cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extremes of Morison-Type Wave Loading on a Single Pile

A statistical estimate of the extreme wave force per unit length acting on a section of a fixed cylindrical pile in a random sea-state is derived. The random motion of the sea is described by a spectrum of wave heights in conjunction with linear wave theory. The wave force is assumed to depend linearly on the water particle acceleration and non-linearly on the water velocity according to the Morison formula. The interaction of the velocity and acceleration contributions and the contribution of a small steady current are accounted for by an asymptotic approximation valid for large forces. The expected rate of occurrences of extremes based on a simple peak definition agrees satisfactorily with a more elaborate result based on a true maximum definition. The formulas derived here provide a basis for a design-force procedure which could provide an improvement over the design-wave procedure commonly used for the analysis of offshore structures.
Determination of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts by solid-matrix phosphorescence.

It has been demonstrated for the first time that linear relationships can be obtained between the solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP) and the percent modification of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE)−DNA adducts. The samples of DNA were modified with BPDE at levels of 5.0 × 10-3, 1.0 × 10-3, 5.0 × 10-4, 1.0 × 10-4, 5.0 × 10-5, and 1.0 × 10-5%. In addition, the changes in the SMP intensities of a given percentage of DNA adduct were investigated as a function of sample size, and linear relationships were also acquired. With the different percentages of modified DNA, very good reproducibility of the SMP signals was obtained. Data were acquired with both Whatman 1PS paper and 30% TlNO3/sodium acetate as solid matrixes. The limit of detection for the BPDE−DNA adducts was 2 adducts in 107 bases for both Whatman 1PS paper and 30% TlNO3/sodium acetate. In addition, it was shown that it would be important to develop a standard procedure for the preparation of the BPDE−DNA samples if different batch...
Variability of motor unit discharge and force fluctuations across a range of muscle forces in older adults.

Variability of motor unit discharge is a likely contributor to the greater force fluctuations observed in old adults at low muscle forces. We sought to determine whether the variability of motor unit discharge rate underlies the fluctuations in force during steady contractions across a range of forces in young (n = 11) and old (n = 14) adults. The coefficient of variation (CV) for discharge rate and force were measured during a force-matching task as the first dorsal interosseous muscle performed isometric contractions. The recruitment thresholds of the 78 motor units ranged from 0.04% to 34% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force. The CV for discharge rate ranged from 7.6% to 46.2% and was greater (P 0.05). Thus, the normalized variability (CV) of motor unit discharge was greater in old adults and was related to the amplitude of force fluctuations across a broader range of forces than previously examined. These findings underscore the contribution of variability of motor unit activity to motor output in normal human aging.
The existence of tight Gabor duals for Gabor frames and subspace Gabor frames

Abstract Let K and L be two full-rank lattices in R d . We give a complete characterization for all the Gabor frames that admit tight dual of the same type. The characterization is given in terms of the center-valued trace of the von Neumann algebra generated by the left regular projective unitary representations associated with the time–frequency lattice K × L . Two applications of this characterization were obtained: (i) We are able to prove that every Gabor frame has a tight dual if and only if the volume of K × L is less than or equal to 1 2 . (ii) We are able to obtain sufficient or necessary conditions for the existence of tight Gabor pseudo-duals for subspace Gabor frames in various cases. In particular, we prove that every subspace Gabor frame has a tight Gabor pseudo-dual if either the volume v ( K × L ) ⩽ 1 2 or v ( K × L ) ⩾ 2 . Moreover, if K = α Z d , L = β Z d with α β = 1 , then a subspace Gabor frame G ( g , L , K ) has a tight Gabor pseudo-dual only when G ( g , L , K ) itself is already tight.
Benthic aquatic ecosystems across the Permian-Triassic transition: record from biogenic structures in fluvial sandstones, central Transantarctic Mountains

Abstract The effect of the Permian extinction in communities inhabiting sandy stream bottoms can be evaluated using trace fossils as proxies for body fossils. Permian and Triassic sandstones exposed in the Beardmore and Shackleton Glacier areas (central Transantarctic Mountains) were deposited in sandy braided streams and contain four types of trace fossils (vertical shafts and horizontal, bilobed and chevron traces). These traces were produced by a single type of animal that moved in the top 30 cm of sediment and dominated the benthic community. Evidence for a single producer includes similar size (diameter) of all traces and change within single specimens from one trace type to another. The animal was not affected by the Permian extinction event, as evidenced by its equal abundance within the Permian (Buckley Formation) and Triassic (Fremouw Formation) fluvial sandstones in the Beardmore Glacier area. Based on trace morphology and on domination of modern sandy river ecosystems by insects, the producer most likely was an insect, although its more precise identity is problematic. Although families of insects with modern aquatic burrowers are not known before the Jurassic, these trace fossils may show that these burrowers were present earlier than the insect body-fossil record suggests. Alternatively, archaic insect groups, many of which became extinct at the end-Permian and are known to have been aquatic but not infaunal, may have included some active burrowers that were unscathed by the Permian extinction.
Seeing - Its cause and cure

Following Fried, the statistics of images formed by an annular telescope aperture looking through the turbulent atmosphere are calculated; the deleterious effect of a central obscuration is much larger in the presence of seeing that for the telescope alone. A method of optimizing resolution through the atmosphere is explained in detail, with particular attention to the requirements for image-motion compensation; under ideal conditions, about a factor-of-four increase in effective resolution over conventional photography can be obtained. The effective resolution can be large or smaller than the 'seeing disk', depending on the recorded signal-to-noise ratio. Some common misconceptions about image structure and motion, and various unsound proposals for beating the seeing, are criticized.
Genetic Comparison of Lake Sturgeon Populations: Differentiation Based on Allelic Frequencies at Seven Microsatellite Loci

The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) has recently become a high priority for restoration management because of the near extinction of the species from many areas of North America. The identification of the level of population differentiation that naturally exists among lake sturgeon populations will be useful in the development of management plans to conserve and restore diversity, and in the choice of donor populations to use for re-introduction. Genetic variation among and within 210 lake sturgeon collected from seven locations (St. Lawrence River, Des Prairies River (tributary to the St. Lawrence River), Mattagami River (Hudson Bay drainage), Menominee River (Lake Michigan drainage), Wolf River (Lake Michigan drainage), Niagara River, and Lake Erie) was examined based on allelic variation at seven microsatellite loci (four disomic and three putative tetrasomic). High levels of variability were detected at these loci. Analyses revealed an average of 8.6 alleles per locus (range 5 to 12 alleles per locus) and heterozygosity values at the four disomic loci ranging from 0.46 to 0.66. Multivariate factor analysis of Nei's genetic distance values produced three distinct population groups that were organized by geography: 1) Mattagami (northern Quebec), 2) Menominee/ Wolf (Lake Michigan—Wisconsin), and 3) St. Lawrence/ Des Prairies/ Niagara/ Erie (lower Great Lakes). Differences based on G-tests summed over all loci occurred between all possible paired comparisons of the collections (P < 0.01). These analyses indicated that lake sturgeon populations are differentiated within the Great Lakes basin. Managers of this species will need to identify individual populations in their jurisdictions and provide separate consideration for their conservation and rehabilitation.
DOUBLE GROUP TRANSFER REACTIONS OF AN UNSATURATED TANTALUM METHYLIDENE COMPLEX WITH PYRIDINE N-OXIDES

The electrophilic nature of the benzamidinate tantalum methylidene complex [TolC(NSiMe3)2]2Ta(CH2)CH3 (1) allows for reactivity with pyridine N-oxides, which leads to the formation of the tantalum oxo complex [TolC(NSiMe3)2]2Ta(O)CH3 (5) and methylpyridines; treatment of 1 with the related nitrone species N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone leads to overall different products. Mechanistic studies show the reactions proceed via regioselective methylene group transfer to the pyridine N-oxides.
On the use of stress growth data to determine strain-dependent material functions for factorable K-BKZ equations

Abstract The procedure of using experimental stress growth data to determine strain-dependent, or damping, functions for factorable K-BKZ constitutive equations is examined. Damping functions obtained using stress growth data from simple shear and planar extensional flows in conjunction with integrated forms of factored K-BKZ models are compared with the damping function obtained from shear step-strain experiments. Results for the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) known as IUPAC X are presented that demonstrate the difficulties encountered with this method, which can be quite serious for planar extensional flow. These results appear to be consistent with previous studies on several polymer melts where uniaxial extension stress growth data were used to determine damping functions. This body of evidence raises important questions about the use of this procedure and the strain-dependent and, apparently, test-dependent functions that are obtained. An explanation for these results is proposed which suggests that these observations may be due to an intrinsic shortcoming of K-BKZ theories.
The role of glucagon in the regulation of myocardial lipoprotein lipase activity.

Abstract The role of glucagon in regulating the lipoprotein lipase activities of rat heart and adipose tissue was examined. When starved rats were fed glucose, heart lipoprotein lipase activity decreased while that of adipose tissue increased. Glucagon administration to these animals at the time of glucose feeding prevented the decline in heart lipoprotein lipase activity, but had no effect on the adipose tissue enzyme. When glucagon was administered to fed rats, heart lipoprotein lipase activity increased to levels found in starved animals but there was no change in the adipose tissue enzyme. It is suggested that the reciprocal lipoprotein lipase activities in heart and adipose tissue of fed and starved animals may be regulated by the circulating plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations.
Self-similarity in diffraction by a self-similar fractal screen

Using the Sierpinski gasket as an example, it has been shown here that the paraxial Fraunhoffer-zone diffracted field of a self-similar fractal screen also exhibits self-similarity. This also establishes that fractal structures can be used with great profit in problems involving array syntheses. Recently, it has been shown that the Sierpinski gasket is itself a member of a much wider class of gaskets, and the potential for the use of fractal structures in electromagnetic (EM) problems may be vast indeed.
Observing Ocean Surface Waves with GPS-Tracked Buoys

AbstractSurface-following buoys are widely used to collect routine ocean wave measurements. While accelerometer and tilt sensors have been used for decades to measure the wave-induced buoy displacements, alternative global positioning system (GPS) sensor packages have been introduced recently that are generally smaller, less expensive, and do not require calibration. In this study, the capabilities of several GPS sensors are evaluated with field observations in wind-sea and swell conditions off the California coast. The GPS buoys used in this study include Datawell Directional Waverider and Mini Directional Waverider buoys equipped with a specialized GPS Doppler shift sensor, and a low-cost experimental drifter equipped with an “off the shelf” GPS receiver for absolute position tracking. Various GPS position receivers were attached to the Waverider buoys to evaluate their potential use in low-cost wave-resolving drifters. Intercomparisons between the Datawell GPS-based buoys, the experimental GPS drifter,...
Patterns of Conflict in Eighteenth-Century Parisian Families

Using records of complaint to the police and requests for lettres de cachet, this article explores the structure of conflict that existed in eighteenth-century Parisian families. In contrast to earlier work, it finds that the vast majority of complaints were lodged against spouses, not children, and that it was wives above all who used the state's relatively new coercive capacity in Paris to buttress their position in the family. The article concludes that the impact of the French state on social structure and relationships was a complicated one that cannot be reduced to the reinforcement and protection of those, like fathers, already advantaged by cultural and economic circumstance.
Technical Considerations Related to the Minute Ventilation/Carbon Dioxide Output Slope in Patients With Heart Failure*

Background The minute ventilation ( e )-carbon dioxide output ( co 2 ) relationship has recently been demonstrated to have prognostic significance in the heart failure (HF) population. However, the method by which the e / co 2 slope is expressed has been inconsistent. Methods One hundred eighty-eight subjects, who had received diagnoses of HF, underwent exercise testing. Two e / co 2 slope calculations were made, one using exercise data prior to the ventilatory threshold (VT), and one using all data points from rest to peak exercise. Four separate peak exercise e / co 2 slope calculations also were derived with unaveraged, 10-s, 30-s, and 60-s ventilatory expired gas sampling intervals. Results Although univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated pre-VT and peak e / co 2 slope calculations to both be significant predictors of cardiac-related mortality and hospitalization (p e / co 2 slope. Conclusion Although both the pre-VT and peak e / co 2 slope calculations were prognostically significant, the peak expression was superior. The sampling interval did not appear to have a significant impact on prognostic utility. We hope that the results of the present study will contribute to the standardization of the e / co 2 slope and will enhance its clinical application.
Mapping of the Binding Site for Mannheimia haemolytica Leukotoxin within Bovine CD18

To map the site involved in Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin (LktA) binding and biological activity within bovine CD18, bovine × human CD18 chimeric constructs were generated and coexpressed with bovine CD11a in K562 cells. Studies with the chimeric leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 transductants demonstrate that the site required for LktA binding and biological effects resides within amino acid residues 500 and 600 of the extracellular region of bovine CD18.
Heterogeneity in Single-Molecule Observables in the Study of Supercooled Liquids

Bulk approaches to studying heterogeneous systems obscure important details, as they report average behavior rather than the distribution of behaviors in such environments. Small-molecule and polymeric supercooled liquids, which display heterogeneity in their dynamics without an underlying structural heterogeneity that sets those dynamics, are important constituents of this category of condensed matter systems. A variety of approaches have been devised to unravel ensemble averaging in supercooled liquids. This review focuses on the ultimate subensemble approach, single-molecule measurements, as they have been applied to the study of supercooled liquids. We detail how three key experimental observables (single-molecule probe rotation, translation, and fluorescence lifetime) have been employed to provide detail on dynamic heterogeneity in supercooled liquids. Special attention is given to the potential for, but also the challenges in, discriminating spatial and temporal heterogeneity and detailing the length scales and timescales of heterogeneity in these systems.
On blind equalization of SIMO time-varying channels

Blind channel estimation and equalization for SIMO (single-input multiple-output) time-varying channels is considered using only the second-order statistics of the data. The time-varying channel is assumed to be described by a complex exponential basis expansion model (CE-BEM). The linear prediction error method for blind identification of time-invariant channels is extended to time-varying channels represented by a CE-BEM. Sufficient conditions for identifiability are investigated. The cyclostationary nature of the received signal is exploited for consistent estimation of the time-varying correlation function of the data from a single observation record. The focus of the paper is on certain theoretical issues.
The Internet and Opinion Measurement: Surveying Marginalized Populations

Objective. Problems of self-selection, selection bias, and response rates have greatly limited the use and validity of on-line surveys. This study addresses those issues by examining population data for a group of Internet users who responded to a series of on-line surveys, enabling the calculation of both response rate and selection bias. Methodology. A series of surveys were posted on a gay/lesbian website. We compare demographic data collected from our study sample with national data on gays/lesbians. A logistic regression model was used to determine if differences existed between participants and nonparticipants. Results. The study sample of gays/lesbians comported well with the national sample. Demographic characteristics of those electing to participate in the surveys and nonparticipants are practically indistinguishable. The response rate to our on-line surveys was approximately 16.4 percent, similar to that in nontargeted mail surveys. Conclusions. The results indicate that, despite its limitations, the Internet can be a valuable medium in reaching populations difficult to identify using standard survey research techniques.
Forest corridors facilitate movement of tropical forest birds after experimental translocations in a fragmented Neotropical landscape in Mexico

We evaluated effects of corridors between forest fragments surrounded by pastures in tropical Mexico. We used experimental translocations and capture–recapture data to measure the proportion of birds returning and time to return after translocation between connected and unconnected patches (five replicates for each treatment). Depending on each species’ degree of forest dependence (forest-restricted and forest-unrestricted species), we assigned birds to two groups to evaluate influence of species characteristics on effects of corridors on movement. Birds translocated between connected patches (n = 75) were seven times more likely to be recaptured in their original capture site when compared with birds translocated between unconnected patches (n = 109). Effects differed among the two species groups. In the presence of corridors, 46% of forest-unrestricted birds returned to the capture site while only 5% returned between unconnected patches. Forest-restricted birds showed similar results, but were only twice as likely to return to a connected capture site. Birds translocated between unconnected patches took longer to return than birds translocated between connected patches. The strong positive effect of corridors on movement, even for forest-unrestricted species, suggests that forested corridors facilitate bird movement and help maintain connectivity even in this highly fragmented landscape.
Nursing Care of Hospitalized Medical Patients with Addictions

The purpose of this study is to discuss the literature regarding the development of a clinical pathway for substance abuse screening and brief intervention in an acute care facility for medical patients using Motivational Interviewing (MI). We reviewed the literature on the use of brief Motivational Interviewing for adult substance abuse treatment in hospitalized patients and we looked at the design and implementation of a clinical pathway that involves the screening and brief intervention for adult patients with substance abuse problems. Our research supports brief Motivational Interviewing techniques on adult hospitalized patients with substance abuse. The nursing literature identifies brief Motivational Interviewing as an evidence based approach to patients with substance abuse.
Multiparameter corresponding-states correlation of coal-fluid thermodynamic properties

A multiparameter corresponding-states correlation has been developed to describe fossil-fluid thermodynamic properties needed to design fluid-flow, heat-exchange, and other unit operations in coal-liquefaction plants. Three equation-of-state parameters, a molecular-size/separation parameter, a molecular-energy parameter, and a molecular-orientation parameter are used to characterize nonpolar and slightly polar aromatic hydrocarbons. A conformal-solution model is developed for predicting thermodynamic properties of coal-derived mixtures.
Distribution, Habitat Characteristics, and New County-Level Records of Baccharis halimifolia L. on a Portion of Its Present US Range Boundary

Abstract Baccharis halimifolia (Eastern Baccharis, Silverling, Groundsel-bush, or Salt-bush) (Asteraceae), a weedy shrub native to the US Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plains, is believed to be expanding its distribution throughout much of its native range and in other regions of the globe to which it has been introduced (e.g., Australia and Mediterranean Europe). The present survey represents an effort to document the current distribution of this species across a portion of its apparent interior range limit in the south-central United States and to record habitat associations of B. halimifolia within this region. Data support previous research suggesting that B. halimifolia associates with various forms of canopy-removing anthropogenic disturbance, and that the limit of this species' present distribution in the mid-South lies primarily along the southern half of counties in Tennessee. However, habitat associations did not appear to vary across the study area, suggesting potential for further expansion into h...
1J-2 Development of a Customized Echo Particle Image Velocimetry System for Real Time Multi-component Hemodynamics Measurements: System Characterization and Initial Experiments

The measurement of multi-component temporal blood velocity and shear stress distributions in the cardiovascular system is important in hemodynamic evaluation of patients with various cardiovascular diseases since changes in local flow patterns may reflect development and progression of pathology. Here, we report on a custom designed echo particle image velocimetry (Echo PIV) system, with improved dynamic velocity range and spatial resolution over prior systems, to perform real time non-invasive measurement of multi-dimensional velocity and shear stress components in arteries and hearts by identifying and tracking flow tracers (ultrasound contrast microbubbles) within the flow fields. The customized Echo PIV system was developed with a novel linear ultrasound array transducer (128 elements, 7.5 MHz center frequency, 73% bandwidth), a custom-controllable signal processing system and custom PIV analysis. The maximum achievable frame rate of the system is 1786 fps, which allows maximum velocities up to 2.14 m/s to be measured. Initial in vitro measurements were made on pipe flows, simulating flow in blood vessels and in vitro models simulating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Ultrasound Doppler measurements of peak velocity were also taken in the pipe flow studies for comparison. Echo PIV measured velocities agreed well with Doppler measurements with a maximum deviation of 3.6%. The Echo PIV system also captured successfully the vortex rings in AAA models and the corresponding shear stress distributions in these flow fields. Such multi-component velocity measurements are clinically unfeasible using conventional ultrasound Doppler flow imaging
Successful Transition From Insulin to Sulfonylurea Therapy in a Patient With Monogenic Neonatal Diabetes Owing to a KCNJ11 F333L Mutation

Although monogenic neonatal diabetes may be caused by mutations in >20 different genes, the most common are activating heterozygous mutations in KCNJ11, encoding the Kir6.2 subunit of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel), which is highly expressed in pancreatic β-cells and brain (1). Mutated KATP channels typically have decreased sensitivity to ATP inhibition, hampering insulin secretion even during hyperglycemia. Oral sulfonylureas (SUs) have been demonstrated to be an effective treatment in the majority of cases, given that they close the KATP channels by an ATP-independent mechanism (2). However, the likelihood of success is largely predicted by the particular mutation. Previous reports of the F333L mutation indicated insensitivity to SU therapy. We report a case representing a novel response to SU therapy in this same mutation. A 13-month …
General Principles of Surgery Quality Control

Randomized clinical trials are currently the most reliable research technique to generate reliable treatment data. Quality control and monitoring with statistical credibility are essential. This requires nurse data managers and coordinators and statisticians, as well as the surgeons and physicians. A well-structured operating infrastructure is key. From the surgical point of view, careful intraoperative staging and standardization of the surgical procedures are a must. Strict eligibility criteria must be documented and enforced. Finally, careful stratification for prognostic variables before randomization in phase 3 trials is essential.
How Much Can Theoretical Models of Compressible Convection Tell Us about Solar Granulation

Many hydrodynamic models of solar convection have been developed to study and discuss granulation and the interaction of convection and magnetic fields. They have not, however, been extensively applied to mesogranulation, supergranulation or oscillations in sunspots. In this paper both the modal expansion technique and finite difference models are examined in the application of the fully compressible equations of hydrodynamics to solar granulation. The linear theory of convective motions only gives limited information and in particular does not give the preferred spatial scales of motion that are observed. The non-linear integrations are able to reproduce the dynamic characteristics of granulation such as vertical and horizontal velocities, intensity fluctuations, energy transport and the lifetime to a good degree. This agreement is over a large range of cell sizes. Particular attention will be paid to how well each method treats each of the observed features.
Comparison of radially-symmetric versus oriented channel. Models using channelized hotelling observers for myocardial defect detection in parallel-hole SPECT

The objective of this study was to compare defect detection performance found using radially-symmetric (RS) and radially-symmetric broken into oriented channels (OC) models in channelized Hotelling observers with that from a previously reported human observer ROC study. The main goal of the human observer study was to compare detection performance of left-ventricular myocardial perfusion defects using filtered-backprojection (FB) image reconstruction without attenuation compensation to defect detection performance using maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (ML-EM) image reconstruction with nonuniform attenuation compensation (AC). This was performed for cases of no significant attenuation artifacts (male anatomy, flat diaphragm MF) and significant attenuation reconstruction artifacts (male with raised diaphragm, MR; female with large breasts, F). The areas under the ROC curves (A/sub x/) for the Hotelling observers with both channel models (RS, OC) were calculated and compared to those found in the human observer study. Similar trends with the RC channel model were seen in average observer performance for both human and channelized Hotelling observers in both FB without AC and ML-EM with AC over the three different anatomy types except for the MF anatomy reconstructed with FB. The correlation coefficient for the 6 average observer performances was 0.84. Improved agreement between the human and channelized Hotelling observers was found when using the OC channel model. The correlation coefficient found was 0.94, again with the MF anatomy reconstructed with FB as the most significant difference between the human and channelized Hotelling observer results. Further investigation of the channel models is needed to determine number and alignment of orientations and number and cutoff of frequency bands to improve agreement between human and Hotelling observer results.
Intercollegiate debate: Intrapersonal, but still unrealistic

This is not a call for the abolition of competitive debate. Perhaps the time has come for coaches to refuse to allow their teams to overlimit topics, and for those who judge debates characterized by unrealistic analysis to vote against the team which is guilty.
Vaccine Refusal: Perspectives from Pediatrics

Vaccines have been touted as one of the most significant public health achievements in human history. Because of their recent and rapid success many parents and health care providers of the twenty-first century, particularly in more developed areas of the world such as the USA and Western Europe (WE), have limited or no experience with the devastating effects of vaccine preventable diseases. We examine the history of vaccine success, philosophical exemptions to childhood vaccination, the use of alternative schedules, the reasons for parental refusal of childhood immunizations, and the ethics surrounding physician termination of the doctor–patient relationship if parental refusal persists. Published work argues strongly against termination of care, yet data indicate approximately 40% of practicing physicians surveyed support or use termination as an option. We review these conflicting viewpoints from a primary care physician’s perspective.
Induction of Leydig Cell Tumors by Xenobiotics

This chapter provides a brief review of the basic biology, mechanisms, and chemical examples of agents known to produce an increased incidence of Leydig cell tumors (LCT) after long-term exposure in experimental animals. The diagnosis of an LCT in such studies is one that relies primarily on the size of the area of LC proliferation and the overwhelming majority of such tumors are benign. LCTs have always been regarded as rare tumors in human although, it might be possible that different diagnostic (size) criteria have been applied by pathologists examining specimens from human compared with rodents. Chemical agents with a wide variety of structures and pharmacological action have been noted as producing LCTs and it seems likely that an underlying hormonal disturbance (particularly of testosterone action or sustained elevated levels of luteinizing hormone) is responsible.
Textile properties of synthetic prolapse mesh in response to uniaxial loading.

Background Although synthetic mesh is associated with superior anatomic outcomes for the repair of pelvic organ prolapse, the benefits of mesh have been questioned because of the relatively high complication rates. To date, the mechanisms that result in such complications are poorly understood, yet the textile characteristics of mesh products are believed to play an important role. Interestingly, the pore diameter of synthetic mesh has been shown to impact the host response after hernia repair greatly, and such findings have served as design criteria for prolapse meshes, with larger pores viewed as more favorable. Although pore size and porosity are well-characterized before implantation, the changes in these textile properties after implantation are unclear; the application of mechanical forces has the potential to greatly alter pore geometries in vivo. Understanding the impact of mechanical loading on the textile properties of mesh is essential for the development of more effective devices for prolapse repair. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the effect of tensile loading and pore orientation on mesh porosity and pore dimensions. Study Design In this study, the porosity and pore diameter of 4 currently available prolapse meshes were examined in response to uniaxial tensile loads of 0.1, 5, and 10 N while mimicking clinical loading conditions. The textile properties were compared with those observed for the unloaded mesh. Meshes included Gynemesh PS (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ), UltraPro (Artisyn; Ethicon), Restorelle (Coloplast, Minneapolis, MN), and Alyte Y-mesh (Bard, Covington, GA). In addition to the various pore geometries, 3 orientations of Restorelle (0-, 5-, 45-degree offset) and 2 orientations of UltraPro (0-, 90-degree offset) were examined. Results In response to uniaxial loading, both porosity and pore diameter dramatically decreased for most mesh products. The application of 5 N led to reductions in porosity for nearly all groups, with values decreasing by as much as 87% ( P 1 mm. Conclusion In this study, it was shown that the pore size of current prolapse meshes dramatically decreases in response to mechanical loading. These findings suggest that prolapse meshes, which are more likely to experience tensile forces in vivo relative to hernia repair meshes, have pores that are unfavorable for tissue integration after surgical tensioning and/or loading in urogynecologic surgeries. Such decreases in pore geometry support the hypothesis that regional increases in the concentration of mesh leads to an enhanced local foreign body response. Although pore deformation in transvaginal meshes requires further characterization, the findings presented here provide a mechanical understanding that can be used to recognize potential areas of concern for complex mesh geometries. Understanding mesh mechanics in response to surgical and in vivo loading conditions may provide improved design criteria for mesh and a refinement of surgical techniques, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Publication of residency projects: another perspective.

In this issue of AJHP , Olson et al.[1][1] report a low publication rate for residency projects presented at a regional residency conference and discuss possible reasons for the finding. What is missing from this and previous similar reports[2][2]–[4][3] is the publisher’s perspective, which may
Abstract 764: Transient up-regulation of Myc in B-cell lymphomas enhances p53-independent apoptotic responses to chemotherapy.

The c-MYC oncogene deregulation is a common trait in human cancers, with programmed cell death (or apoptosis) among Myc-regulated events. Myc is well-known to induce apoptosis in a p53-dependent manner, via the Myc→ARF ┤MDM2 ┤p53 pathway. We had previously shown that this pathway couldbe exploited to increase sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. Specifically, small increases in Myc levels obtained by inhibiting Myc-targeting microRNA-34a resulted in enhanced apoptotic response of B-cells to bortezomib (Sotillo et al, Oncogene 2010). Because many Myc-driven tumors are defective for p53 activity, we sought to determine whether transient up-regulation of Myc also increases cell death in response to chemotherapeutic drugs in a p53-deficient background. For this purpose, we used B-lymphoma cells isolated from bone marrows of p53ER™ knock-in mice and subsequently transduced with a Myc-expressing retrovirus (Amaravadi et al, J Clin Inv 2007, Yu et al, Blood 2007). This inducible system allowed us to distinguish between p53-dependent (cells treated with tamoxifen) and independent (no tamoxifen added) cell death. Additionally, instead of modulating Myc levels through miRNA inhibitors, which currently have limited clinical utility, we increased Myc stability with a small molecule inhibitor of GSK3β, which promotes proteosomal degradation of Myc. We observed that the activation of p53 via the addition of tamoxifen is sufficient to induce robust apoptosis, with neither modulation of Myc levels nor additional treatment with doxorubicin being necessary. On the other hand, in the absence of active p53 doxorubicin was needed to kill Myc/p53ER™ cells, but cell killing was rather inefficient. Remarkably, pharmacological stabilization of Myc strongly enhanced p53-independent doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. This enhancement was accompanied by selective activation of pro-apoptotic genes BIM, BAX and BAK, but not PUMA or NOXA, suggesting that the response was indeed p53-independent. To validate this effect in a more relevant setting, we inhibited GSK3β in various Burkitt9s lymphoma cell lines and achieved consistent up-regulation of Myc. Most importantly, even in p53mut Ramos cells, Myc stabilization resulted in sharply increased responses to doxorubicin. Our results suggest that transient up-regulation of Myc could be a viable adjuvant therapy even for tumors with p53 loss or MDM2 amplification. Citation Format: Elena Sotillo-Pineiro, Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko. Transient up-regulation of Myc in B-cell lymphomas enhances p53-independent apoptotic responses to chemotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 764. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-764
Piezoelectric polaron and polaron pinning in n − C d S

The cyclotron resonance of the piezoelectric polaron in $n\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{S}$ has been investigated using far-infrared spectroscopy at magnetic fields to 90 kOe. Both lamellar grating and Michelson Fourier-transform spectrometers were used with a 0.3-K Ge bolometer to study the photon energy region from 10 to 60 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The theory of Miyake predicts that the frequency of the polaron's cyclotron resonance is shifted from the bare band electron resonance frequency according to the expression $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}^{p}}{{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{c}} \ensuremath{\propto} {H}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{T}^{\frac{2}{3}}$. The magnetic field dependence of the present cyclotron resonance confirms this expression; the cyclotron mass is decreased by piezoelectric polaron effects. The bare band mass in $n\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{S}$ has also been determined by taking into account the Fr\"ohlich polaron interaction in addition to the piezoelectric polaron effects. For $H$ parallel to the $c$ axis this cyclotron mass is $(0.155\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005)m$. Finally, the polaron pinning due to the 43-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ optically inactive phonon has been observed.
Pyranocoumarin Tissue Distribution, Plasma Metabolome and Prostate Transcriptome Impacts of Sub-Chronic Exposure to Korean Angelica Supplement in Mice

Herbal products containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract are marketed as dietary supplements for memory enhancement, pain killing, and female menopausal symptom relief. We have shown the anticancer activities of AGN supplements in mouse models. To facilitate human anticancer translational research, we characterized the tissue distribution of AGN marker pyranocoumarin compounds decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA) ([Formula: see text]% in AGN) and their metabolite decursinol (DOH), assessed the safety of sub-chronic AGN dietary exposure in mice, and explored its impact on plasma aqueous metabolites and the prostate transcriptome. The data show that after a gavage dose, plasma contained readily detectable DOH, but little D and DA, mirroring patterns in the liver. Extra-hepatic tissues retained greater levels of DA and D than the liver did. For sub-chronic exposures, male mice were provided ad libitum AIN93M-pellet diets with 0.5 and 1% AGN for six weeks. No adverse effects were observed on the plasma biochemistry markers of liver and kidney integrity in spite of their enlargement. Histopathological examinations of the liver, kidney and other visceral organs did not reveal tissue abnormalities. Metabolomic assessment of plasma from mice fed the 1%-AGN diet suggested metabolic shifts of key amino acids especially in the methionine-cysteine cycle, purine cycle, and glycolysis-citrate cycle. Prostate transcriptomic profiling identified gene signature changes in the metabolisms of drugs, lipids and cellular energetics, neuro-muscular features, immunity and inflammation, and tumor suppressor/oncogene balance. The safety profile was corroborated with a daily [Formula: see text] injection of AGN extract (100-300[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for four weeks, which resulted in much greater systemic pyranocoumarin exposure than the dietary route did.
Inverting the Mozart Effect: Discovering What Composers Can Learn from Writing

According to the Mozart Effect, listening to Mozart can briefly increase IQ’s in certain circumstances. Today, we generally accept that studying classical music benefits us in other areas. This paper investigates an unnoticed connection with the opposite phenomenon: if studying music can help us learn other subjects, can studying other subjects help us learn music? Specifically, how can composers improve their compositional skills through writing?
Experimental Research on Secondary Arcs of UHV Half-wavelength AC Transmission Lines

Secondary arcs and its reliable suppression is one of the key technical challenges of half-wavelength transmission lines(HWTL).We tested and physically simulated the HWTL secondary arcs to study its extinction characteristics,and proposed an equivalent test topology via Thevenin transform based on the established equivalent circuitry.Moreover,we experimentally investigated different secondary arc currents as well as voltage gradients to obtain the physical dynamics of the arcs,compared the frequency spectra of the short arcs and the secondary arcs through the Fourier transform,and captured the developing images of the arcs with a high-speed imaging system.Also,we investigated the impacts of wind on the arcing behaviors.The obtained results show that,the secondary arc will extinguish immediately when the secondary arc current is below 150 A and the recovery voltage gradient is less than 3.9 kV per meter.However,the arcing time will be more than one second when the secondary arc current and the recovery voltage gradient are more than 240 A and 7.0 kV per meter respectively.It is also shown that wind is the critical factor influencing the secondary arc motion and the arcing time.
Affecting Factors of Serum Carbamazepine Concentrations in Children with Epilepsy

Objective To analyze affecting factors in serum carbamazepine(CBZ) concentrations.Methods Serum CBZ concentrations were measured in 74 chidren with epilepsy,aged from 9 months to 18 years.Homeostasis concentrations were measured by high proficiency liquid chromospectry(HPLC) in all of the cases.Data were analyzed by multinomial linear stepwise regression of SPSS 11.5 version.Results It showed that only dosage and age had marked influence on serum CBZ concentration(P0.05).If we assigned C_(CBZ)as serum CBZ concentration(mg/L),D as dosage(mg/kg) and M as age,its multimonial formula was C_(CBZ)=2.791+0.017M+0.078D((r=)0.434 P=0.001).Conclusions Although serum CBZ concentrations influence by many factors.Among 24 possible factors,only CBZ dosage and age of children significantly affect serum CBZ concentration(P0.05).Thus,clinicians can calculate CBZ dosage by target concentration and children′s age if therapeutic drug monitoring can′t be performed in the grassroot hospitals.
Cholesterol, lipoproteins, and breast cancer risk in African-American women

BACKGROUND: Lipid levels, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides, have been reported to be associated with breast cancer risk. METHODS: We studied African American women (97 breast cancer cases and 102 controls) accrued through a population-based, case-control study in the Washington, DC metropolitan area during 1997 and 1998. Plasma lipid levels were measured using enzymatic methods. Logistic regressions (adjusted for age, age at menarche, parity, previous alcohol consumption, and education) were used to explore the associations between lipid levels and breast cancer. RESULTS: Through multivariable-adjusted regression, we observed a significant inverse association between breast cancer risk and increasing levels of total cholesterol (OR=.46, 95% Cl = .25-.85) and LDL (OR = .41, 95% CI = .21-.81), whereas lower levels of HDL were associated with a significant increase in risk (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.06-3.74). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate significant reductions in breast cancer risk with high levels of total cholesterol and significant increase in risk when HDL levels are low. These data are in support of a protective effect of cholesterol which has been reported in other populations; further, these findings add to the literature in an understudied population, African American women. Ethn Dis. 2012;22[3]:281–287
Using Design Requirements for Environmental Assessment of Products: A Historical Based Method

Abstract Due to the increasing pressure on industries for more environmentally friendly processes, the environmental assessment of products emerges as a key indicator to determine if created goods align with the organization's targets. A review of published literature reveals that the tools available for such assessments can be applied primarily when at least an embodiment of the product design is achieved. However, the environmental impacts of the product may be determined in earlier design stages. The objective of this research is to study if the environmental performance of a product can be predicted from the requirements list elicited early on in the design process. For this purpose, an environmental assessment tool (SLCA) is used to estimate the environmental performance of final products, while a rubric is developed to evaluate the requirements list of those same products in terms of environmental impacts. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) structures (18,900) are used to relate the information gained from the rubric to predict the SLCA scores calculated for corresponding products. The products used for training and testing are drawn from student design projects. The results show that the predictions are stable, with residual errors of less than half the range of target values. The maximum prediction error was found to be 27% while the average prediction error was 10%. However, the accuracy of the predictions depends on the selection of the training and test sets. Moreover, the scalability of this approach to industrial applications should be explored. Opportunities for future work are identified to improve the method for early assessment of environmental impacts of products.