cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards Non-thrombogenic Performance of Blood Recirculating Devices

Implantable blood recirculating devices have provided life saving solutions to patients with severe cardiovascular diseases. However, common problems of hemolysis and thromboembolism remain an impediment to these devices. In this article, we present a brief review of the work by several groups in the field that has led to the development of new methodologies that may facilitate achieving the daunting goal of optimizing the thrombogenic performance of blood recirculating devices. The aim is to describe work which pertains to the interaction between flow-induced stresses and the blood constituents, and that supports the hypothesis that thromboembolism in prosthetic blood recirculating devices is initiated and maintained primarily by the non-physiological flow patterns and stresses that activate and enhance the aggregation of blood platelets, increasing the risk of thromboembolism and cardioembolic stroke. Such work includes state-of-the-art numerical and experimental tools used to elucidate flow-induced mechanisms leading to thromboembolism in prosthetic devices. Following the review, the paper describes several efforts conducted by some of the groups active in the field, and points to several directions that should be pursued in the future in order to achieve the goal for blood recirculating prosthetic devices becoming more effective as destination therapy in the future.
Concurrent Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Structure For Digital Signal Processing

A highly concurrent architecture for a high-speed digital signal processing engine is described. Initially, a repetitive structure of identical processing elements which realizes a one-dimensional state variable filter is defined. This structure uses primarily local communication with topologically simple interconnections among the processing elements. It is then shown that these relatively simple processing engines can be combined, again in a regular manner, to solve two-dimensional filter problems. Application of this basic filter structure to provide high-speed solutions for other standard signal processing transforms such as the Discrete Fourier Transform , the Chirp Z Transform, and the Running Discrete Discrete Transform is also presented.
Survival and competitiveness of Quercus rubra regeneration associated with planting stocktype and harvest opening intensity

Successful regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) on productive sites is problematic in eastern North American forests. Natural and artificial regeneration often cannot compete with fast-growing, shade intolerant species such as yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). This study examines 5-year survival, growth, and competitive ability of planted northern red oak seedlings in various group selection harvest sizes in south-central Indiana, USA. Seedling stocktypes consisted of high (BHD; 75 seedlings m−2) and low (BLD; 21 seedlings m−2) nursery-bed-density bareroot seedlings, and small (CS; 11.4 L) and large (CL; 18.9 L) container seedlings. Group selection openings included large (0.400 ha), medium (0.100 ha), and small (0.024 ha) circular gaps in four stands. Larger stocktypes and gap sizes improved seedling height, diameter, and growth; ANOVA indicated only gap size was significant for seedling survival. Logistic regression showed survival was positively correlated to diameter at year 1, and aspect, gap size, and stocktype were significant predictors of survival. Our data indicated no differences in density of natural regeneration among gap sizes, although trends suggest greater numbers of bigger competitors in larger gaps sizes. Yellow-poplar regeneration was the tallest competitor of more than 50% of all northern red oak seedlings. Competitive status of seedlings after 5 years differed only by stocktype, with large container stock in a better competitive position than bareroot stock. However, less than 20% of seedlings in all stocktypes in each gap treatment were considered competitive (i.e., ≥80% of the height of tallest competitor) against their tallest competitor. The use of larger planting stock may offer greater opportunities for successfully regenerating northern red oak seedlings on productive sites but likely would have to be accompanied by treatments to reduce woody competition.
BIVARIATE QUANTILE INTERPOLATION FOR ENSEMBLE DERIVED PROBABILITY DENSITY ESTIMATES

Probability distribution functions (PDFs) may be estimated from members in an ensemble. For an ensemble of 2D vector fields, this results in a bivariate PDF at each location in the field. Vector field analysis and visualization, e.g., stream line calculation, require an interpolation to be defined over these 2D density estimates. Thus, a nonparametric PDF interpolation must advect features as opposed to cross-fading them, where arbitrary modalities in the distribution can be introduced. This is already achieved for 1D PDF interpolation via inverse cumulative distribution functions (CDFs). However, there is no closed-form extension to bivariate PDF. This paper presents one such direct extension of the 1D closed-form solution for bivariates. We show an example of physically coupled components (velocity) and correlated random variables. Our method does not require a complex implementation or expensive computation as does displacement interpolation Bonneel et al., ACM Trans. Graphics (TOG), 30(6):158, 2011. Additionally, our method does not suffer from ambiguous pair-wise linear interpolants, as does Gaussian Mixture Model Interpolation.
Analysis of evoked and ongoing electrical activity at the scalp of human subjects.

Electrical activity at two locations on the scalp (Vertex and Vertex-3 cm, midline) for an experimental design suitable to clinical application, was recorded on magnetic tape. Data from 5 subjects ...
The beta-adrenergic blocking agents and the treatment of glaucoma

The autonomic nervous system is divided into the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems, with three types of adrenergic receptors: alpha (smooth muscle contraction), beta1 (cardiac acceleration and fatty acid mobilization) and beta2 (smooth muscle relaxation). Substances affecting the function of the adrenergic system are the agonists or stimulators, which mimic the effects of endogenous norepinephrine or epinephrine, and antagonists or blockers, which block the receptors and prevent stimulation by the agonists. Autonomic stimulation in the eye mediates various changes which apparently affect outflow facility and rate of formation of aqueous humor. Alteration of either or both of these factors by autonomic agonists or antagonists may have a direct or an indirect effect on intraocular pressure. Beta-adrenergic blocking substances have been used to treat a variety of diseases. Some of the effects of these drugs are attributable to properties other than beta blockade, such as intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and local anaesthetic activity. Side effects of this class of drugs require caution in cases of congestive heart failure and in asthmatics. Autonomic agents used in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma include pilocarpine, a chilinergic agonist, epinephrine, an adrenergic agonist, and various beta adrenergic blockers or antagonists including propranolol, atenolol and timolol. The physico-chemical properties and pharmacokinetics of timolol are reviewed. Data showing a significant reduction in intraocular pressure as a result of ocular instillation of timolol are presented. Reduction of the rate of aqueous formation appears to be the mechanism of action. A low incidence of non-serious side effects is reported.
Secondary fluorescence quenching of Eu3+ in organic solvents

Abstract The fluorescence of Eu 3+ in organic solvents is subject to quenching by the solvent molecules both in the solvation sphere of Eu 3+ and outside the primary solvation sphere of the complex ion. Quenching rate constants relating to the latter effect, k secondary solvent , vary from solvent to solvent. The normalized fluorescence of Eu 3+ in these solvents exhibits an inverse dependence upon the overlap between the fluorescence spectrum of Eu 3+ and the vibrational spectrum of the solvent.
Mindfulness meditation for oncology patients: a discussion and critical review.

The purpose of this article is to (1) provide a comprehensive over view and discussion of mindfulness meditation and its clinical applicability in oncology and (2) report and critically evaluate th...
Dependence of site-site interactions on pore diameter on amine-modified stationary phases

m-Cresol purple stationary phases were prepared on a series of amine-silica substrates and studied by visible photoacoustic spectroscopy. Site-site interactions between residual, unreacted amines were shown to lower the pKa of m-cresol groups and the magnitude of this effect was found to depend on the average pore diameter of the silica substrate. Two effects appeared to be operative: (1) solvent exclusion from small pores and (2) charge repulsion involving neighboring groups which effectively lowers the apparent pKa. Surface “buffering” by unreacted amines may also occur in such systems.
High-Conflict Divorce Solutions: Parenting Coordination as an Innovative Co-Parenting Intervention:

The purpose of this article is to discuss issues germane to high-conflict divorce and separation when children are involved. It explores the negative effects of divorce on children and the parental relationship as well as the impact of the adversarial nature of the family court system in the process of high-conflict divorce. Parenting coordination is presented as a new, multifaceted co-parenting intervention to help resolve pre- and postdivorce issues relative to the new family dynamics. Implications for mental health professionals as parenting coordinators are outlined, and suggestions for further research are provided.
A toxic thionin from Pyrularia pubera: Purification, properties, and amino acid sequence

Abstract A low-molecular-weight cytotoxic protein has been purified from Pyrularia pubera Michx. (Santalaceae). By comparison with the behavior of proteins of known molecular weight during Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and denaturing electrophoresis, a molecular weight of somewhat less than 6000 is indicated. Purification involves ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by either gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 or separation on a carboxymethyl cellulose CM52 column. At concentrations of 0.04 mg/ml the protein causes visible disruption of cultured mouse B16 melanoma cells. The complete amino acid sequence has been determined. The toxin contains 47 amino acids arranged as follows: LysSerCysCysArgAsnThrTrpAlaArgAsnCys TyrAsnValCys ArgLeuProGlyThrIleSerArgGluIleCysAlaLys LysCysAspCysLys IleIleSerGlyThrThrCysProSerAspTyrProLys OH. The protein is clearly a thionin, as shown by its close resemblance to the thionins from wheat and barley, to the viscotoxins from mistletoes, and to crambin.
Hypertension: heavy metals, useful cations and melanin as a possible repository

Popular belief has often attributed the disproportionate occurrence of hypertension in blacks to the increased social stresses faced by the minority population. Evidence now points to a more biologically relevant explanation of black hypertension, an increase in levels of heavy metals. Preferentially bound to melanin, cadmium, lead, and copper have implications not only in the etiology of black hypertension, but in the etiology of all hypertension. Of course, hypertension is heterogeneous by nature and cannot be attributed solely to any single cause. However, the indictment of the heavy metals, as well as a deficiency of other cations such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, warrants a more nutritional approach and less reliance on current pharmacological therapy in selected cases. Melanin should be investigated as a storage bank for useful cations. If real, such a cation reservoir would explain the heat tolerance capacity of blacks and other dark-skinned tropical races.
Assessment of histologic features and expression of biomarkers in predicting pathologic response to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND There is significant variability in the response of tumors to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the underlying mechanism for this variability is unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the roles of tumor nuclear grade, mitotic activity, and biomarker expression profiles in predicting the pathologic response of breast tumors to preoperative chemotherapy. METHODS Eighty-two patients with breast carcinoma participated in two clinical trials and were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which consisted of either a conventional dose of fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) or dose-escalated FAC. The mean age of the patients was 46 years (range, 24–69 years). Nuclear grade, mitotic activity, and biomarker profile (Her2-neu and mitosin expression patterns) in pretreatment tumors were correlated with the postchemotherapy pathologic response. RESULTS Twelve patients (15%) had a complete pathologic response (CPR), 23 patients (28%) had a near complete response (NCR), and 47 patients (57%) had significant residual disease present either at the primary site or in the axillary lymph nodes. The authors found that the nuclear grade and mitotic activity of pretreatment tumors were correlated significantly with CPR and NCR (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004). Mitosin also was correlated significantly with CPR and NCR (P = 0.028). A higher percentage of patients with Her2-neu-positive tumors had a CPR or an NCR (P = 0.152). CPR and NCR were not correlated significantly with disease stage (P = 0.186) or lymph node positivity (P = 0.498). CONCLUSIONS The current results indicate that tumor nuclear grade and tumor proliferative activity (mitotic activity and mitosin immunostaining) of pretreatment tumors in patients with breast carcinoma may serve as important indicators for the pathologic responsiveness of tumors to neoadjuvant, anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Cancer 2002;94:3107–14. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10585
Cotargeting tumor and stroma in a novel chimeric tumor model involving the growth of both human prostate cancer and bone stromal cells.

Stromal–epithelial interaction contributes to local prostate tumor growth, androgen-independent progression and distant metastasis. We have established in vitro coculture and in vivo chimeric tumor models to evaluate the roles of stromal cells isolated from either osteosarcoma or normal bone, a site where prostate cancer cells frequently metastasize, in contributing to the growth and survival of human prostate cancer cells. We have evaluated extensively the effects of toxic gene therapy using luciferase-tagged chimeric human prostate cancer models both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro cocultured cell model, we assessed cancer cell growth and residual cellular proteins after targeting either prostate cancer epithelial cells alone or both prostate cancer and bone stromal cells. In the in vivo animal model, we measured tumor volume and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in mice bearing chimeric prostate tumors comprised of human prostate tumor cells and normal bone stromal cells. Our results demonstrated that: (1) The rate of human prostate cancer cell growth in vitro is accelerated by coculturing with human and rat osteosarcoma or normal mouse bone marrow stromal cell lines. No growth stimulation was noted when cocultured with a human prostate epithelial cell line. (2) Disabling the growth of normal bone stromal cells using transgenic targeting with a bystander gene, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (hsv-TK), plus the pro-drug ganciclovir (GCV) or acyclovir markedly depressed the growth of cocultured human prostate cancer cells in vitro and human prostate cancer–mouse normal bone stroma chimeric tumors in vivo. (3) By cotargeting both human prostate cancer and normal mouse bone stromal cells in vitro with an adenoviral construct, Ad-hOC-TK (a replication-defective Ad5 vector with the bystander transgene hsv-TK under the control of a human osteocalcin (hOC) promoter) plus GCV4, we observed greater inhibition of tumor cell growth than by targeting a single cell compartment with Ad-PSA-TK (a vector construct similar to Ad-hOC-TK except that the transgene expression is under regulation by a full-length human PSA promoter). These results, taken together, established a basic principle that cotargeting both tumor and its supporting stroma is more efficacious than targeting a single cell compartment in the treatment of human prostate cancer bone metastasis. This principle can be applied to other clinical conditions of cancer growth where stroma contribute to the overall growth and survival potential of the cancer.
The Need-hierarchy and Theories of Authority

The need-heirarchy concept and three theories of authority (Formal, Situationist, and Acceptance) are reviewed, and an integrated framework for discussing their interrelationships and importance to organization theory and human relations is developed. The formal theory may be useful in discussions of profit-seeking, formal organizations, but in explaining individual behavior it uses only the lower order needs and expressive behavior. The situationist approach is applicable to a wider range of organizations and uses higher level needs in explaining individual behavior, but does not fully account for the impact of the individual upon his environment. The Acceptance Theory can be used in discussing any form of organization and, in addition, recognizes the full impact of the individual in those organizations using the full range of needs as well as both coping and expressive behavior. The Acceptance Theory is, then, the more general, more inclusive, and more applicable basis for a theory of authority.
Extant-Link and Applied-Link Mediation in an Acquired Equivalence Paradigm

“Extant” verbal labels are those which Ss bring from preexperimental experience. “Applied” labels are learned during the experiment itself. Extant labels function as symbolic mediating responses in an acquired equivalence task but, when offered a choice, Ss mediate according to applied labels. The results are interpreted in terms of the effects of applied-label training and the nature of the extant mediating responses.
Racing the Matrix: Variations on White Supremacy in Responses to the Film Trilogy

This article analyzes racialized readings of The Matrixtrilogy. Examining popular, academic, and vernacular sources, in print and online, it probes how commentators talk about race in the films and in turn how they use the films to talk about the racial politics of everyday life. It identifies two major interpretations: multiculturalist and White nationalist. It argues that despite obvious differences, together, these renderings of the trilogy must be understood as efforts to reconfigure racialized discourse in the wake of the civil rights movement, reworking white supremacy as they speak to, through, and against naturalized notions of difference at the start of the 21st century.
Implementing multidisciplinary and multi-zonal applications using MPI

Multidisciplinary and multi-zonal applications are codes where two or more distinct parallel programs or copies of a single program are utilized to model a single problem. To support such applications, a program can be divided into several single program multiple data stream (SPMD) applications, each of which solves the equations for a single physical discipline or grid zone. These applications are bound together to form a single multidisciplinary or multizonal program in which the constituent parts communicate via point-to-point message passing routines. In this report it is shown that the new Message Passing Interface (MPI) standard is a viable portable library for implementing the message passing portion of multidisciplinary applications. Further with the extension of a portable loader; fully portable multidisciplinary application programs can be developed. Finally, the performance of MPI is compared to that of some native message passing libraries. This comparison shows that MPI can be implemented to deliver performance commensurate with native message passing libraries. >
Transverse jets and jet flames. Part 1. Scaling laws for strong transverse jets

We present a similarity analysis of strong turbulent jets directed perpendicularly into a crossflow. The analysis neglects pressure terms in the governing equations, and assumes complete similarity in each of two intermediate-asymptotic regions of the flow: a jet region, where the jet is largely unaffected by the crossflow, and a wake-like region, where the jet has been deflected well into the crossflow. Scaling laws are derived for velocity, scalar concentration, and jet trajectory, and show good agreement with existing experimental data. The structure of the counter-rotating vortex pair implied by this analysis is significantly different from typical representations found in the literature.
Primary human marrow stromal cells and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells use different mechanisms to adhere to hydroxylapatite

One important step in bone formation on hard tissue implants is adhesion of osteoblast precursors to the implant surface. In this study, we used function-blocking antibodies against integrin subunits to characterize the mechanisms used by human marrow stromal cells and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells to adhere to protein-coated hydroxylapatite (HA). We found that Saos-2 use both alpha5- and alphav-containing integrins, whereas stromal cells use alphav-containing integrins but not alpha5-containing integrins, despite the presence of alpha5-containing integrins on cell surfaces. On the basis of this difference, we examined binding of these cell types to HA coated with fibronectin (FN) or vitronectin (VN), to determine whether these ligands for alpha5 and alphav integrins could enhance the numbers or morphology of cells adhered to them. We also examined the adhesion of cells to HA coated with RGD peptides designed to bind to FN or VN receptors. Morphology and number of adherent stromal cells were markedly enhanced on serum-coated surfaces compared with FN or VN alone, whereas, surprisingly, Saos-2 cells failed to spread on serum-coated HA and displayed superior spreading and stress fiber formation on FN-coated [corrected] HA. Collectively, these results have important implications for the design of protein coatings to enhance the performance of HA implants.
Gaze following at 12 and 14 months: Do the eyes matter?

Two questions were addressed: (1) Is the gaze following of infants under 18 months sensitive to eye status? (2) Do they construe looking as referential behaviour? Corkum and Moore (1995) concluded that, prior to 18 months, gaze following is responsive to the head turn alone (H), because infants followed such turns as frequently as conjoint head and eye turns (H/E). Since their results may have been compromised by an absence of targets and a relatively lengthy response time, we retested a 12- and 14- month group with H/E, H and eyes closed (H/Ecl) cues in the presence of targets and with reduced response time. To examine comprehension of referentiality, two more H/E cues were shown—(1) saying ‘oh wow’ while turning and (2) actively scanning the targets—each intended to increase gaze following if infants regard looking as seeing something. Fourteen-month-olds, but not 12-month-olds, responded significantly more to the standard H/E cue than to the H and H/Ecl cues, indicating the importance of eyes for gaze following at this age. Neither age group, however, responded more to the two ‘enhanced’ H/E cues than to the standard. In a second experiment, a new 14-month group was tested without targets, and again, responding was significantly greater to H/E than to H and H/Ecl. It was concluded that by 14 months, the eyes are co-equal with the head in controlling gaze following, but whether such head/eye turns are understood as object-directed is problematic.
Heterogeneity and OSI

A review is presented of the different aspects of heterogeneity that need to be resolved to achieve global interoperability, and specifically, to provide global transport service. The authors concentrate on the problems of interconnecting computer networks and systems that use different protocols, either different subsets of OSI (open systems interconnection) standards or OSI and non-OSI protocols. The issues of protocol conversion are discussed, and integrated naming, addressing, and directory mechanisms for interconnecting OSI and non-OSI domains are outlined. More subtle aspects of interoperability are examined for the case of the OSI transport protocol class 4 in mixed LAN/WAN (local-area-network/wide-area network) environments. >
Abuse experiences, perceptions, and associated decisions during the childbearing cycle

The study purpose was to generate a theoretical understanding of women's experiences and perceptions of intimate partner abuse during the childbearing cycle. Dimensional analysis, a grounded theory method, was used. Twenty-one interviews were conducted with 12 women who were (a) currently in an abusive relationship with an intimate male partner and pregnant or postpartum (n = 5) or who had (b) experienced abuse by an intimate male partner during a past pregnancy or postpartum (n = 7). Disparities between the two concurrent phenomena of abuse and pregnancy led women to feel as though they were living two separate lives. Pregnancy provided the impetus for reinvesting in the partnered relationship and constructing a family. Leaving an abusive relationship was not considered unless the partner ended the relationship first or the woman perceived an increased risk of danger. Postpartum up to 2 years after birth was a critical transitional time for women. Language: en
Documenting and Revitalizing Kiowa Knowledge: Material Culture Studies and Community Engagement

This project report describes a research visit by a delegation from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma to the National Museum of Natural History, the National Anthropological Archives, and the National Museum of the American Indian. The Smithsonian Institution’s Recovering Voices program sponsored the visit and provided a Community Research Grant to fund the endeavor. The report summarizes the research team’s activities and outlines their efforts to incorporate information gleaned during the visit into programming for members of the Kiowa community.
A problem reduction approach for scheduling semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities

Most scheduling procedures used in industry are based on the dispatching paradigm, where decisions are made based on the jobs available at the time the machine becomes free. While optimization-based scheduling procedures have repeatedly been shown to yield significantly better schedules under ideal circumstances, their practical implementation is hampered by high computational requirements. We present a problem reduction procedure that allows a workcenter-based global scheduling heuristic to be implemented in very low CPU times. The procedure partitions the workcenters in a fab into heavily loaded and lightly loaded classes and solves the global scheduling problem only for the heavily loaded workcenters. The proposed technique is tested on instances drawn from an International SEMATECH wafer fab model. The proposed problem reduction approach yields superior results with modest computational effort, enabling the practical use of the decomposition heuristic.
Land Ownership Security and Farm Investment: Comment

Economists have long argued that increasing security of individual property rights in land leads to increased investment. Feder and Onchan (FT) are among the first to empirically test this argument in a rigorous way. Based on data from Thailand, FT infer that ownership of land title increases capital accumulation and investment. Their analysis broadens our understanding of the linkages between capital markets and land investment and offers hypotheses for further research. This comment raises two issues concerning the FT article. First, the empirical results are open to several interpretations because of fundamental questions about causality and the definition of ownership security. A reinterpretation of the data suggests that the aggregate impact of title on investment may have been small. Second, inference from the Thailand study must be made with caution. Consideration of a more general model suggests other conditions which influence the impact of title on investment and productivity. Our comments do not diminish the importance of the FT study but raise conceptual issues that may prove useful for future land titling research.
Integrated psychological care in head and neck cancer: Views from health care providers, patients, and supports.

Objectives/Hypothesis An evaluation by head-and-neck cancer (HNC) staff, patients, and patient support feedback regarding integrated psychological care and perceived benefit based on patient characteristics. Study Design Cross-sectional survey of HNC staff, patients, and their primary supports; and retrospective chart review of psychiatric characteristics of HNC patients. Methods HNC staff, patients (who were evaluated by the integrated psychologist), and their primary supports were given questionnaires on their perception of benefit of including a psychologist in the evaluation and treatment of HNC patients. Also, a retrospective chart review on patients who were psychiatrically evaluated by the psychologist on sociodemographics and psychiatric characteristics. Results Overall, integration of a psychologist was well received by patients, supports, and staff. Younger patients reported greater satisfaction with the availability of the psychologist than older patients (P = .04), and patients with reported psychiatric histories (diagnoses in remission) indicated more satisfaction with the psychologist in relation to managing distress than patients who denied psychiatric histories (P = .03); however, patients who were currently smoking tended to report lower satisfaction with the psychologist helping with distress than those who were past/never smokers (P = .06). Conclusions Integrated psychological care has the potential to improve care provided for HNC patients. Level of Evidence Level 4. Laryngoscope, 125:1345–1351, 2015
The refined atomic structure of carbonic anhydrase II at 1.05 A resolution: implications of chemical rescue of proton transfer.

Using synchrotron radiation and a CCD detector, X-ray data have been collected at 100 K for the His64Ala mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II complexed with 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) to a maximal 1.05 A resolution, allowing full anisotropic least-squares refinement. The refined model has a conventional R factor of 15.7% for all reflections. The Cα coordinates of the model presented here have an r.m.s. deviation of 0.10 A relative to the previously determined structure at 1.6 A resolution. Several amino-acid residues (six of the 255 observed) have been identified with multiple rotamer side-chain conformations. C, N and O atoms can be differentiated with selective electron-density map contouring. The estimated standard deviations for all main-chain non-H atom bond lengths and angles are 0.013 and 0.030 A, respectively, based on unrestrained full-matrix least-squares refinement. This structure gives detailed information about the tetrahedrally arranged zinc ion coordinated by three histidine N atoms (His94 N∊2, His96 N∊2 and His119 Nδ1) and a water/hydroxide, the multiple binding sites of the proton chemical rescue molecule 4-MI and the solvent networks linking the zinc-bound water/hydroxide and 4-MI molecules. This structure presents the highest resolution structure of a carbonic anhydrase isozyme so far determined and adds to the understanding of proton-transfer processes.
The Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex in the Prevention of Muscle Damage

Muscular dystrophies are genetically diverse but share common phenotypic features of muscle weakness, degeneration, and progressive decline in muscle function. Previous work has focused on understanding how disruptions in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex result in muscular dystrophy, supporting a hypothesis that the muscle sarcolemma is fragile and susceptible to contraction-induced injury in multiple forms of dystrophy. Although benign in healthy muscle, contractions in dystrophic muscle may contribute to a higher degree of muscle damage which eventually overwhelms muscle regeneration capacity. While increased susceptibility of muscle to mechanical injury is thought to be an important contributor to disease pathology, it is becoming clear that not all DGC-associated diseases share this supposed hallmark feature. This paper outlines experimental support for a function of the DGC in preventing muscle damage and examines the evidence that supports novel functions for this complex in muscle that when impaired, may contribute to the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy.
Clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: characterization of its CD44 isoform repertoire.

Abstract Objective. CD44 is a cell surface receptor implicated in tumor metastases. We have previously shown that there is a loss of CD44 splice control in clear cell carcinoma (CCCa) of the ovary. Our aim is to characterize the expression of CD44-3v, -5v, -7v, and -10v in clear cell ovarian tumors and to determine their prognostic value. Methods. Twenty-two cases of ovarian CCCa were studied for CD44-3v, -5v, -7v, and -10v expression by immunocytochemistry. Results. The primary tumors showed expression of CD44-3v, -5v, -7v, and -10v in 44, 55, 61, and 39% of the cases, respectively. We were able to compare the expression of CD44 in the primary tumor and metastatic sites from the same patient in 7 cases (metastatic sites n = 16). We observed decreased immunoreactivity of CD44-3v, -5v, -7v, and -10v in 67, 100, 93, and 92% of the sites, respectively. CD44-3v and -10v expression was absent in 100% of the nonaffected contralateral ovaries while -7v and -10v were expressed in 1/11 (9%) of them. When CD44-10v was not expressed in the primary tumor, only 18% of the women recurred or died of disease; in contrast, of the cases where it was present, 71% of the women recurred or died of disease ( P = 0.049). Conclusions. There is aberrant alternative mRNA splicing in the development of CCCa of the ovary when compared to the contralateral nonaffected ovary. The expression of CD44-10v correlates with survival. Larger series are needed to further understand the role of CD44 isoforms in ovarian cancer metastases.
Collateral Lethality: A new therapeutic strategy in oncology.

Genomic deletion of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) is a rite of passage for virtually all human cancers. The synthetic lethal paradigm has provided a framework for the development of molecular targeted therapeutics that are functionally linked to the loss of specific TSG functions. In the course of genomic events that delete TSGs, a large number of genes with no apparent direct role in tumor promotion also sustain deletion as a result of chromosomal proximity to the target TSG. In this perspective, we review the novel concept of ‘collateral lethality', which has served to identify cancer-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities resulting from codeletion of passenger genes neighboring TSGs. The large number of collaterally deleted genes, playing diverse functions in cell homeostasis, offers a rich repertoire of pharmacologically targetable vulnerabilities presenting novel opportunities for the development of personalized antineoplastic therapies.
Primary care physician decision making regarding severe obesity treatment and bariatric surgery: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Less than 1% of severely obese US adults undergo bariatric surgery annually. It is critical to understand the factors that contribute to its utilization. Objectives To understand how primary care physicians (PCPs) make decisions regarding severe obesity treatment and bariatric surgery referral. Setting Focus groups with PCPs practicing in small, medium, and large cities in Wisconsin. Methods PCPs were asked to discuss prioritization of treatment for a severely obese patient with multiple co-morbidities and considerations regarding bariatric surgery referral. Focus group sessions were analyzed by using a directed approach to content analysis. A taxonomy of consensus codes was developed. Code summaries were created and representative quotes identified. Results Sixteen PCPs participated in 3 focus groups. Four treatment prioritization approaches were identified: (1) treat the disease that is easiest to address; (2) treat the disease that is perceived as the most dangerous; (3) let the patient set the agenda; and (4) address obesity first because it is the common denominator underlying other co-morbid conditions. Only the latter approach placed emphasis on obesity treatment. Five factors made PCPs hesitate to refer patients for bariatric surgery: (1) wanting to "do no harm"; (2) questioning the long-term effectiveness of bariatric surgery; (3) limited knowledge about bariatric surgery; (4) not wanting to recommend bariatric surgery too early; and (5) not knowing if insurance would cover bariatric surgery. Conclusion Decision making by PCPs for severely obese patients seems to underprioritize obesity treatment and overestimate bariatric surgery risks. This could be addressed with PCP education and improvements in communication between PCPs and bariatric surgeons.
Chronic Cough and Bilateral Pneumothoraces in a Nonsmoker

An 82-year-old Japanese nonsmoking man presented with persistent dry cough and small left apical pneumothorax. High resolution CT scan of the chest demonstrated bilateral upper lobe pleuroparenchymal thickening and architectural distortion. Serial imaging revealed mild progression and development of small bilateral pneumothoraces, and pneumomediastinum. A surgical lung biopsy was required to confirm the diagnosis.
Pilot Evaluation of Auricular Acupressure in End-Stage Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Dyspnea is a common symptom in end-stage lung cancer patients and is only infrequently controlled. Currently, the use of complimentary therapies using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including auricular application of Vaccaria segetalis (a small seed), is understudied. Acupressure using auricular Vaccaria segetalis application has been reported as effective in reducing dyspnea when applied to a specific area of the ear associated with lung function in the TCM paradigm. Objective: The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effects of standardized auricular acupressure therapy using Vaccaria segetalis on dyspnea intensity and distress and oxygen saturation in end-stage lung cancer patients. Methods: The experimental design was three conditions with eight measurement points in time. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: (1) Standard Care (SC); (2) SC with Vaccaria segetalis taped to random auricular locations (placebo); and (3) SC with V...
Integrated Controls-Structures Optimization of a Large Space Structure

A technique for the simultaneous optimization of structural and control elements of a large space structure is developed and demonstrated for a test problem, the NASA COFS-I Mast Flight System. General-purpose control and structural-analysis codes are applied directly to a large detailed model, with realistic objective and constraint functions. The steps in the process (structural optimization, control optimization, and system coordination) are described and illustrated with diagrams; the numerical implementation (using different computers for different steps) is discussed; and results showing significant design improvements in three COFS-I configurations are presented in graphs. When the weights of both structure and power-generating equipment are taken into account, a 40-bay truss design is found to be better than designs with 42 or 44 bays.
Fibromyalgia syndrome: diagnosis and comorbidities.

In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology laid out several sets of criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). The first criterion required patients to report at least 3 months of widespread pain. Pain was considered widespread if it was present in four quadrants of the body—the right and left side as well as above and below the waist. Axial skeleton pain is also very commonly present in FM and is often considered a fifth “quadrant.” The second diagnostic criterion was widespread pain in response to a tender point examination. In this assessment the clinician presses on 18 specific areas with enough pressure to blanche his fingertip (∼4 kg). The patient's report of pain and not pressure on such testing in at least 11 of the tender points completes the requirements for the diagnosis of FM (Slide 1). Although these criteria were established to standardize patients for research studies, many physicians follow them for diagnostic purposes as well. However, these criteria must be viewed in the same context as the definition of hypertension (ie, blood pressures ≥140/90). Patients who do not quite attain these criteria should still be considered to have probable hypertension; and the same applies to FM. A patient who has three-quadrant pain and 9 tender points does not meet the criteria for FM, but the therapeutic approach to this patient is the same as it is for the patient with definitive FM.
Electrocatalytic Dihydrogen Production by an Earth-Abundant Manganese Bipyridine Catalyst

Earth-abundant manganese bipyridine complexes have been extensively studied as homogeneous electrocatalysts for proton-coupled CO2 reduction. To date, these manganese complexes have not been examined as catalysts for the reduction of other small molecules. We report electrocatalytic H2 production by [Mn(mesbpy)(CO)3(MeCN)](OTf)]. In acetonitrile, this manganese electrocatalyst displays a turnover frequency (TOF) of 5500 s(-1) at an overpotential of 0.90 V (at Ecat/2) for the reduction of protons to H2 using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the acid source. These findings show the flexibility of these manganese bipyridine complexes to serve as catalysts for a variety of small molecule reductions.
Outcomes-Based Pricing as a Tool to Ensure Access to Novel but Expensive Biopharmaceuticals

Insurers are increasingly tying reimbursement to patient outcomes to promote accountability for care, but this has largely not been the case for biopharmaceuticals despite their growing use and hig...
Recovery of Foveal Anatomy and Subfoveal Lucency after Pharmacologic and Surgical Macular Hole Closure in the Ocriplasmin Phase III Trials

Purpose To compare foveal anatomic features on OCT after macular hole (MH) closure, and their association with visual function, in the ocriplasmin phase III trials. Design Randomized clinical trial. Participants One hundred fifty-three participants. Methods Each participant had 1 eye with baseline MH randomized to single intravitreal injection of placebo or ocriplasmin. After enrollment in 1 of the 2 nonsurgical treatment groups, a subset of eyes were analyzed in a surgical treatment group that had pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after placebo or ocriplasmin. Main Outcome Measures Subfoveal lucency after MH closure was graded on time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) at all visits, and was compared with visual acuity (VA) and fluorescein angiography (FA) leakage at the final study visit. In a subset of visits with spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT), subfoveal lucency, ellipsoid zone (EZ), and external limiting membrane (ELM) defects were graded and measured. Results Eyes in the placebo, ocriplasmin, and PPV groups with MH closure 1 month after treatment had subfoveal lucency in 5 of 5 (100%), 42 of 43 (98%), and 8 of 37 (22%) eyes, respectively; and eyes with MH closure 6 months after treatment had subfoveal lucency in 3 of 8 (38%), 30 of 44 (68%), and 11 of 60 (18%) eyes, respectively. Resolution of subfoveal lucency lagged behind EZ and ELM recovery in the ocriplasmin group, whereas it preceded EZ and ELM recovery in the PPV group. Subfoveal lucency base width increased after MH closure with ocriplasmin (+662±139 μm) but decreased after placebo (−255±154 μm) and PPV (−777±243 μm), when compared with pretreatment MH base width. Subfoveal lucency was not associated with FA leakage or VA outcomes in any treatment group. Conclusions After MH closure with ocriplasmin, subfoveal lucency width was greater than pretreatment MH and persisted longer during follow-up compared with placebo or PPV. Subfoveal lucency was not a marker for visual function regardless of treatment group.
Velocity Feedback Experiments

Transient response such as ringing in a control system can be reduced or removed by velocity feedback. It is a useful control technique that should be covered in the relevant engineering laboratory courses. We developed velocity feedback experiments using two different low cost technologies, viz., operational amplifiers and microcontrollers. These experiments can be easily integrated into laboratory courses on feedback control systems or microcontroller applications. The intent of developing these experiments was to illustrate the ringing problem and to offer effective, low cost solutions for removing such problem. In this paper the pedagogical approach for these velocity feedback experiments was described. The advantages and disadvantages of the two different implementation of velocity feedback were discussed also.
Minimum Infectious Dose Determination of the Arkansas Delmarva Poultry Industry Infectious Bronchitis Virus Vaccine Delivered by Hatchery Spray Cabinet

SUMMARY The Arkansas Delmarva Poultry Industry (ArkDPI) infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccine is effective when administered by eye drop, where the vaccine virus is able to infect and replicate well in birds and is able to induce protection against homologous challenge. However, accumulating evidence indicates that the ArkDPI vaccine is ineffective when applied by hatchery spray cabinet using the same manufacturer-recommended dose per bird. For this study, we aimed to determine the minimum infectious dose for the spray-administered ArkDPI vaccine, which we designate as the dose that achieves the same level of infection and replication as the eye drop–administered ArkDPI vaccine. To this end, we used increasing doses of commercial ArkDPI vaccine to vaccinate 100 commercial broiler chicks at day of hatch, using a commercial hatchery spray cabinet. The choanal cleft of each bird was swabbed at 7 and 10 days postvaccination, and real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR was performed. We observed that the level...
Submarine Telecommunication Cables and a Biodiversity Agreement in ABNJ: Finding New Routes for Cooperation

In 2016, countries began meeting at the United Nations ( UN ) to prepare for negotiations to develop an international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction ( ABNJ ). How the instrument will relate to submarine cables, if at all, remains to be decided. The preparatory committee will address a “package” of issues, among them the application of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas ( MPA s) and environmental impact assessments ( EIA s) to activities in ABNJ . EIA s and MPA s already affect submarine cable operations in national jurisdictions. In ABNJ , a new instrument should formalize a cooperative framework with the cable industry to provide limited environmental management where necessary without over-burdening cable operations. This approach would be consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and could also inform governance with respect to other activities likely to be benign in ABNJ .