cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A High Reliability, High Resolution Drift Chamber Readout System for the Colliding Beam Facility at Fermilab

An analog drift chamber readout circuit featuring 1 nS time resolution, low drift, and low parts count has been developed for the Collider Detector Facility at Fermilab. The common stop circuit converts time to voltage for later readout by a multiplexed ADC system. Features include a fast output indicating a hit channel, a preamp powered over the interconnecting cable, and redundant readout of the multi-channel card.
Clonal Analysis of Meningiomas

MENINGIOMAS ARE PRIMARY brain tumors arising from meningothelial cells. They usually grow slowly and are surgically easy to separate from the brain. A recent clonal analysis of meningiomas, using methylation-sensitive restriction fragment length polymorphisms, suggested a monoclonal origin. Using the same technique but with a highly informative X chromosome probe (M27β), we found that 17 (85%) of the 20 meningiomas analyzed were informative. Of the 17 informative tumors, 8 (47%) were monoclonal, 3 (18%) had loss of heterozygosity on the X chromosome, and, unexpectedly, 6 (35%) had a polyclonal pattern. Samples from two areas of one tumor showed a monoclonal pattern and loss of heterozygosity, respectively, on the X chromosome. A review of the histopathological and radiological features of the 17 informative tumors did not help to distinguish the clonal from the polyclonal tumors. We conclude that meningiomas are heterogeneous in clonal composition. (Neurosurgery 38 :
Comparison of activated caspase detection methods in the gentamicin-treated chick cochlea

Aminoglycoside antibiotics induce caspase-dependent apoptotic death in cochlear hair cells. Apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death, can be induced by many stressors, which activate signaling pathways that result in the controlled dismantling of the affected cell. The caspase family of proteases is activated in the apoptotic signaling pathway and is responsible for cellular destruction. The initiator caspase-9 and the effector caspase-3 are both activated in chick cochlear hair cells following aminoglycoside exposure. We have analyzed caspase activation in the avian cochlea during gentamicin-induced hair cell death to compare two different methods of caspase detection: caspase antibodies and CaspaTag kits. Caspase antibodies bind to the cleaved activated form of caspase-9 or caspase-3 in specific locations in fixed tissue. CaspaTag is a fluorescent inhibitor that binds to a reactive cysteine residue on the large subunit of the caspase heterodimer in unfixed tissue. To induce cochlear hair cell loss, 1-2 week-old chickens received a single injection of gentamicin (300 mg/kg). Chicks were sacrificed 24, 30, 42, 48, 72, or 96 h after injection. Cochleae were dissected and labeled for activated caspase-9 or caspase-3 using either caspase-directed antibodies or CaspaTag kits. Ears were co-labeled with either phalloidin or myosin VI to visualize hair cells and to determine the progression of cochlear damage. The timing of caspase activation was similar for both assays; however, caspase-9 and caspase-3 antibodies labeled only those cells currently undergoing apoptotic cell death. Conversely, CaspaTag-labeled all the cells that have undergone apoptotic cell death and ejection from the sensory epithelium, in addition to those that are currently in the cell death process. This makes CaspaTag ideal for showing an overall pattern or level of cell death over a period of time, while caspase antibodies provide a snapshot of cell death at a specific time point.
PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCES OF ADVANTAGED CHILDREN

Experiences of advantaged children were examined among 85 kindergarten, 72 first-grade, 61 second-grade, and 66 third-grade boys and girls. Preschool and nonpreschool/nonday-care groups scored sign...
Effect of inotropic agents on the calcium binding to isolated cardiac sarcolemma.

Abstract Ca 2+ binding to fragmented sarcolemma isolated from canine heart was measured by an ultracentrifugation technique. Two classes of binding site with dissociation constants of 2.0 · 10 −5 and 1.2 · 10 −3 M were identified. The capacities of the high- and low-affinity sites were 15 and 452 nmol/mg, respectively. These sites were not affected by treatment with neuraminidase. The effects of various cations and drugs on Ca 2+ binding were studied. All cations tested inhibited Ca 2+ binding with the following order of potency: trivalent > divalent > monovalent cations. The order of potency for the monovalent ions was: Na + > K + > Li + ⩾ Cs + and for the divalent and trivalent ions: La 3+ ⩾ Mn 2+ > Sr 2+ ⩾ Ba 2+ > Mg 2+ . 1 · 10 −3 M caffeine and 1 · 10 −8 M ouabain increased the capacity of the low-affinity sites to 1531 and 837 nmol/mg, respectively. 1 · 10 −7 M verapamil, acidosis (pH 6.4), 1 − 10 −5 M Mn 2+ and 1 · 10 −4 M ouabain depressed the capacity of the low-affinity sites to a range of 154–291 nmol/mg. The dissociation constants of the high- and low-affinity sites and the capacity of the high-affinity sites were not affected by these agents.
Valuing Reversible Energy Storage

The development of new materials that provide the capability of high-performance energy storage combined with flexibility of fabrication opens up the possibility of a wide range of technological applications. On page 1326 of this issue, El-Kady et al. ( 1 ) describe thin and highly flexible electrochemical capacitors (ECs) that were created by means of a very simple and innovative process. Unlike the usual approaches of making thin graphene electrodes that start with a particulate and use roll-coating, screen printing, or ink-jet printing ( 2 ), their process involves focusing a low-power laser onto a thin graphene oxide deposit to convert it into graphene. The incorporation of graphene in electrodes created with mechanical processes tends to be in agglomerates that provide little performance advantage over traditional particulate-activated carbon electrodes. El-Kady et al. 's approach also contrasts with plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition processes that have been used to grow vertically oriented graphene nanosheet electrodes ( 3 ). Although graphene structures grown by such methods are well-formed and offer performance advantages over traditional activated carbon materials, they require complicated vacuum process equipment, plus the graphene growth rate is very slow ( 4 ). The somewhat simple EC electrode fabrication process reported by El-Kady et al. therefore appears to circumvent many of the difficulties encountered with traditional processes.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry interlaboratory comparison of mixtures of polystyrene with different end groups: statistical analysis of mass fractions and mass moments.

A matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) interlaboratory comparison was conducted on mixtures of synthetic polymers having the same repeat unit and closely matching molecular mass distributions but with different end groups. The interlaboratory comparison was designed to see how well the results from a group of experienced laboratories would agree on the mass fraction, and molecular mass distribution, of each polymer in a series of binary mixtures. Polystyrenes of a molecular mass near 9000 u were used. Both polystyrenes were initiated with the same butyl initiator; however, one was terminated with −H (termed PSH) and the other was terminated with −CH2CH2OH (termed PSOH). End group composition of the individual polymers was checked by MALDI-TOF MS and by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Five mixtures were created gravimetrically with mass ratios between 95:5 and 10:90 PSOH/PSH. Mixture compositions where measured by NMR and by Fourier transform infrare...
Avoiding pitfalls in anatomic ACL reconstruction

As interest in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction grows, we continue to refine our technique to perform the most anatomic reconstruction possible. Our experience has brought to our attention the potential mistakes that should be avoided when performing an anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction. These mistakes include (1) failure to visualize the femoral insertion completely, (2) use of the clock face to reference femoral tunnel positioning, (3) nonanatomic tunnel placement leading to graft impingement, (4) mismatching tibial and femoral tunnels, and (5) failure to restore the native tension pattern of the ACL. It is also important to recognize that a double-bundle ACL reconstruction is not necessarily equivalent to an anatomic double-bundle reconstruction. This article reviews potential mistakes in DB ACL reconstruction and describes our way of avoiding them.
High Blood Glucose Does Not Adversely Affect Outcome in Moderately Brain-Injured Rodents

Abstract In a number of clinical studies researchers have reported that acute hyperglycemia is associated with increased mortality and worsened neurological outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). In contrast, it has been demonstrated that intensive insulin therapy to lower blood glucose can lead to an increased frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and poor outcome. Consistent with this, experimental and clinical studies have shown that TBI causes a “metabolic crisis” in the injured brain, suggesting that a reduction in glucose availability may exacerbate brain damage. We therefore examined the consequences of hyperglycemia on cognitive and pathological measures. Using a rodent model of TBI, we find that when acute hyperglycemia is induced in animals prior to injury, there is little to no change in motor and cognitive performance, contusion volume, or cerebral edema. To examine the consequences of persistent hyperglycemia (as seen in diabetic patients), animals were treated with streptozotoci...
Planar induction of convergence and extension of the neural plate by the organizer of Xenopus.

Abstract This paper demonstrates that convergence and extension within the neural plate of Xenopus laevis are regulated by planar inductive interactions with the adjacent Spemann organizer. The companion article (Keller et al.: Developmental Dynamics 193:199-217, 1992) showed that the prospective hindbrain and spinal cord occupy a very short and very wide area just above the Spemann organizer in the early gastrula and that these regions converge and extend greatly during gastrulation and neurulation, using a sequence of radial and mediolateral cell intercalations. In this article, we show that "planar" contact of these regions with the organizer at their vegetal edge until stage 11 is sufficient to induce convergence and extension, after which their convergence and extension become autonomous. Grafts of the organizer in planar contact with uninduced ectodermal tissues induce these ectodermal tissues to converge and extend by a planar inductive signal from the organizer. Labeling of the inducing or responding tissues confirms that only planar interactions occur. Neural convergence and extension are actually hindered in explants deliberately constructed so that vertical interactions occur. These results show unambiguously that the Spemann organizer induces the extraordinary and precocious convergence and extension movements of the Xenopus neural plate by planar interactions acting over short distances.
PSA screening and prostate cancer risk reduction.

Calendar year 2011 was eventful for Urologic Oncology, as it brought two significant challenges to the role of PSAbased screening for prostate cancer and to the concept of risk reduction with 5reductase inhibitors. In October, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a draft statement recommending against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer. The Task Force asked 4 key questions: Does PSA-based screening decrease prostate cancer-specific or all-cause mortality? What are the harms of PSA-based screening of prostate cancer? What are the benefits of treatment for early stage screen-detected cancer? What are the harms of treatment of early stage screen-detected cancer? With respect to the prostate cancer-specific mortality benefit of PSA-based screening, the panel has noted that only subsets of men in prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening and European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) benefited with a 20%–40% relative risk reduction, and noted further that if the Goteberg participants in ERSPC were removed, the mortality benefit in the “core group” of ERSPC vanishes. Moreover, meta-analysis of all worldwide trials of PSA screening showed no benefit to prostate cancer-specific or all cause mortality. The panel noted that none of the studies is ideal: PLCO because of the high rate of prescreening in both arms and contamination during the trial in the control arm; ERSPC because of statistically significant treatment differences between arms, even after adjusting for stage that resulted in more aggressive treatment at centers of excellence in the screened arm. With respect to the Goteberg trial, which showed the most significant mortality benefit, it has been pointed out that if 1,000 men are screened and followed for 14 years, 5 deaths from prostate cancer would be prevented. Four men would nonetheless die of prostate cancer and over 120 would have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, many, if not most, potentially treated. In summary, the Panel concluded that mortality reduction associated with PSA-based screening is slight.
Understanding and Recognizing Pseudohypoparathyroidism

1. Tania Burgert, MD 2. Morri Markowitz, MD 1. Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Bronx, NY Hypoparathyroidism and Mineral Homeostasis . Perheentupa J. In: Lifshitz F, ed. Pediatric Endocrinology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc; 1996:433– 471 Parathyroid Hormone Resistance Syndromes . Levine MA. In: Favus MJ, ed. Primer on the Metabolic Bone Diseases and Disorders of Mineral Metabolism. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999:230– 235 An Example of Seabright-Bantam Syndrome . Albright F, Burnett CH, Smith PH. Endocrinology. 1942;30 ;922– 932[OpenUrl][1][Web of Science][2] Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by target organ (bone and kidney) resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH). In all its forms, PHP is characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and supranormal plasma concentrations of PTH. Fuller Albright first suggested hormone resistance as the mechanism of disease in his 1942 report of several patients who apparently had biochemical hypoparathyroidism. These patients failed to respond to an injection of parathyroid extract with the expected rise in serum calcium and phosphate diuresis. Albright also was struck by the skeletal and developmental abnormalities common to many patients who had PHP. This constellation of physical findings, now called Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO), includes: stocky or obese body habitus; moon-shaped face; hypoplasia of the dental enamel; joint deformities (genu valgum, coxa vara, cubitus valgus); and anomalies of the hands and feet, particularly short metacarpal and metatarsal bones of the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DEndocrinology%26rft.volume%253D30%26rft.spage%253D922%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000201673500008&link_type=ISI
Coupled Influence of Colloidal and Hydrodynamic Interactions on the RSA Dynamic Blocking Function for Particle Deposition onto Packed Spherical Collectors.

The influence of electrostatic double-layer and hydrodynamic interactions on random sequential adsorption (RSA) of colloidal particles onto packed spherical collectors was investigated using inverse analysis of colloid breakthrough data obtained from well-controlled particle deposition experiments. Deposition experiments were carried out using monodisperse aqueous suspensions of positively charged latex colloids and packed columns of negatively charged uniform glass beads for different combinations of ionic strength, particle size, and approach velocity. From the experimental particle breakthrough data, the initial particle deposition rates and the virial coefficients of the dynamic blocking function based on RSA mechanics were determined. The magnitudes of the virial coefficients were observed to increase from the hard sphere values with increasing flow rates and decreasing ionic strengths of the background electrolyte. Particle size also plays a significant role in governing the deposition dynamics. The deviation from the hard sphere RSA behavior becomes more prominent for larger particles.
Polymerization of organic compounds in an electrodeless glow discharge. IX. Flow-rate dependence of properties of plasma polymers of acetylene and acrylonitrile

Properties (free-radical concentration, gas permeabilities, internal stress, and contact angle of water) of plasma polymers of acetylene and of acrylonitrile were investigated as a function of flow rate of monomer in an electrodeless glow discharge. It was found that the monomer flow rate has a strong influence on free-radical concentration, gas permeabilities, and internal stress but little influence on the contact angle of water. The discharge power has little effect on properties when the full glow is maintained in the reactor. Gas permeabilities decrease with increasing concentration of free radicals in plasma polymers.
The development of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue depends on IL-17

Ectopic or tertiary lymphoid tissues, such as inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT), form in nonlymphoid organs after local infection or inflammation. However, the initial events that promote this process remain unknown. Here we show that iBALT formed in mouse lungs as a consequence of pulmonary inflammation during the neonatal period. Although we found CD4(+)CD3(-) lymphoid tissue-inducer cells (LTi cells) in neonatal lungs, particularly after inflammation, iBALT was formed in mice that lacked LTi cells. Instead, we found that interleukin 17 (IL-17) produced by CD4(+) T cells was essential for the formation of iBALT. IL-17 acted by promoting lymphotoxin-α-independent expression of the chemokine CXCL13, which was important for follicle formation. Our results suggest that IL-17-producing T cells are critical for the development of ectopic lymphoid tissues.
Using Subject-Matter Experts to Assess Content Representation: An MDS Analysis.

Demonstration of content domain representation is of central importance in test validation. An expanded version of the method of content evaluation proposed by Sireci & Geisinger (1992) was evaluat...
Notes on optimality of rational expectations equilibrium with incomplete markets

Abstract This paper shows that under certain conditions, an economy with securities and post-state spot markets can support rational expectations equilibria of economies in a partial Arrow-Debreu regime of incomplete contingent markets. Using these conditions, examples are constructed to show that non-optimal equilibria might exist for the securities regime and introduction of additional securities might make everyone worse off. These examples are shown to be robust and valid in a more general context than those of Hart ( J. Econ. Theory 11 (1975), 418–443).
Study of an NIR digital micromirror device-based snapshot spectral imaging system

We discuss the design of a Digital Micromirror Device-based Snapshot Spectral Imaging (DMD-SSI) system for NIR wavelengths. A pair of low/high dispersion glasses was selected for building an NIR relay-lens and a double-Amici prism, which are needed for generating Compressive Sensing (CS) measurements in experimental settings. Aberrations of the system were simulated using the Zemax software, which were considered in a numerical model of the system. CS measurements were generated using this model accounting for those aberrations. We evaluated the quality of the spatial/spectral data-cubes reconstructed using those non-ideal CS measurements and discuss possible solutions of enhancing the reconstruction quality.
Implementation of a Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization Algorithm for Preliminary Design

A tool developed for the preliminary design of low-thrust trajectories is described. The trajectory is discretized into segments and a nonlinear programming method is used for optimization. The tool is easy to use, has robust convergence, and can handle many intermediate encounters. In addition, the tool has a wide variety of features, including several options for objective function and different low-thrust propulsion models (e.g., solar electric propulsion, nuclear electric propulsion, and solar sail). High-thrust, impulsive trajectories can also be optimized.
Transformation of microbes, plants and animals by particle bombardment

Over the past several years, particle bombardment has evolved into a useful tool for molecular biologists, allowing direct gene transfer to a broad range of cell and tissue types. Some of the important applications of the process include the production of transgenic crop species including maize and soybean and the introduction of DNA into plastids and mitochondria. Recent results have extended the range of gene transfer by particle bombardment to animal and bacterial cells. One noteworthy newer application is the direct insertion of genes into the organs of living animals. Here we discuss these advances and the instrument developments that contributed to them.
Multiplier-Free Bandpass Filter-Based Channelizer

A new technique for implementing channelizers, based on multiplier-free bandpass filters is presented. The technical foundation for the new channelizer is found in the number theoretic properties of ternary valued polynomials and conventional cascaded integrator-comb (CIC) filters. The proposed channelizer possesses many of the attributes of the traditional CIC-based channelizer, plus others which are unique. The result is a new class of robust low-complexity channelizers.
Authoritarian Parenting and Asian Adolescent School Performance: Insights from the US and Taiwan:

Our study re-examines the relationship between parenting and school performance among Asian students. We use two sources of data: wave I of the Adolescent Health Longitudinal Survey (Add Health), and waves I and II of the Taiwan Educational Panel Survey (TEPS). Analysis using Add Health reveals that the Asian-American/European-American difference in the parenting-school performance relationship is due largely to differential sample sizes. When we select a random sample of European-American students comparable to the sample size of Asian-American students, authoritarian parenting also shows no effect for European-American students. Furthermore, analysis of TEPS shows that authoritarian parenting is negatively associated with children's school achievement, while authoritative parenting is positively associated. This result for Taiwanese Chinese students is similar to previous results for European-American students in the US.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Modifies the Clustering and Size of Lipid Rafts and the Lateral Organization and Surface Expression of MHC Class I of EL4 Cells

An emerging molecular mechanism by which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exerts its effects is modification of lipid raft organization. The biophysical model, based on studies with liposomes, shows that DHA avoids lipid rafts because of steric incompatibility between DHA and cholesterol. The model predicts that DHA does not directly modify rafts; rather, it incorporates into nonrafts to modify the lateral organization and/or conformation of membrane proteins, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. Here, we tested predictions of the model at a cellular level by incorporating oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and DHA, compared with a bovine serum albumin (BSA) control, into the membranes of EL4 cells. Quantitative microscopy showed that DHA, but not EPA, treatment, relative to the BSA control diminished lipid raft clustering and increased their size. Approximately 30% of DHA was incorporated directly into rafts without changing the distribution of cholesterol between rafts and nonrafts. Quantification of fluorescence colocalization images showed that DHA selectively altered MHC class I lateral organization by increasing the fraction of the nonraft protein into rafts compared with BSA. Both DHA and EPA treatments increased antibody binding to MHC class I compared with BSA. Antibody titration showed that DHA and EPA did not change MHC I conformation but increased total surface levels relative to BSA. Taken together, our findings are not in agreement with the biophysical model. Therefore, we propose a model that reconciles contradictory viewpoints from biophysical and cellular studies to explain how DHA modifies lipid rafts on several length scales. Our study supports the notion that rafts are an important target of DHA's mode of action.
The effect of column mass on shear building vibrations

In the usual assignment of mass for shear building models, the mass of the columns is lumped with the mass of the floor at each floor level. In order to account for frequencies of modes higher than N in an N-storey building, however, additional column masses must be identified. In this note, such additional masses are located at the mid-height of each column, and the characteristics of the shapes and frequencies of the resulting higher mode set are investigated.
Three Strategies of Interpretation

We may distinguish three styles or strategies of decisionmaking. Under a maximizing approach, the decisionmaker chooses the action whose consequences are best for the case at hand (defining "best" according to some value the decisionmaker holds). Where decisionmakers choose the action that is best relative to constraints, accounting for the direct costs and opportunity costs of decisionmaking, we may call the approach optimizing rather than maximizing. Whereas the maximizer focuses only on the case at hand, the optimizer acts so as to maximize value over an array of cases. In contrast to both approaches, satisficing permits any decision whose results in the case at hand are good enough - although satisficing, like optimizing, may itself represent an indirect strategy of maximization. In this brief essay, I apply these distinctions to legal interpretation. Many approaches to the interpretation of statutes and the Constitution are maximizing approaches that attempt to produce as much as possible of some value the interpreter holds - for example, fidelity to legislative intent or original understandings. Optimizing approaches to interpretation condemn maximizing interpretation as a simpleminded approach that neglects the costs of decisionmaking and the costs of interpretive error. An alternative to both maximizing and optimizing approaches is a satisficing style of interpretation, in which interpreters eschew the search for the very best interpretation (even within constraints), instead selecting an interpretation that is good enough, in light of whatever value theory the interpreter holds. I criticize the maximizing style of interpretation and praise its two competitors. Both the optimizing and satisficing perspectives help to justify some controversial principles of statutory and constitutional interpretation, such as the rule barring resort to legislative history where statutes have a plain meaning, and clause-bound (as opposed to broadly holistic or "intratextualist") interpretation of statutes and the Constitution. Although maximizing interpretation is untenable, neither the optimizing approach nor the satisficing approach is globally best; each is an attractive decision-procedure in some contexts. Where the interpretive stakes are either very low or very high, satisficing is reasonable (whether or not rational in some stronger sense), while optimizing is best suited to medium-stakes decisions.
Thermal system identification (TSI): A methodology for post-silicon characterization and prediction of the transient thermal field in multicore chips

This paper presents a methodology for post-silicon thermal prediction to predict the transient thermal field a multicore package for various workload considering chip-to-chip variations in electrical and thermal properties. We use time-frequency duality to represent thermal system in frequency domain as a low-pass filter augmented with a positive feedback path for leakage-temperature interaction. This thermal system is identified through power/thermal measurements on a packaged IC and is used for post-silicon thermal prediction. The effectiveness of the proposed effort is presented considering a 64 core processor in predictive 22nm node and SPEC2006 benchmark applications.
Macrophage-derived apoESendai suppresses atherosclerosis while causing lipoprotein glomerulopathy in hyperlipidemic mice.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a renal disease often accompanied by dyslipidemia and increased serum apoE levels. apoESendai (Arg145Pro), a rare mutant based on the apoE3 sequence carrying an apoE2 charge, causes LPG in humans and transgenic mice, but its effects on the artery wall are unknown. Macrophage expression of apoESendai may also directly influence renal and arterial homeostasis. We investigated the effects of macrophage-expressed apoESendai in apoE−/− mice with or without LDL receptor (LDLR). Murine bone marrow transduced to express apoE2, apoE3, or apoESendai was transplanted into lethally irradiated mice. Macrophage apoESendai expression reduced aortic lesion size and inflammation by 32 and 28%, respectively, compared with apoE2 in apoE−/− recipients. No differences in lesion size or inflammation were found between apoESendai and apoE3 in apoE−/− recipients. Macrophage apoESendai expression also reduced aortic lesion size by 18% and inflammation by 29% compared with apoE2 in apoE−/−/LDLR−/− recipients. Glomerular lesions compatible with LPG with increased mesangial matrix, extracellular lipid accumulation, and focal mesangiolysis were only observed in apoE−/−/LDLR−/− mice expressing apoESendai. Thus, macrophage expression of apoESendai protects against atherosclerosis while causing lipoprotein glomerulopathy. This is the first demonstration of an apoprotein variant having opposing effects on vascular and renal homeostasis.
National Airspace System Delay Estimation Using Weather Weighted Traffic Counts

Assessment of National Airspace System performance, which is usually measured in terms of delays resulting from the application of traffic flow management initiatives in response to weather conditions, volume, equipment outages and runway conditions, is needed both for guiding flow control decisions during the day of operations and for post operations analysis. Comparison of the actual delay, resulting from the traffic flow management initiatives, with the expected delay, based on traffic demand and other conditions, provides the assessment of the National Airspace System performance . This paper provides a method for estimating delay using the expected traffic demand and weather. In order to identify the cause of delays, 517 days of National Airspace System delay data reported by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Operations Netw ork were analyzed. This analysis shows that weather is the most important causal factor for delays followed by equipment and runway delays. Guided by these results, the concept of weather weighted traffic counts as a measure of system delay is described. Examples are given to show the variation of these counts as a function of time of the day. The various datasets, consisting of aircraft position data, enroute severe weather data, surface wind speed and visibility data, reported delay data and number of ai rcraft handled by the Centers data, and their sources are described. The procedure for selecting reference days, one for each day of the week on which traffic was minimally impacted by weather, is described. Next, the method for computing the weather weig hted traffic counts, using the expected traffic demand derived from reference days and the expanded regions around severe weather cells, is discussed. It is shown via a numerical example that this approach considerably improves the dynamic range of the wea ther weighted traffic counts. Time histories of these new weather weighted traffic counts are used for synthesizing two statistical features, six histogram features and six time domain features. In addition to these enroute weather features, two surface we ather features -- number of major airports in the United States with high mean winds and low mean visibility are also described. A least squares procedure for establishing a functional relation between the features, using combinations of these features, and system delays is explored using 39 days of data. Correlations between the estimated delays obtained using the least squares procedure with different combinations of features and the actual delays provided by the Operations Network are obtained. The set o f features with the best correlation are computed for 26 additional days (not used in computing the least -squares coefficients) and used in the delay estimation model, previously setup using 39 days of data, for estimating NAS delays. The resulting estimat es are then compared with the OPSNET delays to validate the delay estimation model. Finally, a procedure for using the estimated delays and OPSNET delays to assess NAS performance is described via an example.
Relation of Canrenone to the Actions of Spironolactone on Adrenal Cytochrome P-450-Dependent Enzymes

Studies were carried out to determine the actions of spironolactone (SL) and its metabolite, canrenone, on adrenal mixed function oxidases in the guinea pig. Administration of SL (25 mg/kg day for 3 days) to adult male guinea pigs decreased adrenal mitochondrial and microsomal cytochrome P-450 concentrations. The activities of various cytochrome P-450- dependent enzymes, including mitochondrial 11β-hydroxylase and microsomal 21-hydroxylase, benzo(a)-pyrene (BP) hydroxylase and ethylmorphine (EM) demethylase, were also reduced by SL treatment. Canrenone, when given at the same dose, had no effect on mitochondrial or microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels. Pretreatment with canrenone decreased 11β- and 21- hydroxylase activities but did not affect BP hydroxylation or EM demethylation. Addition of SL or canrenone to isolated adrenal mitochondria or microsomes produced typical type I difference spectra. Both compounds inhibited the binding of steroid substrates to cytochrome P-450 in isolated mitochondria and mic...
Complete morphologic and molecular remission after introduction of dasatinib in the treatment of a pediatric patient with t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and ABL1 amplification

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 15% of ALL cases in children and has been associated with a worse prognosis. Cytogenetic studies show an abnormal karyotype in 50-60% of the T-cell ALL patients; ABL1 fusions are present in approximately 8% of the cases. Dasatinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, directly targets the BCR-ABL gene. We describe a pediatric case of T-cell ALL with amplification of the ABL1 gene in which remission was achieved only after the addition of dasatinib to conventional chemotherapy.
Potential effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on immune cells and blood biochemistry measures: a cross-sectional assessment of the NHANES 2003-2004 data.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely distributed in the environment and may have adverse effects on the immune system. Lipid adjusted serum levels of 19 Dioxin Like (DL), 17 Non Dioxin Like (NDL) PCBs, 5 OCPs, and measures of complete blood count and routine biochemistry profile were obtained from the NHANES 2003-2004 cycle. For each of the PCB/OCP variables, individuals were put into four exposure groups and blood markers were compared across these groups. Serum levels of PCBs and OCPs increased with age. Total white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin, and hematocrit measures were lowest in the group with the highest serum PCBs. Results for the OCPs varied. For Mirex, WBC declined in the highest exposure; no significant differences were observed for p-p’-DDT or p-p’-DDE; and higher levels of WBC were observed at the highest exposure groups of serum trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane. Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and GGT) were significantly higher in the highest exposure groups of PCBs/OCPs. We observed significant associations between PCB/OCP levels and blood markers in the general population. All of the levels were within normal ranges but the consistency of results is remarkable and may reflect subclinical effects. Largest differences were observed for NDL PCBs. Thus, routine application of toxic equivalency factors, which assume dioxin like mechanisms and aryl hydrocarbon receptor involvement, may not adequately reflect the effects of NDL PCBs in the mixture.
Negative pressure wound therapy reduces incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence after long-segment thoracolumbar spinal fusion: a single institutional experience.

Abstract Background context Wound dehiscence and surgical site infections (SSIs) can have a profound impact on patients as they often require hospital readmission, additional surgical interventions, lengthy intravenous antibiotic administration, and delayed rehabilitation. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) exposes the wound site to negative pressure, resulting in the improvement of blood supply, removal of excess fluid, and stimulation of cellular proliferation of granulation tissue. Purpose To assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence in patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar fusion before and after the routine use of NPWT. Study design Retrospective study. Patient sample One hundred sixty patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were included in this study. Outcome measures Postoperative incidence of wound infection and dehiscence. Methods All adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion for spinal deformity over a 6-year period at Duke University Medical Center by the senior author (CB) were included in this study. In 2012, a categorical change was made by the senior author (CB) that included the postoperative routine use of incisional NPWT devices after primary wound closure in all long-segment spine fusions. Before 2012, NPWT was not used. After primary wound closure, a negative pressure device is contoured to the size of the incision and placed over the incision site for 3 postoperative days. We retrospectively review the first 46 cases in which NPWT was used and compared them with the immediately preceding 114 cases to assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence. Results One hundred sixty (NPWT: 46 cases, non-NPWT: 114 cases) long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were performed for deformity correction. Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts. Compared with the non-NPWT cohort, a 50% decrease in the incidence of wound dehiscence was observed in the NPWT patient cohort (6.38% vs. 12.28%, p=.02). Similarly, compared with the non-NPWT cohort, the incidence of postoperative SSIs was significantly decreased in the NPWT cohort (10.63% vs. 14.91%, p=.04). Conclusions Routine use of incisional NPWT was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence.
New directions in optical trapping with microfluidics

An overview of novel methods for creating optical traps and optical landscapes for performing optical sorting experiments in both microfluidic flows and static geometries as well as deploying novel sources and forms of light beams for biophysics is presented.
Rate estimates for vector-meson and Drell-Yan pair production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions☆

Abstract We estimate the production cross sections for the φ, J ψ , ψ′, and Ю resonances and the Drell-Yan continuum. From these cross sections we estimate the expected rate of production at RHIC as a function of rapidity and transverse momentum in nucleus-nucleus and proton-nucleus collisions.
De novo B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma in an adult with t(14;18)(q32;q21) and c-MYC gene rearrangement involving 10p13.

Some of the common non-random chromosomal abnormalities observed in patients with B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL) are t(1;19)(q23;p13.3), t(4;11)(q21;q23), t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), and t(12;21...
Integration of a Difficult Airway Response Team into a Hospital Emergency Response System

Hospital-wide emergency response teams have been an area of development for several decades. Highly specialized to address emergent needs, they mimic the cardiac-pulmonary arrest teams established at hospitals nationwide, such as heart attack, brain attack, medical emergency, rapid response, and difficult airway response teams (DART). The DART at Johns Hopkins Hospital is a collaboration of the Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, General Surgery, and Emergency Medicine departments. This successful model may be used by other hospitals to establish improved and comprehensive care of the difficult airway patient.
Cocurrent membrane reactors vs. PFRs for shifting dehydrogenation equilibrium

Membrane reactor performance in reversible reactions like dehydrogenation is often compared to plug-flow reactor performance. Analysis of cocurrent membrane-reactor design equations shows that as the Damkohler–Peclet product varies from 0 to ∞, the membrane reactor approaches a fully diluted or undiluted plug-flow reactor. If its yield is maximized by varying this parameter, the optimum cocurrent membrane reactor is often one of these limiting cases, and a membrane reactor offers no advantage over a plug-flow reactor. When the optimum membrane reactor does not correspond to one of these limiting cases, there still may be a plug-flow reactor system that offers equal or higher yields. Analysis of plug-flow-reactor performance indicates that there is an optimum degree of dilution; while the optimized membrane reactor yield may be greater than either an undiluted or a fully diluted plug-flow reactor; it may not be greater than an optimally diluted plug-flow reactor. When using porous membranes the membrane reactor yield is at most 7% greater than the yield using a plug-flow reactor. The porous membranes enhance the yields in a regime where the reactor would not be likely to operate. Much larger yield advantages are possible, but only when the membrane is highly permselective, as with dense membranes. Highly permselective membranes also enhance the yields in a regime where the membrane reactor process is likely to be operated.
Effects of testing conditions on conceptual survey results

Pre-testing and post-testing is a commonly used method in Physics Education Research to assess student learning gains. It is well recognized in the community that timings and incentives in delivering conceptual tests can impact test results. However, it is difficult to control these variables across different studies. As a common practice, a pre-test is often administered either at or near the beginning of a course, while a post-test can be given either at or near the end of a course. Also, in conducting such tests there often is no norm as to whether incentives should be offered to students. Because these variations can significantly affect test results, it is important to study and document their impact. We analyzed five years of data that were collected at The Ohio State University from over 2100 students, who took both the pre-test and post-test of the Conceptual Survey of Electricity and Magnetism under various timings and incentives. We observed that the actual time frame for giving a test has a marked effect on the test results and that incentive granting also has a significant influence on test outcomes. These results suggest that one should carefully monitor and document the conditions under which tests are administered.
The Cheerful Discourses of Michael Oakeshott

K ARL Mannheim closed his essay on the "Utopian Mentality" by forecasting a time when man will relinquish utopias and thus "lose his will to shape history and therewith his ability to understand it." "The disappearance of utopia," he asserted, "brings about a static state of affairs in which man himself becomes no more than a thing." For Western thinkers, the problem raised by Mannheim is no longer a hypothetical one. Faith in utopias is everywhere discredited as illusion -naive or disingenuous-and the pursuit of utopia condemned as the road to terroristic despotism. But this disillusionment has brought with it a great variety of attempts to show that, contrary to the tradition represented by Mannheim, human meaning in man's affairs does not depend on the striving for human perfection. And many of these attempts have rediscovered the anti-Promethean elements in the classical and Christian traditions, reasserting the claims of a natural or divine order against aspirations of reason now condemned as criminally presumptuous. In all spheres of life, it is said, man must accept the discipline of an authoritative order. To abandon utopias is to repent of pride. Although such arguments now enjoy a great vogue, they continue to be pursued by the challenge which, in one form or other, has troubled Western thinking since ancient times: each pattern of order which men pretend to derive from nature or God actually reflects man's irrational needs and desires or the custom established in some particular and provincial civilization; neither reason nor faith can discover a true and authoritative pattern of meaning in the human condition. No interpretation of our situation which fails to meet this challenge can be taken seriously. The dilemma created by our disillusionment cannot be met by the resurrection of old illusion. This is why the work of Michael Oakeshott promises a great deal. He is aware of all these issues. In his essays he undertakes to present a vision
The Relation Between External Shape and Internal Structure of Wool Fibers

Relations between the twisted bilateral structure of the cortex of the wool fiber and its ex ternal shape are pointed out. Both the crimped form and the elliptical cross-sectional shape follow the twisted internal structure. Changes in crimp shape are interpreted as a consequence of the unequal expansion of the ortho- and the paracortex. The geometrical relations of the crimp and ortho- and paracortex are traced back to events occurring during keratinization of the fiber.
WHAT IS "HEALTHY LIGHTING?"

It is well-known that the light/dark cycle incident on the retina regulates the timing of the human circadian system. Disruption of a regular, 24-hour pattern of light and dark can significantly affect our health and well-being. A wide range of modern maladies, from sleep disorders to cancer, have been linked to light-induced circadian disruption. Light has been defined, however, only in terms of the human visual system, not the circadian system. Thus, the study of light-induced circadian disruption is in need of a new definition of light (and dark). Here we contrast light as a stimulus for the human visual system with that for the human circadian system to elucidate the significance of developing a new definition of circadian light as it might ultimately be used to improve health and well-being.