cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Label-free optical imaging in developmental biology [Invited]

Application of optical imaging in developmental biology marks an exciting frontier in biomedical optics. Optical resolution and imaging depth allow for investigation of growing embryos at subcellular, cellular, and whole organism levels, while the complexity and variety of embryonic processes set multiple challenges stimulating the development of various live dynamic embryonic imaging approaches. Among other optical methods, label-free optical techniques attract an increasing interest as they allow investigation of developmental mechanisms without application of exogenous markers or fluorescent reporters. There has been a boost in development of label-free optical imaging techniques for studying embryonic development in animal models over the last decade, which revealed new information about early development and created new areas for investigation. Here, we review the recent progress in label-free optical embryonic imaging, discuss specific applications, and comment on future developments at the interface of photonics, engineering, and developmental biology.
Angiotensin-(1-7) inhibits the growth of human triple negative breast tumors in an orthotopic model

2416 Triple negative breast tumors are an aggressive form of breast cancer that predominantly affects young African-American and Hispanic women with lower socio-economic status. This form of breast cancer is correlated with a poor survival rate regardless of stage at diagnosis due to development of distant metastases. Triple negative tumors lack estrogen and progesterone receptors and have normal expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor HER2 (ERBB2), severely limiting the therapeutic strategy for treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], an endogenous peptide hormone that activates the AT(1-7) receptor mas, can be used as a targeted chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Ang-(1-7) significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells, a triple negative breast cancer cell line. More importantly, the heptapeptide significantly reduced the proliferation of human triple negative breast tumor growth in vivo, using an orthotopic model. Athymic mice with tumors resulting from injection of human MDA-MB-231 cells in the mammary fat pads were treated for 28 days with either saline or 1000 μg/kg Ang-(1-7), delivered by subcutaneous injection every 12 h. The average volume of the tumors from mice treated with the heptapeptide was approximately 3-fold less than the size of the tumors from control animals (170.8 ± 21.4 mm3 versus 546.7 ± 87.9 mm3; n = 5, p
Monitoring Browsing Behavior of Customers in Retail Stores via RFID Imaging

In this paper, we propose TagSee, a multi-person tracking system based on monostatic RFID imaging. TagSee is based on the insight that when customers are browsing the items on a shelf, they stand between the tags deployed along the boundaries of the shelf and the reader, which changes the multi-paths that the RFID signals travel along, and both the RSS and phase values of the RFID signals that the reader receives change. Based on these variations observed by the reader, TagSee constructs a coarse grained image of the customers. The key novelty of this paper is on achieving multi-person activity tracking in front of display items by constructing coarse grained images via robust, analytical model-driven deep learning based, RFID imaging. To achieve this, we first mathematically formulate the problem of imaging humans using monostatic RFID devices and derive an approximate analytical imaging model that correlates the variations caused by human obstructions in the RFID signals. Based on this model, we then develop a deep learning framework to robustly image customers with high accuracy. TagSee can achieve a TPR of more than 90% and a FPR of less than 10% in multi-person scenarios using training data from just 3-4 users.
Abstract SP133: Oncofertility

Many young women have not completed their desired childbearing when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. This is increasingly true as the average age of first birth rises such that more premenopausal breast cancers are diagnosed in nulliparous women. Even women who already have one or more children at the time of their cancer diagnosis may be hoping to become pregnant again. Because chemotherapy is gonadotoxic and endocrine therapy is contraindicated during pregnancy(allowing natural ovarian aging over the 5-10 years of adjuvant therapy recommended for those with endocrine-sensitive stage 1-3 tumors), breast cancer treatments can impair fertility. Fertility preservation strategies including oocyte cryopreservation and embryo cryopreservation should be considered prior to initiation of systemic therapy for young women with fertility concerns, often using modified ovarian stimulation protocols to minimize delays in cancer treatment. The administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist before and during chemotherapy to help maintain ovarian function is more controversial, but can also be considered. It is critical that we offer reproductive counseling and access to fertility preservation techniques at the time of diagnosis, and that we also continue to discuss contraception and fertility planning during and after cancer treatment. Results from the POSITIVE trial, which is assessing pregnancy and cancer outcomes of young women who wished to take a break from adjuvant endocrine therapy to attempt conception, are eagerly awaited to inform these discussions. This talk will address current knowns and unknowns related to the optimal management of reproductive concerns in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Citation Format: K Ruddy. Oncofertility [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr SP133.
PaintSHOP enables the interactive design of transcriptome- and genome-scale oligonucleotide FISH experiments.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allows researchers to visualize the spatial position and quantity of nucleic acids in fixed samples. Recently, considerable progress has been made in developing oligonucleotide (oligo)-based FISH methods that have enabled researchers to study the three-dimensional organization of the genome at super-resolution and visualize the spatial patterns of gene expression for thousands of genes in individual cells. However, there are few existing computational tools to support the bioinformatics workflows necessary to carry out these experiments using oligo FISH probes. Here, we introduce paint server and homology optimization pipeline (PaintSHOP), an interactive platform for the design of oligo FISH experiments. PaintSHOP enables researchers to identify probes for their experimental targets efficiently, to incorporate additional necessary sequences such as primer pairs and to easily generate files documenting library design. PaintSHOP democratizes and standardizes the process of designing complex probe sets for the oligo FISH community. Paint server and homology optimization pipeline (PaintSHOP), an interactive platform for the design of oligo fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments, democratizes and standardizes the process of designing complex probe sets for the oligo FISH community.
Dynamic high-rate tensile characterization of metallic materials with a Kolsky tension bar

Abstract Kolsky bar techniques have been developed and utilized for characterizing the dynamic behavior of materials at high strain rates, primarily in compression. Recently dynamic tensile technique with Kolsky tension bars has been significantly advanced, particularly for metallic materials. Dynamic tensile characterization of metallic materials provides not only high-strain-rate stress–strain property but also failure/fracture response. In this chapter, the most recent advance in Kolsky tension bar techniques is presented, including Kolsky tension bar design, specimen design, and mounting methods, and challenges in dynamic tensile tests and data reduction process, for cylindrical and flat specimens, respectively. Interrupted Kolsky tension bar techniques are also presented for investigating strain-rate-dependent damage evolution, structure-property relationship, as well as multiscale failure and fracture.
A Cost-saving Thermal Test Chip Design in a Test Vehicle of Large BGA

Special chip design for thermal test has been developed for a long time for assessment of package thermal characteristics, evaluation of material thermal performance, and validation of thermal models and simulations. Nevertheless, most of the thermal test chip design is independent from the real chip development, leading to thermal test chip hardly be used in the new products with advanced manufacture node and new packaging type. In this paper, we proposed a cost-saving thermal test chip which can be synchronously developed and combined with daisy chain design for package reliability test. This thermal test chip contains metal strip resistors for heating and resistive temperature sensor for temperature monitor. It helps to study the package thermal characteristics and evaluate the performance and reliability of thermal interface material applied in flip-chip ball grid array package.
Child and juvenile growth

Abstract The periods of early (ages 2–6) and middle (7–11) childhood is nonetheless an important period for long-term developmental and health outcomes. These periods are characterized by changing body proportionality and composition, rapid brain growth and maturation, and hormonal development. Environmental factors shaping growth, particularly the rate of linear growth and adiposity gain, during this period may have long term impacts on cardiometabolic health, cancer risk and cognitive function. This chapter reviews the main characteristics of childhood and juvenile growth, describes factors contributing to variation in growth during childhood, discusses current health challenges for children, and concludes with a discussion of why childhood may be an important period shaping long term health. The importance of linear growth for long term health and the associated consequences of undernutrition on cognitive development and academic achievement suggest that this period should not be ignored. Further, the importance of childhood obesity in the establishment of unhealthy weight trajectories and cardiometabolic risk highlight the critical importance of nutrition and physical and social environmental context experienced during childhood for shaping long-term health.
SAT non-g residuals predict course specific GPAs: Support for investment theory

Abstract This research examined relations of SAT residuals, obtained after removing g , with first-year course specific college GPAs (grade point averages) from the SAT Validity Study ( N = 160,670). g was based on SAT scores and GPAs in two areas: science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and the humanities (e.g., English, art, history, foreign languages). The results revealed a domain specific pattern of effects: SAT math residuals correlated positively with math and STEM GPAs and negatively with verbal and humanities GPAs, whereas SAT verbal (reading and writing) residuals showed the opposite pattern of effects. The pattern of effects replicated with manifest GPAs and latent GPAs, with and without missing data, and with different STEM and humanities GPAs. The largest effects were obtained for models with either the SAT reading or writing subtest and with latent GPAs (absolute β ≈ .17). The difference between residual effects for math and verbal GPAs was medium in size (mean difference ≈ .27). The results supported investment theories, which predict that investment in a specific ability (math) boosts similar abilities but retards competing abilities (verbal). The findings are the first to confirm the predictions of investment theory with course specific GPAs.
Remarks of the Moderator

Being myself a prime example of the aging process, I think it might be useful to recall some previous symposia on aging in which I have participated. The first of these was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 1956. There followed a symposium organized by the AAAS in 1960, one by the Gerontological Society in Puerto Rico, and the previous Brookhaven Symposium in 1984. In comparison with my recollections of these summations of the current state of the art, the Brookhaven Symposium of 1986 presents us with enormous advances in methodology and the advent of research on a new variety of organisms, especially Caenorhabditis elegans. Nevertheless, a few reminiscent comments may be helpful as we attempt to summarize our findings. On this occasion we miss a good number of the oldtimers in the study of aging: George Sacher, of course, to whom this symposium is dedicated: Alex Comfort, Nathan Shock, Howard Curtis, Leo Szilard, Bernard Strehler, and many others, to say nothing of such great oldtimers as H. S. Jennings, Raymond Pearl, and C. M. McCay. New insights must always be interpreted in the light of older demonstrated knowledge. Even abandoned theories of aging have their value in keeping us on the right road.
Unraveling the Transmission Ecology of Polio.

Sustained and coordinated vaccination efforts have brought polio eradication within reach. Anticipating the eradication of wild poliovirus (WPV) and the subsequent challenges in preventing its re-emergence, we look to the past to identify why polio rose to epidemic levels in the mid-20th century, and how WPV persisted over large geographic scales. We analyzed an extensive epidemiological dataset, spanning the 1930s to the 1950s and spatially replicated across each state in the United States, to glean insight into the drivers of polio’s historical expansion and the ecological mode of its persistence prior to vaccine introduction. We document a latitudinal gradient in polio’s seasonality. Additionally, we fitted and validated mechanistic transmission models to data from each US state independently. The fitted models revealed that: (1) polio persistence was the product of a dynamic mosaic of source and sink populations; (2) geographic heterogeneity of seasonal transmission conditions account for the latitudinal structure of polio epidemics; (3) contrary to the prevailing “disease of development” hypothesis, our analyses demonstrate that polio’s historical expansion was straightforwardly explained by demographic trends rather than improvements in sanitation and hygiene; and (4) the absence of clinical disease is not a reliable indicator of polio transmission, because widespread polio transmission was likely in the multiyear absence of clinical disease. As the world edges closer to global polio eradication and continues the strategic withdrawal of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), the regular identification of, and rapid response to, these silent chains of transmission is of the utmost importance.
Evaluation of blood cultures in a children's hospital located in Southeastern Anatolia.

AIM: Bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality despite antimicrobial therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment of these infections is crucial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from blood cultures in a children's hospital in the Southeastern Anatolia during an 18-month period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 7 040 blood cultures which were sent from hospitalized patients in Gaziantep Children's Hospital between 01.07.2010 and 01.01.2012 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 7 040 blood cultures were evaluated in this study. Microbial growth was detected in 2075 (29.47%) blood cultures. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (%45.97) which were followed by Salmonella spp. (%7.8). 12.12% of enterococcal isolates were resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics. The most frequently isolated gram negative bacterium was Salmonella spp. 15.43% of Salmonella spp. showed decreased susceptibility against quinolones. The ESBL positivity rate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains was found to be 35.08% and 57.14%, respectively. The imipenem resistance rate of P. aeruginosa was found to be 33.33%. The most common nonfermentative bacterium was S. maltophilia. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of bacteria isolated from blood cultures and antibiotic resistance rates differ among different regions of Turkey. Different results obtained in our study may be related with regional tendencies to infections and patient population. Distribution of infectious agents and antibiotic resistance rates should be evaluated at regular intervals. This will lead to establishment of proper antibiotic usage policies in our country.
Determination of root biomasses of three species grown in a mixture using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen

A method is evaluated that employs variation in stable C and N isotopes from fractionations in C and N acquisition and growth to predict root biomasses of three plant species in mixtures. Celtis laevigata Willd. (C3), Prosopis glandulosa Torr. (C3, legume) and Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash (C4), or Gossypium hirsutum L. (C3), Glycine max (L.) Merr. (C3 legume), and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (C4) were grown together in separate, three-species combinations. Surface roots (0–10 cm depth) of each species from each of the two combinations were mixed in various proportions, and the relative abundances of 15N and 14N and 13C and 12C in prepared mixtures, surface roots of single species, and roots extracted from the 80-cm soil profile in which each species combination was grown were analyzed by mass spectrometry. An algebraic determination which employed the δ 13C, % 15N, and C and N concentrations of root subsamples of individual species accounted for more than 95% of the variance in biomass of each species in prepared mixtures with G. max, G. hirsutum, and S. bicolor. A similar analysis demonstrated species-specific differences in rooting patterns. Root biomasses of the C4 monocots in each combination, S. scoparium and S. bicolor, were concentrated in the upper 20 cm of soil, while those of G. hirsutum and the woody P. glandulosa were largest in lower soil strata. Analyses of stable C and N isotopes can effectively be used to distinguish roots of species which differ in ratios of 15N to 14N and 13C to 12C and thus to study belowground competition between or rooting patterns of associated species with different C and N isotope signatures. The method evaluated can be extended to quantify aboveground and belowground biomasses of component species in mixtures with isotopes of other elements or element concentrations that differ consistently among plants of interest.
Temperature distortion generator for turboshaft engine testing

The procedures and unique hardware used to conduct an experimental investigation into the response of a small-turboshaft-engine compression system to various hot gas ingestion patterns are presented. The temperature distortion generator described herein uses gaseous hydrogen to create both steady-state and time-variant, or transient, temperature distortion at the engine inlet. The range of transient temperature ramps produced by the distortion generator during the engine tests was from less than 111 deg K/sec (200 deg R/sec) to above 611 deg K/sec (1100 deg R/sec); instantaneous temperatures to 422 deg K (760 deg R) above ambient were generated. The distortion generator was used to document the maximum inlet temperatures and temperature rise rates that the compression system could tolerate before the onset of stall for various circumferential distortions as well as the compressor system response during stall.
The secretory pathway is normal in dithiothreitol-treated cells, but disulfide-bonded proteins are reduced and reversibly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum

Addition of 2 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) to HepG2 human hepatoma cells blocks secretion of newly made albumin and causes it to accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum in the reduced state. Subsequent incubation of the cells in the absence of DTT allows the reduced albumin to form apparently normal disulfide bonds and to be secreted normally. Similarly, DTT treatment causes all newly made subunits of the H1 subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum in the reduced state; following removal of DTT H1 subunits form disulfide bonds via a normal endoplasmic reticulum folding intermediate and mature to the Golgi. Thus, apparently normal formation of disulfide bonds on these two proteins can occur post-translationally, as has been shown previously for the influenza HA hemagglutinin (Braakman, I., Helenius, J., and Helenius, A. (1992) EMBO J. 11, 1717-1722; Braakman, I., Helenius, J., and Helenius, A. (1992) Nature 356, 260-262). alpha 1-Antitrypsin contains no disulfide bonds; in the continuous presence of DTT it acquires a normal complement of complex oligosaccharides and is secreted at an only slightly reduced rate. Thus, the secretory pathway functions efficiently even when it is reduced by DTT. Endoplasmic reticulum retention of albumin and H1 during treatment with DTT presumably occurs because, without disulfide bonds, these proteins cannot fold properly, not because of any defect in the overall processes of vesicular transport and protein secretion.
Childhood Conduct Problems in a Family Context.

This article reviews research on the influence of a child's family context on the development of conduct problems. The first part of the article addresses what critical aspects of a child's family ...
The changing role of employees in service theory and practice: An interdisciplinary view

Abstract The changing role of employees in service theory and practice over the last few decades is overviewed from the perspectives of the management and marketing disciplines. The criticality of employees, particularly front-line employees, in driving customer service outcomes was emphasized in both fields in the 1980s and 1990s. The rise of services marketing highlighted the role of employees in dyadic service encounters with customers. In management, the implications of the customer interface for employee and organization were developed. In the 2000s, the status of the employee's role appeared to diminish as service marketing theory shifted from a provider to a consumer perspective on customer value creation, and as technology substituting for employees grew in practice. In management, new theory and research directions on service employees essentially plateaued. Going forward in evolving service contexts, employees will fill roles as “Innovators”; “Differentiators”; “Enablers” and “Coordinators”. Suggestions are offered for what management can learn from services marketing in the pursuit of interdisciplinary research.
A breast cancer progression model: the importance of three-dimensional tissue architecture and metalloproteinases

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that non-malignant and malignant cells can be distinguished easily and rapidly by their morphology and growth rate when cultured in three-dimensional (3D) laminin-rich basement membrane but not when cultured on traditional tissue culture plastic (two-dimensional [2D]) [1,2]. In addition, we have shown that cellular responses to signaling inhibitors and apoptotic agents differ in cells cultured in 2D versus 3D [3,4]. This applies also to our finding with reverted tumor cell lines [3-8]. In this presentation, I will address two inter-related topics. First, we asked how the 3D morphology and gene expression profiles for a panel of 60 breast cancer cell lines for which the Gray laboratory has obtained 2D expression as well as CGH profiles may differ, and whether any of the surrogate genes or phenotypes could track with response to therapy. The cell lines examined so far fell into four distinct morphologies of 'round', 'mass', 'grape-like' and 'stellate'. An ANOVA analysis of Affymetrix gene expression profiles for each of these cell lines was used to identify genes, the expression profiles of which could distinguish the other known parameters of the cultured cells. Of the 22,283 genes on the Affymetrix 133A chip, ~5800 genes were identified where expression patterns differed between different cell lines both in 2D and 3D, and ~2000 genes were identified where expression differed between the non-malignant and malignant cell lines. About 700 genes differed between 2D and 3D, and ~800 correlated with the morphological differences seen in 3D. These genes fall into a number of functional classes, which we are currently analyzing to identify common signaling themes and/or morphological regulators that will be tested by manipulation of expression and correlated with therapeutic response of these cell lines in 2D and 3D to Herceptin and other chemotherapeutic drugs. Second, we have also shown previously that loss of basement membrane in both cultured mammary mouse cells [9] and in transgenic animals led to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mammary tumors [10]. We have now determined the molecular pathways induced by MMP-3 to lead to EMT and genomic instability via production of reactive oxygen species [11]. These mechanisms will be discussed.
DOMESTIC PROTESTS AND RATES OF PERSONAL VIOLENCE (SUICIDE AND HOMICIDE)

Surnmay.-The number of protesrs in West Germany from 1965 ro 1989 was not associated with suicide or homicide rates, which failed ro replicate results previously reported For Canada. Lester (1995) reported that domestic protests in Canada from 1960 to 1985 were associated with lower rates of suicide and homicide, the latter association holdmg up in time-series regression analyses. Data on protests in West Germany from 1965-1989 were available from Koopmans (1993; personal communication, I995), permitting an examination of these associations in West Germany. Suicide rates were not associated with the total number of protests each year, the number of demonstrations, the number of confrontations, the number of incidents involving light violence or the number involving heavy violence (Pearson rs= -.13, -.17, .06, -.05 and -.17, respectively, all nonsignificant). The correlations for homicide rates were .13, .16, -.04, -.01, and .31, respectively, also all nonsignificant. The number of protests was entered into time-series regressions, alone and with marriage, birth, and divorce rates, and all produced nonsignificant b coefficients. Thus, these data from West Germany did not replicate the results for Canada.
Photosystem-II Electron Transport and Phosphorylation with Dibromothymoquinone as the Electron Acceptor

Dibromothymoquinone has two effects on isolated chloroplasts. At very low concentrations it inhibits the reduction of conventional hydrophilic electron acceptors, probably by acting as a plastoquinone antagonist. At higher concentrations it acts as an electron acceptor, intercepting electrons either before or at the site of its inhibitory activity. Reduced dibromothymoquinone can be readily reoxidized by excess ferricyanide in the reaction mixture or by molecular oxygen. The transfer of electrons to this substance from water is coupled to phosphorylation. The pH optima for this reduction and associated phosphorylation are both at 7.3, considerably lower than the pH optimum of 8.4 observed with the normal Hill reaction. The ratio of molecules of ATP formed to pairs of electrons transported is relatively constant (0.3 –0.4) between pH 6 and 9. The rate of reduction is independent of the presence or absence of ADP and phosphate or uncouplers. The reduction of dibromothymoquinone resembles the reduction of other lipid-soluble oxi-dants such as oxidized p-phenylenediamines and 2,5-dimethylquinone in several respects. Both reactions are insensitive to the plastocyanin inhibitors KCN and polylysine, but are sensitive to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. They support phosphorylation with a similar efficieney. However, dibromothymoquinone reduction differs from the reduction of other lipophilic oxidants in that its sensitivity to dichlorophenyl-dimethylurea decreases with increasing light intensities. This implies that it may be reduced via a pool (plastoquinone?) which is a common electron acceptor for independent photosystem II units whereas oxidized p-phenylenediamines and 2,5-dimethylquinone are reduced directly by these independent units.
Antagonism of benzodiazepine binding in brain by Antilirium, benzyl alcohol, and physostigmine.

: Antilirium®, which contains eserine (physostigmine) and benzyl alcohol, is effective in reversing diazepam-induced sleep in man and is capable in vitro of inhibiting the binding of labeled benzodiazepine to both rat and human brain homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. We have examined the constituents of Antilirium and report that both benzyl alcohol and eserine inhibit [3HI-diazepam binding to rat brain in a dose-dependent manner. A major portion of the inhibition of binding found with Antilirium is accounted for by benzyl alcohol. Scatchard analysis of inhibition of benzodiazepine binding by benzyl alcohol reveals loss of binding sites and change in equilibrium dissociation constant. Methanol, ethanol, and butanol did not inhibit benzodiazepine binding. The inhibition by benzyl alcohol may be specific since there was no inhibition of labeled ligand binding to the γ-aminobutyric acid, opiate, muscarinic acetylcholine, or β-adrenergic receptors. The other constituent, eserine, is a competitive inhibitor. While eserine is a more potent inhibitor at the benzodiazepine receptor than is benzyl alcohol, it is also much less specific. Eserine inhibited binding of labeled ligand to the γ-aminobutyric acid, opiate, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The inhibition of benzodiazepine binding to brain in vitro by Antilirium and its constituents, eserine and benzyl alcohol, may be the explanation, at least in part, for the reversal by Antilirium of diazepam-induced narcosis in viva, without postulating a cholinergic mechanism for the in vivo effect.
Cosmic strings and the correlations of Abell clusters

The two-point spatial correlation function for cosmic string loops in an expanding universe is determined and shown to closely match the observed two-point correlation function for clusters of galaxies. Further implications for the string theory of galaxy formation are discussed.
SPEEDY‐IER: A fast atmospheric GCM with water isotope physics

The interpretation of variations in the global isotopic composition of precipitation and water vapor can be strengthened using an isotope-enabled atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). Here we present a fast-physics atmospheric circulation model suitable for long ensemble integrations: the efficient AGCM Simplified Parameterizations, Primitive Equation Dynamics (SPEEDY), with newly added water isotope physics. The model (SPEEDY-isotope-enabled reconstructions (IER)) simulates the hydrological cycle and isotope ratios in atmospheric water at a fraction of the computational cost of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)-class GCMs. Despite its simplified physics, SPEEDY-IER captures many key features of the observed range of tropical, subtropical, and midlatitude isotope variability when compared to the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation, Stable Water Isotope Intercomparison Group (SWING2) simulations, and satellite observations of isotopes in vapor. The incorporation of water isotopes in SPEEDY required two updates to the model's physics: postcondensational exchange associated with falling rain and soil hydrology. It is evident that these physical processes are essential for a skillful simulation of isotopes in precipitation and vapor. We conduct a suite of sensitivity tests to constrain effective parameters in the rain exchange and land models and assess the impact of the new physics to isotope simulations. The strong sensitivity to parameter choice in these components reaffirms the importance of land-atmosphere interactions and rain-vapor exchange on stable water isotope ratios in the atmosphere and thus on the interpretation of paleoclimate records. The utility of SPEEDY-IER for climate applications is discussed.
Neodymium-Yag Laser for Posterior Capsulotomy

We used the neodymium-YAG laser to perform discission of the posterior capsule in 49 eyes of 47 patients who had undergone previous extracapsular cataract extraction. The visual results were encouraging, with an improvement in visual acuity of one or more Snellen lines in 45 eyes and an improvement of three or more Snellen lines in 33 eyes. The complications included increases in intraocular pressure in 28 eyes. Intraocular pressures between 21 and 40 mm Hg were detected in 21 eyes and exceeded 41 mm Hg in another seven. In 14 of the 16 eyes in which intraocular pressure increased to more than 30 mm Hg, the maximum intraocular pressure was detectable within three hours after treatment. Other complications included damage to the intraocular lens in 12 of 30 eyes with implants and rupture of the anterior hyaloid face with forward displacement of vitreous into the anterior chamber in six of 19 eyes without implants. One of these eyes later developed a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A transient laser-induced hemorrhage occurred in one eye.
Community-Partnered Collaboration to Build an Integrated Palliative Care Clinic: The View From Urology.

Background:We partnered with patients, families, and palliative care clinicians to develop an integrated urology–palliative care clinic for patients with metastatic cancer. We assessed clinician satisfaction with a multidisciplinary palliative care clinic model.Methods:We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 clinicians who practice in our integrated clinic. We analyzed transcripts using a multistage, cutting-and-sorting technique in an inductive approach based on grounded theory analysis. Finally, we administered a validated physician job satisfaction survey.Results:Clinicians found that referring a patient to palliative care in the urology clinic was feasible and appropriate. Patients were receptive to supportive care, and clinicians perceived that quality of care improved following the intervention.Conclusion:An integrated, patient-centered model for individuals with advanced urologic malignancies is feasible and well received by practitioners.
Auto-amputation of penis from carcinoma

A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the shaft of the penis leading to auto-amputation is presented. Despite delay in treatment, a good result was obtained following surgical excision.
NON-LOWER EXTREMITY DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

This article reviews the prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnoses, and treatment of non-lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The discussion includes upper extremity DVT, mesenteric venous occlusion, jugular vein thrombosis, and central venous thrombosis.
Isolated bleeding from colonic varices in patients with liver disease

Three additional patients with colonic varices are added to the 15 patients previously described, making a total of 18 patients. Fourteen patients had hepatic disease or evidence of portal hypertension. Ten patients had varices in the left half of the colon, and 8, in the right half. Varices of the rectosigmoid were consistently visualized during sigmoidoscopic examination and barium enema. Varices of the right half of the colon were consistently visualized during barium enema examination. Of 14 patients with adequate follow-up, only 6 survived. Of 3 patients, 1 survived without operation. Of 11 patients, 5 survived after operation.
Diastereoselective Control of Intramolecular Aza-Michael Reactions Using Achiral Catalysts

An intramolecular aza-Michael reaction with a Cbz carbamate and an enone is reported to result in 3,5-disubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Either cis or trans isomers were obtained selectively using chiral substrates and an achiral Pd (II) complex or strong Bronsted acid catalysis. A range of substrates undergoes these selective transformations. Functionalization of the resulting products yielding bicyclic heterocycles is also demonstrated.
Regulation of hemoglobin synthesis during the development of the red cell (first of three parts)

In this article we have surveyed the current state of knowledge regarding the accumulation of globin mRNA and hemoglobin in red cells. We have attempted to examine the interplay of numerous processes that seem to be necessary to achieve this highly differentiated state. Finally, we have made an effort to formulate some of the mechanisms whereby individual red cells may come to contain varying proportions of specific hemoglobins. The past several years have been characterized by a veritable explosion of knowledge concerning the globin structure genes, and the structure, transcription, processing and function of globin mRNA in erythroid cells. It now seems possible to analyze the earlier stages of erythropoiesis by cultivation and examination of erythroid colonies in vitro. The primary differentiation events leading to the production of specific globins, especially for hemoglobin F production in man, are now experimentally accessible. There is good reason to hope that these advances will soon permit achievement of the long desired therapeutic goal of enhancing hemoglobin F synthesis in patients with severe beta-chain hemoglobinopathies. Our aim has been to review the scientific information that might provide the rationable for amelioration of the clinical phenotypes in patients inheriting abnormal globin genes.
Ion-exchange chromatography using vanadyl and vandate salts as mobile phases with indirect detection

Vanadyl sulfate, VOSO4, was characterized as the mobile phase for the ion exchange separation of Li+, Na+, NH4+, and K+ using indirect photometric detection at 254 nm. Detection limits ranged from 0.2 ppm for Li+ to 1 ppm for K+. Indirect electrochemical detection of these separated cations by reduction of VO (II) to V3+ was compared to spectrophotometric detection. The potential of the vanadate species, HVO42−, for the separation of F−, Cl−, and SO42−, with indirect photometric detection was also demonstrated.
Crude and purified proteasome activity assays are affected by type of microplate

Measurement of proteasome activity is fast becoming a commonly used assay in many laboratories. The most common method to measure proteasome activity involves measuring the release of fluorescent tags from peptide substrates in black microplates. Comparisons of black plates used for measuring fluorescence with different properties show that the microplate properties significantly affect the measured activities of the proteasome. The microplate that gave the highest reading of trypsin-like activity of the purified 20S proteasome gave the lowest reading of chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome. Plates with medium binding surfaces from two different companies showed an approximately 2-fold difference in caspase-like activity for purified 20S proteasomes. Even standard curves generated using free 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) were affected by the microplate used. As such, significantly different proteasome activities, as measured in nmol AMC released/mg/min, were obtained for purified 20S proteasomes as well as crude heart and liver samples when using different microplates. The naturally occurring molecule betulinic acid activated the chymotrypsin-like proteasome activity in three different plates but did not affect the proteasome activity in the nonbinding surface microplate. These findings suggest that the type of proteasome activity being measured and sample type are important when selecting a microplate.
Circle Patterning Technology with Negative Tone Development for ArF Immersion Extension

Contact hole patterning for half pitch 51nm can be achieved by single exposure for mass production and for half pitch 39nm can be achieved by Litho-Etch-Litho-Etch (LELE). Currently for half pitch 32nm there is no promising solution so far, but ouble patterning and extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) are still competing each other for this target. In the current situation of contact hole patterning, single exposure negative tone development (NTD) shows excellent contact hole performance on fidelity, process window and CD uniformity compared to positive tone development (PTD) and finally enables to define half pitch below 50nm. In this paper, we describe necessity for circle patterning on 3-D flash, optimization of exposure condition, upgrade status of resist and device speed of 3-D flash on negative tone development (NTD) process.
Evaluation in vitro of a treatment planning algorithm for an epicardial crawling robot

HeartLander is a small, mobile robot designed to assist surgical procedures on the surface of the heart. It crawls within the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. Numerous potential clinical uses for HeartLander involve injections or other interventions at multiple locations on the epicardial surface. To minimize treatment time, we have developed an algorithm that optimizes a plan for reaching a given set of treatment targets. Results from in vitro evaluation on a beating heart model show improvement over a greedy technique.
Evolution of Structure–Reactivity Correlations for the Hydrogen Abstraction Reaction by Hydroxyl Radical and Comparison with That by Chlorine Atom

A structure–reactivity correlation for the reaction (HO• + HCR3 → HOH + CR3•) has been formulated: log k298(per H, cm3/molecule·s) = −0.000630ΔrH2 – 0.151ΔrH – 1.056∑F – 1.053∑R – 21.26 (r2 = 0.885; n = 70; mean unsigned deviation = 0.29 log units), where ΔrH is the reaction enthalpy (kJ/mol) and F and R represent the dissection of Hammett’s σpara constant into its field/inductive and resonance effects, and compared for the analogous case for Cl• (ref 1). Although more exothermic, the dependence of HO• on ΔrH is somewhat greater than Cl•. However the dependence on F and R is much less, suggestive of less charge separation in the transition state for the less electronegative HO•. The range of k(OH) is significantly less than that of Cl•, i.e., it is less dependent on substrate structure. Yet a crossover exists such that k(Cl) > k(HO) predominates for more reactive cases whereas k(Cl) < k(OH) characterizes the less reactive. The Arrhenius parameters reveal that this crossover results from a change in {E(Cl)...
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 regulates inflammatory tolerance in astrocytes

Inflammatory tolerance is the down-regulation of inflammation upon repeated stimuli, which is well-established to occur in peripheral immune cells. However, less is known about inflammatory tolerance in the brain although it may provide an important protective mechanism from detrimental consequences of prolonged inflammation, which appears to occur in many psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. Array analysis of 308 inflammatory molecules produced by mouse primary astrocytes after two sequential stimulations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) distinguished three classes, tolerant, sensitized and unaltered groups. For many of these inflammatory molecules, inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) increased tolerance and reduced sensitization. Focusing on LPS-tolerance in interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, we found that microglia exhibited a strong tolerance response that matched that of macrophages, whereas astrocytes exhibited only partial tolerance. The astrocyte semi-tolerance was found to be regulated by GSK3. GSK3 inhibitors or knocking down GSK3 levels promoted LPS-tolerance and astrocytes expressing constitutively active GSK3 did not develop LPS-tolerance. These findings identify the critical role of GSK3 in counteracting IL-6 inflammatory tolerance in cells of the CNS, supporting the therapeutic potential of GSK3 inhibitors to reduce neuroinflammation by promoting tolerance.
REDUCING THE COST OF TAVR: AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF LENGTH OF STAY ON THE COST OF TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Though studies support the cost-effectiveness of TAVR from a societal perspective, the impact of costs on the viability of TAVR programs from the hospital's perspective is not fully understood. Reducing length of stay (LoS) is feasible and safe in selected patients, but the impact of this strategy
The optimization of molecular orbitals for coupled cluster wavefunctions

Abstract The purpose of this work is to make the coupled cluster (CC) energy stationary with respect to molecular-orbital (MO) variations in the reference configuration. To achieve this, we have used the Z vector, the solution of a set of perturbation-independent CPHF-like equations, to rotate the MOs. A new energy and gradient calculation is carried out with these non-SCF orbitals to obtain a new Z vector. The process is repeated until the orbitals are optimized (Z = 0), i.e. the contribution to the analytic CC gradient coming from orbital relaxation (CPHF) is zero. At the CCD level the orbitals thus obtained are approximate Brueckner orbitals. At the CCSD level, convergence problems were found in the iterative procedure to optimize the orbitals. Results obtained for several molecules show that CCD wavefunctions constructed from these optimized orbitals are of CCSD quality. We conclude that the presence of exp(t1) in the CCSD model accounts for most relaxation effects and there is not much to gain by orbital optimization in CCSD wavefunctions.
Evaluability Assessment: Laying the Foundation for Effective Evaluation of a Community College Retention Program

Before devoting institutional dollars to a full-scale program evaluation that may be costly and time intensive, a preevaluation strategy known as evaluability assessment can be used to determine wh...
A Modification of Gordon's Equations

The expressions for the density of electricity and current given recently by W. Gordon are modified so as to give the wave-equations used by de Broglie and Schroedinger. The new equations are derived from a variational principle which also gives some other equations of considerable interest. A stress-energy tensor is derived from the Lagrangian function by Schroedinger's rule and is used to determine one of the constants in Schroedinger's equation. The analysis seems to indicate that a stationary, isolated electron has a definite boundary and uniform volume density of electricity.
1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy characterization of neuronal dysfunction in drug-neive, chronic schizophrenia

Rationale and Objectives. We in vestigated the proton metabolism of right prefrontal white matter in drug-naive, chronic schizophrenic patients (n=23), compared with healthy normal control subjects (n=10), by using localized, water-suppressed in vivo 1H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. Methods. All 1H MR spectroscopy examinations were performed on a 1.5-T MR imaging/MR spectroscopy system by using a point-resolved spectroscopy pulse sequence for localizd volumes of 2×2×2 cm3. Proton metabolite ratios relative to creatine (Cr) were obtained using a Marquart algorithm. Results. Drun-naive, chronic schizophrenic patients demonstrated a decrease in the N-acetylaspartate (NAA):Cr and choline (Cho):Cr ratios and an increase of the complex of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) containing ratio [(GABA+Glu):Cr] as compared with normal control subjects. Conclusion. Results suggest that the reduction of NAA and Cho may indicate neuronal dysfunction and that the elevation of GABA and Glu may play a role in chronic schizophrenia. 1H MR spectroscopy may be a useful modality in research and in the clinical evaluation of chronic schizophrenic patients.