cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focus on pain mechanisms and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome

Objective To critically evaluate the role of several notable 'pain pathways' in the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods PubMed provided the data base for peer-reviewed basic and clinical science studies on musculoskele-tal and neuropathic pain mechanisms with a principal emphasis on critically appraising papers from 2002 to the present. Results FMS pharmacotherapy is more prevalent in clinical practice as our understanding of the cellular, molecular and pathophysiologic mechanisms contributing to widespread musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain has emerged. Thus, several 'pain pathways' including high-voltage activated Ca2+ channels and the K(v)1 family of K+ channels ion channels appear related to the efficacy of pregabalin and amitryptyline, respectively, in FMS. Additionally, serotonergic and serotonergic/norepinephrine receptor-mediated mechanisms may explain the reported pharmacologic efficacy in FMS of mirtazapine, duloxetine and milnacipran. By contrast, the decreased level of micro-opioid receptors in the CNS of FMS patients suggests a mechanism as to why opioid therapy should be avoided. However, increased peripheral benzodiazepine receptors on monocytes from FMS patients suggested an explanation for the reported efficacy of olanzapine in FMS. Conclusion Pregabalin was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of FMS-related pain. Drugs that have been assessed for their potential use in FMS pharmacotherapy include gabapentin and tricylic antidepressants. These drugs appear to target specific Ca2+ or K+ ion channels notable for their involvement in mediating neuropathic pain. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors including, mirtazapine, duloxetine and milnacipran appear to be more efficacious in FMS than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Milnacipran became the second FDA-approved drug for FMS.
Embarrassingly Parallel Computations of Bubbly Wakes

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses embarrassingly parallel computations of bubbly wakes. The idea of “embarrassingly” parallel computations presumes a complete absence or a small degree of interprocessor communications during the parallel execution of a multiprocessor problem. In applications to continuum mechanics, it usually means that the domain decomposition is either not used at all or there is a very loose coupling among parts of the decomposed domain. This idea is attractive because of low communication overhead and linear scale-up of the computations. However, this kind of parallelism can only be realized for limited classes of problems. One such class involves statistical modeling, where the results are obtained as an average over a set of independent statistical ensembles. In this case, each ensemble can be simulated on a separate processor and no communication among the processors is necessary. Unfortunately, most problems of fluid dynamics do not fall under this category. Parallel computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are notoriously hard to realize because of the inherent strong coupling between the variables and sub-domains.
Predicting Opioid Epidemic by Using Twitter Data

Opioid crisis was declared as a public health emergency in 2017 by the President of USA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Nearly $4B is provided to address the opioid epidemic in the 2018 spending bill and help fulfill the President’s Opioid Initiative.
Physical objects approaching the Cauchy horizon of a rapidly rotating Kerr black hole

We solve the $2+1$-dimensional Teukolsky equation numerically for the Weyl scalars ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{0}$ and ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{4}$ along a time-like geodesic approaching the Cauchy horizon of a rapidly rotating perturbed Kerr black hole. We find that both the amplitude and frequency of the Weyl scalars agree with the results of linear perturbation analysis. We then model a physical object by a simple damped harmonic oscillator, which is driven by an external force that mimics the tidal force experienced by the infalling object. We use this model to find the total deformation of the object at the Cauchy horizon, and the resonant effect when the driving force's frequency matches the internal frequency of the oscillator that models the object.
Formation rates and evolution histories of magnetars

We constrain the formation rate of Galactic magnetars directly from observations. Combining spin-down rates, magnetic activity, and association with supernova remnants, we put a 2$\sigma$ limit on their Galactic formation rate at $2.3-20\mbox{kyr}^{-1}$. This leads to a fraction $0.4_{-0.28}^{+0.6}$ of neutron stars being born as magnetars. We study evolutionary channels that can account for this rate as well as for the periods, period derivatives and luminosities of the observed population. We find that their typical magnetic fields at birth are $3\times 10^{14}-10^{15}$G, and that those decay on a time-scale of $\sim 10^4$years, implying a maximal magnetar period of $P_{\rm max}\approx 13$s. A sizable fraction of the magnetars' energy is released in outbursts. Giant Flares with $E\geq 10^{46}$ erg are expected to occur in the Galaxy at a rate of $\sim 5\mbox{kyr}^{-1}$. Outside our Galaxy, such flares remain observable by {\it Swift} up to a distance of $\sim 100$~Mpc, implying a detection rate of $\sim 5\mbox{ yr}^{-1}$. The specific form of magnetic energy decay is shown to be strongly tied to the total number of observable magnetars in the Galaxy. A systematic survey searching for magnetars could determine the former and inform physical models of magnetic field decay.
Adaptive Communications with Swarm Aperture

Utilizing mobile platforms such as a swarm of airborne mini-drones for distributed sensing and communications has been explored for more than one decade. Localization and synchronization of drone elements are the main challenges limiting its practical applications. In this paper, the localization and synchronization challenge is circumvented based on the concept of adaptive beamforming and wireless interconnect through frequency diversity. The technique is to (1) set up the swarm platforms as RF relay nodes that has minimum RF delay without going through the demodulation/remodulation process, while re-transmits the signal received from the base station at a long distance away (licensed band) to a common, secondary receiver at the terminal (unlicensed band) which is at proximity (2) apply adaptive beamforming algorithms to compensate for the delay difference among the elements in RF circuitry and in propagation paths caused by the different element positions. A two-element beamforming array uses to experimentally demonstrate the proposed concept. Improved signal to noise ratio has been demonstrated with such beamforming approach. The proposed system architecture provides an opportunity to develop practical swarm-drone for future wireless sensing and communication systems.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Diphtheria Toxin, the tox Operon, and Its Regulation by Fe2+ Activation of apo‐DtxR

Diphtheria is one of the most well studied of all the bacterial infectious diseases. These milestone studies of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae along with its primary virulence determinant, diphtheria toxin, have established the paradigm for the study of other related bacterial protein toxins. This review highlights those studies that have contributed to our current understanding of the structure-function relationships of diphtheria toxin, the molecular mechanism of its entry into the eukaryotic cell cytosol, the regulation of diphtheria tox expression by holo-DtxR, and the molecular basis of transition metal ion activation of apo-DtxR itself. These seminal studies have laid the foundation for the protein engineering of diphtheria toxin and the development of highly potent eukaryotic cell-surface receptor-targeted fusion protein toxins for the treatment of human diseases that range from T cell malignancies to steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease to metastatic melanoma. This deeper scientific understanding of diphtheria toxin and the regulation of its expression have metamorphosed the third-most-potent bacterial toxin known into a life-saving targeted protein therapeutic, thereby at least partially fulfilling Paul Erlich's concept of a magic bullet-"a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumor cells."
Directional solidification microstructures

Directional solidification technique is important both in understanding fundamental phenomena of solidification in technological applications where highly controlled microstructures are desired for close control of properties. One of the critical aspects of directional solidification is to characterize specific microstructure and its length scale as a function of processing conditions, e.g. growth rate, temperature gradient and composition. Our current understanding of the basic ideas which control microstructural scales and which characterize microstructural transitions will be discussed. Specific attention will be given to the role of anisotropic interface properties on microstructural scale selection process, and on the microstructural transitions which occur under rapid solidification conditions.
K2CuX3 (X = Cl, Br): All-InorganicLead-Free Blue Emitters with Near-Unity Photoluminescence QuantumYield

Recently, copper(I) halides have been gaining increased attention as highly luminescent nontoxic alternatives to lead halide perovskites for optoelectronic applications. Here, we report preparation...
Personal Relationships and Intimacy in the Age of Social Media: Cristina Miguel. Personal Relationships and Intimacy in the Age of Social Media. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Pivot, 2018, 133 pp., ISBN 978-3-030-02061-3 (hardcover).

Having set out to explore the role of relationships and intimacy in the social media environment, Cristina Miguel focuses her empirical study on three social media platforms: Facebook, Badoo, and C...
Positive and Negative Regulation of DNA Replication Initiation.

Genomic DNA is replicated every cell cycle by the programmed activation of replication origins at specific times and chromosomal locations. The factors that define the locations of replication origins and their typical activation times in eukaryotic cells are poorly understood. Previous studies highlighted the role of activating factors and epigenetic modifications in regulating replication initiation. Here, we review the role that repressive pathways – and their alleviation – play in establishing the genomic landscape of replication initiation. Several factors mediate this repression, in particular, factors associated with inactive chromatin. Repression can support organized, yet stochastic, replication initiation, and its absence could explain instances of rapid and random replication or re-replication.
IoT Stickers: Enabling Lightweight Modification of Everyday Objects

Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices promise to enhance even the most mundane of objects with computational properties by seamlessly coupling the virtual world to the physical. However, IoT's associated costs and cumbersome setup limits its extension to many everyday tasks and objects, such as those in the home. To address these issues, my dissertation work will enable IoT Stickers'a book of inexpensive, battery-free sensors and composition patterns'to support customizing everyday objects with software and web services using stickers. Using RFID-based paper mechanisms, IoT Stickers integrates common sensors and web services with interactive stickers through a trigger-action architecture. This integration enables computational services to be tailored to everyday activities by setting parameters to be passed to the sticker's actions and composing the stickers together. Thus, IoT Stickers demonstrates a way to associate IoT services with a dramatically wider set of objects and tasks.
A Data-Driven Distributionally Robust Game Using Wasserstein Distance

This paper studies a special class of games, which enables the players to leverage the information from a dataset to play the game. However, in an adversarial scenario, the dataset may not be trustworthy. We propose a distributionally robust formulation to introduce robustness against the worst-case scenario and tackle the curse of the optimizer. By applying Wasserstein distance as the distribution metric, we show that the game considered in this work is a generalization of the robust game and data-driven empirical game. We also show that as the number of data points in the dataset goes to infinity, the game considered in this work boils down to a Nash game. Moreover, we present the proof of the existence of distributionally robust equilibria and a tractable mathematical programming approach to solve for such equilibria.
Introduction to leadership development using the “Five Practices” framework in a co-curricular pharmacy student-development program

Abstract Introduction and leadership framework: With the increased expectation that pharmacy education should prepare students to become pharmacy leaders, schools of pharmacy are struggling to find ways to incorporate leadership topics. One way to incorporate content is to build co-curricular programs that introduce and practice leadership frameworks. The co-curricular program described in this study introduces leadership content using Kouzes and Posner's Student Leadership Challenge. Educational context and methods: Students were offered three workshops developed around the Five Practices framework. Each workshop provided background knowledge before engaging in self-reflection, discussion, and application activities. Students participated in a pre−/post-series assessment of leadership practices, as well as surveys after each workshop assessing achievement of learning outcomes. Findings and discussion: Average attendance at the workshops was 68, with participation from all professional years. A total of 43 students participated in the entire series and completed the pre- and post-surveys. In general, a majority of students found that the learning objectives of each session were met, and > 90% found that sessions were beneficial and that they planned to implement what they learned. In the pre- and post-series assessment, students experienced statistically significant improvements in four of the five practices as well as in their perceived overall leadership skills (P Implications: This program represents an easily implemented option for schools of pharmacy to increase leadership development. Requiring a small amount of student commitment and faculty investment, meaningful gains in leadership skills and knowledge can be gained within the student population.
Do Unfunded Obligations of Public-Sector Pension Plans get Capitalized into House Prices?

This paper examines the degree to which unfunded obligations of public-sector pension plans are capitalized into house prices. While there has been a growing focus on the size of unfunded pension obligations of state and local governments, their impact on local housing markets has been far less analyzed. Given the large number of local pension plans from the state of Pennsylvania, we turn to the state. Using data on house prices from the Decennial Census of 1990 and 2000 and the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, we find no evidence that unfunded pension obligations are capitalized into house prices.
Differential dynamics of peripheral immune responses to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in older adults

In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old patients with COVID-19 were examined phenotypically, transcriptionally and functionally to reveal age-, time- and severity-specific adaptations. Gene signatures within memory B cells and plasmablasts correlated with reduced frequency of antigen-specific B cells and neutralizing antibodies in older patients with severe COVID-19. Moreover, these patients exhibited exacerbated T cell lymphopenia, which correlated with lower plasma interleukin-2, and diminished antigen-specific T cell responses. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed augmented signatures of activation, exhaustion, cytotoxicity and type I interferon signaling in memory T and natural killer cells with age. Although cytokine storm was evident in both age groups, older individuals exhibited elevated levels of myeloid cell recruiting factors. Furthermore, we observed redistribution of monocyte and dendritic cell subsets and emergence of a suppressive phenotype with severe disease, which was reversed only in young patients over time. This analysis provides new insights into the impact of aging on COVID-19. Integrative single-cell RNA sequencing and immunological profiling reveal that older adults have reduced antigen-specific cellular and humoral responses accompanied by increased cytokine storm and myeloid cell recruiting factors in response to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors decrease the risk of radiation pneumonitis after stereotactic body radiation therapy

Abstract Purpose Although angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use during conventionally fractionated radiation therapy has been associated with a decreased risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP), a similar effect has not been demonstrated in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ACE inhibitor use during SBRT on the risk of symptomatic (grade ≥2) RP. Methods and materials Patients with at least 1 follow-up treated with SBRT for primary lung cancer were included. ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids were examined. RP was determined from all available medical records, including follow-up appointments with radiation oncology, pulmonology, medical oncology, and hospitalizations. It was scored with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results A total of 257 patients met inclusion criteria. Seventy (27.2%) used an ACE inhibitor during SBRT. The overall rates of grade ≥2 and ≥3 RP were 19.1% (n = 49) and 7.0% (n = 18), respectively. ACE inhibitor users experienced greater freedom from symptomatic RP on univariate (vs nonusers, 89.8% vs 76.3% at 12 months, P = .029) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.373, 95% confidence interval 0.156-0.891, P =.026). The volume of normal lung tissue receiving ≥5 Gy, %, ≥10 Gy, ≥20 Gy, and mean lung dose were also significantly associated with RP on univariate and multivariate analysis. ACE inhibitor use was not associated with overall survival. Angiotensin receptor blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, and statin administration were not associated with symptomatic RP or survival. Conclusions ACE inhibitor use during SBRT was associated with significantly greater freedom from grade ≥2 RP, even after adjusting for pulmonary dose. Given the data on their protective effect in human and animal models, a prospective evaluation is warranted.
MO-E-BRD-00: Breast Brachytherapy: The Phoenix of Radiation Therapy

Is Non-invasive Image-Guided Breast Brachytherapy Good? – Jess Hiatt, MS Non-invasive Image-Guided Breast Brachytherapy (NIBB) is an emerging therapy for breast boost treatments as well as Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) using HDR surface breast brachytherapy. NIBB allows for smaller treatment volumes while maintaining optimal target coverage. Considering the real-time image-guidance and immobilization provided by the NIBB modality, minimal margins around the target tissue are necessary. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation in brachytherapy: is shorter better? - Dorin Todor, PhD VCU A review of balloon and strut devices will be provided together with the origins of APBI: the interstitial multi-catheter implant. A dosimetric and radiobiological perspective will help point out the evolution in breast brachytherapy, both in terms of devices and the protocols/clinical trials under which these devices are used. Improvements in imaging, delivery modalities and convenience are among the factors driving the ultrashort fractionation schedules but our understanding of both local control and toxicities associated with various treatments is lagging. A comparison between various schedules, from a radiobiological perspective, will be given together with a critical analysis of the issues. 1. to review and understand the evolution and development of APBI using brachytherapy methods 2. to understand the basis and limitations of radio-biological ‘equivalence’ between fractionation schedules 3. to review commonly used and proposed fractionation schedules Intra-operative breast brachytherapy: Is one stop shopping best?- Bruce Libby, PhD. University of Virginia A review of intraoperative breast brachytherapy will be presented, including the Targit-A and other trials that have used electronic brachytherapy. More modern approaches, in which the lumpectomy procedure is integrated into an APBI workflow, will also be discussed. Learning Objectives: 1. To review past and current clinical trials for IORT 2. To discuss lumpectomy-scan-plan-treat workflow for IORT
Abstract 17797: Noninvasive Optical Imaging of Response to On-Demand Antioxidant Therapy in a Model of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease is often modeled by surgical induction of hind limb ischemia (HLI) in mice to study collateral vessel development. However, there is a need for methodologies that provide intravital, multifunctional, quantitative data on ischemic recovery for robust evaluation of new therapeutics. Here, we apply hyperspectral imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to longitudinally assess hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) and vessel morphology in response to a novel therapy. Injectable microspheres loaded with curcumin were synthesized from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive poly(propylene) sulfide (PPS) to provide “on demand”, local release of the antioxidant drug curcumin to reduce tissue-damaging oxidative stress in a mouse model of diabetic HLI. Curcumin-PPS microspheres significantly reduced intracellular ROS in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages and rescued viability of 3T3 fibroblasts treated with cytotoxic levels of H 2 O 2 in vitro . HLI was induced in FVB mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and curcumin-PPS or blank-PPS microspheres were injected into the ischemic limb. Curcumin-PPS significantly improved recovery of SaO 2 in the ischemic footpad relative to blank-PPS and vehicle (saline) groups over a one week time course evaluated with hyperspectral imaging (n≥8/group, p
Non-linear error detection for elliptic curve cryptosystems

The authors propose applying systematic non-linear error-detection codes to protect elliptic curve point addition and doubling operations against active fault attacks. These codes provide nearly perfect error-detection capability (except with exponentially small probability) at reasonable overhead. The proposed technique is applied to secure point addition and doubling operations for both Weierstrass and Edwards curves using different coordinate systems (i.e. affine and projective). The authors observe that the Weierstrass-based elliptic curve systems can be protected with reasonable area overhead. However, due to its balanced normal form, Edwards formulation is more appropriate for the non-linear error-detection technique proposed here. In addition, the proposed technique is compared with the method discussed by Gaubatz et al. (2006), where an error-detection technique is proposed for robust public key arithmetic. When compared with their method, the proposed technique provides approximately the same level of security with much less overhead. For Edwards curves, the overhead of the proposed scheme is less than half (42–46%) of the overhead of scheme proposed by Gaubatz et al. (2006). In addition, the overhead of the proposed scheme is 52–81% of the overhead of scheme proposed by Gaubatz et al. (2006) for different versions of the Weierstrass curves.
Why vulnerability matters: Exploring the merit of an inclusive disaster reduction concept

Purpose – The following conceptual exposition is presented in light of the growing number of scholars who indicate need for a comprehensive and coherent approach to disaster reduction, while practitioners seem to be continually faced with dynamic and seemingly contradictory goals and strategies.Design/methodology/approach – This article reviews arguments from an assorted collection of literature in order to increase theoretical understanding of disasters and attempts to integrate various concepts, paradigms and policy proposals.Findings – The discussion points out the strengths and weaknesses of alternative viewpoints about disasters, and suggests that a broad conceptualization of vulnerability may be best suited to assimilate findings for academia and simplify policy guidance for professionals in the field.Research limitations/implications – Because this is a cursory exploration of the casting of vulnerability management in terms of liability reduction and capacity building, additional research on the ma...
ALIVE: artificial life interactive video environment

In this video we demonstrate a novel system which allows wireless full-body interaction between a human participant and a graphical world inhabited by autonomous agents. The system is called "ALIVE", an acronym for Artificial Life Interactive Video Environment. The goal of ALIVE is to present a virtual environment in which a user can interact, in natural and believable ways, with autonomous semi-intelligent agents whose behavior is equally natural and believable.
Strain-specific profiles of hepatic xanthones in mice chronically fed α-mangostin, the most abundant xanthone in mangosteen fruit (1044.7)

Little is known about the tissue distribution and metabolism of ingested mangosteen xanthones . We investigated hepatic content and profiles of xanthone metabolites in four murine strains (C57BL/6, Athymic nude, C3H and BALB/c mice; n = 5 group) fed AIN-93G diet containing 0.1% α-MG-rich mixture of xanthones for 4 weeks. α-MG accounted for 88.5% of dietary xanthones with γ-MG, garcinone D and others representing 3.7%, 3.0% and 4.8%, respectively. Estimated xanthone intake during the feeding trial was approximately 300 nmoL/g BW. Mice were fasted for 4h before necropsy. Hepatic xanthones were extracted without and with glucuronidase/sulfatase to assess free and conjugated compounds. The presence and concentrations of xanthones in diet and liver was determined by LC-MS. Hepatic concentration of total xanthones was greatest in C57BL/6 mice (15 ± 6 nmol/g) followed by C3H (9.4 ± 5 nmol/g), Athymic nude (8.8 ± 4 nmol/g), and BALB/c mice (3.1 ± 0.8 nmol/g). α-MG accounted for 77-82% of hepatic xanthones in C57B...
Graft copolymers as substrates in column extractions : II. Characteristics of hydrophilic—organophilic columns in chromatographic separations

Abstract The operating characteristic of extraction columns made from graft copolynmers containing an adsorbed complexing agent are described by expressions analogous to those devloped for ion exchange resisn. Several kinds of graft copolymers are compared, and guidelinds are devloped for optimizing column resolution. The trivalent lanthanides are known to be eluted in order of increasing atomic number by gradient elution with hydrochloric acid on a column containing adsorbed di-(2-ethylhexyl) orthophosphoric acid (HDEHP). Adaptation of the plate equilibrium theory enables one to calculate φ*, the volume of effluent to maximum metal ion concentration, from the expression where f(φ) is a term for the hydrogen ion concentration as a function of the volume of effluent, Q is a variable related to the concentration of the HDEHP, Vii is the effective interstitial volume of the column, and K is the equilibrium constant for the exchange reaction
What Shapes Public Reactions to Climate Change? Overview of Research and Policy Implications

This article first briefly reviews some theoretical perspectives that have been applied to environmental behavior. Next, a theoretical model is proposed to help organize the broad range of research findings. The effects of specific variables in this model on psychological and behavioral outcomes are then discussed. Research indicates that environmental messages need to be framed in the context of the characteristics, values, and loyalties of the audience, as well as in the context of their interests. Programs to combat climate change should be structured so that individuals see their actions as part of a shared social effort.
Ceramics, Mechanical Properties and Behavior

Ceramic materials present many advantages for structural applications, especially in extreme environments. Their high melting temperatures, high hardness, inertness, and relatively low densities make them attractive for many applications as replacements for metals and also as enablers for new technologies. For structural applications at low and modest temperatures, the design engineer is concerned about the load-bearing capacity (stiffness, strength, and fracture toughness), the reliability (strength variability), and the time-dependent strength (subcritical crack behavior). At elevated temperatures, time-dependent deformation due to mechanisms such as creep is most important. In wear applications the hardness, toughness, and frictional properties are of interest. This chapter serves as an introduction to these topics. The mechanical properties of ceramics are important not only for the structural applications discussed, but also when these materials are used for electrical, optoelectronic, or biomedical applications. Keywords: structural ceramics; brittle fracture; fracture strength; fracture toughness; failure analysis; failure probability; hardness; composites
The order of administration of chemotherapy and radiation and its effect on the local control of operable breast cancer

Background. A delay in administration of radiation therapy has been suggested to increase the risk of local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery. Methods. The data were retrospectively reviewed from 552 patients in whom treatment consisted of total mastectomy (n = 467) or segmental mastectomy (n=85), irradiation, and combination chemotherapy. Of these, 463 patients received radiation therapy first, and 89 received chemotherapy first. The pattern of failures was compared between the subgroups according to the order of administration chemotherapy and irradiation and its effect on the local control of disease. Results. The median follow-up time of the local mastectomy subgroup was 133 months; of the segmental mastectomy subgroup, it was 39 months
Transient and Transgenic Analysis of the Zebrafish Ventricular Myosin Heavy Chain (vmhc) Promoter: An Inhibitory Mechanism of Ventricle-Specific Gene Expression

The zebrafish ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) gene exhibits restricted expression in the ventricle. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this chamber-specific expression is unclear. Here, we exploited both transient and transgenic technologies to dissect the zebrafish vmhc promoter. We demonstrated that a combination of two transient assays in this animal model quickly identified chamber-specific cis-elements, isolating a 2.2 kb fragment upstream from the vmhc gene that can drive ventricle-specific expression. Furthermore, deletion analysis identified multiple cis-elements that exhibited cardiac-specific expression. To achieve chamber specificity, a distal element was required to coordinate with and suppress a proximal enhancer element. Finally, we discovered that Nkx2.5-binding sites (NKE) were essential for this repressive function. In summary, our study of the zebrafish vmhc promoter suggests that ventricle-specific expression is achieved through an inhibitory mechanism that suppresses expression in the atrium.
Microalloying concepts and application in long products

A strategy for use of microalloyed steels in long products, including bar and forging steels, is presented based on alloying and processing characteristics applicable to this class of steels. The approach, which defines in temperature/composition space specific composition and processing temperatures for different product types, helps guide selection of microalloy additions for specific applications. Results of several recent product developments characteristic of thermomechanically processed and heat treated bar steels are also presented to illustrate opportunities available for the expanded use of microalloy additions in long products.
Non-linear independent component analysis with diffusion maps

We introduce intrinsic, non-linearly invariant, parameterizations of empirical data, generated by a non-linear transformation of independent variables. This is achieved through anisotropic diffusion kernels on observable data manifolds that approximate a Laplacian on the inaccessible independent variable domain. The key idea is a symmetrized second-order approximation of the unknown distances in the independent variable domain, using the metric distortion induced by the Jacobian of the unknown mapping from variables to data. This distortion is estimated using local principal component analysis. Thus, the non-linear independent component analysis problem is solved whenever the generation of the data enables the estimation of the Jacobian. In particular, we obtain the non-linear independent components of stochastic Ito processes and indicate other possible applications.
Interdisciplinary Insights on Nonverbal Responses within Attachment Relationships

As an extension of the thinking of Schachner, Shaver, and Mikulincer [2005, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 29], it is suggested that other disciplines (e.g., evolutionary psychology, social neuroscience) provide guidance with respect to factors that may influence nonverbal behavior within attachment relationships. An integration of biological and cognitive approaches provides a more complete understanding of the routes through which, and the extent to which, there is continuity between attachment processes in parent–child and adult relationships. As a specific illustration drawn from parent–child relationships, consideration is given to the cognitive biases more common among depressed or abusive mothers, and the resultant consequences for insecure attachment—as mediated by physiological stress responses and the ineffective communication processes that follow from those responses.
The Past and Present in Ghana’s Ethnic Conflicts: British Colonial Policy and Konkomba Agency, 1930-1951:

This article focuses on the events surrounding the 1940 Konkomba attack on the predominantly Dagomba village of Jagbel, in what is today Ghana’s Northern Region. This event demonstrates that the an...
Intelligence, behavior, and dysmorphogenesis in the fetal alcohol syndrome: A report on 20 patients

In a sample of 20 patients with the fetal alcohol syndrome, ages 9 months to 21 years, the average IQ was 65, with a range of 16 to 105; 60% of the patients had IQ's more than two standard deviations below the mean. The sample included patients who ranged in severity of dysmorphogenesis from mild to severe. The severity of the dysmorphic features was related to degree of mental deficiency; children with the most severe manifestations of FAS had an average IQ of 55, whereas children with lesser manifestations had an average IQ of 82. All children were growth deficient for height and/or head circumference, but in this study only height was significantly correlated with IQ. Environmental and behavioral characteristics of the sample are discussed, and two adults with the fetal alcohol syndrome are presented.
Crack spacing and crack width investigation from experimental CRCP sections

Crack width (CW) and crack spacing (CS) data from full-scale continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) test sections were collected and analyzed for this study. In order to compare CWs obtained under different temperature conditions, the CRCP CW model presented in the new mechanistic–empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) was utilized to standardize the measurements. The MEPDG CS model was compared first to the measured data due to its direct link to CW prediction. Based on the measured material properties, pavement geometry, and climatic conditions, the predicted CS and the CS distribution matched the observations on the three main CRCP sections. Using the same inputs provided in the CS prediction, the CW model in the MEPDG significantly over predicted the measured CW. The CW model was calibrated with the measured data in order to compare CWs between sections acquired at various temperature conditions. At the standard temperature condition, the measured CW varied from 0.031 to 0.116 mm and was sm...
Increasing precordial QRS voltage correlates with improvement in left ventricular function following anterior myocardial infarction

Abstract To evaluate whether changes in QRS voltage reflect changes in left ventricular function after myocardial infarction, 28 patients were studied following anterior myocardial infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiograms and 12-lead electrocardiograms were obtained during the acute phase of the infarction and again after at least 30 days of recovery (mean, 8 ± 8 months). At follow-up, 11 patients (group A) showed improvement in left ventricular systolic function; 9 had increased net QRS voltage in V 1–6 and 8 in V 1–4 . No improvement in ventricular function was found in 17 patients (group B); 7 had increased QRS voltage in V 1–6 (p 1–4 (p 1–6 was 82%, 59%, and 56% respectively, and for leads V 1–4 was 73%, 71%, and 62% respectively. Neither R wave voltage, Q wave voltage, nor the total number of Q waves was reliable for identifying patients with improving left ventricular function. Thus, increasing net QRS voltage in the precordial electrocardiographic leads during long-term follow-up after anterior myocardial infarction correlates with and has a reasonable sensitivity for detection of improvement in left ventricular systolic performance.
Esophageal stent–induced fistulization to an anterior cervical plate

D F c C p Endoscopic management of refractory benign esophageal strictures can be challenging, requiring multiple endoscopic procedures for successful remediation. Retrievable, self-expandable plastic stents (SEPS) have been U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for this indication. We present an unanticipated complication that occurred after placement and removal of a SEPS, with development of a fistula to an anterior cervical plate, its recognition, management, and resolution.
A new approach to the functionalization of phenanthrenequinone

Abstract The bromoethynyl adduct of fluorenone was converted to 10-((Z)-bromoiodomethylidene)phenanthren-9-one by means of the iodonium-generating reagent, iodine and Koser's reagent.
Studies of movement aftereffects.

213 Ss participated in 4 experiments designed to identify relationships between figural aftereffects elicited by hand, limb, and total body movements. The measures obtained were reliable and highly...
Parallel and vector processing in landscape dynamics

With single-processor scalar machines that have small memory capacities, ecological simulations have required large numbers of calculations on sets of variables at a single point in space (i.e., point models). In a computer environment featuring multiple and/or vector processors and relatively large memory capability, calculations may be performed simultaneously on variables across the spatial domain (i.e., distributed models). Independent tasks within programs may be processed in parallel and/or at vector speeds. Therefore, regional and global ecological simulations become feasible. However, vector and parallel architecture is fundamentally different from the architecture of standard scalar machines, and different viewpoints of problem structure will be required of ecologist to utilize these architectures effectively.
The righting reflex in turtles: A description and comparison*

Sixty-three turtles, representing 50 species, were tested for the righting reflex under two conditions, inversion and suspension. Ninety-two percent performed the righting reflex under inversion; 67% performed the righting reflex under suspension. Differences in the performance of the righting reflex were noted and discussed in terms of natural selection and the evolutionary relationships between the species sampled.
Comparison of opacities measured by portable and cross-stack transmissometers at a coalfired power plant

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of the in-stack light transmittance with portable (short pathlength) and cross-stack transmissometers along with particle mass concentration and particle size distribution tests were conducted at a pulverized coal-fired boiler. The tests were performed on a large horizontal duct downstream of an electrostatic precipitator. The cross-stack transmissometer (one way pathlength of 6.15 m) was located horizontally across the center of the duct during the entire study. The portable transmissometer (one way pathlength of 1.27 m) was positioned horizontally at either the top, center or bottom sampling port. The one hour average opacities measured simultaneously with the portable and cross-stack transmissometers have correlation coefficients of the linear regression best fit lines in the 0.933–0.999 range compared to the one minute opacity correlation coefficients of 0.420–0.592. The higher correlation coefficients of the hourly averages are probably due to averaging the opacities over a time period longer than the precipitator rapping cycle of 12 min. The 1 min average cross-stack opacities were consistently greater than the portable opacities, probably caused by the cross-stack transmissometer seeing puffs of particles from the precipitator plate rapping. Vertical stratification of the particles was indicated by both the opacity and the particle mass concentration measurements.
Postnatal development of the visual corpus callosum: The influence of activity of the retinofugal projections

Abstract Visual callosal projections were studied in normal adult rabbits, and in adult rabbits in which normal development was manipulated by monocular enucleation on the first or seventh postnatal day, or by abolition of retinal physiological activity by repeated application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) beginning on postnatal day 7. Animals given control vehicle injections, and animals enucleated on postnatal day 7 did not differ from normal in the tangential extent of their callosal zone which is limited to the lateral one-third of area 17. In contrast, animals enucleated on the day of birth and animals given TTX vitreous injections beginning on postnatal day 6–7 are similar in that the tangential extent of their callosal cell zone extends approximately through the lateral two-thirds of area 17. The results suggest that different mechanisms underly the effects of removal of the eye, and abolition of retinal activity, and that the critical period for the effective manipulation of these two mechanisms is different.
When Is a Disruptive Innovation Disruptive

A disruptive innovation (i.e., one that dramatically disrupts the current market) is not necessarily a disruptive innovation (as Clayton Christensen defines this term). To aid in understanding why some innovations are more (or less) disruptive to the long-term health of incumbents, this article offers terminology and a framework complementary to Christensen's work, focusing on the diffusion pattern of the new product. The framework and model presented herein suggest that when an innovation diffuses from the low end upward toward the high end, a pattern called low-end encroachment, the incumbent may be tempted to overlook its potential impact. Three possible types of low-end encroachment are illustrated: the fringe-market, detached-market, and immediate scenarios. Conversely, when the pattern is one of high-end encroachment, the impact on the current market is immediate and striking. A three-step framework is identified to assess the potential diffusion pattern and impact of an innovation, thereby helping a firm determine the threat or opportunity that an innovation represents.
Improved LED backlight with unique color and intensity control and NVIS capability

Currently deployed conventional flat panel AMLCD displays employ fluorescent lamp backlights to achieve the required lighting levels for cockpits in high performance aircraft. Advances have been made in backlighting technology by replacing fluorescent lamps with high performance LEDs. However, these new LED-based backlights are lacking in control of color and luminance intensity especially when related to NVIS requirements in a cockpit. This paper describes a unique integration of LED, electronic, and optical components to meet the requirements of high performance aircraft over their extreme range of operating environments. The LED-based backlight utilizes state-of-art components to enable daylight, night, and NVIS requirements to be implemented in a simple cost-effective package. The performance results presented highlight the advantages of this new design when compared to currently available backlighting designs. Techniques as described in section 2 of this paper are covered under patent application to the US and International Patent Offices.
Counting Molecules in Non-Muscle Myosin II Filaments

Non-muscle (NM) myosin II is involved in many important cellular processes, including migration, adhesion and cytokinesis. NM myosin II assembles into bipolar filaments; this multimerization is thought to be essential for acto-myosin contractility. Since each head in a myosin filament can bind F-actin, the number of heads per filament will affect the balance among its bundling, crosslinking and sliding activities, as well as the load-dependent feedback on these activities. Electron microscopy studies of interphase cells from different species have shown NM myosin II filaments contain 16-56 heads, but the size of filaments has never been determined in cytokinesis.We first studied the number of NM-myosin II in meiotic and mitotic C. elegans zygotes. GFP tagged myosin was imaged by TIRF microscopy until the fluorescence signal was completely bleached. We developed a novel, yet very simple molecule counting method CoMPaS (counting molecules with photobleaching and subtraction) to measure the number of bleaching events in the fluorescence decay curves from cells with different level of GFP expression. We found that the total number of myosin molecules in a single filament is 100 - 150. As an independent assessment of myosin filament size, we also measured filament length in cultured Drosophila cells using super-resolution microscopy. We measured the distance between diffraction-limited foci containing GFP-tagged regulatory light chain (RLC) at the two ends of myosin filaments, with nm accuracy. On average, myosin filaments are approximately 380 nm long. This method also allowed us to determine the orientation and size of the RLC myosin head foci. Interestingly, increased myosin filament length correlated with more parallel filament head foci. We will combine these measurement techniques with genetic perturbations to understand how NM myosin II filament assembly is controlled and how interaction with actin influences myosin filament structure.
Morphology of the adhesive tail tips of carphodactyline geckos (Reptilia: Diplodactylidae).

Members of the carphodactyline gekkonoid genera Naultinus, Hoplodactylus, Bavayia, Eurydactylodes, Rhacodactylus, and Pseudothecadactylus possess tails that are both prehensile and adhesive. In New Caledonian and Australian species of this group, the adhesive apparatus forms a discrete and grossly observable scansorial pad. The caudal scansorial system appears to show a phylogenetic trend towards increasing complexity. The caudal scansors closely parallel the subdigital scansors in surface morphology and bear branched setae and mechanoreceptive sensillae. Internal morphology also resembles that of the toe, although a tendinous system is absent and the mechanism of pressurization of the vascular network of the tail tip remains unclear. Despite obvious differences in basic organization of tails and toes, the caudal and digital scansors in these taxa appear to be iterative homologues of one another. J. Morphol. 235:41-58, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.