cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling slug tests in unconfined aquifers taking into account water table kinematics, wellbore skin and inertial effects

Two models for slug tests conducted in unconfined aquifers are developed by (a) extending the unconfined KGS solution to oscillatory responses, yielding a model referred to herein as the unified model, and (b) replacing the constant head condition with the linearized kinematic condition at the water table. The models can be used to analyze the full range of responses from highly oscillatory to overdamped. The second model, refered to as the moving water table (MWT) model, is only applicable when effects of well bore skin are negligible. The models are validated by comparison with published solutions, and by application to a published case study of field tests conducted in wells without skin in an unconfined aquifer at the MSEA site in Nebraska. In this regard (a) the MWT model essentially yields the same results as the confined KGS model, except very close to the water table, and (b) the unified model yields slightly smaller aquifer K-values relative to the MWT model at all positions in the well. All model solutions yield comparable results when fitted to published field data obtained in an unconfined fluvial aquifer at the MSEA site in Nebraska. The unified model is fitted to field data collected in wells known to exhibit positive skin effects at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS) in Boise, Idaho. It is shown to yield hydraulic conductivity estimates of comparable magnitude to those obtained with the KGS model for overdamped responses, and the Springer–Gelhar model for oscillatory responses. Sensitivity of the MWT model to specific yield, S y , and hydraulic anisotropy, j is evaluated and the results, when plotted in log–log space and with consideration of log-scale time derivatives of the response, indicate that these two parameters should be estimable from slug test data, though challenges still remain.
Maximizing data reuse for minimizing memory space requirements and execution cycles

Embedded systems in the form of vehicles and mobile devices such as wireless phones, automatic banking machines and new multi-modal devices operate under tight memory and power constraints. Therefore, their performance demands must be balanced very well against their memory space requirements and power consumption. Automatic tools that can optimize for memory space utilization and performance are expected to be increasingly important in the future as increasingly larger portions of embedded designs are being implemented in software. In this paper, we describe a novel optimization framework that can be used in two different ways: (i) deciding a suitable on-chip memory capacity for a given code, and (ii) restructuring the application code to make better use of the available on-chip memory space. While prior proposals have addressed these two questions, the solutions proposed in this paper are very aggressive in extracting and exploiting all data reuse in the application code, restricted only by inherent data dependences.
Operative Treatment of Cervical Myelopathy: Cervical Laminoplasty

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a degenerative process which may result in clinical signs and symptoms which require surgical intervention. Many treatment options have been proposed with various degrees of technical difficulty and technique sensitive benefits. We review laminoplasty as a motion-sparing posterior decompressive method. Current literature supports the use of laminoplasty for indicated decompression. We also decribe our surgical technique for an open-door, or “hinged”, laminoplasty.
Evidence that divalent cations bind to diphtheria toxin: an ESR approach.

Summary We have used electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques to study the binding of divalent cations to diphtheria toxin (DT). Addition of DT to Mn(II) solution at a stoichiometry of 2:1 (DT:Mn) induces a 79% loss in the intensity of the ESR spectrum of Mn(II) suggesting a strong binding of Mn(II) to DT. Inclusion of Ca(II) at a ratio of 1:2:1 (Ca:DT:Mn) in the reaction mixture restores the intensity of the Mn(II) signal to 64%. This indicates that Ca(II) and Mn(II) share same binding site(s) in DT. The results presented in this communication suggest that DT is a Ca(II) binding protein.
Responsiveness at the onset of spike-wave bursts

Abstract A clear understanding of responsiveness during generalized spike-wave discharge has been the goal of many investigators. No previous studies have enabled a precise evaluation of a particular time point in the spike-wave bursts. A paroxysm-triggered method for measuring reaction time at specific time points during spike-wave discharge has been developed. The apparatus used was a modified reaction-time device consisting of an auditory stimulus, a response unit, and a digital clock. A threshold detector constantly monitored the EEG voltage; when a large amplitude spike-wave discharge occurred, a pulse was sent to a triggering device that turned on the stimulus unit and the clock, permitting testing of responsiveness at the exact onset of the paroxysm. Fourteen patients were tested in the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory of the University of Virginia Medical Center. A total of 286 stimuli during 235 spike-wave discharges were delivered. Of the 137 stimuli delivered simultaneously with paroxysm onset, 56% of the responses were abnormal (>2 S.D.) when compared to the normal reaction time for each patient at each session. In paroxysms of brief duration, more than 50% of the responses to stimuli delivered simultaneously with onset of the paroxysms were abnormal. Reaction times measured at varying intervals after the onset of the paroxysm were more frequently abnormal than at paroxysm onset; this could be considered evidence for a gradual decrease in responsiveness. Degree of spike-wave generalization, however, appeared to be inversely related to responsiveness. Further investigations will employ a variable delay after paroxysm onset; this method should further define the decrement in responsiveness during spike-wave bursts.
The scattering of electrons by atomic hydrogen

Abstract A method is presented which reduces the problem to the scattering of a single electron in an equivalent potential. The complexities of the electron-electron interaction are embodied in this potential. An exact expression is given for the potential, and various approximation methods are discussed. The adiabatic approxmation is investigated and the imaginary part of the potential is examined.
The effect of induced monocular blur on measures of stereoacuity

Purpose To determine the effect of induced monocular blur on stereoacuity measured with real depth and random dot tests. Methods Monocular visual acuity deficits (range, 20/15 to 20/1600) were induced with 7 different Bangerter filters ( 60 and ≤200 arcsec), or “coarse/nil” (>200 arcsec to nil) stereo. Results Across visual acuity deficits, stereoacuity was more severely degraded with random dot (PSR, DR) than with real depth (Frisby, FD2) tests. Degradation to worse-than-fine stereoacuity consistently occurred at 0.7 logMAR (20/100) or worse for Frisby, 0.1 logMAR (20/25) or worse for PSR, and 0.1 logMAR (20/25) or worse for FD2. There was no meaningful threshold for the DR because worse-than-fine stereoacuity was associated with −0.1 logMAR (20/15). Course/nil stereoacuity was consistently associated with 1.2 logMAR (20/320) or worse for Frisby, 0.8 logMAR (20/125) or worse for PSR, 1.1 logMAR (20/250) or worse for FD2, and 0.5 logMAR (20/63) or worse for DR. Conclusions Stereoacuity thresholds are more easily degraded by reduced monocular visual acuity with the use of random dot tests (PSR and DR) than real depth tests (Frisby and FD2). We have defined levels of monocular visual acuity degradation associated with fine and nil stereoacuity. These findings have important implications for testing stereoacuity in clinical populations.
Self-sustained micromechanical resonant particulate microbalance/counters

This work presents the technological basis for implementation of MEMS-based air-borne particulate counters capable of simultaneous mass measurement of individual particles. Self-sustained thermal-piezoresistive micromechanical oscillators with frequencies in the few MHz range have been used as high-precision microbalances eliminating the need for supporting analog circuitry. Mass sensitivity of the sensors were measured using artificially generated aerosol particles to be in the 10–30 Hz/pg range allowing detection and mass measurement of individual particles with submicron diameters.
INGESTION OF 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

The ingestion of hydrogen peroxide is usually benign. However, the ingestion of greater than 10% hydrogen peroxide can result in significant pathology. Two fatalities are reported in the literature...
High order filtering methods for approximating hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

In the computation of discontinuous solutions of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, the recently developed essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) schemes appear to be very useful. However, they are computationally costly compared to simple central difference methods. A filtering method which is developed uses simple central differencing of arbitrarily high order accuracy, except when a novel local test indicates the development of spurious oscillations. At these points, the full ENO apparatus is used, maintaining the high order of accuracy, but removing spurious oscillations. Numerical results indicate the success of the method. High order of accuracy was obtained in regions of smooth flow without spurious oscillations for a wide range of problems and a significant speed up of generally a factor of almost three over the full ENO method.
Improving Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Care in the Emergency Department

Given the frequency of ED visits among pediatric and adult hematology/oncology patients, the need for timely intervention in the ED, and the potential for severe consequences if patients are not identified, this topic needs further exploration.
Glutathione regulates transforming growth factor-β-stimulated collagen production in fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent fibrogenic cytokine. The molecular mechanism underlying TGF-β fibrogenesis, however, has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we showed th...
AMPK activation is not critical in the regulation of muscle FA uptake and oxidation during low-intensity muscle contraction.

To determine the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation on the regulation of fatty acid (FA) uptake and oxidation, we perfused rat hindquarters with 6 mM glucose, 10 microU/ml insulin, 550 microM palmitate, and [14C]palmitate during rest (R) or electrical stimulation (ES), inducing low-intensity (0.1 Hz) muscle contraction either with or without 2 mM 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR). AICAR treatment significantly increased glucose and FA uptake during R (P 0.05). AICAR treatment significantly increased total FA oxidation (P 0.05). When contraction and AICAR treatment were combined, the AICAR-induced increase in AMPK activity (34%) did not account for the synergistic increase in FA oxidation (175%) observed under similar conditions. These results suggest that while AMPK-dependent mechanisms may regulate FA uptake and FA oxidation at rest, AMPK-independent mechanisms predominate during low-intensity muscle contraction.
Structural Dynamics and System Identification of Parallel Kinematic Machines

One of the primary concerns associated with the machining process involves excess vibrations that can adversely affect the ability of the machine tool to accurately produce parts. This paper presents the development of a method by which the vibrational characteristics of machine tools exhibiting a parallel kinematic machine architecture may be modeled. Theoretical and experimental results are compared to demonstrate the validity of the modeling approach. The resulting model provides an effective means to guide the machine design process for the purposes of enhancing performance and improving control.
A multivariate approach to infer locomotor modes in Mesozoic mammals

Abstract. Ecomorphological diversity of Mesozoic mammals was presumably constrained by selective pressures imposed by contemporary vertebrates. In accordance, Mesozoic mammals for a long time had been viewed as generalized, terrestrial, small-bodied forms with limited locomotor specializations. Recent discoveries of Mesozoic mammal skeletons with distinctive postcranial morphologies have challenged this hypothesis. However, ecomorphological analyses of these new postcrania have focused on a single taxon, a limited region of the skeleton, or have been largely qualitative. For more comprehensive locomotor inference in Mesozoic mammals, we applied multivariate analyses to a morphometric data set of extant small-bodied mammals. We used 30 osteological indices derived from linear measurements of appendicular skeletons of 107 extant taxa that sample 15 orders and eight locomotor modes. Canonical variate analyses show that extant small-bodied mammals of different locomotor modes have detectable and predictable m...
Fine-needle aspirations of papillary carcinoma with oncocytic features: an expanded cytologic and histologic profile.

BACKGROUND: Although a wide variety of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid can have abundant granular cytoplasm and may be difficult to distinguish from Hurthle cell lesions in fine-needle aspirations (FNAs), the literature on these tumors is limited. The author described 18 cases with a spectrum of cytologic appearances. METHODS: A series of 7089 FNAs was correlated with 1331 subsequent resection specimens. Cases in which the original cytologic and histologic diagnoses included the differential diagnosis of papillary carcinoma or Hurthle cell lesions were identified. RESULTS: A total of 18 (1.3% of cases with resection) cases were identified. On review, 3 cases had classic features of papillary carcinoma, including nuclear crowding, along with a moderate amount of granular cytoplasm. Four cases had a population of cells that mimicked repair and/or cyst-lining cells with almost no other epithelial cells. In 2 of those 4 cases, the cells were extremely large, and in 2 other cases, they could not be distinguished from typical cyst-lining cells. The remaining 11 cases had cells with overlapping features including pale to granular chromatin, small to medium nucleoli either centrally or eccentrically, occasional grooves, and rare intranuclear inclusions. Typical Hurthle cells also were commonly present. Nuclear crowding was not present, and the cells were in sheets, follicles, or appeared alone. No papillae were identified. On resection, 7 cases were follicular variants of papillary carcinoma, 2 cases occurred in the setting of Hashimoto thyroiditis, and 2 cases had features of the tall-cell variant. CONCLUSIONS: The author concluded that a subset of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid were difficult to distinguish from Hurthle cell lesions or repair and/or cyst-lining cells because of the presence of abundant granular cytoplasm and a lack of nuclear crowding. These tumors were often follicular or cystic variants of papillary carcinoma. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Analysis of Long-Running Replicated Systems

We address the problem of using replication to reliably maintain state in a distributed system for time spans that far exceed the lifetimes of individual replicas. This scenario is relevant for any system comprised of a potentially large and selectable number of replicated components, each of which may be highly unreliable, where the goal is to have enough replicas to keep the system “alive” (meaning at least one replica is working or available) for a certain expected period of time, i.e., the system’s lifetime. In particular, this applies to recent efforts to build highly available storage systems based on the peer-to-peer paradigm. We model notions of replica loss and replica repair in such systems by a simple Markov chain model, and derive an expression for the lifetime of the replicated state. We then apply this model to study the impact of practical considerations like storage and bandwidth limits on the system, and describe methods to optimally choose system parameters so as to maximize lifetime. Our analysis sheds light on the efficacy of various replication strategies.
Physics Based Risk Assessment of Launch Vehicles

To provide NASA with the most comprehensive and sophisticated launch vehicle risk modeling system possible, a physics-based approach that models dynamic failure processes using systems and environmental variables has been developed and implemented in a collaborative engineering environment. The methodology is an extension of, and a departure from conventional, well-known techniques used to evaluate risk in complicated systems, such as fault-tree and event-tree analysis. This approach has been used to analyze the main risk drivers for NASA’s Next Generation Launch Technology program launch vehicles. This paper describes how this methodology is used to assess launch vehicle risks with examples from the thermal protection and main propulsion system.
(Re)Integrating Spaces: The Color of Farming

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, in 2007, 83% of farmers were white men. American farming, it seems, is a white thing. This essay, written for the Savannah Law Review's symposium on "(Re)Integrating Spaces," explores American agriculture as a site of citizenship, and a site of racialization. I argue that since the colonization of America, the idea of farming has been central to stories about who Americans are and ought to be. Agriculture has figured into stories about what it means to live in a democracy; about what it means to be "civilized"; about what it means to own property; about what it means to belong to a place; and about what kind of nation the United States aspires to be. As these stories, told and retold over time, have developed recurring characters and familiar plots, indigenous people, people of African descent, and immigrants from many nations have figured as foils for proper citizenship. Whiteness is not a fixed identity but an argument, and farming has played an important role in shaping the evolution of whiteness as national identity.
Surgical ablation is effective: But surgeons need to do better.

The original “cut and sew” Cox maze procedure established an effective surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Since then, its many iterations and the evolution of minimally invasive approaches have helped to make the surgery safer and more widely accepted. In this issue of the Journal, Henn and colleagues1 report their long-term outcomes with the “Cox maze IV procedure.” Their study included 576 consecutive patients from their institution treated with either biatrial or left atrial lesion sets by sternotomy or minimally invasive approaches; most of these patients underwent concomitant cardiac procedures.
Abstract 2424: Who Bleeds? Predicting Intracranial Bleeding in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke and an Indication for Anticoagulation

Introduction: Many patients with acute ischemic stroke also have an indication for anticoagulation. A major concern in these patients is whether they are at increased risk for intracranial bleeding...
Impact of Hydroxychloroquine on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Stiffness in the Presence of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the largest cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease, with nearly half of all deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to have multiple pleiotropic actions relevant to atherosclerosis. We conducted a proof-of-efficacy study to evaluate the effects of hydroxychloroquine in an animal model of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice with and without chronic kidney disease. Forty male, 6-week-old mice were divided into four groups in a 2 x 2 design: sham placebo group; sham treatment group; CKD placebo group; and CKD treatment group. CKD was induced by a two-step surgical procedure. All mice received a high-fat diet through the study duration and were sacrificed after 16 weeks of therapy. Mice were monitored with ante-mortem ultrasonic echography (AUE) for atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness and with post-mortem histology studies for atherosclerosis. Therapy with HCQ significantly reduced the severity of atherosclerosis in CKD mice and sham treated mice. HCQ reduced the area of aortic atherosclerosis on en face examination by approximately 60% in HCQ treated groups compared to the non-treated groups. Additionally, therapy with HCQ resulted in significant reduction in vascular endothelial dysfunction with improvement in vascular elasticity and flow patterns and better-preserved vascular wall thickness across multiple vascular beds. More importantly, we found that presence of CKD had no mitigating effect on HCQ’s anti-atherosclerotic and vasculoprotective effects. These beneficial effects were not due to any significant effect of HCQ on inflammation, renal function, or lipid profile at the end of 16 weeks of therapy. This study, which demonstrates structural and functional protection against atherosclerosis by HCQ, provides a rationale to evaluate its use in CKD patients. Further studies are needed to define the exact mechanisms through which HCQ confers these benefits.
Is strength training associated with mortality benefits? A 15 year cohort study of US older adults

Abstract Background The relationship between strength training (ST) behavior and mortality remains understudied in large, national samples, although smaller studies have observed that greater amounts of muscle strength are associated with lower risks of death. We aimed to understand the association between meeting ST guidelines and future mortality in an older US adult population. Methods Data were analyzed from the 1997–2001 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) linked to death certificate data in the National Death Index. The main independent variable was guideline-concordant ST (i.e. twice each week) and dependent variable was all-cause mortality. Covariates identified in the literature and included in our analysis were demographics, past medical history, and other health behaviors (including other physical activity). Given our aim to understand outcomes in older adults, analyses were limited to adults age 65 years and older. Multivariate analysis was conducted using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results During the study period, 9.6% of NHIS adults age 65 and older ( N = 30,162) reported doing guideline-concordant ST and 31.6% died. Older adults who reported guideline-concordant ST had 46% lower odds of all-cause mortality than those who did not (adjusted odds ratio: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.70; p Conclusions Although a minority of older US adults met ST recommendations, guideline-concordant ST is significantly associated with decreased overall mortality. All-cause mortality may be significantly reduced through the identification of and engagement in guideline-concordant ST interventions by older adults.
Interactions of Haptoglobin with Monomeric Globin Species: Insights from Molecular Modeling and Native Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Haptoglobin (Hp) binds free hemoglobin (Hb) dimers to prevent negative consequences of Hb circulation in the extracellular environment. Although both monomeric Hb and myoglobin (Mb) species also present potential risks, their interactions with Hp have not been extensively studied. Mb is homologous to both the α- and β-chains of Hb and shares many conserved Hb/Hp interface residues, yet whether Hp binds Mb remains unclear. To address this, computational biology tools were used to predict the interactions required for Hp to bind monomeric globins, and the predicted association was tested using native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The Hb/Hp crystal structure was used as the template to create molecular models of two Mb molecules bound to an Hp heterodimer (Mb2/Hp). Molecular modeling suggests that Mb can bind at the Hp α-chain binding site, where 73% of the globin/Hp interactions are conserved. By contrast, several ionic β-chain residues involved in complementary electrostatic interacti...
Broad-spectrum antibiotic or G-CSF as potential countermeasures for impaired control of bacterial infection associated with an SPE exposure during spaceflight.

A major risk for astronauts during prolonged space flight is infection as a result of the combined effects of microgravity, situational and confinement stress, alterations in food intake, altered circadian rhythm, and radiation that can significantly impair the immune system and the body’s defense systems. We previously reported a massive increase in morbidity with a decrease in the ability to control a bacterial challenge when mice were maintained under hindlimb suspension (HS) conditions and exposed to solar particle event (SPE)-like radiation. HS and SPE-like radiation treatment alone resulted in a borderline significant increase in morbidity. Therefore, development and testing of countermeasures that can be used during extended space missions in the setting of exposure to SPE radiation becomes a serious need. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of enrofloxacin (an orally bioavailable antibiotic) and Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (Neulasta) on enhancing resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice subjected to HS and SPE-like radiation. The results revealed that treatment with enrofloxacin or G-CSF enhanced bacterial clearance and significantly decreased morbidity and mortality in challenged mice exposed to suspension and radiation. These results establish that antibiotics, such as enrofloxacin, and G-CSF could be effective countermeasures to decrease the risk of bacterial infections after exposure to SPE radiation during extended space flight, thereby reducing both the risk to the crew and the danger of mission failure.
A Social Science Approach to Race, Redistricting, and Representation

In his critique of our earlier paper on majority-minority voting districts, David Lublin suggests that our conclusions with respect to the election of minorities to office are flawed, and that we incorrectly estimate optimal districting strategies for the substantive representation of minority interests in Congress. Subjecting these claims to direct empirical examination, we find that our previous results are unaltered by the inclusion of Latino voters in our estimates of equal opportunity, and that incumbency advantage cannot fully explain the recent victories of minority candidates in the South. Neither do the critiques of our results regarding substantive representation stand up to systematic analysis: Evidence at both the state level and over time confirm our conclusion that districts on the order of 45% black voting age population maximize the expected number of votes for minority-supported legislation.
Analysis on the testing results of Treponema pallidum antibody among high-risk population in Kaili City of Guizhou

[Objective]To learn the infection status of Treponema pallidum among high-risk population in Kaili City of Guizhou. [Methods]By using ELISA,the Treponema pallidum antibody was tested among outpatients who have visited the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Qiandongnan Prefecture.[Results]A total of 324 serum samples were tested from 2007-2012,and 193 samples were positive for Treponema pallidum antibody,with the positive rate of 59. 57%. The positive rate in females was significant higher than that in males( P 0. 01). People aged 18-50 years old accounted for a large proportion of outpatients and patients with positive antibody,while the positive rate was high relatively,which was preceded only by over 61 year-old age group. [Conclusion]The spread of syphilis has a serious impact on the health of women and children in Kaili City. It is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control measures of health education and health promotion to control the spread of syphilis.
Quality of Life Issues in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer involves the sequential selection and delivery of hormonal therapies and cytotoxic chemotherapies. The available therapies for metastatic breast cancer are rarely curative, although high rates of response and modest prolongation of survival may be achieved in association with varying degrees of treatment-related toxicity. Therefore, the selection of appropriate therapy requires a reasoned consideration of the likelihood of benefit from therapy balanced with the impact of therapy on the patient's quality of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure quality of life in cancer patients, but none has been universally accepted, and they require time and resources to administer. Few randomized clinical trials have incorporated quality of life assessments. Thus, the clinician must balance antitumor activity, performance status, and the usual toxicity measures, (e.g., nausea, myelosuppression, asthenia) as surrogates for quality of life associated with each specific therapy. Studies have confirmed the clinical impression that antitumor activity of treatment generally correlates with quality of life outcome. The hormonal therapies have the quality of life advantages of limited and non-threatening acute toxicity, rare chronic toxicity, need for infrequent visits to health care providers, oral administration, and, in appropriately selected patients, response and duration of response rates equivalent to those of the cytotoxic agents. A number of cytotoxic agents have activity in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Although the active single agents differ substantially in their toxicity profiles, the dose-limiting toxicity is usually myelosuppression. Recently, several agents with substantial activity against breast cancer have become available, including the taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel), vinorelbine, and gemcitabine. Oral formulations of vinorelbine are being studied that may provide the additional advantages of not requiring intravenous access, requiring fewer visits to the health care professional, and providing patients with a greater sense of control of their treatment.
Disturbance of Capacitive Liquid Level Gauges by Nuclear Radiation

Liquid hydrogen storage capacity at the Nuclear Rocket Development Site (NRDS) in Nevada, as of tests conducted in 1965, consisted of two 28,000-gal dewars and one 100,000-gal dewar at Test Cell “A” and of two 50,000-gal dewars at Test Cell “C”. The liquid hydrogen serves as propellant and coolant for the nuclear rocket engine under development. Instrumentation in these dewars includes platinum resistance thermometers for temperature profiles, 0.1 W-carbon resistors for point level sensing, and capacitance gauges for continuous liquid level indications.
Amplification characteristics of Cr-doped colquiriites

The Cr-doped colquiriites, LiCaAlF6,1 LiSrAlF6,2 and LiSrCaAlF6,3 are new solid-state laser materials capable of providing high-power laser radiation in the near IR.
Abstract 2120: Molecular characterization of cancer stem cells derived from drug-resistant melanoma

BRAF kinase is a key intermediate in the MAP kinase pathway, which is associated with cell growth and proliferation. BRAFV600E activating mutation is found in 50-60% of all melanomas and 7% of all cancer malignancies. Despite an unprecedented initial response, patients treated with a highly effective BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib (FDA approved 2011), can acquire drug resistance in as little as 6-9 months. Epigenetically driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a hallmark of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), is a potential mechanism that melanomas employ to evade targeted therapy. We are investigating molecular alterations due to EMT in parental and vemurafenib-resistant melanoma sublines. Characterization of differential protein expression in parental and resistant cell lines through immunocytochemical, flow cytometric, and immunoblot analysis has indicated that EMT could confer drug resistance that prolongs survival of malignant melanomas. Furthermore, comparison of parental to isogenic resistant melanoma cell lines showed upregulated expression of EMT-related biomarkers that may be suggestive of the development of CSCs. These CSCs may serve as progenitor cells for therapy-resistant sublines in a heterogeneous melanoma population. Our research has identified notable EMT biomarkers in CSCs that can be used as novel targets for diagnosis and treatment of tumor resistance in melanoma patients. Citation Format: Elyse J. Berlinberg, William Crosson, Arbis Rojas, Ramin Nazarian. Molecular characterization of cancer stem cells derived from drug-resistant melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2120.
Implementing a Bitcoin Exchange with Enhanced Security

We design and implement a secure cryptocurrency exchange by combining secure web programming practices with Bitcoin. In this work, the Amazon EC2 cloud is used to store Bitcoin and host the web server. While building the system, we employ a comprehensive coverage of security features including symmetric key encryption, SSL certificates for digital signatures, SHA-512 for hashing, password revalidation against session hijacking attacks, and two factor authentication. The implementation is tested in an experimental setup and is compared with similar applications currently available. The tests demonstrate that our system proves to offer enhanced security outperforming its peers.
Human Cardiomyocytes Prior to Birth by Integration-Free Reprogramming of Amniotic Fluid Cells.

: The establishment of an abundant source of autologous cardiac progenitor cells would represent a major advance toward eventual clinical translation of regenerative medicine strategies in children with prenatally diagnosed congenital heart disease. In support of this concept, we sought to examine whether functional, transgene-free human cardiomyocytes (CMs) with potential for patient-specific and autologous applications could be reliably generated following routine amniocentesis. Under institutional review board approval, amniotic fluid specimens (8-10 ml) at 20 weeks gestation were expanded and reprogrammed toward pluripotency using nonintegrating Sendai virus (SeV) expressing OCT4, SOX2, cMYC, and KLF4. Following exposure of these induced pluripotent stem cells to cardiogenic differentiation conditions, spontaneously beating amniotic fluid-derived cardiomyocytes (AF-CMs) were successfully generated with high efficiency. After 6 weeks, quantitative gene expression revealed a mixed population of differentiated atrial, ventricular, and nodal AF-CMs, as demonstrated by upregulation of multiple cardiac markers, including MYH6, MYL7, TNNT2, TTN, and HCN4, which were comparable to levels expressed by neonatal dermal fibroblast-derived CM controls. AF-CMs had a normal karyotype and demonstrated loss of NANOG, OCT4, and the SeV transgene. Functional characterization of SIRPA+ AF-CMs showed a higher spontaneous beat frequency in comparison with dermal fibroblast controls but revealed normal calcium transients and appropriate chronotropic responses after β-adrenergic agonist stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that somatic cells present within human amniotic fluid can be used to generate a highly scalable source of functional, transgene-free, autologous CMs before a child is born. This approach may be ideally suited for patients with prenatally diagnosed cardiac anomalies. SIGNIFICANCE This study presents transgene-free human amniotic fluid-derived cardiomyocytes (AF-CMs) for potential therapy in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Using 8-10 ml of amniotic fluid harvested at 20 weeks gestation from normal pregnancies, a mixed population of atrial, ventricular, and nodal AF-CMs were reliably generated after Sendai virus reprogramming toward pluripotency. Functional characterization of purified populations of beating AF-CMs revealed normal calcium transients and appropriate chronotropic responses after β-adrenergic agonist stimulation in comparison with dermal fibroblast controls. Because AF-CMs can be generated in fewer than 16 weeks, this approach may be ideally suited for eventual clinical translation at birth in children with prenatally diagnosed cardiac anomalies.
Fashioning Jewish Identity in Medieval Western Christendom: Biblical prophecy: the Messiah reviled and vindicated

In the previous chapter, we have seen Christian claims that the appearance of Jesus coincided perfectly with messianic advent as predicted in the important biblical book of Daniel, Jewish awareness of these claims, and Jewish rebuttal of these Christian contentions. Efforts to portray Jesus as the prophetically predicted Messiah proceeded far beyond the mere timing of his appearance. Ultimately more important were the characteristics of Jesus, the extent to which he embodied qualities associated with the prophetically predicted Messiah. Of these messianic qualities, none was more important than the suffering attributed by the prophet Isaiah to a critical figure whom he designated the Servant of the Lord. The reasons for the importance of this set of prophetic images are many. In a general way, the images are striking, especially in their contrast of a despised figure that would eventually achieve universal recognition and acknowledgment. More specifically, one of the central Jewish critiques of Christianity (leveled by others as well) involves the discrepancy between a supposed messianic redeemer and seemingly ignominious death upon the cross. Were precisely such a surprising combination in fact predicted by God's prophetic messengers, then criticism, disbelief, and rejection must give way to admiration, adulation, and acceptance. In examining this theme, we shall follow the same procedure employed in the previous chapter. We shall first examine as concisely as possible the biblical material, thereby familiarizing ourselves with the texts over which Christians and Jews disagreed.
Leading-Edge Corrections to the Linear Theory of Partially Cavitating Hydrofoils

In this work, first, the partially cavitating hydrofoil problem is formulated in linear theory in terms of vorticity and source distributions on the projection of the hydrofoil to the free-stream direction. The resulting system of integral equations is inverted and the solution is expressed in terms of integrals of the horizontal perturbation velocity in fully wetted flow, multiplied by weighting functions that are independent of the shape of the hydrofoil. Second, the linearized dynamic boundary condition on the cavity is modified so that the total velocity on the cavity as predicted by applying Lighthill's leading-edge corrections is a constant
Flexible, structured MWCNT/PDMS sensor for chronic vascular access monitoring

Graft wall pulsation amplitude sensing can provide a measure of functional status, e.g. in hemodialysis access grafts. Current implantable graft monitoring sensors require graft modification and direct bloodstream contact. We propose a new class of piezoresistive flexible pulsation sensors which can be wrapped around the graft to measure wall movement. These sensors must be highly flexible to prevent graft constriction; typical strain sensors are too rigid and the strain sensing range is too limited for this application. We describe a novel additive manufacturing (AM) method for printing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with an internal porous structure, such that material compliance may be tuned anisotropically for a given sensor geometry. Prototype flexible pulsation sensors (FPS) consisting of structured PDMS with an embedded conductive PDMS sensor layer were fabricated and tested. Initial tests demonstrated reliable sensor response to 1-Hz cyclic elongation of 20%, and a sensor gauge factor of 1.0.
Neural Processing of Threat Cues in Young Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms.

A growing literature indicates that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves difficulty processing threat-related emotion faces. This deficit is especially important to understand in young children, as threat emotion processing is related to the development of social skills and related behavioral regulation. Therefore, the current study aimed to better understand the neural basis of this processing in young children with ADHD symptoms. Forty-seven children between 4 and 7 years of age were included in the analysis, 28 typical developing and 19 with clinically significant levels of ADHD hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Participants completed a passive affective face-viewing task. Event-related potentials were assessed for each emotion, and parental report of child behavior and emotion regulation abilities was assessed. Children with ADHD symptoms showed altered N170 modulation in response to specific emotion faces, such that the N170 was less negative in response to fearful compared to neutr...
THE ROLE OF W. H. ZACHARIASEN IN ACTINIDE RESEARCH

ABSTRACT Professor (Fredrik) William Houlder Zachariasen began, at age 24, his 44 years on the University of Chicago faculty, an academic career which progressed through Professor of Physics, Department Head, and Dean of the Physical Sciences. His long career resulted in an outstanding book and over 200 publications, most of which were singly authored. These articles appeared over a period of 55 years and covered in depth a range of topics whose central theme was that of x-ray diffraction. Thirteen years later, in late 1943, Zachariasen began his fruitful involvement with the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago at a very critical point. The Metallurgical Laboratory was the center for the intensive studies needed for plutonium separation processes which would be used in the major production facilities. By mid-1943, intensive microscale studies of the chemistry of plutonium, including the chemistry of solids containing it, were well underway under the direction of Glenn Seaborg. Zachariasen made early and extraordinary contributions to plutonium chemistry and its separation processes when x-ray powder diffraction was the only analytical tool available to decipher the components present in the microgram samples of (usually impure) plutonium compounds. He was simply unique in his ability to derive quantitative information from what is usually regarded as hopelessly complex data – a powder diffraction pattern of a multicomponent mixture. He studied hundreds of samples and provided identification of most of the plutonium compounds and phases important to separation processes; he first deduced from cell constant data on the dioxides the magnitude of the 5f element contraction, and labeled the new series, thorides. He first deduced the unique, multiple structures of plutonium metal. Zachariasen established a self-consistent set of atomic and ionic radii and their dependence on coordination number, and formulated and improved his quantitative relationships involving bond lengths and their dependence on the strength and number of bonds. Zachariasen was clearly the father of plutonium crystal chemistry.
Treating Decompression Sickness: Military Flight Simulation Site-Community Hospital Partnership.

ABSTRACT Background: High-altitude flight simulation familiarizes military trainees with the symptoms of hypoxia to prepare them for emergency situations. Decompression sickness (DCS) can occur as a result of these simulations. In cases when ground-level supplemental oxygen does not resolve symptoms, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is indicated. Many military hyperbaric chambers have been closed because of cost reductions, necessitating partnerships with community hospitals to ensure access to treatment. Materials and Methods: This article describes the unique arrangement between a community hospital in Colorado and a military training site to treat DCS cases emergently. We gathered cost data from the community hospital to estimate and compare the cost of providing HBO therapy in the hospital versus a standalone chamber similar to the former military hyperbaric chamber. Results: Since the closure of the military hyperbaric chamber, the community hospital treated an estimated 50 patients with DCS requiring...
Histone Marks in the ‘Driver’s Seat’: Functional Roles in Steering the Transcription Cycle

Particular chromatin modifications are associated with different states of gene transcription, yet our understanding of which modifications are causal ‘drivers’ in promoting transcription is incomplete. Here, we discuss new developments describing the ordered, mechanistic role of select histone marks occurring during distinct steps in the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription cycle. In particular, we highlight the interplay between histone marks in specifying the ‘next step’ of transcription. While many studies have described correlative relationships between histone marks and their occupancy at distinct gene regions, we focus on studies that elucidate clear functional consequences of specific histone marks during different stages of transcription. These recent discoveries have refined our current mechanistic understanding of how histone marks promote Pol II transcriptional progression.
No Space. Nowhere. Refugees and the Problem of Human Rights in Arendt and Ricœur.

In the wake of the recent global refugee and migration crisis, Hannah Arendt’s defense of the right to have political rights has become prominent again. Her work is read as an early reminder that the internationally promoted human rights regime may be merely a rhetorical reference, without the will or international authority for political action. I examine Arendt’s analysis in its historical context and then turn to consider Ricœur’s understanding of human rights. The capability to respond to and to be held accountable by others marks Ricœur’s ethics of responsibility. He agrees with Arendt that legal authority must rest upon power (Macht) and not domination (Herrschaft), but he insists that the undercurrent of common power is the moral capability of an agent. The essay examines the ramifications of Ricœur’s ethics for the current crisis of refugees and migration, and it argues that he offers, at the same time, a correction useful for the ethical foundation of human rights.
Employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Alajuela, Costa Rica

There are over 400 000 people with disabilities in Costa Rica, but there is almost no published research on their employment. To identify employment opportunities, I interviewed 23 participants in the training program of a foundation in Alajuela, Costa Rica (students, professors and mothers). I found that they have insufficient opportunities because of social attitudes and communication barriers, often limiting them to entry-level and low paying jobs.