cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond the American Society for Reproductive Medicine transfer guidelines: how many cleavage-stage embryos are safe to transfer in women ≥43 years old?

Objective To determine the number of cleavage-stage embryos that can be safely transferred in women ≥43 years old. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) All patients ≥43 years old undergoing transfer of five or more cleavage-stage embryos during the period from January 2004 through April 2012. Intervention(s) In vitro fertilization. Main Outcome Measure(s) A total of 567 cycles in 464 patients aged 43–45 years, whose IVF cycles were characterized by transfer of five to eight cleavage-stage embryos were identified. Clinical outcomes and risk of multiples were analyzed, stratifying by age and number of embryos transferred. Result(s) Live birth rates per transfer were 14.4%, 9.4%, and 1.3% for women aged 43, 44, and 45 years, respectively. In 43-year-old women, 2.9% (2/69) of pregnancies were triplet gestations (one selective reduction and one spontaneous reduction). Twin birth rate was 16.3%, 6.7%, and 0 (of all live births) for ages 43, 44, and 45 years, respectively. There was no higher order multiple births. Women aged 43 and 44 years having five or more embryos transferred experienced higher clinical pregnancy rates (PRs) than those patients receiving a transfer of three or four embryos. Clinical outcomes for patients undergoing transfer with six or more embryos were not better than those undergoing transfer with five embryos. Conclusion(s) Transferring five or more day 3 embryos may be a safe option for patients ≥43 years of age, as it is associated with an overall low rate of multiple gestations. Having more than five embryos available for transfer on day 5 is associated with improved IVF outcomes. Whether this benefit is from the additional embryo(s) for transfer or the inherently better prognosis of such patients remains to be determined.
Hemolysis induced by Prymnesium parvum toxin calorimetric studies.

The relationship between binding of the hemolytic toxin (prymnesin) to bovine erythrocytes and the amount of heat liberated was examined as a function of pH using a flow microcalorimeter and 3H-labelled toxin isolated from the euryhaline alga Prymnesium parvum. A high degree of correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.986) was found between the amount of heat generated and the quantity of toxin that was allowed to interact with the erythrocytes. No significant binding of toxin was observed at pH 7 but it increased linearly as the pH was reduced to 5.5. Maximum heat and binding occured at a pH range 4.5–5.5. The same pattern was followed in terms of the amount of heat liberated and the hemolytic activity of the toxin. The differences in the maximum binding and heat production as a function of pH was independent of the average red cell volume which remained constant at pH 5.5 and 6.2 (102.4 and 102.6 μm3, respectively).
Flue gas desulfurization by in-duct dry scrubbing using calcium hydroxide

Pilot- and demonstration-scale tests of dry injection have shown that SO{sub 2} removal efficiencies as high as 50 to 70% can be achieved for flue gas with an inlet concentration of 2,000--3,000 vppm SO{sub 2} using a 2:1 Ca(OH){sub 2} to SO{sub 2} molar feed ratio and a close approach, e.g., 6 to 12{degrees}C, to adiabatic saturation temperature, corresponding to a relative humidity of 50 to 70%. Appreciable SO{sub 2} removal was observed to take place not only during sorbent flight but also on the fabric filter dust cake. The work described in this paper was undertaken as a preliminary study of the effect of a variety of parameters on flue gas desulfurization efficiency for a dry sorbent injection process. Two notable differences between this study and those mentioned above are that it involved a higher temperature range and an appreciably lower relative humidity range and that it focused exclusively on prefilter SO{sub 2} removal.
Cognitive impairment, retention and abstinence among cocaine abusers in cognitive-behavioral treatment

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) depends on adequate cognitive functioning in patients, but prolonged cocaine use may impair cognitive functioning. Therefore, cognitive impairment may impede the ability of cocaine abusers to benefit from CBT. To begin to address this issue, we investigated the relationship between cognitive impairment and two treatment outcomes, therapy completion and abstention. Eighteen carefully screened non-depressed cocaine-dependent patients in a psychopharmacological clinical trial were administered the MicroCog computerized battery to assess cognitive performance at treatment entry. T-tests were used to compare cognitive functioning between completers (patients remaining in treatment at least 12 weeks) and dropouts. The results indicated that treatment completers had demonstrated significantly better cognitive performance at baseline than patients who dropped out of treatment. Cognitive domains that significantly distinguished between treatment completers and dropouts were attention, mental reasoning and spatial processing. This study provides preliminary evidence that cognitive impairments may decrease treatment retention and abstinence in CBT of cocaine dependence.
Abstract 513: Investigating stress-response pathways in pancreatic cancer cells using novel PERK inhibitors

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA An adaptive stress response mechanism, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), is highly activated in a variety of tumor types to cope with ER stress and maintain protein homeostasis. PERK (PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) is one of the key components of the UPR. PERK is a Ser/Thr protein kinase whose active homodimer phosphorylates and inactivates eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), thereby inhibiting protein translation globally and reducing the load of newly synthesized proteins entering the ER. Previous studies demonstrated that cells with a compromised PERK signaling pathway are sensitive to hypoxic stress in vitro and form tumors that grow more slowly in vivo. Thus, selective inhibitors of PERK activity may be useful therapeutic candidates for the treatment of cancer. Using an HTS approach a number of lead compounds were identified with demonstrated ability to inhibit PERK kinase activity in vitro. The potent PERK inhibitors were further tested in pancreatic cancer cells to evaluate the modulation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway. The effect of PERK inhibitors on cell viability was determined by an MTS assay. PERK inhibitors had dose-dependent effects on suppression of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Inhibitor-mediated PERK inhibition is associated with the down-regulation of PERK signaling and with the suppression of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, suggesting their potential anticancer activities. Here we present new findings implicating additional inputs into this stress response. Citation Format: Jihyun Park, Qiantao Wang, Tamer S. Kaoud, Clint D. J Tavares, Ramakrishna Edupuganti, Pengyu Ren, Kevin N. Dalby. Investigating stress-response pathways in pancreatic cancer cells using novel PERK inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 513. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-513
How to recognize and control the problem patient.

. All surgery has a psychological impact, but nowhere does the patient's psyche come into play more prominently than in the field of elective surgery. Psychological manifestations related to elective surgery must be recognized and controlled preoperatively, lest they control the operative outcome. This article discusses the personality characteristics associated with the potential problem patient; counseling and evaluative techniques; common psychogenic conditions; cause and management of patient dissatisfaction; and psychology of the terminal patient.
Stereochemistry of the chloroperoxidase active site: crystallographic and molecular-modeling studies

Abstract Background: Chloroperoxidase (CPO) is the most versatile of the known heme enzymes. It catalyzes chlorination of activated C-H bonds, as well as peroxidase, catalase and cytochrome P450 reactions, including enantioselective epoxidation. CPO contains a proximal heme-thiolate ligand, like P450, and polar distal pocket, like peroxidase. The substrate-binding site is formed by an opening above the heme that enables organic substrates to approach the activated oxoferryl oxygen atom. CPO, unlike other peroxidases, utilizes a glutamate acid-base catalyst, rather than a histidine residue. Results: The crystal structures of CPO complexed with exogenous ligands, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, cyanide and thiocyanate, have been determined. The distal pocket discriminates ligands on the basis of size and pK a . The refined CPO-ligand structures indicate a rigid active-site architecture with an immobile glutamate acid-base catalyst. Molecular modeling and dynamics simulations of CPO with the substrate cis -β-methyl styrene and the corresponding epoxide products provide a structural and energetic basis for understanding the enantioselectivity of CPO-catalyzed epoxidation reactions. Conclusions: The various CPO-ligand structures provide the basis for a detailed stereochemical mechanism of the formation of the intermediate compound I, in which Glu 183 acts as an acid-base catalyst. The observed rigidity in the active site also explains the relative instability of CPO compound I and the formation of the HOCI chlorinating species. Energetics of CPO-substrate/product molecular modeling provides a theoretical basis for the P450-type enantioselective epoxidation activities of CPO.
Protracted exposure to supraphysiological levels of corticosterone does not cause neuronal loss or damage and protects against kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice

High levels of stress or stress hormones have been reported to exacerbate a variety of human disorders of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, reproductive, and nervous systems. In rats, high glucocorticoid levels have been reported to cause neuronal death and injury as well as enhance susceptibility to neurotoxic agents and attenuate repair mechanisms; however, the impact of high dosages of CORT in mice has not been fully evaluated. We investigated the ability of supraphysiological levels of CORT to cause hippocampal neuronal death, and to modulate the neurotoxicity of kainic acid (KA) in male C57BL/6J mice. Timed-release CORT pellets (10, 35, 100 mg/21 d) were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice, and the sustained release of glucocorticoid caused involution of the thymus and decreased the weight of the spleen. Kainic acid caused stage 1 seizures that were unaffected by CORT; however, steroid treatment decreased KA-associated mortality. Little neuronal damage was detected by the cupric-silver neurodegeneration stain. Neurotoxicity caused by an intraperitoneal injection of 25mg/kg KA was attenuated by seven days of CORT pre-treatment. The KA-induced increase in cupric-silver staining, reactive gliosis, microglial activation, and blood-brain barrier disruption was attenuated indicating neuroprotection. Our data indicate supraphysiological levels of CORT do not cause neuronal death or injury in hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice and provide neuroprotection against KA-induced neural damage.
Misunderstandings about object-oriented design: experiences using code reviews

In this paper we present our experience using code reviews in a CS2 course. In particular, we highlight a series of misunderstandings of object-oriented (OO) concepts we observed as a by-product of the code review exercise. In our activity, we asked students to review code, rate it using a rubric, and to justify their explanation. The students were asked to review two solutions to a project from a previous year. Through examples of their explanations, we found that students had a number of basic misunderstandings of object-oriented principles. In this paper, we present our observations of the misunderstandings, and present some general observations of how code reviews can be used as an assessment tool in CS2.
Comparisons of short-time holding procedures to determine thermal resistance of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract Three procedures for determining the thermal resistance of two strains of Staphylococcus aureus (196E and F265) were compared. The procedures were 1) the submerged sealed tube technique using glass tubes containing 2ml of suspending medium, 2) submerged sealed tube technique using capillary tubes containing 0.1ml of suspending medium, and 3) tubular high-temperature short-time pasteurizer. Each of the three procedures gave identical z F values of 6.0 for S. aureus F265 and 8.0 for S. aureus 196E.
The catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide on single crystals of cobalt oxide and cobalt magnesium oxide

Abstract Rate studies have been made of the catalytic decomposition of N 2 O on single crystals of CoO with the aim of determining the effect of crystal orientation. In addition, a comparison was made between the activity of CoO {100} and the solid solution (0.60 Co, 0.40 Mg)O {100} to determine the effect of cation dilution. Catalyst outgassing was done in an ultra-high vacuum, reaction temperatures were 500-250 °C, and N 2 O pressures were usually about 90 torr. Catalyst areas were about 2–5 cm 2 . Although complications were present due to variable effects of pretreatment of the catalysts, the activation energies and pre-exponential factors were found to vary in the order: {100} ≅ {111}
Comparison of mouse mammary tumor virus-specific DNA in inbred, wild and Asian mice, and in tumors and normal organs from inbred mice.

Abstract We have measured DNA related to the genome of mouse mammary tumor virus in normal organs from laboratory, feral and Asian mice, and in mammary tumors from laboratory mice, by annealing MMT § viral cDNA to cellular DNA. Normal organs from most laboratory strains (e.g. BALB/c, RIII, A and BALB/cfC3H) contain 5 to 9 copies of MMT viral DNA per diploid cell, but GR mice, previously shown to transmit a virulent strain of MMT virus genetically (Muhlbock & Bentvelzen, 1969) contain 9 to 14 copies of viral DNA per cell. The number of copies of viral DNA in mammary tumors from RIII and BALB/cfC3H mice exposed to milk-borne virus range from that found in normal organs to about 30 copies per cell; the increments in copy number imply viral infection. Feral mice and a subspecies of Mus musculus (M. musculus molossinus) contain half the number of copies of MMT viral DNA found in laboratory mice. Thermal denaturation studies with DNA from normal organs of all tested strains of M. musculus and from RIII mammary tumors did not reveal significant differences among the viral nucleotide sequences. Two Asian species of mice, M. caroli and M. cervicolor, contain limited portions of the viral genome in their DNA. About 30% of MMT viral cDNA annealed to M. cervicolor DNA; virus-related sequences are approximately 30 to 50-fold reiterated in this species and diverged from viral sequences in proportion to the divergence between M. musculus and M. cervicolor unique-sequence DNA (about 3 to 5%). About 10% of MMT viral cDNA annealed to highly diverged sequences which are 3- to 16-fold reiterated in M. caroli DNA. The results suggest that MMT viral DNA has been present in the germ line of Mus at least since the evolution of Asian species (3 to 5 × 106 years ago) and appears to evolve at least as fast as cellular unique-sequence DNA.
Isotope determination of root canal failure.

Abstract The pulpless tooth with the completely obturated root canal space is a perfectly sound member of the dental arch. However, endodontic failures do occur and more than one-half of these failures may be related to the poorly obturated canal. This simple experiment emphasizes the two most important procedures in root canal therapy: (1) thorough canal enlargement by instrumentation and (2) complete canal obturation. Care in the execution of these two procedures, coupled with accurate case selection, should render nearly 100 per cent success in the practice of endodontics.
Hamiltonian flows for a reduced Maxwell-Bloch system with permanent dipole

Abstract We place a reduced Maxwell–Bloch (rMB) system with permanent dipole in a Lie algebraic framework that enables us to reveal a hierarchy of systems in involution, the first of which is the rMB model. This is done in the context of the Adler–Kostant–Symes theorem. We provide the Hamiltonian functions for the commuting flows and establish an infinite number of conservation laws.
Electrical parameters of the streamers of the nonequilibtium atmospheric plasma jets

Summary form only given. Recently a great attention is attracted to the creation of the small size nonequilibrium atmospheric plasma jets and their interaction with living tissue. This facilitates the development of appropriate tools for their diagnostics. The diagnostic tools that have been traditionally utilized for characterization of cold nonequilibrium atmospheric plasma jets include intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) cameras, optical emission spectroscopy and electrical measurements of the discharge propertied. It was observed that streamer (“plasma bullet”) propagating along with gas flow is generated immediately after the breakdown. Recently a new method for temporally resolved measurements of absolute values of plasma density in the plasma column of small-size atmospheric plasma jet utilizing Rayleigh microwave scattering was proposed.1,2
Properties Of Low Cost, High Volume Glasses

The properties of new and weathered samples of low cost, high volume glasses have been studied to determine their usefulness for solar energy applications. Glasses of varying compositions produced by float, drawn, rolled, fusion, and twin ground techniques were examined. Spectral transmittance and reflectance were measured and solar weighted values calculated. Laser raytrace techniques were used to evaluate surface parallelism and bulk homogeneity. Compositional changes were examined with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and Auger electron spectroscopy. These techniques were used in conjunction with ellipsometry to study the surface effects associated with weathering.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ensuring health care quality: JCAHO's perspective

In recent years, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has expanded its traditional role as a leading evaluator of health care organizations to incorporate new attitudes and strategies in the areas of quality and performance improvement. This paper outlines plans for modifying the current accreditation process, and includes a proposition that accredited organizations actively participate in a quality measurement system and become involved in the process of selecting appropriate measures. The paper presents current and proposed methods for measuring performance standards, compares major accreditation systems, and explores the public's expectations for health care quality and the JCAHO's role in quality improvement and cost containment.
Strong Normalization for System F by HOAS on Top of FOAS

We present a point of view concerning HOAS(Higher-Order Abstract Syntax) and an extensive exercise in HOAS along this point of view. The point of view is that HOAS can be soundly and fruitfully regarded as a definitional extension on top of FOAS (First-Order Abstract Syntax). As such, HOAS is not only an encoding technique, but also a higher-order view of a first-order reality. A rich collection of concepts and proof principles is developed inside the standard mathematical universe to give technical life to this point of view. The exercise consists of a new proof of Strong Normalization for System F. The concepts and results presented here have been formalized in the theorem prover Isabelle/HOL.
SECOND LANGUAGE VOCABULARY ACQUISITION. James Coady & Thomas Huckin (Eds.). New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Pp. x + 299. $22.95 paper.

This multifaceted mosaic of vocabulary acquisition should be in every language professional's library, nudging us to look beyond size of vocabulary and toward a better understanding of what Meara (1996) has called its cognitive “organisation.”
Strained heterocyclic systems. 11. Crystal and molecular structure of 1,2-dihydrocyclobuta[b]quinoline†

The structure of the title compound (1) has been elucidated by an X-ray crystal determination. The crystals are triclinic, space group PI with a unit cell of dimensions a = 6.6109(5), b = 7.5939(4), c = 9.3171(6), α = 77.133(5), β = 75.566(6), γ = 63.575(5). The model was refined to an R value (unweighted) of 4.3% for 1551 independent reflections. The distortion of the heterocyclic ring, with a CNC bond angle of 112.5,° is in accordance with a prior calculation and relates to the observed reduction in basicity.
Evaluation of a four year intervention to reduce musculoskeletal hazards among berry growers.

Abstract Problem Fresh market berry production workers are exposed to physical risk factors for musculoskeletal injury. Method We disseminated information through trade publications and other sources to berry managers in seven U.S. states about five prevention through design practices that were both safer and more profitable than traditional methods. We administered mail evaluation questionnaires prior to the intervention and after each of four intervention years to rolling, independent U.S. samples and to comparison New Zealand berry farm manager samples after years one through three. Results U.S. manager self-reports of reading trade publication information increased compared to baseline values for two of five practices and self-reported awareness increased for four of five practices. There were no increases in adoption. More U.S. than New Zealand managers reported getting information about two practices from trade publications and about four practices from public events. No U.S. versus New Zealand differences were observed in reported awareness or adoption for any practice. Impact on Industry This study showed that even a modest campaign can build awareness of safer practices fairly quickly in three to four years among small agricultural firms but that increasing adoption apparently requires more time. Widespread adoption of safer practices could help keep operators in business longer as they age by reducing the workload and musculoskeletal strain associated with labor intensive crop production for them and their workforce. Adoption of practices that also improve profits, like the five practices featured in this study, could also help managers stay in business.
An Efficient Method for an Ill-Posed Problem — Band-Limited Extrapolation by Regularization

In this paper, a regularized spectral estimation formula and a regularized iterative algorithm for band-limited extrapolation are presented. The ill-posedness is taken into account. First the Fredholm equation is regularized. Then it is transformed to a differential equation in the case where the time interval is R. A fast algorithm to solve the differential equation is given by the finite difference and a regularized spectral estimation formula is obtained. Then a regularized iterative extrapolation algorithm is introduced and compared with the Papoulis and Gerchberg algorithm
An analysis of structural pattern in an eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) amphipod community

The amphipods of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) habitats near Beaufort N.C., were studied with the aims of 1. 1) determining the seasonal and spatial patterns of abundance and diversity of amphipods, 2. 2) evaluating the hypothesis that predation is generating observed patterns, and 3. 3) examining the hypothesis that competition among amphipods in eelgrass systems should be relatively unimportant. Four measures of amphipod community structure examined — density, number of species per sample, diversity (H'), and evenness (J) — showed basically similar seasonal patterns. These measures are at their highest values during the late winter and decrease sharply during the spring months to summer lows. There are increases in all of them in the fall. Seasonal patterns are generally similar from year to year and are somewhat similar within a single year at two study sites located in different areas of the cstuarine system. Predator inclusion experiments using the pinfish Lagodon rhomboides (L.) were successful in generating significant reductions in amphipod abundances following the two-week duration of the experiment. On the other hand, fish exclusion experiments were mostly unsuccessful at generating significant increases in amphipod density and species diversity as compared with uncaged controls, due to an increased activity of decapod predators. The importance of competitive interactions was evaluated in three ways: 1. 1) the matrix of product moment correlation coefficients was generated for all common species from all available sample data and was examined for significant negative values, 2. 2) gut contents of five common species were examined for food overlap, and 3. 3) laboratory competition experiments were carried out with three of the more common amphipod species. Evidence for competition was slight. In the amphipod assemblage studied, there is no competitive dominant which monopolizes food or space at high densities. Increased predation pressure results in a pattern of monotonic decrease in abundance and diversity. Removal of one level of predator (fish) in this system appears to result in increases in other predatory levels (decapod crustaceans), thus continuing to keep amphipod abundances low.
The BaBar silicon vertex tracker

Abstract The BaBar Silicon Vertex Tracker (SVT) is a five layer device, made from double-sided silicon strip detectors and read out via a custom time-over-threshold circuit, the AToM chip. The SVT is an essential part of the physics program of BaBar, and is able to reconstruct B meson decay vertices with a precision sufficient to measure time-dependent CP violating asymmetries at the PEP-II asymmetric e + e − collider. This report will give an overview of the SVT, with particular focus on the performance of the SVT, which has been taking colliding beam data since May 1999.
A novel discrete dimming ballast for linear fluorescent lamps

In this paper, new discrete dimming ballast for linear fluorescent lamps is proposed. Dimming control circuit is combined with a ballast module for multiple lamps to realize three discrete lighting levels. Compared with conventional step dimming or on/off control methods, the proposed discrete dimming method has the following advantages: (1) digital signal is generated by the dimming control circuit to control turn on and off which makes the system more reliable and integrated. (2) The proposed discrete dimming system replaces the relays, which are necessary in conventional lamp on/off control. It decreases the cost of the overall system. (3) The proposed dimming ballast can be installed by keeping the original wiring system. This makes the upgrading of lighting systems more effective and efficient. (4) The proposed dimming control circuit also provides a good isolation for operating the low voltage wall switches by hand safely. Both simulation and experimental results are in good agreement.
Hydrophobic metallic nanorods with Teflon nanopatches

Introducing a hydrophobic property to vertically aligned hydrophilic metallic nanorods was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The platinum nanorod arrays were deposited on flat silicon substrates using a sputter glancing angle deposition technique (GLAD). Then a thin layer of Teflon (nanopatch) was partially deposited on the tips of platinum nanorods at a glancing angle of θdep = 85 ◦ for different deposition times. Teflon deposition on Pt nanorods at normal incidence (θdep = 0 ◦ ) was also performed for comparison. Morphology and elemental analysis of Pt/Teflon nanocomposite structures were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), respectively. It was found that the GLAD technique is capable of depositing ultrathin isolated Teflon nanostructures on selective regions of nanorod arrays due to the shadowing effect during obliquely incident deposition. Contact angle measurements on nanocomposite Pt nanorods with Teflon nanopatches exhibited contact angle values as high as 138 ◦ , indicating a significant increase in the hydrophobicity of originally hydrophilic Pt nanostructures that had an angle of about 52 ◦ . The enhanced hydrophobicity of the Pt nanorod/Teflon nanopatch composite is attributed to the presence of nanostructured Teflon coating, which imparted a low surface energy. Surface energy calculations were performed on Pt nanorods, Teflon thin film, and Pt/Teflon composite using the two-liquid method to confirm the contact angle measurements. Furthermore, a new contact angle model utilizing Cassie and Baxter theory for heterogeneous surfaces was developed in order to explain the enhanced hydrophobicity of Pt/Teflon nanorods. According to our model, it is predicted that the solid‐liquid interface is mainly at the Teflon tips when the composite nanorods are in contact with water. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
Modeling Hail Ice Impacts and Predicting Impact Damage Initiation in Composite Structures

Hail ice impacts are a realistic threat to exposed composite structures such as aircraft fuselage and wing skins, leading-edgeandcontrolsurfaces,enginenacelles,andfanblades.Toshedsomelightontothislittle-understood (and unavoidable ) threat, experimental, numerical, and analytical investigations have been conducted. Experiments in whichcarbon/epoxy compositepanelswereimpacted by icespheresathigh velocity (30‐200m/s)wereconducted to measure 1)the impact energy at which damage initiates, 2 ) the multiple failure modes exhibited by thin composite panels over a range of impact velocity, and 3 ) the elastic response of a composite panel resulting from impact. Subsequent numerical analyses of the last case were performed and were validated through correlation with experimental data. Insights gained from the numerical analyses were used to compose a mechanics-based formula that predicts the initiation of damage formation. This formula, derived using a global energy balance, provides a cost-effective (i.e., lower number of tests needed ) means by which the impact damage resistance of composite structures and material types can be established.
The influence of sediment layering and geoacoustics on the propagation of Scholte interface waves

Results of recent Scholte wave measurements at two diverse test sites showed considerable differences in the dispersive behavior of these waves. For the southern California site, the Scholte wavers show strong, normal dispersion with group velocities ranging from approximately 30-75 m/s. On the other hand, at the Oregon Margin site the dispersion was less clearly defined, with group velocities ranging from approximately 30-205 m/s. Using a full-wave numerical model (SAFARI/OASES) and a seismic normal mode method, forward modelling (iterative inversion) was successful in matching the dispersion curves obtained from the measured Gabor matrix. A thin soft sediment; overlying a harder subbottom at the Oregon site is shown to be the crucial factor in the differences; moreover, the precise thickness of the sediment is significant. For the thick sediment site off southern California, the higher frequency fundamental Scholte mode is controlled largely by the upper few (2-10) meters of sediment, whereas the lower frequency dispersion is dominated by deeper layers, which also strongly influence the higher-order Scholte modes. The conclusions are believed to be of more general applicability than just the two sites examined. >
Disseminated lymphangiomatosis presenting with massive chylothorax.

Background. Lymphangiomatosis is a disease characterized by involvement of various body constituents and can involve the skeletal system, connective tissues, and visceral organs.¶Materials and methods. We present a case of a 9-year-old girl where this entity presented with extensive right-sided chylothorax. Conventional imaging, including skeletal scintigraphy and contrast enhanced CT of the chest and abdomen, may have underestimated the extent of the disease, as seen on follow-up T2-weighted MR images of the chest and abdomen in our case.¶Results. MRI easily demonstrated additional bone lesions as well as multiple small splenic lesions, which were difficult to appreciate on prior CT examinations.¶Conclusion. We suggest that MRI may be helpful to assess the extent of this disease more accurately.
Depth-Dependent Hemoglobin Analysis From Multispectral Transillumination Images

Multispectral transillumination imaging is a promising modality for noninvasive imaging of living tissue. Multispectral Nevoscope imaging is directed toward the imaging of skin lesions for the detection and characterization of skin cancers through the volumetric analysis of selected chromophores, such as melanin, oxy-, and deoxyhemoglobin. In this letter, we present a novel method of recovering depth-dependent measurements from transillumination images obtained through the Nevoscope. A method for estimating the depth-dependent point spread function is presented and used in recovering multispectral transillumination images of a skin phantom or lesion through blind deconvolution. A method for ratiometric analysis for the quantification of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin is then presented and evaluated on a skin phantom. The presented methods would allow reliable quantitative analysis of multispectral Nevoscope images for early detection of angiogenesis leading to early diagnosis of skin cancers.
The Discovery and Ecology of a Member of the Cambarus acuminatus Complex (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Valley Creek, Southeastern Pennsylvania

Abstract The Cambarus acuminatus complex is a poorly known group of crayfish species whose range has traditionally been assumed to extend from the Patapsco River drainage in Maryland southward to the Saluda River basin in South Carolina. During a recent crayfish survey of southeastern Pennsylvania, we collected a member of the C. acuminatus complex [Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp.] from Valley Creek. Collections were made from several habitats [pools, riffles, shallow lateral areas (SL), main-channel areas (MC)], and dominant substrate classes, current velocity, and depth were recorded in each sampling area. These collections represent a new crayfish record for Pennsylvania and the first documented occurrence of the C. acuminatus complex north of the Patapsco drainage. Life history characteristics of the population of C. (P.) sp. inhabiting Valley Creek are provided and their variation among habitats and seasons is discussed. In pools, C. (P.) sp. density was negatively related to current velocity, depth, a...
A High-Yield, Liquid-Phase Approach for the Partial Oxidation of Methane to Methanol using SO3 as the Oxidant

A direct approach for producing methanol from methane in a three-step, liquid phase process is reported. In the first step, methane is reacted with SO 3 to form methanesulfonic acid (MSA) at 75°C using a free-radical initiator and MSA as the solvent. Urea-H 2 O 2 in combination with RhCl 3 is found to be the most effective initiator (57% conversion of SO 3 ; 7.2% conversion of CH 4 ). MSA is then oxidized by SO 3 at 160°C in a second step to produce a mixture containing methyl bisulfate and some methyl methanesulfonate (87% conversion of MSA). In the third step, the mixture of methyl bisulfate and methyl methanesulfonate is hydrolyzed in the presence of an organic solvent, to produce an organic phase containing methanol and an aqueous phase containing sulfuric acid and some MSA (63% conversion of methyl bisulfate; 72% conversion of methyl methanesulfonate). Overall, 58% of the MSAI(of which 23% is derived from methane) is converted to methanol.
The role of l-ascorbic acid recycling in responding to environmental stress and in promoting plant growth

L-Ascorbic acid (Asc) is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in plants. It serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in photosynthesis, hormone biosynthesis, and the regeneration of antioxidants such as α-tocopherol. Once used, Asc can be recycled by several different mechanisms. The short-lived monodehydroascorbate (MDHA) radical, produced following Asc oxidation, can be recycled following reduction by ferredoxin or monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR). MDHA can also undergo disproportionation into dehydroascorbate (DHA) and Asc. DHA can be recycled into Asc by dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) before it undergoes irrevocable hydrolysis. Through its recycling, Asc content and its redox state are maintained, which is critical under conditions of high demand, for example during high light or other stress conditions that increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This review provides an overview of research in the last decade revealing the role that Asc recycling plays during germination, growth, and reproduction, as well as in response to environmental stress. These findings highlight the importance of DHAR- and MDAR-mediated mechanisms of Asc recycling in maintaining ROS at non-damaging levels while modulating ROS signalling function.
Generalized Lorentzian Tensor Approach (GLTA) as a biophysical background for quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Purpose Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a potentially powerful technique for mapping tissue magnetic susceptibility from gradient recalled echo (GRE) MRI. Herein we aim to derive the relationships between GRE signal phase and the underlying tissue microstructure and magnetic susceptibility at the cellular level. Methods We use Maxwell's equations and a statistical approach to derive the expression for the magnetic-susceptibility-induced MR signal frequency shift of the GRE signal in single- and multicompartment systems, in which inhomogeneous magnetic field is induced by the cellular constituents (proteins, lipids, iron, etc.) distributed in intra- and extracellular spaces. Results We introduce the Generalized Lorentzian Tensor Approach (GLTA) that accounts for both types of anisotropy: the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and the structural tissue anisotropy. In the GLTA the frequency shift due to the local environment is characterized by the Lorentzian tensor which has a substantially different structure than the susceptibility tensor . While components of are simply compartmental susceptibilities “weighted” by their relative volumes, the components of are weighted by specific numerical factors depending on tissue micro-symmetry and parameters related to the MR pulse sequence. We also provide equations bridging phenomenological and microscopic considerations. Conclusion The GLTA provides a consistent background for deciphering phase data. Magn Reson Med 73:757–764, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amphibian malformations and inbreeding.

Inbreeding may lead to morphological malformations in a wide variety of taxa. We used genetic markers to evaluate whether malformed urodeles were more inbred and/or had less genetic diversity than ...
Osteoclast cytosolic calcium, regulated by voltage-gated calcium channels and extracellular calcium, controls podosome assembly and bone resorption

The mechanisms of Ca2+ entry and their effects on cell function were investigated in cultured chicken osteoclasts and putative osteoclasts produced by fusion of mononuclear cell precursors. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) were detected by the effects of membrane depolarization with K+, BAY K 8644, and dihydropyridine antagonists. K+ produced dose-dependent increases of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in osteoclasts on glass coverslips. Half-maximal effects were achieved at 70 mM K+. The effects of K+ were completely inhibited by dihydropyridine derivative Ca2+ channel blocking agents. BAY K 8644 (5 X 10(-6) M), a VGCC agonist, stimulated Ca2+ entry which was inhibited by nicardipine. VGCCs were inactivated by the attachment of osteoclasts to bone, indicating a rapid phenotypic change in Ca2+ entry mechanisms associated with adhesion of osteoclasts to their resorption substrate. Increasing extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e) induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx. The Ca2+ release was blocked by dantrolene (10(-5) M), and the influx by La3+. The effects of [Ca2+]e on [Ca2+]i suggests the presence of a Ca2+ receptor on the osteoclast cell membrane that could be coupled to mechanisms regulating cell function. Expression of the [Ca2+]e effect on [Ca2+]i was similar in the presence or absence of bone matrix substrate. Each of the mechanisms producing increases in [Ca2+]i, (membrane depolarization, BAY K 8644, and [Ca2+]e) reduced expression of the osteoclast-specific adhesion structure, the podosome. The decrease in podosome expression was mirrored by a 50% decrease in bone resorptive activity. Thus, stimulated increases of osteoclast [Ca2+]i lead to cytoskeletal changes affecting cell adhesion and decreasing bone resorptive activity.
The Nature of and Conditions for Online Trust

As use of the Internet has increased, many issues of trust have arisen. Users wonder: will my privacy be protected if I provide information to this Internet vendor? Will my credit card remain secure? Should I trust that this party will deliver the goods? Will the goods be as described? These questions are not merely academic. A recent Boston Consulting Group study revealed that one out of ten consumers have ordered and paid for items online that never were delivered (Williams, 2001). This year consumers filed around 11,000 complaints with the Federal Trade Commission alleging auction fraud, a figure up from the 107 lodged in 1997. It is no wonder that people are increasingly worried about whom to trust in online interactions. This paper explores the conditions under which online trust thrives and looks at examples of best and worst corporate practices. Online trust issues arise in a wide array of forums – chat rooms, news postings, e-catalogues, and retail transactions, to name a few. This paper focuses primarily on the online retail market, but the analysis applies to informational and entertainment sites as well.
Voluntary Aerobic Exercise Reverses Frailty in Old Mice

Frailty is a major cause of disability and loss of independence in the elderly. Using clinically relevant criteria from our previously established mouse frailty index, we investigated the effects of aerobic exercise on frailty in male C57BL/6 mice. In order to measure the effect of treatment on the individual animals, we constructed a composite score, the Frailty Intervention Assessment Value. We hypothesized voluntary aerobic exercise would improve individual criteria and reverse or prevent frailty in the old mice. Five adult and 11 old mice (6 and 28+ months, respectively) were housed individually in cages with running wheels for 4 weeks. Controls (adult, n = 5 and old, n = 17) were housed without wheels. Inverted cling grip and rotarod tests were performed pre- and postintervention. Hind limb muscles were used for biochemical analysis and contractility experiments. We conclude that the exercise stimulus reversed frailty and was sufficient to maintain or improve functional performance in old mice, as well as to produce measurable morphological changes. In addition, the Frailty Intervention Assessment Value proved to be a valuable tool with increased power to detect treatment effects and to examine the intervention efficacy at the level of the individual mouse.
Control flow speculation in multiscalar processors

The multiscalar architecture executes a single sequential program following multiple flows of control. In the multiscalar hardware, a global sequencer with help from the compiler takes large steps through the program's control flow graph (CFG) speculatively, starting a new thread of control (task) at each step. This is inter-task control flow speculation. Within a task, traditional control flow speculation is used to extract instruction level parallelism. This is intra-task control flow speculation. This paper focuses on mechanisms to implement inter-task control flow speculation (task prediction) in a multi-scalar implementation. This form of speculation has fundamental differences from traditional branch prediction. We look in detail at the issues of prediction automata, history generation and target buffers. We present implementations in each of these areas that offer good accuracy, size and performance characteristics.
Progressive Insurance: Not Your Standard Insurance Story

Progressive Insurance, a leader in the automotive insurance market, has succeeded through innovation. The case describes the company strategies for differentiating their service through Immediate Response Vehicles, Express Quote (comparing prices for prospective customers, and multichannel marketing agents, 1-800 numbers, and the Web). Through these programs and a series of creative advertising campaigns the company has built a strong brand in a relatively short time. Channels with their pricing and channel strategies remain.
Electrocardiographic changes in patients ≥ 100 years of age.

Article history: Received 28 January 2016 Accepted 20 February 2016 Available online 24 February 2016 tests were used to compare baseline characteristics. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0. A 2-tailed p-value b0.05 was considered significant. The study included 217 subjects; 53 patients were male and 137 were Caucasian. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had normal sinus rhythm but only 17 patients (8%) had a normal ECG. Themost common
Phosphatidylcholine attenuates aggregation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with bile acid.

Prolonged usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) causes gastrointestinal injury. Bile acids and phospholipids have been shown to exasperate and attenuate NSAIDs’ toxicity, respectively. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain undetermined. We have investigated the molecular interactions in various mixtures of indomethacin (Indo), a commonly used NSAID, and cholic acid (CA), a bile acid, in the presence and absence of palmitoyloleylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipids. We found that CA and Indo spontaneously form mixed micelles, with the hydrophobic face of CA and hydrophobic region of Indo forming the core. Increasing the Indo concentration resulted in more stable and larger aggregates that contain a progressively larger number of Indo molecules. More dynamic aggregates with a maximum size of 15 were obtained when the relative concentration of CA was higher. The mixture of CA, Indo, and POPC also led to ternary mixed micelles in which CA and Indo distribute almost un...
Fast Demodulation Algorithm for Multiplexed Low-Finesse Fabry–Pérot Interferometers

In this paper, we report a novel high-speed white light interferometry (WLI) demodulation algorithm for multiplexed low-finesse Fabry–Perot interferometers (FPIs). The dependence of the demodulation speed on the number of multiplexed sensors was characterized through simulations. An experimental demonstration of 70-kHz real-time WLI demodulation of two extrinsic FPIs was conducted. Sub-nanometer spatial resolution was well achieved for both channels. The crosstalk between the two channels was characterized with respect to the cavity modulation frequency.
Evidence for Production of Inhibitor by the Vesicular-Arbuscular-Mycorrhizal Fungus Gigaspora Margarita

Incubation of spores of Gigaspora margarita on agar medium containing activated charcoal resulted in an increased rate of hyphal growth. Circular patterns simulated by hyphal growth from groups of ...