cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3471: Anti-NMP autoantibodies together with serum levels of death receptor 6 (DR6) detect ovarian tumors at early stage .

Background: High rate mortality in patients with ovarian cancer (OVCA) is attributed to the lack of an effective early detection test. OVCA progression differs from other malignancies in that the tumor typically spreads in a diffuse intra-abdominal manner. Thus tumor microenvironment plays an important role both in the inhibition, as well as progression of ovarian cancer. Malignant nuclear transformation is an early step in OVCA development which sheds nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) in circulation. The immune system responds to secreted NMPs by producing anti-NMP antibodies. Conversely, the tumor evolves immunosuppressive mechanisms to escape anti-tumor immunity. Death receptor 6 (DR6) has been suggested as an immunosuppressive agent expressed in several malignancies including OVCA. Thus, serum anti-NMP antibodies and DR6 may represent early markers of OVCA. However, association of anti-NMP antibodies and DR6 expression during OVCA development is unknown. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine if serum anti-NMP antibodies and DR6 levels are associated with malignant ovarian transformation and to examine their feasibility in detecting OVCA at early stage. Materials and Methods: Access to OVCA patients at early stage is very difficult. We used laying hen model of spontaneous OVCA. 3-4 years old normal, low or stopped egg-laying hens were selected by ultrasound scanning, sera were collected, hens were euthanized and tissues were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR. Sera were processed for ELISA for DR6 and anti-NMP antibodies. Immunoreactions were confirmed by immunoproteomics. Tumor stage and their histological types were determined by gross inspection and routine histology. Samples were divided into 3 groups namely, normal (n= 20), early (n=15) and late (n = 17) stages of OVCA. Results: Prevalence of anti-NMP antibodies was detected in approx. 75% hens at early stage and 94% hens at late stage OVCA. All serum samples from tumor hens detected NMP antigens of 30-80kDa in immunoproteomic studies. The expression of DR6 by ovarian malignant epithelium was significantly (p Conclusion: Results of this study suggest a concurrent prevalence of immune responses and immunosuppression to ovarian tumors. Anti-NMP antibodies and DR6 are associated with tumor initiation and progression. Thus, serum anti-NMP antibodies together with DR6 levels may detect OVCA at early stage. This study will provide a foundation for clinical study. Support: DOD Award # W81XWH-10-1-0523 Citation Format: Animesh Barua, Jacques S. Abramowicz, Janice M. Bahr, Salvatore A. Grasso, Sameer Sharma, Sanjib Basu, Jacob Rotmensch, Pincas Bitterman. Anti-NMP autoantibodies together with serum levels of death receptor 6 (DR6) detect ovarian tumors at early stage . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3471. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3471
A non-Hopfian almost convex group

In this article we prove that an isometric multiple HNN extension of a group satisfying the falsification by fellow traveler property is almost convex. As a corollary, Wise's example of a CAT(0) non-Hopfian group is almost convex.
Generalized Inverse of a Singular Matrix

THE problem of ‘inverting’ singular matrices is by no means uncommon in statistical analysis. Rao1 has shown in a lemma that a generalized inverse (g-inverse) always exists, although in the case of a singular matrix it may not be unique.
Comparison of fast 3D simulation and actinic inspection for EUV masks with buried defects

Aerial images for isolated defects and the interactions of defects with features are compared between the Actinic Inspection Tool (AIT) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and the fast EUV simulation program RADICAL. Comparisons between AIT images from August 2007 and RADICAL simulations are used to extract aberrations. At this time astigmatism was the dominant aberration with a value of 0.55 waves RMS. Significant improvements in the imaging performance of the AIT were made between August 2007 and December 2008. A good match will be shown between the most recent AIT images and RADICAL simulations without aberrations. These comparisons will demonstrate that a large defect, in this case 7nm tall on the surface, is still printable even if it is centered under the absorber line. These comparisons also suggest that the minimum defect size is between 1.5nm and 0.8nm surface height because a 1.5nm defect was printable but a 0.8nm was not. Finally, the image of a buried defect near an absorber line through focus will demonstrate an inversion in the effect of the defect from a protrusion of the dark line into the space to a protrusion of the space into the line.
An Innovative Beginning Teacher Induction Program: A Two-Year Analysis of Classroom Interactions:

Classroom observational data from an innovative 2-year, university-based teacher induction program indicate that the inductees made significant gains in the level of their teaching skills. First-year gains in instruction typically resulted from improvements in the classroom organizational and management skills of the inductees. Second-year gains tended to be related to changes in more intellectually complex areas of teaching.
Analysis of immune complexes by capillary electrophoresis

A simple method for immune complexes (IC) analysis by CE is described. This method combines the ease of precipitation of the IC by polyethylene glycol with the separation power of CE. The advantage of this method is a better quantitation of the IC, since it corrects and eliminates the interferences from other serum proteins. It also reveals the composition (monoclonality) of the precipitate. Three types of IC have been detected in this method: monoclonal, polyclonal and mixed (mono-polyclonal) IC. Furthermore, the method is rapid and simple.
Parallel online aggregation in action

Online aggregation provides continuous estimates to the final result of a computation during the actual processing. The user can stop the computation as soon as the estimate is accurate enough, typically early in the execution, or can let the processing terminate and obtain the exact result. In this demonstration, we introduce a general framework for parallel online aggregation in which estimation does not incur overhead on top of the actual processing. We define a generic interface to express any estimation model that abstracts completely the execution details. We design multiple sampling-based estimators suited for parallel online aggregation and implement them inside the framework. Demonstration participants are shown how estimates to general SQL aggregation queries over terabytes of TPC-H data are generated during the entire processing. Due to parallel execution, the estimate converges to the correct result in a matter of seconds even for the most difficult queries. The behavior of the estimators is evaluated under different operating regimes of the distributed cluster used in the demonstration.
Independent domination in hypercubes

Abstract The use of hypercube graphs as the underlying architecture in many commercial parallel computers has stimulated interest in this family of graphs. We hope to further stimulate this interest by introducing a tantalizing unsolved problem that is based on dominating sets for this very regularly structured family.
Cell damage and reactive oxygen species production induced by fluorescence microscopy: effect on mitosis and guidelines for non-invasive fluorescence microscopy

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) and other intrinsically fluorescent proteins (IFPs) are popular reporters because they allow visualization of cellular constituents in living specimens. IFP technology makes it possible to view dynamic processes in living cells, but extended observation, using fluorescence microscopy (both wide-field and confocal), can result in significant light energy exposure. Therefore, it is possible that cells experience light-induced damage that alters cell physiology and confounds observations. To understand the impact that extended viewing has on cells, we obtained quantitative information about the effect of light energy dose and observation conditions on tobacco BY-2 cell physiology. Our results show a non-linear relationship between the excitation light intensity and mitotic arrest, and the frequency of mitotic arrest is dependent on the presence of an IFP that absorbs the excitation light. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as assayed using BY-2 cells loaded with oxidation-sensitive dyes, and the level of ROS production increases if the cells express an IFP that absorbs the excitation light energy. The dye oxidation follows sigmoidal kinetics and is reversible if the cells are exposed to low irradiation levels. In addition, the dye oxidation rate shows a non-linear relationship to the excitation light intensity, and a good correlation exists between photobleaching, mitotic arrest, and dye oxidation. The data highlight the importance of ROS scavenging for normal mitotic progression, and provide a reference for judiciously choosing conditions that avoid photobleaching that can lead to ROS accumulation and physiological damage.
A Counseling Group for Counselors.

Abstract A group for counselors, who are ofen reluctant to seek personal counseling, is one format for practicing counselors to enhance their own emotional health.
Phyllanthus urinaria induces the Fas receptor/ligand expression and ceramide-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells

Phyllanthus urinaria (P. urinaria), a widely used herb medicine, was tested for the anticancer effect on human myeloid leukemia cells in this study. The water extract of P. urinaria induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells as demonstrated by morphological change, DNA fragmentation and increased caspase-3 activity. However, normal human peripheral mononuclear cells remained viable under the same treatment. The P. urinaria-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells was associated with the increased Bax gene expression and decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. In addition, the gene expressions of Fas receptor and Fas ligand, but not p53, were also induced in HL-60 cells dose- and time-dependently. The inhibitor of ceramide synthase, fumonisin B1, completely suppressed the apoptosis induced by P. urinaria and this inhibitory effect of fumonisin B1 could be eliminated by the addition of ceramide. It indicated that the activity of ceramide synthase is critical for the P. urinaria-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. The P. urinaria-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells is mediated through a ceramide-related pathway.
A Computer Model of Acoustic Wave Scattering in Soft Tissue

A model describing the scattering and image formation processes involved in conventional pulse-echo ultrasonic imaging is considered. Emphasis is placed on the transient scattering of ultrasound from dispersive soft tissue, since this is the most computationally demanding task of the simulator under development. The spectral approach considered here includes several useful features such as frequency-dependent attenuation, multiple scattering, arbitrary bulk modulus and density distributions, as well as realistic pulse configurations. Some examples illustrating the scattering algorithm are presented. When fully implemented, the simulator may serve as a test bed for ultrasonic tissue characterization, in which system and tissue parameters can be specified a priori, and various characterization methods can be compared and evaluated.
Osteopontin Controls Endothelial Cell Migration In Vitro and in Excised Human Valvular Tissue from Patients with Calcific Aortic Stenosis and Controls

Calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) is a pathological condition of the aortic valve characterized by dystrophic calcification of the valve leaflets. Despite the high prevalence and mortality associated with CAS, little is known about its pathogenetic mechanisms. Characterized by progressive dystrophic calcification of the valve leaflets, the early stages of aortic valve degeneration are similar to the active inflammatory process of atherosclerosis including endothelial disruption, inflammatory cell infiltration, lipid deposition, neo-vascularization and calcification. In the vascular system, the endothelium is an important regulator of physiological and pathological conditions; however, the contribution of endothelial dysfunction to valvular degeneration at the cellular and molecular level has received little attention. Endothelial cell (EC) activation and neo-vascularization of the cusps characterizes all stages of aortic valvular degeneration from aortic sclerosis to aortic stenosis. Here we reported the role of osteopontin (OPN) in the regulation of EC activation in vitro and in excised tissue from CAS patients and controls. OPN is an important pro-angiogenic factor in several pathologies. High levels of OPN have been demonstrated in both tissue and plasma of patients with aortic valve sclerosis and stenosis. The characterization of valvular ECs as a cellular target for OPN will help us uncover the pathogenesis of aortic valve degeneration and stenosis, opening new perspectives for the prevention and therapy of this prevalent disease.
Ischemic mitral regurgitation : Revascularization alone versus revascularization and mitral valve repair

Background In this study we compared the surgical management of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) by revascularization alone and by revascularization combined with mitral valve repair. Methods We studied 355 patients who underwent revascularization alone (n = 168) or revascularization combined with mitral valve repair (n = 187) for IMR from March 1994 to September 2003. Preoperative and operative characteristics, postoperative mitral regurgitation severity, operative mortality, and late survival were examined for each surgical group. Results No differences were noted between the two groups in age, sex, history of diabetes or hypertension, and number of bypass grafts. The combined surgical group had a lower preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (0.38 ± 0.14 versus 0.44 ± 0.15), greater severity of IMR, higher frequency of prior myocardial infarction, and longer cross-clamp and pump times ( p p p = 0.11) and actuarial survival at 5 years (44% ± 5% versus 41% ± 7%, p = 0.53). Independently predictive of higher early mortality (≤30 days) by Cox analysis were longer pump time ( p p 30 days) were older age ( p p p p = 0.08) toward a higher late survival with the combined surgical procedure. Conclusions In patients with IMR, combined mitral valve repair and revascularization resulted in less postoperative mitral regurgitation and similar 5-year survival when compared with revascularization alone. Attempts to reduce pump time by using off-pump techniques may reduce early mortality in these high-risk patients.
Ionic liquid matrix-induced metastable decay of peptides and oligonucleotides and stabilization of phospholipids in MALDI FTMS analyses

Room-temperature ionic liquid matrices (ILMs) have recently been investigated for use in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) and proven to be advantageous. Literature accounts of ILM performance for biological samples document increased sensitivity and ionization efficiency. These claims have been investigated here, and are supported for MALDI TOF applications to peptides, oligonucleotides, and phospholipids. Peptides and oligonucleotides however, do not behave in the same way when ILMs are used for MALDI FTMS. As reported here, with 3 tesla MALDI FTMS peptides and oligonucleotides fragment readily. These observations contrast with those found for MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Fragmentation is apparently slower than the time required to accelerate ions in a MALDI TOF mass spectrometer, but is readily observed by MALDI FTMS. Therefore, fragmentation of these molecules must occur on a relatively slow time scale. As trapping time is extended, increased fragmentation of peptides and oligonucleotides is seen. However, phospholipids do not fragment extensively. Furthermore, use of traditional solid matrices causes significant fragmentation for this category of compound but is suppressed by use of ILMs.
Liquid crystals: nonlinear optical properties and processes

Liquid crystals as nonlinear optical materials are reviewed. Potential applications of these materials in wave mixing, phase conjugation, and optical bistability are discussed. The extremely large optical nonlinearity and the slow response time of these materials make them unique for studies of some highly nonlinear optical processes and their dynamic characteristics.
Impact of smart antenna designs on network throughput and BER

The demand for increased capacity in wireless networks motivated recent research toward wireless systems that exploit space selectivity. The paper presents a comprehensive effort on smart antennas that examines and integrates antenna array designs and beamforming, and the impact of these designs on the network throughput. Fading and coding channel modeling are also examined to improve the system BER. The antenna design that has been chosen is a planar array of rectangular microstrip elements, The frequency of operation is 20 GHz, and both 4/spl times/4 and 8/spl times/8 designs are examined. Tchebyscheff and adaptively beamformed designs are considered, and their impact on network throughput and system BER is examined. From the results, it is possible to provide guidelines for the design of smart antenna systems for optimum capacity in mobile ad hoc networks.
A methodology for physical design automation for integrated optics

Advancements in silicon photonics technology are enabling large scale integration of electro-optical circuits and systems. To fully exploit this potential, automated techniques for design space exploration and physical synthesis for integrated optics must be developed. This paper investigates how conventional VLSI physical design automation techniques can be adapted for integrated optics applications. We present an overall methodology for cell-placement, global routing, and detail routing for physical synthesis of optical circuits. In addition, we highlight optics-specific constraint models, design rules and optimization criteria that will have to be accounted for in physical design automation.
A Z-weighted information content index

In the study of the effects of chemical structure variations on pharmacological activity, the information content of a molecule may be expressed by derived numeric indices. Any one of these may be used as a parametric descriptor in correlation trials. In a series of azabutadiene sensory irritants, two new information theoretic indices, the Modified Information Content (MIC) Index and the Z-Modified Information Content (ZMIC) Index were used to derive correlation equations relating these indices to respiratory inhibition in mice. The MIC Index uses the atomic weight of constituent atoms of a compound to weigh the individual terms of the Information Content (IC) Index prior to summation; the ZMIC Index uses the atomic number (Z) to weigh the terms. Linear regression trials indicated that the unmodified IC Index and the related Structural Information Content (SIC) Index did not explain the variance in the pharmacological data. However, increasingly adequate correlations were obtained with the MIC Index, followed by molecular weight and then the ZMIC Index. The latter appears to give some topographical character to what would otherwise be a topological index and has the potential for enhancing the usefulness of these methods.
Anomalous aging behavior of a Ni–Mo–Cr–Re alloy

Abstract In age hardening nickel alloys, an aging time up to a few hours is usually required to allow hardening phase to nucleate and grow particularly when the hardening kinetics are controlled by subsitutional diffusion. To reduce the aging time and therefore improve the production efficiency, deformation can be used to accelerate the aging process. We designed and studied an alloy with accelerated age hardening rates by considering various atomistic parameters so that an age-hardening material can be produced with an aging time less than 5 min without deformation. Contrary to most of the alloys, deformation decelerated the aging. The atomic resolution electron microscopy studies indicated that the hardening kinetics was related to the formation of the nano-particles and location of the doped atoms.
Abstract A35: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors block PDGFR‐β signaling and suppress growth in malignant endothelial cells

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including imatinib and dasatinib, have shown remarkable efficacy in controlling chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Their role in treating other solid tumors is less clear. We are investigating the potential to control malignant endothelial cell (EC) growth with TKIs using a spontaneous canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) model. Canine HSA is a highly malignant EC cancer with cellular features reminiscent of primitive endothelium. Controlling HSA cell growth has implications for improved outcomes of human and canine patients affected with EC cancer as well as for design of antiangiogenic strategies. We evaluated the effects of imatinib and dasatinib on constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet derived growth factor receptor‐beta (PDGFR‐β) that we previously determined to be abnormal in HSA cell cultures. Further, we correlated effects of these TKIs on HSA proliferation in vitro to determine if abnormal activation of PDGFR‐β contributes to the HSA malignant phenotype. Dasatinib was approximately ten‐fold more potent than imatinib in suppressing HSA cell growth. Dasatinib (100 nM) rapidly abrogated signal from full length and a possible truncated form (120 kDa) of phospho‐PDGFR‐β. Cells with constitutive activation of PDGFR‐β also showed tyrosine phosphorylation of extracellular related kinase‐1 (ERK‐1), ERK‐2, and Src suggesting these could be downstream partners of PDGFR‐β in aberrant HSA signaling. Dasatinib markedly suppressed phosphorylation of Src in HSA cells. Taken together; these data suggest that tyrosine kinase inhibitors may affect endothelial cell growth in malignancy by blocking PDGFR‐β or its downstream signaling partners. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A35.
Pilot scale extrusion of graphite fuel elements for HTGRS

A method has been demonstrated for extruding graphite tubes, and other bodies with multihole sections, that require little or no final machining. Bodies 312 and 412 in. O.D. up to 4 ft long have been produced, and tubes 16 ft long have been carbonized. The critical factors in the process lie in the area of die design and alignment, extrusion temperature control, preforming the charge to a billet, and carbonization firing. A method of adding rings that effectively increase the diameter of a local area has also been developed. The rings are machined out of green stock, placed in position with a pitch interface, and carbonized, which causes the two sections to fuse together. The present stock is made from pitch, fine graphite flour, stearic acid, ethylcellulose, and is wetmixed with trichloroethylene. Both pitch and resin impregnations are used to increase density and strength and to lower permeability. For an application where a permeability of ∼5 × 10−2 cm2/sec is required, a formulation involving coarser graphite flour gives a stock that requires only a pitch impregnation.
Effects of starvation on intermolt development in Calanus finmarchicus copepodites: a comparison between theoretical models and field studies

Abstract Campbell et al. (Deep Sea Research II, 48 (2001) 531) have shown that there was a localized starvation event affecting Calanus finmarchicus on the southern flank of Georges Bank in April 1997. Growth and molting rates of this dominant copepod were reduced. We have used the morphology of tooth development in field-collected samples to show that this starvation affected animals living continuously in the field, as well as those in Campbell et al.'s experimental tanks. Assuming a point of reserve saturation (PRS) response of Calanus to food limitation, and correspondence between PRS and advance from the postmolt jaw facies, the proportion of individuals with postmolt jaws should increase in all copepodite stages under starvation. Individuals that have developed past PRS should molt to the next stage, acquiring postmolt facies. Thus, the fraction of postmolt jaws should increase, while the fraction of jaws in later phases should decrease. This was observed for a drifter-marked station over five days. Numerical simulations of jaw phase distributions expected under full nutrition, and both total and patchy starvation were generated from individual-based models of development. Proportions of copepodites in postmolt phase do not increase with full nutrition. A simulation of a total starvation event showed a marked increase in postmolts during food limitation, but the increase was more extreme than the field data. A modification of the starvation simulation, representing patchy feeding conditions, matched the level of increase of postmolt individuals in all stages that was observed in the field samples.
Development of Characterization Tools for Reliability Testing of MicroElectroMechanical System Actuators

Characterization tools have been developed to study the performance characteristics and reliability of surface micromachined actuators. These tools include (1) the ability to electrically stimulate or stress the actuator, (2) the capability to visually inspect the devices in operation, (3) a method for capturing operational information, and (4) a method to extract performance characteristics from the operational information. Additionally, a novel test structure has been developed to measure electrostatic forces developed by a comb drive actuator.
In-situ observations and quantification of twin boundary mobility in polycrystalline magnesium

Abstract In-situ microtensile experiments were conducted on commercially pure polycrystalline magnesium to examine the motion of twin boundaries (TBs) during deformation in a scanning electron microscope. The nature of the boundaries is identified using electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) analysis. TB displacement is continuously recorded during the deformation and the TB velocity is computed from the real time images and time data. The TB velocity is observed to monotonically increase with the applied stress and eventually reach a speed of 35 nm/s.
Doing It My Way

Purpose: Historically , hotels and single-room occupancy residences have provided room, board, and social support services to elders, in particular the poor and the disenfranchised. This article presents the results of a case study drawn from a larger ethnographic community study that set forth to describe how and why elders from one rural community chose to live in a motel in that same rural community. The focus of this study is a description of 7 middle-income and affluent rural elders living in a motel setting as a housing option that enabled them to remain independent in their community. Design and Methods: Using a community study ethnographic design and the strategies of formal and informal interviews, participant observation, and inductive comparative case study analysis, this study provides a description of why these elders decided to live in the motel and how this facilitated their living in the community. Results and Implications: Reasons that these elders decided to live at the motel included “saving my energy for living,” “safety,” “connections and privacy,” and “the freedom to come and go.” This study informs elder care policy, emphasizing the importance of naturally occurring networks to develop community capacity for healthy aging in one rural setting.
Pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), resistance in Pisum sativum × Pisum fulvum interspecific crosses.

The pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum (L.), is one of the most intractable pest problems of cultivated pea, Pisum sativum L., in the world. This study investigated the transfer of pea weevil resistance from two accessions (PI 595946, PI 343955) of wild pea, Pisum fulvum Sibth. & Sm., to interspecific populations derived from crossing these accessions with a weevil-susceptible pea cultivar ('Alaska 81'). Partial life tables characterized weevil stage-specific mortality and survivorship on parents and interspecific progeny in two glasshouse trials. Larval mortality rates on pods (F 3 plants) of several F 2:3 families were between 36.0% and 52.9%. These means were statistically similar to mean mortality rates on pods of resistant parents (45.4% and 46.2%), but significantly greater than mean rates on the susceptible parent (1.2% and 10.6%). Pod surface characteristics contributed to high neonate larval mortality on pods of resistant parents and interspecific progeny. Seed resistance was not broadly transferred to interspecific progeny [revealed by high weevil survivorship in seeds (means mostly > 80%) and high seed damage ratings of 3-5 where ratings of 1-2 denote resistance (production of resistant seed averaged 4.2% to 22.8%)]. Estimates of total weevil mortality on pods and seeds of eight F 2:3 families were 50-70%. Thus, weevil resistance in the Pisum secondary gene pool can be transferred to interspecific progeny, thereby providing a potential avenue to develop weevil-resistant pea cultivars.
A simple atomic force microscopy method for the visualization of polar and non-polar parts in thin organic films

Here we present a scanning probe microscopy method that allows for the identification of regions of different polarity (i.e. hydrophilicity) in thin organic films. This technique is based on the analysis of the difference between phase images generated at different applied bias voltages in tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. We show that, without any chemical modification of the microscope tip, it is possible to investigate surface properties of complex macromolecular layers, yielding new insight into the functional properties of the photosynthetic electron transport macromolecular complex, Photosystem I.
Stemming the tide of cancer for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers

Advances in molecular genetics during the past decade have resulted in the identification of numerous germline mutations in an increasing number of hereditary cancer syndromes, producing a sea change in the clinical approach to these disorders. The best known of these cancer-causing mutations are BRCA1 and BRCA2, which predispose to the hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome. These mutations account for upwards of 10% of the entire breast cancer (BC) burden and are causal for approximately half of hereditary BCs. The salient clinical and pathologic differences between BRCA1 and BRCA2 BC are discussed at length by Atchley et al in this issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology.1 In this commentary, we offer diverse thoughts on how recent advances in our understanding of the pathology and molecular functioning of BRCA1 and BRCA2 might point the way toward therapies for the corresponding BCs.
Functional forms and habit effects in the US demand for coffee

Coffee remains the leading hot beverage consumed in the United States. The present study specifies for estimation an unrestrictive Box-Cox demand model (1957–87 data) and its nested forms, to provide more recent estimates and assess potential functional misspecification in past studies fitting a priori restrictive models; incorporates the (health trend) effects of sugar and orange juice and tests the compatibility of coffee demand data with the habit formation hypothesis; and assesses implications of demand elasticity estimates for projected producer revenues and demand for imported coffee. Maximum-likelihood estimates of the Box-Cox model: automatically satisfy theoretical demand properties; support strongly incorporating habits and related beverage and sugar prices in coffee demand model; predict inelastic US coffee consumption to reduce per capita 24% and increase producer revenues 6.3% in 2000.
Temporal, Cross-sectional, and Time-lag Analyses of Managerial and Cost Accounting Textbooks

In this paper, we evaluate the temporal, cross-sectional and time-lag analysis for topical content in managerial and cost accounting textbooks. Our temporal analyses of Garrison's managerial accounting and Horngren's cost accounting textbooks revealed that significant topical changes did occur over time in both textbooks. Our time-lag analysis, however, revealed that the average time for a new topic to appear in a textbook was more than two publishing cycles (i.e. eight years), indicating a ‘wait and see’ attitude on the part of the authors and/or publishers about whether that topic would turn out to be a fad. Finally, our cross-sectional analysis shows that the topical coverage of several best-selling textbooks is very similar. Most of the textbooks reflect a common body of knowledge. Textbooks with shorter publishing periods, however, are more likely to incorporate unique topics that are not covered by most other texts, thereby differentiating their content and building their market niche.
Cooperative decision-making and multi-target attack using multiple sentry guns

This paper focuses on the development of a methodology by which multiple sentry guns can effectively engage and destroy multiple targets in a coordinated attack. The centralized coordination controller developed in this work utilizes the capability function concept to provide a framework for cooperative weapons engagement on multiple targets with specified priorities while allowing for additional objectives.
Course of Schizophrenia: Neuropsychological Evidence for a Static Encephalopathy

The course of cognitive function in schizophrenia has often been debated. In one view, it is thought to be akin to that of a progressive dementia with relentless cognitive decline. In another view, the deficits are thought to remain relatively stable, analogous to those of a static encephalopathy. Review of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies strongly supports the latter interpretation. In particular, we present data from a recent cross-sectional study in which cohorts of patients in their third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh decades of life were administered a battery of tests known to be sensitive to progressive dementing diseases. All patients were carefully screened to exclude those with neurologic, systemic, or psychiatric comorbid conditions, and cohorts were matched on estimated premorbid intellectual capacity. Although scores on most tests were impaired, no evidence of decline across groups was observed. These results are also consistent with neuroimaging and neuropathological studies in that no evidence for an active degenerative process has been discovered.
Homeobox Genes in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background Despite evidence that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a familial neuropsychiatric condition, progress aimed at identifying genetic determinants of the disorder has been slow. The OCD Collaborative Genetic Study (OCGS) has identified several OCD susceptibility loci through linkage analysis.
Comparison of electrophysiologic data across diverse cardiac geometries

The authors describe a method for generating one three-dimensional heart surface from digitized serial sections of a number of hearts. This allows a composite surface to be generated from the contours of successive slices of the hearts used in the laboratory. The electrophysiologic data gathered from all hearts can then be mapped onto the generated three-dimensional surface, allowing, for instance, the computation of average values of the measured variable at predetermined points on the standard surface. Thus by using the same geometric surface comparisons between different studies are made possible. >
Cholinergic Enhancement of Brain Activation in Mild Cognitive Impairment during Episodic Memory Encoding.

Objective: To determine the physiological impact of treatment with donepezil (Aricept) on neural circuitry supporting episodic memory encoding in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using functional MRI (fMRI). Methods: 18 patients with MCI and 20 age-matched healthy controls (HC) were scanned twice while performing an event-related verbal episodic encoding task. MCI participants were scanned before treatment and after approximately 3 months on donepezil; HC were untreated but rescanned at the same interval. Voxel-level analyses assessed treatment effects in activation profile relative to retest changes in non-treated HC. Changes in task-related connectivity in medial temporal circuitry were also evaluated, as were associations between brain activation pattern, task-related functional connectivity, task performance, and clinical measures of cognition. Results: At baseline, the MCI group showed reduced activation during encoding relative to HC in the right medial temporal lobe (MTL; hippocampal/parahippocampal) and additional regions, as well as attenuated task-related deactivation, relative to rest, in a medial parietal lobe cluster. After treatment, the MCI group showed normalized MTL activation and improved parietal deactivation. These changes were associated with cognitive performance. After treatment, the MCI group also demonstrated increased task-related functional connectivity from the right MTL cluster seed region to a network of other sites including the basal nucleus/caudate and bilateral frontal lobes. Increased functional connectivity was associated with improved task performance. Conclusions: Pharmacologic enhancement of cholinergic function in amnestic MCI is associated with changes in brain activation pattern and functional connectivity during episodic memory processing which are in turn related to increased cognitive performance. fMRI is a promising biomarker for assessing treatment related changes in brain function.
Coronary venular responses to flow and pressure.

In previous studies, we demonstrated that both endothelium-dependent flow-induced vasodilation and endothelium-independent myogenic responses occur in porcine coronary arterioles. However, it was not established whether these responses are present in the coronary venular microcirculation. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that 1) coronary venules, like arterioles, exhibit flow-induced dilation and myogenic responsiveness, and 2) venular flow-induced dilation is endothelium-dependent and is mediated by the release of a nitrovasodilator. Experiments were performed in porcine subepicardial coronary venules, 80-120 microns in diameter, by using cannulated isolated vessel techniques to allow intraluminal pressure and flow to be independently controlled. Flow was initiated by simultaneously moving two perfusion reservoirs connected to the cannulating pipettes in equal amounts but in opposite directions. In the absence of flow, i.e., zero pressure gradient (delta P) between the two reservoirs, venules developed spontaneous tone to 75-80% of maximum diameter at 10 cm H2O intraluminal pressure. Venules gradually dilated in response to stepwise increases in flow (i.e., delta P). The threshold for the flow-induced dilation occurred at delta P = 1 cm H2O (flow = 3.5 nl/sec), and the maximal response (dilation to 93 +/- 2% of maximum diameter) occurred when delta P was elevated to > or = 6 cm H2O (flow = 21 nl/sec at delta P = 6 cm H2O). Flow-induced dilation was abolished after the endothelium was damaged by perfusion of an air bolus through the lumen. Vasoconstriction was observed when denuded venules were subjected to relatively high luminal flows (> or = 21 nl/sec).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of vibration on PM and AM noise of oscillatory and non-oscillatory components at 10 GHz

The performance of microwave components is sensitive to vibrations to some extent. Among them, microwave cables and connectors, bandpass filters, mechanical phase shifters and some nonlinear components are the most sensitive. The local oscillator is one of the prime performance-limiting components in microwave systems ranging from simple RF receivers to advanced radars. The increasing present and future demand for low acceleration sensitive oscillators, approaching 10−13/g, requires a re-examination of sensitivities of basic nonoscillatory building block components under vibration. The purpose of this paper is to study the phase-modulation (PM) noise performance of an assortment of oscillatory and nonoscillatory microwave components under vibration at 10 GHz. We point out some challenges and provide suggestions for accurate measurement of vibration sensitivity of these components. We also study the effect of vibration on the amplitude-modulation (AM) noise.
Healthier students are better learners: a missing link in school reforms to close the achievement gap.

OBJECTIVES: This article provides an introduction to the October 2011 special issue of the Journal of School Health on "Healthier Students Are Better Learners." METHODS: Literature was reviewed and synthesized to identify health problems affecting school-aged youth that are highly prevalent, disproportionately affect urban minority youth, directly and indirectly causally affect academic achievement, and can be feasibly and effectively addressed through school health programs and services. RESULTS: Based on these criteria, 7 educationally relevant health disparities were selected as strategic priorities to help close the achievement gap: (1) vision, (2) asthma, (3) teen pregnancy, (4) aggression and violence, (5) physical activity, (6) breakfast, and (7) inattention and hyperactivity. Research clearly shows that these health problems influence students' motivation and ability to learn. Disparities among urban minority youth are outlined, along with the causal pathways through which each adversely affects academic achievement, including sensory perceptions, cognition, school connectedness, absenteeism, and dropping out. Evidence-based approaches that schools can implement to address these problems are presented. These health problems and the causal pathways they influence have interactive and a synergistic effect, which is why they must be addressed collectively using a coordinated approach. CONCLUSIONS: No matter how well teachers are prepared to teach, no matter what accountability measures are put in place, no matter what governing structures are established for schools, educational progress will be profoundly limited if students are not motivated and able to learn. Particular health problems play a major role in limiting the motivation and ability to learn of urban minority youth. This is why reducing these disparities through a coordinated approach warrants validation as a cohesive school improvement initiative to close the achievement gap. Local, state, and national policies for implementing this recommendation are suggested. Language: en
Empirically Assisted Assessment of Family Systems: The Bricklin Scales

Our system combines quantified (formal) procedures and informal models. While not data based, semiformal models have many advantages. They guarantee that somewhere in one’s assessment similar data will be gathered from each main participant. Without this, meaningful comparisons are difficult if not impossible to make. Free-form interviews, for example, do not allow meaningful comparisons. This model guarantees that an evaluator will assess every area deemed pertinent in legal and psychological writings, including especially statutory and case law guidelines from the state of jurisdiction, and not unwittingly (or subjectively) fail to consider relevant information. Because these pertinent areas are articulated, they can be challenged as well as continually fine-tuned. Information about parenting knowledge and skills is gathered. The Parent Awareness Skills Survey (PASS), a series of questions asking how a parent would handle critical childhood situations, reflects a parent’s awareness of optimum childcare strategies. The Parent Perception of Child Profile (PPCP) and the Assessment of Parenting Skills: Infant and Preschooler (APSIP) reveal the degree to which a parent is attuned to the developmental and unique needs of a particular child. These tools ask about the range, depth, and specificity of the information each parent has about the child’s daily routine, interpersonal relations, health, developmental history, school issues, fears, personal hygiene, communication style, and disciplinary matters. The Bricklin–Elliot Home Visit Booklet guides home studies, including the investigation of complex topics like relocation.
The Interaction of Inorganic Species with Biomembranes

The interaction of inorganic species with membranes can play a significant role in their biological effects. To the extent that membranes prevent the entry of these species into cells, they will inhibit damaging effects. However, many interactions with membranes can result in direct damage or, more seriously, can lead to an amplification of toxicity. Direct damage can include structural alteration such as a disruption of vital lipid-protein associations or introduction of new surface charges. More substantial damage can occur when inorganic species impair membrane function catalytically, e.g., by providing ion conductance pathways or by promoting freeradical reactions which may cause massive oxidation of membrane lipids. Recognition of factors involved in the interaction of compounds with membranes may be useful in devising meaningful strategies for the determination of inorganic species in biological environments.
Efficacy of the biofumigant fungus Muscodor albus (Ascomycota: Xylariales) for control of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in simulated storage conditions.

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a serious pest of pome fruit, is a threat to exportation of apples (Malus spp.) because of the possibility of shipping infested fruit. The need for alternatives to fumigants such as methyl bromide for quarantine security of exported fruit has encouraged the development of effective fumigants with reduced side effects. The endophytic fungus Muscodor albus Worapong, Strobel and Hess (Ascomycota: Xylariales) produces volatile compounds that are biocidal for several pest organisms, including plant pathogens and insect pests. The objectives of our research were to determine the effects of M. albus volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on codling moth adults, neonate larvae, larvae in infested apples, and diapausing cocooned larvae in simulated storage conditions. Fumigation of adult codling moth with VOCs produced by M. albus for 3 d and incubating in fresh air for 24 h at 25°C resulted in 81% corrected mortality. Four- and 5-d exposures resulted in higher mortality (84 and 100%, respectively), but control mortality was also high due to the short life span of the moths. Exposure of neonate larvae to VOCs for 3 d on apples and incubating for 7 d resulted in 86% corrected mortality. Treated larvae were predominantly first instars, whereas 85% of control larvae developed to second and third instars. Exposure of apples that had been infested for 5 d, fumigated with M. albus VOCs for 3 d, and incubated as described above resulted in 71% corrected larval mortality. Exposure of diapausing cocooned codling moth larvae to VOCs for 7 or 14 d resulted in 31 and 100% mortality, respectively, with negligible control mortality. Our data on treatment of several stages of codling moth with M. albus VOCs indicate that the fungus could provide an alternative to broad spectrum chemical fumigants for codling moth control in storage and contribute to the systems approach to achieve quarantine security of exported apples.
Accelerating Technology-Based Growth in Developed, Developing, and Emerging Regions Worldwide

This chapter suggests that the success of selected science parks, innovation clusters, incubators, etc., is due in large part to the regions in which they are embedded. The chapter also discusses processes of Knowledge/Technology Transfer (KTT) to commercial use at the level of the firm and start-ups as well as some ideas on forming and sustaining global networks for sharing knowledge among developed, developing, and emerging regions worldwide.