cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electroplating and Electroless Plating Process Development for DuPont™ GreenTape™ 9K7 LTCC

Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) technology provides an attractive packaging platform for microwave and millimeter wave circuits and systems due to its unique properties. Generally, thick film gold or silver conductors are used as metallizations on LTCC substrates along with occasional use of copper thick films. This paper reports methods and results of extensive process development experiments DuPont Microcircuit Materials has undertaken to establish a commercially viable plating process for the market leading DuPont™ GreenTape™ 9K7 LTCC system. Both Electroplating and Electroless plating processes are investigated in this work. These techniques provide certain advantages when used in isolation or in combination with standard thick film metallizations, helping to extend their applicability. Electroplating of copper on LTCC provides a means of using copper as the external conductor without having to use complicated firing processes in oxygen-free atmosphere as required for copper thick film. This a...
An impossibility result concerningn-person bargaining games

In this note we show that a solution proposed byRaiffa for two-person bargaining games, which has recently been axiomatized byKalai/Smorodinsky, does not generalize in a straightforward manner to generaln-person bargaining games. Specifically, the solution is not Pareto optimal on the class of alln-person bargaining games, and no solution which is can possess the other properties which characterizeRaiffa's solution in the two-person case.
Plasmons in Photocharged ZnO Nanocrystals Revealing the Nature of Charge Dynamics

Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), known for their fascinating optical properties, have thus far been limited to nanostructures of materials with high steady-state charge carrier densities. Here, we show that even a nonequilibrium charge population can support a LSPR mode. Photocharged zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals show an infrared LSPR, which can be dynamically turned off by discharging via redox activity. It is deduced that the photoinduced LSPR is a collective mode of as few as four conduction band electrons, the least observed thus far. The sustenance of a free-electron plasma in charged ZnO, supported by the LSPR observation, leads us to propose the existence of a many-body excitonic state and suggest a mechanism for previously unresolved charge trapping dynamics in ZnO. The LSPR, which serves as an optical signature of a charged state of the nanoparticle, is also demonstrated as a useful probe of surface redox reactions.
Leishmania Amastigotes: Adaptations for Growth in an Acidic in vivo Environment

The amastigote stage of Leishmania is an obligate intracellular parasite proliferating within the phagolysosomes of macrophages in vertebrate hosts (1,12). The macrophage represents a hostile environment for most microbes since it is endowed with mechanisms designed to destroy conventional organisms after phagocytosis. A limited number of parasites such as the agents of trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, leprosy, legionnaires’ disease and epidemic typhus can resist killing by macrophages. These agents escape destruction by developing adaptive devices which generally prevent or minimize contact between them and the microbicidal substances within the lysosomes (2,6,9,17,19). Leishmania species are unique in that they allow fusion of the phagosome with lysosomes but survive and multiply in the resulting phagolysosomes. The phagolysosomal environment in murine, and human phagocytes is distinctly acidic with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0 (4,7,8). Amastigote survival in vivo must involve strategies affecting several levels of host parasite interactions. However, this discussion will be restricted to some of the adaptations which enable the parasite to cope with an acidic environment.
The nation's 3.4 million registered nurses-a force for health.

Forget those old images of caps and white uniforms, or bedpans and hypodermic needles. Bedside care is still essential but today’s registered nurse is also a critical thinker, problem solver, sophisticated user of technology and leader in assuring patient centered compassionate care. It should then come as no surprise that for 14 straight years nurses hold the top spot of Gallup’s poll as the most trusted and ethical profession. The nation’s 3.4 million registered nurses are the eyes, ears and heart of health care everywhere you live, work, play, learn, relax and travel. So when you embrace mobile technologies supporting health care on-the-go, it is reassuring to know the healthcare provider you may not see is someone you can trust.
A Cross Functional Analysis of Performance Measures in Business Research

This paper seeks to initiate a cross functional approach to scrutiny of the performance construct by examining performance measure-somements in the areas of accounting/finance, economics, management, marketing,and logistics research.
The Jones Polynomial

A link is a finite family of disjoint, smooth, oriented or unoriented, closed curves in R or equivalently S. A knot is a link with one component. The Jones polynomial VL(t) is a Laurent polynomial in the variable √ t which is defined for every oriented link L but depends on that link only up to orientation preserving diffeomorphism, or equivalently isotopy, of R. Links can be represented by diagrams in the plane and the Jones polynomials of the simplest links are given below.
Hip Dislocation in Cerebral Palsy Case Reports Suggesting Importance of Hamstring Tenotomy

It is proposed that hip dislocation in cerebral palsy occurs with muscle imbalance about the hip. Selective muscle releases-psoas tenotomy, adductor myotomy, hamstring tenotomy-have been performed for the treatment of hip dislocation in cerebral palsy. In this report, we showed two interestings cases of cerebral palsy which suggested that hamstrings' hypertonicity led the lateralization and elevation of the femoral head. On the other hand, we experienced a rare hip dislocation in Moyamoya disease which was reduced by derotative varus osteotomy without hamstring tenotomy. From these results, we concluded that hip dislocation in Moyamoya disease might occur by a different mechanism from that in cerebral palsy.
Kernel map compression using generalized radial basis functions

The use of Mercer kernel methods in statistical learning theory provides for strong learning capabilities, as seen in kernel principal component analysis and support vector machines. Unfortunately the computational complexity of the resulting method is of the order of the training set, which is quite large for many applications. This paper proposes a two step procedure for arriving at a compact and computationally efficient learning procedure. After learning, the second step takes advantage of the universal approximation capabilities of generalized radial basis function neural networks to efficiently approximate the empirical kernel maps. Sample applications demonstrate significant compression of the kernel representation with graceful performance loss.
Neutralizing Homelessness: Federal Policy and the Depoliticization of Poverty

Peter Marcuse’s (1988) “Neutralizing Homelessness” was written at a moment of unprecedented homelessness in the United States and rising homeless activism and advocacy. The paper issued a radical c...
Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study.

CONTEXT Compared with the general population, trauma experiences are higher among incarcerated women. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on trauma symptoms in female offenders. DESIGN Twenty-two inmates at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR, with at least 4 months left of incarceration were enrolled in this randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the TM group (n = 11) or a wait-list control group (n = 11). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Subjects were measured at baseline and 4-month posttest using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C; primary outcome) with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal subscales (secondary outcomes). Twenty of the subjects (10 in each group) took part in their treatment assignment and completed posttesting. RESULTS Significant reductions were found on total trauma (p < 0.036), intrusive thoughts (p < 0.026), and hyperarousal (p < 0.043) on the PCL-C. Effect sizes ranged from 0.65 to 0.99 for all variables. Eighty-one percent of the TM subjects were compliant with their program. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate feasibility of the TM program in a female prison population and suggest that TM may be an effective tool for decreasing trauma symptoms. Future large-scale research is warranted.
Technology-Based Shared Story Reading for Students With Autism Who Are English-Language Learners

Demonstrating comprehension of text is a complex skill that is an area of difficulty for many students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Shared story reading is an intervention that has a history of effectiveness in teaching literacy skills to students with extensive support needs. This study used a multiple probe across participants design to evaluate the effects of shared story reading using e-texts and embedded prompting on vocabulary and reading comprehension of grade-aligned narrative texts by elementary students with ASD who were also English-language learners. Outcomes indicate shared story reading with the embedded technological supports was effective for teaching comprehension of WH questions as well as identification of WH rules and definitions. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Horizon detection for mars surface operations

A new image processing method for automated horizon detection is presented in this paper. This method was developed for the Mars Exploration Rovers mission's surface operations to aid in determining orbiter visibility periods for downlink data, and is now being considered for all Mars surface missions and for a variety of applications. Starting with images received from Mars rovers or landers, the horizon pixel location is found by (1) obtaining the gradient images using the Sobel operator, (2) calculating the preliminary horizon locations by optimizing the maximum difference between sky and ground regions in the gradient domain, and (3) applying a multi-variable thresholding method. The results are analyzed using a variety of images from the Mars rovers, as an example one dataset's results were categorized as 94.2% Good, 4.11% Okay, and 1.65% Poor. The pixel location corresponding to the found horizon in an image is converted to azimuth and elevation values using the camera model. The elevation of the terrain surrounding the rover or lander directly affects the duration orbiters are visible for downlink data volume, and when the sun is visible for image quality or solar energy consumption. Having an automated process to detect the elevation of the terrain allows the operation team to better predict the outcome of the plan, reducing heath and safety risks and allowing new operational limits to be defined.
Ensuring Food Safety by Preventing Food Recalls: The Impact of Locus of Failure, Regulatory Agency Discovery, Breadth, and Firm Size on Corrective Action

We investigate factors which influence corrective action subsequent to quality failures in the context of food product recalls. As recalls are negative surprises, these events can lead to review an...
Thermodynamics and structural transition of binary atomic Bose-Fermi mixtures in box or harmonic potentials: A path-integral study

Experimental realizations of a variety of atomic binary Bose-Fermi mixtures have brought opportunities for studying composite quantum systems with different spin statistics. The binary atomic mixtures can exhibit a structural transition from a mixture into phase separation as the boson-fermion interaction increases. By using a path-integral formalism to evaluate the grand partition function and the thermodynamic grand potential, we obtain the effective potential of binary Bose-Fermi mixtures. Thermodynamic quantities in a broad range of temperatures and interactions are also derived. The structural transition can be identified as a loop of the effective potential curve, and the volume fraction of phase separation can be determined by the lever rule. For $^{6}\mathrm{Li}\ensuremath{-}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ and $^{6}\mathrm{Li}\ensuremath{-}^{41}\mathrm{K}$ mixtures, we present the phase diagrams of the mixtures in a box potential at zero and finite temperatures. Due to the flexible densities of atomic gases, the construction of phase separation is more complicated when compared to conventional liquid or solid mixtures where the individual densities are fixed. For harmonically trapped mixtures, we use the local density approximation to map out the finite-temperature density profiles and present typical trap structures, including the mixture, partially separated phases, and fully separated phases.
Distributed Testing With Cascaded Encoders

In this paper, we consider distributed testing problems with cascaded encoders, which allow cascaded communications among encoders so that each encoder can utilize messages from other encoders for encoding. We first focus on a special case of testing against independence and design a scheme that enables each encoder to take advantage of extra information from other encoders. We also derive a matching upper bound and prove that the designed scheme is optimal. We then investigate the case with general hypotheses and obtain a lower bound on the type 2 error exponent. We further compare the performances that can be achieved by schemes with and without cascaded communications. We show that cascaded communication improves the performance in terms of the type 2 error exponent under positive rate communication constraints. On the other hand, we prove that cascaded communication does not provide performance gain under zero-rate communication constraints.
Effect of quantum-well structures on the thermoelectric figure of merit.

Currently the materials with the highest thermoelectric figure of merit Z are ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ alloys. Therefore these compounds are the best thermoelectric refrigeration elements. However, since the 1960s only slow progress has been made in enhancing Z, either in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ alloys or in other thermoelectric materials. So far, the materials used in applications have all been in bulk form. In this paper, it is proposed that it may be possible to increase Z of certain materials by preparing them in quantum-well superlattice structures. Calculations have been done to investigate the potential for such an approach, and also to evaluate the effect of anisotropy on the figure of merit. The calculations show that layering has the potential to increase significantly the figure of merit of a highly anisotropic material such as ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$, provided that the superlattice multilayers are made in a particular orientation. This result opens the possibility of using quantum-well superlattice structures to enhance the performance of thermoelectric coolers.
The Gender Trap

I met a woman named Janet at a financial literacy conference where we were both speaking. She told me about her company and specifically, her frustration in not seeing many females promoted to branch manager. She told me about a woman at her company who wanted to get promoted and receive recognition for her contributions. Time and time again, she was overlooked while younger, less experienced men were promoted instead.
Die Grundlagen der Bemessungen

Damit werden die Grundlagen gewonnen, um dieselben auf ein einfaches, klares Kraftesystem zu reduzieren, das die Berechnung oder wenigstens Abschatzung der Beanspruchung an den wichtigen Stellen ermoglicht. — Leider lassen sich die einwirkenden Krafte bzw. deren Zusammenwirken in vielen Fallen nicht genau ermitteln. So sind, z. B. bei Bearbeitungsmaschinen die Krafte, zur Materialtrennung, Zerkleinerung und Verformung schwer zu erfassen und nur aus der Erfahrung abzuschatzen. Bei allen Maschinen mit schwingender oder stosender Beanspruchung ist es auserordentlich schwierig, die dynamischen Kraftwirkungen zu erfassen. Sie mussen geschatzt werden, es sei denn, das das System soweit vereinfacht werden kann, das eine Schwingungsrechnung moglich ist. Wenn die Wellen mehr Lagerstellen aufweisen, als zur Gleichgewichtsbedingung notwendig sind, so haben wir ein statisch unbestimmtes System vor uns, in dem die Krafteverteilung nur durch ein umstandliches Berechnungsverfahren aus den Verformungsmoglichkeiten an den verschiedenen Stutzpunkten ermittelt werden kann. Im allgemeinen verzichtet man im Maschinenbau auf eine solche Durchrechnung und trennt ein solches System durch entsprechende Schnitte in statisch bestimmte Einzelteile.
Trace, Testimony, Portrait

This is a paper that deals, in part, with an aesthetic issue, the nature of the portrait. But more fundamentally, it is concerned with an issue in the philosophy of history (and thus of epistemology), namely, the question of the veridicality — the truth-value — of accounts of the past. In turn it also touches on an issue in ontology, namely, the status of the past, the “pastness” of the past. The guiding threads of the paper are taken from a recent study by Paul Ricoeur, “La Marque du Passe.”1 It will undertake to show that the portrait is not primarily a representation in the classic sense of a copy or facsimile, but that it fits more appropriately into the category of testimony and in that role it serves as a founding model of historical evidence and as a guide for interpretative procedures. In that context, it is hoped, some light might be shed on the complex question of the evaluation of the portrait as an aesthetic object and how this affects the ontology of the past — past-time.
Emotional Competence and Effective Negotiation: The Integration of Emotion Understanding, Regulation, and Communication

The construct “emotional competence” was first introduced by the sociologist Steve Gordon (1989) and subsequently elaborated by the author as consisting of eight skills that developed interdependently and were also very much tied to the emotionally evocative context (Saarni 1999). Table 4.1 presents the eight skills, and I shall refer to these skills in my discussion of how they influence the negotiation process as well as the negotiators themselves.
The role of radiation therapy to the primary site in locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer ( 2004-2015 National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) review).

e16257Background: Chemotherapy (CT) alone or with radiation therapy (RT) is used to treat locally advanced pancreatic cancer. There is conflicting data, however, about the benefit of RT in addition...
Video-guided Camera Control for Target Tracking and Following

Abstract This paper considers the problem of controlling a nonholonomic mobile ground robot equipped with an onboard camera characterized by a bounded field-of-view, tasked with detecting and following a potentially moving human target using onboard computing and video processing in real time. Computer vision algorithms have been recently shown highly effective at object detection and classification in images obtained by vision sensors. Existing methods typically assume a stationary camera and/or use pre-recorded image sequences that do not provide a causal relationship with future images. The control method developed in this paper seeks to improve the performance of the computer vision algorithms, by planning the robot/camera trajectory relative to the moving target based on the desired size and position of the target in the image plane, without the need to estimate the target’s range. The method is tested and validated using a highly realistic and interactive game programming environment, known as Unreal Engine™, that allows for closed-loop simulations of the robot-camera system. Results are further validated through physical experiments using a Clearpath™ Jackal robot equipped with a camera which is capable of following a human target for long time periods. Both simulation and experimental results show that the proposed vision-based controller is capable of stabilizing the target object size and position in the image plane for extended periods of time.
Assessing the Relationship Between Implicit and Explicit Evaluations of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption by Cancer Survivors

Currently, little is known about the implicit evaluations that cancer survivors have for health behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables. Understanding both the implicit and explicit evaluations of fruit and vegetable consumption among cancer survivors may aid future interventions for changing motivations and intentions in this higher risk population. A cross-sectional study at a university cancer center assessed explicit and implicit evaluations of fruit and vegetable consumption among 122 cancer survivors. The explicit evaluations regarding fruit and vegetable consumption were self-report data. To obtain implicit evaluations, participants completed an implicit evaluation task, the Affect Misattribution Paradigm. Moderating variables of time since first cancer treatment and if participants had a prior cancer occurrence were also self-reported. Simple correlations found no significant association between the implicit and explicit evaluations of fruit and vegetable consumption. Moderation regression analyses showed that the implicit and explicit evaluations became negatively associated as time since first treatment increased and when participants had a prior cancer occurrence. The results support the view that implicit and explicit measures of fruit and vegetable consumption diverge for cancer survivors, consistent to implicit and explicit evaluations in other domains and samples. Further, the association between these evaluations differed depending on time since first treatment and if they have been treated for a prior cancer occurrence. By knowing more about implicit and explicit positive evaluations, and their moderators, it may be possible for interventionists to alter cancer survivors’ motivation and intention to eat fruits and vegetables.
49. RETHINKING FACULTY EVALUATIONS: GIVING FACULTY WHAT THEY WANT

Background The ACGME requires programs to review faculty “commitment to teaching” and “teaching ability”. Research has demonstrated improvement in teaching with various new assessment tools based primarily on learner assessments. We found no studies in which authors explored how faculty perceived and used information provided by their evaluations. Objectives 1) Understand how faculty perceive the usefulness of their evaluations in their current state; 2) Understand how faculty apply recommendations from evaluations to improve their teaching; 3) Explore the elements of evaluations faculty feel will best help them meet their educational and professional goals. Methods As a LEAD qualitative educational project, we conducted faculty focus groups at our institution between November 2017 and January 2018. We employed a purposeful sampling approach to ensure a diversity of faculty experiences with evaluations. A semi-structured interview guide was utilized during each focus group. Focus groups were recorded and transcripts were analyzed and coded independently by three investigators. Coders re-grouped and determined common themes utilizing the methodologic approach of qualitative description, an inquiry approach that yields rich, low inference descriptions of a phenomenon as described by those who experience it. Results Six focus groups were held with a total of 35 faculty participants. 242 minutes of discussion were transcribed and analyzed. Three major themes emerged: Process problems, How evaluations are utilized, and Components of the ideal evaluation, with several thematic subsets. While faculty find feedback provided after specific didactic sessions useful and constructive, faculty do not find the current rotation evaluations to be helpful, nor do they use these to alter their teaching. Of the themes that emerged, the most generalizable among programs was a clear desire for a more “learner-centered” evaluation. Faculty want evaluations to judge their ability to assess their learners’ needs and to in turn meet those needs. Faculty are less interested in complimentary comments endorsed on evaluations (“approachable”, “respectful”). We will present further quotes supporting these themes. Conclusion/Implication We created a new evaluation form that better meets faculty priorities for professional growth and promotion that is more learner-centered in focus (will be shared with audience and posted on SHARE Warehouse).
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG), a Polyphenol Extracted from Green Tea, Has Significant In Vitro Activity Against Myeloma Cells.

Abstract Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol extracted from green tea that has been studied for cancer prevention and treatment. Green tea and its extracts have been an integral part of traditional medicines from Asia and are thought to have considerable medicinal value. EGCG has been studied in many tumor types and in vitro studies have been encouraging. It is currently in Phase I/II clinical trial in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Here we examined the activity of EGCG in the setting of myeloma and its potential mechanisms of action. Methods: MM cell lines were cultured in RPMI 1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum supplemented with L-Glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. The KAS-6/1 cell line was also supplemented with 1 ng/ml IL-6. Cytotoxicity of EGCG was measured using the MTT viability assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry upon cell staining with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI). Fresh myeloma cells were obtained from bone marrow aspirates and subjected to ACK lysis to remove red cells. These cells were cultured in RPMI1640 with or with out EGCG and apoptotic rates were determined by Apo 2.7 expression on gated plasma cells. Flow cytometry was used for determining the phosphorylation state of various signaling proteins. Anti-angiogenic activity of EGCG was measured using a human in vitro angiogenesis kit (Angiokit). Results: EGCG treatment of myeloma cell lines resulted in dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity to the cells. EGCG was cytotoxic to several myeloma cell lines, including IL-6 dependent cell lines KAS-6/1 and ANBL-6 as well as drug resistant cell lines MM1.R, Dox40 and LR5. The effect was maintained when the cells were grown in co-culture with marrow stromal cells, indicating the ability to overcome microenvironment mediated resistance. EGCG induced apoptosis of myeloma cell lines, apoptotic cells being measured as Annexin (+)/PI (−) cells by flow cytometry. It induced a dose-dependent apoptosis of freshly isolated myeloma cells with increased effect seen on the CD45+ myeloma cells compared to CD45- cells, reflecting increased activity on the proliferative fraction. Down regulation of Akt phosphorylation was seen following treatment of myeloma cells with EGCG. Using the Angiokit, we were able to demonstrate inhibition of tubule formation by EGCG at concentrations lower than those cytotoxic to myeloma cells. It was also able to overcome the angiogenic activity of VEGF. Conclusion: We demonstrate potent anti-myeloma activity of EGCG in vitro. In vivo studies in animal models of myeloma are ongoing. We demonstrate, as in other cell lines, inhibition of Akt pathways as a potential mechanism of action of EGCG. Ongoing studies are exploring other mechanisms. Most importantly, we demonstrate anti-angiogenic activity of this compound in the setting of myeloma, a finding in concordance with the inhibition of VEGF activity seen with other tumor systems.
Microdroplet-Assisted Screening of Biomolecule Production for Metabolic Engineering Applications

Success in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering is quickly becoming ‘test’ limited within the design–build–test cycle. Commonly used methods for high-throughput screening, including fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and microtiter plates, have intracellular product and throughput limitations. A growing alternative to these challenges is the use of microfluidic microdroplet-based methods, which offer the advantages of microtiter plates with the throughput and ease of flow-based approaches. In this review, we examine available microdroplet technologies and their applications from droplet generation to sensing and finally sorting and evaluation for metabolic engineering applications. Additionally, we cover recent microdroplet advances, including the ability to perform mass spectrometry (MS) on individual microdroplets and dispense them into microtiter plates after sorting via fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS).
Finite Element Analysis of Multicomponent Contaminant Transport Including Precipitation-Dissolution Reactions

The determination of the fate of contaminants that enter groundwater systems pose difficult mathematical problems for the modeler. This is particularly true when complex multi component interactions occur among mobile and immobile species. The types of chemical reactions that can occur include; acid-base, adsorption-desorption, complex formation, ion exchange, oxidation-reduction and precipitation-dissolution. This paper will focus on the analysis of precipitation-dissolution reactions.
Decision making under stress: the role of information overload, time pressure, complexity, and uncertainty

Studies of human decision making demonstrate that stress exacerbates risk-taking and impacts decision quality. Since most managerial decisions involve some element of stress, decision aids such as ...
Effects of low-density urbanization on genetic structure in the Song Sparrow

Urbanization fragments landscapes and can impede the movement of organisms through their environment, which can decrease population connectivity. Reduction in connectivity influences gene flow and allele frequencies, and can lead to a reduction in genetic diversity and the fixation of certain alleles, with potential negative effects for populations. Previous studies have detected effects of urbanization on genetic diversity and structure in terrestrial animals living in landscapes that vary in their degree of urbanization, even over very short distances. We investigated the effects of low-intensity urbanization on genetic diversity and genetic structure in Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We captured 208 Song Sparrows at seven sites along a gradient of urbanization in and around Blacksburg, VA, USA, then genotyped them using a panel of fifteen polymorphic microsatellite loci. We found that genetic diversity was comparable among the seven study sites, and there was no evidence of genetic structuring among sites. These findings suggest that over a gradient of urbanization characterized by low density urban development, Song Sparrows likely exist in a single panmictic population.
Topographical data analysis to identify high-density clusters in stroke patients undergoing post-acute rehabilitation.

During acute stroke rehabilitation, the recovery of motor and cognitive function is highly variable: while some patients regain function, others do not. Our objective was to identify data-driven su...
Spatial Mapping of Riverbed Grain-Size Distribution Using Machine Learning

Recent alluvial sediments in riverbeds play a significant role in controlling hydrologic exchange flows (HEFs) in river systems. The alluvial layer is usually associated with strong heterogeneity in physical properties (e.g., permeability), which affects local HEFs and therefore biogeochemical processes. The spatial distribution of these physical properties needs to be determined to inform the numerical models used to reveal the realistic hydro-biogeochemical behaviors. One big challenge to mapping the heterogeneous permeability field, particularly for a relatively large domain such as the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, is that direct measurements of permeability are spatially sparse and do not have adequate coverage and resolution. In this paper, we adopted machine learning (ML) approaches for categorizing and mapping the spatial distributions of riverbed substrate size, which serves as a proxy for permeability (e.g., using Shepherd’s formula calibrated in our previous work), and filling in missing areas of substrate data using the ML models along the reach. Such ML models for substrate size mapping were trained at 13,372 locations using substrate sizes measured by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with observed and simulated attributes, including bathymetric attributes (e.g., elevation, slope, and aspect ratio) from LIDAR and bathymetric surveys, and hydrodynamic properties (e.g., water depth, velocity, shear stress, and their statistical moments) obtained from the Modular Aquatic Simulation System 2D simulator. A bagging-based ML technique, Random Forest, was applied to identify the most influential factors as predictors to develop the predictive models and generate the final substrate size maps.
Myeloma--the therapeutic challenge.

BACKGROUND Bone loss--the major clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma--often leads to pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia and bone pain. THERAPY AND RESULTS Analgesics, surgery and radiotherapy may effectively palliate patients with complications from myeloma bone disease, but cannot slow the progressive bone loss. Chemotherapy may reduce tumor burden but has little impact on the underlying bone disease. A dramatic change was the demonstration that intravenous pamidronate could reduce skeletal complications. Importantly, because bisphosphonates lack significant bone marrow suppressive effects they can be administered to other cytotoxic therapy. Laboratory studies show the improved potency of the 3rd-generation bisphosphonate zoledronic acid in its anti-bone resorptive as well as anti-myeloma effects. Phase-I and -II studies evaluating zoledronic acid in myeloma patients show marked and sustained inhibition of bone resorption markers. CONCLUSION The randomized studies evaluating zoledronic acid have demonstrated its superiority to pamidronate in overcoming tumor-induced hypercalcemia. Results of ongoing phase-III studies will determine its relative safety and efficacy compared to pamidronate.
Getting Even: Forgiveness and Its Limits

We have all been victims of wrongdoing. Forgiving that wrongdoing is one of the staples of current pop psychology dogma; it is seen as a universal prescription for moral and mental health in the self-help and recovery section of bookstores. At the same time, personal vindictiveness as a rule is seen as irrational and immoral. In many ways, our thinking on these issues is deeply inconsistent; we value forgiveness yet at the same time now use victim-impact statements to argue for harsher penalties for criminals. Do we have a right to hate others for what they have done to us? The distinguished philosopher and law professor Jeffrie Murphy is a skeptic when it comes to our views on both emotions. In this short and accessible book, he proposes that vindictive emotions (anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge) actually deserve a more legitimate place in our emotional, social, and legal lives than we currently recognize, while forgiveness deserves to be more selectively granted. Murphy grounds his views on careful analysis of the nature of forgiveness, a subtle understanding of the psychology of anger and resentment, and a fine appreciation of the ethical issues of self-respect and self-defense. He also uses accessible examples from law, literature, and religion to make his points. Providing a nuanced approach to a proper understanding of the place of our strongest emotions in moral, political, and personal life, and using lucid, easily understood prose, this volume is a classic example of philosophical thinking applied to a thorny, everyday problem.
2-Deoxy-d-Glucose-induced Cytotoxicity and Radiosensitization in Tumor Cells Is Mediated via Disruptions in Thiol Metabolism

Exposure to ionizing radiation is believed to cause cell injury via the production of free radicals that are thought to induce oxidative damage. It has been proposed that exposure to agents that enhance oxidative stress-induced injury by disrupting thiol metabolism may sensitize cells to the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation. Recently, it has been shown that glucose deprivation selectively induces cell injury in transformed human cells via metabolic oxidative stress (J. Biol. Chem., 273: 5294–5299; Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 899: 349–362), resulting in profound disruptions in thiol metabolism. Because 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) is a potent inhibitor of glucose metabolism thought to mimic glucose deprivation in vivo, the hypothesis that exposure to 2DG might be capable of inducing radiosensitization in transformed cells via perturbations in thiol metabolism was tested. When HeLa cells were exposed to 2DG (4–10 mm) for 4–72 h, cell survival decreased (20–90%) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. When HeLa cells were treated with 6 mm 2DG for 16 h before ionizing radiation exposure, radiosensitization was observed with a sensitizer enhancement ratio of 1.4 at 10% isosurvival. Treatment with 2DG was also found to cause decreases in intracellular total glutathione content (50%). Simultaneous treatment with the thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 30 mm) protected HeLa cells against the cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects of 2DG, without altering radiosensitivity in the absence of 2DG. Furthermore, treatment with NAC partially reversed the 2DG-induced decreases in total glutathione content, as well as augmented intracellular cysteine content. Finally, the cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects of 2DG were more pronounced in v-Fos-transformed versus nontransformed immortalized rat cells, and this radiosensitization was also inhibited by treatment with NAC. These results support the hypothesis that exposure to 2DG causes cytotoxicity and radiosensitization via a mechanism involving perturbations in thiol metabolism and allows for the speculation that these effects may be more pronounced in transformed versus normal cells.
Fermentable dietary fibers elevate urinary methylmalonate and decrease propionate oxidation in rats deprived of vitamin B-12

This study examines the effect of dietary fiber supplements of different degrees of bacterial fermentability on biochemical indicators of vitamin B-12 deficiency in rats. Groups of rats were fed a fiber-free diet deficient in vitamin B-12 or the fiber-free diet diluted with 5% of a poorly fermentable dietary fiber (cellulose, lignin or alginic acid) or a highly fermentable fiber (pectin, guar gum or xylan). Poorly fermentable fibers had no significant effect on apparent B-12 status, whereas the highly fermentable fibers significantly increased urinary methylmalonic acid and depressed oxidation of [14C]propionate to 14CO2. Pectin consistently induced significantly greater effects than did xylan or guar gum. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that fermentable fibers stimulate bacterial propionate production and exaggerate certain biochemical indicators of B-12 deficiency. Since pectin had a more pronounced effect than did other fermentable fibers, the possibility that pectin may also interfere with B-12 absorption requires further study.
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Regulates Activation of Activator Protein-1 in Murine Fibroblasts

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 is activated in response to DNA injury in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and has been implicated in cell dysfunction in inflammation. We investigated the role of PARP-1 on the AP-1 pathway, which is involved in the signal transduction of the inflammatory process. In murine wild-type fibroblasts, oxidative challenge by peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide or immunological challenge by IL-1 and 20% FCS induced phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4, activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and DNA binding of AP-1. In comparative experiments, peroxynitrite induced DNA binding of heat shock factor-1. Pretreatment of wild-type cells with 5-iodo-6-amino-1,2-benzopyrone, a PARP-1 inhibitor, inhibited JNK activation and DNA binding of AP-1. In parallel experiments in PARP-1-deficient fibroblasts, DNA binding of AP-1 was completely abolished. Activation of JNK was significantly elevated at basal condition, but it exhibited a lesser increase after oxidative or immunological challenge than in wild-type fibroblasts. Nuclear content of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 was observed in PARP-1-deficient cells after peroxynitrite challenge only. Western blotting analysis for AP-1 subunits indicated that c-Fos was similarly expressed in wild-type and PARP-1-deficient cells. Phosphorylated c-Jun was expressed after oxidative or immunological challenge, but not in basal condition, in wild-type cells; however, it was significantly elevated at basal condition and further enhanced after oxidative or immunological challenge in PARP-1-deficient cells. No DNA binding of heat shock factor-1 was observed in PARP-1-deficient cells. These data demonstrate that PARP-1 plays a pivotal role in the modulation of transcription.
Recurrent Opticospinal Inflammatory Disease in Association to Ipilimumab (P4.041)

Objective: To report a unique case of recurrent opticospinal inflammatory disease in association with ipililumab (Yereva ®). Methods: Case report. Background: Ipilimumab is an FDA-approved recombinant human monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) for treatment of metastatic melanoma. Autoimmune diseases have been associated with ipilimumab. Few cases of peripheral nervous system involvement have been reported, including Guillain-Barre syndrome and occlusive enteric neuropathy. More rarely, the central nervous system has been involved. We report a recurrent opticospinal inflammatory disease in a patient on ipilimumab. Results: A 46-y.o. man with a remote history of a resected scapular melanoma presented with 2 brain metastases, which were surgically removed and then radiated. The patient then received 3 doses of ipilimumab between March and May 2014. In June 2014, he presented with transverse myelitis. MRI demonstrated T2 signal hyperintensity spanning the entire spinal cord along with multifocal punctate contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed 201 WBC, 97[percnt] lymphocytes, 2-fold increase in protein, increased IgG synthesis rate and 1-2 monoclonal bands. Cytology was negative. Extensive inflammatory and infectious workup, including NMO, in the blood and CSF was negative. The patient was treated with high dose corticosteroids (CS) followed by an oral taper with complete and fast resolution. Soon, he developed progressive vision blurring associated with retroorbital pressure. Ophthalmologic examination confirmed bilateral disc swelling, a left afferent pupillary defect and left vision loss. MRI of the orbits did not show contrast enhancement but he was on oral prednisone. Prompt CS treatment led to rapid recovery. September 2014, he developed recurrent vision loss in the left eye and numbness in his legs with objective worsening on examination that promptly recovered with CS treatment. Conclusion: This is a unique case of recurrent opticospinal demyelinating disease in association with ipilimumab highlighting the consequences of CTLA-4 modulation on autoimmunity. Disclosure: Dr. Zabad has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Biogen Idec, Serono, Inc. and Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Dr. Jouvenat has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Marr has nothing to disclose.
Using First-principles Models to Advance Development of Metal Membranes for High Temperature Hydrogen Purification

Abstract We review efforts from recent years to use models based on first-principles quantum chemistry calculations to screen metals as membranes for high temperature hydrogen purification. This modeling approach has proven to be an useful complement to experimental efforts to develop new membranes for this application. Results are presented for two classes of materials, crystalline metals based on substitutionally disordered alloys of Pd with other metals and amorphous metals.
Incidence, risk factors, and reasons for hospitalization among glioblastoma patients receiving chemoradiation.

Despite a high symptom burden, little is known about the incidence or predictors of hospitalization among glioblastoma patients, including risks during chemoradiation (CRT). We studied 196 consecutive newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients treated at our institution from 2006-2010. Toxicity data were reviewed during and after the CRT phase, defined as the period between diagnosis and 6 weeks after radiotherapy completion. Logistic regression and proportional hazards modeling identified predictors of hospitalization and overall survival (OS). Median age was 59 years (range, 23-90) and 83 % had Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score ≥ 70. Twenty-six percent of patients underwent gross total resection, 77 % received ≥ 59.4 Gy of radiotherapy, and 89 % received concurrent temozolomide. Median OS was 15.6 months (IQR, 8.5-26.8 months). Forty-three percent of patients were hospitalized during the CRT phase; OS was 10.7 vs. 17.8 months for patients who were vs. were not hospitalized, respectively (P < .001). Nearly half of the hospitalizations were due to generalized weakness (17 % of hospitalizations), seizures (16 %), or venous thromboembolism (13 %). On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95 % CI, 1.002-1.060; P = .034) and KPS (OR, 0.95; 95 % CI, 0.93-0.97; P < .001) were associated with risk of hospitalization. Hospitalization during the CRT phase was associated with decreased OS (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.47; 95 % CI, 1.01-2.13; P = .043), after adjustment for known prognostic factors. Hospitalization during the CRT phase is common among glioblastoma patients in the temozolomide era and is associated with shorter overall survival.
The DNA damage response in viral-induced cellular transformation

The DNA damage response (DDR) has emerged as a critical tumour suppressor pathway responding to cellular DNA replicative stress downstream of aberrant oncogene over-expression. Recent studies have now implicated the DDR as a sensor of oncogenic virus infection. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which tumour viruses activate and also suppress the host DDR. The mechanism of tumour virus induction of the DDR is intrinsically linked to the need for these viruses to promote an S-phase environment to replicate their nucleic acid during infection. However, inappropriate expression of viral oncoproteins can also activate the DDR through various mechanisms including replicative stress, direct interaction with DDR components and induction of reactive oxygen species. Given the growth-suppressive consequences of activating the DDR, tumour viruses have also evolved mechanisms to attenuate these pathways. Aberrant expression of viral oncoproteins may therefore promote tumourigenesis through increased somatic mutation and aneuploidy due to DDR inactivation. This review will focus on the interplay between oncogenic viruses and the DDR with respect to cellular checkpoint control and transformation.