cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histopathology of sudden hearing loss

Eleven temporal bones from eight patients who had clinical histories of sudden hearing loss (SHL) were studied to assess the possible etiopathogenesis. The origin of SHL in seven ears from five patients was obscure, but appeared to be due to multiple causes. Common histopathologic changes in the cochlea, although complex, included atrophy of the organ of Corti and loss of cochlear neurons. Loss of cochlear neurons was the main finding in ears of viral infection.Labyrinthine fibrosis and formation of new bone were seen in two ears associated with vascular insult and in two ears of autoimmune disease. Different histopathologic findings causing SHL were observed even in cases with the same etiology. A case of SHL showing endolymphatic hydrops as the main histopathologic finding is described.
Measured dipole expansion of discrete relaxations to represent the electromagnetic induction response of buried metal targets

Broadband electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors have been shown to be able to reduce false alarm rates and increase the probability of detecting landmines. To aid in the development of these sensors and associated detection algorithms, a testing facility and inversion technique have been developed to characterize the response of typical targets and clutter objects as a function of orientation and frequency. The models are simple sets of magnetic dipoles with discrete relaxation frequencies. Results will be presented for a range of targets such as shell casings, wire loops, and landmines. It is envisioned that the models derived in this work will be utilized to reduce false alarm rates and increase the probability of detection for EMI sensors through improvements in both the hardware and the processing algorithms used to detect and discriminate buried targets.
Characterization of the elevated temperature static load crack extension behavior of type 304 stainless steel

Abstract Creep crack extension rates in Type 304 stainless steel, obtained as a function of temperature over the range 650–800°C and as a function of specimen geometry at 750°C, are empirically correlated with both the net section stress and the apparent stress intensity factor. The results indicate that the stress intensity correlation is strongly dependent on specimen geometry, whereas the net section stress correlation appears to be generally valid. A direct correspondence between crack extension and local (crack tip) displacement is noted when creep crack extension rates at 750°C are compared with COD obtained from actual castings of the crack tip. By introducing the concept of a miniature creep specimen at the crack tip, a physical model for creep crack growth is developed, based on local stress relaxation and strain accumulation, that is consistent with both experimental observation and existing theories of steady state creep.
Computational model for NOx reduction by advanced reburning

Advanced reburning is a NO x reduction process wherein injection of a hydrocarbon fuel such as natural gas downstream of the combustion zone is followed by injection of a nitrogen-containing species such as ammonia. The authors recently reported a seven-step, 11-species reduced mechanism for NO reduction by advanced reburning processes. However, inclusion of even a seven-step reduced mechanism into a CFD code for turbulent combustion leads to substantial computational demands. In this work, the authors have further simplified the kinetic mechanism. A simpler four-step, eight-species reduced mechanism for NO reduction by advanced reburning has been developed from a 312-step, 50-species full mechanism through the use of a systematic reduction method. The four-step reduced mechanism is in good agreement with the full mechanism for most laminar flow cases. It also agrees qualitatively with three sets of experimental data, which show the influences of temperature, CO concentration, O 2 concentration, and the ratio (NH 3 /NO) in . It can be applied for coal-, gas-, and oil-fired combustion. The four-step reaction sequence has been integrated into a comprehensive CFD combustion code for turbulent combustion, PCGC-3. The method of integration is described. Several computations are reported with the combined code to demonstrate the predictive behavior of the advanced reburning mechanism in turbulent, pulverized coal combustion. The model calculations show the effects of temperature and concentrations of CO, O 2 , and NH 3 on NO reduction.
Improved Multi-Mode anomalous transport module for tokamak plasmas

Abstract The Multi-Mode anomalous transport module version 7.1 (MMM7.1) is a theory-based transport model that is used to predict temperature, density and rotation profiles for tokamak plasmas in integrated whole device modeling codes. The theoretical foundation of the current version, MMM7.1, has been significantly advanced since the first released version in 1995, MMM95. The latest version of the Multi-Mode model, MMM7.1, includes an improved Weiland model for the ITG, TEM, and MHD modes, the Horton model for short wavelength ETG modes and the Rafiq model for the drift resistive inertial ballooning modes (DRIBMs). The ETG transport threshold in the Horton model is refined by using the threshold obtained from toroidal gyrokinetic ETG turbulence simulations. The different components of the MMM7.1 model provide contributions to transport in the different regions of plasma discharge. To facilitate the implementation of the latest version of the Multi-Mode module in integrated predictive modeling codes, a clearly specified interface is described and a test program is provided in order to examine the predictions provided by MMM7.1. MMM7.1 is documented and organized as a standalone module, which fully complies with the National Transport Code Collaboration (NTCC) standards. The MMM7.1 module has been used both with a standalone driver program as well as within the PTRANSP code. Results are presented to illustrate the extent to which the various component models contribute to transport in both L -mode and H -mode discharges.
Calculation of Partial Molal Volume in Micellar Systems

Abstract The partial molal volume of a large number of surfactants in the micellar state was calculated by the addition of partial atomic values and the inclusion of a term to account for the hydrocarbon liquid‐like nature of the micelle interior. With micellar systems, such numbers often are difficult to obtain experimentally and this approach provides a means of determining relatively accurate values by simple calculation.
Diffusion-limited model for a lithium/air battery with an organic electrolyte

A diffusion-limited transient mathematical model for a lithium/air cell, with the air cathode pores flooded with an organic electrolyte, has been developed. During cell discharge, the cathode pore radius profile is reflective of the distribution of the lithium peroxide product in the cathode. The cathode pore radius profile has been predicted as a function of time, current density, oxygen gas pressure, and cathode thickness for an assumed initial porosity and average cathode pore size. Transient concentration profiles of the dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte were also determined. Capacities of the lithium/air cell were predicted and compared favorably with literature experimental results.
Application of an interactive graphics system to the kinematic design of an artificial knee joint

KINSYN is an interactive general purpose computer system for the kinematic synthesis and analysis of mechanisms. It is applicable to kinematics problems ranging from the synthesis of spacecraft antenna deployment mechanisms to the design of folding high chairs. Features of KINSYN have been described in several recent publications.The results shown in this paper were obtained during the first two or three trial runs on KINSYN. Of course, extensive work would remain to be done in order to apply these techniques to a practical artificial limb design, Nonetheless, the fact that so much useful design data can be obtained so readily with the aid of KINSYN indicates that it could be a significant aid in a physiological limb development program.
Investigative and clinical applications of synthetic immune synapses

The immune synapse (IS) has emerged as a compelling model of cell-cell communication. This interface between a T cell and antigen-presenting cell (APC) serves as a key point in coordinating the immune response. A distinguishing feature of this interface is that juxtacrine signaling molecules form complex patterns that are defined at micrometer and submicrometer scales. Moreover, these patterns are highly dynamic. While cellular and molecular approaches have provided insight into the influence of these patterns on cell-cell signaling, replacing the APC with a synthetic, micro/nanoengineered surface promises a new level of sophistication to these studies. Micropatterning of multiple ligands onto a surface, for example, allowed the direct demonstration that T cells can sense and respond to microscale geometry of the IS. Supported lipid bilayers have captured the lateral mobility of natural ligands, allowing insight into this complex property of the cell-cell interface in model systems. Finally, engineered surfaces have allowed the study of forces and mechanosensing in T cell activation, an emerging area of immune cell research. In addition to providing new insight into biophysical principles, investigations into IS function may allow control over ex vivo T cell expansion. Bioreactors based on these concepts may find immediate application in enhancing cellular-based immunotherapy.
Egg-Size Investment in a Bird with Uniparental Incubation by Both Sexes

Abstract. The Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) has an uncommon parental care system in which males and females tend separate nests. To improve their fitness in this system, females have the opportunity to allocate their reproductive investment to male-tended nests and their own nests differently. To examine investment we measured dimensions of plover eggs in Phillips County, Montana, and calculated their volumes. We modeled possible differences in egg volume in male- and female-incubated nests in relation to the effects of sex of the incubating adult, Julian day of nest initiation, and drought conditions. We measured >1000 eggs from 194 nests tended by 131 females and from 213 nests of 148 males. Male- and female-incubated eggs had similar mean volumes (13.20 versus 13.17 cm3, respectively) but differed significantly across the breeding season. The eggs in female-incubated nests tended to be larger than those in male-incubated nests early in the breeding season but were smaller as the season progress...
Recursive spectral algorithms for automatic domain partitioning in parallel finite element analysis

Abstract Recently, several domain partitioning algorithms have been proposed to effect load-balancing among processors in parallel finite element analysis. The recursive spectral bisection (RSB) algorithm [1] has been shown to be effective. However, the bisection nature of the RSB results in partitions of an integer power of two, which is too restrictive for computing environments consisting of an arbitrary number of processors. This paper presents two recursive spectral partitioning algorithms, both of which generalize the RSB algorithm for an arbitrary number of partitions. These algorithms are based on a graph partitioning approach which includes spectral techniques and graph representation of finite element meshes. The ‘algebraic connectivity vector’ is introduced as a parameter to assess the quality of the partitioning results. Both node-based and element-based partitioning strategies are discussed. The spectral algorithms are also evaluated and compared for coarse-grained partitioning using different types of structures modelled by 1-D, 2-D and 3-D finite elements.
Attributes of long-term heavy cannabis users: a case-control study.

Background. Although cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, few recent American studies have examined the attributes of long-term heavy cannabis users.Method. Using a case–control design, we obtained psychological and demographic measures on 108 individuals, age 30–55, who had smoked cannabis a mean of 18000 times and a minimum of 5000 times in their lives. We compared these heavy users to 72 age-matched control subjects who had smoked at least once, but no more than 50 times in their lives.Results. We found no significant differences between the two groups on reported levels of income and education in their families of origin. However, the heavy users themselves reported significantly lower educational attainment (P<0·001) and income (P=0·003) than the controls, even after adjustment for a large number of potentially confounding variables. When asked to rate the subjective effects of cannabis on their cognition, memory, career, social life, physical health and mental health, large majorities of heavy users (66–90%) reported a ‘negative effect’. On several measures of quality of life, heavy users also reported significantly lower levels of satisfaction than controls.Conclusion. Both objective and self-report measures suggest numerous negative features associated with long-term heavy cannabis use. Thus, it seems important to understand why heavy users continue to smoke regularly for years, despite acknowledging these negative effects. Such an understanding may guide the development of strategies to treat cannabis dependence.
Pulse Propagation Properties of Multilayer Ceramic Multichip Modules for VLSI Circuits

The dramatic increase in switching speeds and circuit density in very large-scale integrated (VLSI) chips combined with denser packaging necessitates careful consideration of all the electrical characteristics of multichip modules (MCM). The development of high performance large-scale computers places many challenging requirements on packaging development engineers. High speed circuits demand low inductive interconnections, low cross talk, controlled characteristic impedance, power integrity, proper line resistance, high power dissipation, and minimum time of flight. Multichip modules provide short interconnection paths and eliminate one complete level (i.e., the card level) of packaging. Interconnect schemes and circuits must be designed such that the system can operate within electrical constraints such as capacitance loading intra, and interlayer crosstalk. The demand for a large number of input/output (I/O) pads on VLSI chips and the vast number of wiring channels needed to interconnect them in a multichip module leads to Various compromises in the electrical design of the wiring planes, such as types of ground planes and the number of signal planes between references. In this paper basic electrical parameters such as self and mutual capacitanceS, characteristic impedance, propagation delay, intra- and interlayer crosstalk are evaluated for five types of module designs. A family of tables consisting of capacitance and inductive matrices, which completely characterize the transmission lines and the matched term!nation coupled noise is presented for muitilayer ceramic (MLC) modules.
Pharmacological and mechanistic aspects concerning the use of heparin and β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate for the treatment of vascular restenosis

Aberrant smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth within the intimal tissues of the arterial wall plays a major role in the development of restenosis which commonly occurs following coronary bolloon angioplasty. Studies from several laboratories have demonstrated that heparin reduced neointimal formation in response to balloon denudation in vivo and that heparin also inhibits the growth and migration of cultured SMC in vitro. In this paper, data will be presented demonstrating that heparin markedly inhibits neointimal thickening and bromodexyuridine incorporation into newly synthesized DNA in a fully characterized rat model of arterial injury. Heparin treatment begun at the time of angioplasty and continued for as little as 2–4 days resulted in substantial inhibiton of neointimal formation 14 days later. The relevance of the rat model to human restenosis and the positive and negative aspects concerning the use of heparin and heparin-like molecules for the treatment of vascular restenosis will be discussed. In addition, we will show that heparin recognizes specific binding sites on the surface of cultured aortic SMC which is a feature possibly associated with the anti-proliferative mechanism of action of heparin. Finally, a highly sulfated cyclic polysaccharide, β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate (S-β-CD), was found to significantly inhibit neointimal formation in the rat model of arterial injury. S-β-CD retains several positive aspects but lacks some of the negative features associated with the chronic use of heparin for the treatment of vascular restenosis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Update of the 2005 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statement about screening for overweight in children and adolescents. METHODS: The USPSTF examined the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions that are primary care feasible or referable. It also exam- ined the evidence for the magnitude of potential harms of treatment in children and adolescents. RECOMMENDATION. The USPSTF recommends that clinicians screen children aged 6 years and older for obesity and offer them or refer them to intensive counseling and behavioral interventions to promote improvements in weight status (grade B recommendation). Pediatrics 2010;125:361-367
Growth hormone, but not prolactin, maintains, low-level activation of STAT5a and STAT5b in female rat liver.

STAT5b, a member of the signal transducers and activators of transcription family, is activated in rat liver in response to the intermittent (pulsatile) plasma pattern of GH that is characteristic of adult males. Previous studies have shown that the near-continuous plasma GH pattern of adult female rats is associated with a dramatic down-regulation of the STAT5 activation pathway. The present study demonstrates the presence of a low-level STAT5 DNA-binding activity in adult female rat liver and investigates the hormonal factors required for its maintenance. PRL is not responsible for this low-level STAT5 activity, as demonstrated in experiments involving estrus cycle monitoring (to investigate a possible role of the proestrus PRL surge), implantation of bromocriptine pellets (to eliminate PRL release by the pituitary), and direct injection of purified PRL. Rather, the low-level STAT5 activity is shown to result from chronic plasma GH stimulation, as demonstrated by GH infusion studies carried out in hypophysectomized rats. Furthermore, gel mobility supershift experiments demonstrate that the same STAT5-containing DNA-binding complexes are formed by both male and female adult rat liver extracts, albeit at approximately 10- to 20-fold lower levels by the female extracts. This DNA-binding activity is primarily comprised of STAT5b but also contains STAT5a, which is shown to be preferentially activated by the male plasma GH pattern in a manner similar to STAT5b. Thus, the dominance of activated STAT5b, compared with STAT5a, in the strong DNA-binding complexes formed in adult male rat liver nuclear extracts, is a reflection of the relative abundance in liver of the two STAT5 forms and is not attributable to an intrinsic, preferential activation of STAT5b by plasma GH pulses. The physiological significance of the low-level activated STAT5a and STAT5b seen in female rat liver and its effects on liver gene expression are uncertain but may involve the activation of femaleexpressed cytochromes P450 and other liver genes. (Endocrinology 140: 5126 ‐5135, 1999)
A Critical History of Electric Propulsion: The First 50 Years (1906-1956)

∗Chair of AIAA’s Electric Propulsion Technical Committee, 2002-2004. Associate Fellow AIAA. Chief Scientist at Princeton University’s Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory (EPPDyL). Associate Professor, Applied Physics Group, MAE Department. e-mail: choueiri@princeton.edu. †Presented at the 40th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Copyright c © 2004 by the author. Published by the AIAA with permission. Also published in the Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 193–203, MarchApril 2004. When writing history, it is tempting to identify thematic periods in the often continuous stream of events under review and label them as “eras”, or to point to certain achievements and call them “milestones”. Keeping in mind that such demarcations and designations inevitably entail some arbitrariness, we shall not resist this temptation. Indeed, the history of electric propulsion (EP), which now spans almost a full century, particularly lends itself to a subdivision that epitomizes the progress of the field from its start as the dream realm of a few visionaries, to its transformation into the concern of large corporations. We shall therefore idealize the continuous history of the field as a series of five essentially consecutive eras:
Location proofing using identity based encryption and the Google cloud on the mobile applications

This paper describes a Location Proofing system that provides the user's location by encrypting the data using Identity Based Encryption. A location proof is a piece of data that certifies the receiver to a geographical location. Location proofs are handed out by the wireless infrastructure (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a cell tower) to mobile devices. There are many location-proof mobile applications in the market that provide location-based services to users. These location-based services lack two important mechanisms, a) to ascertain their current and past locations and b) the security issues associated with the user's data. Many applications and services today enable mobile devices to discover and communicate their location to a server. The server then uses this information to perform computation and return data relevant to the devices' location. For example, in a mapping application (e.g., Google Maps), a device sends its geographical coordinates to a server, that in turn returns the relevant map information back to the client. In an emergency scenario, the device communicates its location, either through a Global Positioning System or through some sort of cell tower triangulation to a server, which then dispatches assistance to the user. In order to overcome these shortcomings we are combining the high-speed performance and clustering features of the cloud with Identity Based Encryption. By which we can issue the keys to the user's mobile device, which runs on the mobile operation system.
Rapid Separation of Protein‐Bound DNA from Free DNA Using Nitrocellulose Filters

Nitrocellulose binds proteins but not double-stranded DNA. Use of radioactively labeled double-stranded DNA fragments allows quantitation of DNA bound to the protein, permitting kinetic and equilibrium studies of DNA-binding interactions. In the basic procedure, purified protein is mixed with double-stranded DNA and then the mixture is filtered through nitrocellulose, allowing unbound DNA to pass through the filter while the protein (and any DNA interacting with it) is retained. When the binding site of a protein is unknown, the pure protein can be added to a mixture of fragments to select those fragments of DNA for which it has the greatest affinity. Specificity of binding can be influenced by the buffer conditions and filtering regimen. An Alternate Protocol is provided that creates conditions that disrupt weaker, presumably nonspecific binding interactions, while retaining the stronger binding interactions. The goal is to recover enough of a single input fragment to visualize by subsequent autoradiography. In some cases the quantitation (by scintillation counting) of DNA retained is not sufficient information. A Support Protocol describes how the DNA can be recovered from the filters for further analysis by gel electrophoresis or amplification and cloning.
PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY AND RESOURCE PARTITIONING IN MODEL TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS

The diversity of plant life forms in tropical forests affords the opportunity for assembly of plant combinations, both natural and managed, that make full use of resources and sustain high productivity. The influence of combining life forms on productivity and resource use was evaluated using three fast-growing tree species (Hyeronima alchorneoides, Cedrela odorata, and Cordia alliodora); each species was grown alone and with two perennial, large-stature, self-supporting monocots (Euterpe oleracea and Heliconia imbricata). Aboveground net primary productivity was extremely high in all stands. The monocots did not contribute significantly to the productivity of the Hyeronima polycultures, which was 4.5–8.4 g·m−2·d−1 between 18 and 36 mo. In contrast, the monocots accounted for 57% of the productivity (9.7 g·m−2·d−1) of Cedrela polycultures and 67% of the productivity (6.8 g·m−2·d−1) of the Cordia polycultures, by age 3 yr. The leaf area and density of fine roots in the Cedrela and Cordia polycultures were ...
A Construction of the Rational Numbers

(1959). A Construction of the Rational Numbers. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 66, No. 9, pp. 769-777.
Simultaneous measurement of soot properties by laser-induced incandescence

Laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurements of soot were obtained in a well-characterized ethylene-air diffusion flame. A number of detection wavelengths were employed in order to test the predictive accuracy of current LII models, especially with respect to the dependence of the LII signal on particle size. Based on these models, optimized detection strategies for volume fraction and primary particle size measurements have been proposed. One of those techniques, based on spectral signal ratios, is tested. In contrast to the nanosecond lasers used in most previous LII experiments, a long pulse flashlamp-pumped dye laser was used to heat the soot particles. The LII soot volume fractions agreed reasonably with previous extinction-based measurements in nearly identical flames. However, the relationship between detection wavelength and particle size predicted by the models was not observed here. In particular, the models predict a decrease in the ratio of signals acquired with long to short wavelength detection for increasing particle size, while the data shows the opposite trend. Various sources of experimental and modeling errors are detailed, and the most likely candidates are indicated. (Author)
Systematic Calibration of Model Parameters Based on Large-Scale Experiments on Hybrid Masonry Walls

AbstractHybrid masonry is a relatively new type of structural system that benefits from the ductility and ease of construction of steel frames and from the in-plane strength and stiffness of reinforced masonry panels. Finite element analyses of hybrid masonry systems employ complex models, such as the two-scalar continuum damage model, to capture the propagation of damage through the masonry panels. Such formulations rely on several constitutive parameters but no simple experiments exist that can be used to decouple their effect and calibrate them independently. This paper proposes a method to calibrate the masonry parameters using experimental data from global system testing. Steel components are described by an elastoplastic model with kinematic hardening whose constitutive parameters are easily calibrated. A parameter calibration procedure for the damage model parameters based on the behavior of the base wall of a two-story hybrid system in global testing is proposed. In order to reduce the number of c...
The Empirical Distribution of Homicide

homicide is not randomly distributed over persons, places, or time. Some groups of people are more likely than others to be involved in lethal violence as its offenders and victims. There are also fundamental differences within and across geographical areas in their rates of homicide. Like individual offenders, countries, cities, neighborhoods, and other physical environments have criminal “careers” of violence that vacillate over time. The current chapter summarizes the empirical distribution of homicide across countries, over time, and across various social groupings. Trends in England and the United States are emphasized because of the greater availability of longitudinal data in these countries. After presenting brief histories of homicide in these countries, we use Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) to identify the most prevalent structures of homicide situations in the United States over the last three decades. QCA is used to empirically document change and stability in the structure of homicide situations over time. The observed results are then discussed in terms of their implications for further research and public policy. Historical Trends in Homicide Based on previous studies and a reanalysis of existing data, it is possible to describe trends in the prevalence of homicide and its characteristics over time. These historical trends and changes in homicide characteristics are provided below. Stability and Change in the Prevalence of Homicides Data limitations and changing definitions of homicide preclude the development of a comprehensive time series for homicide rates across Western history.
Thrombin generation and cell-dependent hypercoagulability in sickle cell disease

Essentials Sickle cell disease is increasingly being recognized as a chronic hypercoagulable state. Thrombin generation is elevated in the whole blood, but not the plasma of sickle cell patients. Whole blood thrombin generation inversely correlates to erythrocyte phosphatidylserine exposure. Acquired protein S deficiency is likely explained by binding of protein S to sickle red cells. Click to hear Dr Hillery discuss coagulation and vascular pathologies in mouse models of sickle cell disease. SummaryIntroduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hypercoagulable state with chronic activation of coagulation and an increased incidence of thromboembolic events. However, although plasma pre-thrombotic markers such as thrombin-anithrombin complexes and D-dimer are elevated, there is no consensus on whether global assays of thrombin generation in plasma are abnormal in patients with SCD. Based on our recent observation that normal red blood cells (RBCs) contribute to thrombin generation in whole blood, we hypothesized that the cellular components in blood (notably phosphatidylserine-expressing erythrocytes) contribute to enhanced thrombin generation in SCD. Methods Whole blood and plasma thrombin generation assays were performed on blood samples from 25 SCD patients in a non-crisis ‘steady state’ and 25 healthy race-matched controls. Results Whole blood thrombin generation was significantly elevated in SCD, whereas plasma thrombin generation was paradoxically reduced compared with controls. Surprisingly, whole blood and plasma thrombin generation were both negatively correlated with phosphatidylserine exposure on RBCs. Plasma thrombin generation in the presence of exogenous activated protein C or soluble thrombomodulin revealed deficiencies in the protein C/S anticoagulant pathway in SCD. These global changes were associated with significantly lower plasma protein S activity in SCD that correlated inversely with RBC phosphatidylserine exposure. Conclusion Increased RBC phosphatidylserine exposure in SCD is associated with acquired protein S deficiency. In addition, these data suggest a cellular contribution to thrombin generation in SCD (other than RBC phosphatidylserine exposure) that explains the elevated thrombin generation in whole blood.
Spacecraft Uncertainty Propagation Using Gaussian Mixture Models and Polynomial Chaos Expansions

Polynomial chaos expansion and Gaussian mixture models are combined in a hybrid fashion to propagate state uncertainty for spacecraft with initial Gaussian errors. Polynomial chaos expansion models uncertainty by performing an expansion using orthogonal polynomials. The accuracy of polynomial chaos expansion for a given problem can be improved by increasing the order of the orthogonal polynomial expansion. The number of terms in the orthogonal polynomial expansion increases factorially with dimensionality of the problem, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the polynomial chaos expansion approach for problems of moderately high dimensionality. This paper shows a combination of Gaussian mixture model and polynomial chaos expansion, Gaussian mixture model–polynomial chaos expansion as an alternative form of the multi-element polynomial chaos expansion. Gaussian mixture model–polynomial chaos expansion reduces the overall order required to reach a desired accuracy. The initial distribution is converted to a...
Busy in the Cause: Iowa, the Free-State Struggle in the West, and the Prelude to the Civil War

Review of: Busy in the Cause: Iowa, the Free-State Struggle in the West, and the Prelude to the Civil War, by Lowell J. Soike.
Linking Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Blood Pressure Insight Into the Human Origins of Cardiovascular Disease

Abnormal perfusion to the fetus can slow fetal growth and result in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).1 IUGR, or failure to reach one’s birth potential, is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and generally results from placental insufficiency.1 IUGR is generally not recognized before delivery, and treatment options for IUGR are limited, with early delivery being the most common.1 Preeclampsia is often a contributory cause of IUGR, and numerous studies indicate that individuals exposed to a preeclamptic pregnancy exhibit a higher body mass index and blood pressure during childhood and adult life.2 Individuals born with IUGR also demonstrate an increase in blood pressure later in life.3 This association forms the basis for the developmental origins of health and disease and indicates that adverse influences during fetal life that slow fetal growth program an individual for greater cardiovascular risk in later life.4,5 Article see p 2202 Experimental models of placental insufficiency provide proof of principle that IUGR induced by reduced uterine perfusion programs an increase in blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in later life.5 However, in this issue of Circulation , Gaillard et al6 provide a direct link between reduced uterine perfusion and IUGR with increased cardiovascular risk. Using a large, prospective, longitudinal cohort, Gaillard and colleagues report that an increase in third-trimester fetoplacental vascular resistance indicative of reduced perfusion was associated with a decrease in size at birth and a later increase in total fat mass and systolic blood pressure at 6 years of age.6 Thus, this study indicates that assessment of fetal growth characteristics via Doppler flow velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery not only may be indicative of IUGR but also may identify an individual at greater risk …
Humoral Immunity in Mice Transplanted with Hematopoietic Stem Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Blood Recapitulates That of Human Infants

Immunodeficient mice transplanted with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been referred to as "Human Immune System" (HIS) mice and are a translational platform for studying human immune responses in vivo. Human HSC sources used in generating HIS mice include fetal liver (FL), umbilical cord blood (CB), and adult bone marrow (BM). Since HSCs from FL, CB, and BM are produced at various stages of human development, we tested whether mice transplanted with these three HSCs differ in their immune responses. We found that compared with CB HSCs or FL HSCs, adult BM HSCs reconstitute the immune system poorly. The resulting HIS mice do not mount an antibody response to Borrelia hermsii infection and as a consequence suffer persistently high levels of bacteremia. While both CB and FL HSCs yield comparable levels of immune reconstitution of HIS mice resulting in robust anti-B. hermsii immune responses, FL HSC-transplanted mice exhibited a discernable difference in their human B cell maturity as identified by an increased frequency of CD10+ immature B cells and relatively smaller lymphoid follicles compared with CB HSC-transplanted mice. Although CB HSC-transplanted mice generated robust antibody responses to B. hermsii and specific protein antigens of B. hermsii, they failed to respond to Salmonella typhi Vi polysaccharide, a classical T cell-independent antigen. This situation resembles that seen in human infants and young children. Therefore, CB HSC-transplanted mice may serve as a translation platform to explore approaches to overcome the impaired antipolysaccharide responses characteristic of human infants.
Digital Histories of Writing Lab Newsletter, Writing Center Journal, and Praxis: A Writing Center Journal

This chapter functions as an historiography of the treatment of computers and computer technologies within Writing Lab Newsletter, Writing Center Journal, and Praxis: A Writing Center Journal. This chapter describes the way that these “digital histories” exist both parallel to and in contrast with each other and articulates the overall importance of these histories to the future of writing center studies. This chapter also documents the shifting accessibility of these materials, including the overall navigability and availability of each journal’s archives.
11 Million SNP Reference Profiles for Identity Searching Across Ethnicities, Kinship, and Admixture

High throughput sequencing (HTS) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provides additional applications for DNA forensics including identification, mixture analysis, kinship prediction, and biogeographic ancestry prediction. Public repositories of human genetic data are being rapidly generated and released, but the majorities of these samples are de-identified to protect privacy, and have little or no individual metadata such as appearance (photos), ethnicity, relatives, etc. A reference in silico dataset has been generated to enable development and testing of new DNA forensics algorithms. This dataset provides 11 million SNP profiles for individuals with defined ethnicities and family relationships spanning eight generations with admixture for a panel with 39,108 SNPs.
Homo- and Heteronuclear Editing in Proton Spectroscopy

Due to its high sensitivity, 100% natural abundance and the ubiquity of the 1H nucleus, 1H NMR provides a sensitive tool for the study of metabolism in vivo. However, the 100 M water resonance, molar lipid resonances, large number of compounds containing 1H nuclei, extensive homonuclear coupling and narrow chemical shift range (10 ppm) of biologically active metabolites provides major barriers to uniquely resolving metabolite resonances of interest and therefore the use of NMR in in vivo biochemical studies. Excellent resolution and identification of 1H resonances of proteins and nucleic acids is commonly achieved by the use of 2-D techniques such as 2 dimensional J-resolved spectroscopy and chemical shift correlated spectroscopy. However, use of these additional dimensions of information encoding (chemical shift evolution of coupled resonances or J-modulation), severely limits the temporal resolution of the experiment, prohibiting its use to observe rapid metabolic changes. To meet this need spectral editing techniques (homonuclear, heteronuclear editing) and polarization transfer sequences have been developed to retain the temporal resolution of a simple one dimensional experiment yet provide the additional spectral resolution of a 2-dimensional experiment for a single resonance (homo-nuclear spectral editing), group of resonances (heteronuclear spectral editing) or class of resonances (polarization transfer).
Colony Stimulating Factors: Regulation of Production

Life span of mature blood cells is ephemeral, requiring hematopoiesis throughout life. A complex network of hematopoietic progenitor cells and cytokines maintain an enormous daily production of granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes. This population of hematopoietic cells must be able to respond rapidly to changing needs such as bleeding, infections, cancer, or exposure to cytotoxic agents. Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are a family of glycoproteins that promote growth and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and also enhance the function of the mature blood cells, production of CSFs is under tight control since either their over- or underproduction will result in dysregulation of hematopoiesis. Proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells require the continuous presence of these factors.
Reversal of Testicular Growth Failure by Varicocele Ligation

AbstractA total of 20 male patients 11 to 19 years old had a grade 2 or 3 varicocele and volume loss of the testis ipsilateral to the varicocele. None of these patients presented because of subfertility. Following varicocele ligation a significant increase in volume of the testis ipsilateral to the varicocele was observed in 16 of 20 patients. All 20 patients have been followed for 1 to 6 years.Our results suggest that a moderate to large varicocele can be responsible for testicular growth retardation and that early ligation of the varicocele may reverse this process.
Dutch Uncles, Ducks and Decorated Sheds—Notes on the Intertwingularity of Meaning and Structure in Information Architecture

On what basis can and ought one assess the relative merits of a given work of information architecture? In 2009, Jesse James Garrett pointed to the non-existence of such a normative theory and the community of practice’s consequent inability to indicate “what good means” as evidence that information architecture is not a proper discipline. Garrett’s rallying cry was for a wholesale reframing of that community in terms of User Experience Design, with human engagement as its center. In this chapter, I draw from the work of architects Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi to counter-propose a co-occurring reframing of the mostly-digital sense- and place-making work of information architecture in the normative terms of architecture, where the appropriate interplay of meaning and structural form comprises the basis of what good means.
Distribution modeling of Asclepias spp. predicts potential conservation benefits of marginal ecosystems as nature reserves in northwest Ohio.

Due to grassland and prairie conversion for agriculture, milkweed species (Asclepias spp.) are now confined to small natural areas, agricultural fields, and marginal ecosystems (e.g., ditches and field margins). Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) rely exclusively on milkweed and are in decline in part due to declining milkweed populations. We conducted a species distribution modeling exercise using MaxEnt to model milkweed species and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) presence in natural areas and ditches throughout northwest Ohio in order to identify which local or regional landscape attributes most strongly influence milkweed presence. We found that while natural areas and ditches have similar presence probability ranges (milkweed: natural areas 3–98% and ditches 1–98%; common milkweed: natural areas and ditches 0–98%), natural areas have a higher average probability of presence than ditches (milkweed: natural areas = 30 ± 26% and ditches = 7 ± 7%; common milkweed: natural areas = 22 ± 26% and ditches = 5 ± 6%). However, due to the large area covered by ditches and field margins in our study system, ditches and field margins with a probability of milkweed occurrence greater than the average probability of occurrence in natural areas encompass a larger total area than natural areas. We also observed that the presence of milkweed is positively correlated with the presence of shrub and C4 grasses. We conclude that marginal ecosystems in ditches and field margins are an important component of regional milkweed and, thusly, monarch conservation by providing potential habitat across a diffuse network.
Abstract 1512: Regulation of the CDC42 signaling pathway by IKZF1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The IKZF1 gene encodes Ikaros—a DNA-binding, Kruppel-like zinc finger protein that functions as a tumor suppressor in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Ikaros regulates transcription of a large number of genes that are involved in control of cellular proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms through which Ikaros regulates proliferation of T-ALL cells are still unknown. The use of quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) showed that Ikaros binds to the promoter regions of CDC42 in vivo in primary T-ALL patient samples as well as in T-ALL cell lines. Ikaros overexpression in B-ALL cells via retroviral transduction results in decreased transcription of CDC42, as evidenced by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The luciferase reporter assay showed that Ikaros represses CDC42 transcription by directly binding to its promoter. The shRNA-mediated knock-down of Ikaros in T-ALL resulted in increased expression of CDC42. These results suggest that Ikaros functions as a transcriptional repressor of CDC42 in T-ALL. Next, we studied the upstream signaling pathways that regulate Ikaros-mediated control of CDC42 transcription in T-ALL. Because Ikaros activity in leukemia is regulated via direct phosphorylation by Casein Kinase II (CK2), we tested the effect of CK2 inhibition on Ikaros-mediated regulation of CDC42 expression. Treatment of T-ALL cells with a specific CK2 inhibitor, CX-4945, resulted in reduced expression of CDC42 in T-ALL cells. This was associated with an increase in DNA-binding of Ikaros to the promoter of the CDC42 gene. Ikaros knock-down restored high expression of CDC42 in T-ALL cells that were treated with CK2 inhibitors. These data suggest that transcriptional repression of the CDC42 gene by Ikaros is impaired in T-ALL due to increased CK2 activity and reduced Ikaros DNA-binding affinity toward the CDC42 gene promoter. Inhibition of CK2 restores Ikaros function and results in transcriptional repression of the CDC42 gene. In conclusion, our results suggest that Ikaros regulates CDC42 signaling pathway via transcriptional repression of the small GTPase, CDC42, in T-ALL. Ikaros-mediated repression of CDC42 in T-ALL is negatively regulated by CK2. These results suggest that regulation of CDC42 expression is one of the mechanisms through which Ikaros regulates cellular proliferation in T-ALL. Citation Format: Mario Soliman, Chunhua Song, Jonathon L. Payne, Zheng Ge, Chandrika Gowda, Yali Ding, Kimberly J. Payne, Sinisa Dovat. Regulation of the CDC42 signaling pathway by IKZF1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1512.