cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Behavior of High-Burnup Fuel That May Affect the Source Terms for Cask Accidents

Current risk assessments of spent fuel in storage and transportation casks use the properties of light water reactor fuel below 45 GWd/t U. Fuel is being driven to higher burnups that may influence the source term in cask accidents. To achieve these burnups the manufacturers are introducing new assembly designs and cladding alloys. As a result, at the higher burnups (≥50 GWd/t U) some of the characteristics of the fuel pellets, cladding, and assembly design used in the safety analysis have changed. The fuel pellet has developed a fine-grained, Pu-rich rim zone on its exterior surface. The source term may increase by up to three orders of magnitude over that expected from the particulate size distribution based on the fracture of the body of the pellets. The actual increase will depend on the fracture characteristics of the rim and number of fracture sites in the cladding. The cladding may acquire hydrogen contents up to 700 parts per million by weight during the increased exposure. Embrittlement of the cladding with subsequent loss of ductility may occur, especially if there is hydride reorientation. As a result, there may be a greater propensity for fracture of the rods upon impact, with subsequent release of fuel particulate and gas. Significantly improved source terms can be developed if additional data on fuel rim fracture as a function of impact energy, the dependence of cladding ductility for Zircaloy and the newer cladding alloys as a function of hydride reorientation, and release characteristics for fractured rods are obtained. Chalk River unidentified deposit spallation characteristics only make a significant contribution to the source term if the rods do not fracture in the accident or if a fire-only accident occurs.
Stars Wars: Application of the Economic Substance Doctrine to Foreign Tax Credits, and What the Future Holds

The recent, controversial STARS (Structured Trust Advantaged Repackaged Securities) cases provide a backdrop for analyzing how the economic substance doctrine ideally should be applied to foreign tax credit cases. The economic substance doctrine is a judicial doctrine that allows courts to disregard the tax consequences of a transaction that violates the intent of the relevant statute. Its application to foreign tax credits has a long and contentious history, and the STARS cases have given new life to the government’s arguments. After the STARS cases, the circuits are split on the question of how foreign taxes should be treated in computing profit for purposes of the economic substance test. This article argues that foreign taxes should be treated as a cost for such purposes, even in situations in which the taxpayer does not bear the economic burden of the tax. Given the difficulties of applying the economic substance doctrine, the article also discusses possible alternative approaches (either under current law or as changes to the current statutory or regulatory rules). Among such alternatives, the article considers the viability of a subsidy argument in the STARS fact patterns (and in other future cases), although the government chose not to raise this argument in the STARS cases.
How Students Combine Resources to Make Conceptual Breakthroughs

We use the framework of cognitive resources to investigate how students construct understanding of a complex physics topic, namely, a photovoltaic cell. By observing students as they learn about how a solar cell functions, we identified over 60 distinct resources that learners may activate while thinking about photovoltaic cells. We classify these resources into three main types: phenomenological primitives, conceptual resources, and epistemological resources. Furthermore, we found a pattern that suggests that when students make conceptual breakthroughs they may be more likely to activate combinations of resources of different types in concert, especially if a resource from each of the three categories is used. This pattern suggests that physics instructors should encourage students to activate multiple types of prior knowledge during the learning process. This can result from instructors deliberately and explicitly connecting new knowledge to students’ prior experience both in and outside the formal physics classroom, as well as allowing students to reflect metacognitively on how the new knowledge fits into their existing understanding of the natural world.
The Effects of Brief Interventions on Children's Playmate Preferences for a Child Sitting in a Wheelchair

More knowledge is needed about interventions that facilitate the acceptance of children with chronic conditions, like physical disabilities. In this study, we examined the impact of scripts, presenting either positive or explanatory information, on young children's attitudes about a line drawing of either a typical child or one in a wheelchair. Our findings indicated that gender and age were significantly related to children's perceptions. Girls provided higher playmate preference ratings for both the typical child and the one sitting in a wheelchair than boys, and older children (ages 6 years, 4 months to 9 years) reported higher ratings than younger children. Physical status of the child in the line drawing did not impact children's opinions. It may be that young children do not hold negative attitudes toward peers who are wheelchair-bound. Because no stigma was attached to the child in either condition, type of information did not influence children's attitudes. Further research will provide information about what types of interventions improve the acceptance of young children with chronic conditions.
Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Primary Mitral Regurgitation With and Without Prolapse

Abstract Background Recent studies reported left ventricular (LV) fibrosis in patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR) thought to be principally due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Objectives This study sought to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic implications of LV fibrosis in a large cohort of primary MR patients with and without MVP using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods Patients referred for contrast CMR assessment of chronic primary MR were enrolled and underwent comprehensive assessment of cardiac remodeling, severity of MR, and LV replacement fibrosis. Primary MR patients were stratified into: an MVP group if there was >2 mm mitral leaflet displacement on cine-CMR, or a non-MVP group. Patients were followed for arrhythmic events (sudden cardiac death, aborted sudden cardiac arrest, and sustained or inducible ventricular arrhythmia). Results A total of 356 primary MR patients (177 MVP and 179 non-MVP) were enrolled. LV fibrosis was more prevalent in the MVP group than the non-MVP group (36.7% vs. 6.7%; p Conclusions In primary MR patients, LV fibrosis is more prevalent in MVP than non-MVP, suggesting a unique pathophysiology beyond volume overload in MVP. LV fibrosis in primary MR may represent a risk marker of arrhythmic events.
Salter-Harris Fractures of the Distal Phalanx: Treatment Algorithm and Surgical Outcomes.

Background Salter-Harris fractures of the distal phalanx with or without clinical evidence of nail-bed laceration are frequently undertreated. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients with distal phalanx Salter-Harris fractures treated between 2004 and 2016. Results Seventy patients were treated for 72 Salter-Harris fractures at a mean ± SD age of 11.3 ± 3.7 years. Median follow-up was 6 weeks (interquartile range, 4 to 12.6 years). The thumb was most commonly involved (n = 21), followed by long (n = 18), ring (n =17), small (n = 9), and index (n = 7) fingers. Sport-related injuries accounted for 39 fractures (54 percent). Forty-two fractures (58 percent) had at least one clinical finding suggestive of nail-bed laceration (subungual hematoma, subluxation of the proximal nail plate, skin laceration proximal to the eponychial fold, bleeding from underneath the nail plate, eponychial fold laceration, and nail plate avulsion). Among 42 fractures with at least one feature of nail-bed laceration, surgical exploration was undertaken in 38 fractures. At exploration, a nail-bed laceration was found in 31 fractures (82 percent) and soft-tissue interposition was found in 18 (47 percent). Fractures with clinical features of nail-bed laceration (n = 42) were treated with open reduction and splinting (n = 25), open reduction and percutaneous pinning (n = 13), or splinting (n = 4). Excellent results were obtained, with few unfavorable outcomes. Infectious complications occurred in six patients. Conclusion The high rate of nail-bed laceration and soft-tissue interposition in Salter-Harris fractures with clinical features of nail-bed laceration mandates surgical exploration. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
Hypoploid metaphases in cultured lymphocytes of marihuana smokers.

Summary In a previous study we reported an increased incidence of hypoploid metaphases in cultured lymphocytes of marihuana smokers. In these studies hypoploid metaphases were defined as metaphase nuclei with a chromosomal complement of less than 30 chromosomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the cytogenetic effect of “ heavy ” marihuana smoking under a controlled environment. Five male subjects with prior histories of chronic marihuana smoking were used in this study. Subjects were initially kept in a drug-free environment. At the end of this period the subjects were encouraged to consume as many cigarettes as they could tolerate. The daily average was 14 cigarettes per day. Following the smoking period all subjects were deprived of marihuana for a period of over 18 days. Heparinized blood was obtained from all subjects before, during and after smoking. Metaphase and anaphase preparations were made from these samples. The incidence of hypoploid cells was significantly higher in all subjects during the smoking period. The incidence was also higher in samples obtained after the smoking period when compared with samples from before the smoking period. No increase in chromosome breakages or segregational errors of chromosomes in the anaphase preparations was found in any of the samples obtained. The increased incidence of hypoploid metaphases observed during heavy marihuana smoking in a controlled environment confirms our previous observation. These observations would suggest a causal relationship between moderate to heavy marihuana smoking and induction of hypoploid cells.
Trends in Number and Composition of Sex Partners Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2008-2014.

Background Social and legal acceptance of long-term same-sex partnerships in the United States has increased over the past decade which may impact sexual partnering among men who have sex with men (MSM). Identifying whether and how partnering trends have evolved at a national level could improve understanding of HIV transmission and prevention among MSM partnerships. Methods We used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data (2008, 2011, and 2014) to study trends in the number and partner type composition (main/casual) of male sex partners among US MSM. Changes over time were assessed in Poisson regression models with the link function tailored to the count and binary outcomes. Results The mean total number of partners in the past year increased, while the mean number of main partners remained stable. The percentage of MSM with both main and casual partners increased, and we observed a shift from having ≥1 main and 0 casual partners to having ≥1 main and ≥2 casual partners. Condomless anal sex in the past year increased regardless of partner composition. Discussion Findings suggest casual partnering among MSM has increased in recent years, including among those with ≥1 main partners. Both partner-based and individual prevention programs remain critical to reaching MSM.
Surgical Techniques: Cervical Osteotomies—High Thoracic VCR for Kyphoscoliosis Correction

High thoracic VCR is a useful technique for correcting symptomatic severe spinal deformity. The procedure results in complete three-column release of the spine allowing for dramatic corrections of both sagittal and coronal plane deformities over a short and rigid spinal segment. Because of the high risk of major complications, patient selection, preoperative optimization, and surgical planning are of utmost importance. This chapter provides a detailed description of the technique for performing a high thoracic VCR to correct severe kyphoscoliotic deformity. Emphasis is placed on the key steps of the procedure and avoidance of common pitfalls. Two representative cases are also presented.
Is Obamacare Really Unconstitutional

Is Obamacare Really Unconstitutional? A U.S. appeals court has declared that the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate is unconstitutional and that the rest of the law might therefore be invalid...
Male phenotypes in a female framework: Evidence for degeneration in sperm produced by male snails from asexual lineages

How changes in selective regimes affect trait evolution is an important open biological question. We take advantage of naturally occurring and repeated transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction in a New Zealand freshwater snail species, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, to address how evolution in an asexual context-including the potential for relaxed selection on male-specific traits-influences sperm morphology. The occasional production of male offspring by the otherwise all-female asexual P. antipodarum lineages affords a unique and powerful opportunity to assess the fate of sperm traits in a context where males are exceedingly rare. These comparisons revealed that the sperm produced by 'asexual' males are markedly distinct from sexual counterparts. We also found that the asexual male sperm harboured markedly higher phenotypic variation and was much more likely to be morphologically abnormal. Together, these data suggest that transitions to asexual reproduction might be irreversible, at least in part because male function is likely to be compromised. These results are also consistent with a scenario where relaxed selection and/or mutation accumulation in the absence of sex translates into rapid trait degeneration.
Chapter 7 – Oxidation and Reduction Mechanisms

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the thermodynamic basics behind the oxidation and reduction mechanisms. The solubility of oxides decreases with the oxidation state. Monovalent alkali metal oxides are highly soluble, and most of the divalent oxides are sparsely soluble. Trivalent oxides such as alumina and hematite (Fe2O3) exhibit very low solubility, but are more soluble than quadrivalent oxides containing titanium, lanthanides, and actinides. Fortunately, some of the metals have more than one oxidation state. The reduction approach is also useful in stabilization of hazardous metal oxides of high oxidation states. Because of these reasons, a good understanding of the reduction mechanism of oxides within high oxidation states is needed. The basic concepts of thermodynamics in a chemical reaction can be used to predict formation of new products and to predict the direction of a reaction, and the same can be said for an electrochemical reaction also. An important oxide used in the reduction mechanisms is Fe2O3. This oxide is one of the most common and low cost raw materials used in forming inexpensive CBPCs. This oxide is very stable and cannot be dissolved sufficiently in an acid solution to produce Fe2+(aq) or Fe3+(aq) to form CBPC by the conventional dissolution method. The chapter concludes that the reduction may be achieved simply by adding a small amount of elemental iron. Reduction process is also very useful in stabilization of most difficult contaminants such as radioactive technetium in CBPCs.
“Good” and “Bad” Urban Wildlife

Urban environments offer habitat for many species of animals. Although some of those are ubiquitous and/or undesirable, others are native and in some cases, of conservation value. In many cases, urban wildlife populations are a source of enjoyment for human residents, who sometimes invest considerable amounts in attracting them to yards and public spaces. Their presence there can serve an important educational role that helps protect non-urban habitats and species. Nonetheless, urban wildlife must survive what has been termed a “landscape of fear.” Although some of the urban wildlife that do well in this environment are benign, other populations – sometimes of a species that, in other locations, is iconic and desirable – can become problematic. Some species can serve as vectors that carry important zoonosis, such as the plague or diseases that affect other wildlife. Others can create noise or olfactory nuisances and degrade structures or usability of public spaces. Some pose hazards at busy airports, whereas still others may present an envenomation or predation risk on unwary humans. Here, we review the role that reptiles, birds, and mammals play in urban environments and discuss how urban wildlife rehabilitation centers help address some related issues. We close by looking ahead and trying to predict how global patterns such as increased urbanization and population growth may affect urban wildlife and its value for conservation.
Gut metabolite S-equol ameliorates hyperexcitability in entorhinal cortex neurons following Theiler murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced acute seizures.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech; School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech; Virginia Tech Insitute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS)
Uncertainty quantification for ptychography using normalizing flows.

Ptychography, as an essential tool for high-resolution and nondestructive material characterization, presents a challenging large-scale nonlinear and non-convex inverse problem; however, its intrinsic photon statistics create clear opportunities for statistical-based deep learning approaches to tackle these challenges, which has been underexplored. In this work, we explore normalizing flows to obtain a surrogate for the high-dimensional posterior, which also enables the characterization of the uncertainty associated with the reconstruction: an extremely desirable capability when judging the reconstruction quality in the absence of ground truth, spotting spurious artifacts and guiding future experiments using the returned uncertainty patterns. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method on a synthetic sample with added noise and in various physical experimental settings.
Hierarchical Multimodal Fusion Network with Dynamic Multi-task Learning

Real-world data often contain multiple modalities and non-exclusive labels. Multimodal fusion is a vital step in mul-timodallearning that integrates features from various modalities in the vector space so that the classifier could utilize the fused vector to generate the final prediction score. Common multimodal fusion approaches rarely consider the cross-modality interactions which play an essential role in exploiting the inter-modality relationship and subsequently creating the joint modality embedding. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical multimodal fusion framework with dynamic multi-task learning. It focuses on modeling the joint embedding space for all cross-modality interactions and adjusting the task loss for optimal performance. The proposed model uses a novel hierarchical multimodal fusion network that learns the cross-modal interactions among all combinations of modalities and dynamically allocates the weights for each pair in a sample-aware fashion. Furthermore, a novel dynamic multi-task learning approach is applied to handle the multi-label problems by automatically adjusting the learning progress on both task level and sample level. We show that the proposed framework outperforms the baselines and some of the state-of-the-art methods. We also demonstrate the flexibility and modularity of the proposed hierarchical multimodal fusion and dynamic multi-task learning units, which can be applied to various types of networks.
Essentials of Heat Transfer: Principles, Materials, and Applications

This textbook teaches students the principles, materials and applications they need to understand and analyze heat transfer problems they will encounter in practice. The emphasis on modern practical problems (including thermoelectric cooling) in numerous examples, sets this apart from other titles. This book discusses heat transfer problems (in search of innovative and optimal solutions) and the engineering analysis, to motivate fundamental principles and analytical problem solving methods. By introducing heat flux tracking, students develop intuition about the central role of heat transfer in engineered systems. The energy conversion mechanisms (to and from thermal energy) are integrated into the treatment, thus allowing for realistic design of thermal systems. Microscale heat carriers are also covered. MATLAB® software is included, along with other rich materials available on the website, www.cambridge.org/kaviany. A complete solutions manual for the numerous exercises is available to qualified instructors.
Radiotherapy Induced Changes in Spine and Spinal Contents

Radiotherapy is a well-established therapeutic modality in oncology that results in survival benefits in several different cancer types, including breast, prostate, rectum, brain, lung, and head and neck cancers. It is generally used to control or eliminate malignant cells as a definitive treatment or a part of adjuvant therapy and to prevent tumor recurrence after surgery. It may also be used as palliative treatment for local disease control or symptomatic pain relief.
Direct Manipulation, Direct Engagement, and Direct Perception: What's Directing What?

The term “direct” has been used quite liberally in recent discussions of human performance and human-machine systems. Shneiderman (1983) discusses “direct manipulation”; Hutchins, Hollan and Norman (1986) discuss “direct engagement”; and Gibson (1979) discusses “direct perception”. This paper will compare these different uses of the term direct and will examine the implications for interface design.
Adaptive signal discrimination as applied to coal interface detection

A description is given of two coal-rock interface detector (CID) methods associated with vibrations generated by mining machines and how adaptive signal discrimination (ASD) technology is being used to process these signals. In these CID methods, strata (roof, coal seam, floor) or mining machine vibrations are monitored for the complex signals generated, which vary according to the type of mining machine being used. These signals are then analyzed using sophisticated state-of-the-art ASD technology. It is this advanced signal analysis that distinguishes this approach from those of prior research. The ASD system is initially trained using a database of features extracted from known signals measured under conditions of interest. Subsequently, it uses this database to determine if unknown signals belong to a given condition. Assuming that the ASD system classifies these signals correctly, such a system could have the potential for controlling a mining machine so that it always remains in the coal system. >
The Development of a Virtue Ethics Scale

Drawing on conceptual works by Murphy (1999) and Solomon (1999), we develop a virtue ethics scale. Other ethics scales, which are grounded in deontological and teleological principles, may be used to classify people according to their beliefs about (1) the criteria they use to make ethical decisions, or (2) the ethicality of those decisions. We suggest augmenting these scales with our virtue ethics scale, which may be used to classify people according to their beliefs about the virtuous qualities of businesspeople.
Superacids--It's a Lot About Anions

Superacids are powerful agents for protonating weak bases, with applications ranging from synthetic chemistry to batteries and fuel cells. DesMarteau explains in his Perspective that many superacids have undesirable properties, because after proton donation, the resulting anion may interact strongly with the protonated base or the solvent. Reed et al . report the discovery of a superacid that overcomes this problem. In the anion, charge is distributed efficiently over many atoms, reducing unwanted interactions.
Science Gone to Seed

The Green Revolution offers an ideal case for considering the role of values in science. But the failures in this episode were primarily due to cultural (or social) values, not scientific (or cognitive) values. Current research in non-industrialized nations demonstrates how (contra Lacey, this volume) a materialistic strategy of scientific understanding may be sensitive to cultural context. Differentiating ethical and scientific values is essential, lest we conflate descriptive and normative processes.
Antiepileptic drug development for "therapeutic orphans".

Summary: Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder among children. Excluding the elderly, the incidence of epilepsy is highest among children. About half of children with epilepsy have epilepsy syndromes that have unique onset in childhood. Clinical drug trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among children have been primarily performed using drugs developed for the larger adult partial epilepsy market. The current AED drug development system essentially renders children with epilepsy “therapeutic orphans” who can only benefit from AED development if a drug developed for adult partial epilepsy happens to also be effective for a pediatric epilepsy syndrome. The rapid evolution of different seizure types and childhood epilepsy syndromes, and rapid changes in baseline neurological status, make distinguishing clinical changes due to study drugs in clinical trials and the natural history of the epilepsy syndrome difficult. Unique ethical issues (e.g., informed consent), practical and logistical issues (e.g., serum AED level monitoring with microassay methods), as well as major financial and regulatory disincentives for the pharmaceutical industry are additional barriers to need-based AED development for children. A government-funded pediatric epilepsy group or consortium to conduct clinical trials similar to the successful Children's Oncology Group (COG) and regulations plus financial incentives that encourage the pharmaceutical industry to develop AEDs specifically for children are needed.
Enhancement of fibrinolysis by inhibiting enzymatic cleavage of precursor α2‐antiplasmin: reply to a rebuttal

See also Lee KN, Jackson KW, Christiansen VJ, Dolence EK, McKee PA. Enhancement of fibrinolysis by inhibiting enzymatic cleavage of precursor α2-antiplasmin. J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9: 987–96; Agusti-Cobos E, Tenorio-Laranga J. Enhancement of fibrinolysis by inhibiting enzymatic cleavage of precursor α2-antiplasmin: a rebuttal. This issue, pp 1266–7.
Regulating Farming: Balancing Food Safety and Environmental Protection in A Cooperative Governance Regime

This Article explores the relationship between two key areas of farming regulation: food safety and environmental protection. Focusing on the 2010 Food Safety Modernization Act, which directs the Federal Food and Drug Administration to promulgate rules governing produce safety on farms, this Article identifies a number of tradeoffs between these two areas. Many of these tradeoffs are not immediately apparent on the face of the Food Safety Modernization Act or its implementing rules and arise only as a result of farmers’ particular implementation choices. Like other agriculture regulation, the Food Safety Modernization Act relies on cooperative governance, allowing regulated entities to play a major role in the regulatory process. Thus, many details of the regulatory scheme are determined only after rulemaking is over. Unfortunately, most of the existing administrative law tools that manage tradeoffs between various regulatory goals — for example, cost-benefit analysis and interagency consultation — focus on the rulemaking process itself, and, as such, are poorly suited to address the tradeoffs that inevitably are made in the post-rulemaking implementation phase. There is therefore a mismatch between most risk tradeoff analysis tools — which are aimed at improving the decision-making of agencies during rulemaking — and agricultural cooperative governance schemes, which ultimately delegate tradeoff analysis to farmers to conduct during rule implementation. As a result, regulated entities engage in tradeoff analysis without adequate oversight or accountability. Because farmers are likely to be biased in favor of food safety and against environmental protection, the former is likely to win out regardless of whether the outcome is in the public interest. This Article calls for development of a systematic analytical tool to manage regulatory tradeoffs during rule implementation.
14C-labeled substrate catabolism by human diploid fibroblasts derived from infants and adults.

Abstract Untransformed diploid skin fibroblasts from eight normal adults, aged 24 to 74 years, catabolized several 14 C-labeled substrates less effectively than cells from ten normal male infants. 14 C-labeled substrate metabolism was quantitated either by measuring the evolution of 14 CO 2 from the 14 C-labeled compounds or the incorporation of 14 C into cellular protein via transamination of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates derived from the 14 C-labeled substrates. With these methods, adult cells catabolized [1- 14 C]butyrate, [1- 14 C]octanoate, and 1-[2- 14 C]leucine at rates 44 to 64% of those found in infant cells. The oxidation of [1,4- 14 C]succinate and [U- 14 C]malate was identical in both infant and adult cells, while [2,3- 14 C]succinate catabolism was mildly decreased in adult cells (65–80% of control). These observations parallel those made in rat tissues and confirm that the same phenomenon occurs in cultured human fibroblasts.
A high-power multiwavelength comb laser source

We present a simple method to generate a stable high-power (> 30 dBm) multi-wavelength ytterbium/erbium co-doped double-cladding fiber ring laser source at room temperature. This method is based a wavelength-dependent filter through spatial mode beating between the LP 01 and LP 11 modes within the multimode fiber section. We also investigate the relationship between the lasing wavelengths and the length of the ytterbium/erbium fibers (YEFs), the number of lasing wavelength lines dependent on the total pumping power level and the polarization states, and the characteristics of both the wavelength switching operation and the total output power. Eight simultaneous lasing wavelengths with 0.78 nm spacing were generated at room temperature.
Long-term effect of stenting after an endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to study the effect of stenting with a silastic sheet on the long-term patency of the common frontal ostium after an endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP)...
A Human Breathing Lung-on-a-Chip

Here we describe a microphysiological system that replicates the functional unit of the living human lung. This human “breathing lung-on-a-chip” microdevice provides unique capabilities to reconstitute three-dimensional microarchitecture, dynamic mechanical activity, and integrated physiological function of the alveolar–capillary interface. We demonstrate the potential of this microengineered biomimetic model for screening environmental particulates and modeling complex human disease processes.
OVD Manufacturing Technology

The current level of industrialization of the OVD (Outside Vapor Deposition) technology is reviewed. The individual manufacturing steps are described. Product flexibility and fiber quality are given, and trends are discussed.
Metformin is a potent inhibitor of endometrial cancer cell proliferation—implications for a novel treatment strategy

Objectives Obesity and diabetes are strong risk factors that drive the development of type I endometrial cancers. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that metformin may lower cancer risk and reduce rates of cancer deaths among diabetic patients. In order to better understand metformin's anti-tumorigenic potential, our goal was to assess the effect of metformin on proliferation and expression of key targets of metformin cell signaling in endometrial cancer cell lines.
A morphological basis for higher niacin in sugary maize.

Previous studies have shown that sugary (su1) maize endosperms or kernels contain about twice as much niacin as those of the normal starchy (Su1) allele (1-3). The data in this paper show that the higher niacin has a morphological basis in that sugary kernels have more niacin-rich aleurone tissue than starchy. This finding makes suggested biochemical explanations (4-5) of the carbohydrate-niacin differences unnecessary.
Trocar site recurrence after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.

The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper tract urothelial malignancy have been confirmed in a large multi-institutional series.1 To date, there have been only 2 reported cases of trocar site urothelial carcinoma recurrence after laparoscopic extirpation, both of which were associated with widespread metastasis.2,3 We report a case of isolated trocar site metastases 1 year after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.
Energetics and migration of point defects in Ga 2 O 3

The results of a theoretical study on the point defects of monoclinic $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ are reported here. The point defects considered here are vacancies, interstitials together with dopant ions such as Be, Mg, In, Cr, Si, Ge, Sn, and Zr. Since the low symmetry of the monoclinic lattice does not provide an unambiguous location of interstitial sites and migration paths, we propose a unique way for their identification in terms of the electron density topology. Special attention has also been given to the preference among the lattice and interstitial sites for the impurity defects, and its explanation in terms of structural, electrostatic, and electron density arguments. The calculated results find the most prominent features in the lattice to be the existence of (i) empty channels along the $\mathbf{b}$ direction, and (ii) atomic layers perpendicular to them. Their interplay governs the stability and mobility of the point defects in $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The anionic Frenkel pair consisting of the oxygen vacancy and oxygen interstitial is predicted to dominate the defect structure in the lattice. The dopants considered here are likely to be stabilized at the octahedral gallium sites, except for ${\mathrm{Be}}^{+2}$, which prefers a tetrahedral gallium site in the lattice. Some of the possible migration paths have been determined, and the pseudoactivation energies for the intrinsic, oxygen-rich, and oxygen-deficient conditions are computed as a function of temperature. It is suggested that tuning the concentration of oxygen can lead to a change in the anisotropy of the ionic conductivity in $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
Differences required for significance between Wechsler verbal and performance IQs and WIAT subtests and composites: The predicted‐achievement method

This paper provides tables of critical values for determining statistically significant discrepancies between Wechsler Verbal/Performance IQ and WIAT subtest and composite scores based on a predicted-achievement method. It is recommended that these tables be used when a statistically significant and diagnostically meaningful Verbal IQ-Performance IQ discrepancy exists rendering either of these IQs a better estimate of a student's ability than the Full Scale IQ. Issues regarding the use of discrepancy formulas in the assessment and diagnosis of learning disabilities are discussed, and basic considerations for using the critical values tables are provided.
Injury and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to study injury and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and their effects on knee osteoarthritis. Design: This manuscript discusses the function of knee ligaments, including the basic mechanical properties, the structural properties of their respective bone–ligament–bone complexes, as well as their time- and history-dependent viscoelastic characteristics. The in-situ forces in the ACL and its replacement grafts and knee kinematics before and after ACL reconstruction are also examined. Results: A robotic/universal force-moment sensor (UFS) testing system has been developed which offers a unique method in determining the multiple-degree of freedom knee kinematics and in-situ forces in human cadaveric knees. Under a 110N anterior tibial load we found at flexion angles of 15° or lower, there was a significantly larger in-situ force in the PL bundle (approximately 75N) of the ACL as compared to the AM bundle (approximately 35N) ( P 0.05). We also found that a quadruple semitendinosus and gracilis tendon ACL graft may be better at fully restoring in-situ forces for the whole range of knee flexion when compared to a bone–patellar tendon–bone ACL graft. Conclusions: The robotic/UFS testing system allows us to determine knee kinematics and the in-situ forces in cadaveric knees in a non-invasive, non-contact manner. Additionally, the ability to reproduce kinematics during testing allows us to evaluate ACL and ACL graft function under external and simulated muscle loading conditions. Finally, we can also examine many of the variables of ACL reconstructions that affect knee kinematics and graft forces including graft tensioning, graft type, graft placement and tibial positioning during graft fixation.
The pursuit of multiple objectives in face‐to‐face persuasive interactions: Effects of construct differentiation on message organization

This is paper describes the development of a system for analyzing the management of multiple communicative goals in interpersonal arguments. The message analysis system was designed to classify conversationally produced messages in terms of (1) the communicative role of the message producer; (2) the position taken toward the issue on the floor; (3) the explicitness with which conflict is acknowledged; and (4) the manner in which the subsidiary communicative goals of face protection and interaction maintenance are managed. In an initial investigation using this system, differential reliance on goal management strategies was associated, on the one hand, with individual differences in construct differentiation, and on the other hand, with differing degrees of interpersonal success. Associations among the four dimensions of the message analysis system were also observed, and were consistent with a rational goal‐based analysis of communication.
Deep Methane Maxima in the Northwest Caribbean Sea: Possible Seepage Along the Jamaica Ridge

Methane concentrations as great as 30,000 nanoliters per liter were measured on two cruises in the northwest Caribbean Sea. Such concentrations are three orders of magnitude higher than Bunsen solubilities would predict. Although shallow maxima may result from in situ microbial activity, the deeper maxima appear to result from massive seepage (estimated at 1 x 10 8 to 10 x 10 8 liters per day) along the Jamaica Ridge.
Effects of Gaining Control over Aversive Stimuli after Differing Amounts of No Control

60 male undergraduates were given 4 levels of experience with insoluble problems. Solutions of problems avoided shock while non-solution resulted in shock. Increasing amounts of prior non-solution were associated with retardation of solving problems once solution became possible. The results were cast in a “learned helplessness” framework. S's speed of reaction increased as problems became soluble. There were no detectable changes in S's skin responses.
Convergence in per capita energy use among OECD countries

Abstract Unlike previous studies which mainly focus on the integration properties of energy consumption and production, this study examines the convergence of per capita energy use among 25 OECD countries over the period 1960 to 2010. In particular, newly developed LM and RALS-LM unit root tests with allowance for two endogenously determined structural breaks are employed. The results indicate significant support for per capita energy use convergence among OECD countries.
Posterolateral Chest Deformations From Seat-Mounted Side Airbag Deployments

Since the introduction of torso-protecting side airbags (SAB) in the middle of the previous decade, their prevalence has increased at a considerable rate. By model year 2008, torso SAB availability increased to 65% of new vehicles sold in the United States [1]. This increasing popularity has necessitated a scientific understanding of injury risks associated with SAB deployment. Although much has been reported regarding detrimental frontal airbag deployment [2], detrimental SAB deployment scenarios remain obscure.
Effects of mu, kappa or delta opioids administered by pellet or pump on oral Salmonella infection and gastrointestinal transit

Our laboratory has shown previously that subcutaneously implanted, slow-release morphine pellets markedly enhanced susceptibility to oral infection with Salmonella typhimurium. Further, morphine, kappa and delta opioid receptor agonists infused via osmotic minipumps were immunosuppressive. The present study compared morphine pellets to morphine pumps and also examined the differential effects of morphine versus U50,488H (kappa agonist), deltorphin II (delta2 agonist), and (D-Pen2, D-Pen5)-enkephalin (DPDPE, delta1 agonist), administered via Alzet minipumps, on oral Salmonella infection and on gastrointestinal transit. The results show that all morphine-pelleted mice (26/26) had a marked increase in Salmonella burden in the Peyer's Patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. In comparison, only 8/20 mice receiving morphine by minipump at doses ranging from 1 to 25 mg/kg/day had any culturable Salmonella in their organs and the number of bacteria was very low. The level of Salmonella colonization correlated with blood morphine levels and gut transit measured using an intragastric charcoal meal. Morphine pellets inhibited gut transit by 38%, while mice receiving morphine by minipump at doses of 1 to 25 mg/kg/day showed only a dose-dependent 7% to 17% inhibition. Mice receiving various doses of U50,488H or DPDPE had no culturable Salmonella in the three sites. Deltorphin II given by minipump resulted in a moderate level of Salmonella in the spleen. Deltorphin II and U50,488H (0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day) did not suppress gut transit. The present studies indicate that a predominantly mu opioid receptor agonist, morphine, given by slow-release pellet, potentiated Salmonella infection and inhibited gastrointestinal transit. In contrast, morphine in pumps slightly inhibited intestinal transit, but did not sensitize to Salmonella infection. A delta1 opioid receptor agonist did not sensitize to infection, and a delta2 and a kappa opioid receptor agonist had minimal effects on either parameter.
Tracking behavior assessment methodology and support strategies: A national survey of how schools utilize functional behavioral assessments and behavior intervention plans.

Although functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) have been utilized since the 1960s, their use has steadily increased since the passing of IDEA 1997 which mandated their use in specified circumstances. References to FBAs and BIPs in No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the 2004 re-authorization of IDEA, and in positive behavioral supports programming has also expanded their use across school settings. Although much has been written about FBAs and BIPs, there is a paucity of research regarding the specific manner in which public school personnel implement mandated practices. The current study examined the variables in which schools conduct FBAs and implement BIPs not yet adequately addressed in the current literature and focused on four main areas: (a) behavioral problems encountered in the school settings, (b) common disciplinary actions taken regarding common behavioral problems, (c) how functional behavioral assessments are utilized, and (d) how behavior intervention...
Behavioral smoking cessation treatment for older chronic smokers

The benefits of behavioral smoking cessation treatment were examined in 82 chronic smokers 50 years of age and older. Participants were randomized into one of four intervention conditions: (1) behavioral training only, (2) behavioral training and nicotine gum, (3) behavioral training and physical exercise, and (4) physical exercise only. Behavioral training involved 3 months of group treatment, and physical exercise consisted of a 3-month walking program. Quit rates were assessed at program end and at 4, 7, and 12 months postrandomization. At 12 months the proportion quit across groups was respectively 31.8, 36.4, 27.8, and 10.0%. One-year quit data indicated that behavioral training facilitated cessation over the physical exercise only condition.
Molten-salt thermal energy storage in thermoclines under different environmental boundary conditions

Abstract Operation during the charge and discharge cycles of molten-salt thermoclines used for solar thermal energy storage depends strongly on the environmental boundary conditions to which the tanks are exposed. A comprehensive model which accounts for thermal transport in the molten-salt heat transfer fluid and the filler material in the tank is developed for exploring the effects of boundary conditions on thermocline performance. Heat loss from the tank under non-adiabatic boundary conditions is found to distort the temperature and salt flow distributions relative to the uniform conditions found in adiabatic thermoclines; as a result, the outflow temperature drops more rapidly in the former case. Such effects of non-adiabatic boundaries become insignificant at large salt-flow Reynolds numbers. As the Reynolds number increases beyond 250, the discharge efficiency of non-adiabatic thermoclines approaches that of the adiabatic counterparts. In the case of significant heat loss at the walls, the discharge efficiency of thermoclines increases with increasing Reynolds number, a trend that is opposite to that in adiabatic thermoclines.
Uptake and Processing of the Cytolethal Distending Toxin by Mammalian Cells

The cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is a heterotrimeric holotoxin produced by a diverse group of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. The Cdts expressed by the members of this group comprise a subclass of the AB toxin superfamily. Some AB toxins have hijacked the retrograde transport pathway, carried out by the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), to translocate to cytosolic targets. Those toxins have been used as tools to decipher the roles of the Golgi and ER in intracellular transport and to develop medically useful delivery reagents. In comparison to the other AB toxins, the Cdt exhibits unique properties, such as translocation to the nucleus, that present specific challenges in understanding the precise molecular details of the trafficking pathway in mammalian cells. The purpose of this review is to present current information about the mechanisms of uptake and translocation of the Cdt in relation to standard concepts of endocytosis and retrograde transport. Studies of the Cdt intoxication process to date have led to the discovery of new translocation pathways and components and most likely will continue to reveal unknown features about the mechanisms by which bacterial proteins target the mammalian cell nucleus. Insight gained from these studies has the potential to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.