cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclic strain increases fibroblast proliferation, matrix accumulation, and elastic modulus of fibroblast-seeded polyurethane constructs

Rapid induction of matrix production and mechanical strengthening is essential to the development of bio-artificial constructs for repair and replacement of load-bearing connective tissues. Toward this end, we describe the development of a mechanical bioreactor and its application to investigate the influence of cyclic strain on fibroblast proliferation, matrix accumulation, and the mechanical properties of fibroblast-seeded polyurethane constructs (FSPC). Human fibroblasts were cultured in 10% serum-containing conditions within three-dimensional, porous elastomeric substrates under static conditions and a model regime of cyclic strain (10% strain, 0.25 Hz, 8 h/day), with and without ascorbic acid supplementation. After one week, the combination of cyclic strain and ascorbic acid resulted in significantly increased construct elastic modulus (>110%) relative to either condition alone. In contrast, cyclic strain alone was sufficient to stimulate significant increases in fibroblast proliferation. Mechanical strengthening of FSPCs was accompanied by increased type I collagen and fibronectin matrix accumulation and distribution, and significantly increased gene expression for type I collagen, TGFbeta-1, and CTGF. These results suggest that strain-induced conditioning in vitro leads to mechanical strengthening of fibroblast/material constructs, most likely resulting from increased collagen matrix deposition, secondary to strain-induced increases in cytokine production.
Efficiently querying archived data using Hadoop

The need to analyze structured data for various business intelligence applications such as customer churn analysis, social network analysis, telecom network monitoring etc., is well known. However, the potential size to which such data will scale in future will make solutions that revolve around data warehouses hard to scale. As data sizes grow the movement of data from the warehouse to archives becomes more frequent. Current file based archive models make the archived data unusable for any type of insight extraction. In this paper, we present an active archival solution for data warehouses that makes use of Hadoop distributed file system (HDFS) to store the data in an always available and cost-effective manner. We investigate various structured data storage schemes within HDFS and empirical evaluations show that a combination of Universal scheme model and column store is best suited for the active archival solution.
The role of speech-specific properties of the background in the irrelevant sound effect.

The irrelevant sound effect (ISE) is the finding that serial recall performance is impaired under complex auditory backgrounds such as speech as compared to white noise or silence. Several findings have demonstrated that ISE occurs with nonspeech backgrounds and that the changing-state complexity of the background stimuli is critical to ISE. In a pair of experiments, we investigate whether speech-like qualities of the irrelevant background have an effect beyond their changing-state complexity. We do so by using two kinds of transformations of speech with identical changing-state complexity: one kind that preserved speech-like information (sinewave speech and fully reversed sinewave speech) and others in which this information was distorted (two selectively reversed sinewave speech conditions). Our results indicate that even when changing-state complexity is held constant, sinewave speech conditions in which speech-like interformant relationships are disrupted, produce less ISE than those in which these re...
Transcriptional and Translational Plasticity in Rodent Urinary Bladder TRP Channels with Urinary Bladder Inflammation, Bladder Dysfunction, or Postnatal Maturation

These studies examined the transcriptional and translational plasticity of three transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, TRPV4) with established neuronal and non-neuronal expression and functional roles in the lower urinary tract. Mechanosensor and nociceptor roles in either physiological or pathological lower urinary tract states have been suggested for TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPV4. We have previously demonstrated the neurochemical, organizational, and functional plasticity in micturition reflex pathways following induction of urinary bladder inflammation using the antineoplastic agent, cyclophosphamide. More recently, we have characterized similar plasticity in micturition reflex pathways in a transgenic mouse model with chronic urothelial overexpression (OE) of nerve growth factor (NGF) and in a transgenic mouse model with deletion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). In addition, the micturition reflex undergoes postnatal maturation that may also reflect plasticity in urinary bladder TRP channel expression. Thus, we examined plasticity in urinary bladder TRP channel expression in diverse contexts using a combination of quantitative, real-time PCR and western blotting approaches. We demonstrate transcriptional and translational plasticity of urinary bladder TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRVP4 expression. Although the functional significance of urinary bladder TRP channel plasticity awaits further investigation, these studies demonstrate context- (inflammation, postnatal development, NGF-OE, VIP deletion) and tissue-dependent (urothelium + suburothelium, detrusor) plasticity.
Eventshop: from heterogeneous web streams to personalized situation detection and control

The Web now has enormous volume of heterogeneous data being continuously reported by different sensors and humans from different locations. These data flows can be considered as spatio-temporal-thematic streams. Combined effectively, these streams can be used for detecting situations and saving lives and resources. We describe a system to combine streams from heterogeneous data sources, process them to detect situations, and use the detected situations to aid millions of users. This system uses a unified data model to integrate different web streams, and provides a set of generic operators to detect spatio-temporal characteristics of individual or combined data streams to detect complex situations. The detected situations can be combined with user parameters to provide personalized information and action alerts.
Selective inhibition of herpes simplex virus ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase by derivatives of 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone

(Received 24 June 1985; accepted 18 October 1985) Abstract-The effects of thiosemicarbazone derivatives of 2-acetylpyridine on mammalian and viral ribonucleoside diphosphate reductases were investigated. The enzymes were partially purified from uninfected and herpes simplex virus type-l (HSV-l)-infected KB cells by sequential salt fractionation with streptomycin sulfate and ammonium sulfate and by affinity chromatography on ATP-agarose. The five thiosemicarbazone derivatives investigated were all potent inhibitors of the virus-induced reductase. Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations (qO values) range from 2 to 13 PM. Four of the five derivatives also were inhibitors of the host cell reductase (1~~" values = 7-34 PM). A semicarbazone was inactive against the cellular enzyme and relatively weak as an inhibitor of the viral enzyme (ICY" = 340 PM). Four of the six compounds were preferential inhibitors of the viral reductase based on a comparison of ICY,, values (5 to >85-fold difference). Kinetic experiments revealed that inhibition of the HSV-1 reductase by the thiosemicarbazones was noncompetitive with respect to CDP and dithiothreitol. A comparison of the inhibitory effects of 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone itself on viral reductase and on virus replication in vitro demonstrated a similarity in the dose-response relationships for the two parameters. This observation supports the hypothesis that the HSV-induced ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase is an important target for the design of antiviral drugs.
A State Transition Analysis of Online Information-Seeking Behavior.

Statistical analyses of online searching patterns compared the usage of a query language by various groups of searchers. Data were gathered by an experimental project, Individualized Instruction for Data Access (IIDA), concerned with developing and testing a system which serves as a teacher and assistant to users of Lockheed's DIALOG system. Sequential listings of user commands were classified by corresponding state codes to represent phases of searching. Zero- through fourth-order Markovian analyses of individual commands and strings of like commands were performed to compare searching procedures used by three classes of users. Class 1 compared novices differing in their use of IIDA as an adjunct trainer; Class 2 compared inexperienced, IIDA-trained searchers with professional searchers; Class 3 compared inexperienced searchers taught by either IIDA or professional searchers. Analysis revealed that searchers tend to follow the advice of their trainer, whether it be human or computer. The use of IIDA as the sole training method appears to produce searchers who use similar patterns of searching. The use of another training method in addition to or instead of IIDA appears to produce searchers with varied and individual “styles” of online searching.
Simulation of vapour-liquid equilibria for branched alkanes

A new united-atom force field is proposed for branched and linear alkanes. The proposed force field is used to study vapour-liquid equilibria for pure components and binary mixtures. Results of phase equilibria simulations are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data.
Efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape with other pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Abstract Objective: The tension-free vaginal tape procedure has been shown in several studies to be a safe and effective method of correcting stress urinary incontinence, but its efficacy when combined with other pelvic surgery has not been examined. Study Design: Thirty-seven women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor defects underwent the tension-free vaginal tape procedure in conjunction with other pelvic floor reconstructive surgery. Preoperative and postoperative voiding diaries, standing stress test results, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Patient outcome, operative difficulties, and complications are discussed. Results: Thirty-five of 37 patients were completely dry (94%) 6 months after surgery. One patient (2.7%) had a recurrent pelvic floor defect. Four of 37 (10.8%) noted postoperative urgency that required treatment. The overall complication rate was 18.9%: the most common complication was urinary retention (43%); mean number of days with a catheter was 5.1 (range, 0-21 days). No serious operative complications occurred. Nine of 9 (100%) patients who underwent a repeat anti-incontinence procedure were cured with no increase in the complication rate. Conclusion: The tension-free vaginal tape procedure is safe and efficacious when combined with other pelvic floor reconstructive surgery. Postoperative urinary retention was the most common complication. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:1292-8.)
Human–information interaction research and development

Abstract The information field continues to evolve rapidly as digital technology changes the very nature of information and how people interact with each other and with information. This article argues that the past 30 years have seen a shift from distinct emphases on information, individual people, and specific technologies to emphases on the interactions among more diverse forms and amounts of information, people, and technologies. Human–information interaction shifts the foci of all aspects of information work; blurs boundaries between information objects, technology, and people; and creates new forms of information. This article discusses changes in each of these components of information and trends and challenges surrounding the study of their interactions are presented.
Spatiotemporal chemotactic model for ant foraging

In this paper, we present a generic theoretical chemotactic model that accounts for certain emergent behaviors observed in ant foraging. The model does not have many of the constraints and limitations of existing models for ants colony dynamics and takes into account the distinctly different behaviors exhibited in nature by ant foragers in search of food and food ferrying ants. Numerical simulations based on the model show trail formation in foraging ant colonies to be an emergent phenomenon and, in particular, replicate behavior observed in experiments involving the species P. megacephala. The results have broader implications for the study of randomness in chemotactic models. Potential applications include the developments of novel algorithms for stochastic search in engineered complex systems such as robotic swarms.
Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model to identify mechanisms contributing to entacapone low bioavailability

Entacapone is an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and is being used to extend the therapeutic effect of levodopa in patients with advanced and fluctuating Parkinson's disease. Entacapone has low and variable oral bioavailability and the underlying mechanism(s) for this behavior have not been studied. To explain such behavior and to characterize the dynamic changes in the metabolism of entacapone, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) model was developed integrating in silico, in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic data. The model was developed and verified in healthy volunteers and subsequently expanded to predict the pharmacokinetic parameters of entacapone phosphate, a prodrug of entacapone, and to assess the impact of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of entacapone. Low and inter-individual variability in bioavailability could be attributed to the extensive first-pass metabolism by UGTs in the liver and, to a lesser extent, the small intestine. The predictive performance of this model was acceptable with predicted Cmax , AUC and PD parameters lying within 20% of the observed data. The model indicates that the low bioavailability could be attributed to the extensive first-pass effect of entacapone.
Delayed Reproductive Death in X-irradiated Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

The cytotoxic effects of X-irradiation may be delayed for many generations of replication in mammalian cells. In addition to a reduced cloning efficiency, progeny of surviving Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells isolated after 12-34 population doublings postirradiation showed a variety of abnormalities including lower attachment ability to culture dishes and slower cell cycle progression. When these progeny were seeded as single cells 12-23 generations after irradiation, they formed a higher fraction of abortive colonies and of non-homogeneous colonies containing giant cells. All of these characteristics were evident whether progeny cells were subcultured by trypsinization or by mitotic selection. These results suggest that residual damage may be carried by surviving progeny of irradiated cells over many mitotic cycles; this damage is eventually expressed in terms of pleomorphic changes leading to delayed reproductive failure.
Supraventricular tachycardia treated with continuous infusions of propranolol.

Because oral therapy is often contraindicated in hospitalized patients we assessed the safety and efficacy of continuous intravenous propranolol infusions in nine patients with refractory supraventricular tachycardia. Standard pharmacokinetic formulas predicted a loading dose (52.2 ± 38.3 μg/kg), steady-state plasma concentration, and the initial maintenance dose (16.1 ± 16.2 μg/kg/hr; range 6.1 to 56.0 μg/kg/hr) to control heart rate. Subsequent maintenance doses (3.9 to 74.9 μg/kg/hr) were determined by clinical response. Heart rate decreased from 146 ± 22 to 98 ± 16 beats/min (p < 0.0001). This decrease persisted throughout the infusion. Measured propranolol levels (28 ±21 ng/ml) did not differ significantly from the predicted levels (23 ± 17 ng/ml). The duration of the infusion averaged 97 ± 77 hours. A side effect, transient wheezing, occurred in only one patient. This resolved when the infusion rate was decreased. We conclude that continuous propranolol infusions appear safe and effective in treating these patients with supraventricular tachycardia. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1988) 44, 93–99; doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.118
The energy penalty of post-combustion CO2 capture & storage and its implications for retrofitting the U.S. installed base

A review of the literature has found a factor of 4 spread in the estimated values of the energy penalty for post-combustion capture and storage of CO2 from pulverized-coal (PC) fired power plants. We elucidate the cause of that spread by deriving an analytic relationship for the energy penalty from thermodynamic principles and by identifying which variables are most difficult to constrain. We define the energy penalty for CCS to be the fraction of fuel that must be dedicated to CCS for a fixed quantity of work output. That penalty can manifest itself as either the additional fuel required to maintain a power plant's output or the loss of output for a constant fuel input. Of the 17 parameters that constitute the energy penalty, only the fraction of available waste heat that is recovered for use and the 2nd-law separation efficiency are poorly constrained. We provide an absolute lower bound for the energy penalty of ∼11%, and we demonstrate to what degree increasing the fraction of available-waste-heat recovery can reduce the energy penalty from the higher values reported. It is further argued that an energy penalty of ∼40% will be easily achieved while one of ∼29% represents a decent target value. Furthermore, we analyze the distribution of PC plants in the U.S. and calculate a distribution for the additional fuel required to operate all these plants with CO2 capture and storage (CCS).
Guided and team-based learning for chemical information literacy

This case study recounts a process of course design, conduct, and evaluation for a single-session chemical information literacy class using guided and team-based learning. This approach incorporates active learning, worked examples, process worksheets, and POGIL elements. The instruction followed an iterative cycle of learning exercises whereby (1) the instructor introduces an information problem or task through a short presentation, (2) student teams collaboratively work through process worksheets that guide them through the technical and analytical tasks of resolving the information problem or task, (3) the instructor serves as a facilitator to address learning needs that arise during the exercise, while student teams analyze and reflect upon the learning activity and concepts, and afterwards, (4) the class engages in a discussion as an opportunity for evaluation, further exploration, and peer instruction. Overall, the guided and team-based learning approach offers opportunities to observe student progress closely and forges a collaborative spirit between students and the instructor for an engaging and rewarding experience.
A re‐evaluation of heat transfer associated with drawing of polymers

The temperature rise due to heat generation associated with drawing of polymer is re-evaluated and rederived starting from the first law of thermodynamics. The errors of both formulations and sample calculations made in a previous investigation were corrected. The predicted efficiency or the fraction of mechanical work converted into heat during necking based on the present formulations is found to be reasonable.
INTERSUBJECTIVITY AND INTERCORPOREALITY

This paper begins to trace a conceptual progression from interaction as inherently meaningful to intersubjectivity, and from intersubjectivity as the co-presence of alter egos to intercorporeality. It is an exercise in cultural phenomenology insofar as ethnographic instances provide the concrete data for phenomenological reflection. In examining two instances in which the intercorporeal hinge between participants in an interaction is in the hands, and two in which this hinge is in the lips, I touch in varying degrees on elements of embodiment including language, gesture, touch, etiquette, alterity, spontaneity, body image, sonority, mimesis, and immediacy. The analysis supports the substantive conclusion that intersubjectivity is a concrete rather than an abstract relationship and that it is primary rather than a secondary achievement of isolated egos, as well as the methodological conclusion that cultural phenomenology is not bound by subjective idealism.
Therapeutic Alliance and Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Served in a Community Mental Health Setting

This study examined the association between the therapeutic alliance and behavioral/emotional outcomes in 350 youth receiving outpatient therapy at a community mental health clinic. Constructs of interest were measured at intake, 3 week, 2 month, 4 month and 6 month intervals. Results indicated that early therapeutic alliance ratings were not related to premature termination. Problem type was related to the formation of the alliance only at the three week time point. A relationship between age of the client and the formation of a therapeutic alliance was true only at the 6 month time point. Finally, therapist’s ratings of the alliance were not correlated with psychotherapy outcome. These findings indicate that further work is needed to understand associations between therapeutic alliance and youth treatment outcomes.
Identifying challenges in supervising school psychologists

Previous studies suggest that the majority of school psychologists do not believe they receive sufficient supervision, despite a growing body of research providing empirical support for supervision to maintain and improve skills. This study explores the dynamics underlying the challenges of providing adequate supervision to school psychologists. Findings suggest that supervision of school psychologists is characterized by challenges that extend beyond the traditional demarcations of clinical and administrative supervision typical in clinical settings. Supervisors of school psychologists encounter systemic challenges, unique to school settings, which must be addressed for their supervisees to be able to function successfully. The findings suggest that a clinical–administrative–systemic model of supervision is most appropriate in the supervision of school psychologists. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of variable process performance by stochastic flow sheet simulation

The method of stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation is employed to determine variable process performance of a 545 Mg/d ammonia plant. Operating conditions and equipment reliability are varied in a flow sheet simulation model of the process. Probability distributions of the plant production capability and failure times are generated. These data agree closely with the operating experience of an actual ammonia plant.
Leadership in Division 17 Lessons from the Presidential Addresses

Themes of Division 17 presidential addresses from 1984to 2002, published in The Counseling Psychologist, were examined using a grounded theory approach. Sorting and coding of the data yielded six major categories: distinctiveness of counseling psychology, disappointments/missed opportunities, successes, foundations of counseling psychology, outside influences, and future recommendations. Review of the coding provided identification of underlying dimensions. Specifically, the connections that emerged from the qualitative analysis are explained using a grid with “identity” on a temporal x-axis (from who we are to who we want to be) and “actions” on a functional y-axis (from internal to the division to externally focused). The combined messages or stories of the Division 17 presidents may provide insight into the forces that have influenced counseling psychology over the last 2 decades.
Nucleation and early seismic propagation of small and large events in a crustal earthquake model

[1] Earthquake nucleation and early seismic propagation are studied in a two-dimensional strike-slip fault model with depth-variable properties. The fault is governed by the Dieterich-Ruina rate and state friction law. We use an efficient and rigorous numerical procedure for elastodynamic analysis of earthquake sequences on slowly loaded faults developed by Lapusta et al. [2000]. We find that for decreasing values of the characteristic slip distance of the friction law, small events appear at the transition from the locked to creeping behavior toward the bottom of the seismogenic zone. Small and large events have very similar nucleation phases in our simulations. Here, by ‘‘nucleation phase’’ we mean gradually accelerating aseismic slip in a small slowly expanding zone before the breakout of the dynamic, seismically detectable event. Moment acceleration (to which velocity seismograms are proportional) in early stages of seismic propagation exhibits irregular fluctuations, in the form of speedups and slowdowns in the moment release rate, consistently with observations as reported by Ellsworth and Beroza [1995]. Our simulations show that such irregular moment acceleration can, at least in part, be due to the heterogeneous stress distribution imprinted on the fault by the arrest of previous small events and by stress concentrations at the borders of creeping regions and to partial arrest of the rupture in velocity-strengthening fault regions which inhibit seismic slip. INDEX TERMS: 7209 Seismology: Earthquake dynamics and mechanics; 7260 Seismology: Theory and modeling; 3220 Mathematical Geophysics: Nonlinear dynamics; 7230 Seismology: Seismicity and seismotectonics; 3230 Mathematical Geophysics: Numerical solutions; 8164 Tectonophysics: Stresses—crust and lithosphere; KEYWORDS: earthquake nucleation phase, event clustering, irregular moment release, stress concentrations, rate and state friction, earthquake sequences
On-chip optical isolation in monolithically integrated non-reciprocal optical resonators

Scientists report the fabrication of a nonreciprocal optical resonator with a small length footprint of 290 µm on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The device achieves unidirectional optical transmission with an isolation ratio of up to 19.5 dB near the telecommunications wavelength of 1,550 nm in a homogeneous external magnetic field.
301: Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Adverse Events (AE’s) Effect Not Only VAD Survival but Subsequent Survival after Cardiac Transplantation (CTX)

Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Adverse Events (AE’s) Effect Not Only VAD Survival but Subsequent Survival after Cardiac Transplantation (CTX) J. Kay, J.J. Teuteberg, M.A. Simon, M.P. Siegenthaler, E.A. Genovese, C. Bermudez, J.K. Bhama, M.A. Dew, K.L. Lockard, S. Winowich, R.L. Kormos, Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Automating speculative queries through event-based requirements traceability

Posing speculative questions about a software system is an important yet often unsupported activity. Current impact analysis techniques tend to focus upon the functionality of the system, whilst the effects of change upon performance requirements are largely ignored until after implementation. This tendency can lead to costly and time-consuming mistakes. Event-based traceability provides a robust method for handling both long-term evolutionary change as well as the short-term speculative change needed to support performance related impact analysis. By establishing dynamic links, capable of propagating data values and commands between requirements and performance models, it becomes possible to automate a wide range of speculative queries and to enhance the overall ability to predict the impact of change upon the performance of the system.
Comparison of SERCA1 and SERCA2a expressed in COS-1 cells and cardiac myocytes.

Cultured COS-1 cells, as well as chicken embryonic and neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, were infected with recombinant adenovirus vectors to define limiting factors in the expression and Ca2+ transpo...
Glycosylated hemoglobin level and development of mild cognitive impairment or dementia in older women.

Background: Biological mechanisms linking diabetes and cognition continue to grow, yet the association remains controversial in elders. Whether glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1C ) level, a marker of glucose control, is predictive of the development of cognitive impairment or dementia is unknown. We determined the association between HbA 1C level and risk of developing cognitive impairment in older women, mostly without diabetes. Methods: We studied 1983 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67.2 years) with osteoporosis who had HbA 1C level measured at baseline. Development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia over 4 years was determined as part of a dementia ancillary study. We analyzed risk of MCI or dementia for every 1% of HbA 1C as well as risk associated with HbA 1C ≥ 7%. Results: The mean level of HbA 1C was 5.8% (range 3.0% to 12.1%) and 86 (4.3%) women developed MCI or dementia. For every 1% increase in HbA 1C , women had a greater age-adjusted likelihood of developing MCI (OR= 1.50; 95% CI 1.14-1.97) and of developing MCI or dementia (OR=1.40; 95% CI 1.08 - 1.83). For those with HbA 1C level £ 7% (n=49), the age-adjusted risk for developing MCI was increased nearly 4-fold (OR= 3.70; 95% CI 1.51-9.09) and was increased nearly 3-fold for developing MCI or dementia (OR=2.86; 95% CI 1.17-6.98). When we excluded women with diagnosed diabetes (n=53), the association between HbA IC and MCI lessened somewhat but remained elevated (unadjusted OR=1.59; 95% CI 1.01-2.50; age-adjusted OR=1.42; 95% CI 0.89-2.28). Multivariate analyses adjusted for age, education, race, depression, alcohol use and treatment with raloxifene yielded similar results. Interpretation: We found an association between HbA 1C level and risk of developing MCI or dementia in postmenopausal osteoporotic women primarily without diabetes. Our findings support the hypothesis that glucose dysregulation is a predictor for cognitive impairment.
Coagulopathy in Spinal Surgery

More than 500,000 spinal operations are performed annually in the USA. Unanticipated coagulopathy during spine surgery is fortunately not a common occurrence. However, substantial blood loss is certainly possible, given the increasing complexity of spine surgery, longer durations of surgery, the size of incisions, instrumentation near large vascular structures, as well as vascular spinal metastatic lesions. Significant intraoperative coagulopathy, defined as recurrent microvascular bleeding despite electrocautery and/or suture or decreased clot formation of blood pooled within the surgical field, has been reported in up to 16% of patients undergoing major spinal surgery. This bleeding can result in serious consequences including early termination of the procedure, postoperative hematoma formation, and increased in-hospital mortality.
Cramming Down the Housing Crisis: Amending 11 U.S.C. § 1322(B) to Protect Homeowners and Create a Sustainable Bankruptcy System

The U.S. bankruptcy system has served as a safety net for millions of Americans for the last 110 years, but it is failing to prevent foreclosures today. Amid angry investors pointing fingers at Wall Street and nervous federal officials answering to allegations, economists and bankruptcy judges debate the controversial modification of loans, a process called cram-down. Cram-down is a feature of bankruptcy law that permits a debtor to pay a creditor the value of the collateral instead of the full value of the loan. Under current law, judges can modify mortgages on vacation or second homes. Oddly, the Bankruptcy Code creates an exception for mortgages secured solely by the debtor's primary residence. For millions of distressed homeowners, this exception forces them to pay their mortgages in full despite sharply declining home values. Proponents of cram-down advocate for the elimination of this exception, but opponents warn that changing the status quo could exacerbate the housing crisis. Although keeping the current law is unacceptable, cramming down all undersecured mortgages is too risky because it can reduce access to credit and obstruct homeownership. Congress needs a unique two-part strategy that can adequately relieve Chapter 13 debtors affected by the recession while creating a sustainable bankruptcy system. First, Congress should pass a temporary cram-down relief measure. It should then implement a permanent system that relies on judicial discretion to modify loans consistent with jurisdictional Chapter 13 practices and needs. Based on the established means test of the 2005 Amendments, the temporary measure should provide relief quickly to distressed homeowners in Chapter 13, particularly victims of predatory lending. The relief measure should sunset, however, to account for unforeseeable consequences of cram-down. The permanent system will differ in that, while judges can continue to modify loans, they must treat cram down as a last resort and carefully pursue an objective inquiry. If designed and monitored carefully, cram-down can be a win-win proposition.
Commentary: A Curious Conception

Nau et al. describe a woman with schizophrenia who remains in denial of her pregnancy. They raise several legal issues including involuntary commitment, capacity to decide treatment, and conservancy. They review potentially pertinent legal decisions that might inform treatment decisions of women who refuse care during pregnancy. They then conclude that no clear precedents are available that clearly inform the treatment decisions in this particular case: hard cases make bad law (and vice versa). Reconsidering the case from a purely clinical perspective, there may have been some lost opportunities to find common ground or make a compromise with the patient, thus avoiding court altogether. Reconsidering the diagnosis raises questions about the use of antipsychotic medication during this pregnancy.
Continuous fermentation of clarified corn stover hydrolysate for the production of lactic acid at high yield and productivity

Abstract Significant amount of research has been done on the production of lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass. However, most of these studies have been restricted to production using pure cultures that require expensive reactor systems operating with high sterility and clean sugar feedstocks translating into high overall processing costs. We produced a stable lactic acid producing culture through extended non-sterile cultivation of a strain of Bacillus coagulans (strain AD) isolated in our laboratory from a thermophilic biogas reactor. The culture operated with complete and consistent production of lactic acid as the only fermentation product in a similar manner to that of the pure culture. In the present study, we assessed the effect of pH and residence times on the continuous fermentation of clarified corn stover hydrolysate for lactic acid production using our stable culture. A continuous fermenter was set up at 50 °C with pH conditions ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 and residence times ranging from 6 to 96 h. Maximum lactic acid productivity of 3.69 g/L/h was found at pH 6.0 and residence time of 6 h with a lactic acid yield of 0.95 g/g biomass sugars. It was found that the productivity increased with decrease in residence time but there was no significant effect of pH or residence time on the overall lactic acid yield. Maximum lactic acid yield was found to be 1.086 g/g biomass sugars at pH 6.0 and a residence time of 24 h showing that the culture consumed sugars other than the conventional C5 (xylose) and C6 (glucose) that was used for the yield calculation. Our study shows the potential for high-rate production of lactic acid with low operational costs.
Does Attitude toward the Ad Affect Brand Attitude under a Brand Evaluation Set

The results of an experiment examining the use of attitude toward the ad and brand-related beliefs in brand attitude formation under two different processing “sets”—brand evaluation and nonbrand ev...
164 Continuous Flow Mechanical Circulatory Support: Does It Really Improve Peak Oxygen Consumption (VO2)?

from 10-14% in 2002-2004 down to 2-4% by 2008-2010. Median waiting times have increased since 2005 for medically bridged patients listed status 1A and blood groups O, A, and B. Conclusions: Increased use of LVAD since 2005 as bridge to transplant is associated with increased waiting times of medically bridged patients. The mortality rate of LVAD bridged patients is now significantly lower, but increased waiting time for medically bridged patients who do not qualify for an LVAD may result in increased mortality.
Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Functionally Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists that Modulate ERK 1/2 Phosphorylation While Preserving G Protein Over βArrestin2 Signaling Bias

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) modulation is a promising target for drug discovery efforts due to KOR involvement in pain, depression, and addiction behaviors. We recently reported a new class of triazole KOR agonists that displays significant bias toward G protein signaling over βarrestin2 recruitment; interestingly, these compounds also induce less activation of ERK1/2 map kinases than the balanced agonist, U69,593. We have identified structure–activity relationships around the triazole scaffold that allows for decreasing the bias for G protein signaling over ERK1/2 activation while maintaining the bias for G protein signaling over βarrestin2 recruitment. The development of novel compounds, with different downstream signaling outcomes, independent of G protein/βarrestin2 bias, provides a more diverse pharmacological toolset for use in defining complex KOR signaling and elucidating the significance of KOR-mediated signaling.
A Pulsatile Bound Vortex Surface Impingement Method for Dust Particle Removal

Dust mitigation in Martian and Lunar environments is an increasingly active area of research within the aerospace community. Martian and Lunar environments produce electrically charged particles, which easily adhere to exposed surfaces. The work presented investigates the in uence of pulsed ow on a dust mitigation design reported by Vachon and Hitt in recent numerical and experimental studies. A computational study is performed to characterize a bound vortex ow condition over a range of inlet ow frequencies. Transient distributions of shear stress on the impinged surface are used to evaluate the potential of particle removal. Peak and average surface shear stress are used to determine possible shear stress enhancement and isosurfaces of vorticity are used to visualize temporal uctuations of the vortex core. A set of operating conditions are recreated experimentally to visualize particle removal and support computational results.
An open-source software package to simulate Cerenkov-based optical measurements in biological media

This study presents the validation of a tissue-optics software package capable of accurately performing Monte Carlo simulations of Cerenkov-based emission and induced fluorescence by interfacing with the open source radiation-optics transport package Gamos/Geant4.
Atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing livertransplantation: survival and cardiovascular complications

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a harbinger of major complications. It adversely affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and escalates risk for stroke. Organ transplants are scarce and effective allocation for suitable recipients is paramount. The impact of preexisting atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing liver transplantation has not yet been characterized. Methods: Patients who underwent liver transplantation between Jan 2005 and Dec 2008 were identified, and all patients with preexisting atrial fibrillation were identified by chart review. Each patient was matched to 2 controls according to recipient age, raw Model for End Stage Liver Disease score, Donor Risk Index and pre-transplant diabetes status. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log rank test. Results: 717 patients underwent liver transplantation during the study period. Of these, 32 patients had pre-existing paroxysmal, recurrent or chronic atrial fibrillation, and were matched with 64 controls from the same cohort. Mean graft survival was 1243 days (SD, 881) in the group with atrial fibrillation and 1444 days (SD, 889) in the matched controls (p=0.136). Mean patient survival was 1400 days (SD, 849) versus 1446 days (SD, 886) in the atrial fibrillation and control groups respectively (p=0.444). Compared to controls, persons with atrial fibrillation were more likely to have a cardiac cause of death (p=0.041; OR, 3.287), perioperative cardiac events (p=0.02; OR, 7.826), history of stroke (p=0.036; OR, 3.509), left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.023; OR, 3.143), greater degree of mitral valve regurgitation (p=0.028; OR, 1.732) and history of congestive heart failure (p=0.043; OR, 8.857). These applied regardless of whether the atrial fibrillation was paroxysmal, recurrent or chronic-persistent. Conclusion: Liver transplant patients with pre-existing atrial fibrillation are more likely to develop perioperative cardiac events and have a higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than their matched controls, regardless of the type of atrial fibrillation. These results have potential implications for the management of this patient population.
The Classification of Insects

The living organisms that inhabit the earth in colossal numbers are incomprehensible to us either as a whole or in part unless they are arranged or classified in some sort of systematic way. It is not surprising then to find that attempts to classify the living world extend far back into the distant past and that our present classifications are the result of a long period of growth and development. The earliest ideas regarding classification of which we have any record are those of Aristotle (384-322 B. C.). He did not concern himself with formulating any definite outline of classification, but as one reads his written works it is evident that he had definite ideas regarding the systematic arrangement of the living things known to him. With reference to the insects he recognized and differentiated between the wingless ones and those with wings. He undoubtedly included many animals among the wingless insects that we do not consider as insects today. Among the winged insects he recognized distinct groups, some of them comparable to our orders of insects, on the basis of the number of wings, texture of wings and vestiture of wings.
Performance enhancement techniques and verification methods for radio frequency circuits and systems

Nowadays, radio frequency (RF) circuits have to be optimized by design for reliable high performance with minimal power consumption to reach complete system-on-chip solutions that meet end user demands in diverse emerging applications. This paper reviews several recently developed design approaches and verification/simulation methods for performance improvements of RF integrated circuits. After the overview, the augmentation of an RF power amplifier with digital predistortion for enhanced linearity is discussed in more detail as an example.
Measuring the safety impact of road infrastructure systems on driver behavior: Vehicle instrumentation and real world driving experiment

ABSTRACTFeatured in this pilot experimental study is the construction and design of an instrumented vehicle that is able to capture vehicle trajectory data with an extremely high level of accuracy and time resolution. Once constructed and properly instrumented, the various data collection systems were integrated with one another and a driving experiment was conducted on northern Virginia roadways with 18 participants taking part in the study. Trajectory data were collected for each of the drivers as they traversed a predefined loop of four roadway segments with varying numbers of lanes and varying shoulder widths. Data collected from the experiment were then used to calibrate the parameters of the prospect theory car-following model through a genetic algorithm calibration procedure. Once all model parameters were successfully calibrated, significance testing was carried out to determine the impacts that the varying roadway infrastructure had on driving behavior. Results indicated that there were significa...
COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION: A new academic library model: Partnerships for learning and teaching

Pour demeurer competitives dans l'environnement de l'information electronique et continuer a jouer un role dans l'enseignement et la recherche, les bibliotheques universitaires doivent se reinventer. Les bibliotheques de l'Universite de Louisville ont indique la direction a suivre en mettant en place divers partenariats : avec la faculte, dans les domaines des sciences de la sante, sur le campus, avec le monde de l'entreprise et avec d'autres bibliotheques. Ces collaborations ont permis aux bibliotheques de se faire plus visibles sur le campus et dans la communaute, de s'impliquer davantage dans l'enseignement, l'apprentissage et la recherche et, enfin, de produire des resultats plus efficaces en terme d'apprentissage.
Relationship between CT scan findings and neuropsychological performance in chronic schizophrenia.

Studies relating CT abnormalities to impairments on neuropsychological tests in schizophrenic patients are critically reviewed. The overall conclusion is that there appears to be an association between CT abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits in at least some schizophrenic patient samples. It is proposed that there may be two classes of CT abnormalities in schizophrenia: “incidental” versus “essential” CT abnormalities and that neuropsychological impairment above the baseline levels found in most schizophrenic patients may be associated only with the former type. Only attempts to replicate these findings in different schizophrenic samples drawn from different settings can reveal whether this association between CT abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits is widely generalizable.
Recognizing Eating Gestures Using Context Dependent Hidden Markov Models

This paper considers the problems of recognizing eating gestures by tracking wrist motion. Hidden Markov models (HMMs) were developed to capture variations in motion patterns of subgroups of participants. Specifically, we examined if foreknowledge of the gender, age, and utensil used for eating could improve recognition accuracy. Improvement in accuracy was measured by comparing to a baseline HMM that was trainedon all participants. Data was collected for 276 participants eating a single meal within a cafeteria setting. A total of 44,873 gestures were manually labeled using video synchronized with the wrist motion tracking device. Results show that gender HMMs performed slightly better than the baseline, indicating that there is not much difference in wrist motion patterns during eating between females and males. Age HMMs provided a 4.3% increase in accuracy and utensil HMMs provided a 6.2% increase inaccuracy. The results suggest that contextual variables can be used for improving gesture recognition.
Breast Cancer in Pregnancy: Avoiding Fetal Harm When Maternal Treatment Is Necessary

The management of breast cancer during pregnancy poses unique challenges and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. In this review, we discuss the treatment of breast cancer in pregnancy and recent updates regarding the safety of surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments, including both oncologic and fetal outcomes. The treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy mirrors that outside of pregnancy, with a few important differences dictated by the balance of maternal versus fetal health. Overall, surgical treatment, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy are feasible in most women during pregnancy. Further research to determine the safety of these therapies in pregnancy-associated breast cancer is warranted.