cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations between Medicare-Billed Advance Care Planning (ACP) Among Seriously Ill Patients and Their End-of-Life Healthcare Utilization

Research Objective Medicare began paying clinicians for advance care planning (ACP) conversations in 2016. Research suggests that ACP is associated with less intensive end‐of‐life (EOL) care and greater concordance with patient preferences. Seriously ill (SI) patients may be an important group to engage in ACP discussions. We examined the association of Medicare ACP visits with EOL health care utilization for these patients.
Discovery of an Unnatural DNA Modification Derived from a Natural Secondary Metabolite.

Summary Despite widespread interest for understanding how modified bases have evolved their contemporary functions, limited experimental evidence exists for measuring how close an organism is to accidentally creating a new, modified base within the framework of its existing genome. Here, we describe the biochemical and structural basis for how a single-point mutation in E. coli’s naturally occurring cytosine methyltransferase can surprisingly endow a neomorphic ability to create the unnatural DNA base, 5-carboxymethylcytosine (5cxmC), in vivo. Mass spectrometry, bacterial genetics, and structure-guided biochemistry reveal this base to be exclusively derived from the natural but sparse secondary metabolite carboxy-S-adenosyl-L-methionine (CxSAM). Our discovery of a new, unnatural DNA modification reveals insights into the substrate selectivity of DNA methyltransferase enzymes, offers a promising new biotechnological tool for the characterization of the mammalian epigenome, and provides an unexpected model for how neomorphic bases could arise in nature from repurposed host metabolites.
Moving Forward: Management Guidance and Earnings Announcement Returns

We provide new evidence on the role of management guidance in explaining earnings announcement-period returns. We show that guidance practices changed around the financial crisis in ways likely to affect the information content of guidance bundled with earnings. Managers provide guidance for a number of metrics and have moved towards annual and away from quarterly guidance, perhaps because of concerns about the managerial “myopia” some associate with quarterly EPS guidance. EPS and/or sales guidance news is incrementally informative and explains returns to about the same extent as earnings news, more so when earnings disappoint or firms report large beats. Specifications that capture the sign and consistency of signals are about as informative as those that use magnitudes. Similar to previous evidence, the response is asymmetric, with a stronger response to adverse earnings news accompanied by downgrades.
Development and evaluation of an online, patient-driven, family outreach intervention to facilitate sharing of genetic risk information in families with Lynch syndrome

Background Identifying at-risk relatives of individuals with genetic conditions facilitates ‘cascade’ genetic testing and cancer prevention. Although current standards of care give mutation-positive (index) patients the responsibility of sharing genetic risk information with relatives, the communication is suboptimal, limited largely to close relatives. We developed FamilyCONNECT, a provider-mediated, patient-navigated online tool to facilitate family outreach, and assessed its feasibility, usability and acceptability. Methods (1) Development of the FamilyCONNECT prototype; (2) testing using online surveys of: (a) members of Lynch Syndrome (LS) International (LSI); (b) genetics service providers; and (3) hands-on testing with patients with LS. Results (1) FamilyCONNECT’s features include introductory email to elicit participation, informational website/video, identity authentication/account creation, informed consent, sharing of genetic test results, pedigree expansion and process to invite at-risk relatives. (2a) 33% of the 170 LSI participants completed the survey. FamilyCONNECT’s features received favourable responses from at least 79% of respondents. Unfavourable responses were for length of the consent document and mistrust of opening emailed links. (2b) Thirty-five genetics professionals responded to the providers’ survey. Key perceived barriers to FamilyCONNECT’s usage were privacy/confidentiality (83%), a lack of institutional resources (76%), a defined process (66%) and time (69%). (3) Ten patients navigated data collection fields and provided feedback for improvements. Conclusion FamilyCONNECT tool’s content and features were well received among patients with LS as well as providers. The tool could be a viable alternative to increase family outreach among patients with LS. Future efforts will focus on refining FamilyCONNECT and assessing its uptake and utilisation by patients with LS.
Optoelectronically-active peptide materials towards biointerfacing

The applications of functional nanomaterials towards biological interfacing continue to emerge in various fields, such as in drug delivery and tissue engineering. While the rational control of surface chemistry and mechanical properties have been achieved for several of these biocompatible systems, these biomaterials are rarely synthesized with optical and electronic functionalities that could be beneficial for controlling the behavior of excitable cells for biosensing applications. In this talk, the development of self-assembling peptide materials appended with organic electronic units will be discussed. These materials can facilitate photoinduced energy transfer under aqueous environments. Semiconducting peptide monomers that can self-assemble as aligned hydrogels are successfully built according to design principles that allowed for directed photonic energy transport, sequential electron transport in a multicomponent system, and transmission or equilibration of voltage or current when incorporated in a transistor device. These soft scaffolding materials, with tunable molecular to macroscale properties, offer a unique tissue engineering platform that can locally and synergistically deliver electronic, topographical, and biochemical cues to cells. This presentation will also discuss the future applications of optoelectronically-active peptide assemblies as tools for controlling cellular processes and probing biophysical phenomena, such as action potential propagation, mechanotransduction, and drug/toxicant permeation across tissues.
Interaction of Ca2+ with blowfly flight muscle mitochondria.

Abstract Blowfly flight muscle mitochondria differ markedly from mammalian mitochondria in their interaction with Ca2+. State 4 respiration of blowfly mitochondria is not stimulated by Ca2+, nor does Ca2+ induce a reversible shift in the oxidation-reduction state of cytochrome b. Nevertheless, Ca2+ is accumulated by respiring blowfly mitochondria, but with a low efficiency; the Ca2+: ∼ accumulation ratio is about 0.6 with pyruvate plus proline, and about 0.2 with glycerol 1-phosphate, compared with values of about 2.0 observed in mammalian mitochondria. Ca2+ uptake is blocked by respiratory chain inhibitors and by uncouplers, but not by oligomycin. The presence of permeant anions in the medium is essential for Ca2+ uptake by blowfly mitochondria. At high levels of Ca2+, phosphate supports Ca2+ uptake better than acetate, but at low Ca2+ levels, phosphate and acetate are equally effective. Since acetate penetrates blowfly mitochondria passively it is probable that respiration-coupled uptake of Ca2+ in blowfly mitochondria must be accompanied by passive entry of matching anions. The accumulation of Ca2+ by blowfly mitochondria is very slow and does not exhibit saturation kinetics; moreover, no high affinity Ca2+ sites characteristic of a specific Ca2+ carrier could be detected. For these reasons it is concluded that the respiration-dependent accumulation of Ca2+ in blowfly mitochondria is not mediated by a specific carrier, but occurs through slow, concentration-dependent, physical diffusion through the membrane, in response to an electrochemical gradient generated by electron transport. The number of low affinity Ca2+-binding sites is surprisingly low, about one-tenth of that found in mammalian mitochondrial, and has been related to the peculiar phospholipid composition of these mitochondria. The findings described strongly suggest that the mitochondria of blowfly flight muscle do not actively segregate Ca2+ at the low concentrations at which it is presumed to occur in the sarcoplasm in vivo.
Angular versus spatial resolution trade-offs for diffusion imaging under time constraints

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) are now widely used to assess brain integrity in clinical populations. The growing interest in mapping brain connectivity has made it vital to consider what scanning parameters affect the accuracy, stability, and signal-to-noise of Diffusion measures. Trade-offs between scan parameters can only be optimized if their effects on various commonly derived measures are better understood. To explore angular versus spatial resolution trade-offs in standard tensor-derived measures, and in measures that use the full angular information in diffusion signal, we scanned eight subjects twice, two weeks apart, using three protocols that took the same amount of time (7 minutes). Scans with 3, 2.7, 2.5 mm isotropic voxels were collected using 48, 41, and 37 diffusion-sensitized gradients to equalize scan times. A specially designed DTI phantom was also scanned with the same protocols, and different b-values. We assessed how several diffusion measures including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and the full 3D orientation distribution function (ODF) depended on the spatial/angular resolution and the SNR. We also created maps of stability over time in the FA, MD, ODF, skeleton FA of 14 TBSS-derived ROIs, and an information uncertainty index derived from the tensor distribution function, which models the signal using a continuous mixture of tensors. In scans of the same duration, higher angular resolution and larger voxels boosted SNR and improved stability over time. The increased partial voluming in large voxels also led to bias in estimating FA, but this was partially addressed by using “beyond-tensor” models of diffusion.
Rehospitalization for Respiratory Illness in Infants of Less Than 32 Weeks' Gestation

All 133 surviving infants of gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks born July 1, 1985, to June 30, 1986, as well as a socioeconomically matched full-term control group were observed prospectively for 2 years to determine the incidence of rehospitalization for respiratory illness. Perinatal and seasonal factors associated with increased risk for such hospitalizations were also examined. Forty-seven (36%) preterm infants were rehospitalized compared with 3 (2.5%) of 121 term infants (P less than .001). Preterm infants with and without rehospitalization were similar for mean birth weight (1104 +/- 329 g and 1188 +/- 360 g, respectively) and gestational age (28 +/- 2 weeks for both groups); however, infants who were subsequently rehospitalized had required more days of mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen therapy, and neonatal intensive care. While a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was a risk factor for rehospitalization (45% compared with 25% of those without bronchopulmonary dysplasia, P less than .05), preterm infants with no history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia still showed a 10-fold increase compared with control infants. Among the 43 infants who required no mechanical ventilation beyond the day of birth, 10 (23%) required rehospitalization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The alpha 1A-adrenergic receptor subtype mediates biochemical, molecular, and morphologic features of cultured myocardial cell hypertrophy.

alpha 1-Adrenergic agonists induce a hypertrophic phenotype in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Quantifiable markers of this phenotype include stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, transcriptional induction of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene expression, and an increase in myocardial cell size. The aim of the present work was to determine which alpha 1-adrenergic receptor subtype mediates the acquisition of these parameters of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Phosphoinositide hydrolysis is inhibited by low concentrations of 5-methylurapidil (log Ki = -8.7) and (+)-niguldipine (log Ki = -10.6). The alpha-adrenergic receptor-induced increase in transcriptional activation of an ANF luciferase reporter gene is inhibited over the same range of concentrations of 5-methylurapidil (log Ki = -8.2) and (+)-niguldipine (log Ki = -11.2) that inhibit phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In addition, the increase in cell size that accompanies alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation of cultured ventricular myocytes is blocked by similar concentrations of 5-methylurapidil (log Ki = -8.0) and (+)-niguldipine (log Ki = -10.6). In contrast, treatment with the alpha 1B selective antagonist chlorethylclonidine at a concentration of 10 microM had no effect on the adrenergically mediated induction of ANF luciferase reporter gene expression or the adrenergically induced increase in myocardial cell size. These findings demonstrate that pharmacologically identifiable alpha 1A-adrenergic receptors mediate not only the early effects of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation such as phosphoinositide hydrolysis, but that they activate the signaling pathways that control transcriptional induction of the ANF luciferase reporter gene and an increase in myocardial cell size. Studies using alpha 1-adrenergic receptor cDNAs to delineate and alter the direct interaction of this receptor subtype with proximal signaling molecules, e.g. GTP binding proteins, should provide a powerful means of assessing their role in the induction of the molecular and morphologic parameters of myocardial cell hypertrophy.
Laboratory Automation: Smart Strategies and Practical Applications

Reduced reimbursements from the federal government and third-party payors have threatened the financial viability of many hospitals. An increasing number of hospitals are losing money from their primary mission of caring for patients. The hospital “industry” is still viewed by many as inefficient. Hospitals are generally not run like businesses, nor is it really possible for them to function in the same manner because they have to provide services, to some extent unpredictable, 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Unlike businesses, they cannot increase the charges to their clients to any significant extent when their costs increase because fees are largely dictated by the federal government. For no other business is there the equivalent of capitation or dictation of prices by outside organizations as there is in the medical business. It is perhaps easier for hospital administrations to assess the productivity of their clinical laboratories than of most other hospital services. The number of tests, the number of staff, and the cost of running the service as determined by the supply and salary budgets can be readily quantified. Furthermore, these factors can be bench-marked against the performance of other institutions. However, clinical laboratories also have to contend with the absurd concept of the “billed test” beloved by the federal government, insurance carriers, and consulting companies lacking laboratory expertise. The “billed” test assigns equal weight to a multitest outpatient panel as it does to a dipstick urinalysis or to an elaborate genetic test that is labor-intensive and may take days to complete. This ridiculous concept makes comparisons of productivity between institutions impossible. Indeed, the billed test concept hides increases in productivity because one billed outpatient test may generate as much work as 12 inpatient tests. Successful efforts by hospitals to reduce their inpatient testing, because of non-reimbursability, then mask …
Transcriptional Profiling Identifies the Signaling Axes of IGF and Transforming Growth Factor-β as Involved in the Pathogenesis of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in adolescents associated with skeletal development. The molecular pathogenesis of osteosarcoma has not been completely determined, although many molecular alterations have been found in human osteosarcomas and cell lines. We questioned whether (1) we could identify gene expression in osteosarcoma specimens that differs from normal osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells and (2) this would provide clues to the molecular pathogenesis of osteosarcoma? The whole-genome transcriptional profiles of osteosarcomas, including two primary biopsy specimens, two cell lines, two xenografts derived from patient specimens, and one from normal osteoblasts and from mesenchymal stem cells, respectively, were quantitatively measured using serial analysis of gene expression. A statistical enrichment was performed, which selects the common genes altered in each of the osteosarcomas compared with each of the normal counterparts independently. Sixty (92%) of 65 total genes that were at least twofold downregulated in osteosarcoma compared with osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells, could be classified in four categories: (1) seven genes in the insulin–like growth factor (IGF) signaling axis, including three of the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) and three of the IGFBP-related proteins (IGFBPrP); (2) eight genes in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling cascade; (3) 39 genes encoding cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins that are regulated by TGF-β/BMPs; and (4) six genes involved in cell cycle regulation, including tumor suppressors TP63 and p21. Based on these transcriptional profiles, a coordinated theme of clustered gene deregulation in osteosarcoma has emerged. Cell proliferation driven by the IGF axes during bone growth is unrestrained owing to downregulation of IGFBPs and cell cycle regulators. Tumor cells may be maintained in an undifferentiated state secondary to impaired TGF-β/BMP signaling. This well-preserved pattern suggests that the alterations in the signaling axes of IGF-1 and TGF-β, in concert with cell cycle regulators, may be an important pathogenic basis of osteosarcoma. This study provides a possible molecular basis of pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. This may help to develop new therapeutic targets and strategy for this disease. Preclinical and subsequently clinical testing of inhibitors of the IGF-1 and TGF pathways would be warranted.
Animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in a bedded, group-farrowing system

Li, Y. Z., Anderson, J. E. and Johnston, L. J. 2012. Animal-related factors associated with piglet mortality in a bedded, group-farrowing system. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 11–20. To understand pre-weaning mortality of piglets in a bedded, group-farrowing system, associations with sow parity, mortality of piglets during the first 24 h after birth, farrowing behavior, cross-fostering, birth weight and gender of piglets were investigated. Sows (n=169, parity 1 to 10) from eight contemporary groups were evaluated. Litter size at birth, dead piglets from birth to weaning, and individual weight of piglets at birth and weaning (27±2.6 d) were recorded. Behavior of 46 focal sows during farrowing was video-recorded. Piglet mortality within litter increased (P<0.001) with increasing parity. Piglets that died before weaning were lighter (P<0.001) at birth than weaned piglets. Mortality of pigs during the first 24 h postpartum was correlated positively with pre-weaning mortality within litter (R2=0.34; P<0.001). Farrowi...
Electrodynamics of dipolar beads in an electrophoretic spherical cavity

This paper describes an algorithm used to simulate transient behavior of a dipolar bead in an electrophoretic spherical cavity. The model includes consideration of form drag and viscous damping, both corrected for wall effects, and a particle simulation model of the bipolar ions in the cavity. Field solution uses the boundary integral equation method. Several levels of approximation are implemented to expedite the overall computation. A consistent set of results is presented to describe the accuracy of the simulation.
MOLECULAR MODELING OF INHIBITION OF CRYSTALS OF CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE DIHYDRATE BY PHOSPHOCITRATE

Abstract Crystalline calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals occur frequently in degenerative joints diseases, causing acute attacks of pseudogout. These crystals appear in cartilage and can engender enzymatic damage to cartilage matrix. Currently no reliable method exists to prevent calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition. In this study we investigate the role that phosphocitrate, a naturally occurring compound, may play in preventing calcium phosphate precipitation in cells or cellular compartments. Based on the experimental evidence that phosphocitrate blocks ATP-induced CPPD crystal growth in both articular cartilage vesicles and cartilage explants, we use molecular modeling to analyze how the inhibitory activity of phosphocitrate results from the stereospecific interaction between phosphocitrate and the specific faces of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal. Our molecular modeling binding studies indicate that phosphocitrate ion is able to bind to (010), (011), (100), (001), (01−1), and (1−10) faces of CPPD crystal with the strongest binding energies obtained for the high calcium density planes (010) and (011). We propose that the binding of phosphocitrate to specific faces of CPPD induces morphological changes that may lead to diminished crystal growth or its total cessation.
Individual and joint decision-making in industrial vendor selection

Abstract This study examines research questions involving the nature and extent of individual and joint decision-making in the industrial vendor selection process. A nationwide survey of 431 industrial buyers revealed that a majority of industrial vendor selection decisions are made by individuals rather than groups. Furthermore, industrial buyers who typically make individual decisions select different vendors than do those who are accustomed to making joint decisions, and they tend to be risk avoiders in their decision-making.
N -Nitrosamines Formation from Secondary Amines by Nitrogen Fixation on the Surface of Activated Carbon

Our previous study demonstrated that many commercial activated carbon (AC) particles may catalyze transformation of secondary amines to yield trace levels of N-nitrosamines under ambient aerobic conditions. Because of the widespread usage of AC materials in numerous analytical and environmental applications, it is imperative to understand the reaction mechanism responsible for formation of nitrosamine on the surface of ACs to minimize their occurrence in water treatment systems and during analytical methods employing ACs. The study results show that the AC-catalyzed nitrosamine formation requires both atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen. AC’s surface reactive sites react with molecular oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (ROS), which facilitate fixation of molecular nitrogen on the carbon surfaces to generate reactive nitrogen species (RNS) likely nitrous oxide and hydroxylamine that can react with adsorbed amines to form nitrosamines. AC’s properties play a crucial role as more nitrosamine formation is as...
A mouse model of human familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism

Mice lacking the calcium-sensing receptor (Casr) were created to examine the receptor's role in calcium homeostasis and to elucidate the mechanism by which inherited human Casr gene defects cause diseases. Casr+/- mice, analogous to humans with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, had benign and modest elevations of serum calcium, magnesium and parathyroid hormone levels as well as hypocalciuria. In contrast, Casr-/- mice, like humans with neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism, had markedly elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, parathyroid hyperplasia, bone abnormalities, retarded growth and premature death. Our findings suggest that Casr mutations cause these human disorders by reducing the number of functional receptor molecules on the cell surface.
Self-aligned nanolithography in a nanogap.

A self-aligned nanolithography approach is reported to form a nanoscale via hole in a nanogap. Field emission between two opposite electrodes of a nanogap is used to expose the polymer resist within the nanogap region. A via hole pattern forms in the nanogap area after the exposure process. The via hole pattern is obtained by ablating the polymer resists within the nanogap between two nanoelectrodes upon applying a certain bias voltage. The diameter of the via holes can be controlled to have comparable dimension to the nanogap width. Single or array of via holes have been demonstrated with variable diameters from 20 nm to over 100 nm. The self-aligned via nanoholes can be used to deposit functional nanostructures that are precisely aligned with the nanogap electrodes to form electrode−nanoisland−electrode tunneling junction devices. Electrical characterization of such devices shows typical tunneling characteristics at room temperature. These studies demonstrate a general pathway to making electrical conta...
Transient response of countercurrent heat exchangers with short contact time

Abstract Numerical solutions are obtained for steady-state and transient behavior in-countercurrent heat exchangers with short contact time. For the steady-state solution, two simplified velocity profiles are used: plug flow and a linear velocity profile. The results are compared to the classical solution of using addition of resistances, where either the wall temperature or the wall heat flux is assumed to be constant. The transient problem resulting from a flow rate change in one of the streams is solved assuming plug flow and a series approximation for the wall temperature. This is compared to a simplified model using an average wall temperature independent of position but varying with time. Overshoots in the average wall flux are found to occur in both models when the ratio of the velocity of the perturbed stream to the velocity of the other stream is greater than one.
The Turbulence Structure of Nocturnal Slope Flow

Abstract Measurements of the turbulence structure of nocturnal slope flow are used to test the hypothesis that slope flow turbulence in the region above the low-level wind maximum is decoupled from the surface and has a local structure similar to that found by Nieuwstadt for stably stratified flow over flat terrain. A turbulence covariance model is used to determine local scaling relations for slope flow. These relations predict that slope-flow turbulence variables, scaled with the local values of the momentum and heat fluxes, are nearly identical to those for stably stratified flow over flat terrain, the principal exception being the normalized eddy diffusivities. Comparison of observations with local scaling predictions above the slope flow wind maximum indicates that local scaling is a promising approach for the description of slope flow turbulence. In particular, the slope flow turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is found to be proportional to the local stress, with the constant of proportionality in close...
Part-Time MBA Programs: Quality Indicators, Advantages, and Strategies

Abstract The part-time MBA program is examined. Data from the Business Week rankings of collegiate business schools are analyzed to make some quality comparisons between full-time and part-time study. Several advantages of part-time programs are discussed, and strategies that can help maximize these advantages are suggested.
Effects of supplemental fat and protein source on ruminal fermentation and nutrient flow to the duodenum in dairy cows.

Abstract Four lactating Holstein cows, fitted with ruminal and T-type duodenal cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design for four periods (14 d each). Treatments were 1) medium fat and low quality protein, 2) medium fat and high quality protein, 3) high fat and low quality protein, and 4) high fat and high quality protein. Fat was supplemented by addition of 2.5% prilled fatty acids to high fat diets. The low quality diets contained corn gluten meal and 0.47% Lys, and the high quality diets contained a mixture of fish, blood, and soybean meals and 0.77% Lys. The percentage of Met was similar for all diets (mean, 0.28%). Diets contained 35 to 38% steam-flaked sorghum and 32% chopped alfalfa hay. Dietary CP averaged 18%, and all diets were high in RUP (44% of CP).Yields of milk, milk protein, and SNF were increased by added fat and by high quality protein. Ruminal NH 3 and butyrate were increased by supplemental fat. Cows fed high quality protein had increased ruminal VFA, propionate, butyrate, and valerate, but decreased ratios of acetate to propionate. Essential AA concentrations in coccygeal plasma and arteriovenous differences across the mammary gland were higher for Lys and lower for Leu in cows fed high quality protein than in those fed low quality protein.
Fast and slow Raman shock-wave domains in nonlinear media

Abstract It is shown that the dynamical evolution equations that describe the stimulated Raman interaction between the pump and the first Stokes wave in a nonlinear medium can allow shock-wave solutions. These shock-wave domains are only possible whenever they move above or below the normal group speeds associated with the pump and the first Stokes wave. Analysis shows that such shock-wave structures can exhibit superluminous/subluminous or even perhaps “tachyonic” behaviour.
The role of impactor shape and obliquity on crater evolution in celestial impacts

The effect of impactor obliquity and shape on crater evolution for a typical celestial impact event is examined in this numerical study. An important overall finding is that for a given obliquity angle, crater volume is not independent of impactor shape. The most varied behavior occurs at large obliquity angles, where the crater crest becomes highly elliptical and the ejecta pattern exhibits characteristic butterfly wings. Impacts at large obliquity angles can also produce craters with roughly equivalent dimensions from a wide range of impactor shapes and volumes. Conventional energy scaling can be applied to these results at moderate obliquities if the energy based on the vertical component of the velocity is used. For example, for a given impactor shape the crater volume scales with this energy and the depth with the cube root of this energy. However, at large obliquities, these relationships are invalid. Applying these results to the meteor crater at Odessa [Littlefield DL, Bauman PT, Molineux A. Analysis of formation of the Odessa Crater. Int J Impact Eng, accepted for publication.], some interesting conjectures can be made. First, the small depth-to-diameter ratio of that particular crater suggests that the impact occurred at a large obliquity angle, with a trajectory extending from the southwest to the northeast. Second, the circular entrance hole and the absence of additional impact craters along this trajectory suggest that the meteor may have been either disk-like or highly elliptical in shape.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Maternal Obesity, and Adiposity in Offspring

Objective To determine the effects of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on offspring adiposity in a well-characterized cohort of Mexican American mother-child pairs. Study design This study included 62 Mexican American mothers and their index offspring. Maternal GDM and normal glucose status during index pregnancy were documented, and mothers were previously matched by age, body mass index (BMI), and parity. Mother-child pairs were recruited when offspring were between the ages of 5 and 16 years. A medical history was collected, and anthropometrics were measured. Main outcome measures were offspring BMI, BMI z-scores, BMI percentiles, and hip and waist circumferences. Results GDM-exposed offspring (n = 37) had greater measures of BMI (all P ≤ .02) and greater waist and hip circumferences (both P = .002) compared with 25 offspring of non-GDM mothers. Adjustment for offspring age, sex, Tanner stage, birth weight, months of breastfeeding, maternal prepregnancy BMI, and pregnancy weight gain attenuated the differences, but BMI z-score and BMI percentile remained significantly greater in the GDM-exposed group ( P Conclusion Intrauterine exposure to GDM is associated with greater adiposity in Mexican American children, and this relationship is not mediated by maternal obesity. In contrast to previous reports, this study included only Mexican Americans; thus, ethnic variations may influence the contributions of maternal GDM and maternal obesity to offspring adiposity.
Wavelength dependence of the quantum efficiencies of the primary processes in formaldehyde photolysis at 25°C

The quantum efficiencies of the primary processes in formaldehyde photolysis (ϕ1 and ϕ2) were determined as a function of wavelength in the range from 2890 to 3380 A and at 25°C: CH2O + hν H + HCO (1); CH2O + hν H2 + CO (2). The estimates of ϕ2 were derived from ΦH2 values obtained in photolyses of CH2O-isobutene mixtures at high isobutene concentrations where H-atom scavenging was essentially complete. Values of ϕ1 + ϕ2, obtained from the ΦH2 values from the pure CH2O photolyses, were very near unity at all but the longest wavelengths employed: ΦH2 = ϕ1 + ϕ2 = 1.02 (2930 A); 1.12 (3130 A); 1.06 (3150 A); 1.01 (3250 A); 1.0 (3335 A); 0.75 (3380 A). Our results showed that the onset of photodissociation of CH2O by process (1) was at 3370 ± 10 A; this corresponds to D(H-CHO) = 84.8 plusmn; 0.3 kcal/mol. The values of ϕ1 increased regularly with decreasing wavelength from 0 at 3370 A to ∼0.7 at 3175 A. Little further variation in ϕ1 occurred from 3175 to 2890 A. For experiments at λ = 3300 A, the addition of CO2 (∼300 torr) reduced ϕ2, while the effect on ϕ1 appeared to be small. The present results coupled with the solar irradiance estimates of Peterson [24] and the extinction data for CH2O from McQuigg and Calvert [7] were used to make new estimates of the apparent first-order rate constants (min−;1 × 103) of process (1) in the lower atmosphere at various solar zenith angles (in parentheses): 2.31 (0°); 2.17 (20°); 1.71 (40°); 0.92 (60°); and 0.17 (78°). The corresponding first-order rate constants (min−1 × 103) for solar light absorption by CH2O in the lower atmosphere are 7.74 (0°); 7.38 (20°); 6.18 (40°); 3.80 (60°); and 0.96 (78°).
Spontaneous peripheral T-cell responses to the IA-2β (phogrin) autoantigen in young nonobese diabetic mice

Abstract Phogrin (IA-2β), a major autoantigen in type 1 diabetes in man is recognized by peripheral T cells in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. CD4+ T-cell clones derived from immunized NOD animals elicit islet destruction in a disease transfer model. Spontaneous proliferative responses to the protein and derived peptide epitopes were detected in peripheral lymph node cells (LNC) of unprimed NOD mice but not BALB/c controls as early as 4 weeks of age at a time point when insulitis in NOD animals is minimal. Responses to irradiated NOD islet cells but not irradiated NOD spleen cells were observed for both male and female NOD animals. Insulin, phogrin and phogrin-peptide 7 (aa 755–777) but not phogrin-peptide 2 (aa 640–659) or tetanus toxin peptide were recognized as antigens. Islet cell-reactive and phogrin peptide 7-specific CD4+ T-cell lines were generated from splenocytes of unprimed 4-week-old NOD females and shown to secrete Th1-type cytokines. The results show that the phogrin molecule is targeted early in the course of disease in NOD animals at a time when circulating autoantibodies are absent and insulitis is minimal.
Estrogen replacement in perimenopause-related depression: A preliminary report ☆

Abstract Objectives: We examined the efficacy of estrogen in the treatment of depression in perimenopausal women with and without hot flushes. Study Design: Women with perimenopause-related depression were randomized in a double-blind parallel design to receive either 17β-estradiol or placebo for 3 weeks. Subsequently, women receiving estradiol during the first 3 weeks continued receiving estradiol for an additional 3 weeks, whereas women who had received placebo crossed over to estradiol for 3 weeks. Outcome measures included standardized mood rating scales and a visual analog scale self-report instrument. Results: Of 34 female subjects, 16 received estradiol first and 18 received placebo first. After 3 weeks of estradiol, standardized mood rating scale scores and visual analog scale symptom scores (eg, sadness, anhedonia, and social isolation) were significantly decreased compared with baseline scores ( P P Conclusion: In this preliminary study estradiol replacement effectively treats perimenopausal depression independent of its salutary effects on vasomotor symptoms. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:414-20.)
Dietary fat and hormonal influences on lipoprotein fluidity and composition in premenopausal women

Abstract LDL and HDL became more fluid when healthy, free-living, premenopausal women were fed reduced fat diets with higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipoproteins were isolated from plasma of 31 female subjects fed one of two sets of diets from typical U.S.A. foods with P S ratios of 0.3 or 1.0. All subjects were fed high-fat diets (40% of energy) for the duration of four menstrual cycles followed by low-fat diets (20% of energy) for the next four cycles. Blood samples were collected during mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of the fourth menstrual cycle of each diet period to assess interactive dietary and hormonal control of lipoprotein fluidity. LDL was significantly more fluid, as determined by DPH fluorescence, upon reducing fat consumption from 40 to 20% of energy for subjects eating foods with P S = 1.0 or 0.3. Generally LDL was more fluid during the follicular phase than the luteal phase of the cycles, thus indicating hormonal influences on LDL fluidity. HDL results were similar but not as pronounced as with LDL. Lipoprotein phospholipid (PL) and cholesteryl ester (CE) fatty acyl compositions were also subject to dietary and hormonal influences. Effects were noted in several fatty acids depending upon diet and hormonal state; however, generally diet fat reduction resulted in reduced linoleate and increased oleate contents. Regression analyses showed that fluidity was more dependent upon the lipoprotein cholesterol content than upon fatty acyl composition.
Multiplicity of produced particles at large transverse momentum in hadronic collisions

The dependence of the multiplicity on transverse momentum and missing mass is discussed in the light of recent inclusive proton-proton experiments. The multiperipheral diagram in which a large-transverse-momentum particle is produced far from the ends of the chain is analyzed for the multiplicity as a function of transverse momentum. The multiplicity is found to decrease as a function of the transverse momentum of the large-transverse-momentum particle.
Industry Cloud - Effective Adoption of Cloud Computing for Industry Solutions

Many enterprises in industries start using Cloud Computing for their IT infrastructure services. This adoption of Cloud Computing is a part of the enterprise transformation which is the migration from a legacy IT environment to Cloud Computing. On the other hand, one of major targets is an industry solution which provides a critical business service to their end customers. This paper proposes Industry Cloud which is the enhanced design of Cloud Computing for industry solutions. It efficiently supports industry solutions for enterprise business requirements. The paper describes Industry Cloud with a requirement analysis of industry solutions, those adopted functions, and three use case scenarios in the electronics and retail industry. The contribution of the paper is the analysis of industry wide requirements, the definition of Industry Cloud with a common function among industry solutions and the usage with use case scenarios.
Penetrating Injuries to the Spleen and Kidney: an Evolution in Progress

Optimal management of penetrating abdominal trauma, especially for kidney and splenic injuries, is evolving. Opinions range from aggressive surgical exploration to expectant management. This report addresses the recent advancements in the diagnosis, grading, and management of penetrating injuries to the kidney and spleen. A special focus is provided on the shifting paradigm towards non-operative management. Penetrating renal trauma management has evolved significantly over the past few years. Advancements in diagnostic tools and evolution of injury grading have paved the way for selective non-operative management. Penetrating injuries to the spleen provide a unique management challenge. With the evolution of non-operative management, appropriate patient selection is mandatory. Optimal use of computed tomography scanning and angiography can improve the organ salvage rates; however, hemorrhage control is still the main goal.
Magnet Design for a Very High Energy Synchrotron Employing a Separated Function Magnet Lattice

The authors conclude from an investigation that for a very high energy proton synchrotron a separated function magnet lattice is superior to the conventional combined function lattice. In addition, the direct and indirect effects of the resultant smaller radius make it an economically attractive alternative. With long straight sections employed, there is no fundamental objection to a closed magnet structure. Indeed the shielding automatically provided appears to outweigh any disadvantages. The expected almost total dependence on high intensity external beams of primary protons requires a very high degree of beam optical excellence. A lattice utilizing quadrupoles and "window frame" dipoles can be constructed with very small aberrations in the azimuthal integrals of their fields. The optical properties can be very accurately controlled for a range of dipole fields extending from lower values than practical with combined function magnets up to considerably higher values. Quadrupole aberrations allowed by symmetry are of high multipole order and can be made extremely small. Only even order dipole aberrations are allowed. However, these are very small from very low fields up to values approaching 20 kG. For higher excitations appreciable sextupole appears, followed by 10-pole. However, since widely distributed sextupole lenses are desirable for parameter control, there is no strong argument against exciting the dipoles to fields with moderate sextupole aberration. In contrast to the end effects of combined function magnets, there is no significant variation of beam resonant frequency with radius, other than the "chromatic" variation with momentum.
An evaluation of 3D modality independent elastography robustness to boundary condition noise

This work explores an inverse problem technique of extracting soft tissue elasticity information via nonrigid model-based image registration. The algorithm uses the elastic properties of the tissue in a biomechanical model to achieve maximal similarity between image data acquired under different states of loading. A framework capable of handling fully three-dimensional models and image data has been recently developed utilizing parallel computing and iterative sparse matrix solvers. For this preliminary investigation, a series of simulation experiments with clinical image data of human breast are used to test the robustness of the algorithm to expected mis-estimation of displacement boundary conditions encountered in real-world situations. Three methods of automated point correspondence are also examined as means of generating boundary conditions for the algorithm.
Carbohydrates from Santa Barbara Basin sediments: Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of trimethylsilyl derivatives

Bound sugar content in marine sediments by capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of trimethylsilyl derivatives
STUDIES OF THE METABOLISM OF ANDROGENS IN WOMEN1,2

It is most improbable that the presence of male compounds in the female organism is without significance or without effect on the sexual and other organs and functions … It follows that the endocrine treatment of diseases of women cannot be perfecte until 1) the male sexual hormones present in females have been isolated and identified; 2) a thorough experimental investigation of the physiological and pathological properties of these hor′ mones, alone, and in combination with oestrogenic hormones and progesterone, has been carried out; 3) the normal ratio of oestrogenic hormones to progesterone and to male hormones in normal women has been ascertained; 4) the pathological disturbance of this ratio during endocrine and gynecologic disturbances in women has been discovered. A year ago our group began a comprehensive study of the gynecic rOle of androgens in health and in disease.
Shear modulus in relation to crystallinity in polymethylene and its copolymers

Abstract Shear moduli of the copolymers of CH2 with small proportions of CHR described in the preceding paper have been measured over their melting ranges using a low frequency torsion method. The observed moduli exceed by an order of magnitude the values calculated from the theory of rubber elasticity on the assumption that crystallites function as crosslinkages. Dynamic mechanical loss maxima are reported at temperatures which correlate qualitatively with the melting range.
The Utilization of Flow Control During Multi-Cavity Injection Molding Processes

Process control is an important factor for improving the performance and consistency of thermoplastic parts manufactured by injection molding processes. A critical process parameter for manufacturing of high quality plastic parts is cavity pressure. This paper presents a continuation of a numerical based study of the utilization of flow control specifically for cold runner applications in multi-cavity injection molding processes. A cold runner system supplying polymer melt to a multi-cavity mold incorporating several types of mechanical valves in the runner systems was modeled and manufactured. Each valve independently controls the flow and pressure to its portion of the mold. The goal of the numerical simulation phase of the present investigation was to numerically simulate and thus validate a physical capability to modify the filling of individual cavities during injection molding of products utilizing multi-cavity tooling. A decision was made to attempt to do so by physically controlling the flow rate of polymer into each cavity. The tooling set was made adaptive through the incorporation of custom designed control valves into the runner channels leading to each product cavity. Simulations of both the overall adaptive tooling concept and the specific control valve designs were performed with LCP and PPS as a molding material. It was concluded that the flow control concept developed was numerically validated [1–3], and it was shown that the valve system proposed here is applicable to control melt flow through cavities at industrial manufacturing facilities. The adaptive tooling developed and simulated during the current investigation yielded significant variations in both processing parameters and resultant product quality in response to in-tooling control valve adjustments. It was found that by changing valve angle settings, the flow rate to each cavity could be controlled individually without degrading desired material properties. In an attempt to further promote the flow control concept, an experimental mold was developed and forms the basis for this paper. Preliminary experimental results verifying previous work and the future directions for the continuing project are also discussed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME