cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and drug therapy for urinary incontinence

In a randomized, controlled trial comparing biofeedback-assisted behavioral therapy and drug therapy with oxybutynin, both types of therapy were superior to placebo in older, community-dwelling women with urge or mixed incontinence. Behavioral therapy significantly reduced incontinence compared with oxybutynin therapy (80.7% vs 68.5%, P = 0.04). Patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with behavioral therapy, and 97% were willing to continue this therapy indefinitely, compared with 55% receiving drug therapy. Results of recent studies suggest that behavioral therapy without biofeedback or pelvic floor electrical stimulation also results in significant clinical benefits, which should make behavioral therapy a more practical approach in the general practice setting. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between posttreatment urodynamic changes and clinical outcomes, and thus, the mechanisms by which behavioral and drug therapies work remain unidentified. In a small trial of combination therapy, patients who received both drug and behavioral therapy experienced significant clinical improvements compared with the effects of monotherapy with either treatment.
Dispersion and diffusion influences on yield in complex reaction networks

Differences in the dispersion and/or catalytic pellet size between laboratory and commercial reactors, operating at the same average residence time, may lead to differences in the yield of a desired product. Bounds are developed for predicting the maximal design uncertainty introduced by these phenomena for a network consisting of an arbitrary number of irreversible first-order reactions. A major advantage of these bounds is that they do not require any knowledge of the rate constants. It is shown that in a packed-bed reactor, the fractional yield loss is smaller than: where m − 1 is the number of reaction steps involved in converting a reactant to the desired product, σ is the dimensionless variance of the residence time density function, Bim is the Biot number, p2 = [(Vp/Sx)2(1/Deτ)], and τ is the average residence time.
Regulation of Cortical Interneurons by Neurotrophins: From Development to Cognitive Disorders

Parvalbumin-positive interneurons, which include basket and chandelier cells, represent a unique class of interneurons. By innervating the soma and the axonal initial segment of pyramidal cells, these interneurons can elicit powerful control on the output of pyramidal cells and consequently are important for a number of physiological processes in the mammalian brain. Recent evidence indicates that neurotrophins regulate the development and functions of parvalbumin-positive interneurons. Disruption of neurotrophin-mediated regulation of interneurons is thought to contribute to the pathological processes underlying CNS dysfunction. This review brings together recently described roles of neurotrophins in migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis during development, and acute effects of neurotrophins in transmission at inhibitory synapses, Cl- homeostasis, and network activity of cortical interneurons. The authors also discuss the importance of neurotrophin regulation of GABAergic neurons in schizophrenia an...
Acoustic cavitation and its chemical consequences

Acoustic cavitation is responsible for both sonochemistry and sonoluminescence. Bubble collapse in liquids results in an enormous concentration of energy from the conversion of the kinetic energy of liquid motion into heating of the contents of the bubble. The high local temperatures and pressures, combined with extraordinarily rapid cooling, provide a unique means for driving chemical reactions under extreme conditions. A diverse set of applications of ultrasound to enhance chemical reactivity has been explored, with important applications in mixed–phase synthesis, materials chemistry, and biomedical uses. For example, the sonochemical decomposition of volatile organometallic precursors in low–volatility solvents produces nanostructured materials in various forms with high catalytic activities. Nanostructured metals, alloys, carbides and sulphides, nanometre colloids, and nanostructured supported catalysts can all be prepared by this general route. Another important application of sonochemistry to materials chemistry has been the preparation of biomaterials, most notably protein microspheres. Such microspheres have a wide range of biomedical applications, including their use as echo contrast agents for sonography, magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, and oxygen or drug delivery.
Cell diversity in the retina: more than meets the eye

Over 10 years ago, Pax-6 was shown to play an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling eye formation from Drosophila to humans.1 Since then, the identification of an entire cascade of conserved eye determination genes has brought a new understanding to the developmental relationship between the insect compound eye and the vertebrate camera eye.2 Additional studies are now beginning to suggest that even late aspects of eye development, including cell type specification, also share common molecular machinery. In this commentary, I will discuss some of these findings, with a particular focus on the recent study by Dyer et al.3 describing a novel role for the Prox1 transcription factor in specifying horizontal cells in the mouse retina. As Prospero, the Drosophila homolog of Prox1, also participates in retinal cell specification, these data provide a forum for asking new questions concerning pathways that may regulate retinogenesis across evolution.
Effect of inhaled endotoxin on intraepithelial mucosubstances in F344 rat nasal and tracheobronchial airways

Increased sputum production and chronic bronchitis are associated with occupational exposure to endotoxin-contaminated organic ducts. The present study examined whether repeated exposure to occupationally relevant concentrations of airborne endotoxin in the F344 rat can alter the volume density of stored intraepithelial mucosubstances (Vs) in the respiratory tract. Rats were exposed to saline or endotoxin aerosols for 3 h/day for 3 days and were killed 24 h after the last exposure. Quantitative histochemistry of Vs in airway epithelium was examined at three distinct levels of the respiratory tract (nose, trachea, and lung). Exposure to endotoxin produced a dose-dependent increase in Vs in the intrapulmonary airways. The quantity of Vs in the intrapulmonary airways was significantly increased in animals exposed to as little as 0.3 micrograms/m3 endotoxin. Significant increases in Vs were observed in the trachea only after exposure to > or = 3.1 micrograms/m3 endotoxin, whereas no significant changes were observed in the nasal airways even at concentrations as high as 52.4 micrograms/m3. These results are consistent with earlier findings in which repeated instillation of endotoxin produced significant increases in Vs in the epithelial lining of the pulmonary airways and demonstrate that inhaled endotoxin may play a role in the increase in sputum and chronic bronchitis reported for workers exposed to organic dusts.
Experiments on the instability modes of buoyant diffusion flames and effects of ambient atmosphere on the instabilities

Large scale dynamic behavior of buoyant diffusion flames were studied experimentally. It was found that buoyant diffusion flames originating from circular nozzles exhibit two different modes of flame instabilities. The first mode results in a sinuous meandering of the diffusion flame, characteristic of flames originating from small diameter nozzles. This instability originates at some distance downstream of the nozzle exit in the contraction region of the buoyant flame envelope and develops into a sinuous motion of the flame. The second mode is the varicose mode which develops very close to the nozzle exit as axisymmetric perturbations of a contracting flame surface. In this mode, flame oscillations result in the formation of toroidal vortical structures that convect through the flame and cause periodic burn out at the flame top resulting in the observed flame height fluctuations. The average flame heights are found to be typically shorter for these flames. The oscillation frequencies and their scaling for the two modes are also different with the sinuous mode having higher frequencies than the varicose mode. It was also observed that the instability can switch from one mode to the other and the probability of observing the varicose mode appears to increase with increasing Richardson number. Additionally, the feasibility of altering the behavior of buoyant diffusion flames was explored through variation of the oxidizer medium density. It was found that the flame oscillations can be completely suppressed for flames burning in helium rich helium–oxygen mixtures. At lower helium concentrations, the oscillation frequency can be significantly reduced. In order to enhance the buoyancy effect, CO2–O2 mixtures were also studied. However, the density increase and its effects on flame oscillation frequency were found to be small compared to those flames burning in air. These experiments point towards the feasibility of altering buoyant flame behavior under earth gravity and studying the large scale dynamical aspects of buoyant flames without the need of variable gravity environment.
Digital system simulation: methodologies and examples

Two major trends in the digital design industry are the increase insystem complexity and the increasing importance of short designtimes. The rise in design complexity is motivated by consumerdemand for higher performance products as well as increases inintegration density which allow more functionality to be placed ona single chip. A consequence of this rise in complexity is a significantincrease in the amount of simulation required to design digitalsystems. Simulation time typically scales as the square of theincrease in system complexity [4]. Short design times are importantbecause once a design has been conceived there is a limited timewindow in which to bring the system to market while its performanceis competitive.Simulation serves many purposes during the design cycle of a digitalsystem. In the early stages of design, high-level simulation isused for performance prediction and analysis. In the middle of thedesign cycle, simulation is used to develop the software algorithmsand refine the hardware. In the later stages of design, simulation isused make sure performance targets are reached and to verify thecorrectness of the hardware and software. The different simulationobjectives require varying levels of modeling detail. To keep designtime to a minimum, it is critical to structure the simulation environmentto make it possible to trade-off simulation performance formodel detail in a flexible manner that allows concurrent hardwareand software development.In this paper we describe the different simulation methodologies fordeveloping complex digital systems, and give examples of one suchsimulation environment. The rest of this paper is organized as follows.In Section 2 we describe and classify the various simulationmethodologies that are used in digital system design and describehow they are used in the various stages of the design cycle. In Section3 we provide examples of the methodologies. We describe asophisticated simulation environment used to develop a large ASICfor the Stanford FLASH multiprocessor.
Developing students’ understanding of global issues through lean manufacturing

While traditional international exchange programs provide valuable experience for engineering students, they are neither within reach nor practical for all students. An innovative course was developed and executed Spring 2007 to provide engineering students with an intense international experience. This course is aimed at strengthening ABET outcome item (h) [the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context]. Additionally, the course provides students the opportunity to practice contemporary, industry-relevant skills by exploring lean manufacturing, including tools, philosophies, and current literature. In the first offering of the course, fifteen students participated on kaizen teams at companies in the United Kingdom and the United States. Survey results of student participants indicate that the experience increased studentspsila understanding of global issues and lean manufacturing. Feedback from industrial partners also showed that this was an effective exercise for developing studentspsila understanding of these issues. This paper describes the creation of this course, including the assessment data that provided the impetus for its inception. Course content, structure, and activities are detailed. Survey results are examined. Long term impact expectations and assessment plans are described.
Measurements of switched capacitor filters generated with a silicon compiler

The use of silicon compilers for the generation of systems which contain analog subsystems is relatively novel; and the expected performance levels are not well known. A description is given of the actual performance obtained from switched-capacitor filter modules generated using the CONCORDE silicon compiler. An array of eight switch-capacitor biquadratic filters was fabricated utilizing a 3- mu m two-layer poly process and tested along with several filters from previous fabrication runs. Measurements of transfer function, noise floor, harmonic distortion, dynamic range, and temperature effects have been carried out. >
Producing phototransistors in a standard digital CMOS technology

Development of a standard CMOS fingerprint identification system has necessitated the search for a photodetector with the optimum performance of responsivity, crosstalk, dynamic range, and matching parameters. Pixel resolution is also important in order that fingerprint features on the order of 80 /spl mu/m may be detected. This paper discusses six phototransistor configurations easily produced in CMOS technology and compares their experimental performance.
Optimization in Physiological Control

This chapter contains sections titled: Optimization in Systems with Negative Feedback Single-Parameter Optimization: Control of Respiratory Frequency Constrained Optimization: Airflow Pattern Regulation Constrained Optimization: Control of Aortic Flow Pulse Adaptive Control of Physiological Variables This chapter contains sections titled: Bibliography Problems ]]>
Adaptation-guided case base maintenance

In case-based reasoning (CBR), problems are solved by retrieving prior cases and adapting their solutions to fit; learning occurs as new cases are stored. Controlling the growth of the case base is a fundamental problem, and research on case-base maintenance has developed methods for compacting case bases while maintaining system competence, primarily by competence-based deletion strategies assuming static case adaptation knowledge. This paper proposes adaptation-guided case-base maintenance (AGCBM), a case-base maintenance approach exploiting the ability to dynamically generate new adaptation knowledge from cases. In AGCBM, case retention decisions are based both on cases' value as base cases for solving problems and on their value for generating new adaptation rules. The paper illustrates the method for numerical prediction tasks (case-based regression) in which adaptation rules are generated automatically using the case difference heuristic. In comparisons of AGCBM to five alternative methods in four domains, for varying case base densities, AGCBM outperformed the alternatives in all domains, with greatest benefit at high compression.
2 – Technology in the Industrial Age

“It is the Age of Machinery, in every outward and inward sense of that word.” THOMAS CARLYLE, Signs of the Times
SULF2 Expression Is a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Lung Cancer.

Aims Lung cancer is one of the most deadly cancers; median survival from diagnosis is less than one year in those with advanced disease. Novel lung cancer biomarkers are desperately needed. In this study, we evaluated SULF2 expression by immunohistochemistry and its association with overall survival in a cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We also looked for the presence of SULF2 protein in plasma to evaluate its potential as an early detection biomarker for NSCLC. Methods We identified patients who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma at our institution. A section from each paraffin-embedded specimen was stained with a SULF2 antibody. A pathologist determined the percentage and intensity of tumor cell staining. Survival analysis was performed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Using a novel SULF2 ELISA assay, we analyzed plasma levels of SULF2 in a small cohort of healthy donors and patients with early stage NSCLC. Results SULF2 staining was present in 82% of the lung cancer samples. Squamous cell carcinomas had a higher mean percentage of staining than adenocarcinomas (100% vs. 60%; p<0.0005). After adjusting for age, sex, race, histologic type, stage, and neoadjuvant therapy, there was a non-significant (31%; p = 0.65) increase in the risk of death for patients with adenocarcinoma with SULF2 staining in tumor cells. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in the risk of death (89%; p = 0.02) for patients with squamous cell carcinoma with SULF2 staining in tumor cells. SULF2 protein was present in plasma of patients with early stage NSCLC, and soluble SULF2 levels increased with age. Finally, plasma SULF2 levels were significantly elevated in early stage NSCLC patients, compared to healthy controls. Conclusions Tumor expression of SULF2 may affect prognosis in NSCLC, while blood SULF2 levels may have a significant role in the diagnosis of this fatal disease.
Spreading the Gospel of Singbewegung: An Ethnomusicologist Missionary in Tanganyika of the 1930s

Abstract From 1931 to 1939, Franz Rietzsch, a German missionary, worked with the Nyakyusa in Tanganyika. He differed from most other missionaries in two respects: first, he was invested in the German Singbewegung , a movement that played a central role in the revival of early-music performance and scholarship; and second, he had a background in comparative musicology, which shared the ideals of the early-music movement by emphasizing authenticity and musical universals. Rietzsch observed that the tonal system of the Wanyakyusa is derived from overtones over one fundamental and set out to write music for the service in what he called “African style.” Yet even though his settings use the pentatonic system of the Nyakyusa, they sound as if they were written in the early fifteenth century. Rietzsch9s story sits at the intersection of three seemingly distinct but surprisingly connected worlds in the 1920s and 1930s: that of the founders of comparative musicology; that of interwar Protestant missionaries; and that of the scholars and musicians working on early Euro-pean music. All three searched for the origins of music in an authentic mode and feared that hybrid forms of music (African-European or old music played in too modern a way) would be inauthentic.
Towards Establishing an Innovativeness Index for Construction Sites

The US construction industry is often characterized as laggard in its rate of adoption (innovativeness) for innovative construction products and techniques. In contrast, European construction is often considered advanced. A trip to Spain and Portugal provides a personal lens through which to view European adoption of innovation, albeit a limited view. No current index exists to compare innovation adoption across the construction setting, though. Development of this tool would therefore benefit our understanding of adoption progress in the construction industry. This work establishes such an index and uses a student-based travel abroad program to European construction sites as the setting for better understanding its design. This work therefore acts as a development step, establishing the basis for future work.
Black Fly ( Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt) Densities and Water Quality Conditions in Red Clay Creek, Pa.-Del.

That aquatic insects may be sensitive indicators of water conditions (i.e., pollution) has been amply demonstrated (Richardson 1929, Payne and Gaufin 1956, Patrick 1949, 1950). The main objective of this study was to determine if larval populations of Simulium vitiattum Zetterstedt, a black fly widely distributed in North America, could serve as an indicator species of stream pollution. This is a report of our preliminary findings.
Multifocal appendiceal ganglioneuroma as the presenting symptom in a patient with PTEN hamartoma syndrome

Abstract Pediatric ganglioneuroma, although benign, is typically treated by surgical resection. However, it is often asymptomatic and an incidental finding. We present an incidental multifocal ganglioneuroma diagnosed within the appendix and the subsequent treatment for this lesion. This intraoperative discovery led to the diagnosis of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) hamartoma syndrome which had otherwise gone undiagnosed.
The reproducibility issue and preclinical academic drug discovery: educational and institutional initiatives fostering translation success

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Drug discovery depends critically upon published results from the academy. The reproducibility of preclinical research findings reported by academia in the peer-reviewed literature has been called into question, seriously jeopardizing the value of academic science for inventing therapeutics.Areas covered: The corrosive effects of the reproducibility issue on drug discovery are considered. Purported correctives imposed upon academia from the outside deal mainly with expunging fraudulent literature and imposing punitive sanctions on the responsible authors. The salutary influence of such post facto actions on the reproducibility of discovery-relevant preclinical research data from academia appears limited. Rather, intentional doctoral-scientist education focused on data replicability and translationally-meaningful science and active participation of university entities charged with research innovation and asset commercialization toward ensuring data quality are advocated as key academi...
A Novel Orally Active Small Molecule Potently Induces G1 Arrest in Primary Myeloma Cells and Prevents Tumor Growth by Specific Inhibition of Cdk4/6.

Cell cycle deregulation is central to the initiation and fatality of multiple myeloma, the second most common hematopoietic cancer, although impaired apoptosis plays a critical role in the accumulation of myeloma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Inhibition of Cdk4 and Cdk6 by the Cdk inhibitor, p18(INK4c), is required for the generation of normal, functional plasma cells 1 . The mechanism for intermittent, unrestrained proliferation of myeloma cells is unknown, but mutually exclusive activation of Cdk4-cyclin D1 or Cdk6-cyclin D2 precedes proliferation of BM myeloma cells in vivo 2 . These data identify Cdk4 and Cdk6 as key determinants in the loss of cell cycle control in myeloma and suggest that Cdk4/6 may be effective targets for therapeutic intervention. Here we show that by specific inhibition of Cdk4/6, the orally active small molecule PD 0332991 potently induces G1 arrest in primary BM myeloma cells ex vivo , and prevents tumor growth in disseminated human myeloma xenografts. PD 0332991 inhibits Cdk4/6 proportional to the cycling status of the cells independent of cellular transformation, and acts in concert with the physiologic Cdk4/6 inhibitor p18(INK4c). Inhibition of Cdk4/6 by PD 0332991 is not accompanied by induction of apoptosis. However, when used in combination with a second agent such as dexamethasone, PD 0332991 markedly enhances the killing of myeloma cells by dexamethasone. PD 0332991, therefore, represents the first promising and specific inhibitor for therapeutic targeting of Cdk4/6 in multiple myeloma and possibly other B cell cancers.
The impact of technology diffusion on treatment for prostate cancer.

5044 Background: Robotic prostatectomy and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) hold the promise of improving cancer control and minimizing side-effects for patients with prostate cancer, but are associated with significant upfront investments. Many worry that the perceived advantages of these new technologies and the need to recoup start-up costs could shift decision making in favor of local therapy in lieu of expectant management. In this context, we examined the association of market-level technology penetration with receipt of local therapy. Methods: We used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) - Medicare linked database to identify all patients with loco-regional prostate cancer who were treated or managed expectantly from 2003 to 2007 (n=59,241). We measured technology penetration as the number of providers performing robotic prostatectomy or IMRT per population in a market (hospital referral region). We then performed multinomial logistic regression to examine the association of ...
Emotions during writing on topics that align or misalign with personal beliefs

We conducted a study where 42 participants wrote two essays on opposing stances about abortion (pro-choice and pro-life). Participants' affective states were tracked at 15-second intervals via a retrospective affect judgment protocol. The results indicated participants experienced more boredom when writing essays that did not align with their positions on abortion, but were more engaged when there was alignment. Participants also reported more curiosity while writing pro-choice essays. Importantly, boredom, engagement, and curiosity were the affective states that predicted essay quality.
Expandable Cages for Thoracic Spinal Deformity

Correction of kyphotic deformity of the spine is quite complex, especially in the thoracic spine. A variety of techniques exist for correction of thoracic kyphotic deformity; however, the controversy continues regarding the most efficacious approaches toward improving adequate sagittal balance, obtaining successful fusion of the construct, and providing an adequate scaffold anteriorly to tolerate the forces placed upon the anterior spine. Additionally, these goals must be accomplished while minimizing patient neurological morbidity. The use of an expandable thoracic cage to reconstruct the anterior and middle columns has proven to be a successful method of correcting thoracic kyphotic deformity, especially since 80 % of the axial vector load placed upon the spine is specifically along these particular columns [1].
Perioperative outcomes and complications of robot-assisted cystectomy

In this chapter, we report on the peer-reviewed literature on robot-assisted cystectomy with respect to perioperative outcomes and complications.
Automated Process Monitoring in 3D Printing Using Supervised Machine Learning

Abstract Quality monitoring is still a big challenge in additive manufacturing, popularly known as 3D printing. Detection of defects during the printing process will help eliminate waste of material and time. Defect detection during the initial stages of printing may generate an alert to either pause or stop the printing process so that corrective measures can be taken to prevent the need to reprint the parts. This paper proposes a method to automatically assess the quality of 3D printed parts with the integration of a camera, image processing, and supervised machine learning. Images of semi-finished parts are taken at several critical stages of the printing process according to the part geometry. A machine learning method, support vector machine (SVM), is proposed to classify the parts into either ‘good’ or ‘defective’ category. Parts using ABS and PLA materials were printed to demonstrate the proposed framework. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate how the proposed method works.
Role of non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplant in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its implications in current era: A systematic review.

e18536Background: TP53 mutated or del(17p) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has high incidence of transformation to high-grade lymphoma. Ibrutinib is approved as first line agent for these high r...
Efficient recursive realizations of FIR filters. Part II: design and applications

Recursive filter structures have been found for FIR filters with piecewisepolynomial or piecewise-(polynomial · sinusoid) impulse responses. The amount of arithmetic required for these filters is proportional to the number of piecewise sections in their impulse responses rather than the actual filter lengths. In this paper, it is shown that these impulse response expressions are quite good approximations to many practical filters. Low-pass filters, high-pass filters, narrowband, band-pass, and band-stop filters, Hilbert transformers, and differentiators all have impulse responses which can be approximated by these forms, and a long filter impulse response consists of only a few piecewise sections with greatly reduced arithmetic requirements. Though this technique is based on time-domain approximation, a frequency-domain optimization to select filter parameters is presented with excellent results.
Data-Driven Approximations of Dynamical Systems Operators for Control

The Koopman and Perron Frobenius transport operators are fundamentally changing how we approach dynamical systems, providing linear representations for even strongly nonlinear dynamics. Although there is tremendous potential benefit of such a linear representation for estimation and control, transport operators are infinite dimensional, making them difficult to work with numerically. Obtaining low-dimensional matrix approximations of these operators is paramount for applications, and the dynamic mode decomposition has quickly become a standard numerical algorithm to approximate the Koopman operator. Related methods have seen rapid development, due to a combination of an increasing abundance of data and the extensibility of DMD based on its simple framing in terms of linear algebra. In this chapter, we review key innovations in the data-driven characterization of transport operators for control, providing a high-level and unified perspective. We emphasize important recent developments around sparsity and control, and discuss emerging methods in big data and machine learning.
Mutations in the S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase Genes SAM1 and SAM2 Differentially Affect Genome Stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Maintenance of genome integrity is a crucial cellular focus that involves a wide variety of proteins functioning in multiple processes. Defects in many different pathways can result in genome instability, a hallmark of cancer. Utilizing a diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae model, we previously reported a collection of gene mutations that affect genome stability in a haploinsufficient state. In this work we explore the effect of gene dosage on genome instability for one of these genes and its paralog; SAM1 and SAM2. These genes encode S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) synthetases, responsible for the creation of AdoMet from methionine and ATP. AdoMet is the universal methyl donor for methylation reactions and is essential for cell viability. It is the second most used cellular enzyme substrate and is exceptionally well-conserved through evolution. Mammalian cells express three genes, MAT1A, MAT2A, and MAT2B, with distinct expression profiles and functions. Alterations to these AdoMet synthetase genes, and AdoMet levels, are found in many cancers, making them a popular target for therapeutic intervention. However, significant variance in these alterations are found in different tumor types, with the cellular consequences of the variation still unknown. By studying this pathway in the yeast system, we demonstrate that losses of SAM1 and SAM2 have different effects on genome stability through distinctive effects on gene expression and AdoMet levels, and ultimately separate effects on the methyl cycle. Thus, this study provides insight into the mechanisms by which differential expression of the SAM genes have cellular consequences that affect genome instability.
Knowledge of process-structure-property relationships to engineer better heat treatments for laser powder bed fusion additive manufactured Inconel 718

Abstract Dislocation structures, chemical segregation, γ′, γ″, δ precipitates, and Laves phase were quantified within the microstructures of Inconel 718 (IN718) produced by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (AM) and subjected to standard, direct aging, and modified multi-step heat treatments. Additionally, heat-treated samples still attached to the build plates vs. those removed were also documented for a standard heat treatment. The effects of the different resulting microstructures on room temperature strengths and elongations to failure are revealed. Knowledge derived from these process-structure-property relationships was used to engineer a super-solvus solution anneal at 1020 °C for 15 min, followed by aging at 720 °C for 24 h heat treatment for AM-IN718 that eliminates Laves and δ phases, preserves AM-specific dislocation cells that are shown to be stabilized by MC carbide particles, and precipitates dense γ′ and γ″ nanoparticle populations. This “optimized for AM-IN718 heat treatment” results in superior properties relative to wrought/additively manufactured, then industry-standard heat treated IN718: relative increases of 7/10 % in yield strength, 2/7 % in ultimate strength, and 23/57 % in elongation to failure are realized, respectively, regardless of as-printed vs. machined surface finishes.
Lowest Twelve Frequencies of Sandwich Plates Using Third-Order Shear-Normal Deformation Theory

We delineate effects of 1) face-to-core stiffness ratio (FCSR) and mass density ratio (FCDR) in square laminates and sandwich plates and 2) the fiber and transverse direction elastic modulus ratio ...
Abstract 470: Understanding the Distribution of CPR Training in Pennsylvania High Schools

Introduction: Bystander CPR may increase out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. Incorporating CPR education into high school curricula is an efficient way to teach a large number of individ...
Marijuana Policy in Colorado

In November 2012, voters in the states of Colorado and Washington approved ballot initiatives that legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia are scheduled to consider similar measures in the fall of 2014, and other states may follow suit in the fall of 2016.Supporters and opponents of such initiatives make numerous claims about state-level marijuana legalization. Advocates believe legalization reduces crime, raises revenue, lowers criminal justice expenditure, improves public health, improves traffic safety, and stimulates the economy. Critics believe legalization spurs marijuana use, increases crime, diminishes traffic safety, harms public health, and lowers teen educational achievement. Systematic evaluation of these claims, however, has been absent.This paper provides a preliminary assessment of marijuana legalization and related policies in Colorado. It is the first part of a longer-term project that will monitor state marijuana legalizations in Colorado, Washington, and other states.The conclusion from this initial evaluation is that changes in Colorado’s marijuana policy have had minimal impact on marijuana use and the outcomes sometimes associated with use. Colorado has collected non-trivial tax revenue from legal marijuana, but so far less than anticipated by legalization advocates.
Family variation in surface feeding behavior of steelhead fry predicts growth rate under hatchery conditions

Back pain affects most adults, causes disability for some, and is a common reason for seeking healthcare. In the United States, opioid prescription for low back pain has increased, and opioids are now the most commonly prescribed drug class. More than half of regular opioid users report back pain. Rates of opioid prescribing in the US and Canada are two to three times higher than in most European countries. The analgesic efficacy of opioids for acute back pain is inferred from evidence in other acute pain conditions. Opioids do not seem to expedite return to work in injured workers or improve functional outcomes of acute back pain in primary care. For chronic back pain, systematic reviews find scant evidence of efficacy. Randomized controlled trials have high dropout rates, brief duration (four months or less), and highly selected patients. Opioids seem to have short term analgesic efficacy for chronic back pain, but benefits for function are less clear. The magnitude of pain relief across chronic non-cancer pain conditions is about 30%. Given the brevity of randomized controlled trials, the long term effectiveness and safety of opioids are unknown. Loss of long term efficacy could result from drug tolerance and emergence of hyperalgesia. Complications of opioid use include addiction and overdose related mortality, which have risen in parallel with prescription rates. Common short term side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, and increased risk of falls and fractures. Longer term side effects may include depression and sexual dysfunction. Screening for high risk patients, treatment agreements, and urine testing have not reduced overall rates of opioid prescribing, misuse, or overdose. Newer strategies for reducing risks include more selective prescription of opioids and lower doses; use of prescription monitoring programs; avoidance of co-prescription with sedative hypnotics; and reformulations that make drugs more difficult to snort, smoke, or inject.
Reciprocal Relationships Between Exposure to Community Violence and Sleep Problems Across Adolescence

Urban adolescents experience high rates of exposure to community violence, which is associated with sleep problems. However, less is known about the prospective relationships between community viol...
Embracing Uncertainty: Modeling Uncertainty in EPMA-Part II.

This, the second in a series of articles present a new framework for considering the computation of uncertainty in electron excited X-ray microanalysis measurements, will discuss matrix correction. The framework presented in the first article will be applied to the matrix correction model called “Pouchou and Pichoir's Simplified Model” or simply “XPP.” This uncertainty calculation will consider the influence of beam energy, take-off angle, mass absorption coefficient, surface roughness, and other parameters. Since uncertainty calculations and measurement optimization are so intimately related, it also provides a starting point for optimizing accuracy through choice of measurement design.
Variations sur le "compos-auteur" : interview de Gérard Dastugue, de la musique de film à l'Abécédaire du Noir

Nathalie Vincent-Arnaud : Peux-tu presenter tes principaux domaines d'activite professionnelle en rapport avec le cinema ou la litterature policiere ? Gerard Dastugue : Beaucoup de cinema et un peu de polar. Je suis enseignant-chercheur a l'Institut Catholique de Toulouse ou mes domaines de recherche portent essentiellement sur le cinema dans ses formes les plus larges. Mais ce qui me fascine, me passionne, mon cœur battant de chercheur, est la musique de film ou les interactions entre musiq...
Acute kidney injury and percutaneous nephrolithotomy: incidence and predictive factors.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for patients with large stones. The risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been reported in the Western world. Our objective was to assess the frequency of AKI in patients undergoing PCNL and to identify independent predictors of AKI. METHODS A retrospective review of PCNL cases performed between January 2014 and June 2019 was reformed. Demographic, laboratory, and intraoperative date were obtained. Perioperative AKI was defined as (1) Increase in serum creatinine by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL (≥ 26.5 micromol/L) within 48 h, or (2) increase in serum creatinine to ≥ 1.5 times baseline. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing AKI. A p value of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS A total of 566 patients were included. Mean age was 58 ± 14.4 years. The frequency of AKI was 4.4% (n = 25). The risk factors for AKI after PCNL were having a baseline creatinine > 1.54 mg/dl (p = 0.03, odds ratio [OR] = 2.66, confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-6.6), and a preoperative hemoglobin of less than 10.6 g/dL (p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 2.47, confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-5.5). Patients without AKI had a median hospitalization of 2 days, while those with an AKI were hospitalized for a median of 3 days, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Perioperative AKI occurs in 4.4% of patients undergoing PCNL. Preoperative hemoglobin and serum creatinine can identify those at increased risk, in whom it may be important to avoid nephrotoxic agents.
An Evaluation of β-Propiolactone for the Sterilization of Fermentation Media

Twenty-five bacterial species were cultured in basal broth plus 1 of 19 different carbohydrates which were sterilized by Seitz filtration, autoclaving (112 C, 10 min), or exposure to 0.2% β-propiolactone (BPL). No significant differences were found either in the visual observations for acid and gas, pH, or titrable acidity determinations after 3 days of incubation with any of the three preparations tested. An effort was made to further determine the effect of BPL and heat on carbohydrates by assaying for glucose before and after treatment. Results indicated that glucose was not degraded by 0.2% BPL, however, it was shown that autoclave temperatures caused extensive degradation. Statistical treatment of the results from Warburg studies indicated that BPL-treated glucose showed no appreciable toxic effects, although the actual oxygen uptake was not as great as with Seitz- or autoclave-treated glucose. The application of the BPL sterilization process was discussed.
Relations entre le tabagisme, le sexe et la survenue d’une polyarthrite rhumatoïde : des résultats épidémiologiques à visée étiologique: Résultats tirés d’une étude de surveillance des facteurs de risque comportementaux

Resume Objectifs.– Cette etude a ete effectuee dans le but de confirmer et d’elargir nos constatations anterieures, a savoir que le sexe constitue un facteur biologique modificateur sur les rapports entre tabagisme et polyarthrite rhumatoide (PR) ; ceci au sein d’un echantillon d’une etude nationale diversifiee menee aux Etats-Unis. Patients et methodes.– Nous avons compare les habitudes de consommation de tabac entre 644 malades atteints de PR et 1509 sujets temoins apparies geographiquement. La comparaison a ete faite par une etude de regression logistique. Resultats.– Les malades atteints de PR etaient plus jeunes, avaient un niveau d’education inferieur, vivaient plus souvent seul et etaient plus souvent de sexe feminin que les sujets temoins. Le pourcentage de fumeurs etait de 57 % chez les malades et 49 % chez les temoins. Chez les femmes, apres ajustement pour l’âge, deux facteurs etaient associes au tabagisme : un antecedent d’hysterectomie avec un odd-ratio (OR) de 1,45 (intervalle de confiance a 95 %, IC : 0,99–2,10), le statut menopause avec un OR de 1,18 (IC : 0,99–2,10). En analyse univariee, le fait d’avoir deja fume dans sa vie etait associe a une augmentation du risque de PR (OR= 1,34 ; IC = 1,0–1,81). Parmi les fumeurs, il a ete mis en evidence une augmentation progressive du risque de PR avec l’augmentation de l’exposition au tabac ( p = 0,041). En utilisant des modeles multivaries differents, il a ete montre que le tabagisme augmentait le risque de PR chez les hommes (OR = 2,29 ; IC = 1,35–3,90), mais pas chez les femmes (OR = 0,98 ; IC = 0,67–1,42). Apres ajustement pour les variables significativement associees, aussi bien le sexe feminin (OR = 2 ,30 ; IC = 1,39–3,83) que le fait d’avoir deja fume (OR = 2,31 ; IC = 1,36–3,94) sont apparus comme des facteurs de risque significatifs de la PR. Conclusion.– Le sexe et le tabagisme interagissent, selon un mecanisme encore inconnu, pour augmenter de maniere independante le risque de PR.
A study of multiplicity-reactivation in the bacteriophage T4: I. Genetic and functional analysis of T4D-K12(λ) complexes

Abstract An investigation of multiplicity reactivation (MR) in the bacteriophage T4 has revealed new information regarding the reactivation process. Restitution of a complete genetic structure occurs in a mating of parental structures. It appears that no multiplication of genetic structures occurs prior to the formation of this genome. Evidence is presented which suggests that the ultraviolet (UV) damages stimulate recombination in the neighborhood of their locations in the genetic structure. Some of the UV damage affecting critical viral functions is shown to be localized in the genetic structure of the phage. Still another effect of the damage is shown to be associated with unspecified functions not necessarily required for the reactivation of the genome. These two effects of UV appear to form a relatively large porportion of the sensitive target in MR.
Oxidation of CO on Pt and Pd: I. Theory☆

Abstract The kinetics of CO oxidation on the metals Pt and Pd have been analyzed theoretically within the framework of a model that incorporates both the Eley-Rideal and Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanisms. The model takes into account the dissociative adsorption of oxygen on adjacent vacant surface sites. Exact solutions to the differential equations describing the model have been obtained for (a) the steady-state characterized by constant temperature and pressure, and (b) a quasi-equilibrium state in which one of the reactant gas phase pressures is modulated with frequency ω.
Private Sale of Corporate Control: Why the European Mandatory Bid Rule is Inefficient

On April 21, 2004, the European Community enacted the XIII Company Law Directive on Takeovers, whose primary purpose is the promotion of more efficient capital structures in Europe. The provision of a Mandatory Bid Rule (MBR) is among the several measures devised by the Directive to achieve this goal. The rule requires that anyone acquiring control of a listed company is obliged to make an offer to be addressed to all shareholders for all their holdings at a price at least equal to the highest price paid in the year prior to the acquisition. More specifically, in the intentions of the European legislator, the MBR would be designed to protect minority shareholders from value expropriations by opportunistic buyers, who seek control of the company to extract private benefits rather than to increase corporate cash flows. Moreover, by preventing value-decreasing transfers of controls, the rule would also lead to a reduction of the cost of equity capital. In this paper, I rebut both these claims as misleading and show that the MBR is, in fact, an inefficient rule for Europe. There are two basic reasons underpinning my argument. First, the ability of a controlling blockholder to extract private benefits is basically a function of the legal system in which the controlled company is chartered. Thus, the number of value-decreasing transfers of control tends to be relatively low. Second, by raising the cost of acquisition, the MBR is likely to prevent value-increasing transactions. And because such cost is increasing in the size of private benefits, in Europe where private benefits tend to be relatively high, the MBR is likely to prevent a large number of value increasing transactions. Finally, the MBR both fails to protect minority shareholders, because it does not prevent the extraction of private benefits, and risks reducing corporate value by hindering value-increasing transactions.