cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observational study of an Arts-in-Medicine Program in an outpatient hemodialysis unit.

Background: Long-term hemodialysis is associated with impaired quality of life (QOL) and depression, which are thought to worsen compliance with the treatment regimen. With the success of our hospital's Arts-in-Medicine Program, we launched a similar set of activities in the long-term dialysis unit and sought to measure their effects. Methods: At baseline and 6 months, we administered the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Beck depression scales to 46 patients (44% men; mean age, 52 years) and assessed their percentage of achieved dialysis time, interdialytic weight gain, and predialysis laboratory results. We tested for a relationship between these variables and Arts-in-Medicine Program participation (low and high; 51% and 49%). Arts in Medicine was offered each shift, led by artists, and included artwork, crocheting, crafts, seasonal displays, poetry, and playing musical instruments. Results: At 6 months, the patients, nurses, technicians, and physicians subjectively believed that Arts in Medicine had a positive impact on the unit. In paired comparisons to baseline, there was significant improvement in SF-36 scores for Role–Physical (mean values, 34.4 to 38.7; P = 0.04), less weight gain (3.6 to 3.2 kg; P = 0.02), greater serum carbon dioxide content (20.4 to 22.5 mEq/L [mmol/L]; P P = 0.04), and a trend to less depression (Beck score, 15.3 to 12.1; P = 0.07). Regression analyses showed that high participation correlated with improved SF-36 scores for Social Function (11.1-unit increase; P = 0.01), Bodily Pain (7.6-unit increase; P = 0.04), and Role–Physical (6.6-unit increase; P = 0.06), as well as a trend to greater albumin levels (0.11 g/dL [1.1 g/L]; P = 0.08), but with greater phosphate (0.8 mg/dL [0.26 mmol/L]; P = 0.01) and lower calcium levels (0.3 mg/dL [0.07 mmol/L]; P = 0.07). Conclusion: Participation in a new Arts-in-Medicine Program correlated with improved QOL measures, and there were encouraging trends for depression, as well as certain laboratory and hemodialysis parameters.
Femtosecond pulses with tunable, high repetition rate generated from a CW laser without mode-locking

436-fs pulses are generated by injecting a 33-ps pulse train, obtained from pulse carving a 1.55-µm CW DFB laser, into a time-lens loop. Largely-tunable repetition rate from 23 MHz to 400 MHz is demonstrated.
A Role for Mitochondrial Bak in Apoptotic Response to Anticancer Drugs

In the present study a clonal Jurkat cell line deficient in expression of Bak was used to analyze the role of Bak in cytochrome c release from mitochondria. The Bak-deficient T leukemic cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by UV, staurosporin, VP-16, bleomycin, or cisplatin. In contrast to wild type Jurkat cells, these Bak-deficient cells did not respond to UV or treatment with these anticancer drugs by membranous phosphatidylserine exposure, DNA breaks, activation of caspases, or release of mitochondrial cytochromec. The block in the apoptotic cascade was in the mitochondrial mechanism for cytochrome c release because purified mitochondria from Bak-deficient cells failed to release cytochrome c or apoptosis-inducing factor in response to recombinant Bax or truncated Bid. The resistance of Bak-deficient cells to VP-16 was reversed by transduction of the Bak gene into these cells. Also, the cytochrome c releasing capability of the Bak-deficient mitochondria was restored by insertion of recombinant Bak protein into purified mitochondria. Following mitochondrial localization, low dose recombinant Bak restored the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c in response to Bax; at increased doses it induced cytochrome c release itself. The function of Bak is independent of Bid and Bax because recombinant Bak induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria purified from Bax−/−, Bid−/−, or Bid−/−Bax−/− mice. Together, our findings suggest that Bak plays a key role in the apoptotic machinery of cytochrome crelease and thus in the chemoresistance of human T leukemic cells.
Evaluation of a new norepinephrine transporter PET ligand in baboons, both in brain and peripheral organs

Reboxetine is a specific norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor and has been marketed in several countries as a racemic mixture of the (R,R) and (S,S) enantiomers for the treatment of depression. Its methyl analog (methylreboxetine, MRB) has been shown to be more potent than reboxetine itself. We developed a nine-step synthetic procedure to prepare the normethyl precursor, which was used to synthesize [11C]O-methylreboxetine ([11C]MRB). We also developed a convenient resolution method using a chiral HPLC column to resolve the racemic precursor to obtain enantiomerically pure individual precursors that lead to the individual enantiomers (R,R)-[11C]MRB and (S,S)-[11C]MRB. Here we report an evaluation of the racemate and individual enantiomers of [11C]MRB as radioligands for PET imaging studies of NET systems in baboons both in brain and in peripheral organs. The relative regional distribution of the radioactivity after injection of [11C]MRB in baboon brain is consistent with the known distribution of NET. For a NET-poor region such as striatum, there were no significant changes in the striatal uptakes with and without the nisoxetine pretreatment. In contrast, a significant blocking effect was observed in NET-rich regions such as thalamus and cerebellum after injection of racemic [11C]MRB, with an even more dramatic effect after injection of (S,S)-[11C]MRB. These results, along with the fact that there was no regional specificity and no blocking effect by nisoxetine for (R,R)-[11C]MRB, suggest the enantioselectivity of MRB in vivo, consistent with previous in vitro and in vivo studies in rodents. PET studies of baboon torso revealed a blocking effect by desipramine only in the heart, a NET-rich organ, after injection of (S,S)-[11C]MRB, but not the (R,R)-isomer. These studies demonstrate that the use of (S,S)-[11C]MRB would allow a better understanding of the role that NET plays in living systems.
Peer Reviewing in Political Science: New Survey Results

Charges are frequently leveled that the peer-review system is broken, and reviewers are overburdened with requests. But this specific charge has been made in the absence of data about the actual reviewing loads of political scientists. I report the results of a recent survey asking a random sample of about 600 APSA members with PhDs what their reviewing loads are like and what their beliefs are about the value of peer reviewing to them and others. Article reviewing loads correspond to rank, institution, and scholarly productivity in predictable ways. At PhD-granting institutions, assistant professors averaged 5.5, associate professors averaged 7.0, and full professors averaged 8.3 in the past year; everyone else averaged just under 3 reviews a year. To recognize the value we place on peer reviewing, we need a system that collects data on who reviews and presents them in a format usable by scholars and their relevant evaluation bodies.
Estimation of the Abundance of an Uncultured Soil Bacterial Strain by a Competitive Quantitative PCR Method

Strain EA25 was identified in a clone library of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences that had been amplified from DNA extracted from soil collected in eastern Washington State. EA25 was subsequently shown to be related to members of the genera Planctomyces and Chlamydia and most closely related (93% similarity) to strain MC18, a strain identified in an Australian soil sample (W. Liesack and E. Stackebrandt, J. Bacteriol. 174:5072-5078, 1992). A competitive quantitative PCR method developed by Zachar et al. (V. Zachar, R.A. Thomas, and A.S. Goustin, Nucleic Acids Res. 21:2017-2018, 1993) was used to estimate the abundance of this uncultured strain in soil. An estimation of the abundance of EA25 was based on the number of copies of the sequence in the DNA extracted and the efficiency of the DNA extraction. In addition, amplification rates of Escherichia coli DNAs added to soil were shown to be similar to those of DNAs from laboratory cultures of E. coli. The number of EA25 16S rRNA genes was estimated to be 2.17 x 10(8) copies per g of soil, suggesting that strains similar to EA25 and the similar Australian strain could be widely distributed and present in significant numbers in soils from temperate regions. This represents the first enumeration of 16S rDNA copies from an uncultured strain in soil.
Robust-to-Change Stiffness Allocation for Tall Structures

AbstractA computational procedure for robust-to-modeling and robust-to-change design of structural systems is proposed with application to planar rigid frames. A structure is considered robust when it is least sensitive to changes that alter its system coefficients (stiffness matrix for static loading). The upper limits of change from perturbations in the stiffness matrix are available from linear algebra; however, what is not clear is an ideal pattern of material allocation throughout the structure, or a preferred preliminary model from a set of viable models, such that it results in a final design that has low error bounds while satisfying the limit states of performance and safety. Because gradient-based optimization is not feasible, the authors rely on statistical simulation techniques to study the variation of error upper bounds in structural response when the system is subjected to changes in its components (elasticity, cross-sectional dimensions, member lengths). Application of the methodology to l...
Confinement effects on the phase transition temperature of aqueous NaCl solutions: The extended Gibbs–Thomson equation

Abstract Thermal properties of confined, single-component liquids have been extensively investigated over the past few decades, and the Gibbs–Thomson equation has emerged as a relatively good model capable of explaining the general relationship between pore size of the confinement host material and magnitude of the confinement-induced melting point depression. However, relatively little research is focused on thermal properties of confined solutions, despite aggressive research initiatives to adapt nano-engineered materials to applications that will almost certainly employ solutions instead of pure liquids. Therefore, we have chosen to explore the phase transition temperatures of dilute aqueous NaCl solutions confined within mesoporous silicas. We also derive an extended version of the Gibbs–Thomson equation to provide a theoretical framework for understanding our experimental data. The confined solutions have melting points that are lower than those of pure water confined within the same porous host, and the magnitude of the melting point depression increases with increasing salt concentration. Moreover, the slope of the ΔT vs. molal solute concentration is found to be pore-size dependent. Both of these features are in agreement with the theoretical model that we provide.
A Response Adapted Approach to Induction Treatment Yields acceptable Outcome in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) undergoing Autologous Stem Cell transplantation (ASCT)

mo (range 2.9-178.1) for the 190 survivors. Median age was 58. 61% were male. 38% had ISS stage I and 18% stage III. 10% had high risk cytogenetics. 51% started therapy using 1⁄4 3-druginduction-regimens. There appeared to be no statistically significant difference in age, cytogenetic risk, and ISS between pts in both groups (p1⁄40.128, 0.362, 0.302, respectively) but time from induction to ASCT was statistically different (6.1 vs 6.5 mo, p1⁄40.012). Best response prior to ASCT was >1⁄4VGPR 52% and >1⁄4PR 88% while post ASCT >1⁄4VGPR 82% and >1⁄4PR 98%. Median PFS from ASCT for the entire cohort was 32.3 mo, and median OS 84.2 mo. By multivariate analysis, cytogenetic risk (p1⁄40.002) and response prior to ASCT (p 1⁄43 groups, we could not show a statistical difference in median PFS (29.5 mo vs 33.4 mo; p1⁄40.26) and OS (78.6 mo vs 94.4 mo; p1⁄40.54), respectively. Conclusion: This retrospective study suggests that a response adapted approach to MM therapy may yield good outcome and guide the choice of induction. With emerging data suggesting the importance of MRD in predicting outcome, response-driven study designs should be prospectively explored.
Regulation of RORγt in Inflammatory Lymphoid Cell Differentiation.

T-helper 17 (Th17) cells differentiate from naive CD4(+) T cells in response to signals from commensal microbiota and produce cytokines critical for the integrity of mucosal barriers. These cells also disseminate throughout the body, and are key participants in numerous inflammatory processes. A key challenge is to elucidate the mechanisms that govern Th17 cell beneficial versus pathogenic functions, characterized by different cytokine profiles. Mucosal Th17 cells require the nuclear hormone receptor RORγt for their differentiation in draining lymph nodes. Cytokine expression is enabled in select tissues, to which these cells migrate, by external cues, such as the serum amyloid A proteins produced in response to commensal bacteria by epithelial cells in the small intestine. Additional cell-intrinsic cues contributing to production of Th17 cytokines during both homeostasis and inflammation include the RORγt-associated DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX5 and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Rmrp. The helicase activity of DDX5 is required for Rmrp-mediated assembly of the complex and colocalization with RORγt throughout the genome to regulate key Th17 genes. How these are regulated in diverse microenvironments may provide insights for therapeutic intervention in autoimmune disease.
Extremely Nondegenerate Doubly-Stimulated Two-Photon Emission: Towards a Semiconductor Two-Photon Laser

We are working on utilizing the 103 enhancement observed for no degenerate two-photon absorption in semiconductors to obtain two-photon gain in inverted media. Experiments along with analysis for GaAs show potential for gain greater than losses.
Thermal Conduction in Vertically Aligned Copper Nanowire Arrays and Composites

The ability to efficiently and reliably transfer heat between sources and sinks is often a bottleneck in the thermal management of modern energy conversion technologies ranging from microelectronics to thermoelectric power generation. These interfaces contribute parasitic thermal resistances that reduce device performance and are subjected to thermomechanical stresses that degrade device lifetime. Dense arrays of vertically aligned metal nanowires (NWs) offer the unique combination of thermal conductance from the constituent metal and mechanical compliance from the high aspect ratio geometry to increase interfacial heat transfer and device reliability. In the present work, we synthesize copper NW arrays directly onto substrates via templated electrodeposition and extend this technique through the use of a sacrificial overplating layer to achieve improved uniformity. Furthermore, we infiltrate the array with an organic phase change material and demonstrate the preservation of thermal properties. We use the 3ω method to measure the axial thermal conductivity of freestanding copper NW arrays to be as high as 70 W m(-1) K(-1), which is more than an order of magnitude larger than most commercial interface materials and enhanced-conductivity nanocomposites reported in the literature. These arrays are highly anisotropic, and the lateral thermal conductivity is found to be only 1-2 W m(-1) K(-1). We use these measured properties to elucidate the governing array-scale transport mechanisms, which include the effects of morphology and energy carrier scattering from size effects and grain boundaries.
Preparation of LiFePO_4 Anode Materials for Lithium-ion Battery

Test is made on olivine LiFePO_4 anode material for lithium-ion battery.LiFePO_4 and carbon-doped LiFePO_4 were prepared by solid-phase synthesization. Test results showed that carbon-doped LiFePO_4 had good electrochemical performance.Discharging at 0.1 C rate,the initial discharge capacity was 130 mA·h/g with little capacity decrease after 10 circles at room temperature.
Yet Another Proof of Minkowski's Inequality

(2008). Yet Another Proof of Minkowski's Inequality. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 115, No. 5, pp. 445-447.
Stabilization of the shape of sickled cells by calcium and A23187.

Evaluation of the role of calcium in irreversible sickling has been approached by treating sickled cells with calcium and the ionophore A23187. A calcium-dependent stabilization of the sickled cell shape was observed after reoxygenation of cells in the presence of ionophore. At low calcium concentrations, this retention of sickled shape was maintained for periods up to 1 hr. However, the morphology of the oxygen-stable sickled cells was like that of deoxygenated sickle cells and significantly different from the characteristic morphology of native irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs). Because the stabilized cells did not fulfill the morphological criterion for ISCs, the shape- stabilizing effect of calcium in this system did not provide additional support for the hypothesis that calcium accumulation was the determining factor in ISC generation.
Late 19th to early 20th century

Cardiac knowledge advanced rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th century, [47] even though this was still the age before therapy, the era of pathologic anatomy. The culmination of this era in the history of pediatric cardiology came with the publication in 1936 of Maude Abbott’s great Atlas of congenital cardiac disease. [2]
Clostridium difficile Infection

C. difficile infection (CDI) has become more common as well as more severe. Antibiotics represent the most important, and the most potentially modifiable, risk factor. However, the widespread use of proton pump inhibitors may represent a significant risk factor for CDI in the general population. Knowledge of the most frequently used severity scoring systems may help the surgeon in selecting antibiotic therapy. The choice to surgically intervene requires a careful balance between timely care and providing adequate time for aggressive medical therapy to be effective. The role of colectomy versus the construction of a diverting ileostomy with colonic lavage requires further study. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has much to commend it, even for the care of severe forms of CDI.
Outcome of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Chronic and Advanced Phase Myelofibrosis

Abstract Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic progressive hematologic malignancy with a median overall survival (OS) of approximately 6 years. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the sole treatment approach that offers curative potential. The use of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens has expanded the application of HSCT to patients with MF up to age 70 years. Recent retrospective and prospective reports have suggested worse HSCT outcomes for patients with MF receiving an unrelated donor graft compared with those receiving a related donor graft. To identify patient- and HSCT-specific variables influencing outcomes, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 42 patients with chronic and advanced-phase MF who underwent HSCT at our institution. For this cohort, at a median follow-up of 43 months, progression-free survival (PFS) was 15 months and OS was 25 months. In multivariable analysis, the sole clinical variable that negatively influenced outcome was the use of an unrelated donor, with a median PFS and OS both of 11 months versus not yet reached in patients receiving a related donor graft. At 2 years, OS was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20%-56%) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was 53% (95% CI, 36%-78%) in the unrelated donor graft group, compared with 75% (95% CI, 46%-90%) and 21% (95% CI, 9%-47%) in the related donor graft group. There was no difference in the rates of grade III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease between the unrelated and related donor groups (38% versus 38%). Despite a more aggressive disease state, 2-year PFS and OS were both 42% (95% CI, 15%-67%) in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm-blast phase undergoing HSCT. Graft failure rate was higher in patients receiving a mismatched donor graft compared with those receiving a matched donor graft (60% versus 13%; P = .0398). Retransplantation of patients with graft failure resulted in long-term survival. Baseline splenomegaly did not affect transplantation outcomes. Given the particularly poor outcomes seen in the unrelated donor cohort here and elsewhere, a formal exploration of alternative hematopoietic stem cell sources is warranted.
Acetabular Component Position and the Risk of Dislocation Following Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

Abstract Background Recently, the importance of acetabular component positioning in the Lewinnek “safe zone” in preventing prosthetic dislocation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of acetabular components within the Lewinnek safe zone between primary and revision THAs that have sustained a dislocation vs matched controls without a dislocation event. Methods This was a retrospective, institutional review board–approved investigation of THAs performed at our institution or referred to our institution between 1997 and 2013. Ninety-six primary THAs and 60 revision THAs that sustained a dislocation were included and matched 1:1 based on age, gender, and body mass index with nondislocated controls. Acetabular component inclination and anteversion were performed using Martell Hip Analysis Suite and compared between the 2 cohorts for both primary and revision THAs. Results The proportion of acetabular components within the safe zone for both inclination and anteversion was 23 of 96 (24%) in primary THA dislocators vs 48 of 96 (50%, P P = .03) in controls. Conclusion Patients sustaining a dislocation following a primary or revision THA had acetabular components less frequently positioned within the safe zone compared to control patients. This study suggests acetabular component positioning remains an important variable in decreasing the risk of dislocation following primary and revision THA.
Direct-write graded index materials realized in protein hydrogels

The ability to create optical materials with arbitrary index distributions would prove transformative for optics design and applications. However, current fabrication techniques for graded index (GRIN) materials rely on diffusion profiles and therefore are unable to realize arbitrary distribution GRIN design. Here, we demonstrate the laser direct writing of graded index structures in protein-based hydrogels using multiphoton lithography. We show index changes spanning a range of 10−2, which is comparable with laser densified glass and polymer systems. Further, we demonstrate the conversion of these written density variation structures into SiO2, opening up the possibility of transforming GRIN hydrogels to a wide range of material systems.
Physical compatibility of tedizolid phosphate with selected i.v. drugs during simulated Y-site administration

Purpose The physical compatibility of commonly used agents that could be coadministered in the clinical setting with tedizolid phosphate during Y-site administration was evaluated. Methods Tedizolid phosphate vials were reconstituted to a final concentration of 0.8 mg/mL. All other drugs were prepared according to manufacturers’ recommendations and diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection (where applicable) to the highest standard concentrations used clinically. Y-site conditions were simulated in culture tubes by mixing 5 mL of tedizolid phosphate solution with 5 mL of the test drug solutions. The physical characteristics, turbidity, and pH of all admixtures were examined immediately after mixing and at 15, 60, and 120 minutes. Incompatibility was defined as gross precipitation, a positive Tyndall beam test, color changes, or increases in turbidity. Results With simulated Y-site administration, tedizolid phosphate was compatible with 69 of 86 drugs in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, including 24 of 31 antimicrobial agents. Of note, incompatibility was observed immediately after mixing except with ceftaroline and diphenhydramine, whose incompatibility with tedizolid phosphate was apparent after 15 and 60 minutes, respectively. Among the drug classes tested, tedizolid phosphate was compatible only with 1 aminoglycoside (amikacin) and incompatible with 1 echinocandin (caspofungin) and 1 cephalosporin (ceftaroline). In addition, tedizolid phosphate was incompatible with divalent cations (calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, and magnesium sulfate), probably due to precipitation with the phosphate component. A pH change of >1 unit occurred only with epinephrine (at 120 minutes). Conclusion Tedizolid phosphate 0.8 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection was physically compatible with 69 of 86 study drugs during simulated Y-site administration.
Multilevel Control Structures for Three Discrete Manufacturing Processes

Abstract Discrete manufacturing systems represent a large fraction of industrial processes and involve control problems whose dimension precludes straightforward solution. In general, such systems involve transformationfrom raw material to finished product and include a sequence of discrete operations (machining or parts, storage in and retrieval from inventory, etc.). Concornmitant with each of these operations are control problems including monitoring, reporting, scheduling, machine loading, start up, shut down, batch control, emergency actions, security enforcement, etc. The great differences among the disturbances and contingencies which can affect the operation of such processes suggests that the controls associated with each stage of the process and with each type or class of disturbance be handled as separate tasks. This decomposition of the control system, in turn, requires coordination between the subunits in order that the overall process objectives are achieved. Hierarchical control systems have proved to be effective models for the design of complex control systems for continuous processes. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how a hierarchical structure can also lead to the effective control of discrete processes. Three examples are presented, each illustrating a different aspect of the discrete control problem formulation. It is shown, in each case, how the control tasks organize naturally into a multilayer hierarchical structure. The examples focus on problems of scheduling, control of discrete operations, and security control, the latter being control in the face of catastrophic disturbances. Generalizations are drawn from the experiences of these examples. Various features of the proposed structure are pointed up with specific reference made to problems of hardware and software implementation.
Can accountable care organisations really improve the English NHS? Lessons from the United States

NHS policy makers should not copy US ACOs but they can learn from their experience, say Hugh Alderwick and colleagues
Impact of Vitamin D and Calcium on Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Older Adults

Osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and elsewhere. Many features of our lifestyle contribute to bone loss and bone fragility, including lack of physical exercise, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and inadequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D. In this paper, I will consider how calcium and vitamin D intakes influence the skeleton, the impact of season on vitamin D levels, criteria for determining how much vitamin D is needed, and feasible approaches to meeting the vitamin D requirement.
The Epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Its Links to Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Lipotoxicity

The epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a public health problem that threatens to spiral out of control in the twenty-first century. Early intervention can greatly mitigate the serious socioeconomic impact of the disease, driven largely by disabling microvascular complications and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is at the core of the epidemic of T2DM, affecting 2/3 of adults and reaching alarming rates in children in modern society. Our understanding of adipose tissue has evolved drastically in the past decade being now viewed as a dynamic ‘endocrine organ’ responsible for the development or worsening of insulin resistance and ‘lipotoxicity’ in obese individuals. ‘Lipotoxicity’ describes the damage that occurs when chronic energy supply exceeds metabolic needs and lipid accumulates in tissues that would not normally store large amounts of lipid. In this setting, lipid is redirected into harmful pathways of nonoxidative metabolism, with accumulation of toxic metabolites that activate inflammatory pathways and eventually lead to apoptosis. It affects organs responsible for maintaining normal energy homeostasis, such as the liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreatic beta-cells, but also the vascular bed. The ability of fatty acids to disrupt insulin signaling and how the mitochondria adapts to chronic lipid overload are essential steps in understanding FFA-induced insulin resistance and lipotoxicity across different tissues. Interventions that may prevent lipotoxicity in different target tissues, but in particularpancreatic beta-cell lipotoxicity, such as exercise, weight loss, and/or pharmacological therapies such as thiazolidinediones, hold the key to prevent diabetes in subjects genetically predisposed to T2DM and tackle the looming epidemic of the coming century.
Comparative biology of gamma delta T cells.

Accumulative evidence suggests that resident γδ T cells in epithelia are biologically distinct from systemic γδ T cells in the circulation. Murine resident γδ T cells have innate immune characteris...
Biological Characterization of a Granulomonopoietic Enhancing Activity Derived From Cultured Human Lipid-Containing Macrophages

We describe the biologic characteristics of an activity produced by human monocyte-derived lipid-containing cells (MDLCCs) that enhances the colony-forming capacity of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM). Medium conditioned by well-developed MDLCCs (at day 21 to day 28 of cultivation) was added to bone marrow cultures containing GCT cell line-conditioned medium (GCT-CM) or other material as a source of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs). MDLCC-conditioned medium (CM) had no detectable granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity (GM-CSA), but it contained an activity that enhanced the colony number in both day 7 and day 14 CFU-GM cultures. Dose-response curves for GCT-CM in the presence of MDLCC-CM demonstrated that this enhancing effect occurred at concentrations of GM-CSFs that stimulate maximal CFU-GM growth. This enhancing effect was seen with both granulocytic and monocytic progenitor cells. It was titratible and required the continuous presence of MDLCC-CM from initiation of culture. No enhancement was noted when MDLCC-CM was added 48 hours after plating. The enhancement still occurred when marrow cells were first incubated with MDLCC-CM and GCT-CM was added at later times. Neither the enhancing activity nor its production was dependent on horse serum contained in MDLCC culture medium. The enhancing effect was also seen when other sources of GM-CSA were used: medium conditioned by 5637 cell line, phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes (PHAL), or placenta tissue. Furthermore, this enhancing activity appeared to be specific for CFU-GM. Addition of MDLCC-CM to mixed and erythroid cultures, stimulated by suboptimal and optimal concentrations of PHAL-CM did not modify the number of mixed colonies or erythroid bursts. This granulomonopoietic enhancing activity contained in MDLCC-CM was heat stable (56 degrees C and 75 degrees C for 30 minutes) and nondialyzable (3,500 and 14,000 molecular weight cut off tubing). Its production was increased by treating MDLCC with lipopolysaccharide (5 micrograms/mL) or zymosan (60 micrograms/mL) and inhibited by lactoferrin (10(-7) mol/L). The production of a granulomonopoietic enhancing activity by MDLCCs represents the demonstration of another positive feedback regulator of myelopoiesis involving the monocyte-macrophage system.
Age-Onset Phosphorylation of a Minor Actin Variant Promotes Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction

Summary Age-associated decay of intercellular interactions impairs the cells’ capacity to tightly associate within tissues and form a functional barrier. This barrier dysfunction compromises organ physiology and contributes to systemic failure. The actin cytoskeleton represents a key determinant in maintaining tissue architecture. Yet, it is unclear how age disrupts the actin cytoskeleton and how this, in turn, promotes mortality. Here, we show that an uncharacterized phosphorylation of a low-abundant actin variant, ACT-5, compromises integrity of the C. elegans intestinal barrier and accelerates pathogenesis. Age-related loss of the heat-shock transcription factor, HSF-1, disrupts the JUN kinase and protein phosphatase I equilibrium which increases ACT-5 phosphorylation within its troponin binding site. Phosphorylated ACT-5 accelerates decay of the intestinal subapical terminal web and impairs its interactions with cell junctions. This compromises barrier integrity, promotes pathogenesis, and drives mortality. Thus, we provide the molecular mechanism by which age-associated loss of specialized actin networks impacts tissue integrity.
The Effect of Sheath Material and Deformation Method on the Oxide Core Density, Filament Uniformity, and Critical Current Density of (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3OX Tapes

Many variables control the critical current density (Jc) in BSCCO-2223 composites but not all of them are yet well understood, or even positively identified. One important factor is reported to be the density of the BSCCO filament, as measured by microhardness. Since different deformation processes may be used during fabrication, and each can have a different effect on the final BSCCO core density, we have made systematic investigations of the microhardness, filament uniformity, and final Je as a function of sheath hardness and whether the tape is rolled or pressed between heat treatments. Results show a strong correlation between the after-heat-treatment-microhardness and J. Rolled tapes never achieved the hardness of pressed tapes, and their Je was correspondingly lower. The degree of transformation of the BSCCO powder to the BSCCO-2223 phase was always lower in the rolled tapes than in the pressed tapes.
Explicit dispersion relation for strongly nonlinear flexural waves using the homotopy analysis method

Using the homotopy analysis method, we present an explicit frequency-versus-wavenumber nonlinear dispersion relation for a flexural elastic beam. In our analysis, we employ the Euler–Bernoulli kinematic hypothesis and consider both a conventional transverse motion model and an inextensional planar motion model. As an example, we consider geometric nonlinearity in the form of Green–Lagrange strain. The underlying constitutive relation is formulated by linearly relating the second Piola–Kirchhoff stress to the Green–Lagrange strain, although the method is directly applicable to material nonlinearities as well. The derived analytical solution, for each model, is obtained to Mth-order accuracy and is verified by comparing with a numerical result brought about by laboriously finding the roots of the corresponding travelling-wave implicit relation governing the nonlinear elastodynamics. This is the first derivation of an explicit dispersion relation for an elastic beam undergoing strongly nonlinear finite flexural deformation. The derived relation characterizes the nature of a traveling cosine-like nonlinear wave throughout its stable pre-breaking state.
Understanding the Demographics of Surveying Students in Pennsylvania and Making Plans to Increase the Awareness of the Surveying Profession

AbstractTechnological advancements of the past decades have considerably changed the surveying profession and education required to become a surveyor. Many states require a combination of education...
Strength enhancement in ice-templated lithium titanate Li4Ti5O12 materials using sucrose

Abstract Ice-templating technique enables the synthesis of novel ceramic materials with directional, anisotropic pores, and the templated structure is highly tunable. Another factor that also drives interest in ice-templated ceramics is that for a comparable level of porosity, the uniaxial compressive strength of these materials can be significantly greater in comparison to that of the conventional open-cell foams. However, the strength advantage is significantly reduced in the materials templated from low solid loading suspensions. Toward this limitation, this study sheds insights into the influence of sucrose (a water-soluble additive) and freezing front velocity (FFV) on microstructure and the uniaxial compressive response of ice-templated sintered lithium titanate (LTO, composition Li4Ti5O12). This study used LTO as a model material. Materials were ice-templated from aqueous suspensions with 20 vol.% LTO powder and sucrose content was varied between 1–4 wt.%. The porosity of the sintered materials was in the range of 60–65 vol.%. Materials processed without sucrose exhibited lamellar morphology and low compressive strength. Sucrose had a marked influence on the connectivity between lamella walls, which significantly increased with sucrose content, and morphology became highly dendritic. The microstructural changes remarkably impacted compressive strength, which increased as high as eight-fold. Moreover, materials processed with sucrose exhibited a significant increase in strength in the continuous brittle crushing regime. By adjusting sucrose content in aqueous suspension and FFV, it is possible to synthesize ice-templated sintered LTO materials with tailored connectivity between lamella walls and harness compressive strength within a wide range of 4–80 MPa.
A Novel Use of Noninvasive Registered Electrocardiographic Imaging Map for Localization of VT and PVC

Abstract A 33-year-old woman presented with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). The 12-lead electrocardiogram, 3-dimensional (3D) picture of chest electrodes, and cardiac magnetic r...
Power Systems Dynamic State Estimation With the Two-Step Fault Tolerant Extended Kalman Filtering

Bad data may lead to performance degradation or even instability of a power system, which can be caused by various factors: unintentional PMU abnormalities, topology error, malicious cyber-attacks, electromagnetic interference, temporary loss of communication links, external disturbances, extraneous noise biases, etc. In order to develop a more resilient and reliable state estimation technique, this manuscript presents a novel two-step fault tolerant extended Kalman filter framework for discrete-time stochastic power systems, under bad data, PMU failures, external disturbances, extraneous noise, and bounded observer-gain perturbation conditions. The failure mechanisms of multiple phasor measurement units are assumed to be independent of each other with various bad data or malfunction rates. The benchmark IEEE standard test systems are utilized as a demonstrative example to carry out computer simulation studies and to examine different estimation algorithms. Experimental results demonstrates that the proposed second-order fault tolerant extended Kalman filter provides more accurate estimation results, in comparison with traditional first- and second-order extended Kalman filter, and the unscented Kalman filter. The proposed two-step fault-tolerant extended Kalman filter can serve as a powerful alternative to the existing dynamic power system state estimation techniques.
A Probabilistic Environmental Decision Support Framework for Managing Risk and Resources

The ability to make cost effective, timely decisions associated with waste management and environmental remediation problems has been the subject of considerable debate in recent years. On one hand, environmental decision makers do not have unlimited resources that they can apply to come to resolution on outstanding and uncertain technical issues. On the other hand, because of the possible impending consequences associated with these types of systems, avoiding making a decision is usually not an alternative either. Therefore, a structured, quantitative process is necessary that will facilitate technically defensible decision making in light of both uncertainty and resource constraints. An environmental decision support framework has been developed to provide a logical structure that defines a cost-effective, traceable, and defensible path to closure on decisions regarding compliance and resource allocation. The methodology has been applied effectively to waste disposal problems and is being adapted and implemented in subsurface environmental remediation problems.
Indocyanine green and fluorescence lymphangiography for sentinel lymph node identification in cutaneous melanoma

Background and Objectives Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has become the standard method of determining regional lymph node involvement in cutaneous melanoma. Although traditionally performed via injection of radioisotope tracers and blue dyes, fluorescent lymphangiography with indocyanine green (ICG) is an attractive alternative. Methods Fifty two consecutive patients with cutaneous melanoma of the trunk or extremities underwent SLNB. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed with technetium-99m sulfur colloid (TSC). Peritumoral intradermal injection of isosulfan blue (ISB) and ICG was then performed. Successful identification of a sentinel lymph node via each modality was then assessed. Results A total of 77 lymph nodes were identified from the 52 patients (range 1–3). The majority of melanomas were extremity-based, superficial spreading type, and had SLN localized to the axilla. There were no complications related to IcG administration. Rates of SLN detection were 96.2% for TSC, 59.6% for ISB, and 88.5% for IcG (P < 0.05 for ICG vs ISB). On univariate logistic regression analysis, no factors were found to be associated with failure of ICG. Conclusions Fluorescent lymphangiography using ICG is an effective method of SLN identification in patients with cutaneous melanoma of the trunk and extremities. When ICG and TSC are used in combination, ISB offers no additional advantage and may be safely omitted. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:888–892. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
THE CYCLE OF PHOSPHORUS IN A PLANKTON BLOOM IN THE GULF OF MAINE1

The cycle of phosphorus was studied in detail during the spring bloom of phytoplankton in the Gulf of Maine in April 1964. A parachute drogue was placed at a depth of 10 m so that the movement of the surface water could be Followed. Five stations were occupied (luring an interval of 24 hr on 8–9 April when the drogue was launched and another five stations at the location of the drogue were occupied 10 days later on 17–18 April. During this interval, the drogue had drifted to the southward about 63 km. Because the isopycnal surfaces below 50 m sloped upwards from the first to the final set of stations, the distribution of properties is compared on surfaces of equal density. Particulate, dissolved organic, and inorganic phosphorus were determined on all samples. There was a considerable decrease in inorganic and an increase of both particulate and dissolved organic phosphorus in the surface waters during this time. Much of the particulate phosphorus formed had sunk below the 50-m cuphotic zone to the deeper waters. The data permit estimates of the exerction of organic phosphorus in the euphotic zone and of the decomposition of this fraction in the deeper water. Below about 136 m, there was no net change in any of the fractions of phosphorus and the change in total phosphorus for the entire water column was essentially zero. Measurements were made of the distribution of oxygen and of chlorophyll at these two times, which permit the computation of the primary production from the changes in phosphorus, oxygen, and chlorophyll. The average rate for the 10-day period was slightly more than 2 g C m-2 day-1. The rate of exchange of oxygen across the sea surface has been computed from these data and gives an exchange coefficient somewhat smaller than had been previously observed. The relationship between the changes of phosphorus, oxygen, and chlorophyll in primary production in the euphotic zone and in the decomposition processes in the deeper water are discussed. Both the chlorophyll and the particulate phosphorus data give indications of the sinking of particulate matter during the bloom. The sinking particles contain an unusually high proportion of chlorophyll compared to phosphorus.
Output regulation for over-actuated linear systems via inverse model allocation

The synthesis of a full-information regulator for over-actuated linear systems is considered in this paper. Over-actuation with injective input maps allows for redundancy in the steady-state trajectory in the state space compatible with a given reference output. This type of redundancy is completely characterized by means of geometric techniques and the results of the analysis are used to define an extended servomechanism that allows allocation of the reference trajectory in the state space to optimize certain cost functionals while maintaing invariance of the error-zeroing subspace. Examples of linear static and nonlinear dynamic allocation strategies are presented.
A General Population Screen for Attention Dficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

The Conners' Abbreviated Rating Scale (ARS), developed for documenting behavior change during pharmacotherapy, was examined for its utility as a primary screen for Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. A sample of 92, 6–9-year-old boys was used to determine the parents' ARS score which identified 90% of DSM-III diagnosed cases I year later. The total ARS proved useful for primary screening, and a 5-item subset correctly classified 91% of the hyperactive boys and 73% of the nonhyperactives. Both screens were superior to longer scales rated by parents and teachers at the time diagnoses were made.
Fate and disposition of diflubenzuron in rice fields

Laboratory and field investigations were undertaken to determine the fate, disposition, and persistence of the insecticide diflubenzuron in California rice culture. Water solubility was similar in distilled/deionized water (88.8 ± 4.0 μg/L) and rice field water (92.6 ± 3.5 μg/L), while the measured Henry's law constant was 2.34 ± 0.02 × 10−1 Pa.m3/mole. Diflubenzuron was rapidly photodegraded in field water primarily to the more stable chlorophenylurea and difluorobenzoic acid; field water photolysate was equally toxic to Daphnia magna as pure insecticide solutions. Applications to experimental rice field plots resulted in rapid dissipation of diflubenzuron (half-life 27.3 h), nonpersistent sediment residues, and significant partitioning into the surface microlayer.