cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steven L. Moran, m.d., and deepak kademani, d.m.d., m.d., f.a.C.s.

I want to thank Dr. Steven L. Moran and Dr. Deepak Kademani for sharing the responsibility as guest editors for this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery entitled “New Horizons in Vascularized Bone Grafts” and the invited authors for sharing their experience. Dr. Moran is an associate professor of plastic and orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota, and is a consultant in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He obtained his medical degree from the Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Moran completed his general and plastic surgery residencies at the University of Rochester Medical Center and secured additional training by completing a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has an interest in hand and microsurgery, with specific interests in disorders of the wrist, congenital malformations, and soft tissue reconstruction of the upper and lower extremities. During his academic career, Dr. Moran has authored numerous articles and book chapters and is a leader in the field of vascularized bone grafts. He recently guest edited an issue of Orthopedic Clinics of North America on the topic of “Advancements in Vascularized Bone Grafting.” Dr. Deepak Kademani holds the post of assistant professor of surgery at the Mayo Clinic and is a consultant in the Division of Oral Diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Prior to receipt of his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Kademani received his doctor of dental medicine degree and later completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency and a general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He also completed fellowships in head and neck tumor and reconstructive surgery at Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Kademani is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His interests are in benign and malignant head and neck pathology, salivary gland disease, head and neck reconstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, vascular malformations of the head and neck, and temporomandibular joint reconstruction. For someone so early in their career, Dr. Kademani has published extensively in journals, produced several book chapters, and is a reviewer for nine journals.
An early outward transient K+ current that depends on a preceding Na+ current and is enhanced by insulin.

A whole-cell early transient outward current occurs in rat myoballs if and only if there is an immediatly preceding current of large amplitude through the voltage-gated, tetrodotoxin-inhibitable Na+ channel. This early outward transient is a K+ current, designated IK(Na+). Under the conditions in which IK(Na+) appears, simultaneous measurement of voltage and current, under voltage clamp, demonstrates that there is transient voltage escape to depolarized levels, peaking at about the time of peak inward Na+ current arid resembling an action potential. IK(Na+) was never seen in the absence of this breach of the voltage clamp, suggesting that IK(Na+) might be an artefact due to transient depolarization from the clamp. However, when the voltage escape was mimicked by voltage commands under conditions in which the Na+ channel was not activated, there was no IK(Na). Insulin increased or produced IK(Na+) even though insulin had no effect on INa or on the delayed rectifier K+ current or on the escape from voltage clamp. It is concluded that there is a population of rat myoballs in which there is an early outward K+ current that requires an immediately preceding current through the voltagegated tetrodotoxin-inhibitable Na+ channel and is enhanced by insulin.
Radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation: analysis of prognostic factors

Abstract Percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation has been in use as a treatment for intractable, mechanical low back pain for over 2 decades. A number of case series have been reported with high rates of success in selected patients; however, there has been limited objective outcome assessment, long-term follow-up, and analysis of prognostic factors. We have reviewed our experience with diagnostic lumbar facet blocks and percutaneous radiofrequency denervation at a mean follow-up interval of 3.2 years. Long-term outcome has been assessed by disinterested third party interview. Of 82 patients selected for these procedures, 56 had undergone prior low back surgery. Following diagnostic medial branch posterior primary ramus blocks, 42 reported at least 50% relief of pain and proceeded to radiofrequency denervation. Forty-five percent of patients undergoing denervation reported at least 50% relief of pain at long-term follow-up. Among the 40 patients who only underwent temporary blocks, 13% reported relief (i.e., spontaneous improvement or placebo effect) by at least 50% at long-term follow-up). By multivariate statistical analysis, patients undergoing bilateral blocks for bilateral or axial symptoms were significantly more likely to achieve temporary relief, and to proceed to permanent denervation. There was no difference, however, between the long-term results of bilateral denervation for bilateral or axial pain and those of unilateral denervation for unilateral pain. There was no significant difference in the rate of response between the 56 patients who had undergone prior lumbosacral spine surgery and the 26 who had not. There were no complications from the procedure. Percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation has a moderate overall long-term yield, with no morbidity in our experience, and so remains a clinically useful technique in properly selected patients. Diagnostic blocks, used routinely in patient selection, may lack specificity in predicting long-term-response to denervation.
The neural basis of basic associative learning of discrete behavioral responses

Abstract One basic form of associative learning and memory in mammals appears finally to be yielding up its secrets to neuroscience: classical conditioning of discrete behavioral responses (eyelid closure, limb flexion, etc.) to aversive unconditioned stimuli. Work from several laboratories has now demonstrated beyond question that the cerebellum is necessary for the learning and memory of such conditioned responses. Appropriate lesions of the cerebellum totally and permanently abolish these learned responses and have no effect on the unconditioned reflex responses. The training-induced withintrial patterns of neuronal response in appropriate regions of the cerebellum are isomorphic in form with the conditioned response (although shorter in onset latency) but not with the reflex response; the neural response is completely predictive of the learned behavioral response both within trials and over the course of learning. Evidence grows that the essential conditioned stimulus (CS) pathway involves mossy fiber projections and the essential unconditioned stimulus (US) pathway involves climbing fiber projections to the cerebellum, and that the cerebellum and its associated brain stem circuitry are the essential (necessary and sufficient) neuronal substrates for this category of basic associative learning and memory.
Embryo culture of Medicago scutellata and M. sativa

Resistance to the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica (Gyllenhal)) and the potato leafhopper (Empoasco fabae (Harris)) is lacking in cultivated alfalfa. However, a closely related annual Medicago, Medicago scutellata, possesses dense glandular stem and leaf hairs which provides a mechanism for resistance. Several attempts have been made at transfering the glandular haired traint from M. scutellata to perennial alfalfa with limited success. Earlier studies have shown that one reason for the lack of success is embryo abortion. Therefore, this study was initiated to observe zygotic embryo-genesis and to develop an embryo rescue technique for M. scutellata and M. sativa. Observations of zygotic embryogenesis showed that the two species are similar in morphology and can be described from youngest to oldest as globular, heart, torpedo, and hook shaped embryos. M. sativa embryos are smaller than M. scutellata embryos and develop three to four days later. Self pollinated M. scutellata (PI 307446) and sib mated M. sativa (Saranac AR) embryos were cultivated on Murashige and (2,4-D), indolacetic acid (IAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and kinetic (KIN). Embryos from both species were also cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt's (SH) basal medium with the addition of L-glutamine and L-proline. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial for each experiment. Heart and torpedo shaped embryos from M. scutellata grew best (27.5% plantlet recovery) when cultured on MS medium with 0.05 mgl-1 of both IAA and BAP. After 15 to 30 days on this medium, the embryos had only developed shoots. Therefore, it was necessary to transfer the shoots to MS basal medium without phytohormones for rooting. Rooting occurred in 15 to 30 days and the plantlets could be acclimatized to soil within 2 to 4 weeks. M. sativa embryos grew best (31% plantlet recovery) on SH medium with 50 mM L-glutamine. M. sativa embryos developed both shoots and roots on this medium. This information may now be applied to the development of an embryo culture method for recovering insect resistant hybrids between M. scutellata and M. sativa.
Embedding grids into hypercubes

We consider efficient simulations of mesh connected networks by hypercube machines. In particular, we consider embedding a mesh or grid G into the smallest hypercube that has at least as many points as G, called the optimal hypercube for G. In order to minimize simulation time we derive embeddings, i.e. one-to-one mappings of points in G to points in the hypercube, which minimize dilation, i.e. the maximum distance in the hypercube between images of adjacent points of G. Our results are: (1) There is a dilation 2 embedding of the [m×k] grid into its optimal hypercube, under conditions described in Theorem 2.1. (2) For any k<d, there is a dilation k+1 embedding of a [a1×a2× ... ×ad] grid into its optimal hypercube, under conditions described in Theorem 3.1. (3) A lower bound on dilation in embedding multi-dimensional meshes into their optimal hypercube as described in Theorem 3.2.
Measurements of Velocity, Velocity Fluctuation, Density, and Stresses in Chute Flows of Granular Materials

Experiments on continuous, steady flows of granular materials down an inclined channel or chute have been conducted with the objectives of understanding the characteristics of chute flows and of acquiring information on the rheological behavior of granular material flow. Two neighboring fiber-optic displacement probes provide a means to measure (1) the mead velocity by cross-correlating two signals from the probes, (2) the unsteady or random component of the particle velocity in the longitudinal direction by a procedure of identifying particles, and (3) the mean particle spacing at the boundaries by counting the frequency of passage of the particles. In addition, a strain-gauged plate built into the chute base has been employed to make direct measurement of shear stress at the base. With the help of these instruments, the vertical profiles of mean velocity, velocity fluctuation, and linear concentration were obtained at the sidewalls. Measurements of some basic flow properties such as solid fraction, velocity, shear rate, and velocity fluctuation were analyzed to understand the characteristics of the chute flow. Finally, the rheological behavior of granular materials was studied with the experimental data. In particular, the rheological models of Lun et al. (1984) for general flow and fully developed flow were compared withthe present data.
Spatial and seasonal dynamics of surface soil carbon in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

Abstract We developed a spatially-explicit version of the CENTURY soil model to characterize the storage and flux of soil organic carbon (SOC, 0–30 cm depth) in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), Puerto Rico as a function of climate, vegetation, and soils. The model was driven by monthly estimates of average air temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration (PET), which in turn were simulated as a function of elevation, slope, and aspect using a spatially-explicit and validated model (TOPOCLIM) of solar insolation/microclimate in mountainous areas. We simulated forest gross primary productivity (GPP) and distribution of above- and below-ground biomass production using a forest productivity model (TOPOPROD). Output from TOPOCLIM and TOPOPROD models was used to run the CENTURY soil model for 1200 months under current climate conditions and in response to potential global warming. We validated our version of CENTURY soil model using 69 soil samples taken throughout the LEF. Simulated SOC storage agrees reasonably well with the observed storage ( R 2 =0.71). The simulated SOC storage in the top 30 cm within the LEF is highly variable, ranging from approximately 20–230 Mg/ha. The rates of decomposition were especially sensitive to changes in elevation. Carbon release rates due to decomposition were close to carbon assimilation rates and ranged from 0.6–0.96 Mg/ha per year at high elevations to 1.2–1.68 Mg/ha per year at lower elevations. Our simulations indicated that differences in elevation affect decomposition and SOC content primarily by changing microclimate. Finally, we found that a projected warming of 2.0 °C is likely to result in losses of SOC in the lower and higher elevation, but increased storage in the middle elevations in the LEF.
Endoscopic versus open saphenous vein graft harvest for lower extremity bypass in critical limb ischemia.

Objective Endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) has been demonstrated to improve early morbidity when compared with conventional open vein harvest (OVH) technique for infrainguinal bypass surgery. However, recent literature suggests conflicting results regarding mid- and long-term patency with EVH. The purpose of this study is to compare graft patency between harvest techniques specifically in patients with critical limb ischemia. Methods This retrospective study compared two groups of patients (EVH = 39 and OVH = 49) undergoing lower extremity revascularization from January 2009 to December 2011. Outcome measures included patency rates, postoperative complications, and wound infection. Graft patency was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results Both groups were matched for demographics and indications for bypass (critical limb ischemia). Median follow-up was 22 months. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of wound infection at the vein harvest site in the EVH group (OVH = 20%; EVH = 0%; P P = .43). The hospital length of stay was comparable between the two groups (EVH = 8.73 ± 9.69; OVH = 6.35 ± 3.28; P = .26) with no significant difference in the recovery time. Primary graft patency rate was 43.2% in the EVH group and 69.4% in the OVH group ( P = .007) at 3 years. The most common reason for loss of primary patency was graft occlusion (61.5%) in the OVH group and vein graft stenosis (54.5%) in the EVH group. The average number of vascular reinterventions per bypass graft was significantly lower in the OVH group compared with the EVH group (OVH = 0.37; EVH = 1.28; P Conclusions Our findings demonstrate inferior primary patency when using the technique of EVH. Additionally, we identified a significantly higher rate of reintervention in the EVH cohort as well as a higher rate of vein graft body stenosis. However, EVH was associated with a decreased rate of wound complications with similar limb salvage and secondary patency rates when compared to OVH. EVH should therefore be selectively utilized in patients at high risk for wound complications.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Project Duration Using Bayesian Inference and the Beta Distribution

Reliable forecasting is instrumental in successful project management. In order to ensure the successful completion of a project, the project manager constantly monitors actual performance and updates the current predictions of project duration and cost at completion. This study introduces a new probabilistic forecasting method for schedule performance control and risk management of on-going projects. The Bayesian betaS-curve method (BBM) is based on Bayesian inference and the beta distribution. The BBM provides confidence bounds on predictions, which can be used to determine the range of potential outcomes and the probability of success. Furthermore, it can be applied from the outset of a project by integrating prior performance information (i.e., the original estimate of project duration) with observations of new actual performance. A comparative study reveals that the BBM provides, early in the project, much more accurate forecasts than the earned value method or the earned schedule method and as accurate forecasts as the critical path method without analyzing activity-level technical data.
Screening for Prostate Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

This USPSTF recommendation on screening for prostate cancer considers evidence on the benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based screening for prostate cancer, as well as those of ...
NMR characterization of partially folded and unfolded conformational ensembles of proteins.

Studies of unfolded and partially folded proteins provide important insight into the initiation and process of protein folding. This review focuses on the use of nmr in characterization of ensembles of proteins that model the early stages of folding. Analysis of an ensemble includes description of the number of conformations, their structure, relative populations, interconversion rates, and dynamics of subconformations. A chemically synthesized analogue of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), [14-38](Abu), has provided a rare system for characterization of multiple partially folded conformations in slow exchange at near physiological conditions. Multidimensional nmr techniques coupled with selective labeling were used to probe different segments of the polypeptide chain. At each labeled site, there is evidence of slow interconversion between two families of partially folded conformations that in themselves are ensembles of rapidly interconverting conformers. All these conformers display significantly more order in the core relative to the rest of the molecule. For other variants of BPTI that are unfolded at equilibrium, the most ordered structure is also favored in the hydrophobic core residues of the native protein. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the residues that are the first to fold go on to form the most stable, structure-determining part of the protein.
Emission uniformity and shot-to-shot variation in cold field emission cathodes

High-power microwave tubes require currents and voltages generally in excess of 1 kA and 100 kV. In the past, these system requirements led to the use of single shot machines, with repetition rates well under 1 Hz. With advances in pulsed power, the Air Force Research Laboratory recently began to investigate the performance of field emission diodes at repetition rate operation. Greater numbers of shots allowed better accuracy in measurements and the application of better statistics to experimental data. In this paper, we report on new measurements that, with better experimental accuracy, show the statistical correlation between emission uniformity and the shot-to-shot variation in diode current. We report on a comparison to particle-in-cell simulations. These comparisons show the importance of randomly occurring nonemission regions on the cathode surface in dictating the spread in current data. These results imply that uniformity, in addition to playing an important role in any electron interaction with radiation, also affects the current stability for any device using these cathodes. Finally, these experiments show that for repetition rate machines, shot-to-shot variation quantified in terms of Gaussian distributions characterized by a standard deviation and skewness, provide a diagnostic capable of inferring beam uniformity in situations where direct uniformity diagnostics prove extremely difficult or impractical.
Validation and Clinical Application of a Locus-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction- and Minisequencing-Based Assay for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (21-Hydroxylase Deficiency)

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by defective adrenal steroid biosynthesis, resulting in reduced glucocorticoid and increased androgen production. The majority of cases are due to inactivation of the 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21A2), most commonly caused by genomic rearrangements with the adjacent, highly homologous pseudogene CYP21A. The most common deletions and gene conversion events have been defined and are typically detected by Southern hybridization detection of CYP21 rearrangements and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, Southern hybridization is laborious, and allele-specific PCR results may be difficult to interpret. We have therefore developed a locus-specific, PCR-based, minisequencing method for detecting the 12 most common CYP21A2 mutations. We validated the assay using a panel of 20 previously genotyped samples obtained from individuals who collectively have a broad spectrum of mutations causing 21-hydroxylase deficiency. We also used 19 control samples having no CYP21 mutations. All validation samples were correctly typed, and we identified haplotypes that may be useful for clinical diagnosis. Results from 102 clinical samples demonstrate that this assay is a rapid, reliable, and robust method for locus-specific identification of mutations and is suitable for routine clinical use and prenatal diagnosis.
VISCOSITY MEASUREMENTS OF AQUEOS CLAY SUSPENSIONS AS A TOOL FOR DETERMINING MINERALOGIC TYPE OF CLAYS

SUMMARY The possibility of using viscosities of clay plus water systems for determining the mineralogic type of clays was investigated by the writers.
Native American Scholarship and the Transnational Turn

The term transnational has had a strong impact in various corners of literary and cultural studies over the past decade, but is only now emerging as a significant category of analysis among Native American writers and critics and in Native American Studies. This essay grew out of a specific attempt to make some sense of why so many Native scholars in literary studies have steered clear of discourse on the transnational. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of how criticism fits into larger constellations of ethnic studies, politics, and culture.
ACTIN AND MYOSIN FUNCTION IN DIRECTED VACUOLE MOVEMENT DURING CELL DIVISION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

During cell division, cytoplasmic organelles are not synthesized de novo, rather they are replicated and partitioned between daughter cells. Partitioning of the vacuole in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is coordinated with the cell cycle and involves a dramatic translocation of a portion of the parental organelle from the mother cell into the bud. While the molecular mechanisms that mediate this event are unknown, the vacuole's rapid and directed movements suggest cytoskeleton involvement. To identify cytoskeletal components that function in this process, vacuole inheritance was examined in a collection of actin mutants. Six strains were identified as being defective in vacuole inheritance. Tetrad analysis verified that the defect cosegregates with the mutant actin gene. One strain with a deletion in a myosin-binding region was analyzed further. The vacuole inheritance defect in this strain appears to result from the loss of a specific actin function; the actin cytoskeleton is intact and protein targeting to the vacuole is normal. Consistent with these findings, a mutation in the actin-binding domain of Myo2p, a class V unconventional myosin, abolishes vacuole inheritance. This suggests that Myo2p serves as a molecular motor for vacuole transport along actin filaments. The location of actin and Myo2p relative to the vacuole membrane is consistent with this model. Additional studies suggest that the actin filaments used for vacuole transport are dynamic, and that profilin plays a critical role in regulating their assembly. These results present the first demonstration that specific cytoskeletal proteins function in vacuole inheritance.
The dynamic behavior of a data dissemination protocol for network programming at scale

To support network programming, we present Deluge, a reliable data dissemination protocol for propagating large data objects from one or more source nodes to many other nodes over a multihop, wireless sensor network. Deluge builds from prior work in density-aware, epidemic maintenance protocols. Using both a real-world deployment and simulation, we show that Deluge can reliably disseminate data to all nodes and characterize its overall performance. On Mica2-dot nodes, Deluge can push nearly 90 bytes/second, one-ninth the maximum transmission rate of the radio supported under TinyOS. Control messages are limited to 18% of all transmissions. At scale, the protocol exposes interesting propagation dynamics only hinted at by previous dissemination work. A simple model is also derived which describes the limits of data propagation in wireless networks. Finally, we argue that the rates obtained for dissemination are inherently lower than that for single path propagation. It appears very hard to significantly improve upon the rate obtained by Deluge and we identify establishing a tight lower bound as an open problem.
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: relationship to depression, disability, and disease pattern:

In order to investigate the associations between fatigue and depression, disability, and disease subtype, 207 individuals with clinically definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were administered the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale during a regular clinic appointment. Their current level of disability was established using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Fatigue and depression were highly correlated (r=0.58), even when the depression measure was corrected for items overlapping with fatigue and other symptoms or consequences of MS (r=0.44). Fatigue and disability were also correlated (r=0.33). Multiple regression revealed that both depressed mood and disability were significant predictors of fatigue, together accounting for approximately 23% of the variance in patients' self-reported fatigue. The combined groups of primary progressive (n=45) and secondary progressive patients (n=25) appeared to have higher fatigue scores than relapsing-remitting patients (n=137). However, an analysis of covariance revealed that this apparent difference was in fact attributable almost exclusively to differences in disability among the three subtypes of MS. Other reports of differences in fatigue between subtypes of MS should be re-examined in light of this finding.
Interdiffusion of Military and Civil Technologies in the United States of America

For most of the years since World War II , proponents for various points of view concerning the merits of defence spending in general , and defence R&D spending in particular, have debated over the significance of the collateral benefits of defence R&D to the civilian sector (variously characterised as either “spin-off” or “trickle-down” depending on the point of view of the speaker(1) . Some have argued that spin-offs from defence R&D have had a major influence in spawning new industries and giving the United States substantial advantages in international competition for civilian goods. Others have maintained that relative to the large resources expended on defence R&D, the contribution to civilian industry is negligible and perhaps in some ways even negative. Dr. Lewis M. Branscomb, former Vice President and Chief Scientist for IBM, has stated that companies outside the defence sector generally discount the spin-offs of defence research and referred to the process as “drip-off”(2) . Dr . Richard Morse, an entrepreneur and former defence R&D official has said: “I am concerned with the aerospace and defence sector and its adverse effect on our economy ... Technical people who know only the aerospace and defence industry become almost unemployable in the commercial sector. They do not know commercial product design, consumer styling, low-cost manufacturer, or international marketing. They have none of the characteristics needed to take on the Japanese ...”(3)
Patterning and Nanofabrication

As seen above, ion beams can rapidly remove material from a specimen placed in the HIM. Depending on the proposed application, this could then be considered either as damage—and so be undesirable—or as a unique tool to pattern material. The use of Ga+ beams for thinning or cross sectioning materials prior to examination in a transmission electron microscope is well known and in widespread use. As noted earlier, less known is the fact that light ions such as He+ can also remove material from a surface, although at a much reduced rate, providing a method to shape, mark, and pattern materials on nanoscale.
How Big is Nuclear News? Views from the South Asian Stock Markets

This paper analyzes the differential impact of "nuclear news" on the Pakistani and Indian stock markets using a GARCH (1,1) model. In May 1998, India carried out a series of nuclear tests; Pakistan reacted like wise in the very same month. Although it was not the first series of tests for India, it was for Pakistan. In December 2001, after the Indian parliament was attacked by a group of alleged "militants", missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads were deployed along the international border by both countries. This event made the threat of a nuclear war very real, as has been agreed upon by different analysts. The econometric results show that Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE-100 index) reacted negatively based on mean level effects to nuclear news" in 1998 and in 2001; whereas the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE-100 index) reacted negatively only to the Indian nuclear tests in 1998. The GARCH variance analysis shows that the level effects are followed with high uncertainty for both the markets. Moreover, the differential immediate variance of the two markets suggests that Pakistan economy is more likely to face hardships of any nuclear fallout than the Indians. Thus not only does the nuclear news have non-symmetric effects on the two markets, Pakistan is more likely to be negatively effected than India as viewed by the stock market investors.
Abstract ED05-01: Targeting nuclear hormone receptors for breast cancer prevention

Nuclear receptors are key proteins that regulate cell proliferation, death, and differentiation. In breast cells, estrogen receptors (ERs) are critical for mammary gland development, differentiation, and tumorigenesis, and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, and aromatase inhibitors can prevent the development of ER-positive breast cancer. Other nuclear transcription factors are critical regulators of proliferation and differentiation including retinoic acid receptors (RARs), vitamin D receptors (VDR), and peroxisome proliferator-activator receptors (PPARs). Each of these ligand activated nuclear hormone receptors bind the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) to regulate gene expression. Ligands of these nuclear hormone receptors have been shown to prevent many different types of cancer, including breast cancer. I will present results in preclinical and early clinical studies testing retinoids, rexinoids, Vitamin D analogs, and PPAR ligands for the prevention of breast cancer. Our results and the results of others have shown that ligands that bind and activate the rexinoid receptor are highly effective in preventing breast cancer in animals, particularly ER-negative breast cancer. These preclinical results supported the testing of the RXR ligand bexarotene in women at high risk of breast cancer. This early study demonstrated a biological effect of bexarotene on breast tissue in women. We and other have conducted preclinical studies testing combinations of nuclear hormone receptor ligands (RXR ligand + anti-estrogen SERMS)(RXR ligand + Vitamin D analog) and (RXR ligand + PPAR agonist). These results demonstrate that nuclear hormone receptor ligands can be used to prevent breast cancer and that rexinoids and other ligands provide an opportunity to prevent all forms of breast cancer. Supported by RO1CA078480-11 Citation Format: Abhijit Mazumdar, Ivan Uray, Beate Litzenburger, Yun Zhang, Jamal Hill, Nanjoo Suh, Powel Brown. Targeting nuclear hormone receptors for breast cancer prevention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr ED05-01.
Mechanical Strength and Thermal Resistance of Porous Glass

Mechanical strength and thermal resistance of porous glass membranes prepared by phase separation of calcium alumino borosilicate glass were studied to obtain basic information for application to membrane technology. The porous glass showed relatively high strength due to uniformly controlled pores and interconnected glass skeleton in spite of the high porosity. The reliability of its mechanical strength was superior to that of commercial glass articles in that Weibull modulus obtained from compressive strength of porous glass was 23.8. Pore structure of the glass membrane played a very important role in order to ease the thermal shock and maintain high thermal shock resistance.
Calculation of Corrections to Linear Aerodynamic Methods for Static and Dynamic Analysis and Design

Nonlinear aerodynamics significantly influence the flight loads and aeroelastic stability of current and proposed transport aircraft. Direct simulation of the nonlinear aerodynamics with Computational Fluid Dynamics codes, while technically possible, is economically impractical due to the large number of conditions which must be analyzed. While techniques exist for addresssing these nonlinear effects in production analysis for conventional configurations, the available techniques are sometimes inaccurate, and are not directly applicable to advanced configurations such as High Speed Civil Transport or Blended Wing Body designs. A technique is presented that uses a small number of CFD solutions or wind tunnel test results along with linear aerodynamic theory to generate linearized aerodynamic models for use in production aeroelastic analysis and design. The technique is applied to the steady aeroelastic loads analysis of a High Speed Civil Transport configuration, and to the flutter analysis of an isolated wing.
A teaching device for simulating the bone marrow aspiration procedure.

A simple, inexpensive device for in vitro instruction in bone marrow aspiration has been created. It consists of a small plastic container having artificial "bone marrow," i.e. , a mixture of a Congo red solution and homogenized food particles. In addition, a disposable hypodermic needle has been modified to resemble the size and contour of a commercially available bone marrow needle. Puncturing the lid of the container simulates the resistance encountered in vivo in penetrating the bony cortex to enter the medullary cavity. Aspiration and subsequent preparation, staining and appearance of smears of the homogenate mimic the usual clinical procedures. It is hoped that this device, by familiarizing a novice with the methodology prior to its clinical employment, will result in greater expertise by the operator and perhaps minimize hazard to the patient.
Detection of septic transfusion reactions to platelet transfusions by active and passive surveillance

Septic transfusion reactions (STRs) resulting from transfusion of bacterially contaminated platelets are a major hazard of platelet transfusion despite recent interventions. Active and passive surveillance for bacterially contaminated platelets was performed over 7 years (2007-2013) by culture of platelet aliquots at time of transfusion and review of reported transfusion reactions. All platelet units had been cultured 24 hours after collection and released as negative. Five sets of STR criteria were evaluated, including recent AABB criteria; sensitivity and specificity of these criteria, as well as detection by active and passive surveillance, were determined. Twenty of 51,440 platelet units transfused (0.004%; 389 per million) were bacterially contaminated by active surveillance and resulted in 5 STRs occurring 9 to 24 hours posttransfusion; none of these STRs had been reported by passive surveillance. STR occurred only in neutropenic patients transfused with high bacterial loads. A total of 284 transfusion reactions (0.55%) were reported by passive surveillance. None of these patients had received contaminated platelets. However, 6 to 93 (2.1%-32.7%) of these 284 reactions met 1 or more STR criteria, and sensitivity of STR criteria varied from 5.1% to 45.5%. These results document the continued occurrence of bacterial contamination of platelets resulting in STR in neutropenic patients, failure of passive surveillance to detect STR, and lack of specificity of STR criteria. These findings highlight the limitations of reported national STR data based on passive surveillance and the need to implement further measures to address this problem such as secondary testing or use of pathogen reduction technologies.
A Study of Gas Storage Capability about High Pressure Ring Natural Gas Pipeline Networks in Cites

This paper studied the high pressure ring pipeline of natural gas distribution systems in cities,introduced the calculation method of gas stoage capability about high pressure ring natural gas pipelines,abstracted the physical model of high pressure ring natural gas pipelines with a current formula,which was applicable to high-and-middle pressure natural gas pipelines in cities.Finally,it calculated an example.
Characterization of Membrane-Associated Glycoproteins Using Lectin Affinity Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Membrane-associated glycoproteins play critical roles in many biological processes and are often the therapeutic targets for drug discovery. Lectin affinity chromatography is one of the most widely used approaches for enrichment of glycoproteins at the protein level. Here, we describe a strategy for the characterization of membrane glycoproteins including membrane protein extraction, lectin affinity chromatography, protein digestion, and analysis by LC-MS/MS.
Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus and Congenital Heart Defects.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) comprise a wide range of malformations of the heart (i.e., atrial and ventricular chambers and septa, and atrioventricular and semilunar valves) and great vessels (i.e., the great arteries and systemic and pulmonary veins), reflecting the complexity of developmental processes and potential disturbances in morphogenesis of the cardiovascular system. The first published report on the spectrum of CHD phenotypes was an atlas of a systematic classification of CHD based on pathophysiologic considerations of 1,000 cases by Maude Abbott in 1936. 1 Since then, the nomenclature and classification of CHD phenotypes have evolved with the development of surgical repairs and conduct of population-based studies into possible causes using methods that account for potential etiologic heterogeneity among specific CHD phenotypes and among groupings of phenotypes of similar developmental origin. 2-7 More recently, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study further developed the classification of CHD to account for variation of phenotypes based on the complexity of cardiac lesions present (i.e., simple, associations, complex) as well as for the presence of disorders in other organ systems (i.e., isolated or multiple/complex pattern). 8 These developments nomenclature and classification in turn have facilitated more reliable assessments of trends in population-based prevalence of specific phenotypes of CHD 9, 10 and standardized research methods for the purpose of identifying modifiable risk factors and potential prevention interventions for CHD.
Fuzzy solution for approximating constrained optimal PWM using quantum evolutionary algorithm

In this paper, an algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of optimal selected harmonic elimination (SHE) pulse-width modulation (PWM) under a fuzzy constraint that consecutive switching angles are well separated from each other. The problem is first formulated to a fuzzy constrained optimization problem and then a Quantum-inspired Evolutionary Algorithm, which is more efficient than conventional evolutionary algorithms, is applied to approximate the fuzzy solution. The proposed method can effectively reduce switching losses and the probability of switch damages in inverter bridges, and thus can improve the performance of PWM strategy and extend the life of the inverter. This work is the first report on successful application of a Quantum-inspired Evolutionary Algorithm to solve the fuzzy constrained optimization problem.
A New Method to Study Heterodimerization of Membrane Proteins and its Application to Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors

The activity of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is controlled through their lateral association in the plasma membrane. RTKs are believed to form both homodimers and heterodimers, and the different dimers are believed to play unique roles in cell signaling. However, RTK heterodimers remain poorly characterized, as compared with homodimers, because of limitations in current experimental methods. Here, we develop a FRET-based methodology to assess the thermodynamics of hetero-interactions in the plasma membrane. To demonstrate the utility of the methodology, we use it to study the hetero-interactions between three fibroblast growth factor receptors-FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3-in the absence of ligand. Our results show that all possible FGFR heterodimers form, suggesting that the biological roles of FGFR heterodimers may be as significant as the homodimer roles. We further investigate the effect of two pathogenic point mutations in FGFR3 (A391E and G380R) on heterodimerization. We show that each of these mutations stabilize most of the heterodimers, with the largest effects observed for FGFR3 wild-type/mutant heterodimers. We thus demonstrate that the methodology presented here can yield new knowledge about RTK interactions and can further our understanding of signal transduction across the plasma membrane.
Learning by doing: an experiential approach to program evaluation

AbstractDespite the increased importance of producing social workers who are prepared to evaluate practice, there is a paucity of literature addressing the pedagogical challenges of program evaluation courses. The present study evaluates the structure and pedagogical approach of a newly implemented program evaluation course. The course took a team-based, experiential learning approach to designing a program evaluation plan for students’ field placement agencies. Five student-led focus groups (N = 44) were conducted at the conclusion of the course to address two aims: to assess student perceptions of the content, structure, and delivery of the course; and to assess student attitudes toward applied research. Data were collected between November and December 2014 in a public university’s graduate social work program in the northeastern United States. The steps of grounded theory data analysis were implemented to elicit major themes from student feedback. Results suggest that perceptions of applicability play...
Study on voltage control in distribution network with renewable energy integration

Currently the issue of renewable energy related encourage policies, high penetration of renewable energy connect to the distribution network would lead to increased voltage levels, short circuit current increases, power supply reliability and power quality deterioration and other problems are particularly prominent. In the traditional distribution network, the uncertain factors that affect the voltage optimization result are the fluctuation of the load. The renewable energy integration represented by wind power and PV power not only changes the characteristics of the traditional distribution network power flow, but also because of its power electronic converter connection, making the distribution network voltage characteristics, whether steady or transient have brought significant changes, and then the distribution network voltage control has brought great challenges. To maintain the distribution network voltage level, how to set a reasonable control strategy for different renewable energy network connection situation makes the voltage in the distribution network be reasonably controlled and optimized to become an urgent problem to be solved. In order to achieve flexible control system supply voltage, improve the level of reactive power operation, and meet the demand of power users under the conditions of the initiative to network and renewable energy power generation operation optimization and control. In this paper, the voltage control problem of distribution network under the condition of large-scale renewable energy integration is studied. Firstly, the voltage characteristics of the distribution network under the uncertainty of renewable energy output are analyzed, and the voltage sensitivity analysis model of renewable energy connect network is established. On this basis, put forward renewable energy voltage control strategy, and finally a regional distribution network system as a case to verify the proposed method and strategy of correctness and effectiveness.
Heterogeneity in early oncologic outcomes among men with NCCN intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.

144Background: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification scheme for prostate cancer (PCa) encompasses several definitions and has been shown to contain significant heterogeneity. Because patients possessing a single intermediate-risk (IR) feature may be regarded as ineligible for active surveillance (AS), we aimed to compare pathologic and early oncologic outcomes between those with low-risk (LR) and IR features based on the number of criteria met. Methods: We queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify men with NCCN LR (cT1-T2a, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] < 10 ng/mL, and Gleason score (GS)≤6) and IR PCa diagnosed from 2010-2014 who were treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients with IR PCa were stratified based on a single factor: clinical stage (cT2b-T2c), PSA (10-20 ng/mL), GS 3+4, or GS 4+3 alone. The pathologic outcomes including any Gleason upgrade, and adverse pathology (primary Gleason 4 or ≥pT3 at RP), and receipt of adjuvant radiation therapy (...