cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complications of thoracic computed tomography-guided fiducial placement for the purpose of stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Abstract Purpose This study examined the complication rates associated with percutaneous fiducial placement for the purpose of stereotactic body radiation therapy of primary and metastatic lung neoplasms. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) scans and follow-up chest radiographs of 48 consecutive patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous fiducial placement. The effect of age, sex, number of fiducials placed, and performance of a concomitant biopsy on the complication rates were assessed. Results Of 48 patients with a total of 221 fiducials placed, 16 (33%) had a procedure-related pneumothorax. There was no significant difference in pneumothorax rate based on age ( P = 0.16), sex ( P > 0.99), and number of fiducials placed ( P = 0.21). Overall, 6 of 48 patients (12.5%) required a thoracostomy tube. Performance of a concomitant core needle biopsy at the time of fiducial placement was associated with pneumothorax rates of 64% compared with 26% without biopsies ( P = 0.03). Postprocedural CT demonstrated hemorrhage in 9 patients (19%). Two patients had hemoptysis; one required admission. Patients' age, sex, number of fiducials placed, and performance of concomitant biopsy had no statistically significant implications on parenchymal hemorrhage incidence. Conclusion Approximately one third of the patients develop a pneumothorax during CT-guided fiducial placement. Most are asymptomatic and do not require a thoracostomy. A concurrent biopsy at the time of fiducial placement is associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax. Hemorrhage occurs but is usually clinically insignificant.
Abstract 3559: Celastrol, a unique multifunctional pharmacophore with multiple targets as an effective therapeutic against ErbB2-overexpressing cancers

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Celastrol, a novel triterpene natural product, has shown immense promise against various cancer models including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and melanoma. A unique property of Celastrol is its ability to affect multiple oncogenic cellular targets that include the proteasome, HSP90, I Kappa B Kinase and the cellular redox-balance system. Celastrol could therefore be viewed as a multifunctional pharmacophore simultaneously affecting multiple targets within oncogenically transformed cell. In this paper we explore the properties of this unique pharmacophore as therapeutic agent for treating ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. Celastrol not only induced ubiquitinylation and degradation of ErbB2 and other HSP90 client proteins; it also increased cellular ROS levels, and killed ErbB2-overexpressing cells with higher selectivity. Comparison of IC50 values amongst a panel of breast cancer cell lines indicated a strong correlation of basal ROS-levels to sensitivity to killing. ErbB2-overexpression led to increase in basal ROS and consequently ErbB2-high cells were more sensitive to Celastrol than ErbB2-low cells. Celastrol also strongly synergized with ErbB2-targeted therapeutics, Trastuzumab and Lapatinib, resulting in enhanced ErbB2-specific cellular cytotoxicity at substantially reduced doses of Celastrol. Pharmacogenomic expression analysis comparing 17-AAG and Celastrol confirmed several common signatures and revealed unique signatures. Celastrol, but not 17-AAG, could potently induce depletion of Aurora A Kinase at both the transcript as well as protein level, adding to the spectrum of targets, given the importance of Aurora Kinase as a target in development of anti-cancer therapeutics. In vivo xenograft experiments using ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer model confirmed the potential of Celastrol as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3559.
Granulite facies metamorphism, palaeo‐isotherms and disturbance of the U‐Pb systematics of zircon in anorogenic plutonic rocks from the Adirondack Highlands

In the Adirondack Highlands of New York State, the effect of granulite facies metamorphism on the physical and isotopic characteristics of zircon from anorogenic plutonic rocks has a distinct geographical pattern. The location of zircon populations which appear to have been altered describes a roughly circular area where metamorphic palaeotemperatures have been determined to be in excess of 750° C. Zircons from anorogenic plutonic rocks outside this area were undisturbed during metamorphism and yield well constrained ages. Granitic, charnockitic and mangeritic anorogenic plutonic rocks peripheral to the Marcy anorthosite massif have large, euhedral, prismatic zircons that display fine, internal, magmatic growth zonations and abundant, randomly orientated, mineral inclusions. Co-genetic zircon fractions yield linear discordant arrays and well constrained upper intercepts of 1125–1157 Ma. Metamorphic zircon is limited to sporadically developed and volumetrically insignificant, clear, low-U overgrowths or protuberances. In marked contrast, zircons from petrographically and geochemically identical rocks adjacent to, or within, the Marcy anorthosite massif are typically large, limpid, anhedral to subhedral crystals or crystal fragments lacking internal features except for tubular cavities and CO-2-rich inclusions. Co-genetic zircon fractions yield nearly concordant, non-linear clusters with 207Pb/206Pb minimum ages of 1073–1095 Ma. Metamorphic overgrowths cannot be readily identified by optical or cathodoluminscence techniques; however, many grains show complex and unusual external boundaries suggestive of post-crystallization modification. These data indicate that temperatures as low as 750° C, in combination with other factors, may have been sufficient to facilitate recrystallization, and diffusion of radiogenic Pb from the zircon crystal structure, during the complex, protracted metamorphism of the Adirondack Highlands.
Mutagenicity of combustion emissions from a biomedical waste incinerator

Abstract The Ame's Salmonella typhimurium (TA98) assay was used to determine the mutagenicity of stack fly ash from a medical/pathological waste incenerator. Stack fly ash was also collected from a boiler plant adjacent to the incinerator and ambient air particles (upwind and downwind of the incinerator and boiler facilities) were collected and bioassayed. Downwind particulate mutagenicity (revertants per cubic meter of air) was significantly greater than upwind particulate mutagenicity. Mutagenic emission rate estumates (revertants per kilogram waste feed) for the incinerator and boiler were less than estimates published for wood stoves, automobile gasoline engines, and residential furnaces. Incinerator stack fly ash and downwind ambient air particulate samples collected during incinerator auxiliary burner failure demonstrated significant increases in mutagenicity compared to samples collected during routine incinerator operation.
Current Strategies for Treating Invasive Candidiasis: Emphasis on Infections in Nonneutropenic Patients

The increasing incidence of nosocomial candidal infections is a pivotal problem for patients who do not have neutropenia. In contrast with previous principles, candidemia--even in nonneutropenic patients--should be treated with systemic antifungal agents except in rare circumstances. Amphotericin B remains the agent of choice for treatment of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis and for candidemia, although the optimal dosage and duration of this therapy are poorly defined. Therapy with fluconazole is an alternative for patients who are intolerant to amphotericin B; the efficacy of fluconazole compared with that of amphotericin B in hematogenous candidal infections is unknown but is currently being evaluated. Removal of prosthetic devices that are infected with Candida is necessary in nearly all instances to cure the infection. Similarly, removal of an indwelling catheter whose use is associated with candidemia, as opposed to leaving the catheter in place during antifungal therapy, may increase survival rates of patients and lower their rates of complication. Antifungal prophylaxis may be useful for patients who are undergoing transplantation of an organ.
MHD instabilities at the disk-magnetosphere boundary: 3D simulations

We present results of 3D simulations of MHD instabilities at the accretion disk-magnetosphere boundary. The instability is Rayleigh-Taylor, and develops for a large range of parameter values. It manifests itself in the form of tall, thin tongues of plasma that reach the star by penetrating through the magnetosphere in the equatorial plane. The tongues rotate around the star in the equatorial plane, and their shape and number changes with time on inner-disk dynamical timescales. In contrast with funnel flows, which deposit matter mainly in the polar region, the tongues deposit matter much closer to the stellar equator.
Developing an HIV-Prevention Intervention for HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in HIV Care: Project Enhance

Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent the largest group with HIV in the U.S. (CDC 2005). Interventions for prevention with HIV-infected MSM are urgently needed, and integrating prevention into HIV care represents one opportunity for this advancement. This article describes the development and results of initial pilot testing of a behavioral intervention to reduce HIV sexual risk transmission behavior for HIV-infected MSM that is integrated into HIV care. To illustrate our intervention development process, we describe the setting and population (HIV-infected MSM patients at Fenway Community Health in Boston) for the project, the initial conceptualization of the project including its guiding conceptual model (information, motivation, and behavioral skills model, IMB: Fisher and Fischer 1993), the iterative process of attaining and integrating input from stakeholders, the use of peer interventionists, the open phase pilot and participant input, an overview of the intervention content, and, finally, lessons learned. The result of this process is an example of an intervention developed with strong input from the community and other stakeholders, which is ready for further testing in a randomized controlled trial.
Anatomy of the Labiomaxillary Region of Mature Larval Xylocopine Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae)

Abstract The labiomaxillary anatomies of mature larvae of exemplars of the four tribes (Xylocopini, Ceratinini, Manueliini, and Allodapini) of the Xylocopinae were examined and compared with the anatomy of the same region on the larva of a generalized, cocoon-spinning Apinae. The exemplars of the first three tribes listed all have the opening of the labial gland on the hypopharynx close to the opening to the pharynx rather than at the apex of the prementum as in the Apinae. Furthermore one of the exemplars of the Allodapini (Allodape ceratinoides Gribodo) agrees in this respect with the three other tribes. However, the other allodapine exemplar (Macrogalea candida (Smith)) has the opening at the apex of the greatly modified labium. Numerous preserved specimens of this species exhibited a conspicuous amorphous, presumably postmortem discharge from the labial gland, suggesting that in this species the labial gland had taken on a new, unknown function compared with other xylocopines (none of which spin cocoo...
A Phase I Study using low-dose fractionated whole abdominal radiotherapy as a chemopotentiator to full-dose cisplatin for optimally debulked stage III/IV carcinoma of the endometrium

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of combining low-dose fractionated whole abdominal radiation (LDF-WAR) with weekly full-dose cisplatin (FD-CDDP) for patients with stage III/IV endometrial carcinoma. Methods Patients with optimally debulked stage III/IV carcinoma of the endometrium (without extra-abdominal disease) were eligible for the study. Postoperatively, patients received the institutional standard systemic chemotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy. Patients then underwent experimental six weekly cycles of FD-CDDP (40mg/m 2 , maximum 70mg IV) followed by LDF-WAR 6–8hours after initiation of chemotherapy. In a conservative design, 6 patients were accrued to two sequential cohorts of LDF-WAR, at 0.5Gy/fraction [Fx] (total 3Gy) and 0.75Gy/Fx (total 4.5Gy). Toxicities and laboratory studies were evaluated at each visit. Results Twelve patients were enrolled from January 2005 to June 2009 with median follow-up of 13.5months (range: 5–27months). Seventy-five percent of enrolled patients had uterine papillary serous histology. Eleven patients at least partially completed therapy (range: 2–6 cycles of FD-CDDP/LDF-WAR) with one additional patient opting out at the higher dose level. Combination therapy overall was well tolerated. Three patients in each cohort experienced grade 3 acute hematologic events with one recorded grade 4 toxicity in the second cohort. Of patients receiving any of the experimental treatment, five have experienced recurrences. Three of these patients were in cohort one and received 0.5Gy/Fx LDF-WAR. Conclusion Combination therapy with LDF-WAR as a novel chemopotentiator to FD-CDDP is a feasible adjuvant regimen in optimally debulked patients with stage III/IV endometrial carcinoma. Further investigation is warranted to determine treatment efficacy.
New results on convergence of the discrete-time LMS algorithm applied to narrowband adaptive arrays

The discrete-time, Least-Mean-Squares (LMS) algorithm is often proposed for application to adaptive antenna arrays. In analyzing the mean-square error performance of LMS, however, previous results in the open literature have generally employed approximations which are valid only in the limit for very slow adaptation in an essentially stationary environment. In this paper we apply an exact mean-square error analysis for the application of discrete-time LMS to narrow-band adaptive arrays. The results provide considerable insight into the transient response of LMS under conditions of rapid adaptation, which is of importance in many practical applications.
Pre‐tinning and Flux Considerations on the Reliability of Solder Surfaces

The kinetics of wetting were studied on several different prepared surfaces of copper (Cu) to simulate the microstructure observed in pre‐tinned Cu‐clad printed circuit boards. The results illustrate the effectiveness of pre‐tinning in maintaining the solderability of Cu surfaces. Pre‐tinning with Pb‐rich solder (95Pb‐5Sn) is particularly effective since solderability is preserved even after a relatively long ageing treatment. On the other hand, pre‐tinning with eutectic solder risks the loss of solderability during ageing or baking due to surface exposure of an e‐phase intermetallic with poor wetting properties. The results also confirm the presence of carbon in pre‐tinned specimens due to the use of flux. The effect of carbon on solderability is not yet known.
Application of (e,2e) spectroscopy to the electronic structure of valence electrons in crystalline and amorphous solids

Abstract This review presents theoretical and experimental aspects of (e,2e) spectroscopy specific to the study of crystalline and amorphous solids. The cross section for (e,2e) scattering is proportional to the spectral momentum density of the ejected electron under certain approximations. The theoretical framework for interpreting (e,2e) measurements is summarized here and general properties of the spectral momentum density of solids are discussed. Different designs of the (e,2e) spectrometer are described and sample preparation techniques are briefly reviewed. A summary of (e,2e) experiments on the electronic structure of valence electrons in graphite, ion sputtered and evaporated amorphous carbon, aluminum/aluminum oxide composites, amorphous silicon, and silicon carbide films is given. The review concludes with a discussion of an “ideal” (e,2e) spectrometer for studying the bulk properties of solids.
Application of the differential quadrature method to the driven cavity problem

Abstract Many numerical solutions have been obtained for the problem of a steady state flow of viscous incompressible fluid in a driven cavity. Unlike most finite difference methods (FDMs), the differential quadrature method (DQM) uses new iterative techniques for numerically solving the Navier-Stokes equation without time-dependence. The DQM solves directly for the inhomogeneous biharmonic stream function, and the applicability of the method is demonstrated. The method of differential quadrature allows for simpler formulations and less computational effort compared with finite difference methods and leads to quite accurate results for a coarse mesh model at low Reynolds number.
Two Commercial Preparations of the β Exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis Influence the Mortality of Caged Adult Honey Bees, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Two commercial preparations of thuringiensin, the β exotoxin produced by some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, were tested for their effect on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). ABG-6162 (ABG) and SAN410SC72 (SAN) were diluted in 50% sucrose. When bees were fed the toxin solutions throughout their life, only the most dilute preparation of ABG had no significant effect on LT50 of replicate cages of bees when compared with untreated controls. All other dilutions of ABG and SAN significantly reduced LT50. A single feeding per bee of a 5 × 10−4 dilution resulted in no significant reduction in LT50. for ABG. Higher doses and all doses of SAN caused a significant reduction in LT50. When dilutions in sucrose solutions were sprinkled on bees in cages, only the highest dose of ABG significantly reduced LT50. Lower doses of ABG and all doses of SAN had no significant impact on LT50. Based on low spray volumes and consequent high thuringiensin concentrations, it is possible but unlikely that foraging honey bees could be exposed to doses sufficient to reduce longevity. However, since sprays are water-based, it is unlikely that honey bees would be sufficiently attracted to it to consume a lethal dose. Furthermore, some spray volumes are large enough, and concentrations low enough, that no toxic effect is expected.
Novel method for quantitative assessment of physical workload of healthcare workers by a tetherless ergonomics workstation

Healthcare workers are at risk of physical injury. Our laboratory has developed a tetherless ergonomics workstation that is suitable for studying physicians' and nurses' physical workloads in clinical settings. The workstation uses wearable sensors to record multiple channels of body orientation and muscle activity and wirelessly transmits them to a base station laptop computer for display, storage, and analysis. The ergonomics workstation generates long records of multi-channel data, so it is desired that the workstation automatically process these records and provide graphical and quantitative summaries of the physical workloads experienced by the healthcare workers. This paper describes a novel method of automated quantitative assessment of physical workload, termed joint cumulative amplitude-duration (JCAD) analysis, that has advantages over previous methods and illustrates its use in a comparison of the physical workloads of robotically-assisted surgery versus manual video-endoscopic surgery.
Matrilin-like molecules produced by circulating hemocytes of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) upon stimulation.

Since invading the Great Lakes basin, USA, in 1980s, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has caused significant economic and ecologic devastation. The absence of major diseases led to the belief that zebra mussel may have extraordinary host defense mechanisms. This study was undertaken in order to better understand zebra mussel hemocyte functions. A suppressive subtraction hybridization (SSH) cDNA library was constructed from naive and stimulated hemocytes. Stimulation was performed using a mixture of lipopolysacchride (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN), and zymosan (ZYM). In the stimulated hemocyte SHH cDNA library, 55 assembled ESTs were differentially expressed. These ESTs contained two putative immune- related molecules, namely, matrilin and agglutinin, three house-keeping genes, six cell metabolism/development genes, and 44 ESTs without putative functions. One of the putative adhesive molecules (CN-29, accession number: AM503947) was predicted to have homology with matrilins including the Von Willebrand Factor A (VWA) domain, which was identical to a matrilin molecule recently reported from the freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata. Preliminary evidence suggests that the zebra mussel matrilin-like molecule is inducible upon hemocyte stimulation.
A RADIOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF THIRD CARPAL BONE INJURY IN 42 RACING THOROUGHBREDS

A retrospective study of carpal radiographs from 42 racing thoroughbreds with carpal lameness was performed. Radiographs from 50 carpal examinations were available for review. The radiographic findings pertaining to the third carpal bone were described. Fractures and/or sclerosis occurred almost exclusively within the radial fossa. The occurrence of sclerosis without fracture in 20 of the 50 carpal examinations was higher than anticipated, occurring in both the right and left third carpal bone with equal frequency. The right third carpal bone was more frequently fractured and more severely affected than the left. The sclerotic changes seen in the radial fossa of the third carpal bone may be stress-induced, possibly preceding more serious changes in the joint such as cartilage damage or gross fracture. Earlier recognition of sclerosis of the third carpal bone may help prevent more serious changes from occurring.
Biomass and productivity in Monterey Bay, California: contribution of the large phytoplankton

Abstract The contribution of large phytoplankton to the standing stock and productivity of the eastern-boundary ecosystem of Monterey Bay, California, was evaluated during 1992 and 1993, using size fractionation. Eight cruises sampled the variability of the bay both spatially (within the upwelling plume and offshore) and temporally (during upwelling and non-upwelling seasons, El Nino and non-El Nino years). The larger cell sized (>5 μm) autotrophs contributed significantly to chlorophyll, particulate nitrogen, and new and primary productivity in most cruises. This was especially noticeable above a threshold nutrient concentration of 10–12 μM nitrate. Pooling the entire dataset, there were good linear relationships between biomass and productivity parameters measured using GF/F and 5 μm filters. The contribution of the >5 μm size fraction was greatest at higher biomass concentrations and productivity rates, supporting the idea that to reach maximal values, large cells are required. There were linear trends with Chl : PON ratio of close to 1, and 14 C : 15 NO 3 uptake ratio of about 10 in both total and >5 μm size fractions. These large cells are major contributors to carbon and nitrogen productivity in Monterey Bay.
The effects of the 1997-99 El Nino/La Nina events on hydrography and zooplankton off the central Oregon coast

Abstract Hydrographic data and nutrient, chlorophyll and zooplankton samples were collected biweekly at a hydrographic station off Newport, Oregon during the 1997–98 El Nino and 1998–99 La Nina event. Our monitoring in 1997 showed that coastal upwelling was initiated in April, the usual time. However, a series of southwesterly storms in May and June 1997 led to a prolonged warming event and reductions in copepod biomass. Though El Nino-driven atmospheric teleconnections might have been responsible for these storms, the coastal ecosystem returned to normal with the resumption of coastal upwelling in mid-July 1997. A downwelling event began on 20 August 1997 resulting in onshore movement of offshore waters. This event appeared to mark the passage of the first Kelvin wave. At this time the shelf became flooded with low-nutrient waters and offshore, ‘warm-water’ copepod species were transported shoreward. The abundance of local endemic boreal neritic copepod species was reduced greatly, presumably because they were transported out of the system and to the north as a result of the strong poleward flows. Poleward flows strengthened during autumn, and the ocean off Oregon remained anomalously warm through the winter of 1997, spring, and early summer of 1998. Species composition of the coastal copepod assemblage remained anomalous for about a year; species with offshore and subtropical affinities dominated from late August 1997 through late July 1998. During this same period, nitrate concentrations were reduced by a factor of 4.5 (11-month mean of 1.5 μM for August 1997–July 1998 versus 6.9 μM for August 1998–July 1999), copepod biomass was reduced by a factor of 2.1 (4.9 μg carbon l −1 versus 10.5 for the same time periods), but chlorophyll concentrations were similar (2.0 versus 2.5 μg l −1 ). Perhaps the most dramatic effect on copepods during the El Nino period was the nearly complete disappearance of the normally dominant boreal neritic copepod species ( Pseudocalanus mimus , Calanus marshallae and Acartia longiremis ) and their replacement by subtropical species such as Calanus pacificus , Paracalanus parvus , Ctenocalanus vanus , Corycaeus anglicus and several species of Clausocalanus . These species persisted in the coastal waters through the end of 1998. Although most of the subarctic species began to increase in numbers in August 1998, the impact of the El Nino on Pseudocalanus mimus , normally the numerical dominant in coastal waters, was longer lasting. The P. mimus population did not recover to normal abundance levels until summer of 1999.
Geovisual analytics to support crisis management: information foraging for geo-historical context

Information foraging and sense-making with heterogeneous information are context-dependent activities. Thus visual analytics tools to support these activities must incorporate context. But, context is a difficult concept to define, model, and represent. Creating and representing context in support of visually-enabled reasoning about complex problems with complex information is a complementary but different challenge than that addressed in context-aware computing. In the latter, the goal is automated system adaptation to meet user application needs such as location-based services where information about the location, the user, and user goals filters what gets presented on a small mobile device. In contrast, for visual analytics-enabled information foraging and sense-making, the user generally takes an active role in foraging for the contextual information needed to support sense-making in relation to some multifaceted problem. In this paper, we address the challenges of constructing and representing context within visual interfaces that support analytic reasoning in crisis management and humanitarian relief. The challenges stem from the diverse forms of information that can provide context and difficulty in defining and operationalizing context itself. Here, we focus on document foraging to support construction of geographic and historical context for facilitating monitoring and sense-making. Specifically, we present the concept of geo-historical context and outline an empirical assessment of both the concept and its implementation in the Context Discovery Application (CDA). a web-based tool that supports document foraging and sense-making. We also discuss the CDA's transition into applied use for the United Nations to demonstrate the generality of underlying CDA concepts.
Update in hyper- and hypogonadotropic amenorrhea.

Background: Amenorrhea is a relatively common condition that is present in up to 5% of adult women at any time. The clinical significance of a lack of regular menstrual cycles extends beyond reproductive concerns. Episodes of amenorrhea as short as 90 d may have implications for bone and cardiovascular health. Prolonged amenorrhea, depending upon its underlying cause, can be a harbinger of substantial cardiovascular risk. Materials and Methods: This is an update of recent medical literature on this topic. Results: The past few years have been marked by a greater appreciation of the early presentation of common ovulatory disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and less common disorders, such as premature ovarian insufficiency/failure. The long-term implications of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and its genetic origins have also been further elucidated. Finally, health consequences of these and other menstrual disorders are increasingly well defined, with firmer clinical endpoints rather than mere...
Hardness and stability of metal–nitride nanoscale multilayers

Abstract Non-isostructural nanolayers consisting of bcc metals and rocksalt-structure nitrides are discussed. The nanolayer structures are stable during high temperature annealing, owing to the metal/nitride immiscibility and low-energy coherent interfaces. Nanolayer hardness values are substantially higher than rule-of-mixtures values, and are essentially unchanged by annealing. Experimental evidence and models of nanolayer deformation mechanisms are discussed.
Controlling the release of peptide antimicrobial agents from surfaces

Medical conditions are often exacerbated by the onset of infection caused by hospital dwelling bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics taken orally or intravenously can require large and frequent doses, further contributing to the sharp rise in resistant bacteria observed over the past several decades. These existing antibiotics are also often ineffective in preventing biofilm formation, a common cause of medical device failure. Local delivery of new therapeutic agents that do not allow bacterial resistance to occur, such as antimicrobial peptides, could alleviate many of the problems associated with current antibacterial treatments. By taking advantage of the versatility of layer-by-layer assembly of polymer thin films, ponericin G1, an antimicrobial peptide known to be highly active against S. aureus, was incorporated into a hydrolytically degradable polyelectrolyte multilayer film. Several film architectures were examined to obtain various drug loadings that ranged from 20 to 150 microg/cm2. Release was observed over approximately ten days, with varying release profiles, including burst as well as linear release. Results indicated that film-released peptide did not suffer any loss in activity against S. aureus and was able to inhibit bacteria attachment, a necessary step in preventing biofilm formation. Additionally, all films were found to be biocompatible with the relevant wound healing cells, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These films provide the level of control over drug loading and release kinetics required in medically relevant applications including coatings for implant materials and bandages, while eliminating susceptibility to bacterial resistance.
Comparing response of SDF systems to near-fault and far-fault earthquake motions in the context of spectral regions

In spite of important differences in structural response to near-fault and far-fault ground motions, this paper aims at extending well-known concepts and results, based on elastic and inelastic response spectra for far-fault motions, to near-fault motions. Compared are certain aspects of the response of elastic and inelastic SDF systems to the two types of motions in the context of the acceleration-, velocity-, and displacement-sensitive regions of the response spectrum, leading to the following conclusions. (1) The velocity-sensitive region for near-fault motions is much narrower, and the acceleration-sensitive and displacement-sensitive regions are much wider, compared to far-fault motions; the narrower velocity-sensitive region is shifted to longer periods. (2) Although, for the same ductility factor, near-fault ground motions impose a larger strength demand than far-fault motions—both demands expressed as a fraction of their respective elastic demands—the strength reduction factors Ry for the two types of motions are similar over corresponding spectral regions. (3) Similarly, the ratio um/u0 of deformations of inelastic and elastic systems are similar for the two types of motions over corresponding spectral regions. (4) Design equations for Ry (and for um/u0) should explicitly recognize spectral regions so that the same equations apply to various classes of ground motions as long as the appropriate values of Ta, Tb and Tc are used. (5) The Veletsos–Newmark design equations with Ta=0.04 s, Tb=0.35 s, and Tc=0.79 s are equally valid for the fault-normal component of near-fault ground motions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Polymerase Chain Reaction Protocol for the Detection of Clavibacter xyli subsp. xyli, the Causal Bacterium of Sugarcane Ratoon Stunting Disease

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was developed that specifically detected Clavibacter xyli subsp. xyli, the causal agent of sugarcane ratoon stunting disease. Generic PCR products from the intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 16S-23S ribosomal DNA of C. xyli subsp. xyli and C. xyli subsp. cynodontis were cloned and sequenced. Based on a multiple sequence alignment among these two sequences and other nonredundant highly homologous sequences from the database, two C. xyli subsp. xyli-specific PCR primers were designed, Cxx1 (5' CCGAAGTGAGCAGATTGACC) and Cxx2 (5' ACCCTGTGTTGTTTTCAACG). These two 20-mer oligonucleotides primed the specific amplification of a 438-bp DNA product from genomic DNA samples of 21 C. xyli subsp. xyli strains. Amplification was not observed with genomic DNA of one C. xyli subsp. cynodontis strain, five strains of four other Clavibacter species, and two strains of two Rathayibacter species. The 438-bp PCR product also was amplified directly from cultured C. xyli subsp. xyli cells and from C. xyli subsp. xyli-infected sugarcane vascular sap with a unique reaction buffer containing polyvinylpyrrolidone and ficoll. Extraction of genomic DNA was not necessary prior to PCR assay.
The influence of discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos

Abstract Background Although studies have shown a cross-sectional link between discrimination and smoking, the prospective influence of discrimination on smoking cessation has yet to be evaluated. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of everyday and major discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos making a quit attempt. Methods Participants were 190 Spanish speaking smokers of Mexican Heritage recruited from the Houston, TX metropolitan area who participated in the study between 2009 and 2012. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations of everyday and major discrimination with smoking abstinence at 26 weeks post-quit. Results Most participants reported at least some everyday discrimination (64.4%), and at least one major discrimination event (56%) in their lifetimes. Race/ethnicity/nationality was the most commonly perceived reason for both everyday and major discrimination. Everyday discrimination was not associated with post-quit smoking status. However, experiencing a greater number of major discrimination events was associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence, OR = .51, p = .004, and continuous smoking abstinence, OR = .29, p = .018, at 26 weeks post-quit. Conclusions Findings highlight the high frequency of exposure to discrimination among Latinos, and demonstrate the negative impact of major discrimination events on a smoking cessation attempt. Efforts are needed to attenuate the detrimental effects of major discrimination events on smoking cessation outcomes.
Cranial computed tomographic observations in multi-infarct dementia : a controlled study

We compared cranial computed tomography findings among 58 multi-infarct dementia index cases and 74 multi-infarct control subjects without cognitive impairment to identify potential determinants of multi-infarct dementia.The cranial computed tomography records of acute ischemic stroke patients with a history of multiple cerebral infarcts were compared to determine the number, location, and size of cerebral infarcts; the pattern of infarction; brain volume loss; and the degree of white matter lucency, sulcal enlargement, and ventricular enlargement. Multi-infarct patients were divided into two groups: 1) index cases were defined as those with multi-infarct dementia as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edition 3 (DSM-III) criteria; and 2) control subjects were defined as those multi-infarct patients without dementia or multi-infarct dementia according to DSM-III criteria.Overall, multi-infarct index cases had more cerebral infarcts, more cortical and subcortical left hemi...
Screening mammography beliefs and recommendations: a web-based survey of primary care physicians

Background: The appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of screening mammography (SM) for women younger than 50 and older than 74 years is debated in the clinical research community, among health care providers, and by the American public. This study explored primary care physicians’ (PCPs) perceptions of the influence of clinical practice guidelines for SM; the recommendations for SM in response to hypothetical case scenarios; and the factors associated with perceived SM effectiveness and recommendations in the US from June to December 2009 before the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently revised guidelines. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 11,922 PCPs was surveyed using a web-based questionnaire. The response rate was 5.7% (684); (41%) 271 family physicians (FP), (36%) 232 general internal medicine physicians (IM), (23%) 150 obstetrician-gynaecologists (OBG), and (0.2%) 31 others. Cross-sectional analysis examined PCPs perceived effectiveness of SM, and recommendation for SM in response to hypothetical case scenarios. PCPs responses were measured using 4-5 point adjectival scales. Differences in perceived effectiveness and recommendations for SM were examined after adjusting for PCPs specialty, race/ethnicity, and the US region. Results: Compared to IM and FP, OBG considered SM more effective in reducing breast cancer mortality among women aged 40-49 years (p = 0.003). Physicians consistently recommended mammography to women aged 50-69 years with no differences by specialty (p = 0.11). However, 94% of OBG “always recommended” SM to younger and 86% of older women compared to 81% and 67% for IM and 84% and 59% for FP respectively ( p= < .001). In ordinal regression analysis, OBG specialty was a significant predictor for perceived higher SM effectiveness and recommendations for younger and older women. In evaluating hypothetical scenarios, overall PCPs would recommend SM for the 80 year woman with CHF with a significant variation by specialty (38% of OBG, 18% of FP, 17% of IM; p = < .001). Conclusions: A majority of physicians, especially OBG, favour aggressive breast cancer screening for women from 40 through 79 years of age, including women with short life expectancy. Policy interventions should focus on educating providers to provide tailored recommendations for mammography based on individualized cancer risk, health status, and preferences.
Computing free energies of protein conformations from explicit solvent simulations

We report a fully general technique addressing a long standing challenge of calculating conformational free energy differences between various states of a polymer chain from simulations using explicit solvent force fields. The main feature of our method is a special mapping variable, a path coordinate, which continuously connects two conformations. The path variable has been designed to preserve locality in the phase space near the path endpoints. We avoid the problem of sampling the unfolded states by creating an artificial confinement “tube” in the phase space that prevents the molecule from unfolding without affecting the calculation of the desired free energy difference. We applied our technique to compute the free energy difference between two native-like conformations of the small protein Trp-cage using the CHARMM force field with explicit solvent. We verified this result by comparing it with an independent, significantly more expensive calculation. Overall, the present study suggests that the new method of computing free energy differences between polymer chain conformations is accurate and highly computationally efficient.
Receptor Binding Transforms the Surface Subunit of the Mammalian C-Type Retrovirus Envelope Protein from an Inhibitor to an Activator of Fusion

The envelope protein (Env) of murine leukemia viruses (MLVs) is composed of a surface subunit (SU) and a transmembrane subunit (TM), which mediates membrane fusion, resulting in infection. SU contains a discrete N-terminal receptor binding domain (RBD) that is connected to the remainder of Env by a short, proline-rich segment. Previous studies suggest that after receptor binding, the RBD interacts directly with the remainder of Env to trigger fusion (A. L. Barnett, R. A. Davey, and J. M. Cunningham, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:4113–4118, 2001). To investigate the role of the RBD in activating fusion, we compared infection by several MLVs that are defective unless rescued in trans by the addition of soluble RBD to the culture medium. Infection by MLV lacking a critical histidine residue near the N terminus of the viral RBD is dependent on the expression of receptors for both the RBD in the viral Env and the soluble RBD supplied in trans. However, infection by MLVs in which the RBD has been deleted or replaced by the ligand erythropoietin are dependent only on expression of the receptor for the soluble RBD. We were able to expand the host range of xenotropic MLV to nonpermissive murine fibroblasts only if the RBD was deleted from the xenotropic viral envelope and the soluble RBD from ecotropic Friend MLV was supplied to the culture medium. These findings indicate that receptor binding transforms the RBD from an inhibitor to an activator of the viral fusion mechanism and that viruses lacking the critical histidine residue at the N terminus of the RBD are impaired at the activation step.
Integrated profiling of three dimensional cell culture models and 3D microscopy

Motivation: Our goal is to develop a screening platform for quantitative profiling of colony organizations in 3D cell culture models. The 3D cell culture models, which are also imaged in 3D, are functional assays that mimic the in vivo characteristics of the tissue architecture more faithfully than the 2D cultures. However, they also introduce significant computational challenges, with the main barriers being the effects of growth conditions, fixations and inherent complexities in segmentation that need to be resolved in the 3D volume. Results: A segmentation strategy has been developed to delineate each nucleus in a colony that overcomes (i) the effects of growth conditions, (ii) variations in chromatin distribution and (iii) ambiguities formed by perceptual boundaries from adjacent nuclei. The strategy uses a cascade of geometric filters that are insensitive to spatial nonuniformity and partitions a clump of nuclei based on the grouping of points of maximum curvature at the interface of two neighboring nuclei. These points of maximum curvature are clustered together based on their coplanarity and proximity to define dissecting planes that separate the touching nuclei. The proposed curvature-based partitioning method is validated with both synthetic and real data, and is shown to have a superior performance against previous techniques. Validation and sensitivity analysis are coupled with the experimental design that includes a non-transformed cell line and three tumorigenic cell lines, which covers a wide range of phenotypic diversity in breast cancer. Colony profiling, derived from nuclear segmentation, reveals distinct indices for the morphogenesis of each cell line. Availability: All software are developed in ITK/VTK and are available at https://vision.lbl.gov/Software/3DMorphometry.
Teissier's problem on inequalities of nef divisors

Teissier has proven remarkable inequalities for intersection numbers si = (ℒi ⋅ ℳd-i) of a pair of nef line bundles ℒ, ℳ on a d-dimensional complete algebraic variety over a field. He asks if two nef and big line bundles are numerically proportional if the inequalities are all equalities. In this paper, we show that this is true in the most general possible situation, for nef and big line bundles on a proper irreducible scheme over an arbitrary field k. Boucksom, Favre and Jonsson have recently established this result on a complete variety X over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. Their proof involves an ingenious extension of the intersection theory on a variety to its Zariski Riemann Manifold. This extension requires the existence of a direct system of nonsingular varieties dominating X. We make use of a simpler intersection theory which does not require resolution of singularities, and extend volume to an arbitrary field and prove its continuous differentiability, extending results of Boucksom, Favre and Jonsson, and of Lazarsfeld and Mustaţa. A goal in this paper is to provide a manuscript which will be accessible to many readers. As such, subtle topological arguments which are required to give a complete proof in [S. Bouksom et al., J. Algebraic Geometry18 (2009) 279–308] have been written out in this manuscript, in the context of our intersection theory, and over arbitrary varieties.
Decoupling as a Fundamental Value of Computer Science

Computer science is an engineering science whose objective is to determine how to best control interactions among computational objects. We argue that it is a fundamental computer science value to design computational objects so that the dependencies required by their interactions do not result in couplings, since coupling inhibits change. The nature of knowledge in any science is revealed by how concepts in that science change through paradigm shifts, so we analyze classic paradigm shifts in both natural and computer science in terms of decoupling. We show that decoupling pervades computer science both at its core and in the wider context of computing at large, and lies at the very heart of computer science's value system.
Leader–member exchange, subordinate stewardship, and hierarchical governance

In this article, by integrating the institutional theory, leader–member exchange (LMX) theory, and stewardship theory, we propose a model of subordinate stewardship behaviors in organizational hierarchies and the resultant hierarchical governance structures. First, we develop propositions suggesting that the quality of LMX (supervisor–subordinate) is determined by three antecedents: leader characteristics, subordinate characteristics, and internal organizational context. The quality of LMX, in turn, affects the subordinate stewardship behaviors. Second, by integrating institutional theory and stewardship theory, we propose that the interaction between isomorphic pressures and the level of subordinate stewardship behaviors may result in four distinct types of hierarchical governance structures: isomorphic stewardship, isomorphic controls, firm-specific controls, and firm-specific stewardship. These governance mechanisms reflect the internal drive toward subordinate stewardship, while complying with the ext...