cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathobiology of biliary epithelia

Cholangiocytes are epithelial cells that line the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tree. They serve predominantly to mediate the content of luminal biliary fluid, which is controlled via numerous signaling pathways influenced by endogenous (e.g., bile acids, nucleotides, hormones, neurotransmitters) and exogenous (e.g., microbes/microbial products, drugs etc.) molecules. When injured, cholangiocytes undergo apoptosis/lysis, repair and proliferation. They also become senescent, a form of cell cycle arrest, which may prevent propagation of injury and/or malignant transformation. Senescent cholangiocytes can undergo further transformation to a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), where they begin secreting pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signals that may contribute to disease initiation and progression. These and other concepts related to cholangiocyte pathobiology will be reviewed herein. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cholangiocytes in Health and Disease edited by Jesus Banales, Marco Marzioni, Nicholas LaRusso and Peter Jansen.
Oxidation of alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor: significance for pathobiology.

The control of proteolytic enzyme activities in blood and other tissues is exerted, primarily, by nine plasma proteins (1). These inhibitors, which represent more than 10% of the total protein in plasma, have a broad spectrum of regulatory functions in controlling coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement activation, and connective tissue turnover.
A Focus Group Study of Blind Voters in Alachua County

Of the 15.6 million people with disabilities who voted in the 2012 United States Presidential Election, one- third had difficulties voting at the precinct. This statistic is one of the reasons work...
Comparison of High Aspect Ratio Cooling Channel Designs for a Rocket Combustion Chamber with Development of an Optimized Design

An analytical investigation on the effect of high aspect ratio (height/width) cooling channels, considering different coolant channel designs, on hot-gas-side wall temperature and coolant pressure drop for a liquid hydrogen cooled rocket combustion chamber, was performed. Coolant channel design elements considered were: length of combustion chamber in which high aspect ratio cooling was applied, number of coolant channels, and coolant channel shape. Seven coolant channel designs were investigated using a coupling of the Rocket Thermal Evaluation code and the Two-Dimensional Kinetics code. Initially, each coolant channel design was developed, without consideration for fabrication, to reduce the hot-gas-side wall temperature from a given conventional cooling channel baseline. These designs produced hot-gas-side wall temperature reductions up to 22 percent, with coolant pressure drop increases as low as 7.5 percent from the baseline. Fabrication constraints for milled channels were applied to the seven designs. These produced hot-gas-side wall temperature reductions of up to 20 percent, with coolant pressure drop increases as low as 2 percent. Using high aspect ratio cooling channels for the entire length of the combustion chamber had no additional benefit on hot-gas-side wall temperature over using high aspect ratio cooling channels only in the throat region, but increased coolant pressure drop 33 percent. Independent of coolant channel shape, high aspect ratio cooling was able to reduce the hot-gas-side wall temperature by at least 8 percent, with as low as a 2 percent increase in coolant pressure drop. ne design with the highest overall benefit to hot-gas-side wall temperature and minimal coolant pressure drop increase was the design which used bifurcated cooling channels and high aspect ratio cooling in the throat region. An optimized bifurcated high aspect ratio cooling channel design was developed which reduced the hot-gas-side wall temperature by 18 percent and reduced the coolant pressure drop by 4 percent. Reductions of coolant mass flow rate of up to 50 percent were possible before the hot-gas-side wall temperature reached that of the baseline. These mass flow rate reductions produced coolant pressure drops of up to 57 percent.
Acute EEG spectra characteristics predict thalamic atrophy after severe TBI.

Because of its low cost and ease of use at the bedside, continuous electroencephalography (EEG) has become widely performed to measure electrical brain activity and to monitor neurological status of patients with severe brain injury.1 Nonetheless, the exact relationship tying spontaneous electroencephalographic activity recorded acutely after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the unfolding of secondary brain damage processes in the subacute and chronic settings,2 3 and functional outcome remains poorly understood. The present study begins bridging this gap, adopting a multimodal approach combining EEG spectral analysis,1 magnetic resonance (MR)-based measures of brain pathology2 3 and clinical outcome at 6 months. Specifically, we perform three analyses: (1) we assess the relationship between acute EEG spectral features and 6-month outcome; (2) we assess the relationship between acute EEG spectral features and subcortical atrophy over the first 6 months postinjury; and (3) we bring together EEG, MRI and other covariate variables in a multimodal analysis predicting 6-month outcome. Our results suggest that alpha and delta frequencies recorded acutely at the bedside predict left dorsal and ventral thalamic atrophy and functional recovery at 6 months postinjury. In an observational, non-interventional, longitudinal study, we retrospectively analysed a convenience sample of 13 adult patients with severe TBI (21–77 years old; see online supplementary etable 1 and online supplementary information) admitted at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Neurointensive Care Unit with an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤8 or 9–14 with evidence of intracranial bleeding, and who did not show, within 8 hours of admission, GCS score >14 or brain death. Patients with epileptic seizures, pre-existing neurological disorder, overwhelming concurrent hepatic, metabolic encephalopathy, or burst-suppressing sedation were …
Deep-Sea Carbonates

Calcium carbonate in sediments can greatly effect the engineering properties of those sediments. Factors that may effect engineering properties are: 1) great variation in primary void ratios, (2) inherent strength of carbonate grains, (3) degree of sorting, (4) ratio between grains and matrix, (5) nature and amount of cement, and (6) depth of burial. Deep-sea carbonates appear to be anomalous but do exist in rather large quantities. Their existence must depend upon a combination of physico-chemical and organic-chemical factors that need to be investigated in much more detail.
Pediatric Neuroimaging of Seizures

■ Neuroimaging (MRI/CT) in children with seizures rules out life-threatening brain lesions requiring immediate medical or surgical treatment (moderate evidence).
Abstract 118: Immuno-modulation of macrophages by ovarian cancer stem cells in an in vitro 3D spheroid platform

The ascites microenvironment of ovarian cancers is enriched in ovarian cancer stem cells (OvCSCs) and macrophages (MPs). The immune system is complicit in the progression, chemoresistance and metastasis of ovarian cancer, yet little is known about the exact nature of interactions between OvCSCs and MPs, especially in the malignant ascites microenvironment. Here, we describe the use of the 3D in vitro hanging drop spheroid platform to study the reciprocal interactions between OvCSCs and MPs. Hetero-spheroids contained: i) monocyte-derived Macrophages (MP); and ii) OvCSCs (ALDH+ CD133+ OVCAR3). For immuno-modulation, we characterized MP polarization markers by flow cytometry and gene expression analysis. Using qPCR, we quantified changes in IL6, IL10, IL12, and Wnt7A, to understand signaling involved in OvCSC/MP hetero-spheroids. CD68 expression (~50%) was observed in OvCSC/MP hetero-spheroids, indicating the presence of MPs. OvCSCs drove higher CD206 expression in MPs (75%) when compared to unsorted ovarian cancer cells (OvCa; 40%). Even if MPs were pre-polarized to inflammatory M1 (HLA-DR+ CD206-), co-culture with OvCSCs reversed the M1 phenotype, and strongly induced CD206 expression. Pre-polarized M2 MPs resulted in 2-fold increase in ALDH+ cells in hetero-spheroids. Apart from CD206, MPs in hetero-spheroids also expressed iNOS, IFN-ϒ, and CD163. Gene expression analysis revealed increased immuno-suppressive IL10 in hetero-spheroids, with more IL10 in OvCSC/MP (3.5 fold) compared to OvCa/MP. OvCSC/MP and OvCa/MP spheroid also had consistently elevated (2-3 fold) increase in IL6 gene expression, consistent with the importance of the IL6/STAT3 axis in both cancer stem cell and macrophage signaling. Lastly, Wnt7A was significantly elevated in both differentiated MPs, and OvCSC/MP spheroids, indicating reciprocal trophic and immuno-suppressive signaling components at play. The 3D spheroid model can simulate biological interactions between OvCSCs and MPs within the malignant ascites. We describe that OvCSCs primarily polarize macrophages into a mixed phenotype that express both inflammatory and pro-tumoral markers. We believe that the putative involvement of Wnt7a in OvCSC/MP interactions drives this phenotype, and could have functional implications for tumorigenicity, response to chemotherapeutics and metastatic potential. This work was supported by the DOD OCRP W81XWH-13-1-0134, MIOCA, Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer and NIH T32DE00007057-41 and P30CA046592. Citation Format: Shreya Raghavan, Geeta Mehta. Immuno-modulation of macrophages by ovarian cancer stem cells in an in vitro 3D spheroid platform [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 118.
Guillain Barré syndrome heralding the diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) has previously been described in association with lymphomas, especially with Hodgkin lymphoma [1]. There have been case reports of GBS diagnosed in patients receiving ...
Abstract 428: Cytoglobin: A Novel Regulator of the DNA Damage Response Within Cardiomyocytes

Rationale: Oxidative stress is a major determinant of DNA damage within cardiomyocytes both at baseline and following cardiac injury. Cytoglobin (Cygb), a stress responsive hemoprotein, serves as a...
Route Choices and Adolescent–Adult Connections in Mitigating Exposure to Environmental Risk Factors During Daily Activities:

While adolescent–adult connections have been shown to be protective against violence perpetration and victimization, mechanisms through which these connections confer protection from violence are p...
Actions and techniques in supervision, mentorships and tutorial activities to foster doctoral study success: A scoping literature review

Abstract The aim of this study was to carry out a scoping review of the available research literature examining how supervision, mentorships and tutorial activities can foster the doctoral study success. This scoping review was conducted in light of the PRISMA and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The search strategy produced 458 potentially relevant studies. We identified 14 studies that precisely met the inclusion criteria, isolating 10 factors, 19 actions and 38 techniques related to doctoral study success. They were classified according to four broad contexts: institutional, program, support and personal. These findings provide supervisors and institutions with the best available research evidence for improving the completion process in PhD studies.
Converting SMILES to Stacking Interaction Energies.

Predicting the strength of stacking interactions involving heterocycles is vital for several fields, including structure-based drug design. While quantum chemical computations can provide accurate ...
Comparative proteogenomic characterization of glioblastoma

Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) carries a dismal prognosis. Integrated proteogenomic analysis was performed to understand GBM pathophysiology. Patients & methods: 17 patient samples were analyzed for driver mutations, oncogenes, major pathway alterations and molecular changes at gene and protein level. Clinical, treatment and survival data were collected. Results: Significantly mutated genes included TP53, EGFR, PIK3R1, PTEN, NF1, RET and STAG2. EGFR mutations noted included EGFRvIII-expression, EGFR-L816Q missense mutation-exon 21 and EGFR fusion (FGFR3-TACC3). TP53 mutations were noticed in COSMIC hot-spot driver gene and accompany IDH1 and ATRX mutations suggesting low- to high-grade glioma transformation. Proteomics showed higher (53%) EGFR expression than genomic expression (23%). MGMT methylation was present in two-thirds of cases. Conclusion: This study identifies a distinct biological process that may characterize each GBM differently. Proteogenomic data identify potential therapeutic targets of GBM.
Heuristic-Based Ankle Exoskeleton Control for Co-Adaptive Assistance of Human Locomotion

Assisting human locomotion with exoskeletons is challenging, largely due to the complexity of the neuromusculoskeletal system, the time-varying dynamics that accompany motor learning, and the uniqueness of every individual’s response to device assistance. Assistance strategies designed to keep the human “in-the-loop” can help overcome many of these challenges. The purpose of this study was to develop a human-in-the-loop assistance strategy that uses co-adaptive control to slowly and continuously respond to biomechanical changes thought to encode the user’s needs. Online measurements of muscle activity and joint kinematics were used to guide the evolution of an exoskeleton torque pattern based on the following heuristics: 1) muscle activity that acts cooperatively with the exoskeleton indicates the user wants more torque; 2) muscle activity that acts antagonistically to the exoskeleton indicates the user wants less torque; and 3) torque should stop increasing if the user is not adapting. We applied our controller to tethered, bilateral ankle exoskeletons worn by naive participants as they walked on a treadmill at 1.25 m $\cdot$ s−1 for 30 minutes. The evolved torque profiles reduced the root-mean-square of soleus muscle activity by 35±12% and metabolic rate by 22±8% compared to walking with the exoskeletons while they provided no torque. This was equivalent to a 9±12% reduction in metabolic rate when compared to normal walking. Furthermore, the algorithm was responsive to changes in each user’s coordination patterns. These results confirm the effectiveness of the controller and suggest a new approach to exoskeleton assistance aimed at fostering co-adaptation with the user. This technique might particularly benefit individuals with age-related muscle weakness.
Insecure at any bit rate: why Ralph Nader is the true OG of the software design industry*

ABSTRACTThe software design industry lacks standards for both code quality and security; as a result, code vulnerability at the time of a product’s release is often compromised at subsequent, criti...
Intracranial Pressure and Multimodal Monitoring

Secondary brain injury results from ischemia, tissue hypoxia, and a cascade of ongoing metabolic events. Neuromonitoring has evolved over the last two decades with the goal of preventing, detecting, and attenuating the damage from these secondary events. Typical monitored parameters include intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Advanced multimodal monitoring includes monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF), brain tissue oxygenation (transcranial oximetry, jugular bulb oximetry, brain tissue oxygen tension), and brain metabolism (intracerebral microdialysis). In this chapter, we will review basic principles of brain physiology and the complex and dynamic interactions between these parameters. In the future, neuromonitoring will be supported by advanced signal processing and analysis that will enable clinicians to synthesize information and form hypotheses that best explain the current situation. Such an integrated system will translate data into actionable information and provide situational awareness.
Comparisons between measurements and predictions of Rayleigh wave amplification across the contiguous United States

Abstract We present local surface-wave-amplification maps spanning the contiguous United States for Rayleigh waves between 35 s and 125 s using data recorded on the USArray between 2006 and 2015. We isolate the effect of local structure from those of the earthquake and propagation using a previously developed method based on ratios of amplitudes measured at adjacent stations. To assess the ability of our technique to resolve surface-wave amplification, we perform a parallel synthetic-tomography experiment. We determine amplification from a large dataset of SPECFEM synthetic seismograms calculated for USArray stations and compare the measurements with direct predictions of local amplification. Correlations between synthetic and predicted amplification are high, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.77 at 40 s to 0.95 at 100 s, indicating that we are able to resolve well local variations in amplification, particularly at long periods. The remaining differences between synthetic and directly predicted amplification maps suggest the influence of finite-frequency effects on surface-wave amplitudes. Observed Rayleigh wave amplification factors reflect local elastic structure in the region surrounding each station and could be used as a complementary constraint to image the structure of the Earth's crust and upper mantle.
Updates in Staging and Reporting of Genitourinary Malignancies.

Context.— The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual changed the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification systems of genitourinary malignancies in 2017. How...
Analysis of Radiation Impact on Memristive Crossbar Arrays

Memristive crossbar architecture with high device density is the most preferred structure to realize memristor based in-memory computing system. Typically, synthesized gate-level netlist of NOR and NOT gates is mapped to the memristive crossbar architecture to realize a given logic function. We analyze the impact of radiation induced Single Event Transients (SETs) on such architectures. CMOS drivers are used to drive the wordline and bitline of the memistor array. These drivers are susceptible to incident particle strikes. The SETs generated can result in undesirable effects while executing a logic function. We also analyze SET induced crosstalk noise due to interconnect coupling effects in the array. Detailed SPICE level simulations on crossbar array has shown SETs resulting from single and multiple particle strikes can worsen the execution delay of NOR/NOT gate, trigger state drift in memristor(s), or flip memristor state (i.e., single event upset). For example, for single particle strike with LET 50, the memristor delay worsened by 5X.
Medicare for All: Considerations for Neuroradiologists

The year 2019 featured extensive debates on transforming the United States multipayer health care system into a single-payer system. At a time when reimbursement structures are in flux and potential changes in government may affect health care, it is important for neuroradiologists to remain informed on how emerging policies may impact their practices. The purpose of this article is to examine potential ramifications for neuroradiologist reimbursement with the Medicare for All legislative proposals. An institution-specific analysis is presented to illustrate general Medicare for All principles in discussing issues applicable to practices nationwide.
Effects of NSC23766 on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats

Objective To investigate the effects of NSC23766 on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in diabetic rats.Methods Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2-3 months,weighing 250-300 g,in which diabetes mellitus was successfully induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin 60 mg/kg,were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=17 each): sham operation group (group S),focal cerebral I/R group (group I/R) and specific Racl inhibitor NSC23766 group (group N).Focal cerebral I/R was induced by middle cerebral arterial occlusion in groups I/R and N.In group N,NSC23766 (50 μg) was injected into the cerebral lateral ventricle at 15 min before ischemia,while the equal volume of normal saline was injected in groups S and I/R.Neurological deficits were scored at 24 h of reperfusion.The rats were then sacrificed and the brains were removed for determination of infarct volume (by TTC staining),apoptosis (by TUNEL) and phosphorylation of p38MAPK (by Western blot)and for microscopic examination (by HE and Nissl staining).Apoptotic index was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the neurological deficit scores aud apoptotic index were significantly increased,the infarct volume was enlarged,and the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was significantly increased in groups I/R and N (P ＜ 0.05).The neurological deficit scores and apoptotic index were significantly lower,and the infarct volume was significantly smaller,and the phosphorylation of p38MAPK was significantly lower in group N than in group I/R (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion NSC23766 can reduce focal cerebral I/R injury in diabetic rats. Key words: racl GTP-binding protein; Diabetes mellitus; Reperfusion injury; Brain
Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) for the treatment of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Primary obesity surgery endoluminal (POSE) utilizes an incision-less operating platform system to create full-thickness plications in the gastric fundus and body (original POSE). Many studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of original POSE for the treatment of obesity. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature in an attempt to evaluate the outcomes of original POSE per the ASGE task force thresholds. Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for studies assessing the outcomes of POSE for the treatment of obesity. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that assessed outcomes of POSE were included. Studies were included if they reported percent total weight loss (%TWL) or percent excess weight loss (%EWL) and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE). A total of seven studies with 613 patients were included. Two included studies were RCTs, while the remaining were observational studies. Pooled mean %EWL at 3–6 months and 12–15 months were 42.62 (95% CI 37.56–47.68) and 48.86 (95% CI 42.31–55.41), respectively. Pooled mean %TWL at 3–6 months and 12–15 months was 13.45 (95% CI 8.93–17.97) and 12.68 (95% CI 8.13–17.23), respectively. Subgroup analysis of two RCTs showed that weight loss at 1 year was significantly higher in POSE patients (%EWL difference in means 19.45 (95% CI 4.65–34.24, p value = 0.01). The overall incidence of serious adverse events was only 2.84% and included GI bleeding, extra-gastric bleeding, hepatic abscess, severe pain, severe nausea, and severe vomiting. The mean number of total anchors placed in the fundus and body was 13.18 (95% CI 11.77–14.58), and the mean procedure time was 44.55 min (95% CI 36.44–52.65). POSE, a minimally invasive endoscopic bariatric therapy, is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of obesity. The outcomes of POSE meet and surpass the ASGE joint task force thresholds. Future studies should evaluate newer versions of this procedure that emphasize gastric body plication sparing the fundus.
A Virtual Reality Orientation and Mobility Test for Inherited Retinal Degenerations: Testing a Proof-of-Concept After Gene Therapy.

Purpose To test the ability of a virtual reality (VR) orientation and mobility (OM ages 10-35yo; Average 22.5yo) and patients with RPE65-associated Leber Congenital Amaurosis (n=3; ages 7-18yo; Average 12.7yo), in two of them before and after gene therapy. Patients underwent perimetry and full-field sensitivity testing. VR-O&M parameters correlated with the visual dysfunction. Results Visual acuities in RPE65 patients were on average worse than 20/200, dark-adapted sensitivity losses >5 log units, and fields constricted between 20° and 40°. Before treatment, patients required ~1000-fold brighter environment to navigate, had at least x4 more collisions, and were slower both to orient and navigate compared to control subjects. Improvements in cone- (by 1-2 L.u.) and rod-mediated (by >4 L.u.) sensitivities post-treatment led to fewer collisions (at least by half) at ~100-fold dimmer luminances, and to x4 times faster navigation times. Conclusion This study provides proof-of-concept data in support for the use of VR-O&M systems to quantify the impact that the visual dysfunction and improvement of vision following treatments has on functional vision in IRDs. The VR-O&M was useful in potentially challenging scenarios such as in pediatric patients with severe IRDs. Translational relevance A VR-O&M test will provide much needed flexibility, both in its deployment as well as in the possibility to test various attributes of vision that may be impacted by gene therapy in the setting of translational studies. Precis This study provides proof-of-concept data in support for the use of a virtual reality orientation and mobility test to quantify the impact of the disease and of treatments thereof on functional vision in inherited retinal degenerations.
Shedding of culturable virus, seroconversion, and 6-month follow-up antibody responses in the first 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

We aimed to characterize presence of culturable virus in clinical specimens during acute illness, and antibody kinetics up to six months post-onset, among 14 early US COVID-19 patients. We isolated viable SARS-CoV-2 from rRT-PCR-positive respiratory specimens collected during days 0-8 post-onset, but not after. All 13 patients with two or more serum specimens developed anti-spike antibodies; 12 developed detectable neutralizing antibodies. We did not isolate virus after detection of neutralizing antibodies. Eight participants provided serum at six months post-onset; all retained detectable anti-spike IgG, and half had detectable neutralizing antibodies. Two participants reported not feeling fully recovered at six months.
The Perception of Regional Dialects and Foreign Accents by Cochlear Implant Users.

Purpose This preliminary research examined (a) the perception of two common sources of indexical variability in speech—regional dialects and foreign accents, and (b) the relation between indexical ...
MRI Signal Intensity of Quadriceps Tendon Autograft and Hamstring Tendon Autograft 1 Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescent Athletes

Background:Hamstring tendon autograft (HTA) is a common graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in skeletally immature patients. Recently, the use of quadriceps tend...
Psychopathology: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Conditions Present in Early Childhood

A number of forms of psychopathology appear very early in life while other mental health disorders develop in adolescents or adulthood. This chapter will review comorbid disorders that occur in childhood. Emphasis on how these disorders are expressed in persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) will be emphasized along with common data-based treatments.
Effect of movement velocity and movement pattern on the root mean square and the median frequency of the electromyographic activity of the quadriceps during isokinetic testing

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) compare the effect of movement velocity and movement pattern on the electromyographic activity (EMG) of the quadriceps as measured by the Root Mean Square of the electromyogram (rmsEMG) and the Median Frequency of the electromyogram (mfEMG) during isokinetic testing and 2) compare the effect of movement pattern on the torque production of the quadriceps during isokinetic testing. Fourteen healthy adult females with no known knee pathologies and familiarity with isokinetic testing performed six continuous isokinetic movements at 100 0 · s −1 , 200 0 · s −1 , 300 0 · s −1 and 400 0 · s −1 . Movements were performed in a reciprocal pattern, (maximal knee extension followed by maximal knee flexion), and a non-reciprocal pattern (maximal extension followed by relaxation of the hamstrings). Statistical analyses revealed there was a difference in the rmsEMG for the quadriceps on the effect of velocity (F =3 .2, P< 0.05) with post hoc analysis revealing significant differences in the rmsEMG between 100 and 300 0 · s −1 (F =5 .6, P< 0.05), and between 100 and 400 0 · s −1 (F =6 .7, P< 0.01) with the highest rmsEMG being seen during the slowest velocities. For the mfEMG there were significant differences when comparing the velocity of movement (F =7 .8, P< 0.001), specifically when comparing the slowest velocity 100 0 · s −1 with 200 0 ·s −1 (F =4 .9, P< 0.05), 300 0 · s −1 (F =8 .8, P< 0.005) and 400 0 · s −1 (F =2 2.7, P< 0.001) with the highest mfEMG observed at the lower velocities. No difference was noted either in EMG or torque between the reciprocal and non-reciprocal movements. The results of this study suggests that during isokinetic testing the EMG activity of the quadriceps is altered as velocity changes with regard to the rmsEMG and mfEMG. Specifically as velocity increases overall muscle activity decreases as measured by the rmsEMG. In addition as velocity increases there is a shifting toward recruitment of slower velocity muscle fibers as measured by the mfEMG. These results also suggest that movement pattern (reciprocal vs. non reciprocal) does not effect the EMG for quadriceps activity during isokinetic knee extension.
A New Trust-Region Algorithm for Equality Constrained Optimization

We present a new trust-region algorithm for solving nonlinear equality constrained optimization problems. Quadratic penalty functions are employed to obtain global convergence. At each iteration a local change of variables is performed to improve the ability of the algorithm to follow the constraint level set. Under certain assumptions we prove that this algorithm globally converges to a point satisfying the second-order necessary optimality conditions. Results of preliminary numerical experiments are reported.
Computer Use in Civil Engineering

Advances in computer based engineering technology are directly related to machine and communications capabilities and the ability of engineers to make optimum use of these capabilities. To this end it is important that engineers act in anticipation of new hardware and software advances as opposed to reacting to an existing technology. This paper surveys the developments in computer hardware and software with attention being paid to civil engineering applications. Interactive computing, including graphics, and data management systems are stressed. The role and impact of future hardware developments and software techniques are assessed.
Nuclear Waste Partitioning and Transmutation

The long-term (>1000 years) hazard of radioactive waste emplaced in a geologic repository could be reduced by separating the most significant long-lived radionuclides and transmitting them to stabl...
Yield enhanced layout strategies for ratio-critical analog circuits

A yield enhanced layout method for maximizing yield of integrated resistor networks with a fixed total area is discussed. This approach incorporates both random variations in the sheet resistance and random variations in the contact resistances. The concept of contact/sheet resistance crossover which gives the crossover between contact-resistance dominance and sheet resistance dominance is developed.
Crystalline chromium doped aluminum oxide (ruby) use as a luminescent screen for proton beams

In our search for a better luminescent screen material, we tested pieces of mono-crystalline chromium doped aluminum oxide (more commonly known as a ruby) using a 24 GeV proton beam. Due to the large variations in beam intensity and species which are run at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), we hope to find a material which can sufficiently luminesce, is compatible in vacuum, and maintain its performance level over extended use. Results from frame grabbed video camera images using a variety of neutral density filters are presented.
Upregulated expression of brain enzymatic markers of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid metabolism in a rat model of the metabolic syndrome

In animal models, the metabolic syndrome elicits a cerebral response characterized by altered phospholipid and unesterified fatty acid concentrations and increases in pro-apoptotic inflammatory mediators that may cause synaptic loss and cognitive impairment. We hypothesized that these changes are associated with phospholipase (PLA2) enzymes that regulate arachidonic (AA, 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-6) acid metabolism, major polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain. Male Wistar rats were fed a control or high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks. Brains were assayed for markers of AA metabolism (calcium-dependent cytosolic cPLA2 IVA and cyclooxygenases), DHA metabolism (calcium-independent iPLA2 VIA and lipoxygenases), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and synaptic integrity (drebrin and synaptophysin). Lipid concentrations were measured in brains subjected to high-energy microwave fixation. The high-sucrose compared with control diet induced insulin resistance, and increased phosphorylated-cPLA2 protein, cPLA2 and iPLA2 activity and 12-lipoxygenase mRNA, but decreased BDNF mRNA and protein, and drebrin mRNA. The concentration of several n-6 fatty acids in ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and lysophosphatidylcholine was increased, as was unesterified AA concentration. Eicosanoid concentrations (prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4) did not change. These findings show upregulated brain AA and DHA metabolism and reduced BDNF and drebrin, but no changes in eicosanoids, in an animal model of the metabolic syndrome. These changes might contribute to altered synaptic plasticity and cognitive impairment in rats and humans with the metabolic syndrome.
Stable isotope time-series in mammalian teeth: In situ δ18O from the innermost enamel layer

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in mammalian tooth enamel are commonly used to understand the diets and environments of modern and fossil animals. Isotope variation during the period of enamel formation can be recovered by intra-tooth microsampling along the direction of growth. However, conventional sampling of the enamel surface provides highly time-averaged records in part due to amelogenesis. We use backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope (BSE-SEM) to evaluate enamel mineralization in developing teeth from one rodent and two ungulates. Gray levels from BSE-SEM images suggest that the innermost enamel layer, <20 μm from the enamel–dentine junction, is highly mineralized early in enamel maturation and therefore may record a less attenuated isotopic signal than other layers. We sampled the right maxillary incisor from a woodrat subjected to an experimentally induced water-switch during the period of tooth development, and demonstrate that secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be used to obtain δ18O values with 4–5-μm spots from mammalian tooth enamel. We also demonstrate that SIMS can be used to discretely sample the innermost enamel layer, which is too narrow for conventional microdrilling or laser ablation. An abrupt δ18O switch of 16.0‰ was captured in breath CO2, a proxy for body water, while a laser ablation enamel surface intra-tooth profile of the left incisor captured a δ18O range of 12.1‰. The innermost enamel profile captured a δ18O range of 15.7‰, which approaches the full magnitude of δ18O variation in the input signal. This approach will likely be most beneficial in taxa such as large mammalian herbivores, whose teeth are characterized by less rapid mineralization and therefore greater attenuation of the enamel isotope signal.
Control Conundrums: Modest Libertarianism, Responsibility, and Explanation

Modest libertarianism aims to specify the sort of control that suffices for moral responsibility without appealing to metaphysically exotic agents or forms of causation. I critically discuss two versions of modest libertarianism, one more robust than the other, with the primary aim of developing and defending the following sort of requirement for moral responsibility: an agent is responsible for performing an action only if there is an explanation (that need not be deterministic) in terms of prior reasons of why the agent performs the action that she does rather than some alternative.
TGF-β in the Bone Microenvironment: Role in Breast Cancer Metastases

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide. It has long been known that cancers preferentially metastasize to particular organs, and bone metastases occur in ∼70% of patients with advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer bone metastases are predominantly osteolytic and accompanied by bone destruction, bone fractures, pain, and hypercalcemia, causing severe morbidity and hospitalization. In the bone matrix, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is one of the most abundant growth factors, which is released in active form upon tumor-induced osteoclastic bone resorption. TGF-β, in turn, stimulates bone metastatic cells to secrete factors that further drive osteolytic destruction of the bone adjacent to the tumor, categorizing TGF-β as a crucial factor responsible for driving the feed-forward vicious cycle of cancer growth in bone. Moreover, TGF-β activates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, increases tumor cell invasiveness and angiogenesis and induces immunosuppression. Blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway to interrupt this vicious cycle between breast cancer and bone offers a promising target for therapeutic intervention to decrease skeletal metastasis. This review will describe the role of TGF-β in breast cancer and bone metastasis, and pre-clinical and clinical data will be evaluated for the potential use of TGF-β inhibitors in clinical practice to treat breast cancer bone metastases.
Equal Oncologic Results for Laparoscopic and Open Resection of Adrenal Metastases

Background While open adrenalectomy is often performed for malignant adrenal tumors, increasing numbers of surgeons have adopted the laparoscopic approach. The postoperative benefits of laparoscopic adrenalectomy are well established, but questions persist about long-term oncologic outcomes when used for malignant lesions. The current study was undertaken to compare laparoscopic with open adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastases. Methods From March 1993 to April 2006, 20 adults underwent adrenalectomy for isolated metastases to the adrenal gland. Three patients were excluded because of a concomitant nephrectomy (2) and an unresectable tumor (1). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and oncologic outcomes of the remaining patients were reviewed and analyzed. Results Of the 17 patients who received adrenalectomy for an isolated metastasis, there were 11 men and 6 women with a mean age of 58 ± 3 y. Nine patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and 8 patients had open adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with less blood loss (63 ± 8 mL versus 2207 ± 1067 mL, P = 0.05), a lower complication rate (0% versus 63%, P = 0.009), and a shorter length of stay (2.4 ± 0.6 d versus 5.4 ± 0.7 d, P = 0.02). With a follow-up of up to 97 mo, there were no port site metastases, no tumor recurrences, and no difference in survival between laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy (median 19 months versus 17 months, 5-year survival 34% versus 54%, P = 0.96). Conclusions When not limited by tumor size or invasion of surrounding tissue, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe alternative to open adrenalectomy with equivalent oncologic outcomes and clear postoperative benefit for patients with isolated metastases to the adrenal gland.
Development of an autonomous underwater vehicle for sub-ice environmental monitoring in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

The investigation of environmental impacts from oil development in the Prudhoe Bay region of the Beaufort Sea, along Alaska's northern coast is currently underway at the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech). Of particular interest are the impacts of the construction of offshore gravel islands used for oil drilling and production. Construction of these islands may contribute to an increase in suspended sediment concentrations in the waters of Prudhoe Bay, which could have adverse affects on the health of local marine ecosystems. In response to the needs of the project, the Underwater Technologies Laboratory (UTL) at Florida Tech has developed a unique autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The purpose of this AUV is to perform automated point-to-point data collection missions underneath the thick winter ice sheet. This paper presents the overall design concept of the AUV, along with the design of the prototype vehicle's various subsystems including propulsion, navigation, environmental sensor payload, CPU, power, and software.
Echographic pseudoextension of uveal melanomas.

• Background: Standardized echography is routinely utilized to assess uveal melanomas. Echographic pseudoextension is defined as normal structures mimicking intrascleral or extrascleral extension of tumor on echography. • Methods: The records of 151 consecutive uveal melanoma patients evaluated with standardized echography over a 6-year period (1986–1991) were reviewed to identify those in which pseudoextension or true extension was diagnosed. • Results: Fourteen (9%) cases of pseudoextension were noted, with causes including juxtapapillary tumor location (seven cases), extraocular muscle insertion (five cases), vortex ampullae (one case), and post-brachytherapy changes (one case). Clinical, echographic, and/or histopathologic follow-up confirmed absence of true extension. Six (4%) cases of true extrascleral extension were identified and confirmed histopathologically. • Conclusion: Differentiating extraocular tumor extension from pseudoextension is critical, and use of standardized A-scan and contact B-scan echography is integral in this assessment.
Prediction of short term power output of wind farms based on least squares method

Ability to reasonably predict the power outputs of wind farms enables a better management of reserves and control mechanisms of turbines. Wind power forecasting is also important in assessing the wind energy potential of a region at the planning stages. This paper focuses on the prediction of power generation from wind farms in the short term. It proposes a least squares based method of predicting the total power output of a group of wind farms distributed over a region. A test study has been conducted by predicting the wind power output of four hypothetical wind farms located at four counties in the state of Illinois, the Bureau County, Henry County, Mercer County and Knox County. The wind speeds at the latter three counties predicted from the measured wind speeds at the former are compared to the actual measured wind speeds. Results validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method for predicting the power output of wind farms in the short term. Comparison with the Persistence Model shows that the proposed model yields superior short term wind speed predictions.
Potentiometric semimicro determination of some tetrazoles with silver nitrate

Tetrazoles possessing an hydrogen atom in the 1 H position can be assayed in aqueous solution by potentiometric titration with silver nitrate. Emf's were monitored with a sulfide ion-selective indicator electrode, and a double-junction reference electrode. These compounds can also be determined as acids in aqueous solution vs standard sodium hydroxide solution. If the 1H hydrogen atom is replaced by another group the acidic character of the molecule is lost and it cannot be analyzed by either of the two methods.
Changes in hepatic microsomal membrane fluidity with age.

Abstract There are changes in the mixed function oxidase enzymatic activities of rat hepatic microsomal membranes with age. However, the protein components of the mixed function oxidase system do not appear to change with age. The purpose of this study was to detect possible changes in the fluidity of the lipid component of the microsomal membrane with age. Hepatic microsomes were isolated by differential centrifugation from uninduced, male CFN rats aged 3, 12 and 26 mo. The microsomal membrane fluidity was measured using electron paramagnetic resonance after incorporation of a 5-nitroxide stearic acid spin label into the membrane. The order parameter S decreased with age from 0.586 ± 0.003 (3 mo) to 0.581 ± 0.002 (12 mo) to 0.569 ± 0.003 (26 mo) at 30°C. This indicated an increase in membrane fluidity with age. In membranes labeled with the 16-nitroxide stearic acid, a similar increase in membrane fluidity with age was observed. The order parameter of microsomal membranes from 3 and 26 mo rats was measured over the temperature range 18° to 31°C in steps of 0.9°C. A plot of the log of S versus the reciprocal temperature revealed a phase transition at 24°C in membranes from 26 mo rats, but no phase transition was observed in 3 mo old rats in this temperature range. The change in fluidity of the hepatic microsomal membrane with age may account for some of the observed changes in membrane-bound mixed function oxidase activities with age.
A molecular classification of congenital neutropenia syndromes.

Current knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of severe congenital neutropenia indicates that the clinical diagnosis includes a heterogeneous group of disorders following different patterns of inheritance. Similarly, multifaceted syndromes associated with neutropenia can be classified molecularly, which in turn allows for a better understanding of the basis of the neutropenia. Many of the neutropenia disorders can be treated with G-CSF (filgrastim) to increase the neutrophil count, thereby reducing infection morbidity and mortality. In some instances hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment currently available. This review describes and classifies, on a molecular basis, both primary congenital neutropenia and multifaceted syndromes associated with neutropenia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:609–614. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties of calix[4]phloroglucinarene dodecamethyl ether and its trifluoroacetic acid complex

The action of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) on 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol 3 affords the title tetrameric compound in high yield as a maroon TFA complex, 4; trituration of which with acetone gives the free, colorless, calix[4]phloroglucinarene (5) that can also be directly isolated by treating the reaction mixture with base. The novelty of compounds 4 and 5 is that they possess four additional methoxy groups, which occupy the cavity of the known calix[4]resorcinarene octamethyl ether (2). Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic analysis shows that TFA-complex 4 exhibits transannular charge-transfer interactions between the opposite aromatic rings. The (1)H-NMR spectrum of the TFA-complex 4 does not change over a wide temperature range, strongly suggesting that it adopts a saddle (1,3-alternate) structure. The conformation of the free phloroglucinarene 5 is temperature-dependent, as determined by variable temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Tetramer 5 adopts a partial cone conformation at low temperatures, but at elevated temperatures is similar to that of the TFA complex 4 (saddle). Tetramer 5 is conformationally mobile at ambient temperature, but generally has a flattened cone (boat) conformation. The ΔG(≠) for inversion in 5 between partial cone and boat conformation is 12.5 Kcal mol(-1), while that between boat and saddle conformation is 14.3 Kcal mol(-1). Conformational changes are also dependant on pH.