cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second line treatment options for pancreatic cancer

Introduction: Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) refractory to first-line therapy have a dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options, with only one option consisting of nanoliposom...
Imaging of Urolithiasis and Nephrocalcinosis

Urolithiasis is macroscopic calcification in the urinary collecting system, whereas nephrocalcinosis is microscopic calcification in the tubules, tubular epithelium, or interstitial tissue of the kidney. Urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis are common indications for imaging in children. The clinical and laboratory findings in urolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis are described in chapter “Urolithiasis and Nephrocalcinosis”.
Abstract WP204: The Advantage of the Routine: Using Conventional Transthoracic Echocardiography in Establishment of Stroke Mechanism

Introduction: Cardioembolic (CE) stroke is the most devastating type of ischemic stroke. Prior research has focused on choice of monitoring for occult tachyarrhythmia, but earlier identification of...
Continuous Pain Intensity Estimation from Autonomic Signals with Recurrent Neural Networks

Pain is usually measured by patient's self-report, which requires patient collaboration. Hence, the development of an objective automatic pain detection method would be useful in many clinical applications and patient populations. Previous studies have explored the feasibility of using physiological autonomic signals to detect the presence of pain. In this study, we focused on continuously estimating experimental heat pain intensity with high temporal resolution from autonomic signals. Specifically, we employed skin conductance deconvolution and point process heart rate variability analysis to continuously evaluate time-varying autonomic parameters, and presented a regression algorithm based on recurrent neural networks.
Observers for Hybrid Dynamical Systems with Linear Maps and Known Jump Times

This paper proposes a general framework for the state estimation of plants given by hybrid systems with linear flow and jump maps, in the favorable case where their jump events can be detected instantaneously. A candidate observer consists of a copy of the plant's hybrid dynamics with continuous-time and/or discrete-time correction terms adjusted by two constant gains, and with jumps triggered by those of the plant. Assuming that the time between successive jumps is known to belong to a given closed set allows us to formulate an augmented system with a timer which keeps track of the time elapsed between successive jumps and facilitates the analysis. Then, since the jumps of the plant and of the observer are synchronized, the error system has time-invariant linear flow and jump maps, and a Lyapunov analysis leads to sufficient conditions on the design of the gains for uniform asymptotic stability in three different settings: continuous and discrete updates, only discrete updates, or only continuous updates. Those conditions take the form of matrix inequalities, which we solve in examples including cases where the time between successive jumps is unbounded or tends to zero (Zeno behavior).
Assessing Performance Implications of Deep Copy Operations via Microbenchmarking.

As scientific frameworks become sophisticated, so do their data structures. Current data structures are no longer simple in design and they have been progressively complicated. The typical trend in designing data structures in scientific applications are basically nested data structures: pointing to a data structure within another one. Managing nested data structures on a modern heterogeneous system requires tremendous effort due to the separate memory space design. In this paper, we will discuss the implications of deep copy on data transfers on current heterogeneous. Then, we will discuss the two options that are currently available to perform the memory copy operations on complex structures and will introduce pointerchain directive that we proposed. Afterwards, we will introduce a set of extensive benchmarks to compare the available approaches. Our goal is to make our proposed benchmarks a basis to examine the efficiency of upcoming approaches that address the challenge of deep copy operations.
Survival Outcomes of Patients with Clinical Stage III Melanoma in the Era of Novel Systemic Therapies

Immune checkpoint and BRAF-targeted inhibitors have demonstrated significant survival benefits for advanced melanoma patients within the context of clinical trials. We sought to determine their impact on overall survival (OS) at a population level in order to better understand the current landscape for patients diagnosed with clinical stage III melanoma. A retrospective study was performed using the National Cancer Database. Patients diagnosed with clinical stage III melanoma were categorized by diagnosis year into two cohorts preceding the advent of novel therapies (P1: 2004–2005, P2: 2008–2009) and a contemporary group (P3: 2012–2013). OS was estimated using standard time-to-event statistical methods. Of 3720 patients, 525 (14%) were diagnosed in P1, 1375 (37%) in P2, and 1820 (49%) in P3. Median age at diagnosis increased over time (58, 59, and 61 years in P1, P2, and P3, respectively, P = 0.004). OS increased between P2 (median 49.3 months) and P3 (median 58.2 months, Bonferroni-corrected log-rank P 0.99). These differences persisted on multivariable analysis. OS improved for patients diagnosed in P3 compared with P1 [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76, P < 0.001] but not P2 compared with P1 (HR 0.96, P = 0.52). OS has significantly improved nationally for patients newly diagnosed with clinical stage III melanoma in the era of novel melanoma therapies. OS outcomes will likely continue to evolve as these agents are increasingly utilized in the adjuvant setting. These data may help to better inform affected patients with respect to prognosis.
Continuous Wave Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Reveals the Structural Topology and Dynamic Properties of Active Pinholin S2168 in a Lipid Bilayer

Pinholin S2168 is an essential part of the phage Φ21 lytic protein system to release the virus progeny at the end of the infection cycle. It is known as the simplest natural timing system for its precise control of hole formation in the inner cytoplasmic membrane. Pinholin S2168 is a 68 amino acid integral membrane protein consisting of two transmembrane domains (TMDs) called TMD1 and TMD2. Despite its biological importance, structural and dynamic information of the S2168 protein in a membrane environment is not well understood. Systematic site-directed spin labeling and continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW-EPR) spectroscopic studies of pinholin S2168 in 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) proteoliposomes are used to reveal the structural topology and dynamic properties in a native-like environment. CW-EPR spectral line-shape analysis of the R1 side chain for 39 residue positions of S2168 indicates that the TMDs have more restricted mobility when compared to the N- and C-termini. CW-EPR power saturation data indicate that TMD1 partially externalizes from the lipid bilayer and interacts with the membrane surface, whereas TMD2 remains buried in the lipid bilayer in the active conformation of pinholin S2168. A tentative structural topology model of pinholin S2168 is also suggested based on EPR spectroscopic data reported in this study.
Hypomorphic Lig4 Impacts on Igh Class Switching and Translocations.

Abstract Abstract 3373 The DNA Ligase IV (Lig4) protein is an essential component of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway that plays a key role in the repair of general DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and those generated during V(D)J recombination and IgH Class Switch Recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes. Hypomorphic mutations in the Lig4 gene in humans underlies the DNA Lig4 Syndrome, which is associated with radiosensitivity, developmental delay, growth defects, facial dysmorphism and variable degrees of immunodeficiencies. We recently described a mouse model carrying a specific Lig4 hypomorphic mutation in both copies of the Lig4 coding exon that generates an arginine to histidine amino acid #278 (R278H) replacement that corresponds to the first Lig4 mutation reported in humans. Our studies revealed that similar to human patients, the phenotype of homozygous mutant mice Lig4R278H/R278H (Lig4R/R) includes growth retardation, significant decreased life span, severe cellular sensitivity to ionizing radiation, and a severe but incomplete block in T and B cell development. Peripheral T lymphocytes show an activated and anergic phenotype, reduced viability, and a restricted repertoire, reminiscent of human leaky SCID, and high levels of genomic instability associated with increased incidence of thymic and peripheral T lymphomas. Severe defects in B lymphocyte developmental functions include repertoire restriction during aging, spontaneous low affinity antibody production and inability mount high affinity antibody responses. Our studies now reveal that introduction of IgH and IgL knock-in (HL) variable region exon into the R/R mice leads to significant increase in mature B lymphocytes in peripheral lymphoid organs, directly demonstrating that the overall severe reduction in B lymphocytes in the R/R mice is in part due to a block in their developmental progression. We further observe a mild reduction in IgH class switching in the in vitro CSR activated R/RHL B lymphocytes, accompanied by an unusual increase in IgH specific DSBs and translocations, at levels significantly higher than what we previously observed in Lig4 or XRCC4 deficient peripheral B cells, and lower than expected general DSBs. The implications of our findings in the context of B lymphocyte development and CSR, potential altered utilization of alternative end-joining DSB repair mechanisms and on B lymphomagenesis will be discussed. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A General Approach to Design, Optimize, and Analyze Modular Functional Near-infrared Brain Imaging Probes

We developed a generalized workflow to automatically design modular fNIRS head-probes over user-specified regions with optimized channel counts, brain sensitivity, and sampling-rate metrics, allowing to compare full-head probes composed of vastly different elementary module designs.
The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serotonin polymorphisms in stress-related personality and psychiatric symptoms: Implications for cardiovascular health

Background: Diathesis-stress perspectives of cardiovascular (CV) health and disease have long identified the important role of a host of mental health risk and protective factors in both illness course and recovery. Few studies, however, have investigated these factors within the same sample of healthy people. Aims and Objectives: Accordingly, we focused on the inter-relationships among well-established CV mental health risk factors, specifically childhood adversity, stress-related adult personality traits and psychiatric symptoms, and naturally occurring genetic polymorphisms. Materials and Methods: Here 100 college students completed the NEO Five Factor Model of personality in conjunction with measures of childhood adversity, psychiatric symptoms as well as genetic variables derived from assays of the serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Results: Single gene comparisons pointed to lower CV risk, as reflected in personality and psychiatric symptom measures for BDNF Met versus Val/Val carriers. In addition, polygenic comparisons revealed a significant BDNF x 5-HTTLPR interactional effect, suggesting that this particular allelic combination may moderate the phenotypic expression of key personality traits, namely neuroticism and extraversion, as well as psychiatric symptoms, all linked to cardiovascular health. In fact, the data showed across personality and symptom measures, evidence of stress-resistance, resilience and protection for carriers of the allelic pair, BDNF Met and 5-HTTLPR-S. Conclusions: The findings suggested the Met variant of the BDNF gene had a risk-reducing and health-promoting effect when paired with the short serotonin allele, arguably reversing the commonly reported 5-HTTLPR-S association with stress vulnerability.
Exploring perceptions of stress factors among transnational West African immigrant women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the transnational connections of West African women immigrants and stress factors. From our extensive research, there is a scarcity of studies investigating this matter concerning transnational immigrant health. We conducted three focus group interviews with 7 transnational West African immigrants living in Chicago, Illinois. The PEN-3 model, as a cultural framework, was applied to guide the thematic analysis to explore the phenomenon of stress in West African immigrant women who maintain transnational ties between their home countries and the United States. Participants noted that a primary factor around increased stress involved trying to maintain strong ties to their native customs while acculturating to a foreign land. In particular, these women face challenges around employment and domestic responsibilities while also attempting to manage transnational responsibilities such as sending remittances back to their native land. The West African immigrant women of this study face several challenges in maintaining their home, work and social life. However, when they are resettling in a new land, these challenges affect them multidimensionally, including cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural empowerment, which are elements of the PEN-3 framework. For these reasons, health researchers and intervention planners would benefit from further research into the links between the transnational connections that female African immigrants experience and their stress related coping behaviors.
Capturing Racial/Ethnic Diversity in Population-Based Surveys: Data Disaggregation of Health Data for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs)

As the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S., Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) make up about 7% of the U.S. population. AANHPIs represent more than 50 ethnic groups and speak over 100 different languages, but national health data rarely collect information needed to disaggregate AANHPI into smaller groups to capture this diversity. This study reviewed AANHPI disaggregated data collection methods in large, U.S. population-based surveys, summarized disaggregated data reporting practices in the peer-reviewed literature, and conducted key informant interviews with 23 members of the National Network of Health Surveys who lead state/local and national surveys to identify challenges to data collection. We found that while large national surveys may include AANHPI subpopulation in data collection, sample sizes are often too small to permit meaningful data analysis. In our interviews, barriers cited included the lack of stakeholder interest, inadequate funding, lack of space on questionnaires, as well as methodologic challenges, such as the inability to obtain an adequate sample size and poor questionnaire design. Survey administration efforts to improve disaggregated health data are challenging, but when done, have led to a proliferation of new population-representative knowledge on the health of AANHPI subgroups. This study provides evidence of the population health value of disaggregating AANHPI data to identify the needs of vulnerable subpopulations. It also advances the field by offering key informants’ insights in overcoming implementation challenges.
Abstract P115: Fatigue Adaptation Among Stroke Survivors: A Scoping Review

Introduction: No study has systematically examined stroke survivors’ challenges with fatigue. We use the Adaptive Leadership Framework for Chronic Illness (ALFCI) to synthesize what survivors’ chal...
Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The spectrum of PH in SSc patients includes patients with isolated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH; World Health Organization Group 1) and patients with PH due to pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-ILD-PH; World Health Organization Group 3). In the last 20 years, the combined pulmonary manifestations of SSc have overtaken renal involvement as the primary cause of mortality (Hachulla E, Gressin V, Guillevin L, et al. Early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis: a French nationwide prospective multicenter study. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52:3792–800; Mukerjee D, St George D, Coleiro B, et al. Prevalence and outcome in systemic sclerosis associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: application of a registry approach. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:1088–93). accounting for up 60% of the SSc-related deaths (Mukerjee D, St George D, Coleiro B, et al. Prevalence and outcome in systemic sclerosis associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: application of a registry approach. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:1088–93). Pulmonary arterial hypertension, independent of other pulmonary manifestations, is the second leading cause of mortality in SSc patients (Mukerjee D, St George D, Coleiro B, et al. Prevalence and outcome in systemic sclerosis associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: application of a registry approach. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:1088–93).. All forms of SSc-related PH share a grim prognosis, and the efficacy of currently available PAH-specific therapies in SSc patients has been disappointing when compared to patients with other forms of PAH.
Immunologic Challenges Pre-transplant

Kidney transplantations in children, now ongoing for almost 40 years, have significantly improved outcomes, as a result of advances in pre-transplant preparation, surgical techniques, immunologic management, and post-transplant monitoring. The immune system in children evolves continuously, which impacts their pre-transplant evaluation and post-transplant outcomes. In this chapter, we explore the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system and consider its impact on transplantation. We discuss pre-transplant risk factors for sensitization of the recipients and methods to assess HLA antibodies. We also detail crossmatching, with special attention to virtual crossmatching in the pre-and peri-transplant period. The association of HLA matching with graft survival and effects of HLA antibodies on allograft outcomes are becoming clearer, and improved understanding of the HLA antigen system has provided clinicians with the tools to impact individual outcomes of pediatric kidney recipients, as well as the judicious use of these lifesaving and scarce resources.
Transcatheter pulmonic valve implantation in adult patients with prior congenital heart surgery.

Background: Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) is now an established modality for pulmonary valve replacement in suitable candidates. We aim to describe our experience with TPVR in adults. Methods: This is a descriptive study of all TPVR performed in adults with congenital heart disease at a single institution from 2010–2020. All adult patients (defined as 18 years old or older at TPVR) were included. Time-to-event outcomes were described using Kaplan-Meier estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Out of a total of 200 patients that had undergone TPVR, 81 patients (57% male) met the inclusion criteria, with a median age and weight of 26 years (IQR 21–37) and 71.0 kg (IQR 54.6–89.0), respectively. In the cohort, 45 (56%) patients had tetralogy of Fallot. While 53 (65%) patients received a Melody valve, a Sapien valve (S3 in 20, XT in eight) was implanted in the rest. Pre-stenting was performed in 49 (52%) patients. One patient died of severe heart failure a year following TPVR. One patient had a second TPVR performed 2.2 years following initial TPVR for severe pulmonary regurgitation. Valve survival at 2.2 years was 94% (95% CI: 87–100%). Four patients developed endocarditis. Endocarditis-free survival was 89% (95% CI: 80–100%) at three years. Conclusions: Our experience suggests favorable results of TPVR in adults with congenital heart disease. Additional research would be warranted with a focus on total valve longevity and patient reported outcomes, in order to improve the understanding of TPVR in this population and further refine this technology.
Antitrust by Interior Means

If a firm is a nexus of contracts, then it is just the sum of its counterparties. It follows that when a firm monopolizes a particular market and exploits its power to impose unfavorable terms on a counterparty, the firm necessarily exploits one counterparty for the benefit of another, because the additional profits the firm generates from the unfavorable terms must be paid out eventually to some other counterparty of the firm. One alternative to attacking monopoly power through breakup of large firms or limits on anticompetitive conduct in the marketplace is therefore to prevent any one counterparty of the firm from so dominating firm governance as to be able to induce the firm to oppress other counterparties for its benefit. Creating a balance of power in firm governance, by giving all counterparties the right to elect board members, would eliminate the internal forces that induce firms to exercise monopoly power. But it would not prevent firms from engaging in productive, pie-expanding, behavior, because such behavior tends to expand the business that the firm does with all of its counterparties—or at least enables the firm to use a share of the gains to compensate those counterparties that lose out—and therefore benefits them all.
Metaphor Processing, Psychology of

A metaphor is a statement that characterizes one thing in terms of another thing, juxtaposing concepts from separate domains of experience. Metaphor can be used to describe abstract or unfamiliar topics, and to express ideas difficult to convey with literal language. Keywords: metaphor; simile; figurative comparison; analogy
An experimental investigation of the interactions between reaction‐driven and stress‐driven melt segregation: 2. Disaggregation at high melt fraction

To investigate the coupling between stress-driven melt segregation and reaction-driven melt infiltration, we performed static annealing and torsional deformation experiments on couples constructed from a melt-rich basaltic source and melt-poor olivine + orthopyroxene + chromite + basalt sink. In this study (the second of two companion papers), the melt source is almost completely molten with ϕ = 0.8–0.9, well above the rheologically critical melt fraction. We deformed two geometries of source/sink couples with the source either as the core or the outer ring of a cylinder. Our experiments demonstrate (1) that deformation significantly enhances the rate of melt infiltration from the source into the sink and (2) that combined reaction and deformation promote greater strain localization than does deformation alone. Deformation and melt infiltration enhance disaggregation at the interface of the source and sink. The implication of these coupled interactions is that deformation and melt-rock reaction may enhance the corrosion (or ‘stoping’) rates of the wall rocks of magma chambers and intrusions in the crust and upper mantle.
Nanoscale patterning of STIM1 and Orai1 during store-operated Ca2+ entry

Stromal interacting molecule (STIM) and Orai proteins constitute the core machinery of store-operated calcium entry. We used transmission and freeze-fracture electron microscopy to visualize STIM1 and Orai1 at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) junctions in HEK 293 cells. Compared with control cells, thin sections of STIM1-transfected cells possessed far more ER elements, which took the form of complex stackable cisternae and labyrinthine structures adjoining the PM at junctional couplings (JCs). JC formation required STIM1 expression but not store depletion, induced here by thapsigargin (TG). Extended molecules, indicative of STIM1, decorated the cytoplasmic surface of ER, bridged a 12-nm ER-PM gap, and showed clear rearrangement into small clusters following TG treatment. Freeze-fracture replicas of the PM of Orai1-transfected cells showed extensive domains packed with characteristic "particles"; TG treatment led to aggregation of these particles into sharply delimited "puncta" positioned upon raised membrane subdomains. The size and spacing of Orai1 channels were consistent with the Orai crystal structure, and stoichiometry was unchanged by store depletion, coexpression with STIM1, or an Orai1 mutation (L273D) affecting STIM1 association. Although the arrangement of Orai1 channels in puncta was substantially unstructured, a portion of channels were spaced at ∼15 nm. Monte Carlo analysis supported a nonrandom distribution for a portion of channels spaced at ∼15 nm. These images offer dramatic, direct views of STIM1 aggregation and Orai1 clustering in store-depleted cells and provide evidence for the interaction of a single Orai1 channel with small clusters of STIM1 molecules.
Cahokia: Domination and Ideology in the Mississippian World

Cahokia: Domination and Ideology in the Mississippian World. Timothy R. Pauketat and Thomas E. Emerson. eds. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997. 360 pp.
Closed-form simulation and robustness models for SEU-tolerant design

A closed-form model for simulation and analysis of voltage transients caused by single-event upsets (SEUs) in logic circuits is described. A linear RC model, derived using a SPICE-based calibration of logic gates for a range of values of fanout, charge, and scale factor is presented. A full set of experimental results demonstrate that on average, the model is accurate to within 5% of the results obtained using SPICE with over 100/spl times/ improvement in computational speed. Besides simulation and analysis of SEU-induced transients, the proposed model can be used to perform reliability-aware logic synthesis through the incorporation of robustness metrics to tune cell libraries.
INCORPORATION OF C14 FROM CARBON DIOXIDE INTO SUGAR PHOSPHATES, CARBOXYLIC ACIDS, AND AMINO ACIDS BY CLOSTRIDIUM THERMOACETICUM.

Ljungdahl, Lars (Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio), and Harland G. Wood. Incorporation of C14 from carbon dioxide into sugar phosphates, carboxylic acids, and amino acids by Clostridium thermoaceticum. J. Bacteriol. 89:1055–1064. 1965.—The mechanism of synthesis of acetate from carbon dioxide by Clostridium thermoaceticum was investigated by incubating cells with glucose or xylose in the presence of C14O2. Sugar phosphates, amino acids, and carboxylic acids were isolated and the specific radioactivities were determined; the distributions of C14 were also determined in some of the compounds. Only fructose-1,6-diphosphate, formate, and lactate had higher specific activities than the acetate. The specific activities and distribution of C14 in the fructose-6-phosphate and ribose-5-phosphate were such that we conclude that the synthesis of acetate does not occur via a pathway involving the sugar phosphates as direct intermediates. Likewise, it is shown that pathways including lactate, aspartate, serine, glycine, malate, and succinate are not of importance in the synthesis of acetate from CO2. The methyl group of free methionine was unlabeled and is not a precursor of the methyl group of acetate.
Smart Messages: a system architecture for large networks of embedded systems

We propose a system architecture and a computing model, based on Smart Messages (SMs), for computation and communication in large networks of embedded systems. In this model, communication is realized by sending SMs in the network. These messages are comprised of code, which is executed at each hop in the path of the message, and data which the message carries in the network. The execution at each hop determines the next hop in the message's path - SMs are responsible for their own routing.
Integrating Ethics into Organizational Networks

The transformation of companies into post‐bureaucratic forms of organization, such as networks, raises new implementation challenges for ethics in business. To address how to integrate ethics into network‐based companies, describes the implementation of an ethics programme in a banking institution. Shows how communication problems and the resolution of interpersonal conflicts present important ethical challenges to networks. Presents two overlooked resources in ethical theory – narrative and casuistry – as helpful tools for meeting these challenges and for integrating ethics into networks.
Error models and error mitigation for long-distance high-fidelity quantum secret sharing

A quantum communication architecture is being developed for long-distance, high-fidelity transmission and storage of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states. This system uses an ultrabright narrowband source of polarization-entangled photons plus trapped-atom quantum memories, and it is compatible with long-distance transmission over standard telecommunication fiber. An error model for the preceding architecture is derived, and the use of quantum error correction or entanglement purification protocols to improve the performance of this quantum communication system is also discussed.
The edibility of shoots of some bamboos growing in Puerto Rico

In China and Japan bamboo shoots have long served as victuals, but no such use has yet developed in the New World, except for imports of the canned article. Edibility tests on 27 kinds growing in Puerto Rico are here reported, but large plantations and propaganda to create a demand for the shoots would be necessary to establish them as items of diet in America.
Acclimating to breast cancer: a process of maintaining self-integrity in the pretreatment period.

BACKGROUND The period between diagnosis and initial treatment is one of the most stressful times for women with breast cancer. Unresolved distress may lead to future mental health and adjustment difficulties. Adjustment is facilitated by thoughts and behaviors that integrate a threatening event into a person's worldview. Few studies, however, have explored women's pretreatment thought processes. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of the pretreatment thought processes and behaviors of women diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS Grounded theory method guided theoretical sampling of 18 women from a Midwestern, US breast center who were 37 to 87 years old, diagnosed with stage 0 to II breast cancer within the past 6 to 21 days and awaiting surgical treatment. Constant comparison of interview data and open, selective, and theoretical coding identified interrelated concepts and constructs that formed the grounded theory. RESULTS Threatened self-integrity was the main concern of women identified in the pretreatment period. Women addressed this problem through a continuous, nonlinear process of acclimating to breast cancer consisting of 3 stages: surveying the situation, taking action, and emerging self. Situational and personal factors influenced women's degree of engagement in 1 or more stages. CONCLUSIONS Women's pretreatment response to breast cancer diagnosis involves integrated thought processes to maintain self-integrity influenced by situational and personal factors hypothesized to be amenable to interventions that facilitate adjustment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE New insights provided by this theory can guide clinical practice and generate hypotheses to test pretreatment interventions to support psychological adjustment to breast cancer.
A 20 year review of punishment and alternative methods to treat problem behaviors in developmentally delayed persons

Relevant journals were reviewed (n = 23) for a 20 year period (1967 to 1987) to assess the status of treatments for severe behavior problems of developmentally delayed persons. A hand search of journals was made; 382 studies were identified. Procedures were analyzed by problem behaviors treated, side effects reported, whether the procedure involved painful stimuli, nonpainful stimuli, food satiation, positive procedures, extinction or combinations of methods. The number of studies reported yearly was also plotted. The implication of these data for federal and state policy makers and for treatment programs dealing with difficult to treat clients is discussed.
On‐the‐job relationships among self‐reported oral communication apprehension, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behaviors

This study assessed the relationships among self‐reported oral communication apprehension (CA), job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) for employees of a bank located in the southeastern U.S. Results indicated positive relationships between several of the job satisfaction and OCB variables, and several negative relationships between oral CA and OCB variables, and oral CA and job satisfaction variables. Also, individuals with high oral CA, in comparison to those with low oral CA, were found to score significantly lower on dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior and job satisfaction. Implications of these findings for the organization are discussed, as are reactions to the research findings by bank personnel.
Demonstration of chip-scale optical interconnects based on the integration of polymer waveguides and multiple quantum well modulators on silicon

Key elements of a multi-material hybrid integration concept for implementing high-density chip-scale optical interconnects are demonstrated. Polymer waveguides with curved facets are used to couple light in and out of the MQW devices flip-chip bonded to silicon.
Regge-pole model with absorptive correction cuts for photoproduction of charged pions☆

A Regge-pole model for the isovector photon part of the π± photoproduction amplitude is reported. It is shown that Regge cuts generated by absorption can explain the forward peak in charged pion photoproduction if one uses evasive π and A2 exchanges. The pion trajectory must be chosen rather flat. For large values of momentum transfer, the fit to the data is fair.
Observations on the dynamic behavior of large flexible bodies in orbit.

9 Warren, W. R. and Diaconis, N. S., "Air arc simulation of hypersonic environments," ARS Progress in Astronautics and Rocketry: Hypersonic Flow Research, edited by F. R. Riddell (Academic Press Inc., New York, 1962), Vol. 7, pp. 663-700; also General Electric Co., GE MSD TIS R62SD25 (April 1962). 10 Eschenroader, A. W., Boyer, D. W., and Hall, J. G., "Exact solutions for non-equilibrium expansions of air with coupled chemical reactions," Cornell Aeronautical Labs., Rept. AF-1413A-l, Air Force Office of Scientific Research 622 (May 1961). 11 Boison, J. C. and Curtiss, H. A., "An experimental investigation of blunt body stagnation point velocity gradient," ARS J. 29,130-135(1959). 12 Scala, S. M. and Baulknight, C. W., "Transport and thermodynamic properties in a hypersonic laminar boundary layer, Part 2, Applications," ARS J. 30, 329-336 (1960).
Family Experience With Positive Client Response to Clozapine

To gain a better understanding of family member's subjective experiences to their relative's positive response to clozapine treatment, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from 10 blood-related parents of clients who received treatment from a community mental health center's outpatient clozapine clinic. All family members felt that their relative had responded positively to clozapine treatment. Effects were described as subtle yet remarkable to family members. Family relationships improved as a result of the client's positive response, as the positive effects that the family members described largely had to do with the client's increased ability to relate to others, along with an increased interest and ability to participate in social activities. Finally, strong family advocacy seemed to be a major factor in this sample of clients having access to clozapine.
Dynamics of quadrupedal locomotion of monkeys: implications for central control

We characterized the three-dimensional kinematics and dynamics of quadrupedal gait of young adult rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys while they walked with diagonal and lateral gaits at 0.4–1.0 m/s on a treadmill. Rigid bodies on the wrist, ankle, and back were monitored by an optical motion detection system (Optotrak). Kinematic data could be normalized using characteristic stride length, reducing variance due to different gait styles, to emphasize common characteristics of swing and stance parameters among animals. Mean swing phase durations fell as walking speed increased, but the swing phase durations increased at each walking velocity as a linear function of increases in amplitude, thereby following a main sequence relationship. The phase plane trajectories of the swing phases, i.e., plots of the relation of the rising and falling limb velocity to limb position in the sagittal (X–Z) plane, had unique dynamic characteristics. Trajectories were separable at each walking velocity and increases in swing amplitude were linearly related to peak swing velocities, thus comprising main sequences. We infer that the swing phase dynamics are set by central neural mechanisms at the onset of the swing phases according to the intended amplitude, which in turn is based on the walking velocity in the stance phases. From the many dynamic similarities between swing phases and rapid eye movements, we further suggest that the swing phases may be generated by neural mechanisms similar to those that produce saccades and quick phases of nystagmus from a signal related to sensed or desired walking velocity.
Abnormal desmopressin-induced forearm vasodilatation in patients with heart failure: dependence on nitric oxide synthase activity.

Background Peripheral vasodilatation in response to muscarinic agonists has been shown to be subnormal during heart failure. However, a more recent study suggested that the abnormal muscarinic-induced vasodilatation was not due to abnormal nitric oxide synthase activity. This study was designed to show that nitric oxide synthase contributes to desmopressin-induced forearm vasodilatation and to determine whether vasodilatation mediated by nitric oxide synthase is abnormal during heart failure. Methods Desmopressin (10, 50, and 100 ng/min) was infused into the brachial artery of 10 healthy subjects and eight patients with heart failure, and forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethsymography. Desmopressin responses were then recorded during inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with L-monomethylarginine or after aspirin. Results In healthy subjects, desmopressin caused a significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent increase in forearm blood flow of 0.9 ± 0.6, 4.0 ± 2.6, and 7.9 ± 2.6 ml/min/dl, respectively. Desmopressin responses in heart failure of 0.8 ± 0.6, 1.7 ± 1.4, and 3.1 ± 1.0 ml/min/dl were significantly less (p < 0.001) than normal. L-Monomethylarginine reduced desmopressin responses in normal subjects (p < 0.01), and this inhibitory effect was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than in patients with heart failure. Aspirin did not affect desmopressin-induced vasodilatation. Conclusion Nitric oxide synthase contributes to desmopressin-induced forearm vasodilatation. In response to desmopressin, patients with heart failure have subnormal vasodilatation mediated through nitric oxide synthase. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60, 667–674; doi:
Nicotine effects on eicosanoid formation and hemostatic function: Comparison of transdermal nicotine and cigarette smoking ☆ ☆☆

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible role of nicotine in enhancing coagulation and to assess the potential cardiovascular toxicity of transdermal nicotine therapy for smoking cessation. Background. Cigarette smoking increases the risks of acute coronary events. A likely contributing mechanism is activation of coagulation. The role of nicotine in enhancing coagulability has not been resolved. Methods. We compared in a crossover study the effects of cigarette smoking, transdermal nicotine and placebo transdermal nicotine, each for 5 days, in 12 healthy smokers. Results. Cigarette smoking increased the urinary excretion of 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2(reflecting thromboxane A2generation) and increased plasma concentration of the platelet alphagranule constituents, platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin, compared with placebo treatment, indicating in vivo platelet activation. Cigarette smoking was also associated with higher levels of fibrinogen in plasma. Transdermal nicotine produced plasma levels of nicotine in the same range as those during smoking but had no effect on thromboxane A2metabolite excretion, platelet alpha-granule release or plasma fibrinogen, compared with placebo. Excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α(reflecting prostacyclin generation) was not significantly influenced by any treatment. These results suggest that nicotine as such is not responsible for the platelet activation or elevation of plasma fibrinogen seen in smokers. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that intermittent bolus-like dosing of nicotine from cigarettes could have different effects from those produced by continually released transdermal nicotine. Other findings were that cigarette smoking and transdermal nicotine treatment were both associated with a higher white blood cell count compared with the placebo patch condition, suggesting a direct effect of nicotine to increase circulating white cells. Factor VII coagulant activity (VIIc) was significantly lower during cigarette smoking, than during either nicotine or placebo patch conditions. Conclusions. Transdermal nicotine has less effect on platelet activation and catecholamine release than does cigarette smoking, and its use in smoking cessation treatment of patients with coronary heart disease is likely to be safer than cigarette smoking.
Incremental Prognostic Value of Elevated Baseline C-Reactive Protein Among Established Markers of Risk in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background Established methods of risk assessment in percutaneous coronary intervention have focused on clinical and anatomical lesion characteristics. Emerging evidence indicates the substantial c...
Enhanced detection of distinguishing features in signal-averaged electrocardiograms from patients with ventricular tachycardia by combined spatial and spectral analyses of entire cardiac cycle.

BACKGROUND Signals generated by myocardium responsible for ventricular tachycardia (VT) contribute to the entire QRS complex, ST segment, and T wave and are spatially distributed over the entire torso. However, current methods of signal-averaged ECG analysis restrict interrogation to the terminal QRS complex, do not include data on the body surface distributions of the distinguishing features detected, and have a limited clinical value because of a low positive predictive accuracy. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that frequency analysis of the entire cardiac cycle of spatially selected ECGs based on isoharmonic maps of the body surface enhance the detection of the unique spectral features in signal-averaged ECGs that differentiate patients with from those without VT. METHODS AND RESULTS Isoharmonic maps of the body surface were calculated during sinus rhythm with the use of forward problem solutions for 32 patients with sustained VT, 30 without VT, and 10 healthy subjects and analyzed over a bandwidth of 0.05 to 470 Hz. Spectra of ECGs at the maximum and minimum of each patient's isoharmonic map of 1 to 7 Hz demonstrated a broadened bandwidth of significant separation (P < .05) for patients with from those without VT compared with the separation achieved with the use of Frank ECGs alone. Furthermore, the statistical significance within the bands of separation was greater for spatially selected ECGs compared with the Frank leads. Frank leads separated patients over the band from 11 to 84 Hz with a mean value of P = .0094. ECGs at the maximum of 1-to-7-Hz isoharmonic maps separated patients over the 8-to-111-Hz band with a mean value of P = .0062 (range, P < .05 to P < .0000001). ECGs at the minimum of 1-to-7-Hz isoharmonic maps extended the low-frequency end of the band of separation, which covered 0 to 69 Hz with a mean value of P = .0039 (range, P < .05 to P < .0000001). Subgroup analysis verified that results were independent of QRS duration. CONCLUSIONS Spectral analysis of ECGs that are spatially selected for each patient is superior to orthogonal ECGs and augments detection of distinguishing features in ECGs that identify risk of VT. The new data acquired from analysis of spatially selected ECGs from individual patients provide the information on the specific frequency bands and an improved ECG-lead system required to refine methods of analysis of the signal-averaged ECG.
The relation of sex-role self-concept and sex-role attitudes to the marital satisfaction and personal adjustment of dual-worker couples with preschool children

The present study was designed to investigate the relation of sex-role self-concept and sex-role attitudes to the marital satisfaction and personal adjustment of dual-worker couples with preschool children. One hundred husbands and wives completed an assessment package consisting of the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, the Attitudes Toward Women Scale, the Locke- Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and the Profile of Mood States. As predicted, androgynous individuals reported the greatest levels of marital satisfaction and personal adjustment. This was true for both men and women and across occupational levels. In addition, congruence between spouses' sex-role attitudes was associated with greater marital satisfaction.
Chemistry goes global in the virtual world.

Online courses administered by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign show that it is possible to create an effective network of professors and students from across institutional and national borders all learning together — even in conceptually challenging subjects such as organic chemistry.
Endovascular stenting is rarely necessary for the management of blunt cerebrovascular injuries.

Background The role of stenting for blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) continues to be debated, with a trend toward more endovascular stenting. With the recent intracranial stenting trial halted in favor of medical therapy, however, management of BCVI warrants reassessment. The study purpose was to determine if antithrombotic therapy, rather than stenting, was effective in post-injury patients with high-grade vascular dissections and pseudoaneurysms. Study Design In 1996, we began screening for BCVI. After the 2005 report on the risks of carotid stenting for BCVI, a virtual moratorium was placed on stenting at our institution; our primary therapy for BCVI has been antithrombotics. Patients with grade II (luminal narrowing >25%) and grade III (pseudoaneurysms) injuries were included in the analysis. Results Grade II or III BCVIs were diagnosed in 195 patients. Before 2005, 25% (21 of 86) of patients underwent stent placement, with 2 patients suffering stroke. Of patients treated with antithrombotics, 1 had a stroke. After 2005, only 2% (2 of 109) of patients with high-grade injuries had stents placed. After 2005, no patient treated with antithrombotics suffered a stroke and there was no rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. Conclusions Antithrombotic treatment for BCVI is effective for stroke prevention. Routine stenting entails increased costs and potential risk for stroke, and does not appear to provide additional benefit. Intravascular stents should be reserved for the rare patient with symptomatology or a markedly enlarging pseudoaneurysm.
Optical absorption in sputtered amorphous phosphorus

Abstract Optical absorption measurements are reported on r.f. sputtered films of a -P prepared at variable substrate temperatures. With decreasing substrate temperature the absorption spectra shift to lower frequencies and the energy gap decreases. The form of the spectra are, however, similar both in the band edge and Urbach tail regions. The Urbach slope is found to differ substantially from that of a -As, indicating that factors other than coordination number may influence this parameter. The changes in the absorption spectra are suggestive of a possible role of intermediate range order on the electronic states in a -P.