cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decay of Marine Magnetic Anomalies by Ferrous Ion Diffusion

THE linear marine magnetic anomalies are well understood in terms of the hypothesis of Vine and Matthews1 of normal and reversely magnetized dykes on the seafloor. But it is curious that their amplitudes decay as a function of lateral distance from the middle of the mid-oceanic ridge. This requires the central anomaly to be due to a dyke whose intensity of magnetization, M, has sometimes to be taken as twice that of the dykes on either side2. Matthews and Bath3 suggested that the dykes causing the central anomaly are not injected exactly at the centre of the ridge, but with a finite standard deviation. Normally magnetized dykes 200 m wide with a standard deviation of 5 km were thus shown to contaminate the reversely magnetized flanking dykes, causing the variation in anomalies as a function of lateral distance. But Harrison4 has shown that such large deviations are unacceptable because they would obliterate the sharp magnetic events, such as the Olduvai event. Harrison concluded that the explanation has to be in terms of a stronger dipole magnetic moment of the Earth in recent times, as against the past and/or a recent secular decay of the frozen natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of the dykes. As supporting proof of the first hypothesis, Harrison quoted palaeointensity work5–7 on rocks and archaeological samples. But, as Stacey8 has pointed out, a secular intrinsic decay of NRM in these samples would appear to lend weight to the hypothesis that the Earth's magnetic field was stronger in the past than now. Harrison's alternative suggestion was a secular decay of NRM because of the demagnetizing action of the past reversals of the Earth's magnetic field. The effect would be somewhat similar to that of demagnetization by a slowly alternating weak magnetic field. But the efficiency of such a demagnetization process would be no different from that of the viscous magnetization acquired at room temperature in the Earth's field and that has been shown to be unimportant by Nagata9.
Cutaneous immunotorescence study of erythema multiforme: Correlation with light microscopic patterns and etiologic agents

Direct immunofluorescence microscopy was positive in 88% of forty-one skin biopsy specimens from thirty-four patients with the clinical diagnosis of erythema multiforme. The most common finding, present in 67% of positive specimens, was the cytoid body, or fluorescent keratinocyte, which stained most often with IgM (homogeneously) or with C3 (speckled). Other findings included basement membrane zone (BMZ) fluorescence, primarily with fibrinogen and C3, and vascular fluorescence, most commonly C3 in a granular pattern. Correlation of direct immunofluorescent and light microscopic findings revealed that (1) the fluorescent keratinocyte was prevalent only in epidermal and mixed patterns, correlating with the eosinophilic necrotic keratinocyte by light microscopy, and (2) vascular fluorescence was most prominent in dermal forms. Herpes simplex-associated erythema multiforme showed exclusively a mixed histologic pattern, whereas the drug-related form was primarily epidermal.
Predictors of Nipple Ischemia after Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) has become an accepted approach in selected cases of breast cancer and prophylactic mastectomy. Various surgical techniques have been described and nipple ischemia has been a common complication. Potential risk factors for nipple ischemia after NSM are examined. To examine predisposing factors for nipple ischemia after NSM. Prospective evaluation of 71 consecutive NSM in 45 patients from 2009 to 2011 was performed. There were 40 mastectomies for cancer (56.3%), and 31 (43.7%) prophylactic mastectomies. In cases of cancer, the ducts were excised from the undersurface of the nipple. Reconstructive methods included: expander 58, latissimus flap/expander 2, implant 10, and free TRAM flap 1. Various patient and technical factors were examined for impact on nipple ischemia. Partial nipple necrosis occurred in 20 cases (28.2%). Nineteen cases healed uneventfully and one required secondary nipple reconstruction. Operations for cancer (OR 10.54, CI 1.88-59.04, p = 0.007) and periareolar incisions (OR 9.69, CI 1.57-59.77, p = 0.014) predisposed to nipple ischemia. Periareolar incisions and dissection of the nipple ducts for cancer have a higher risk of nipple necrosis after NSM.
Use of hepatitis B core antibody–positive donors for liver transplantation

1. Livers from donors previously exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) can fail after transplantation as a result of severe HBV reactivation in the transplant recipient. 2. Antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) in the donor is a marker for risk for transmission of HBV and reactivation after liver transplantation. 3. Recipient HBcAb positivity and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) positivity are associated with less risk for HBV reactivation. Conversely, the absence of HBcAb and/or HBsAb in the transplant recipient, higher Child-Pugh score, and presence of HBV DNA in the donor liver may be risk factors for HBV reactivation in the transplant recipient. 4. Recipients of HBcAb-positive (HBcAb(+)) livers at high risk for HBV reactivation should be treated prophylactically with lamivudine alone or a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) and lamivudine. The value of monoprophylaxis with HBIg has not been established in this setting. 5. Until data from larger studies are available, for low-risk recipients of HBcAb(+) livers, no prophylaxis, with very close serological and virological monitoring, appears to be a potential alternative to lamivudine monoprophylaxis. 6. Recipients of HBcAb-negative livers should be investigated for HBV infection when an episode of allograft dysfunction is not readily explained by the usual causes (rejection, ischemia, or hepatitis C recurrence).
Independent Chromatin Binding of ARGONAUTE4 and SPT5L/KTF1 Mediates Transcriptional Gene Silencing

Eukaryotic genomes contain significant amounts of transposons and repetitive DNA elements, which, if transcribed, can be detrimental to the organism. Expression of these elements is suppressed by establishment of repressive chromatin modifications. In Arabidopsis thaliana, they are silenced by the siRNA–mediated transcriptional gene silencing pathway where long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) produced by RNA Polymerase V (Pol V) guide ARGONAUTE4 (AGO4) to chromatin and attract enzymes that establish repressive chromatin modifications. It is unknown how chromatin modifying enzymes are recruited to chromatin. We show through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) that SPT5L/KTF1, a silencing factor and a homolog of SPT5 elongation factors, binds chromatin at loci subject to transcriptional silencing. Chromatin binding of SPT5L/KTF1 occurs downstream of RNA Polymerase V, but independently from the presence of 24-nt siRNA. We also show that SPT5L/KTF1 and AGO4 are recruited to chromatin in parallel and independently of each other. As shown using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, binding of both AGO4 and SPT5L/KTF1 is required for DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications of several loci. We propose that the coordinate binding of SPT5L and AGO4 creates a platform for direct or indirect recruitment of chromatin modifying enzymes.
On the use of PDF schemes to parameterize sub‐grid clouds

[1] Using high resolution simulations of eight well-documented cloud cases in different climate regimes, this study investigated the statistical distributions of dynamic and thermodynamic variables in the cloud layer and examined various assumptions used by the current statistical cloud schemes. It is found that dynamic and thermodynamic variables skew differently in the cloud layer of shallow cumulus, stratocumulus, and deep convective clouds. Vertical velocity is positively skewed, but the skewed dynamic structure cannot account for the large skewness of positively skewed total mixing ratio qt and negatively skewed liquid water potential temperature θl. It is, thus, not physically sound to assume that the sub-grid variation of different variables follows the same skewed PDF. The simulations further show that the weighted standard deviations of qt and θl have the same order of magnitude in all types of clouds, indicating that the variations of temperature and moisture are the equally important factors for sub-grid clouds. Thus, neglecting either one of them in a statistical cloud scheme may introduce significant bias in the parameterized clouds.
New CP-Violation and Preferred-Frame Tests with Polarized Electrons

We used a torsion pendulum containing approximately 9 x 10(22) polarized electrons to search for CP-violating interactions between the pendulum's electrons and unpolarized matter in the laboratory's surroundings or the Sun, and to test for preferred-frame effects that would precess the electrons about a direction fixed in inertial space. We find, /g(P)(e)g(S)(N)//(Planck's constant x c) 1 AU. Our preferred-frame constraints, interpreted in the Kostelecký framework, set an upper limit on the parameter /b(e)/ <or= 5.0 x 10(-21) eV that should be compared to the benchmark value m(e)(2)/M(Planck)= 2 x 10(-17) eV.
Differentially Regulated Expression of Endogenous RGS4 and RGS7

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) constitute a family of newly appreciated components of G protein-mediated signal transduction. With few exceptions, most information available on mammalian RGS proteins was gained by transfection/overexpression or in vitro experiments, with relatively little known about the endogenous counterparts. Transfection studies, typically of tagged RGS proteins, have been conducted to overcome the low natural abundance of endogenous RGS proteins. Because transfection studies can lead to imprecise or erroneous conclusions, we have developed antibodies of high specificity and sensitivity to focus study on endogenous proteins. Expression of both RGS4 and RGS7 was detected in rat brain tissue and cultured PC12 and AtT-20 cells. Endogenous RGS4 presented as a single 27–28-kDa protein. By contrast, cultured cells transfected with a plasmid encoding RGS4 expressed two observable forms of the protein, apparently due to utilization of distinct sites of initiation of protein synthesis. Subcellular localization of endogenous RGS4 revealed predominant association with membrane fractions, rather than in cytosolic fractions, where most heterologously expressed RGS4 has been found. Endogenous levels of RGS7 exceeded RGS4 by 30–40-fold, and studies of cultured cells revealed regulatory differences between the two proteins. We observed that RGS4 mRNA and protein were concomitantly augmented with increased cell density and decreased by exposure of PC12M cells to nerve growth factor, whereas RGS7 was unaffected. Endogenous RGS7 was relatively stable, whereas proteolysis of endogenous RGS4 was a strong determinant of its lower level expression and short half-life. Although we searched without finding evidence for regulation of RGS4 proteolysis, the possibility remains that alterations in the degradation of this protein could provide a means to promptly alter patterns of signal transduction.
Paravertebral blocks for breast surgery

Breast cancer surgery is associated with significant morbidity, particularly nausea and vomiting. Paravertebral blocks provide excellent conditions for breast surgery with minimal side effects. The avoidance of emitogenic general anesthetics and potent narcotics leads to decreased morbidity and improved patient satisfaction.
The species-area relationship: new challenges for an old pattern

The species-area relationship (i.e., the relationship between area and the number of species found in that area) is one of longest and most frequently studied patterns in nature. Yet there remain some important and interesting questions on the nature of this relationship, its causality, quantification and application for both ecologists and conservation biologists.Traditionally, the species-area relationship describes the very general tendency for species number to increase with island area; a relationship whose slope declines (but remains positive) as area increases. The true relationship, however, may be much more complicated than this, and may in many cases approximate a sigmoidal relationship. On small islands, species number may vary independently of island area. Species richness then increases as we consider larger islands, but the curve eventually slows and asymptotes or levels off when richness equals that of the the source or mainland pool. The relationship may also include a secondary phase of i...
Surface energy anisotropy of iron

Abstract Field-ion microscopy has been previously used [1–4] to determine the surface energy anisotropy of tungsten and iridium. Drechsler and Nicholas [5] have used field emission patterns of equilibrium shapes of emitters to determine the surface energy anisotropies for a number of fcc and bcc metals including α-iron. The purpose of the present paper is to report some observations by field-ion microscopy on the vacuum faceting of α-iron and the surface energy anisotropy at about half the absolute melting point. Qualitative results on the effect of hydrogen on the surface energy anisotropy are also presented.
Planning to Coordinate and Coordinating the Plan: Evidence From Local Governments

This article examines the use of planning coordination and factors associated with its use. Planning among local governments can include factors related to transportation congestion, educational performance, public safety, and the environment. The authors conducted a national survey of city managers and chief administrative officers in all 544 U.S. cities with populations of more than 50,000; sixteen follow-up, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with respondents who indicated either a high or very low use of coordinated planning activities. The mailings resulted in 202 completed responses (37.1% response rate). Their results show that about 40% of jurisdictions frequently use coordinated, comprehensive plans, most commonly in the areas of in public safety, traffic congestion, transit planning, and economic development. Among respondents, 78.7% agree or strongly agree that coordination with other jurisdictions and organizations is important in solving complex community problems. The authors conclude that key factors affecting the use of coordination with other jurisdictions and organizations are the presence and perceived effectiveness of other organizations and a revitalized management work culture that encourages departments to think outside the box and rewards them for innovation and initiative. The article includes extensive quotes from the returned surveys.
Comparison of customer response models

Segmentation of customers by likelihood of repeating business is a very important tool in marketing management. A number of approaches have been developed to support this activity. This article reviews basic recency, frequency, and monetary (RFM) methods on a set of data involving the sale of beef products. Variants of RFM are demonstrated. Classical data mining techniques of logistic regression, decision trees, and neural networks are also demonstrated. Results indicate a spectrum of tradeoffs. RFM methods are simpler, but less accurate. Considerations of balancing cell sizes as well as compressing data are examined. Both balancing expected cell densities as well as compressing RFM variables into a value function were found to provide more accurate models. Data mining algorithms were all found to provide a noticeable increase in predictive accuracy. Relative tradeoffs among these data mining algorithms in the context of customer segmentation are discussed.
Image processing and registration of opposed view 3d breast ultrasound

We are studying opposed view ultrasonic imaging (OVI) of the breast in the mammographic geometry, with probable future automation and alignment with X-ray tomosynthesis. OVI through a filament mesh paddle results in improved spatial resolution, contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio. We expect these images will be of a quality that justifies their use for screening purposes, especially for subjects with dense breasts. A previous study assessed machine learning for isolating image artifacts, which included posterior acoustic shadowing from cancers and enhancement arising from cysts. The image volumes were acquired on a custom breast-mimicking phantom containing multiple cysts and solid masses. This paper reports that 3D non-linear registration of opposed view image volumes was robust for the segmented image volumes with noisy areas excluded.
40MHz pulse train based on a temporally demultiplexed 2.56GHz SCOWA low noise mode-locked laser

An alternative to the sub-100 MHz repetition rate laser source is explored. A low noise SCOWA-based harmonically mode-locked laser is developed and temporally demultiplexed to twice the cavity fundamental resulting in a 40 MHz pulse train.
Applications of planar multiple-slot antennas for impedance control, and analysis using FDTD with Berenger's PML method

Folded- and multiple-slot antennas have been used for quasi-optical arrays. However, there is lack of information of these antennas, especially on finite substrates. CPW-fed folded- and multiple-slot antennas are analyzed using the FDTD technique with improved absorbing boundary condition (perfectly matched layer (PML) method). The effects on the effective dielectric constant and input impedance due to the substrate thickness have been investigated. A method of controlling the resonant impedance is also presented.
Inducible proteolytic inactivation of OPA1 mediated by the OMA1 protease in mammalian cells

The mammalian mitochondrial inner membrane fusion protein OPA1 is controlled by complex patterns of alternative splicing and proteolysis. A subset of OPA1 isoforms is constitutively cleaved by YME1L. Other isoforms are not cleaved by YME1L, but they are cleaved when mitochondria lose membrane potential or adenosine triphosphate. In this study, we show that this inducible cleavage is mediated by a zinc metalloprotease called OMA1. We find that OMA1 small interfering RNA inhibits inducible cleavage, helps retain fusion competence, and slows the onset of apoptosis, showing that OMA1 controls OPA1 cleavage and function. We also find that OMA1 is normally cleaved from 60 to 40 kD by another as of yet unidentified protease. Loss of membrane potential causes 60-kD protein to accumulate, suggesting that OMA1 is attenuated by proteolytic degradation. We conclude that a proteolytic cascade controls OPA1. Inducible cleavage provides a mechanism for quality control because proteolytic inactivation of OPA1 promotes selective removal of defective mitochondrial fragments by preventing their fusion with the mitochondrial network.
An Evaluation of Environmental Benefits of Time-Dependent Green Routing in the Greater Buffalo–Niagara Region

This article conducts a realistic assessment, using a real-world case study, of the likely environmental benefits of an intelligent transportation systems (ITS) strategy that provides dynamic route guidance to travelers based on the lowest emission or fuel consumption routes. Several features distinguish this study from previous reported research. First, the research utilizes a realistic case study of a medium-sized metropolitan area in the United States. Second, the research applies the latest state-of-the-art models on both the transportation and the environmental modeling sides, through the development of an integrated model combining the Transportation Analysis and Simulation System (TRANSIMS) model and the Multi-Scale Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator model (MOVES). The integrated model is then used to approximate “green user equilibrium,” and to investigate the impact of market penetration on the likely environmental benefits of green routing. Third, the article also proposes a “targeted” traveler s...
Communications in the Mercury system

A high-level communication mechanism that combined blocking and nonblocking calls in a clean and uniform way is proposed. The mechanism allows a server to provide a uniform interface based on remote calls; a client can optimize its use of the server of low latency or high throughput. When it is optimized for low latency, the mechanism is competitive with other remote-procedure-call mechanisms. When it is optimized for high throughput, it is competitive with bulk-data-transport mechanisms such as byte streams. >
Monolithic integration of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a high-speed waveguide p-i-n photodiode using asymmetric twin-waveguide technology

An optical mode transformer, semiconductor optical amplifier, and waveguide photodiode are monolithically integrated without regrowth using separately optimized materials based on asymmetric twin-waveguide technology. The device shows a peak responsivity of 11 A/W and a 3 dB electrical bandwidth of 36 GHz.
Impact of performance-based financing on primary health care services in Haiti

To strengthen Haiti’s primary health care (PHC) system, the country first piloted performance-based financing (PBF) in 1999 and subsequently expanded the approach to most internationally funded non-government organizations. PBF complements support (training and technical assistance). This study evaluates (a) the separate impact of PBF and international support on PHC’s service delivery; (b) the combined impact of PBF and technical assistance on PHC’s service delivery; and (c) the costs of PBF implementation in Haiti. To minimize the risk of facilities neglecting potential non-incentivized services, the incentivized indicators were randomly chosen at the end of each year. We obtained quantities of key services from four departments for 217 health centres (15 with PBF and 202 without) from 2008 through 2010, computed quarterly growth rates and analysed the results using a difference-in-differences approach by comparing the growth of incentivized and non-incentivized services between PBF and non-PBF facilities. To interpret the statistical analyses, we also interviewed staff in four facilities. Whereas international support added 39% to base costs of PHC, incentive payments added only 6%. Support alone increased the quantities of PHC services over 3 years by 35% (2.7%/quarter). However, support plus incentives increased these amounts by 87% over 3 years (5.7%/ quarter) compared with facilities with neither input. Incentives alone was associated with a net 39% increase over this period, and more than doubled the growth of services (P < 0.05). Interview findings found no adverse impacts and, in fact, indicated beneficial impacts on quality. Incentives proved to be a relatively inexpensive, well accepted and very effective complement to support, suggesting that a small amount of money, strategically used, can substantially improve PHC. Haiti’s experience, after more than a decade of use, indicates that incentives are an effective tool to strengthen PHC.
An altitude‐normalized magnetic map of Mars and its interpretation

Techniques developed for the reduction and analysisofterrestrialsatellitemagneticelddataareusedto better understand the magnetic eld observations made by Mars Global Surveyor. A global distribution of radial (Br) magnetic eld observations and associated uncertainties is invertedfor an equivalentsource magnetization distribution and then used to generate an altitude- normalized map of Br at 200 km. The observations are well-represented by a potential function of crustal origin, consistent with a rema- nent origin for the Martian magnetic features. The correla- tion between the 40546 Br observations andBr calculated from the magnetization solution at observation locations is 0.978. For a magnetization distribution connedto a 50 km layer,calculatedmagnetizationsrangefrom-22to+17A/m. We see correlations with tectonics that were only hinted at in earlier maps. Magnetic features appear to be truncated against Valles Marineris and Ganges Chasma, suggestive of a major change in crustal properties associated with fault- ing.
Rate-distortion optimized video peer-to-peer multicast streaming

We study peer-to-peer multicast streaming, where a source distributes real-time video to a large population of hosts by making use of their forwarding capacity rather than relying on dedicated media servers. Hosts which may disconnect at any time, therefore a robust control protocol is needed to maintain connectivity among peers. This work presents a new peer-to-peer multicast protocol and analyzes the gains that video coding and prioritized packet scheduling at the application layer can bring to the overall streaming performance. A rate-distortion model which predicts end-to-end video quality in throughput limited environments is presented and used to determine the over-provisioning necessary to avoid self-inflicted congestion. The video stream transmitted by the source contains H.264 SP and SI frames, which are used to adaptively stop error propagation due to packet loss. Distortion-optimized retransmission requests are issued by receiving hosts to recover the most important missing packets while limiting the induced congestion. Experiments for several hundred hosts simulated in NS-2 illustrate the benefits of our system. We achieve typical end-to-end delays of 1 sec, and a stable video quality with less than 2.5% of frames lost to playout interruptions.
Would contact with extraterrestrials benefit or harm humanity? A scenario analysis

While humanity has not yet observed any extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), contact with ETI remains possible. Contact could occur through a broad range of scenarios that have varying consequences for humanity. However, many discussions of this question assume that contact will follow a particular scenario that derives from the hopes and fears of the author. In this paper, we analyze a broad range of contact scenarios in terms of whether contact with ETI would benefit or harm humanity. This type of broad analysis can help us prepare for actual contact with ETI even if the details of contact do not fully resemble any specific scenario.
Preparation and in vitro dissolution profile of dual polymer (Eudragit RS100 and RL100) microparticles of diltiazem hydrochloride

A microparticulate dosage form for a highly soluble drug, diltiazem hydrochloride, was formulated with Eudragit RS100 and RL100 using a novel dual polymer technique. A mixture of diltiazem with Eudragit RS100 (low water permeability) in acetone was coacervated into soft polymer microdrops, following which a mixture of diltiazem and RL100 (high water permeability) was added to produce microparticles consisting of both polymers with diltiazem dispersed in the matrix. A second formulation was developed using the same method except using Eudragit RS100 for both steps. For a comparative study, diltiazem, Eudragit RS100 and RL100 were combined together in a single matrix and formulated into microparticles. In vitro drug release profiles using USP paddle dissolution apparatus 2 revealed that dual polymer matrix microparticles containing Eudragit RS100 in the inner and Eudragit RL100 in the outer core exhibit a suitable release profile with an initial release of the drug followed by a plateau level for the test period of 5 h. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed no interaction of the drug with the polymers.
RepSox Slows Decay of CD34+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Decreases T Cell Immunoglobulin Mucin-3 Expression

Despite initial response to therapy, most acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients relapse. To eliminate relapse-causing leukemic stem/progenitor cells (LPCs), patient-specific immune therapies may be required. In vitro cellular engineering may require increasing the "stemness" or immunogenicity of tumor cells and activating or restoring cancer-impaired immune-effector and antigen-presenting cells. Leukapheresis samples provide the cells needed to engineer therapies: LPCs to be targeted, normal hematopoietic stem cells to be spared, and cancer-impaired immune cells to be repaired and activated. This study sought to advance development of LPC-targeted therapies by exploring nongenetic ways to slow the decay and to increase the immunogenicity of primary CD34(+) AML cells. CD34(+) AML cells generally displayed more colony-forming and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity than CD34(-) AML cells. Along with exposure to bone marrow stromal cells and low (1%-5%) oxygen, culture with RepSox (a reprogramming tool and inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β receptor 1) consistently slowed decline of CD34(+) AML and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) cells. RepSox-treated AML cells displayed higher CD34, CXCL12, and MYC mRNA levels than dimethyl sulfoxide-treated controls. RepSox also accelerated loss of T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint receptor that impairs antitumor immunity, from the surface of AML and MDS cells. Our results suggest RepSox may reduce Tim-3 expression by inhibiting transforming growth factor-β signaling and slow decay of CD34(+) AML cells by increasing CXCL12 and MYC, two factors that inhibit AML cell differentiation. By prolonging survival of CD34(+) AML cells and reducing Tim-3, RepSox may promote in vitro immune cell activation and advance development of LPC-targeted therapies.
Is a Level III Dissection Necessary for a Positive Sentinel Lymph Node in Melanoma

Background: For melanoma patients with a positive axillary SLN, the extent of ALND remains controversial, with debate over whether a level III dissection is needed. Methods: We queried our IRB approved prospective database for patients with a positive axillary SLN who had a level I/II dissection only, and compared recurrence and complication rates to the existing literature. Results: Between 1998 and 2008, 270 patients had 285 level I/II ALNDs for a positive SLN. Median number of SLN removed was 2, while the median number of involved SLN was 1 (range 1–4). An average of 18.7 nodes/ALND were removed, with 13% having positive non-SLN. Post-operative complications occurred in 31 patients (11%), primarily cellulitis (8%). After a mean follow-up of 44 months, 14 patients had a regional recurrence in the axillary basin (5%). Conclusions: The complication rate and regional recurrence rate for patients undergoing a level I/II ALND for a positive SLN are either lower than or on par with reported series of ALND for level I, II, and III dissections, suggesting that in this setting, the level III dissection may be of minimal benefit. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012;105:225–228. 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A dual TLR agonist adjuvant enhances the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the tuberculosis vaccine antigen ID93.

With over eight million cases of tuberculosis each year there is a pressing need for the development of new vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Subunit vaccines consisting of recombinant proteins are an attractive vaccine approach due to their inherent safety compared to attenuated live vaccines and the uniformity of manufacture. Addition of properly formulated TLR agonist-containing adjuvants to recombinant protein vaccines enhances the antigen-specific CD4+ T cell response characterized by IFN-γ and TNF, both of which are critical for the control of TB. We have developed a clinical stage vaccine candidate consisting of a recombinant fusion protein ID93 adjuvanted with the TLR4 agonist GLA-SE. Here we examine whether ID93+GLA-SE can be improved by the addition of a second TLR agonist. Addition of CpG containing DNA to ID93+GLA-SE enhanced the magnitude of the multi-functional TH1 response against ID93 characterized by co-production of IFN-γ, TNF, and IL-2. Addition of CpG also improved the protective efficacy of ID93+GLA-SE. Finally we demonstrate that this adjuvant synergy between GLA and CpG is independent of TRIF signaling, whereas TRIF is necessary for the adjuvant activity of GLA-SE in the absence of CpG.
Microsaccade directions do not predict directionality of illusory brightness changes of overlapping transparent surfaces

Abstract Tse (2005) recently introduced a new class of illusory brightness changes where shifts of attention lead to shifts in perceived brightness across overlapping, transparent figures, under conditions of visual fixation. In the absence of endogenous attentional shifts, illusory brightness changes appear to shift from figure to figure spontaneously, much as occurs in other multistable phenomena. The goal of the present research is to determine whether fixational microsaccades are correlated with perceived brightness changes. It has recently been demonstrated that microsaccades can reveal the direction of covert attentional shifts either toward (Engbert, R. & Kliegl, R. (2003). Microsaccades uncover the orientation of covert attention. Vision Research, 43 , 1035–1045; Hafed, Z. M. & Clark, J. J. (2002). Microsaccades as an overt measure of covert attention shifts. Vision Research, 42 (22), 2533–2545) or away from (Rolfs, M., Engbert, R., & Kliegl, R. (2004). Microsaccade orientation supports attentional enhancement opposite a peripheral cue: commentary on Tse, Sheinberg, and Logothetis (2003). Psychological Science, 15 (10), 705–707) a peripheral cue under certain circumstances. Others (Horwitz, G. D. & Albright, T. D. (2003). Short-latency fixational saccades induced by luminance increments. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90 (2), 1333–1339; Tse, P. U., Sheinberg, D. L., & Logothetis, N. K. (2002). Fixational eye movements are not affected by abrupt onsets that capture attention. Vision Research, 42 , 1663–1669; Tse, P. U., Sheinberg, D. L., & Logothetis, N. K. (2004). The distribution of microsaccade directions need not reveal the location of attention. Psychological Science, 15 (10), 708–710) found no change in the distribution of microsaccade directions as a function of where attention is allocated, although changes in the rate of microsaccades were observed in all of these studies in response to the onset of attentional reallocation. It is therefore possible that the distribution of microsaccade directions will change as a function of which figure is perceived to darken, or that changes in this distribution predict which figure will subsequently darken. We find no correlation between this distribution and which figure undergoes the effect, and therefore conclude that microsaccade directionality is not influenced by and does not influence which figure undergoes the effect. Moreover, the directions of microsaccades that occur immediately prior to a perceptual switch are not correlated with the perceived position of the figure that undergoes the effect. However, we do find that the rate of microsaccades decreases upon a perceptual switch, signifying an attentional shift coincident with the perceptual shift. We conclude that microsaccade directionality does not determine, predict, or cause which figure will subsequently be perceived to undergo an illusory brightness change.
The flipped exam: creating an environment in which students discover for themselves the concepts and principles we want them to learn.

Students are naturally curious and inquisitive with powerful intrinsic motives to probe, learn, and understand their world. Accordingly, class activities must capitalize on this inherently energeti...
3 state neurons for contextual processing

Neurons receive excitatory inputs via both fast AMPA and slow NMDA type receptors. We find that neurons receiving input via NMDA receptors can have two stable membrane states which are input dependent. Action potentials can only be initiated from the higher voltage state. Similar observations have been made in several brain areas which might be explained by our model. The interactions between the two kinds of inputs lead us to suggest that some neurons may operate in 3 states: disabled, enabled and firing. Such enabled, but non-firing modes can be used to introduce context-dependent processing in neural networks. We provide a simple example and discuss possible implications for neuronal processing and response variability.
The eutherian stapedial artery: character analysis and implications for superordinal relationships

Evidence from outgroups, ontogeny, neontology, and fossils is used to distinguish primitive and derived character states for the major components of the eutherian stapedial artery in 17 modern orders. Derived states support the following higher-level phylogenetic hypotheses: (1) Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera are monophyletic+ADs- and (2) within Ungulata, Tubulidentata is the outgroup to the remaining modern orders, followed in succession by Artiodactyla and then Cetacea. Three branches of the stapedial artery, the a. diploetica magna, ramus temporalis, and ramus posterior, all but neglected in previous syntheses, are shown to be primitive for Eutheria and Amniota.
Thermal Sensations of Sedentary Man in Moderate Temperatures

To determine the full range of thermal conditions at which sedentary subjects report feeling comfortable, 1600 college age students were exposed in groups of 10 subjects each, five men and five wom...
Enabling participatory planning with GIS: a case study of settlement mapping in Cuttack, India

This paper describes the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to map informal settlements in Cuttack, India in ways that enhance and support residents' participation in the data collection and planning process. Rather than relying on remote sensing to identify informal settlement locations, each settlement is visited individually by a mapping team comprised of community leaders and NGO staff. The mapping team meets with settlement residents to develop a detailed settlement profile and map the settlement boundary using a GPS device. This process has helped to open and sustain a dialogue between the residents of informal settlements and city government around "slum" upgrading, and has influenced the use of a central government fund to support local upgrading plans.
Outcomes Among High-Risk and Standard-Risk Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated With High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation

Abstract Background Conventional cytogenetics and interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) identify a high-risk multiple myeloma population characterized by poor response and short survival. Patients and Methods We compared outcomes between high-risk and standard-risk myeloma patients who underwent autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (auto-HCT) at our institution between January 2005 and December 2009. High-risk myeloma was defined as −13/del(13q) or hypodiploidy in at least 2 metaphases of conventional cytogenetics, or −17/del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), hypodiploidy ( Results Of 670 myeloma patients, 74 (11%) had high-risk myeloma. These high-risk patients had significantly lower overall response rates (74% vs. 85%; P P P P Conclusion Even in an era of novel therapies, cytogenetically identified high-risk myeloma patients have worse prognoses than standard-risk myeloma patients after auto-HCT, and having more than 1 high-risk cytogenetic abnormality further reduces survival.
Expression of Helios is required for the differentiation of activated/effector T regulatory cells (IRC11P.438)

Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells (Treg) suppress immune activation and play a critical role in the maintenance of self-tolerance. A subpopulation (70-80%) of Treg cells in both mouse and man express the transcription factor, Helios, but the role of Helios in Treg function is still unknown. Deletion of Helios expression in all T cells (CD4-Cre) or in early progenitors (Vav-Cre) did not result in immune dysfunction. As some studies have suggested that Helios might be expressed in activated T conventional cells, we generated mice with a conditional deletion (KO) of Helios in Treg. The selective deletion of Helios in Tregs led to a slowly progressive, systemic immune activation characterized by a Th1 profile, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, increased serum Ig and enhanced lymphoid follicle and germinal center formation in the absence of immune pathology. In vitro suppressive function of Helios KO Treg was normal, but KO Treg failed to differentiate into T follicular regulatory cells in vivo. While the absolute number of Treg in KO mice was enhanced, in competitive settings Helios deficient Tregs were at a striking disadvantage in the periphery. Notably, Helios KO Tregs with an activated (CD44hiCD62Llo) effector Treg phenotype were greatly decreased. Analysis of Helios KO Tregs revealed increased levels of several BH3 domain pro-apoptotic genes. These findings suggest that Helios plays a critical role in the development and/or survival of effector Tregs by repressing pro-apoptotic genes.
Molecular identification of spadetail: regulation of zebrafish trunk and tail mesoderm formation by T-box genes

Inhibition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling prevents trunk and tail formation in Xenopus and zebrafish embryos. While the T-box transcription factor Brachyury (called No Tail in zebrafish) is a key mediator of FGF signaling in the notochord and tail, the pathways activated by FGF in non-notochordal trunk mesoderm have been uncertain. Previous studies have shown that the spadetail gene is required for non-notochordal trunk mesoderm formation; spadetail mutant embryos have major trunk mesoderm deficiencies, but relatively normal tail and notochord development. We demonstrate here that spadetail encodes a T-box transcription factor with homologues in Xenopus and chick. Spadetail is likely to be a key mediator of FGF signaling in trunk non-notochordal mesoderm, since spadetail expression is regulated by FGF signaling. Trunk and tail development are therefore dependent upon the complementary actions of two T-box genes, spadetail and no tail. We show that the regulatory hierarchy among spadetail, no tail and a third T-box gene, tbx6, are substantially different during trunk and tail mesoderm formation, and propose a genetic model that accounts for the regional phenotypes of spadetail and no tail mutants.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of sexual differentiation in the mammalian nervous system

Neuroscientists are likely to discover new sex differences in the coming years, spurred by the National Institutes of Health initiative to include both sexes in preclinical studies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in the mammalian nervous system, based primarily on work in rodents. Cellular mechanisms examined include neurogenesis, migration, the differentiation of neurochemical and morphological cell phenotype, and cell death. At the molecular level we discuss evolving roles for epigenetics, sex chromosome complement, the immune system, and newly identified cell signaling pathways. We review recent findings on the role of the environment, as well as genome-wide studies with some surprising results, causing us to re-think often-used models of sexual differentiation. We end by pointing to future directions, including an increased awareness of the important contributions of tissues outside of the nervous system to sexual differentiation of the brain.
Right-to-try laws and individual patient “compassionate use” of experimental oncology medications: A call for improved provider-patient communication

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Expanded Access program allows patients with life-threatening diagnoses, such as advanced cancer, to use experimental medications without participating in clinical research (colloquially, "Compassionate Use"). Sixteen U.S. states recently passed "right-to-try" legislation aimed at promoting Expanded Access. Acknowledging popular support, Expanded Access could undermine clinical trials that benefit public health. Moreover, existing norms in oncologic care, for example, often lead patients to pursue intense treatments near the end of life, at the expense of palliation, and improved communication about the risks and benefits of Expanded Access would more often discourage its use.
Reconceptualizing Prevention: Commentary on “Conducting Psychopathology Prevention Research in the RDoC Era”

In the article “Conducting Psychopathology Prevention Research in the RDoC Era,” Zalta and Shankman (2016) dispel the myth that it would be difficult to conduct prevention research within the bounds of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative. Illustrating a strategy to align prevention science and RDoC, and introducing the notion of a “prevention-mechanism” trial, the authors provide guidance to the field that could stimulate novel intervention development research to prevent psychopathology. We build off of their ideas, further clarifying the intent and principles underlying the RDoC initiative. Risk factors for psychopathology can be nonspecific. Because of this, taking an approach to understanding illness trajectory that is free of the constraints of a categorical diagnostic system and that focuses on underlying processes may help strengthen our ability to preempt the development of psychopathology before it starts.
Measurement Of Differential Cross Sections Of p(e,e'{pi}{sup +})n For High-Lying Resonances At Q{sup 2} < 5 GeV{sup 2}

The exclusive electroproduction process ep → e′nπ+ was measured in the range of the invariant mass for nπ+ system 1.6 GeV ≤ W ≤ 2.0 GeV, and the photon virtuality 1.8 GeV2 ≤ Q2 ≤ 4.0 GeV2 using CLAS. For the first time, these kinematics are probed in exclusive π+ production from the protons with nearly full coverage in the azimuthal and polar angles of the nπ+ center-of-mass system. In this experiment, approximately 39,000 differential cross-section data points were measured. In this conference proceeding, preliminary results of our latest analysis work are presented on differential cross sections and structure functions as well as Legendre Moments.
Disaster psychiatry in Asia: The potential of smartphones, mobile, and connected technologies

Disaster mental health is recognized as a crucial part of disaster preparedness and response. Despite the commonality of disasters in Asia, many countries face formidable barriers to a rapid and robust mental health care response. Mobile technologies can alleviate the immediate suffering and reduce onset of chronic conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. This article explores the role of mobile technologies to improve mental health before, during, and after disasters in Asia.
Management of Persistent Cognitive Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion

Purpose This case review examines treatments speech-language pathologists at our clinic delivered to middle school, high school, and college students for the management of persistent cognitive symp...
Breeding a New Early Maturing Hybrid Rice Variety,Minbiao You 1095

To select an early maturing hybrid rice suitable for cultivation in southern China,the widely applied restorer line Minghui 82 was used to cross with the blast resistant Japonica Yunyin and the late recovery variety,HK01.As a result,the new restorer line Fuhui1095 was successfully bred through multiple crosses with a confirmation by years of inoculation tests as well as bioassays on samples from the fields of naturally induced blast infections.Subsequently,Minbiao You 1095 was bred.It exhibited the desirable characteristics of early maturity,good plant type,large panicles with numerous spikelets,fine color change at mycelium ripening and high yield.The new variety was certified by Fujian Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in June,2014,and considered suitable for promotion in the province.