cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurobehavior effects in four strains of mice offspring exposed prenatally to alprazolam

Abstract Objective: This study was performed to determine whether prenatal exposure to alprazolam affects offspring behavior in different strains of mice. Study Design: Eight to 11 gravid mice of the C3H/He, C57BL/6, A/J, and DBA/2 strains were given either an anxiolytic dose of alprazolam (0.32 mg/kg) or a placebo by gavage on day 18 of an anticipated 19- to 21-day gestation. Neurobehavior tasks were conducted to assess anxiety, learning and memory, and social interaction. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance or a Fisher exact probability test. Results: Anxiety in alprazolam-exposed offspring was reduced in C3H/He ( P P P P P P Conclusion: Altered behaviors in several mouse strains after prenatal exposure to alprazolam suggests a vulnerability of GABA-benozdiazepine receptor formation in fetal brain development. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:968-72.)
Effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on circular dichroism and enzyme activities of carboxypeptidases A and B.

Abstract Conformational transitions in dilute solutions of bovine carboxypeptidases A and B and porcine carboxypeptidase B were incited by sodium dodecyl sulfate, and these transitions were tested by CD measurement in the 200–320-nm spectral zone. At ratios of 10–100 moles sodium dodecyl sulfate to 1 mole enzyme (pH 7.5 at room temperature) the CD bands at 250–320 nm progressively diminished whereas the CD bands at 210–225 nm were affected slightly. The decrease of [θ]294 nm of carboxypeptidase A showed biphasic first-order kinetics in the detergent to enzyme ratios tested, and the peptidase and esterase activities decreased in a similar manner. The near ultraviolet CD spectrum of bovine and porcine carboxypeptidases B had several relatively strong positive CD bands at 250–280 nm and one negative band at 292 nm. The decrease in magnitude of [θ]292 nm with increased amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate and incubation time was biphasic and the peptidase activity decreased in a similar way. However, the esterase activity of both carboxypeptidases B was slightly enhanced on interaction with low concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The negative conformation-dependent CD bands at 210–225 nm of the carboxypeptidases B were more prominent than those of carboxypeptidase A. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on the enzyme side chains, as expressed by the changes of the bands at 286–294 nm, suggests the involvement of tryptophan residues in these interactions. The CD data also indicate that the conformation of carboxypeptidases B differs from that of carboxypeptidase A, as can be expected from the differences in their amino acid composition. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate, however, is restricted chiefly to the enhancement of rotational freedom of the side chain chromophores, and the backbone conformation is affected only by very high concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate.
Influence of Modeling Interfaces on Mechanical Behavior of Polycrystalline Materials

Jian Wang is the guest editor for the Nanomechanical Materials Behavior Committee of the TMS Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division, and he coordinated the topic Modeling Mechanical Behavior of Ultrafine-grained Polycrystals in this issue.
Correlation of the specific rates of solvolysis of trimethylsilylmethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate using a two-term Grunwald-Winstein equation

The specific rates of solvolysis of trimethylsilylmethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate have been measured at 25.0 °C in ethanol, methanol, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and their mixtures with water. Determinations were also made in aqueous acetone and in TFE-ethanol mixtures. An extended (two-term) Grunwald-Winstein equation correlation gave sensitivities towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity and solvent ionising power as expected for an S N 2 pathway, consistent with a previous proposal. For four solvents specific rates were determined at three or four additional temperatures and appreciably negative entropies of activation were observed, consistent with the proposed mechanism. At -20 °C, the specific rate of methanolysis is almost identical to that for methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, suggesting a fortuitous balance between steric hindrance effects and a favourable electronic effect upon the introduction of the trimethylsilyl group.
Diphenylhydantoin prevention of arrhythmias in the digitalis-sensitized dog after direct-current cardioversion.

The ability of diphenylhydantoin to prevent arrhythmias induced by synchronized direct current shocks after digitalis sensitization was evaluated. In the control state, an average of 155 watt-seconds was required to produce ventricular tachycardia. Immediately after recovery from digitalis toxicity, an average of 23 watt-seconds produced ventricular tachycardia. The administration of diphenylhydantoin at this time immediately increased the threshold required for ventricular tachycardia to an average of 363 watt-seconds. In eight studies, diphenylhydantoin was given during cardioversion-induced ventricular tachycardia and converted all cases to regular sinus rhythm. These findings indicate that diphenylhydantoin may be of prophylactic value prior to direct current cardioversion in a digitalized patient. Conversely, diphenylhydantoin would also be useful in the management of ectopic beats that may occur in digitalized patients after cardioversion.
Science and Climate Change Policy Making: A Comparative Network Perspective

When the author was conducting field work on environmental politics in Japan (1978–1981), he and his family (wife, son 1, daughter 3) lived in a small mountain farming village in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. In this area, terraces of rice paddies held up by hand-built stone walls stepped down the mountainsides. Hundreds of years ago, the residents had hand-chipped a tunnel through a kilometer of mountain rock to bring water from the river on the other side over to water their mountain rice paddies. The water still flows through this tunnel, and then down through channels (mizo) along the sides of rice paddies with little gates to let it in when permitted. The residents carefully shared this precious resource, with a village committee deciding when each farmer could periodically get enough water to plant the rice seedlings in the spring, and to keep them growing in the summer. In this way, the village had survived for hundreds of years (Broadbent 1998).
Minimum norm quadratic estimation of spatial variograms

Abstract The estimation of spatial variograms, a measure of spatial correlation, is a critical problem in the implementation of kriging, a method for interpolating random fields. We consider the use of minimum norm quadratic estimators of the variogram when it is specified up to a finite number of linear parameters. We investigate the asymptotic behavior of such estimators for Gaussian processes as the number of observations within some bounded region increases. The basic conclusion is that we can estimate consistently those functions of the parameters, and only those functions, that have a nonnegligible impact asymptotically on the kriging procedure. In general, the behavior of the variogram over relatively short distances is the only aspect of the variogram that is asymptotically important. As an example, consider a Gaussian process z(·) on the real line with unknown constant mean and , where γ(·) is known as the semivariogram of the process and θ is a finite vector of unknown parameters. Suppose, for 0...
Word Study Instruction and Second-Grade Children's Independent Writing

This project investigated six 2nd-grade students' use of word study instruction to mediate spelling while writing in their journals. In particular, the researchers examined the students' use of the orthographic principles, sample words, and spelling strategies that had been taught during developmental word study lessons. Results of the project suggest that some students may need explicit instruction on how to apply what they have learned through word study instruction to the writing process. Findings also point to a number of issues that need to be addressed before the efficacy of word study as a comprehensive approach to spelling instruction can be fully determined.
An asymptotic theory for the interaction of waves and currents in coastal waters

A multi-scale asymptotic theory is derived for the evolution and interaction of currents and surface gravity waves in water of finite depth, under conditions typical of coastal shelf waters outside the surf zone. The theory provides a practical and useful model with which wave–current coupling may be explored without the necessity of resolving features of the flow on space and time scales of the primary gravity-wave oscillations. The essential nature of the dynamical interaction is currents modulating the slowly evolving phase of the wave field and waves providing both phase-averaged forcing of long infra-gravity waves and wave-averaged vortex and Bernoulli-head forces and hydrostatic static set-up for the low-frequency current and sea-level evolution equations. Analogous relations are derived for wave-averaged material tracers and density stratification that include advection by horizontal Stokes drift and by a vertical Stokes pseudo-velocity that is the incompressible companion to the horizontal Stokes velocity. Illustrative solutions are analysed for the special case of depth-independent currents and tracers associated with an incident surface wave field and a vortex with O(1) Rossby number above continental shelf topography.
Siderophore Utilization by Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 and 61A152 can utilize the hydroxamate-type siderophores ferrichrome and rhodotorulate, in addition to ferric citrate, to overcome iron starvation. These strains can also utilize the pyoverdin-type siderophore pseudobactin St3. The ability to utilize another organism's siderophores may confer a selective advantage in the rhizosphere.
Essential Components of Successful Collaborative Maternity Care Models: The ACOG-ACNM Project

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) asked ACNM member midwives and ACOG Fellows with successful and sustainable collaborative practices between obstetricians and midwives to describe their care models in jointly written articles. This review analyzes 12 of the 60 articles submitted. Five main themes were identified: impetus for new collaboration, basic foundations of collaborative care, commitment to successful partnership, care integration, and health professions education in an interprofessional practice environment. The analysis provides evidence of the extent to which committed clinicians are working together to provide excellent, women-centered maternity care.
THE ELECTRIC RESISTANCE AND CAPACITY OF BLOOD FOR FREQUENCIES BETWEEN 800 AND 4½ MILLION CYCLES

1. The variation of the experimental values (R (omega)), (C (omega)) of the resistance and capacity of blood for increasing frequencies is approximately represented by the equation: See PDF for Equation in which R(o) and C(o) are the resistance and capacity of the blood at low frequency and See PDF for Equation is the resistance of the blood at infinite frequency. Formulae (1) and (2) are derived by considering the blood as equivalent to the system shown in the diagram (a) of Fig. 1. 2. By the application of formula (1) to our experimental data the value of R(infinity) can be extrapolated with high accuracy. R(infinity) represents the resistance) which would have been obtained at low frequency, if the membranes around the corpuscles could have been removed. 3. The specific resistance of the corpuscle interior can be calculated by equation (5), using experimental values for R(infinity), for the volume concentration of the blood and for the specific resistance of the serum. 4. The specific resistance of the interior of the red corpuscle of the calf is found to be 3.5 +/- 10 per cent times the specific resistance of the serum.
Reverse Licensing: International Technology Transfer to the United States

Acknowledgments Acronyms Introduction The International Setting and the U.S. Position International Technology Licensing The Literature Review of International Technology Licensing The Research Model and the Research Hypotheses The Research Methodology and Design The Research Results and Statistical Analysis Summary and Conclusions Notes Bibliography Index
Rapid electrocapillary deformation of liquid metal with reversible shape retention

A low-voltage, low-power method of electrically deforming a liquid-metal droplet via the direct manipulation of its surface tension is presented. By imposing a quasi-planar geometry on the liquid metal, its sensitivity to electrocapillary actuation is increased by more than a factor of 40. This heightened responsiveness allows the liquid metal to be deformed at rates exceeding 120 mm/s, greater than an order of magnitude faster than existing techniques for electrical deformation. Significantly, it is demonstrated how this process can be combined with voltage-controlled oxide growth on the surface of non-toxic, gallium-based liquid metals to reversibly form and maintain arbitrary, high-energy shapes.
Normal signal-void patterns in cardiac cine MR images

The diagnosis of valvular regurgitation and stenosis with cardiac cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is based on observation of localized regions of signal void. However, areas of signal void frequently are present in patients without cardiac abnormalities and may closely resemble signal-void areas that occur secondary to valvular pathologic conditions. Twenty healthy volunteers were prospectively evaluated with gradient-echo cine MR imaging to determine the frequency, distribution, and timing of appearance of regions of signal void in the healthy population. The most frequent sites included the regions adjacent to the atrioventricular valves, the left ventricular outflow tract, atrial appendages, and areas of venous inflow, including the coronary sinus, superior vena cava, and pulmonary veins. Awareness of normal signal-void areas and their characteristics is critical in the assessment of cardiac cine MR examinations.
Illusions of intentionality, shared and unshared

Intention, shared or unshared, is based on the presumption of unknowable and unnecessary motives and mental states in ourselves and others.
Peripheral blood pressure by Dinamap and central blood pressure by applanation tonometry in outpatient general practice

Introduction: Central blood pressure (CBP) is the pressure exerted by the blood column at any given moment on the aortic and carotid artery walls, which is a close proxy for the blood pressure inside the brain and the heart, and is thus a better marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than peripheral blood pressure (PBP). Objective: To assess how the augmentation index (AI), peripheral pulse pressure (pPP), central pulse pressure (cPP) and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) vary in hypertensive patients according to level of control of CBP and PBP. Methods: We performed an observational, cross-sectional study in a convenience sample from a general practice in Central Portugal over a period of four days in May 2010. Measurements were taken after a four-minute resting period. The following values were considered to reflect controlled pressures: PBP <140/90 mmHg, CBP <130/80 mmHg, pPP <55 mmHg and cPP <45 mmHg. Results: The sample included 93 patients, 38 male (41.3%), mean age 62.3±11.1 years, with no significant difference in gender distribution. PBP was controlled in 55 (59.8%), and CBP in 53 (57.6%). Both PBP and CBP were controlled in 50 patients (54.3%) and neither was controlled in 34 (37.9%). pPP and cPP were significantly lower in those with controlled PBP (p<0.001) and CBP (p<0.001). AI was non-significantly lower in those with controlled PBP (78±9 vs. 80.7) and those with controlled CBP (78±9 vs.81±7) (p=0.02). SEVR was within the desirable range in 93 patients (92.2%).
Streptozotocin and insulin-dependent diabetes induce changes in hepatic cytoarchitecture in mice

Streptozotocin (STZ) causes both direct organ toxicity and diabetes, and both actions can affect the structure and function of many organs. Because biliary excretory function changes with time afterSTZ injection, it was hypothesized that morphological changes would occur in livers from mice made diabetic with STZ. Blood glucose concentrations were elevated above that in control mice from day 3 onward. Liver tissue collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 following a single administration of STZ (200 mg/kg IV) was prepared for electron microscopy using standard procedures. Liver samples from vehicle control mice were obtained on each experimental day for comparison. Morphological changes on days 1 and 3 included a swelling of the hepatic sinusoids, an apparent widening between hepatocyte borders, and deterioration of the microvilli of the bile canaliculi. On days 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the liver exhibited normal extracellular space and canaliculi with regenerated microvilli. However, findings similar to those from days 1 and 3 were observed in the liver samples from days 35 and 42. The most dramatic effect seen on day 42 was the dilation of extracellular space. Hepatic sinusoids were enlarged and canalicular microvilli appeared to have degenerated. Findings from days 1 and 3 may be attributed to STZ hepatotoxicity with subsequent normalization of the liver, whereas the alterations observed on days 35 and 42 are probably a manifestation of diabetes mellitus, because these changes became more extensive with progression of the disease.
BASEBAND METHODS OF COMPONENT MODE SYNTHESIS FOR NON-PROPORTIONALLY DAMPED SYSTEMS

Abstract This paper presents several new baseband methods of component mode synthesis (CMS) for non-proportionally damped systems. In contrast to most existing CMS approaches, these methods are based upon a first-order state-space formulation which engenders complex-valued modal vectors, transformation matrices, and reduced structural matrices. Two new methods are presented. These are baseband versions of ‘constraint modes’ and ‘residual flexibility’ methods. The constraint modes method is applicable when existing finite element matrices can be employed for analytical implementation. The residual flexibility method is used within an experimentally based implementation with test data. The experimentally based methodology produces matrices that are compatible with the analytical matrices thus, system models comprising both types of matrices can be analysed as a single assembly. Theoretical developments are presented in this paper and conclusions are drawn.
Report: Developing Sustainability—Communication Insights from Two Euro Conferences

Two recent international conferences held in Sweden focused on science, engineering, and sustainable development. Although both were deemed successful by participants, problems continue with concept definition and with communicating how real steps will be implemented in achieving sustainability's goals.
Highly efficient techniques for network forensics

Given a history of packet transmissions and an excerpt of a possible packet payload, the payload attribution problem requires the identification of sources, destinations and the times of appearance on a network of all the packets that contained such payload. A module to solve this problem has recently been proposed as the core component in a network forensics system. Network forensics provides useful tools for investigating cybercrimes on the Internet, by, for example, tracing the spread of worms and viruses, identifying who has received a phishing email in an enterprise, or discovering which insider allowed an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.In general it is infeasible to store and query the actual packets, therefore we focus on extremely compressed digests of the packet activity. We propose several new methods for payload attribution which utilize Rabin fingerprinting, shingling, and winnowing. Our best methods allow data reduction ratios greater than 100:1 while supporting queries with very low false positive rates, and provide efficient querying capabilities given reasonably small excerpts of a payload. Our results outperform current state-of-the-art methods both in terms of false positive rates and data reduction ratio. Finally, these approaches directly allow the collected data to be stored and queried by an untrusted party without disclosing any payload information nor the contents of queries.
Management and Treatment Considerations for Infections Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus have been documented since the 1960s. Four decades later, this microorganism has evolved from a pathogen found primarily in the health care environment to a major pathogen of community-acquired infections. Interestingly, the community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates tend to be genetically distinct from their health-care–acquired relatives, have a propensity to be more virulent, yet be susceptible to more antibiotics. Furthermore, infections caused in the pediatric population have a susceptibility pattern that differs from those found in adults. With an increase in infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, empiric therapy should contain an agent with activity against this microorganism. Currently several options exist for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections, yet very few options are available for the treatment of more invasive diseases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphy...
Performance of M-QAM multiple antenna systems at 60 GHz

In this work, the performance of a 60 GHz communication system employing a multiple antenna equalization scheme to suppress both the intersymbol interference and multiple-access interference is analyzed. A spectrally efficient multilevel quadrature amplitude modulation and a realistic IEEE channel model are used for analysis. The combined effect of interference suppression and spatial correlation on the system performance is studied through an analytically derived expression for bit error rate.
LONG-TERM SHIFTS IN AUTUMN MIGRATION BY SONGBIRDS AT A COASTAL EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN STOPOVER SITE

Abstract We investigated long-term trends in mean autumn capture dates of 19 species of migratory passerines including 11 long-distance migrants and eight short-distance migrants. Birds were captured between 1960 and 2007 at a banding station in southern Rhode Island. We detected annual trends in the highest ranked models with mean capture dates of seven species significantly delayed by an average of 3.0 days per decade; 38% of long-distance migrants and 50% of short-distance migrants studied significantly delayed migration. We found no evidence of long-term shifts in autumn migration timing for seven species and mean capture dates of five species exhibited non-linear annual trends. Mean autumn temperature was an important factor in explaining annual trends for eight species. Changes in annual capture rates for some species may have an equal or greater role than year or temperature in explaining long-term trends in autumn migration timing. Our analysis suggests that some migratory bird species are now dep...
The need for formal description techniques in validating communication protocols

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) validation program to check the quality of the advanced orbiting systems (AOS) services and protocols is discussed. Formal description techniques (FDTs) and the need for using these techniques to validate the AOS communications services and protocols are then considered. In particular, the use of the language of temporal ordering specification (LOTOS) and FDT as part of the AOS validation program has proven to be useful in identifying ambiguities, inconsistencies, and imprecise statements in the English-language recommendation. By more completely and precisely specifying the AOS services and protocols, it will also play a major role in implementing them. >
Long-Term Health Outcomes in Women With Silicone Gel Breast Implants: A Systematic Review

Background Silicone gel breast implants were removed from the U.S. market for cosmetic use in 1992 owing to safety concerns. They were reintroduced in 2006, with a call for improved surveillance of clinical outcomes. Purpose To systematically review the literature regarding specific long-term health outcomes in women with silicone gel breast implants, including cancer; connective tissue, rheumatologic, and autoimmune diseases; neurologic diseases; reproductive issues, including lactation; offspring issues; and mental health issues (depression and suicide). Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Ovid Healthstar (inception through 30 June 2015), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (through the first quarter of 2015). Study selection 4 researchers double-screened articles for longitudinal studies that compared women with and without breast implants and reported long-term health outcomes of interest. Data extraction 4 researchers extracted data on participant and implant characteristics, analytic methods, and results. Data synthesis 32 studies (in 58 publications) met eligibility criteria. Random-effects model meta-analyses of effect sizes were conducted when feasible. For most outcomes, there was at most only a single adequately adjusted study, which usually found no significant associations. There were possible associations with decreased risk for primary breast and endometrial cancers and increased risks for lung cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, and Raynaud syndrome. Evidence on breast implants and other outcomes either was limited or did not exist. Limitation The evidence was most frequently not specific to silicone gel implants, and studies were rarely adequately adjusted for potential confounders. Conclusion The evidence remains inconclusive about any association between silicone gel implants and long-term health outcomes. Better evidence is needed from existing large studies, which can be reanalyzed to clarify the strength of associations between silicone gel implants and health outcomes. Primary funding source The Plastic Surgery Foundation.
Molecular Evolution and the Immunoglobulin Gene Superfamily

The immunoglobulin gene superfamily is a collection of multigene families and single gene members, all evolutionarily related through a shared immunoglobulin homology unit. The superfamily includes more than 100 different proteins with functions generally related to molecular cell-surface recognition, including immune recognition, grow factor receptors, cell adhesion molecules of nervous and nonnervous tissues, and extracellular matrix components. The gene superfamily probably arose with the evolution of Metazoa. It has provided fundamental insights into the genetic mechanisms responsible for rapid evolutionary changes.
Understanding the Timing of Cue-Giving and Cue-Taking in the United States Senate

Scholars have long been interested in understanding how members of Congress make voting decisions, for this process is at the core of representative democracy. Existing literature investigating the nature of Congressional cue-taking identifies several sources that members of Congress may look to as a means of developing their own vote choices. Our work builds on this previous literature, adding temporal dynamics to the study of legislative cue-taking occurring on the floor of the U.S. Senate, while speaking to current work on co-sponsorship networks. Using an event history approach, our research investigates the timing of cues, thereby determining with greater accuracy the influence that potential cue-givers have on the vote choices of other members. Having coded C-SPAN coverage of voting during the 108th Congress, we implement a series of Cox proportional hazards models to analyze when specific Senate members voted on four different bills and their related amendments; bills were selected to achieve variance in terms of salience, partisanship, technicality, and policy breadth. We note that committee members serve as primary cue-givers, along with Senators from the same state; we also find evidence for the impact of party and floor vote tallies. In the end, we demonstrate the importance of (and leverage that may be gained by) including temporal measures in studies of congressional behavior.
A combined GIS and HEC model for the analysis of the effect of urbanization on flooding; the Swan Creek watershed, Ohio

This study investigates the effects of changes in land-use on the hydrology of the Swan Creek watershed in Lucas County, Ohio, over a thirty-year period. The study presents the GIS based runoff models and the HEC-RAS Flood analysis for the watershed. The runoff modeling was performed using a modification of the rational formula first proposed by Rossmiller in 1980. The C factor (land use) in the rational equation (Q = CIA) is modified to account for land use, soil type and slope factors. Four model runs for each of the land-use coverages were created based on the statistical precipitation recurrence intervals: P 10 , P 25 , P 50 , P 100 (a total of 12 model runs). The models differed only in the basic land-use classifications for each decade of interest. The runoff analysis predicts that increased runoff volumes in the watershed are directly related to increasing urbanization. The study showed that runoff volumes of a P 100 storm in 1973 of certain sub-basins has the equivalent runoff of a P 10 storm in 1995. The flood modeling was performed in the Army Corps of Engineer9s Hydrologic Engineering Center9s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). Twelve model runs were also created in HEC-RAS to evaluate the effect of the land-use changes in each of the time periods for each of the storms. The study showed that flood extent of a P 50 storm in 1973 across the watershed has the equivalent flood extent of a P 10 storm in 1995. The flood modeling predicts that the Swan Creek hydrologic system responds more quickly and severely today to events that would have been smaller in the past.
“I Have a Story to Share!” Building a Writing Community Through Shared Journal

I first learned about the Shared Journal approach as a doctoral student in the mid-1980s, and I implemented it in my own kindergarten class with great success. Two decades later, I was listening as...
Adjuvant trastuzumab benefit in patients diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer

The article “Effects of EstrogenReceptor andHumanEpidermalGrowthFactorReceptor-2Levelson theEfficacyofTrastuzumab: A Secondary Analysis of HERA Trial,” by Loi et al1 in this issue of JAMA Oncology entices the reader with the conclusion that certain human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+, nowknownasERBB2) breast cancers that are also estrogen receptor positive (ER+) “derive significantly less benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab after chemotherapy.”1 The phrase, “significantly less,” has special connotation for scientists and clinicians trained to disregard findings that do not meet statistical significance. This concluding statement questionswhether trastuzumab is of value in thepatientswehavecome tocall “triplepositive” (ER+,progesterone receptor positive, and HER2+), especially if ER expression is high and if concurrently the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) ratiodeterminingHER2positivity is low (≥2 to 10%, vs negative <10%). In addition, magnitude of trastuzumab benefit was also estimated by quantitative ESR1 (determination of estrogen receptor RNA) in an even smaller subset of patients. All patients enrolled in theHERA trialwere HER2+ by standard definitions; however, Loi et al1 also explored trastuzumab benefit in patients with varying degrees of positivity as defined by FISH ratio, aswell as byHER2 copy number. Thekey findings supporting the article’s concluding statement are presented in Figure 2 showing DFS, and Figure 3 Related article page 1040 Estrogen Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Levels and Trastuzumab in the HERA Trial Original Investigation Research
Low-dimensional boron structures based on icosahedron B12

One-dimensional icosahedral boron chains and two-dimensional icosahedral boron sheets (icosahedral α, δ6, and δ4 sheets) that contain icosahedra B12 as their building units have been predicted in a computer simulation study using a state-of-the-art semi-empirical Hamiltonian. These novel low-dimensional icosahedral structures exhibit interesting bonding and electronic properties. Specifically, the three-center, two-electron bonding between icosahedra B12 of the boron bulk (rhombohedral boron) transforms into a two-center bonding in these new allotropes of boron sheets. In contrast to the previously reported stable buckled α and triangular boron monolayer sheets, these new allotropes of boron sheets form a planar network. Calculations of electronic density of states (DOS) reveal a semiconducting nature for both the icosahedral chain and the icosahedral δ6 and δ4 sheets, as well as a nearly gapless (or metallic-like) feature in the DOS for the icosahedral α sheet. The results for the energy barrier per atom between the icosahedral δ6 and α sheets (0.17 eV), the icosahedral δ6 and δ4 sheets (0.38 eV), and the icosahedral α and δ4 sheets (0.27 eV), as indicated in the respective parentheses, suggest that these new allotropes of boron sheets are relatively stable.
Studies on the correlation between the clinic and cell proliferation, multidrug resistance and apoptosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objective To observe the correlation between the clinic and cell proliferation, multidrug resistance and apoptosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Methods The expressions of PCNA, Pgp and Apo1 were measured with flow cytometry by using monoclonal antibodies, and analyzed according to different subtypes of FAB, immunophenotypes and clinical classifications The correlation between the expressions and the fact of patients surviving free of the disease for 1 year was also analyzed Results There were no significant different expressions of PCNA, Pgp and Apo1 among the groups of FAB, immunophenotype and clinical classification The expressions of PCNA and Apo1 in patients surviving free of the disease for 1 year were higher than those in death group, while the expression of Pgp was lower in this kind of patients than that in death group. Conclusion The higher expressions of PCNA and Apol and the lower expression of Pgp might indicate a good outcome in childhood ALL.
Preliminary study on thermal aging properties of PET gas generating propellant

Thermal aging properties of PET gas generating propellant were investigated through uniaxial tensile test,dynamic mechanical analysis,TG-DSC test and heat flow microcalorimetry(HFMC).The results indicate that mechanical parameters of this propellant,such as tensile strength σm,storage modulus E′(above α transition temperature)increased and the elongation em,loss factor tanδ decreased during the aging periods.It is found from TG-DSC curves that there is a significant mass loss of plasticizer of aging samples.The surface of aging samples become black and the exothermic effect that appeared in HFMC curve indicate that there may be a post curing reaction and oxidation(carbonous)reaction.Therefore,except for the loss of plasticizer which leads to physical aging,the post curing reaction and oxidation(carbonous)reaction are the main reasons to lead to the change of mechanical properties of PET gas generating propellant.
Pediatric multiple sclerosis: The 2015 Sydney Carter Award Lecture.

In 1952, Sydney Carter, MD (1912–2005; Professor Emeritus, Columbia University), was asked to establish the first independent child neurology program at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Prior to this, children with neurologic disorders were largely cared for by general pediatricians, or on occasion, and often with trepidation, by adult neurologists. Dr. Carter recognized the unique care needs of the pediatric neurology patient. He prioritized the requirement to harmonize neuroscience and neurodevelopment, and advocated the need to identify the hallmarks of neurologic illness in the context of the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, and to foster training programs specifically in Child Neurology.
Effect of Direct Chill Casting Speed and Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-13.9%Mg2Si Composite

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of different casting speed in DC casting process and solution heat treatment of in situ Al-13.9%Mg2Si composite. The increasing of DC casting speed not only makes primary Mg2Si distribute more uniform and restricts segregation of primary Mg2Si particles, but also it reduces primary Mg2Si particle size. The DC casting speed significantly alter the eutectic Mg2Si phase from fibrous to fine dot-like and eutectic phase refines effectively. The results obtained from mechanical testing demonstrated that the increasing of DC casting speed intensifies both hardness and tensile strength values. Then, the billet were subjected to solutionizing at 500oC for holding time of 4h followed by quenching. The results indicate that the morphology of both primary and eutectic Mg2Si changes after heat treatment. Solutionizing leads to the dissolution of the Mg2Si particles and changes morphology from sharp edges to round shape. After solution heat treatment, tensile strength and elongation increase to 238.8MPa and 13.5%.
Realis and Non-Realis Modalities in Daakie (Ambrym, Vanuatu)

This paper analyzes the system of modality marking in Daakie, an Austronesian (Oceanic) language spoken on Ambrym (Vanuatu). Daakie has a fiveway distinction that expresses both temporal and modal notions. In addition to a realis marker there is a potentialis marker for events that are expected to happen, a distal marker for temporally or modally remote events, a realis negation, and a potentialis negation. These markers are used in main and dependent clauses, where they express factive and negative interpretations
Arboral Satisfaction: Recognition and LP Approximation

Abstract A point set P is arborally satisfied if, for any pair of points with no shared coordinates, the box they span contains another point in P. At SODA 2009, Demaine, Harmon, Iacono, Kane, and Pǎtrascu proved a connection between the longstanding dynamic optimality conjecture about binary search trees and the problem of finding the minimum-size arborally satisfied superset of a given 2D point set [1] . We study two basic problems about arboral satisfaction. First, we develop two nontrivial algorithms to test whether a given point set is arborally satisfied. In 2D, both of our algorithms run in O ( n log ⁡ n ) time, and one of them achieves O ( n ) runtime if the points are presorted; we also show a matching Ω ( n log ⁡ n ) lower bound in the algebraic decision tree model. In d dimensions, our algorithm runs in O ( d n log ⁡ n + n log d − 1 ⁡ n ) time. Second, we study a natural integer linear programming formulation of finding the minimum-size arborally satisfied superset of a given 2D point set, which is equivalent to finding offline dynamically optimal binary search trees. Unfortunately, we conclude that the linear programming relaxation has large integrality gap, making it unlikely to find an approximation algorithm via this approach.
The temporal stability of visuomotor adaptation generalization

Short-term motor adaptation exhibits distinct spatial and temporal characteristics. Here we investigated the interaction of these features, utilizing a simple motor adaptation paradigm (recalibrati...
Significantly Higher Mortality Following Liver Transplantation Among Patients Aged 70 Years and Older

Introduction:The age of liver transplantation recipients in the United States is steadily increasing. However, the impact of age on liver transplant outcomes has demonstrated contradictory results....
Aberrantly Large Single-Channel Conductance of Polyhistidine Arm-Containing Protein Nanopores

There have been only a few studies reporting on the impact of polyhistidine affinity tags on the structure, function, and dynamics of proteins. Because of the relatively short size of the tags, they are often thought to have little or no effect on the conformation or activity of a protein. Here, using membrane protein design and single-molecule electrophysiology, we determined that the presence of a hexahistidine arm at the N-terminus of a truncated FhuA-based protein nanopore, leaving the C-terminus untagged, produces an unusual increase in the unitary conductance to ∼8 nS in 1 M KCl. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest single-channel conductance ever recorded with a monomeric β-barrel outer membrane protein. The hexahistidine arm was captured by an anti-polyhistidine tag monoclonal antibody added to the side of the channel-forming protein addition, but not to the opposite side, documenting that this truncated FhuA-based protein nanopore inserts into a planar lipid bilayer with a preferred ...
Thrombosis in cancer patients: Etiology, incidence, and management

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the second most common cause of mortality in cancer patients. The mechanisms of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), much like cancer itself, are multi-factorial and incompletely understood. Cancer type, stage, tumor-derived factors and genetics all affect CAT risk. Furthermore, cancer therapies as well as the indwelling vascular devices through which these therapies are delivered can increase the risk for CAT. In this review, we summarize mechanisms of hypercoagulability in cancer patients, patterns of thrombosis associated with cancer, current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of CAT, and important considerations regarding the placement of implantable vascular devices in the care of cancer patients with VTE.
Synthesis of star polymers using organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization through a core-first approach

Synthetic routes to higher ordered polymeric architectures are important tools for advanced materials design and realization. In this study, organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization is employed for the synthesis of star polymers through a core-first approach using a visible-light absorbing photocatalyst, 3,7-di(4-biphenyl)-1-naphthalene-10-phenoxazine. Structurally similar multifunctional initiators possessing 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 initiating sites were used in this study for the synthesis of linear telechelic polymers and star polymers typically possessing dispersities lower than 1.5 while achieving high initiator efficiencies. Furthermore, no evidence of undesirable star–star coupling reactions was observed, even at high monomer conversions and high degrees of polymerization. The utility of this system is further exemplified through the synthesis of well-defined diblock star polymers.
Neutropenic Enterocolitis in a Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipient on Multiple Immunosuppressants

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) historically primarily affects pediatric patients with leukemia who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have recently received bone marrow transplants. Although a few case reports have shown NE occurring outside of this typical population, to our knowledge, this is the first published case of NE occurring in the setting of pediatric heart transplant. This patient was diagnosed several months after pediatric heart transplant, with radiographs showing evidence of pneumatosis intestinalis. Although NE does not typically affect solid organ transplant patients, this patient had a variety of risk factors that may have predisposed her to development of NE such as severe neutropenia, supratherapeutic tacrolimus level, immunosuppression with cytotoxic agents, and elevated Epstein-Barr viral load. Fortunately, this patient improved with bowel rest, fluids, antibiotics, and alteration of her immunosuppressive regimen. However, NE can be fatal, and thus it is an important condition to consider, even in patients without leukemia or on chemotherapeutic regimens.
Toward Understanding the Bitterness of Dry-Hopped Beer

The impact on analytical and sensory bitterness of hop acids and hop-derived polyphenols resulting from dry-hopping in beer was investigated using a pilot-scale dry-hopping study and a commercial d...
Effects of dietary supplementation of formaldehyde and crystalline amino acids on gut microbial composition of nursery pigs

Formaldehyde-based feed additives are approved in the US for Salmonella control and reducing bacterial contamination in animal feed. However, we hypothesize formaldehyde inclusion in swine diets may influence gut microbial composition due to its antimicrobial properties which might negatively influence microbial populations and pig growth performance. Also, formaldehyde inclusion in diets is known to reduce the dietary availability of amino acids. Therefore, our study was conducted to characterize if the effects of feed formaldehyde-treatment are due to influences on microbial population or diet amino acid (AA) sources. Dietary treatments were arranged in a (2 × 2) + 1 factorial with formaldehyde treatment (none vs. 1000 ppm formaldehyde) and crystalline AA inclusion (low vs. high) with deficient AA content plus a positive control diet to contain adequate AA content without dietary formaldehyde. Treating diets with formaldehyde reduced growth rate (P = 0.001) while the AA inclusion had no evidence of impact. Formaldehyde reduced feed bacterial content and altered fecal microbial communities (P < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that the negative influence on growth was due to the impact on the fecal microbial community. Implications are that strategies for feed pathogen control need to take into account potential negative impacts on the gut microbial community.
WFIRST coronagraph flight performance modeling

As it has for the past few years, numerical modeling is being used to predict the on-orbit, high-contrast imaging performance of the WFIRST coronagraph, which was recently defined to be a technology demonstrator with science capabilities. A consequence has been a realignment of modeling priorities and revised applications of modeling uncertainty factors and margins, which apply to multiple factors such as pointing and wavefront jitter, thermally-induced deformations, polarization, and aberration sensitivities. At the same time, the models have increased in fidelity as additional parameters have been added, such as time-dependent pupil shear and mid-spatial-frequency deformations of the primary and secondary mirrors, detector effects, and reaction-wheel-speed-dependent pointing and wavefront jitter.
Annals Consult Guys – PE in Pregnancy: What Imaging? What Drugs?

In this episode of the consultative medicine talk show, Geno and Howard address the tricky topic of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy.
SAR Images Compressed Sensing Based on Recovery Algorithms

We present in this paper a synthetic aperture radar compression proposal based on Compressed Sensing (CS). The major problem of CS when applying it on real data, is to make the processed data sparse. This process might be impossible without having predefined information about it to generate an adequate transform basis before the acquisition, which makes the CS unusable on scenes that present many scatters. The presented proposal is an alternative for finding a basis for every signal and it assures a sparse representation and a good reconstruction. We propose to use a recovery algorithm in the compression and the recovery steps of CS using the FFT basis as a representation matrix. We use several combinations of different measurement matrices and recovery algorithms, to see which one gives a fast processing and a good reconstruction. 30% of data are enough to recover the image well. This process is applied on Flevoland image and evaluated using correlation coefficient and processing time.