cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production and testing of the VITAMIN-B6 fine-group and the BUGLE-93 broad-group neutron/photon cross-section libraries derived from ENDF/B-VI nuclear data

A revised multigroup cross-section library based on Release 3 of ENDF/B-VI data has been produced and tested for light-water-reactor shielding and reactor pressure vessel dosimetry applications. This new broad-group library, which is designated BUGLE-96, represents an improvement over the BUGLE-93 data library released in February 1994 and replaces the data package for BUGLE-93 in the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (formerly RSIC). The processing methodology is the same as that used for producing BUGLE-93 and is consistent with ANSI/ANS 6.1.2. The ENDF data were first processed into a fine-group, pseudo-problem-independent format and then collapsed into the final broad-group format. The fine-group library, which is designated VITAMIN-B6, contains 120 nuclides. The BUGLE-96 47-neutron-group/20-gamma-ray-group library contains the same 120 nuclides processed as infinitely dilute and collapsed using a weighting spectrum typical of a concrete shield. Additionally, nuclides processed with resonance self-shielding and weighted using spectra specific to BWR and PWR material compositions and reactor models are available. As an added feature of BUGLE-96, cross-section sets having upscatter data for four thermal neutron groups are included. The upscattering data should improve the application of BUGLE-96 to the calculation of more accurate thermal fluences, although more computer time will be required. Several new dosimetry response functions and kerma factors for all 120 nuclides are also included in the library. The incorporation of feedback from users has resulted in a data library that addresses a wider spectrum of user needs.
A testable realization of CMOS combinational circuits

The KR realization (see S. Kundu and S.M. Reddy, Proc. 18th Int. Fault-Tolerant Computing Symp., p.220-25 1988) was proposed with the aim of designing testable CMOS combinational circuits using only primitive gates and no extraneous hardware. It is shown that for some useful Boolean functions the size of the KR realization is exponential in the number of input variables. The author presents a testable realization of a CMOS combinational circuit, with respect to FET (field-effect-transistor) stuck-open faults, named FM-CMOS. It uses only two-input multiplexers and, to an extent, addresses the size-problem of the KR realization. More specifically, it is shown that for some useful Boolean functions for which the size of the KR realization is exponential in the number of input variables the size of the FM-CMOS realization is polynomial in the number of input variables. For this reason, it is proposed that the FM-CMOS realization be used in conjunction with the KR realization. The results are applied to design a testable n-b CMOS adder that uses only O(n) FETs. >
Senescence and the renal vasculature in normal man.

The xenon washout technique and the renal blood flow response to vasoactive agents or alterations in sodium intake were used to characterize the effect of aging on the renal vasculature in 207 norm...
Oral L-arginine and vitamins E and C improve endothelial function in women with type 2 diabetes

Endothelial dilator function is impaired in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Prior research indicates that this can be improved with intravenous administration of ascorbate or L-arginine, but whether these agents have this effect when administered by the clinically practical oral route is unknown. To investigate this question, 10 premenopausal women with T2DM and 10 healthy, premenopausal, non-diabetic women received, in random sequence, a 1-week administration of oral L-arginine (9 g daily) or vitamins E (1800 mg) and C (1000 mg) with an intervening 1-week washout period. Flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) was measured by ultrasonography and forearm blood flow was measured by plethysmography before and following blood pressure cuff-induced forearm ischemia before and after each week of treatment. At baseline, the women with T2DM had lesser FMD responses (0.028 +/- 0.006 cm vs 0.056 +/- 0.008 cm, p < 0.05). Post-ischemic forearm hyperemia was reduced at baseline in T2DM compared with controls (16.4 +/- 1.8 vs 26.0 +/- 1.4 ml 100 ml(-1) min(-1), p < 0.05). Administration of L-arginine caused a 50 +/- 12% increase in FMD in T2DM (p < 0.05) and raised post-ischemic forearm blood flow by 29 +/- 8% (p < 0.05). No significant changes were seen in controls. Administration of vitamins E and C in women with T2DM produced an increase in the brachial artery diameter response of 79 +/- 15% (p < 0.05), but did not significantly increase the hyperemic blood flow response (p = NS). No significant changes in the responses of controls from pre to post vitamin administration were observed. We concluded that administration of two types of oral agents improved measures of endothelial function in people with T2DM.
Alteration of enzyme activity in rat liver following the acute and chronic administration of nicotine.

Received May 26, 1969 Alteration of Enzyme Activity in Rat Liver Following the Acute and Chronic Administration of Nicotine. RUDDON, R. W., and COHEN, A. M. (1970). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 16, 613-625. The ip injection of nicotine (2 or 4 mg/kg) to rats produced an increase in tryptophan pyrrolase activity in liver within 2 hours after drug administration. The elevation in enzyme activity reached a peak at 4 hours after drug injection and returned toward control levels by 6 hours. Administration of 4 mg of nicotine per kilogram to rats 4 times a day for 3 consecutive days produced an elevation of ethylmorphine and norcodeine metabolism in postmitochondrial supernatant fractions from liver. The chronic administration of nicotine (5.9 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water for 7 days produced an elevation in the metabolism of ethylmorphine, norcodeine, and aniline by liver microsomes. This increased enzyme activity was maintained for 5 weeks when nicotine was continued at that dose. However, if the dose was lowered below 4.4 mg/ kg/day, the increased activity was not maintained. The activities of tryptophan pyrrolase and tyrosine transaminase were not altered by chronic drug treatment. An increase in the capacity of liver microsomes to synthesize protein was observed when nicotine treatment was continued for 4 weeks. These data indicate (1) that an elevation of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes can be achieved after the acute administration of nicotine, but only when convulsive doses are given several times a day, suggesting that the increased activity after acute drug treatment may be a stress-related event; and (2) that the chronic administration of nicotine can increase the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes, possibly by inducing enzyme synthesis. In the past few years there has been a vast expansion of knowledge in the area of drug interactions. One aspect of the problem that has received particular attention is modification of the effects of drugs by the concurrent or previous exposure to other drugs and chemical agents which alter drug metabolism (Conney, 1967). In view of the prevalence of the smoking habit it is pertinent to know what effects exposure to tobacco smoke may have on the activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes. It is well known that
Detection of PrPCWD in feces from naturally exposed Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) using protein misfolding cyclic amplification.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting captive and free-ranging cervids. Currently, tests for CWD in live animals involve relatively invasive procedures to collect lymphoid tissue biopsies and examine them for CWD- associated, protease-resistant cervid prion protein (PrP CWD ) detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We adapted an ultrasensitive prion detection system, protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), to detect PrP CWD in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) feces. Our PMCA reproducibly detected a 1.2310 7 dilution of PrP CWD (a 10% infected brain homogenate diluted 1.2310 6 -fold into 10% fecal homogenates), equivalent to approximately 100 pg of PrP CWD /g of feces. We developed a semiquantitative scoring system based on the first PMCA round at which PrP CWD was detected and fit a nonlinear regression curve to our serial dilutions to correlate PMCA scores with known PrP CWD concentrations. We used this PMCA scoring system to detect PrP CWD and estimate its concentration in feces from free-ranging elk from Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. We compared our results to PrP CWD IHC of rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and obex from the same animals. The PMCA successfully detected PrP CWD in feces from elk that were positive by IHC, with estimated prion loads from 100 to 5,000 pg PrP CWD /g of feces. These data show for the first time PrP CWD in feces from naturally exposed free-ranging elk and demonstrate the potential of PMCA as a new, noninvasive CWD diagnostic tool to complement IHC.
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A2 Is a Common Transcriptional Coactivator in the Nuclear Transcription Response to Mitochondrial Respiratory Stress

Mitochondrial dysfunction and altered transmembrane potential initiate a mitochondrial respiratory stress response, also known as mitochondrial retrograde response, in a wide spectrum of cells. The mitochondrial stress response activates calcineurin, which regulates transcription factors, including a new nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway, different from the canonical and noncanonical pathways. In this study using a combination of small interfering RNA-mediated mRNA knock down, transcriptional analysis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we report a common mechanism for the regulation of previously established stress response genes Cathepsin L, RyR1, and Glut4. Stress-regulated transcription involves the cooperative interplay between NF-kappaB (cRel: p50), C/EBPdelta, cAMP response element-binding protein, and nuclear factor of activated T cells. We show that the functional synergy of these factors requires the stress-activated heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 as a coactivator. HnRNP A2 associates with the enhanceosome, mostly through protein-protein interactions with DNA-bound factors. Silencing of hnRNP A2 as well as other DNA binding signature factors prevents stress-induced transcriptional activation and reverses the invasiveness of mitochondrial DNA-depleted C2C12 cells. Induction of mitochondrial stress signaling by electron transfer chain inhibitors also involved hnRNPA2 activation. We describe a common mechanism of mitochondrial respiratory stress-induced activation of nuclear target genes that involves hnRNP A2 as a transcription coactivator.
A Variable Buoyancy Control System for a Large AUV

A large autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV), the Seahorse, has been designed, constructed, and tested by the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University (ARL/PSU, University Park, PA) for the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO, Stennis Space Center, MS). The vehicle is required to launch in shallow water (<10 m) and to hover without propulsion. Additionally, due to the very large size of the vehicle, low operating speeds and very long missions, small changes in vehicle trim resulting from battery replacement, sensor exchanges, and water temperature variations can result in significant drag-induced energy penalties over the duration of a mission. It is, therefore, important to continually maintain the AUV in fore-aft trim over the course of the mission. The vehicle is equipped with a two tank variable buoyancy system (VBS) to meet these requirements. The resulting control problem is one where the control variable, pump rate, is proportional to the third derivative of the sensed variable, depth; there are significant delays, and forces are nonlinear (including discontinuous) and highly uncertain. This paper describes the design of the VBS and the control software operating in two modes: depth control mode and trim control mode. In-water test data and simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the VBS controller. The benefits of the presented approach lie in the intuitiveness and simplicity of the design and the robustness as evidenced by the performance in both fresh and salt water. This paper provides practical insight into the operation of a VBS with an AUV and discusses actual operational experience. To our knowledge, no previous work considers the significance of an observed surface capture phenomenon to the design of a VBS control system, especially in very shallow water.
Water photolysis with a cross-linked titanium dioxidenanowire anode

We report efficient water photolysis using a cross-linked TiO2 nanowire anode containing mixed anatase and rutile phases. Under simulated AM 1.5 G illumination, the peak solar energy conversion efficiency is measured to be 1.05%, a new record for TiO2 photoanodes. A photocurrent density as high as 2.6 mA cm−2 is observed when the film thickness is 22 μm. These observations indicate that the high surface area architecture afforded by the cross-linked TiO2 nanowires enables both long optical path lengths and high photon-to-electron conversion efficiency. We also report photocurrent in the visible range due to sub-band gap absorptions, which is enhanced by up to a factor of 10 when the TiO2 nanowires are coated with gold or silver nanoparticles. This enhancement is observed only in thinner (up to 1 μm) TiO2 nanowire films, however, indicating that the effect stems from enhanced light retention by nanoparticle scattering.
A microbeam irradiator without an accelerator

The stand-alone microbeam, under development at RARAF, presents a novel approach to biological microbeam irradiation studies. Foregoing a conventional accelerator as a source of energetic ions, we propose to use a small, high-specific-activity, alpha emitter. Alpha particles emitted from this source are focused using a compound magnetic lens consisting of 24 permanent magnets arranged in two quadrupole triplets. Using a ‘‘home made’’ 6.5 mCi Polonium source, a 1 alpha particle/s, 10 lm diameter microbeam can be realized. As the alpha source energy is constant, once the microbeam has been set up, no further adjustments are necessary apart from a periodic replacement of the source. The use of permanent magnets eliminates the need for bulky power supplies and cooling systems required by other types of ion lenses and greatly simplifies operation. It also makes the microbeam simple and cheap enough to be realized in any large lab.
An Investigation of Death Anxiety, Sense of Competence, and Need for Achievement:

Eighty female undergraduates were administered four written questionnaires on death anxiety, sense of competence, need for achievement, and general anxiety. An open ended question on the personification of death was also included. As predicted, a negative correlation was found between death anxiety and sense of competence. No correlation was found between death anxiety and need for achievement and no interaction effect occurred between need for achievement and sense of competence. General anxiety correlated highly with death anxiety. Degree of death anxiety and type of personification were also related.
Barriers and facilitators for mental healthcare in pediatric lupus and mixed connective tissue disease: a qualitative study of youth and parent perspectives

Untreated mental health problems may result in poor outcomes for youth with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). We investigated perceptions, barriers and facilitators for mental healthcare of these youth. We conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with 16 outpatient youth with SLE/MCTD, ages 11–22 years, and their parents. We used purposive sampling to deliberately obtain the experiences of youth screened during a previous study for depression and anxiety with the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and the Screen for Childhood Anxiety and Related Disorders, respectively. We recruited 6 youth with previous positive screens and 10 with negative screens. We assessed interim mental health history, and qualitatively examined perceptions, barriers and facilitators for mental healthcare. Youth with a mental health history increased from 6 (38 %) at initial screening to 9 (56 %) at interview (mean follow-up = 2.1 years). Youth receiving mental health treatment increased from 33 to 67 %. Youth and parents identified rheumatologists as primary physicians and found mental health screening in rheumatology acceptable. Barriers to mental healthcare included: stigma; fear; uncertainty about getting help; parental emotional burden; minimization by doctors; and limited mental healthcare access. Facilitators included: strong clinician relationships; clinician initiative, sincerity and normalization in discussing mental health; and increased patient/family awareness of mental health issues in SLE/MCTD. Youth with SLE/MCTD and their parents perceive pediatric rheumatologists as a preferred source for mental health screening, guidance and referral. Interventions addressing barriers and enhancing facilitators may improve mental healthcare for youth with SLE/MCTD.
Urinary obstruction is an important complicating factor in patients with septic shock due to urinary infection.

Abstract Objective Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common cause of severe sepsis, and anatomic urologic obstruction is a recognized factor for complicated disease. We aimed to identify the incidence of urinary obstruction complicating acute septic shock and determine the characteristics and outcomes of this group. Methods Patients prospectively enrolled in a sepsis treatment pathway registry between October 2013 and July 2014 were reviewed for the diagnosis of UTI. Standardized medical record review was performed to confirm sepsis due to UTI and determine clinical variables including the presence of anatomic urinary obstruction. Patients with septic shock due to UTI with obstruction were compared with those without obstruction. The primary outcomes were incidence of urinary obstruction and hospital mortality. Results Among 1084 registry enrollees, 209 (19.2%) met inclusion criteria for the study. Acute anatomic obstruction was identified in 22 (10.5%) patients. Hospital mortality in patients with obstruction was 27.3% compared with 11.2% in patients without obstruction (absolute difference of 16.1%; P = .03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2%-30.9%). Hospital length of stay among survivors was 12.8 days compared with 8.3 days (absolute difference of 4.5 days; P = .04; 95% CI, 0.2-8.8 days). History of urinary stone disease was independently associated with obstruction (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.2-14.3). Conclusions Approximately 1 in 10 patients presenting with septic shock due to a urinary source is complicated by anatomic urinary obstruction. These patients have significantly higher mortality compared with patients without obstruction. Early imaging of patients with septic shock due to suspected urinary source should be considered to identify obstruction requiring emergency intervention.
Fixation reactions with types of B. diphtheriae

The experimental work of Durand,1 Park,2 Havens,3 Langer,4 FitzGerald and Doyle5 and others has shown clearly the existence of several types of B. diphtheriae. These organisms may show no macroscopic or microscopic differences, one from another, and yet give rise to specific agglutination antibodies. There is, however, little literature on the specificity of the fixation bodies built up by animal immunization with these groups. Studies on fixation reactions have been made, but have been for the most part unsuccessful, or at least have served only in differentiating between the true diphtheriae organisms and the diphtheroids. Such differentiation has been done by Kolmer,6 Morse,7 Armand-Delille 8 and others. The attempt to demonstrate by means of the fixation reaction the group specificity of diphtheriae organisms, as herein described, was made with groups of organisms isolated and identified by FitzGerald.5 Taking representative strains from each of 3 groups, animals were immunized by repeated injections with washed cultures. These injections, beginning with 1/20 slant, were given about every other day unless the animal had lost too much weight. Dosage was increased until i/^ slant could be administered. The cultures were grown on Loefffer slants for 24 hours, emulsified in salt solution and subjected to 8 washings. This was found necessary because of the extremely toxic effect of the organisms or rather their adherent toxins on the rabbits. With fewer washings of the cultures, the animals would appear well after one or two injections, but would then soon begin to lose weight and finally die. Tests of both the complement-fixing and agglutinating powers were made as immunization progressed, using however only the specific
Seismic Rock Physics In the Presence of Attribute Noise

Classic Amplitude versus Offset (AVO) theory has developed a sound framework for understanding seismic rock physics in a noise-free context. (Foster et al., 2010) However, it has long been understood that noise in the offset domain becomes correlated in the various attribute domains, and can lead to “noise-forming”—the apparent rotation of attribute crossplots. (Cambois, 1998; Hendrickson, 1999; Saleh and de Bruin, 2000) In some domains such as Lambda-rho:Mu-rho reflectivity (LR:MR), noise-forming can actually lead to noisy attributes that are anti-correlated with the expected values (See Figure 1.)
Examining social justice attitudes among play therapists: Implications for multicultural supervision and training.

This article reports the findings of a survey that investigated social justice attitudes among play therapists (N 448) and its relation to multicultural supervision and multicultural education. Descriptive statistics and a Pearson correlations test were used to analyze results. Results indicated that social justice attitude was positively correlated to the number of continuing education credits, the percentage of time both receiving and providing supervision with a multicultural focus, the quality of supervision provided, and the years as a play therapist. The importance of working from a social justice paradigm and its direct impact on the work of play therapists is discussed. In addition, implications of the results, including findings from descriptive statistics, are explained.
Lower omental t-regulatory cell count is associated with higher fasting glucose and lower β-cell function in adults with obesity.

Objective T-lymphocytes are potential initiators and regulators of adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, but there is limited human data on omental AT. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between T cells, particularly Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, in human subcutaneous (subQ) and omental AT and type 2 diabetes risk. Methods SubQ and deep subQ (DsubQ) abdominal and omental AT biopsies were collected from 44 patients (body mass index, BMI ≥25) undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD4+ T cell (T effector and Treg) and macrophages (M1 and M2), and systemic inflammation was measured in fasting blood. Results Tregs were significantly lower in omental versus subQ and DsubQ AT, and M1 cell counts were significantly higher in the omental and DsubQ depot relative to the subQ. Only omental AT Tregs were negatively associated with fasting glucose and MCP-1 and positively associated with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-β. M1 and M2 cell counts across multiple depots had significant relationships with HOMA-insulin resistance, tumor necrosis factor-α, insulin, and HOMA-β. All relationships were consistent across ethnicities. Conclusions Tregs were significantly lower in omental versus both subQ adipose depots. Fewer omental Tregs may have metabolic implications based on depot-specific relationships with higher fasting glucose and lower β-cell function.
A rare case of listeriosis, acute cholecystitis and multiple myeloma

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is an aerobic, motile, intracellular gram-positive bacterium. Most invasive systemic infections caused by LM are commonly seen in patients at both extremes of age, during pregnancy or in immunocompromised hosts. Common clinical manifestations of LM infection in immunocompromised adults are bacteremia, infections of central nervous system, such as meningitis, and self-limiting febrile gastroenteritis. Focal infections of listeria are rare, especially cholecystitis, with only few cases reported in the last 33 years. A 62-year-old man presented with multiple myeloma, cholecystitis and LM bacteremia. Due to prompt surgical treatment and antibiotics (amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid and gentamycin), this high-risk patient recovered without any complications.
Influence of Scalp Acupuncture on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Purpose To observe the influence of scalp acupuncture on serum tumor necrosis factor in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods Sixty cases of acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a non acupuncture group. Enzyme linked immunoassay was used to measure serum TNF before and after acupuncture and evaluate limb function. Results Serum TNF dropped in both the groups after the treatment was finished, but it did markedly in the acupuncture group and there was a significant difference ( P 0.01). The evaluation of limb function showed that it improved markedly in the acupuncture group after 15 days and there was a significant difference between before and after acupuncture ( P 0.05), while it did not in the control group 15 days after general treatment. Conclusion Scalp acupuncture in the early stage of acute cerebral infarction can decrease serum TNF content and promote the recovery of brain tissues and limb function.
A Proposed Mechanism of Contraction in which Stepwise Shortening is a Basic Feature

A simple model is put forth as an initial attempt to account for the observation that the contractile process is discrete and sychronized over a large region of space.
Dimetane Expectorant® (Robins)

Dimetane Expectorant combines widely used ingredients designed for temporary relief of coughing and the complications of allergic states such as seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. The combination has the ability to alleviate allergic conditions. The sympathomimetic amines present in Dimetane are indicated for the temporary relief of nasal congestion. Guaifenesin is present as an expectorant.
Transfer Factor Therapy of Chronic Aggressive Hepatitis

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the transfer factor therapy of chronic aggressive hepatitis. Transfer factor was prepared by a modification of the method of Lawrence from individual units of blood donated by 30 adults who had recovered from acute viral hepatitis within the previous year. Lyophilized transfer factor was reconstituted with saline so that one milliliter was equivalent to 1 × 109 D white blood cells. Separate pools of transfer factor from hepatitis B and presumptive hepatitis A donors were prepared, and ultra-filtered to eliminate viral particles by passage through an Amicon Filter which excludes molecules greater than 100,000 daltons. Each administered dose of transfer factor consisted of 1 ml from each of these two pools. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the eight patients at the time of entrance into the study are demonstrated. No significant differences in age, serum enzymes, prothrombin time, bilirubin or serum proteins were apparent between the patients subsequently revealed to be transfer factor recipients and those found to be in the placebo group.
The Role of Care in Environmental Education

Environmental education and environmental advocacy are a complicated pair. To avoid indoctrination of children, environmental educators must be cautious and distinguish between teaching students about environmental problems and telling students what actions should be taken on education and advocacy (Johnson and Mappin, Environmental education and advocacy: changing perspectives of ecology and education. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005). In this chapter, we utilize a critical approach to environmental education which purports teachers’ need to support students’ understanding of the reasons for environmental problems, encourage them to deconstruct normative rhetoric around environmental issues, and then provide opportunities for students to participate in the conceptualizing of these issues with the values of social justice in mind (Fien, Aust J Environ Educ 19:1, 2003). This work relates to current research on well-being but also draws on emotions literature to introduce a focus on care. The chapter focuses on both John Fien’s (Aust J Environ Educ 19:1, 2003) and Peter Martin’s (Aust J Environ Educ 23:57, 2007) application of an ethic of care in environmental education, further theorizing Noddings’ notions of care in the context of environmental education and finally highlighting an experience of care-based environmental education pedagogy. The experience, a student-initiated investigation of the Aedes mosquito, describes nurturing an ethic of care in environmental science in a middle school setting. The chapter concludes with a section on further directions for an ethic of care in environmental science, as well as the implications of and complications with teaching students to care for the environment.
In vivo subharmonic pressure estimation of portal hypertension in canines

In this work, the development and first-ever application of in vivo subharmonic pressure estimation to detect portal pressures and investigate portal hypertension (portal vein pressures > 12 mmHg) is presented. A modified Logiq 9 scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) operating in pulse inversion subharmonic mode (f transmit =2.5 MHz, f receive =1.25 MHz) was used to scan 14 canines. The canines received an intravenous infusion of Sonazoid microbubbles (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) at a dose of 0.015 μl/kg/min. Two models for inducing portal hypertension in the canines were used: low-flow using Gelfoam and high-flow using an arteriovenous shunt. A 5F micro-tip pressure catheter (Millar Instruments, Houston, TX) inserted in the portal vein provided the gold standard. The radiofrequency (RF) data were acquired in synchrony with the pressure transducer for 5 s segments (n = 3) for different transmit parameters, before and after inducing portal hypertension. The RF data were processed to extract the subharmonic components and correlated with the gold standard. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in subharmonic amplitude with an increase in portal vein pressures was seen for both models. The overall reduction in absolute subharmonic amplitude showed an r2 value of 0.92 with an increase in portal vein pressures averaged over canines per treatment for 3 transmit cycles, whereas for 4 transmit cycles this r2 value was 0.90 at 40 % acoustic output from the scanner. A new technique to quantify absolute pressures in the portal vein and to detect portal hypertension using subharmonic ultrasound has been implemented.
A study on the potential of doped electrospun polystyrene fibers in arsenic filtration

Abstract Arsenic exposure is a global health hazard, particularly in areas with industrial wastewater runoff and high levels of naturally occurring arsenic-bearing soil. Current water filtration devices lack portability, severely limiting their use for wide-scale public health. In the present study, bone char, hydroxyapatite, and goethite were incorporated into electrospun polystyrene scaffolds to evaluate their arsenic binding or adsorption properties in a cost-effective, stable device with the potential for portability. Feasibility of incorporation for all dopants in the study was demonstrated using electron microscopy. Arsenic testing on contaminated water with either dopant alone or dopant-incorporated electrospun scaffolds demonstrated that the dopant-incorporated electrospun scaffolds increased arsenic binding over control, with a trend of increased arsenic binding over the dopant only counterparts. The results indicate that the low-cost, easily fabricated electrospun polystyrene is a prime choice for creating filter materials impregnated with metal binding or adsorbing materials for use in water filtration devices.
Abstract 3558: uPAR mediated endothelial targeting by oncolytic measles virus

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Background: The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is over-expressed in tumor cells as well as in tumor endothelium and plays a critical role in tumor neovascularization. We have recently rescued an oncolytic measles virus fully retargeted against human uPAR (MV-h-uPA). The aim of this study was to further characterize the endothelial targeting capabilities of MV-h-uPA over MV-GFP. Methods: In vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed in unstimulated and stimulated HUVEC, and the effects of both viruses were analyzed. The effects of MV-GFP and MV-h-uPA on actively forming vs. established capillaries was investigated using the matrigel tube formation assay. Endothelial to tumor transfer of MV-uPA or MV-GFP was investigated in breast, colon cnd kidney cancer cell lines expressing RFP by overlaying infected HUVEC on tumor cell monolayers. The mechanisms/kinetics of viral transfer from HUVEC to tumor cells was characterized. Microvessel density of tumors treated with MV-h-uPA was quantitated by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against CD31. Results: MV-h-uPA and MV-GFP induced cytotoxicity at 24, 48 and 72 hours in stimulated HUVECs. MV-h-uPA replicated more efficiently in growth factor stimulated, compared to resting HUVECs. Interestingly, MV-h-uPA, but not MV-GFP successfully infected actively forming (angiogenic) HUVEC capillaries, as assessed by mean fluorescence quantification of GFP expression of infected capillaries. On the other hand, the non-targeted MV-GFP predominantly infected already established HUVEC capillaries (infected 24 hours after tubes were formed), an effect not observed with MV-h-uPA. Importantly, MV-h-uPA did not induce vascular disrupting effects in HUVEC capillaries. MV-h-uPA was successfully transferred from infected endothelial cells to tumor cells. This effect was mediated by heterofusion, as chemical inhibition of virus induced fusion at different time points during co-culture completely blocked EC to TC transfer. Heterofusion occurred as early as 4 hours after endothelial cell overlay into tumor cell cultures. EC to TC viral transfer resulted in significant tumor cell cytotoxicity. Conclusion: The above results demonstrate the improved ability of uPAR retargeted oncolytic measles virus to infect, replicate and successfully infect angiogenic endothelial cells, as well as successful EC to TC transfer in vitro, resulting in tumor cell cytotoxicity. Vascular targeting by oncolytic MVs may result in improved tumor cell delivery in vivo, and enhanced antitumor effects. Citation Format: Marcela M. Toro Bejarano, Yuqi Jing, Krisztina Kovacs, Jaime Merchan. uPAR mediated endothelial targeting by oncolytic measles virus. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3558. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3558
Age-related reduction of dermal fibroblast size upregulates multiple matrix metalloproteinases as observed in aged human skin in vivo.

SummaryBackground Fragmentation of collagen fibrils, the major structure protein in skin, is a hallmark of dermal ageing. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are largely responsible for the fragmentation of collagen fibrils. Objectives To quantify gene expression of all 23 known mammalian MMPs in sun-protected young and aged human skin in vivo and to investigate the potential mechanism underlying age-related alteration of multiple MMPs. Methods MMP mRNA expression levels and MMP activity in sun-protected young and aged human skin in vivo were determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ zymography, respectively. The relative contributions to elevated MMPs in epidermis and dermis were quantified by laser capture microdissection coupled real-time RT-PCR. Dermal fibroblast morphology and collagen fibril fragmentation in human skin in vivo were assessed by second-harmonic generation microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. In vitro cell morphology was assessed by CellTracker® fluorescent dye (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, U.S.A.) and phalloidin staining. Protein levels were determined by ProteinSimple capillary electrophoresis immunoassay (ProteinSimple, Santa Clare, CA, U.S.A.). Results Multiple MMPs are elevated in aged human skin dermis. Increased MMP activity and collagen fibril fragmentation were observed in aged skin dermis. As dermal fibroblasts are the major MMP-producing cells in the dermis, reduction of dermal fibroblast size, which is observed in aged human skin, contributes to the elevation of age-related multiple MMPs. Reduction of fibroblast size upregulates c-Jun/c-Fos and activates AP-1. Conclusions Combined actions of the wide variety of MMPs that are constitutively elevated in aged dermis may be involved in the progressive degradation of dermal collagen fibrils. Age-related elevations of multiple MMPs are likely to be a result of the reduction of fibroblast size via activation of AP-1.
Narrow-Bandgap Interband Cascade Thermophotovoltaic Cells

We report on the characterization of narrow-bandgap ( Eg ≍ 0.4 eV, at 300 K) interband cascade thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices with InAs/GaSb/AlSb type-II superlattice absorbers. Two device structures with different numbers of stages (two and three) were designed and grown to study the influence of the number of stages and absorber thicknesses on the device performance at high temperatures (300–340 K). Maximum power efficiencies of 9.6% and 6.5% with open-circuit voltages of 800 and 530 mV were achieved in the three- and two-stage devices at 300 K, respectively. These results validate the benefits of a multiple-stage architecture with thin individual absorbers for efficient conversion of infrared radiation into electricity from low-temperature heat sources. Additionally, we developed an effective characterization method, based on an adapted version of Suns - V oc technique, to extract the device series and shunt resistance in these TPV cells.
Urinary tract infection with Pasteurella multocida in a patient with cat exposure and abnormal urinary tract physiology: Case report and literature review.

Abstract Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative organism that commonly colonizes the mouth of cats and dogs, and is known to cause infection in humans associated with animal bites or scratches. Sites of infection other than skin and soft tissue are rare, but have been reported in patients with specific risk factors including anatomical abnormalities or immunosuppression. Herein, we report a case of a symptomatic urinary tract infection caused by P. multocida in a 59 year old female who presented to the hospital with complaints of systemic symptoms including malaise, rigors, and chills, as well as thick, malodorous urine. The patient self-catheterized multiple times daily due to urostomy with Kock pouch. Treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam followed by amoxicillin resulted in resolution of the infection.
Joint optimal waveform design for multiuser VLC systems over ISI channel

Visible light communication is an emerging field in indoor wireless connection, and it is a candidate technique to provide high-speed data transmission. In this paper, we propose a joint optimal waveform design system to support multiple users. In this system, transmitted waveforms and minimum mean squared error filters are jointly optimized to minimize the inter-symbol interference and multiple access interference. The adaptive approach is proposed so that the data rate can be maximized for current channel conditions. From the numerical results, the proposed optimally designed waveforms can support higher data rates than time division multiplexing access and optical orthogonal codes for multiple users over dispersive indoor channels. Furthermore, the optimal waveforms are more power efficient for illumination than optical orthogonal codes, and can achieve to 80% of the maximal illumination efficiency.
"Competencies, Clusters, and Skews in Private Equity"

Using the real world laboratory of one leading private equity (PE) firm, this paper attempts to directly connect professional competencies to performance outcomes, and more specifically, to skewed ...
A Workshop Approach to Improving Managerial Performance

(1977). A Workshop Approach to Improving Managerial Performance. Research Management: Vol. 20, No. 5, pp. 16-20.
Let's Make a Deal in the Classroom: Institutional Solutions to the Monty Hall Dilemma.

ABSTRACTThe authors describe how the Monty Hall Dilemma, a well-known choice anomaly, can be demonstrated with a simple and versatile classroom experiment. In addition to demonstrating the anomaly, the experiment can be used to introduce students to some institutional modifications that have been shown to ameliorate it. This experiment, which can be tailored by instructors to meet specific learning objectives for a variety of courses, can also be used to frame broader discussions about rationality, institutions, and choices under uncertainty.
A Comparison Between the Stable Isotopic Composition of Early Holocene and Late Pleistocene Carbonates from Lake Malawi, East Africa

Late Pleistocene carbonates in two cores from Lake Malawi were analyzed for stable isotopic composition. A comparison is made between carbonates deposited during the late Pleistocene (ca. 31–40 ka) and the early Holocene (ca. 5–10 ka). Differences in δ13C values record changes in the composition of atmospheric CO2 and lake productivity. The δ18O values of the late Pleistocene carbonates record either spatial variability in the composition of lake water or a change in climatic conditions in the basin. This change could have been caused by at most a 3.7 °C decrease in temperature, but other climatic parameters may also have contributed to the observed change in the isotopic composition of the carbonates.
Amnesia and the Brain

Amnesia is a neurobehavioral syndrome characterized by a selective impairment in memory in the context of preserved intelligence and other cognitive abilities. Permanent amnesia can be caused by a range of etiologies that damage neural structures in the limbic system or the basal forebrain. Amnesic patients are impaired at acquiring new information (anterograde amnesia) and can also be impaired at retrieving information acquired prior to the onset of amnesia (retrograde amnesia). The clinical features of anterograde and retrograde amnesia are an important source of information about the cognitive and neural architecture of memory systems.
The Role of B Cells in Shaping the Antitumor Immune Response

Although many experimental tumor models have demonstrated the importance of CTL, Th1 response, and NK cells in antitumor immunity, relatively little is known about the role of B cells in tumor immunity. The ability and mechanism of B cell-mediated regulation of cellular immune responses and inflammation have only recently been described and remain incompletely understood. Although B cells are recognized as a significant proportion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in both mouse models and human tumors, relatively little mechanistic information is available describing how these cells influence antitumor immunity and immunosurveillance. Recently, studies in several murine models have found an association indicating that reduced number of tumor-infiltrating B cells is associated with improved CD8+ T cell and NK cell infiltration into the tumor bed and decreased tumor growth. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in B cell-mediated suppression of antitumor immunity including (1) preferential polarization of immune responses to Th2; (2) direct suppression of tumor immunity by immunosuppressive regulatory B cells (Breg), and (3) coordination of regulatory T cell (Treg) recruitment and suppression within the tumor microenvironment. Because B cells are readily targeted in the clinic with monoclonal antibodies, understanding of how these cells influence tumor immunity may lead to rapidly translatable approaches to enhancing therapeutic immunity for both solid and hematological malignancy.
Clairaut's Equation

This chapter describes the solution of Clairaut's equation of the form f ( xy' − y ) = g ( y' ).The chapter highlights that given the equation f ( xy' −y ) = g ( y' ), a general solution (for which y ″ = 0) is given implicitly by f ( xC −y ) = g ( C ), where C i s an arbitrary constant. Equation f ( xy' −y ) = g ( y' ) may also have a singular solution. If it does, it can be obtained by differentiating f ( xy' −y ) = g ( y' ) with respect to x to obtain y“ [ f' ( xy' − y ) x – g' ( y' )) = 0. If the first term in y“ [ f' ( xy' − y ) x – g' ( y' )) = 0 is zero, then f ( xC −y ) = g ( C ) is recovered. If the second term in y“ [ f' ( xy' − y ) x – g' ( y' )) = 0 is zero, then f ( xy' −y ) = g ( y' ) and f ( xC −y ) = g ( C ) can be solved together to eliminate y' . The resulting equation for y = y ( x ) will have no arbitrary constants and so will be a singular solution.
Gendered Power and the Use of Contraception and Condoms among Married Women in Ghana

Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data are used to examine what predicts current contraception and condom use among married women in Ghana. Women’s gender-based power is examined in the three dim...
Without looking closer, it may seem cheap: Low interest rates and government borrowing

Abstract Are periods of low interest rates advantageous times for governments to increase expenditure by issuing debt? Because borrowing costs are lower, some economists have argued that the answer is yes. We argue that the logic used in reaching this conclusion may in fact be too simplistic. Whether or not it is a good time to issue debt depends not on whether interest rates are low, but rather on why interest rates are low. We show that if interest rates are low because of an increased preference for saving, then fiscal sustainability allows increasing debt in a period of low interest rates. In contrast, if interest rates are low because of a decline in trend output growth, then it is not sustainable to increase deficit financed spending.
Cardiovascular Safety of Gabapentinoids

The objective of this manuscript is to describe the cardiovascular effects of the gabapentinoids gabapentin and pregabalin. The most frequent adverse effects of gabapentin and pregabalin affect the central nervous system, such as somnolence and fatigue. Additionally, pregabalin, and a much lesser extent, gabapentin, may adversely affect the cardiovascular system. Pregabalin induces peripheral edema and may cause or exacerbate heart failure. Pregabalin use has been associated with QTc prolongation in patients taking other QTc–prolonging agents, although the relative contributions of pregabalin to QTc prolongation may be minimal. Pregabalin and gabapentin have been associated with a dose-related increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Most evidence for adverse cardiovascular effects of gabapentinoids derives from case reports and observational studies. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for pregabalin and possibly gabapentin to contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction.