dietary modifications, she was able to minimize swallowing difficulties, but still had pill-associated dysphagia. This was accompanied by daily retrosternal burning and occasional liquid regurgitation, both of which initially responded to acid suppressive therapy, but recurred despite therapy. She also developed multiple painful oral ulcers during the preceding 3 months. There was no history of smoking, alcohol, or long-standing reflux. Barium esophagram showed a small-caliber esophagus with a maximal diameter of 12 mm (Figure A). On upper endoscopy, there were several ulcers scattered on the buccal mucosa (Figure B) and a subtle, corrugated, erythematous, and friale esophageal mucosa which tore on endoscope withdrawal (Figure C). What diagnosis most likely explains the constellation of findings in this individual? See the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
NDNDrop: Device Agnostic File Sharing Using NDN

We explore the Named Data Networking architecture by designing a file sharing app which can share files utilizing the network layer. This app demonstrates the usefulness of the NDN architecture in a small, standalone application which is an important step before widespread adoption. The app also highlights the difficulties newcomers to NDN have in picking up the design principles and tools. The application was written in C++ using the ndn-cxx library. A current copy of the code can be found at https://github.com/carlossantillana/ndn-drop.
Radioactive tracer study of adsorption and exchange reaction of lead ion selective electrode membrane

The amount of adsorption and exchange of lead on the electrode membrane as a function of time was correlated to the potential measurement stability. The adsorption and exchange of lead in various organic solvents tend to be increased relating to the increase in the dielectric constant of solvents. Removal of O2 and CO2 and addition of methanol and formaldehyde are very effective means to improve the potential stability. The behavior of lead ISE exposed to solutions containing lead and other interfering ions was also studied.
Solomonic Judgments and the International Court of Justice

This chapter, in a forthcoming book on legitimacy and international courts, analyzes the impact of Solomonic or "split the baby" judgments on the normative and sociological legitimacy of the International Court of Justice.
Sagittal Focusing Optics

Ideally, one would like to determine any structure with only one crystal in a “reasonable” time With present-day detecting, electronic and flux technologies applied to biological substances, this implies neutron diffraction, because the electric field carried by the particle is too weak to cause any damage to the bonding (Hanson and Schoenborn, 1981). The drawbacks with this radiation are mainly twofold: (i) low flux and compounding, and (ii) due to low scattering cross sections, large crystals are required whose qualities may not be as high as small ones (defects and inhomogeneities related to compositional changes within the same crystal).
Abstraction and Refinement in RDM

The Rational Design Methodology (RDM) is a synthesis of principles and techniques for the specification, design, and documentation of provably correct sequential programs. An important feature of RDM is the way it makes use of abstraction and refinement. Both procedural and data abstraction are included in RDM. Procedural abstraction involves the identification, specification, and design of procedures (subroutines) for one or more programs of an abstract machine. Data abstraction involves the identification and specification of abstract data types of an abstract machine and their representation or expansion by a lower level (less abstract) machine. Much of the structure of an RDM design is determined by the abstractions used in the design process. Procedural abstraction determines the structure of programs of an abstract machine while data abstraction and refinement determine the structure of abstract machines of the entire design. In the paper, we illustrate these concepts with the development of a design and specification of the “telegrams problem”.
The Death of Judicial Conservatism

If we are talking about what happened during the Bush Administration, “The Death of Judicial Conservatism” looks like it is either a misprint or the deluded ramblings of a liberal who did not get the memo. But I think it is fair to say that one of the lessons we have learned in the wake of the Bush Administration’s appointments to the Supreme Court is that judicial conservatism no longer exists in any significant form. Or at least so I argue here. To say that judicial conservatism has died is not to say that its opposite, judicial liberalism or progressivism, has flourished. It is clearer than ever that people who hoped for the revival of the Warren Court—a court that had an agenda to be at the forefront of what it considered to be social reform in a generally liberal direction—had better give up that hope for at least a generation. That is an obvious lesson of the Bush appointments. President Bush’s appointees, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, are young (by the standards of Supreme Court appointees) and extremely able. We can expect them to be on the Court for a long time, and we can expect them to write important and influential opinions. Those Justices quite clearly have no interest in reviving Warren Court liberalism. It has also become clear that, when a Republican is President, the judicial appointments process is controlled by a wing of the Republican Party that is, to say the least, hostile to the kind of Supreme Court that liberals or progressives might want. That wing of
Purification and Characterization of Yeast β-Glucosidases

Constitutive β-glucosidases from Saccharomyces fragilis (Y-18) and S. dobzhanskii (Y-19) precipitated at the same concentration of ammonium sulfate. The partially purified enzymes had similar activation energies, molecular weights, affinities for certain natural and synthetic β-glucosides, and optimal pH values for substrate hydrolysis, and they were stable over approximately the same pH range. The enzymes, however, could be clearly distinguished by other criteria. Affinities of the synthetic, sulfur-containing β-glucosides for Y-18 enzyme were many times greater than for Y-19 enzyme. The latter enzyme was more resistant to heat. The two enzymes eluted from diethylaminoethyl cellulose at different concentrations of sodium chloride. In precipitin tests, homologous enzyme-antisera systems were highly specific. The β-glucosidase synthesized by a hybrid, S. fragilis × S. dobzhanskii (Y-42), was unique. Characterization of this enzyme produced values which were intermediate to those for the enzymes from the parental yeast strains. Heat-inactivation slopes and Lineweaver-Burk plots for the Y-42 enzyme were anomalous. It is suggested that hydrolytic activity in Y-42 preparations is due to a spectrum of hybrid enzyme molecules composed of varying amounts of two distinct polypeptides. It is further suggested that these polypeptides may be identical to those synthesized by the parental Y-18 and Y-19 yeast strains.