cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Graphical Study of the Timer Based Method for Location Management with the Blocking Probability

Due to the increase in the number of users in mobile communications networks, the minimization of the signaling costs associated with the roaming of the users throughout the coverage area has become a key research topic. In this sense, several algorithms have been proposed in recent years for location management, with the timer-based method achieving an excellent trade-off in terms of performance and ease of implementation. Within this field, an accurate modeling of the users' behavior in terms of location management parameters is still a pending task. In this article, in order to gain a deep understanding of some of the parameters associated with the mobile users' behavior and involved in the timer-based method, we analyze the variability of the blocking probability to a Location Area (LA) with the service rate, timeout period, and expected and actual numbers of mobile terminals in the LAs
Blood Loss During Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: Is Preoperative Autologous Blood Donation Indicated?

AbstractPurpose: We assessed the requirement for transfusion of allogeneic blood in a contemporary series of patients who did not deposit autologous blood before radical retropubic prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: After a policy was adopted in which preoperative autologous blood was not donated, 124 consecutive patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. Type and screen for allogeneic blood were routinely available but neither hemodilation nor a cell saver was used.Results: Mean intraoperative blood loss was 579 cc and mean postoperative serum hematocrit was 33 percent. Only 3 patients (2.4 percent) required blood products due to intraoperative blood loss (2) and postoperative bleeding from a duodenal ulcer (1).Conclusions: Transfusion of blood products was required in a small percentage of our patients even without autologous blood donation. Therefore, the overall cost of care is decreased but, more importantly, the potential risks associated with autologous or allogeneic blood transfusion a...
An EHF omnidirectional lens antenna

A shaped reflector antenna, illuminated by a corrugated horn, has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The test results show that the feed blockage and the strut support blockage cause performance degradation. The deficiency can be corrected by using a shaped lens, illuminated by a corrugated horn. The lens antenna avoids both the feed and the strut blockage. The lens surface is shaped to provide a nearly uniform coverage over a +or-90 degrees cone. A good axial ratio at 44 GHz is achieved by designing the corrugated horn with nearly equal E- and H-plane patterns. >
Leptin before and after insulin therapy in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Serum leptin levels reflect the amount of body fat. However, several reports suggest that insulin may also regulate serum leptin levels. This study was aimed at testing whether leptin levels are low in newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes and increase after institution of insulin therapy. Nineteen children with new-onset type 1 diabetes were studied. Serum leptin levels were measured at presentation before insulin therapy was initiated (day 0), 1 day after insulin therapy (day 1), 3–5 days after insulin therapy (day 3–5), and at 3 months of follow-up (3 months). The control group consisted of 19 healthy children matched for age and body mass index. On day 0 leptin levels were lower in the patients compared with those in controls (3.3 ± 0.2 vs. 6.2 ± 0.9 ng/mL; P < 0.005). After insulin therapy, leptin levels increased significantly by day 1 without significant weight change and became comparable to control values by days 3–5. Before insulin therapy, leptin did not correlate with weight, body mass...
The venoarterial reflex

The venoarterial reflex, or postural vasoconstriction reflex, is the decline in limb blood flow in the dependent position due to an increase in pre-capillary vascular resistance.1 Impairment of the venoarterial reflex may be a cause of unexplained leg swelling. The venoarterial reflex prevents loss of fluid to the extravascular space when the legs are dependent. Testing of this reflex evaluates the ability of the cutaneous pre-capillary sphincters to constrict in response to dependency or elevated venous pressure and modulate the hydrostatic pressure.1 The mechanism of this autoregulation is threefold: a local sympathetic axonal reflex, an arteriolar-mediated myogenic response, and a minor central sympathetic efferent nerve component.1 The impaired venoarterial reflex may explain swelling in patients receiving calcium channel blockers.2 It is a cause of swelling in diabetics or patients with spinal degeneration that have neuropathy.3 It may explain edema in women during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle.4 Attenuation of the reflex with higher skin temperatures may contribute to swelling experienced in hot climates.5 With the patient in a supine position, photoplethysmography (PPG) probes are applied to the great toe (Panel A) to monitor capillary flow at baseline showing normal amplitude pulsatile flow. One leg is then lowered 50 cm off the side of the exam table (Panel B). If the reflex is intact, there is an immediate reduction in the amplitude of the PPG pulsations (Panel C). If the reflex is absent or impaired, there will be no appreciable reduction in the pulsations (Panel D) compared to the supine leg position. Treatment of leg swelling caused by an impaired venoarterial reflex is application of prescription knee length compression hose (20–30 mmHg) daily. Use of diuretics is minimally helpful. Evaluation of the venoarterial reflex is an inexpensive, simple test for excluding this abnormality as a cause of otherwise unexplained leg swelling. Panel A Panel B
Genetic determinants of obesity-related lipid traits

In our ongoing effort to identify genes influencing the biological pathways that underlie the metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, we performed genome-wide scanning in 2,209 individuals distributed over 507 Caucasian families to localize quantitative trait loci (QTLs), which affect variation of plasma lipids. Pedigree-based analysis using a quantitative trait variance component linkage method that localized a QTL on chromosome 7q35-q36, which linked to variation in levels of plasma triglyceride [TG, logarithm of odds (LOD) score = 3.7] and was suggestive of linkage to LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C, LOD = 2.2). Covariates of the TG linkage included waist circumference, fasting insulin, and insulin:glucose, but not body mass index or hip circumference. Plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were suggestively linked to a second QTL on chromosome 12p12.3 (LOD = 2.6). Five other QTLs with lower LOD scores were identified for plasma levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, and total cholesterol. These newly identified loci likely harbor genetic elements that influence traits underlying lipid adversities associated with obesity.
Hepatitis C and the skin.

Hepatitis C is an important and common cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Cutaneous manifestations are often the first signs of infection. Dermatologists must be aware of these manifestations, because early diagnosis is the best treatment. HCV Ab by ELISA should be ordered in patients with LCV-urticarial vasculitis, cryoglobulinemia, lichen planus, Sjogren's syndrome, unexplained pruritus, PCT, PAN, chronic urticaria, patients starting methotrexate, unexplained pruritus, and any patient initiating therapy with a potentially hepatotoxic drug.
A New Spatial Activity Metric for Film Contents

The masking property of human vision systems has been successfully applied in various image/video applications. To invoke the spatial masking effect, it is important to design a metric that effectively identifies the spatial activity of a region. This metric indicates which areas are more textured and more artifacts can be masked. We review three widely used metrics and evaluate their performance in context of film content. We observe that these metrics have strong dependencies on the brightness. More specifically, for smooth areas with film grain, these metrics usually assign greater degrees of texture to the bright regions and lower degrees to dark ones. This causes problems in the bright areas that are mistakenly identified as more textured than the dark areas. Utilizing the property of film grain, we explain the origin of this dependency and propose a new spatial activity metric that removes the dependency on the brightness. In our simulation, we use this new metric in the rate control algorithm of a MPEG-2 video encoder. The result shows more homogeneous film grain in the reconstructed pictures and improved visual quality.
Analysis and control of redundant nonholonomic mechanical systems

We initiate an exploration of the extent to which various structural properties present in nonholonomic mechanical systems can be exploited to resolve some of the difficulties. We consider the notion of kinematic redundancy in nonholonomic systems by introducing a definition of kinematic redundancy which seems both natural and useful when applied to nonholonomic mechanical systems. We then identify some of the properties which result because of the presence of the redundancy. We also consider the problem of controlling these systems, and show that kinematic redundancy can be used both to simplify the control problem and to enhance system performance. Finally, three examples of nonholonomic systems which are clearly "redundant" in some sense are considered: a space robot, a mobile manipulator, and a tractor trailer system.
Care at Our VA Institution

My VA The press the VA has recently received, Brings to light many obscure grieves. A few little blunders perhaps there are, Reluctant are some to point them out from afar. Within the haze probably lies the truth, Soon to emanate, with some sleuth. Nurses and providers are in short demand This hasn’t helped the reputation somewhat tanned. Appointments are at times delayed, Working we are to end this fade
Reduced expression of miR-9 is associated with unfavorable characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 1778 MiRNAs are a group of noncoding RNAs of approximately 20-22 nucleotides in length, and they play important roles in the development, cell proliferation, and diseases. Aberrant miRNA expression has been previously reported in human cancers including lung, breast and chronic lymphocytic leukemias. Computational algorithm prediction indicates that putative targets of miR-9 and let-7 are insulin-like growth factor II mRNA binding proteins (IMPs), which control the expression and RNA trafficking of IGF-II that has been found to be associated with the poor prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer in our previous studies. To evaluate the role of these miRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer and their relationship with IGF-II, we used the Taqman® microRNA assay to measure the expressions of miR-9 and let-7 in 198 primary epithelial ovarian cancer tissues collected during surgical removal of the primary tumor prior to any chemotherapy or radiation, and analyzed miR-9 and let-7 expressions in relation to disease characteristics and patient survival. The results showed that miR-9 and let-7 expressions varied widely in epithelial ovarian cancer. The average expression of miR-9 was 0.38, and significantly lower than that of let-7 (median, 4.66) (p<0.001). The two miRNAs were positively correlated with each other (r=0.52, p<0.001). A weak inverse correlation was found between miR-9 and IGF-II expressions (r=-0.16, p=0.027). The levels of miR-9 were significantly lower in patients with large size of residual tumor and serous histology than those with small residual tumor and non-serous histology. There was a trend that lower miR-9 was associated with aggressive tumors. Patients with late stage disease, high tumor grade and suboptimal debulking tended to have low expression of miR-9. However, similar associations were not observed for let-7. Neither miR-9 nor let-7 was significantly associated with patient survival when analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The unadjusted Cox regression analysis, however, did indicate that patients with high miR-9 had slightly better survival; the relative risk for disease progression was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.42-1.18) when patients with high tertile of miR-9 expression were compared to those with low tertile. Our study was the first to show that reduced miR-9 expression was associated with clinical and pathological features of ovarian cancer, suggesting that miRNA may be useful biomarkers for molecular characterization of cancer. Our study also indicates that further investigation of miRNA’s role in cancer is warranted.
Predictors of recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding on anticoagulation

The impact of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the cancer population remains substantial despite significant advances in detecting and treating thrombotic events. While there is extensive literature regarding predictors of first VTE event in cancer patients as well as a validated predictive score, less data exist regarding recurrent VTE in cancer cohorts and associated predictive variables. A similar paucity of data in regard to bleeding events in cancer patients receiving anticoagulation has been observed. This review article will highlight clinical risk factors as well as predictive biomarkers associated with recurrent VTE and bleeding in cancer patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation. Predictive risk assessment models for cancer-associated recurrent VTE and bleeding are also discussed.
Pathways of nucleotide metabolism in Schistosoma mansoni—II: Disposition of adenosine by whole worms

Abstract Worm Pairs Of schistosoma Mansoni Were Incubated (Itin Vitro) With Uniformly Labeled Adenosine-(Su14)C In Order To Determine The Adenine-Ribose Ratio Of Newly Synthesized Adenine Nucleotides. It Was Found That A-R Of The ATP Averaged 2·7. During Incubation Of Live Worms In The Presence Of 8-(Su14)C Adenosine Or 8-(Su14)C Inosine, Large Amounts Of Hypoxanthine Accumulated In The Medium. In Addition, Both Hypoxan-Thine And A Considerable Concentration Of Inosine 5'-Monophosphate (IMP) Were Detected In The Worm Supernatant. These Results Suggest That The Principal Pathway Of Utilization Of Adenosine Is Not Mediated By Adenosine Kinase. An Alternative, Involving Deamination Of Adenosine To Inosine, Cleavage To Hypoxanthine, Conversion To IMP And Subsequent Synthesis Of ATP Is The Principal Metabolic Route Used By (Its. Mansoni). Worms Incubated (Itin Vitro) Were Shown To Release Adenosine Deaminase Into The Medium. A Comparison Of Enzyme Stability And Ph Optimal Activity Curves Of The Parasite Enzyme With Host Erythrocyte Deaminase Shows The Former To Be Quite Stable At Ph 6·0 And Almost Inactive At Ph 8·5. The Red Cell Enzyme, In Contrast, Showed A Broad Ph Maximum Which Extends Well Past Ph 8·5.
Effect of neutral grounding mode on reliability of distribution network

There exists an optimization problem of neutral grounding mode in distribution network with a large number of cable lines. In order to choose the best grounding mode for distribution network, factors of effect of neutral grounding mode on reliability of distribution network are analyzed and some random parameters are used to show the part played by each factor. Probability model of line's tripping operation is built based on impact factors of tripping on reliability. The development process of distribution line's fault under each neutral grounding mode is simulated with Monte Carlo simulation method by MATLAB programming. At the same time, taking the grid structure of the distribution network and level of automation into consideration the reliability index is got to evaluate and compare this effect quantitatively. An example is used to prove this method’s rationality and effectiveness.
New Studies Do Not Challenge the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Lipid Guidelines

The 2013 lipid guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommend that statin therapy be guided by cardiovascular risk rather than by a specific low-den...
Tactile Digital Braille Display

Students at North Carolina State University enhanced Polymer Braille's multiline braille display by adding new interactive features, additional rows of characters, and a mobile-device interface.
Comparison of europium and neptunium adsorption to aluminum (hydr)oxide minerals

Abstract Batch experiments and detailed solid-phase characterization (i.e., powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy) were used to determine the effect of secondary phase formation on the adsorption of europium and neptunium to a suite of aluminum (hydr)oxide minerals. Europium experiments were conducted as a function of gibbsite (γ-Al(OH) 3 ), bayerite (α-Al(OH) 3 ), corundum (α-Al 2 O 3 ), and γ-alumina (γ-Al 2 O 3 ) concentration (2.5–30 m 2 L − 1 ), europium concentration (10 − 8 –10 − 5 M), pH (3 − 12), and ionic strength (0.01–0.1 M NaCl). Neptunium experiments were conducted at constant neptunium and mineral concentrations. The composition of the mineral phase had no apparent effect on europium adsorption whereas preferential adsorption of neptunium followed the trend bayerite > corundum > γ-alumina. The data presented here suggest that there are at least two different mechanisms controlling the adsorption of europium and neptunium and highlight the need to study both aqueous-phase chemistry and the properties of mineral surfaces in order to understand the behavior of lanthanides and actinides at the mineral-water interface.
Rapid and Robust Cross‐Correlation‐Based Seismic Signal Identification Using an Approximate Nearest Neighbor Method

Abstract The matched filtering technique that uses the cross correlation of a waveform of interest with archived signals from a template library has proven to be a powerful tool for detecting events in regions with repeating seismicity. However, waveform correlation is computationally expensive and therefore impractical for large template sets unless dedicated distributed computing hardware and software are used. In this study, we introduce an approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) approach that enables the use of very large template libraries for waveform correlation. Our method begins with a projection into a reduced dimensionality space, based on correlation with a randomized subset of the full template archive. Searching for a specified number of nearest neighbors for a query waveform is accomplished by iteratively comparing it with the neighbors of its immediate neighbors. We used the approach to search for matches to each of ∼2300 analyst‐reviewed signal detections reported in May 2010 for the International Monitoring System station MKAR. The template library in this case consists of a data set of more than 200,000 analyst‐reviewed signal detections for the same station from February 2002 to July 2016 (excluding May 2010). Of these signal detections, 73% are teleseismic first P and 17% regional phases ( Pn , Pg , Sn , and Lg ). The analyses performed on a standard desktop computer show that the proposed ANN approach performs a search of the large template libraries about 25 times faster than the standard full linear search and achieves recall rates greater than 80%, with the recall rate increasing for higher correlation thresholds.
An integrated bioprocess to recover bovine milk oligosaccharides from colostrum whey permeate.

A major challenge in isolating oligosaccharides from dairy streams is to enrich oligosaccharides while simultaneously reducing the content of simple sugars (mono- and disaccharides) that do not possess the desired prebiotic functions. An integrated approach based on optimized conditions that favor maximum lactose hydrolysis, monosaccharide fermentation and oligosaccharides recovery by nanofiltration was developed. Upon complete lactose hydrolysis and fermentation of the monosaccharides by yeast, nanofiltration of fermented whey permeate from colostrum enabled the recovery of 95% of the oligosaccharides at high purity. While the number of commercially available standards has limited the quantification of only a few sialylated oligosaccharides, the application of both high performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and mass spectrometry provided a complete profile of the final product. Approximately 85% of the oligosaccharides in the final concentrate were sialylated, with the remainder being neutral.
Cholinesterase inhibition and sexual receptivity in the female rats

Female rats were ovariectomized and administered estrogen and progesterone. Two behaviors, lordosis and rejection of the male, were monitored in tests both before and following progesterone treatment. Changes in brain cholinesterase caused by administration of di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) had no effect on lordosis but raised the level of rejection behavior.
Sharing the load: Mex67–Mtr2 cofunctions with Los1 in primary tRNA nuclear export

Eukaryotic transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are exported from the nucleus, their site of synthesis, to the cytoplasm, their site of function for protein synthesis. The evolutionarily conserved β-importin family member Los1 (Exportin-t) has been the only exporter known to execute nuclear export of newly transcribed intron-containing pre-tRNAs. Interestingly, LOS1 is unessential in all tested organisms. As tRNA nuclear export is essential, we previously interrogated the budding yeast proteome to identify candidates that function in tRNA nuclear export. Here, we provide molecular, genetic, cytological, and biochemical evidence that the Mex67-Mtr2 (TAP-p15) heterodimer, best characterized for its essential role in mRNA nuclear export, cofunctions with Los1 in tRNA nuclear export. Inactivation of Mex67 or Mtr2 leads to rapid accumulation of end-matured unspliced tRNAs in the nucleus. Remarkably, merely fivefold overexpression of Mex67-Mtr2 can substitute for Los1 in los1Δ cells. Moreover, in vivo coimmunoprecipitation assays with tagged Mex67 document that the Mex67 binds tRNAs. Our data also show that tRNA exporters surprisingly exhibit differential tRNA substrate preferences. The existence of multiple tRNA exporters, each with different tRNA preferences, may indicate that the proteome can be regulated by tRNA nuclear export. Thus, our data show that Mex67-Mtr2 functions in primary nuclear export for a subset of yeast tRNAs.
Messages about brilliance undermine women's interest in educational and professional opportunities

Abstract Pervasive cultural stereotypes associate brilliance with men, not women. Given these stereotypes, messages suggesting that a career requires brilliance may undermine women's interest. Consistent with this hypothesis, linking success to brilliance lowered women's (but not men's) interest in a range of educational and professional opportunities introduced via hypothetical scenarios (Experiments 1–4). It also led women more than men to expect that they would feel anxious and would not belong (Experiments 2–5). These gender differences were explained in part by women's perception that they are different from the typical person in these contexts (Experiments 5 and 6). In sum, the present research reveals that certain messages—in particular, those suggesting that brilliance is essential to success—may contribute to the gender gaps that are present in many fields.
Thermodynamic Acidity Studies of 6,6'-Dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach.

The organic ligand 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine (6,6′-dhbp) is frequently used to bind transition metals in order to form catalysts for many organic and inorganic transformations. 6,6′-dhbp exists in two tautomeric forms, the pyridinol tautomer and the amide (lactam) tautomer with each tautomer having two rotational conformers: cis or trans. Only the cis-pyridinol tautomer has the proper configuration to bind transition metals. The pendant OH (or O– groups when deprotonated) in 6,6′-dhbp typically do not bind the metal when forming the metal catalyst but can facilitate the proton transfer steps in the catalysis process. Electronic structure calculations were used to predict the stability of all possible isomers (including conformers and protonation states) in the gas phase and aqueous solution. These results have been compared to experimental data including UV–vis and NMR spectra as a function of pH. The pKa values for the 6,6′-dhbp ligand in the −2 to +2 structures were predicted, and these ligands sho...
A CO2 solubility model for silicate melts from fluid saturation to graphite or diamond saturation

Abstract A model based on a thermodynamic framework for CO2 concentrations and speciation in natural silicate melts at graphite/diamond-saturated to fluid-saturated conditions is presented. The model is simultaneously calibrated with graphite-saturated and fluid-saturated conditions allowing for consistent model predictions across the CCO buffer. The model was calibrated using water-poor (≤1 wt% H2O) silicate melts from graphite- to CO2-fluid-saturation over a range of pressure (P = 0.05–3 GPa), temperature (T = 950–1600 °C), composition (foidite-rhyolite; NBO = 0.02–0.92; wt% SiO2 ~ 39–77, TiO2 ~ 0.1–5.8, Al2O3 ~ 7.5–18, FeO ~ 0.2–24 MgO ~ 0.1–24, CaO ~ 0.3–14, Na2O~1-5, K2O ~ 0–6), and fO2 (~QFM +1.5 to ~QFM −6). The model can predict CO2 concentrations for a wide range of silicate melt compositions from ultramafic to rhyolitic compositions, i.e., melts that dissolve carbon only as carbonate anions CO32– and those that dissolve carbon both as CO32– and as molecular CO2mol as a function of pressure, temperature, and oxygen fugacity. The model also does a reasonable job in capturing CO2 solubility in hydrous silicate melts with ≤2–3 wt% H2O. New CO2 solubility experiments at pressures >3 GPa suggest that the newly developed CO2 solubility model can be satisfactorily extrapolated to ~4–5 GPa. Above 5 GPa the model poorly reproduces experimental data, likely owing to structural change in silicate melt at pressures above 5 GPa. An Excel spreadsheet and a Matlab function are provided as online supplementary materials for implementing the new CO2 solubility model presented here.
Length Scales for Nonaffine Deformation in Localized, Granular Shear

We offer experimental observations of meso-scale deformation and kinematic activity within sheared granular layers to investigate the nature and spatial periodicity of nonaffine displacement fields within shear bands in a granular material. Prismatic specimens of sands and glass beads are subjected to plane strain deformation in which zero-strain conditions are enforced by translucent glass walls. We use the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to track movements of small, overlapping particle clusters. By subtracting a superimposed first-order shear displacement field from the observed non-affine displacement fields, co-rotational vortices appear and coordinate with previously-observed kinematic patterns. We undertake a preliminary assessment of the spatial periodicity of such patterns to glimpse the nature of an underlying length scale for granular material deformation.
Targeting and Delivery of Drugs with Ultrasound Contrast Agents

There are many possibilities for targeting ultrasound contrast media and for using acoustically active materials for drug delivery. In this chapter I will review some of the background behind the use of ultrasound for therapy and drug delivery. I will touch upon some of the exciting new developments in ultrasound contrast media, drug and gene delivery.
Buckling and collapse of open and closed cylindrical shells

The buckling of a finite section of a cylindrical shell resembling a two-dimensional contact lens, and the collapse of a tubular shell of infinite extent are considered. The deformation is due, respectively, to the application of an edge force or to a negative transmural pressure. In both cases, the shell develops elastic bending moments due to the deformation from a specified resting shape according to a linear constitutive equation, accompanied by in-plane and transverse shear tensions. In the case of a section of a shell with a flat resting shape, classical results due to Euler and Love show that, as the applied edge force is increased beyond a sequence of thresholds, an infinite family of deformed shapes becomes possible corresponding to buckled states that bifurcate from the zero-curvature resting configuration. It is shown here that a corresponding infinite family of shapes is also possible for a finite shell whose resting shape is a section of circle. These shapes, however, no longer arise from bifurcations, but rather constitute disconnected solution branches of a nonlinear boundary-value problem. A closed cylindrical shell whose cross-section has a circular resting shape exhibits similar bifurcations when the difference between the exterior and interior pressure exceeds a sequence of thresholds, but a shell with a non-circular resting shape deforms into a multitude of shapes described by isolated solution branches. The computed two-dimensional buckled shapes are used to reconstruct the three-dimensional shape of a slowly collapsing fluid-conveying vessel. The reconstruction procedure involves stacking together cross-sections at axial positions that are found by integrating the differential equation determining the axial pressure distribution in unidirectional pressure-driven flow, subject to a constant flow rate. The dimensionless coefficient relating the local pressure gradient to the flow rate is computed by solving the Poisson equation governing unidirectional viscous flow using a boundary-element method, and expressing the flow rate as a boundary integral involving the shear stress which is available from the solution of the boundary-integral equation. In an appendix, the energy of the bending state is discussed with reference to specific choices made by previous authors in various branches of science and engineering.
Genetic, Biochemical, and Hormonal Mechanisms in the Regulation of Uterine Metabolism

The uterus is an organ markedly and dramatically influenced by hormones. The most obvious hormonally induced changes are those caused by estrogens and progesterones. Among the most striking are the changes that occur in the uterus at the time of puberty as a result of the increasing effect of the steroid hormones of the ovary. In addition, every normal adult woman experiences cyclic changes, especially in the stimulation of the growth of the endometrium and, to some extent, of the myometrium, followed by shedding of the endometrium down to the basal layer if pregnancy has not occurred. Additional uterine growth occurs during pregnancy, partly because of an increasing production of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones. The final stages in the life of the uterus are the regressive changes that occur after the menopause with the decline of ovarian function. These physiological effects have been known for years to be induced by the steroid hormones of the ovary. This chapter concerns the newer concepts of how these changes are regulated by estradiol at the cellular level. By what possible mechanisms could this relatively simple steroid hormone so markedly influence growth and function of the uterus?
Soil Mechanics and Theorems of Limit Analysis

An attempt is made to exhibit the plastic limit theorems in terms more familiar to the civil engineer. The interpretation of a continuous velocity region as the limiting case of infinitely many rigid blocks separated by surfaces of discontinuity provide an excellent technique for obtaining energy dissipation needed for upper bound calculations on plastic limit load. Similarly, the intuitive approach of imagining a pinconnected truss to support loads is shown to provide an excellent technique for obtaining lower bounds. Also a graphical procedure is introduced to eliminate much of the tedium associated with the construction of a stress field. The problems of the loaded truncated wedge and the wedge under unilateral pressure are treated as illustrative examples. Then the general strip foundation is solved. Upper and lower bounds are plotted and are seen to be rather close. Friction effects on the bearing capacity of foundations are also discussed.
Transmission Patterns in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Blind cloning of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) [1] transformed the obscure world of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, a clinical entity that had remained a virologic and serolgic enigma for almost two decades. As the genomic and immunologic characteristics of the virus unfolded, it seemed that the epidemiologic patterns of viral transmission would also become readily apparent. Instead, however, they have become increasingly perplexing as conflicting data have been amassed regarding the existence and magnitude of nonparenteral transmission modes. This chapter will outline the evidence for and against non-parenteral routes of HCV transmission, particularly in relation to sexual and vertical transmission.
Examining differences in neuropsychiatric symptom factor trajectories in empirically derived mild cognitive impairment subtypes.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) factor severity progression over time in empirically derived (ED) mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes. METHODS Participants in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative study diagnosed with MCI by Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative protocol using conventional clinical (CC) criteria (n = 788) were reclassified using cluster analysis as amnestic, dysnomic, dysexecutive MCI, or cluster-derived normal (CC-Normal) using empirical criteria. Cognitively normal (CN) participants (n = 207) were also identified. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q) was administered from baseline through 48-month follow-up. Exploratory factor analysis was completed to determine the NPI-Q factor structure at 6-month follow-up. Multilevel modeling was used to determine NPI-Q symptom severity factor and apathy symptom progression over time by cognitive subtype. RESULTS The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the NPI-Q consisted of 2 factors: hyperactivity/agitation and mood symptoms. Using clinical and empirical criteria, all MCI groups were identified as having more severe hyperactivity/agitation symptoms than CN participants. However, only the amnestic MCI group identified using empirical criteria showed an increase in symptom severity over time relative to CN participants. Mood factor and apathy symptoms were found to be more severe in dysexecutive and amnestic groups in both models. Similarly, both models identified a significant worsening of mood and apathy symptoms over time for dysexecutive and amnestic groups relative to CN participants. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further support that empirical criteria aid in examining the progression of clinical characteristics associated with MCI. Further, it helps to identify which MCI subtypes may be at higher risk for NPS progression.
Variability in talkers' fundamental frequencies shapes context effects in speech perception.

The perception of any given sound is influenced by surrounding sounds. When successive sounds differ in their spectral compositions, these differences may be perceptually magnified, resulting in spectral contrast effects (SCEs). For example, listeners are more likely to perceive /ɪ/ (low F1) following sentences with higher F1 frequencies; listeners are also more likely to perceive /ɛ/ (high F1) following sentences with lower F1 frequencies. Previous research showed that SCEs for vowel categorization were attenuated when sentence contexts were spoken by different talkers [Assgari and Stilp. (2015). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138(5), 3023–3032], but the locus of this diminished contextual influence was not specified. Here, three experiments examined implications of variable talker acoustics for SCEs in the categorization of /ɪ/ and /ɛ/. The results showed that SCEs were smaller when the mean fundamental frequency (f0) of context sentences was highly variable across talkers compared to when mean f0 was more consistent, even when talker gender was held constant. In contrast, SCE magnitudes were not influenced by variability in mean F1. These findings suggest that talker variability attenuates SCEs due to diminished consistency of f0 as a contextual influence. Connections between these results and talker normalization are considered.
GMAT Scores as a Proxy for National IQ

This study develops a straightforward transformation of Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores into an equivalent IQ score using countries for which both measures are available; and, validates the same for countries for which direct measurements of National IQ are not available. The GMAT is an aptitude test used for admission into many MBA and other graduate programs in business. National average GMAT scores are found to be positively correlated with well-established measures of cognitive ability provided the GMAT scores are corrected for participation rate. Even though GMAT scores are indicated to be prone to measurement error, they drive ethnic-based proxies of National IQ to insignificance in regression analysis of GDP per capita.
Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in children

Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors is a growing problem. The population of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease is steadily increasing, as five-year survival rates for all types of childhood cancers continue to improve. Doxorubicin affects the developing heart differently from the adult heart and in a subset of exposed patients, childhood exposure leads to late, irreversible cardiomyopathy. Notably, the prevalence of late-onset toxicity is increasing in parallel with improved survival. By the year 2020, it is estimated that there will be 500,000 childhood cancer survivors and over 50,000 of them will suffer from doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. The majority of the research to-date, concentrated on childhood cancer survivors, has focused mostly on clinical outcomes through well-designed epidemiological and retrospective cohort studies. Preclinical studies have elucidated many of the cellular mechanisms that elicit acute toxicity in cardiomyocytes. However, more research is needed in the areas of early- and late-onset cardiotoxicity and more importantly improving the scientific understanding of how other cells present in the cardiac milieu are impacted by doxorubicin exposure. The overall goal of this review is to succinctly summarize the major clinical and preclinical studies focused on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. As the prevalence of patients affected by doxorubicin exposure continues to increase, it is imperative that the major gaps in existing research are identified and subsequently utilized to develop appropriate research priorities for the coming years. Well-designed preclinical research models will enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and directly lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:905-931, 2019.
Abstract LB-313: Precancerous keratinocytes promote neighboring HNSCC cancer stem cell-like properties and PI3K inhibitor insensitivity via EGFR

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world and HNSCC patients have relatively few effective treatment options. Genomic analyses of HNSCCs have demonstrated that genes encoding components of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway are amongst the most frequently mutated and amplified. Because PI3K drives cancer cell proliferation and survival, PI3K inhibitors are being evaluated as anti-cancer therapeutic agents. However, the preclinical effectiveness of PI3K inhibitors has not necessarily translated to remarkable benefit in cancer patients. A large proportion of HNSCC is associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption that induce genetic lesions in a field of mucosa, the “precancerous field”. Carcinomas often arise from this precancerous field. Thus, we sought to determine how precancerous keratinocytes influence HNSCC proliferation, cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance and response to PI3K inhibitors. The keratinocyte cell line NOK harbors CDKN2A promoter methylation and TP53 mutation (two frequent genetic events in HNSCC), but does not form tumors. Thus, we used NOK cells as a model of precancerous keratinocytes and examined their effect on two different HNSCC cell lines, CAL27 and UMSCC1. NOK cells promoted HNSCC proliferation and PI3K inhibitor resistance in co-culture assays. Similarly, NOK cell conditioned media applied to recipient HNSCC cells promoted proliferation, PI3K inhibitor resistance and CSC phenotypes. We utilized SOMAscan, a targeted proteomics platform, to determine the relative levels of >1,300 analytes in the media conditioned by NOK cells and control cells in the presence and absence of PI3K inhibitor. These results demonstrated that NOK cells release abundant levels of ligands that activate EGFR and FGFR, two receptor tyrosine kinases with oncogenic activity. Inhibition of EGFR, but not FGFR, blunted PI3K inhibitor resistance and CSC phenotypes induced by NOK cells. Our results demonstrate that precancerous keratinocytes directly support neighboring HNSCC by activating EGFR. Importantly, PI3K inhibitor sensitivity is not necessarily a cancer cell-intrinsic property and the tumor microenvironment impacts therapeutic response and supports CSCs. Additionally, combined inhibition of EGFR with PI3K inhibitor diminishes EGFR activation induced by PI3K inhibitor and potently inhibits cancer cell proliferation and CSC maintenance. We are currently establishing mouse models of the oral precancerous field and testing its influence on HNSCC and immune cell function. Citation Format: Khoa A. Nguyen, Madison J. Keith, Xiao-Jing Wang, Christian D. Young. Precancerous keratinocytes promote neighboring HNSCC cancer stem cell-like properties and PI3K inhibitor insensitivity via EGFR [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-313.
Effective Teaching Methods for the Assessment and Treatment of Exertional Heat Illness in Athletic Training Education

Context Athletic training education should focus on evidence-based teaching through providing authentic learning opportunities. Objective To examine the effectiveness of 2 different instructional m...
Bone of Contention: Helicobacter Pylori and Osteoporosis-Is There an Association?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a common disease that can cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Nevertheless, due to its ability to elicit a systemic inflammatory response, it has also been related to several extra-gastric manifestations including endocrine disorders, such as autoimmune thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. H. pylori infection has also been linked to osteoporosis, although currently available data are equivocal. This brief review will focus on the possible association between H. pylori infection and osteoporosis, a silent disease characterized by decreased bone mass that can increase the occurrence of fractures, disability, and mortality.
When Workplace Wellness Programs Work: Lessons Learned from a Large Employer in Texas

ABSTRACTBackground: Workplace wellness programs have been widely implemented to promote employee health outcomes and reduce health costs. However, little is known about how designs of wellness prog...
Sickle-Cell Disease Co-Management, Health Care Utilization, and Hydroxyurea Use.

Background: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) causes significant morbidity, premature mortality, and high disease burden, resulting in frequent health care use. Comanagement may improve utilization and patient adherence with treatments such as Hydroxyurea. The purpose of this study was to describe acute-care utilization in Medicaid-enrolled patients with SCD, patient factors associated with comanagement, and adherence to Hydroxyurea. Methods: Data from 2790 patients diagnosed with SCD, age 1 to 65+ years, enrolled at least 1 month in North Carolina Medicaid between March 2016 and February 2017, were analyzed. Outpatient visits were categorized as primary care, hematologist, and nonhematologist specialist. Nurse practitioners or physician assistants with unidentified specialty type or family practice were categorized separately. Comanagement was defined as a minimum of 1 primary care and 1 hematologist visit/patient during the study period. Results: There were notable age-related differences in utilization of health care services. Only 34.82% of the sample was comanaged. Comanagement was higher in the 1-to-9-year-old (44.88%) and 10-to-17-year-old groups (39.22%) versus the 31-to-45-year-old (30.26%) and 65+-year-old (18.75%) age groups. Age had the greatest influence (AUC = 0.599) on whether or not a patient was comanaged. Only a third of the sample (32.24%) had at least 1 Hydroxyurea (HU) prescription. Age was the most predictive factor of good HUadherence (AUC = 0.6503). Prediction by comanagement was minimal with an AUC = 0.5615. Conclusion: Comanagement was a factor in predicting HUadherence, but further studies are needed to identify the frequency and components of comanagement needed to increase adherence and reduce acute care utilization.
Pyrus calleryana allometric equations and stand structure in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky

Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.), a native of eastern Asia, has recently emerged as an important woody invader in much of the eastern United States. Little is known about its ecology in its new range. Its shade tolerance may be an important indicator of areas it is likely to invade. In this study, allometric equations were first developed to predict aboveground biomass components, including wood, branches, bark, leaves, and fruit, from diameter at stump height (dsh; 25 cm), by destructively harvesting 13 trees, ranging from 0.1 to 19.3 cm dsh. Then, a total of 23 wild-grown stands in the northern Kentucky/southwestern Ohio region were surveyed, with diameters of all woody stems sampled. Pyrus calleryana density, basal area, aboveground biomass, stand density index, size distribution inequality, and importance value were calculated for each site. Two-factor Weibull distributions were fit to diameter distributions. Allometric equations provided good fits for total aboveground biomass as well as individual components. Aboveground biomass levels fell below mean levels of native forest stands found in the United States. Stand density indices yielded values typical of shade-intolerant or midtolerant species. Stands with smaller trees generally had steeply declining monotonic diameter distributions, while stands with larger trees trended toward positively skewed monotonic distributions. These findings are consistent with a species that is either shade-intolerant or midtolerant. Thus, while this species is expected to invade open or disturbed areas, it is not expected to be an important invader under forest canopies. However, its extended deciduous habit is one shared by other understory woody invaders, and so this may allow it to survive under forest canopies.