cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Land Surface Temperature Using Spatial Interpolation and Satellite-Derived Surface Emissivity

This study presents a method to estimate land surface temperature (LST) by calibrating spatial interpolation using satellite-derived surface emissivity. Four spatial interpolation methods including Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Spline, Kriging, and Cokriging were tested to interpolate LST in southern New England using ground temperatures measured at national weather sta- tions (NWS) in summer 2001. The performance of each interpolation method was evaluated using field measurements collected in a mixed forest in Connecticut during the study period. Kriging is recommended for LST interpolation when surface emissivity data are not available. By analyzing the field data, we found that the maximum daily interpolation error occurred in the early morning and the minimum error occurred at around hour 18:00. Validation result shows that the accuracy of spatial interpolation of LST was much im- proved after being calibrated by satellite-derived surface emissivity. The average interpolation error reduced from 10 o C before calibra- tion to 1.56 o C after calibration.
Lycianthes pringlei (Solanaceae), a rarely collected shrub of western Mexico

Abstract Lycianthes pringlei was first described (in the genus Solanum) in 1895. Since that initial publication, a description of the species has been included in just one taxonomic work, Georg Bitter's 1919 monograph on the genus. In both works, the species is described as a perennial herb, a misconception that is repeated on the labels of some of those who have collected the species. Lycianthes pringlei is a shrub, often present in low population densities, with calyces and seeds that are uncommon in the genus. This article provides a new description for the species, illustrations of species characteristics, and seed photos.
Computing rate-distortion optimized policies for hybrid receiver/sender driven streaming of multimedia

We consider the problem of streaming packetized media over the Internet through an intermediate proxy server to a client, in a rate-distortion optimized way. The proxy employs a hybrid receiver/sender driven transmission scheme to communicate with both the media server and the client. Computing the optimal transmission policy for the proxy involves estimation of the probability that a single packet may be communicated to the client in error as a function of the expected redundancy (or cost) used to communicate the packet. We show how to compute this error-cost function, and thereby optimize the proxy's transmission policy.
Evidence-based path to newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Objective: Creatine kinase (CK) levels are increased on dried blood spots in newborns related to the birthing process. As a marker for newborn screening, CK in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in false-positive testing. In this report, we introduce a 2-tier system using the dried blood spot to first assess CK with follow-up DMD gene testing. Methods: A fluorometric assay based upon the enzymatic transphosphorylation of adenosine diphosphate to adenosine triphosphate was used to measure CK activity. Preliminary studies established a population-based range of CK in newborns using 30,547 deidentified anonymous dried blood spot samples. Mutation analysis used genomic DNA extracted from the dried blood spot followed by whole genome amplification with assessment of single-/multiexon deletions/duplications in the DMD gene using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Results: DMD gene mutations (all exonic deletions) were found in 6 of 37,649 newborn male subjects, all of whom had CK levels >2,000U/l. In 3 newborns with CK >2,000U/l in whom DMD gene abnormalities were not found, we identified limb-girdle muscular dystrophy gene mutations affecting DYSF, SGCB, and FKRP. Interpretation: A 2-tier system of analysis for newborn screening for DMD has been established. This path for newborn screening fits our health care system, minimizes false-positive testing, and uses predetermined levels of CK on dried blood spots to predict DMD gene mutations. ANN NEUROL 2012;71:304–313
Kinematics of cart pushing and pulling under different loads and surface gradient conditions

BACKGROUND: Manual material handling incidents are responsible for a large portion of lost work days annually. With the transition to e-commerce, cart pushing and pulling tasks have become more common. OBJECTIVE: This research explored the effects of surface gradient and load on full body kinematics during cart pushing and pulling tasks. METHODS: Ten participants were recruited to complete two sets of tasks. Participants performed cart pushing tasks on three surface gradients and three load masses and downhill cart pulling tasks on two surface gradients and three load masses while being recorded with an optical motion capture system. Full body, three-dimensional joint angles were calculated for each task, and peak angles of the major body joints were analyzed using general linear models to determine the effects of the dependent variables. RESULTS: During the cart pushing tasks, increased load mass and surface gradient both caused a significant increase in the peak joint angles of most body joints with surface gradient having the larger effect. When cart pushing and pulling tasks were compared with 5◦ and 10◦ surface gradients and three load masses, cart pushing resulted in significantly higher joint angles. CONCLUSION: During manual material handling tasks involving a cart, surface gradients and load masses should be minimized.
Phenotypic Suppression of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus by Mutant Noninducible Penicillinase Plasmids

Methicillin (intrinsic) resistance of Staphylococcus aureus was suppressed almost completely by regulatory gene (penI1) mutations of penicillinase plasmids that made penicillinase production strictly noninducible. Methicillin resistance was restored by secondary regulatory gene mutations that altered the noninducible phenotype or by complementation with a compatible plasmid that did not bear the noninducible mutation. No evidence was obtained for genetic linkage between a penicillinase plasmid and the gene for methicillin resistance. We suggest, therefore, that the mutant noninducible repressor acted in trans by binding to a site on the methicillin resistance determinant. This hypothesis would imply an appreciable degree of homology between penicillinase plasmids and methicillin resistance genes.
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors

A thorium-fueled water-cooled reactor core design approach that features a radially uniform composition of fuel rods in stationary fuel assembly and is fuel-self-sustaining is described. This core design concept is similar to the Reduced moderation Boiling Water Reactor (RBWR) proposed by Hitachi to fit within an ABWR pressure vessel, with the following exceptions: use of thorium instead of depleted uranium for the fertile fuel; elimination of the internal blanket; and elimination of absorbers from the axial reflectors, while increasing the length of the fissile zone. The preliminary analysis indicates that it is feasible to design such cores to be fuel-self-sustaining and to have a comfortably low peak linear heat generation rate when operating at the nominal ABWR power level of nearly 4000 MWth. However, the void reactivity feedback tends to be too negative, making it difficult to have sufficient shutdown reactivity margin at cold zero power condition. An addition of a small amount of plutonium from LWR used nuclear fuel was found effective in reducing the magnitude of the negative void reactivity effect and enables attaining adequate shutdown reactivity margin; it also flattens the axial power distribution. The resulting design concept offers an efficient incineration of the LWR generated plutonium in addition to effective utilization of thorium. Additional R&D is required in order to arrive at a reliable practical and safe design.
A test of alternative models for increased tissue nitrogen isotope ratios during fasting in hibernating arctic ground squirrels.

SUMMARY We describe two models explaining the increase in tissue nitrogen isotope ratios (δ 15 N) that occurs during fasting in animals. The catabolic model posits that protein breakdown selectively removes the lighter isotope of nitrogen ( 14 N) from catabolized tissues, causing an increase in the proportion of heavy nitrogen isotope ( 15 N). The anabolic model posits that protein synthesis during fasting results in elevated δ 15 N values, as the unreplaced loss of 14 N to urea results in a higher proportion of 15 N in plasma amino acids used for protein synthesis. We effected a range of lean mass loss in arctic ground squirrels ( Urocitellus parryii ) fasting during hibernation and then collected organ and muscle tissues for analysis of δ 15 N values. The catabolic model predicts increased δ 15 N values in both liver and muscle, as these tissues undergo significant catabolism during hibernation. The anabolic model predicts no change in muscle, but an increase in δ 15 N values in liver, which has high levels of protein synthesis during euthermic phases of hibernation. We found a significant increase in liver δ 15 N values and no change in muscle δ 15 N values with lean mass loss, which supports the anabolic model. Heart, small intestine and brown adipose tissue also showed an increase in δ 15 N values, indicating protein synthesis in these organ tissues during hibernation. Urine was 3.8% lighter than plasma, and both urine and plasma increased in δ 15 N values with lean mass loss. This study helps clarify the mechanisms causing δ 15 N change during nutritional stress, thus increasing its utility for physiological research and reconciling previously contradictory results.
Acrylonitrile-induced neurotoxicity in normal human astrocytes: oxidative stress and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine formation.

Studies in our laboratory and others have indicated that acrylonitrile (VCN) induces acute and chronic neurotoxicity and brain tumors in animal models. Reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion was suggested as the initiator of oxidative stress in VCN-induced neurotoxicity. Astrocytes possess the majority of total brain GSH and express various immunological functions that are characteristic of the brain, including the secretion of cytokines. We hypothesized that astrocytes could be the primary target of VCN’s adverse activities in the brain. Therefore, VCN-induced neurotoxicity was studied by exposing proliferating normal human astrocytes (NHAs) to various concentrations of VCN (25‐400 µM). We assessed cell viability; levels of endogenous antioxidants, GSH, and catalase; levels of reactive oxygen species; and secretion of TNF-α, a cellular marker for oxidative stress and oxidative damage to nuclear DNA, after treatment with VCN. At VCN concentrations of 25 and 50 µM, the oxidative stress markers were unaffected and at least 85% of the cells were viable. Cell viability was significantly affected at 200 and 400 µM VCN (22‐42% less than control, p <. 05). The results also indicated VCN-induced depletion of GSH and a concomitant increase in levels of oxidized GSH (GSSG). The levels of total GSH and GSSG in control and treated (400 µM VCN) cells were 37 and 2, respectively. There was a significant upregulation of catalase activity (21% more than control, p <. 05) at 100 µM of VCN and a downregulation at 400 µM (40% lower than control, p <. 05). A dose-dependent, significant increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species was observed at 200 to 400 µM of VCN. Also, an elevation (two- to three fold as compared to control, p <. 05) in oxidative damage to DNA was observed at these concentrations of VCN. Increase in TNF-α secretion (28% higher than control, p <. 05) was observed at 400 µM VCN. Therefore, redox imbalance in astrocytes may play a major role in VCN-induced neurotoxicity, which is indicated by compromised antioxidant defense mechanisms, such as depletion of GSH, increase in GSSG, inhibition of catalase, and increase in the formation
Spectral occupancy at VHF: implications for frequency-agile cognitive radios

Frequency-agile cognitive radio is a potential solu- tion to the problem of inefficient use of radio spectrum in the 30- 300 MHz (VHF) range. This is especially attractive if networks based on this technology can operate in spectrum left unused by existing users, as opposed to being allocated new spectrum through refarming. This paper presents a preliminary survey of this band in a large U.S. city, with the goal of quantifying spectral occupancy and thereby gaining some insight into the feasibility of this approach. A comparable measurement of the 25-90 MHz band in a rural environment is also presented, for comparison. In the urban measurement, it is found that sufficient spectrum is probably available: for example, it is estimated that approximately 80% of the 30-60 MHz band is essentially free of signals to within about 7 dB of the environmental noise limit at 30 kHz spectral resolution. However, these measurements are limited in duration, spatial sampling, temporal density, and spectral resolution. Requirements for a more comprehensive measurement campaign are proposed.
Infiltration, soil moisture, and related measurements at a landfill with a fractured cover, Illinois

Abstract The cover of the Mallard North landfill in northeastern Illinois, completed in 1974, is transected by numerous fractures and locally contains subsidence depressions in which intermittent ponds form. Field measurements using tensiometers and soil-moisture blocks showed that the upper 0.3 m of the cover in the non-fractured sites dries readily and is responsive to climatic events, whereas the fractures and, locally, the deeper cover retain moisture and respond only slightly to climatic events. Experiments with sprinkler and ring infiltrometers showed that infiltration rates are generally high, of the order of 1–10 cm h −1 in most tests, 0.1–1.0 cm h −1 locally, and above 100 cm h −1 into open fractures. Runoff from natural rainstorms, estimated from runoff-plot measurements and pond changes, is low across the landfill. Laboratory studies of bulk density and hydraulic conductivity suggest that the cover is composed of an upper, more permeable topsoil and a lower compacted layer. The study results suggest a hypothetical model in which most rainfall falling onto the landfill infiltrates readily into the upper cover layer, than travels laterally along the top of the compacted layer until it reaches a fracture, whereupon it percolates deeper into the landfill. Percolation also occurs from runoff and interflow collected in subsidence ponds. The fractures and subsidence thus considerably increase the total percolation into the landfill compared with estimates from standard models which assume an unfractured cover and tabulated runoff and soil-moisture conditions.
Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Disease Problems in the Child with Malignant Disease

Among the first questions to be raised in considering the infectious complications that occur in the child with cancer is whether they are different from those found in adults. Are the predominant pathogens, susceptible hosts, patterns of presentation, and response to therapy sufficiently different in children such that age-specific management guidelines are necessary? Does the antigenic naivete and susceptibility of healthy children to “common” ubiquitous pathogens (e.g., respiratory viruses, herpes viruses, encapsulated bacteria) influence the pattern of infections that occur when a malignancy intercepts the normal process of growth and development? Clearly, infection is a common event during normal childhood, the “average” child experiencing 6–10 febrile illnesses per year.
The Effect of Hypervolemic Hemodilution with and without Hypertension on Cerebral Blood Flow Following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats Anesthetized with Isoflurane

The effect of hypervolemic hemodilution or hypervolemic hemodilution with dopamine-induced hypertension on cerebral blood flow (CBF) was investigated during 1.2 MAC isoflurane anesthesia in rats (n = 24) subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Prior to MCAO each animal was randomized to one of the following groups: 1) control, mean arterial pressure (89 +/- 10 mmHg [mean +/- SD]), blood volume, and hematocrit (46 +/- 1) were not manipulated; 2) hypervolemic hemodilution (HH), 30 min before MCAO, 5% albumin was administered to reduce the hematocrit to 29-32%; or 3) hypervolemic hemodilution/dopamine hypertension (HH/Dop), hemodilution was accomplished and dopamine (10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) was infused during the ischemic period to achieve a mean arterial pressure of 111 +/- 10 mmHg (mean +/- SD). Ten minutes after occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery, CBF was determined using 14C-iodoantipyrine. Five coronal brain sections were analyzed to determine the area within each brain section with CBF ranges of 0-15 ml.100 g-1.min-1 and 15-23 ml.100 g-1.min-1. The area of 0-15 ml.100 g-1.min-1 CBF was less in both the HH and HH/Dop groups compared with control (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Preclinical System Prototype for Focused Microwave Thermal Therapy of the Breast

A preclinical prototype of a transcutaneous thermal therapy system has been developed for the targeted treatment of breast cancer cells using focused microwaves as an adjuvant to radiation, chemotherapy, and high-intensity-focused ultrasound. The prototype system employs a 2-D array of tapered microstrip patch antennas operating at 915 MHz to focus continuous-wave microwave energy transcutaneously into the pendent breast suspended in a coupling medium. Prior imaging studies are used to ascertain the material properties of the breast tissue, and these data are incorporated into a multiphysics model. Time-reversal techniques are employed to find a solution (relative amplitudes and phase) for focusing at a given location. Modeling tests of this time-reversal focusing method have been performed, which demonstrate good targeting accuracy within heterogeneous breast tissue. Experimental results using the laboratory prototype to perform focused heating in tissue-mimicking gelatin phantoms have demonstrated 1.5-cm-diameter focal spot sizes and differential heating at the desired focus sufficient to achieve an antitumor effect confined to the target region.
Shortcomings in ground testing, environment simulations, and performance predictions for space applications

Addresses the issues involved in radiation testing of devices and subsystems to obtain the data which are required to predict the performance and survivability of satellite systems for extended missions in space. The problems associated with space environmental simulations, or the lack thereof, in experiments intended to produce information to describe the degradation and behavior of parts and systems are discussed. Several types of radiation effects in semiconductor components are presented, as for example: ionization dose effects, heavy ion and proton induced single-event-upsets (SEU), and single-event transient-upset (SETU). Examples and illustrations of data relating to these ground testing issues are provided. The primary objective of this presentation is to alert the reader to the short-comings, pitfalls, variabilities, and uncertainties in acquiring information to logically design electronic subsystems for use in satellites or space stations with long mission lifetimes, and to point out the weaknesses and deficiencies in the methods and procedures by which that information is obtained. >
EXTRAPAIR PATERNITY AND BREEDING SYNCHRONY IN GADWALLS (ANAS STREPERA) IN NORTH DAKOTA

Abstract Extrapair paternity and its correlates with breeding synchrony were examined in Gadwall (Anas strepera) using microsatellite DNA fingerprinting. Eleven of 261 ducklings (4.2%) within 8 of 29 broods (27.6%) had genotypes consistent with extrapair fertilizations, a comparable frequency to other species of waterfowl for which extrapair paternity has been documented. We found no evidence of intraspecific brood parasitism. The frequency of extrapair paternity was not significantly correlated with breeding synchrony. We suggest that female absences during egg-laying may have provided males with opportunities to pursue extrapair copulation when breeding was synchronous.
Mis-Detection Controlled Estimation: Explaining Variations in the Observed Incidence of Autism

We estimate the prevalence of true and falsely-observed autism using a maximum likelihood technique that accounts for the presence of both false positive and false negative realizations of the disorder's underlying incidence. This approach, which we label mis-detection corrected estimation (MCE), is the maximum likelihood equivalent of a two-part model where both the first and second stages are binary outcomes. Using the 2007 and 2011 National Survey of Children's Health, we estimate the impact of factors that may be driving variation in autism diagnoses, including individual-level demographics and state-level policies such as education quality, health care access, and mental health parity. Results show that age, access to hospitals, unemployment, and poverty increase the likelihood that autism is detected, while black and Hispanic children are less likely to be detected. The only policy measure that improves detection is autism-specific mental health parity legislation. We also estimate the rate of false positives across selected variables and find that girls, blacks, Hispanics, and children in poverty are more likely to be mis-detected.
Pten loss promotes MAPK pathway dependency in HER2/neu breast carcinomas

Loss of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN is implicated in breast cancer progression and resistance to targeted therapies, and is thought to promote tumorigenesis by activating PI3K signaling. In a transgenic model of breast cancer, Pten suppression using a tetracycline-regulatable short hairpin (sh)RNA cooperates with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), leading to aggressive and metastatic disease with elevated signaling through PI3K and, surprisingly, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Restoring Pten function is sufficient to down-regulate both PI3K and MAPK signaling and triggers dramatic tumor regression. Pharmacologic inhibition of MAPK signaling produces similar effects to Pten restoration, suggesting that the MAPK pathway contributes to the maintenance of advanced breast cancers harboring Pten loss.
Computable process

In this paper we study concurrent, asynchronous processes and functions on them which can be programmed using the (full) unfair or the fair merge operations. The main result is a normal form theorem for these (relatively) “computable process functions” which implies that although they can be very complex when viewed as classical set-functions, they are all “loosely implementable” in the sense of Park [7]. We also announce a variation and a substantial strengthening of the main “transfer principle” of [4] which have applications to the semantics and logic of programming languages with interactive (deterministic) or concurrent (non-deterministic) constructs.
Polynomial Translation Groups

Is this set of matrices closed under multiplication? Inversion? Do two such matrices commute? (You have probably answered "yes" to each question on the basis of gamesmanship. If so, it is probable that you also view these conclusions as unexpected or striking. Hence, it would have been more to the point to begin "Isn't it interesting that this set is closed under multiplication," etc. But then I couldn't have written ... ). Yes, yes, and yes. Let me show you a reason why. If i <j, the ij entry of the matrix above is given by
Interview ‘Problems’ as Topics for Analysis

In this article the author argues that interactional difficulties and questioning practices identified in the methodological literature on qualitative interviewing as ‘problems’ provide topics of analysis. Methodological examinations of interview data drawing on conversation analysis also explicate how interview ‘problems’ may be conceptualized in relation to various theorizations of interviews. Two common conceptualizations of qualitative interviews include a neo-positivist approach in which a neutral interviewer elicits participants’ descriptions that reflect ‘true’ states of affairs that are employed in realist reports, and a romantic approach in which a reflexive interviewer facilitates genuine rapport with participants to generate confessional data. The author uses a constructionist conceptualization of interviewing to examine several issues identified in methodological literature as ‘problems’, including the use of the interview guide as a spoken survey, the use of closed questions, providing possible responses in questions and asking questions that include assumptions about participants’ life-worlds. These analytic demonstrations are used to argue that researchers in the field of applied linguistics might use this approach to examine interview interaction in order to develop insights into moderating their interview practice as well as considering questions pertaining to research design.
Surface Modification for Tribology with Pvd Processes: Problems and Prospects

The last two decades have seen substantial progress in the development of physical vapor deposition processes and in ion implantation technologies to modify the surface properties of engineering materials. Surface modification to engineer surfaces for tribological applications has become possible. Hard coatings are now in wide commercial use in tooling applications both to reduce wear and to extend the product life. However, the use of wear resistant coatings in engineered parts and components is yet to become significant. Some of the problems inhibiting wider use of surface modification in tribological applications are discussed in this paper. Recent developments in arc coating to overcome the discrete interface problem associated with low temperature PVD are described. It is shown that the creation of graded interfaces is now feasible. Results from a study involving the multi-layer deposition of titanium and nickel from a single, composite cathode are presented and discussed. It is shown that the prospects for increased use of surface modification to improve the characteristics of tribological components have been enhanced.
A Stochastic Characterization of En Route Traffic Flow Management Strategies

Motivated by the need for coordinated multi - Ce nter flow management for the National Airspace Syst em, we characterize the impact of several en route flow management actions on upstream and downstream flows. Specifically, we generically model a single - stream aircraft fl ow using a Poisson process representation , and analytically characterize the performa nce of several types of flow - management restrictions imposed on this stream. Using these characterizations of performance measures (which include capacity - violation probabilities, averag e delays imposed by the restriction , and backlog), we are able to comp are flow management paradigms, such as use of in - trail restrictions vs. time - based metering . We also present our preliminary efforts to validate our model for flows and restrictions using historical data. F inally, we discuss the robustness of one of these flow management paradigms to deviations of aircraft from their nominal schedules , and present preliminary explorations regarding several further applications of this study.
A Historic Overview of Complications in Spinal Deformity Surgery

Surgical treatment of spinal deformity is evolving rapidly. We have developed a more comprehensive understanding of spinal deformity, and surgical strategies and tools targeting deformity correction have become more sophisticated. With new surgical strategies and techniques have come new complications. As a prelude to the case-based analysis of complications in modern spinal deformity surgery that follows, this introductory chapter provides a brief history of complications in spinal deformity surgery over the preceding 20 years.
Sexual Coercion, Drinking to Cope Motives, and Alcohol-Related Consequences among Self-Identified Bisexual Women.

Background: Given higher sexual victimization and greater alcohol use among bisexual women, a critical public health challenge is to understand within-group variation that may heighten or explain t...
Good enough for government work? Macroeconomics since the crisis

This paper argues that when the financial crisis came policy-makers relied on some version of the Hicksian sticky-price IS-LM as their default model; these models were â€˜good enough for government workâ€™. While there have been many incremental changes suggested to the DSGE model, there has been no single â€˜big new ideaâ€™ because the even simpler IS-LM type models were what worked well. In particular, the policy responses based on IS-LM were appropriate. Specifically, these models generated the insights that large budget deficits would not drive up interest rates and, while the economy remained at the zero lower bound, that very large increases in monetary base wouldnâ€™t be inflationary, and that the multiplier on government spending was greater than 1. The one big exception to this satisfactory understanding was in price behaviour. A large output gap was expected to lead to a large fall in inflation, but did not. If new research is necessary, it is on pricing behaviour. While there was a failure to forecast the crisis, it did not come down to a lack of understanding of possible mechanisms, or of a lack of data, but rather through a lack of attention to the right data.
The Mismatched Expectations of iPad Integration Between Teachers and Students in Secondary Schools

While tablets and lightweight laptops have become commonplace in the K-12 classrooms, previous studies have shown mixed results on the effectiveness of these mobile devices with respect to learning...
Specific inhibitors of MS2 and late T4 RNA translation in E. coli

1.0 M NH4Cl washes of E. coli ribosomes contain two protein factors affecting activities of the polypeptide chain initiation factor 3 (IF3). One (iα) inhibits functions of IF3α, the IF3 species which recognizes MS2, E. coli, and early T4 RNA; the other (iβ) inhibits functions of IF3β, the species recognizing late T4 RNA. Initiation complex formation and translation of the mRNA are inhibited to the same extent but the ribosome dissociation activity of IF3 is not affected.
The Validity of Simulating Tests in Evaluating Lubricants for Deformation Processes

One of the most significant stumbling blocks in establishing correlation between theory and application in deformation processes has been the uncertainty attached to the magnitude of interface friction. Even the simplest theory must account for the effects of friction on forces, power requirements and material flow, and the magnitude of this friction must be known-together with the correct value of the flow stress-if the validity of a theory is to be checked. While there is still a great scarcity of data on flow stresses at relevant strain rates and temperatures, a beginning has, nevertheless, been made by determining flow stresses in plastometers. No comparable development occurred with regards to friction. There is no universal, basic method of determining friction under conditions applicable to deformation processing; instead, a numerical value representing friction (in the form of a coefficient of friction, or an interface shear strength) is usually derived from experimental data through the utilization of a theory, often at the same time when proof of the validity of the very same theory is sought. Under these circumstances, there is a danger of friction becoming an adjustable, variable “constant” chosen at convenience. It would be highly desireable, therefore, that friction should be determined in simple tests that are readily evaluated, rely on a minimum of theoretical or simplifying assumptions, yet simulate actual deformation processing conditions sufficiently to make the results relevant, and to allow lubricant evaluation with a measure of confidence. This paper aims at clarifying to some degree the suitability of some existing test techniques for these purposes.
Age-related bone loss. A hypothesis and initial assessment in mice.

The osteopenia associated with advanced age appears to be a universal phenomenon in humans and animals, but the mechanisms by which it occurs are understood incompletely. However, the explanation must lie in an absolute or relative diminution in the level of osteoblastic bone-forming activity when compared with osteoclastic bone-resorbing activity. The authors postulated that with old age there would be a reduction in the number or function or both of osteoblastic stem cells that could account for part of the diminution in bone formation. They further postulated that there would be either no change or an increase in osteoclastic potential and bone resorption. To test these concepts, bone marrow cells were isolated from 4- to 6-month-old or 24-month-old mice and cultured in vitro under a variety of circumstances that permitted an assessment of the stromal osteogenic cells and marrow hemopoietic progenitor cells belonging to the monocyte and osteoclast series. These data show a marked reduction in the number and in vitro activity of stromal osteogenic cells from old animals. There is an increase in old mice in the number of marrow cells capable of forming osteoclasts in coculture and responsive to the growth factors believed operational in the monocyte and osteoclast series. The authors now are exploring the hypothesis that an age-related diminution in transforming growth factor-β levels is responsible for these changes in progenitor cell levels in marrow and their functional status as expressed in vitro. The data to date are consistent with age-related changes in osteoblast and osteoclast precursor pools contributing to the loss of bone mass in Type II osteoporosis (osteopenia).
Adjustment and Needs of African-American Women Who Utilized a Domestic Violence Shelter

To better understand what environmental and contextual factors influence resource acquisition and subsequent adjustment for African-American women who have been battered, this article explores the experiences of 60 women from the 6 months prior to entering a shelter through a 10-week postshelter advocacy program. Results indicate that African-American battered women who use domestic violence shelters face an array of obstacles: Most had been severely abused were likely to be living below the poverty line, were unemployed, and were in need of numerous resources. However, in spite of numerous obstacles and continued violence, African-American women overall felt confident in themselves and satisfied with their lives 10 weeks after shelter. Results also indicate that short-term advocacy services were beneficial to African-American women exiting a domestic violence shelter. Implications of these findings as they relate to formal community response and further research are discussed. Language: en
Molecular and cell biology of addiction

Progress was made during the past year in several important areas relevant to cellular and molecular research on addiction. This includes a better understanding of the functioning of neural circuitry involved in the reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse, the cloning of complementary DNA's encoding important molecular targets of addictive drugs, including the first opiate receptors to be cloned, and progress in understanding the molecular basis of adaptive processes underlying dependence and withdrawal.
Abstract 1617: Utility of a solid-tumor NGS panel in the differential diagnosis of composite neoplasms with divergent phenotypes

Introduction: Composite neoplasms (CN) are rare, diagnostically challenging lesions that require differentiating between three possibilities: clonal tumors with divergent phenotypes (mixed tumors, MT), collision of two synchronous adjacent tumors (CT) and tumor-to-tumor metastasis (TTM). To make this distinction, pathologists have relied on morphology, immunohistochemistry and limited molecular techniques such as single-gene sequencing. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on 4 CN to illustrate the diagnostic utility of NGS-based approach in these rare tumors. Materials and Methods: Of the 4 CN included in the study, 2 had been diagnosed as MT containing phenotypically different cell populations (mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder and metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma with squamous dedifferentiation), while the remaining 2 had been interpreted as TTM (esophageal adenocarcinoma to lung adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the lung to meningeal melanoma). Pathology diagnoses were made using clinical, histologic and immunophenotypic information. Manual dissection of the tumor components was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections for extraction of DNA and RNA. NGS was performed using the Oncomine Comprehensive Panel on Ion S5XL sequencer. Ion Reporter variant caller pipeline was used for data analysis. Results: Sequencing results confirmed the histopathologic diagnosis in all cases (Table 1). Importantly, comparison of our results with data from TCGA studies allowed a meaningful interpretation of the genetic aberrations found, and shed light on the biology of these lesions. Conclusion: This study illustrates the diagnostic utility of NGS in tumors with more than a single histologic component. Additionally, it demonstrates a potential role for NGS in the detection of clinically actionable targets in a group of neoplasms that lack standardized treatment. Citation Format: Andres M. Acosta, Mohamed Rizwan H. Al Rasheed, Dipti Panchal, Magdalena Rogozinska, Frederick G. Behm, Gayatry Mohapatra. Utility of a solid-tumor NGS panel in the differential diagnosis of composite neoplasms with divergent phenotypes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1617.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cetuximab-Docetaxel and Panitumumab-Docetaxel Antibody-Drug Conjugates for EGFR-Overexpressing Cancer Therapy

The safety and efficacy of anticancer antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) depend on the selection of tumor-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb), linker, and drug, as well as their specific chemical arrangement and linkage chemistry. In this study, we used a heterobifunctional cross-linker to conjugate docetaxel (DX) to cetuximab (CET) or panitumumab (PAN). The resulting ADCs were investigated for their in vitro EGFR-specific cytotoxicity and in vivo anticancer activity. Reaction conditions, such as reducing agent, time, temperature, and alkylation buffer, were optimized to yield potent and stable ADCs with consistent batch-to-batch drug-to-antibody ratios (DARs). ADCs were synthesized with DARs from 0.4 to 3.0, and all retained their EGFR affinity and specificity after modification. ADCs were sensitive to cell surface wildtype EGFR expression, demonstrating more cytotoxicity in EGFR-expressing A431 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines compared to U87MG cells. A431 tumor-bearing mice treated once weekly for four weeks wit...
The Salience of Creditors' Interests and CEO Compensation

This paper shows that firms adjust CEO compensation policies when creditors' interests are more salient. This effect helps explain controversial compensation practices such as weak performance incentives and short pay duration. Our findings also show that to mitigate the agency cost of debt, compensation contracts can reflect not only the firm's capital structure but the debt contract itself. For example, firms tend to contract on accounting-based goals when creditors do as well. Our analysis relies on a regression discontinuity design around loan covenant violations. We also confirm our conclusions studying a broad sample of financially constrained firms seeking debt financing.
Association of intraoperative circulating-brain injury biomarker and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 year among neonates who have undergone cardiac surgery.

Abstract Background Neurodevelopmental disability is the most significant complication for survivors of infant surgery for congenital heart disease. In this study we sought to determine if perioperative circulating brain injury biomarker levels are associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months. Methods A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of neonates who underwent cardiac surgery was performed. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was measured: (1) before skin incision; (2) immediately after bypass; (3) 4 and (4) 24 hours postoperatively. Linear regression models were used to determine an association with the highest levels of GFAP and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development third edition (BSID) composite scores. Results There were 97 subjects who had cardiac surgery at a mean age of 9 ± 6 days and completed a BSID at 12.5 ± 0.6 months of age. Median (25th-75th percentile) levels of GFAP were 0.01 (0.01-0.02), 0.85 (0.40-1.55), 0.07 (0.05-0.11), and 0.03 (0.02-0.04) ng/mL at the 4 time points, respectively. In univariate analysis GFAP was negatively associated with cognitive, language, and motor composite scores. GFAP levels immediately after bypass differed between institutions; 1.57 (0.92-2.48) versus 0.77 (0.36-1.21) ng/mL (P = .01). After adjusting for center and potential confounders, GFAP was independently associated with BSID motor score (P = .04). Conclusions Higher GFAP levels at the time of neonatal cardiac operations were independently associated with decreased BSID motor scores at 12 months. GFAP might serve as a diagnostic means to acutely identify perioperative brain-specific injury and serve as a benchmark of therapeutic efficacy for investigational treatments, discriminate center-specific effects, and provide early prognostic information for intervention.
Awareness of Birth Cohort Hepatitis C Testing Recommendation Among Baby Boomers: An Exploratory Survey Study.

Objectives To examine population awareness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing recommendation for the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort and explore the factors associated with awareness of the testing recommendation, its association with HCV testing, and respondents' data sources about the recommendation. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess awareness of the CDC birth cohort testing recommendation among adults born 1945-1965 who were managed at a single academic center's internal medicine clinics or by visiting a local health fair. Data were collected on respondents' demographics and HCV-related domains, including risk factors, awareness, data sources, prior testing, and interest in information about testing. Results There were a total of 563 respondents to the survey. Forty percent were aware of the CDC's testing recommendation, with Hispanic ethnicity being the only significant predictor (odds ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.38-0.90). HCV testing rates were higher among those aware of the CDC's recommendation, as compared with those unaware (33.6% vs 24.0%, P = 0.0269). Television was the most common initial data source for the testing recommendation (64.8%), whereas healthcare providers accounted for 22.4%. Conclusions Awareness of the CDC's testing recommendation was reported in fewer than half of the respondents and was adversely affected by minority status. Although mass media may be a key venue for HCV-related data outreach, further studies are needed on interventions to enhance the role played by healthcare providers.
Shift from Entropic Cu2+ Binding to Enthalpic Cu+ Binding Determines the Reduction Thermodynamics of Blue Copper Proteins

The enthalpic and entropic components of Cu2+ and Cu+ binding to the blue copper protein azurin have been quantified with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements and analysis, providing the first such experimental values for Cu+ binding to a protein. The high affinity of azurin for Cu2+ is entirely due to a very favorable binding entropy, while its even higher affinity for Cu+ is due to a favorable binding enthalpy and entropy. The binding thermodynamics provide insight into bond enthalpies at the blue copper site and entropic contributions from desolvation and proton displacement. These values were used in thermodynamic cycles to determine the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the free energy of reduction and thus the reduction potential. The reduction thermodynamics obtained with this method are in good agreement with previous results from temperature-dependent electrochemical measurements. The calorimetry method, however, provides new insight into contributions from the initial (oxidized) and final (reduced) states of the reduction. Since ITC measurements quantify the protons that are displaced upon metal binding, the proton transfer that is coupled with electron transfer is also determined with this method. Preliminary results for Cu2+ and Cu+ binding to the Phe114Pro variant of azurin demonstrate the insight about protein tuning of the reduction potential that is provided by the binding thermodynamics of each metal oxidation state.
A mass conserving formalism for ice sheet, solid Earth and sea level interaction

Abstract. Polar ice sheets are important components of any Earth System model. As the domains of land, ocean, and ice sheet change, they must be consistently defined within the lexicon of geodesy. Understanding the interplay between the processes such as ice sheet dynamics, solid Earth deformation, and sea level adjustment requires both consistent and mass conserving descriptions of evolving land and ocean domains, grounded and floating ice masks, coastlines and grounding lines, and bedrock and geoid height as viewed from space. Here we present a geometric description of an evolving ice sheet margin and its relations to sea level change, the position and loading of the solid Earth and include the ice shelves and adjacent ocean mass. We generalize the formulation so that it is applied to arbitrarily distributed ice, bedrock and adjacent ocean, and their interactive evolution. The formalism simplifies computational strategies that seek to conserve mass in Earth System models.
Virus-Host Interactions Between Nonsecretors and Human Norovirus.

Background & Aims Human norovirus infection is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis. Genetic polymorphisms, mediated by the FUT2 gene (secretor enzyme), define strain susceptibility. Secretors express a diverse set of fucosylated histoblood group antigen carbohydrates (HBGA) on mucosal cells; nonsecretors (FUT2-/-) express a limited array of HBGAs. Thus, nonsecretors have less diverse norovirus strain infections, including resistance to the epidemiologically dominant GII.4 strains. Because future human norovirus vaccines will comprise GII.4 antigen and because secretor phenotype impacts GII.4 infection and immunity, nonsecretors may mimic young children immunologically in response to GII.4 vaccination, providing a needed model to study cross-protection in the context of limited pre-exposure. Methods By using specimens collected from the first characterized nonsecretor cohort naturally infected with GII.2 human norovirus, we evaluated the breadth of serologic immunity by surrogate neutralization assays, and cellular activation and cytokine production by flow cytometry. Results GII.2 infection resulted in broad antibody and cellular immunity activation that persisted for at least 30 days for T cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells, and for 180 days for blocking antibody. Multiple cellular lineages expressing interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α dominated the response. Both T-cell and B-cell responses were cross-reactive with other GII strains, but not GI strains. To promote entry mechanisms, inclusion of bile acids was essential for GII.2 binding to nonsecretor HBGAs. Conclusions These data support development of within-genogroup, cross-reactive antibody and T-cell immunity, key outcomes that may provide the foundation for eliciting broad immune responses after GII.4 vaccination in individuals with limited GII.4 immunity, including young children.