cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electromechanical coupling of isotropic fibrous networks with tailored auxetic behavior induced by water-printing under tension

Understanding the electromechanical coupling of auxetic materials offers unique opportunities to enhance the sensitivity of piezoresistive sensors. Reports on the auxetic behavior of random fiber networks have been relatively scarce due to their less pronounced Poisson's expansions than other auxetic designs adapting periodically arranged structures. In this study, the auxetic response of hierarchical pulp-carbon nanotube networks is tailored through the localized tensional micro-fracture initiated by water-printing. The interfacial junctions among multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and cellulose fibers are disintegrated and reorganized to induce the buckling of a wet CNT paper composite (CPC) network. The Poisson's ratio of −49.5 is achieved at the water-printed region. The resulting piezoresistive properties of CPC sensors exhibit high sensitivity (3.3 kPa−1) over a wide dynamic range (6–500 000 Pa). The novel auxetic behavior of water-printed CPC paves the way for high performance and inexpensive wearable devices.
Scale-dependent permeability and formation factor in porous media: Applications of percolation theory

Abstract Understanding porous media properties and their scale dependence have been an active subject of research in the past several decades in hydrology, geosciences and petroleum engineering. The scale dependence of flow in porous media is attributed to small- and large-scale heterogeneities, such as pore size distribution, pore connectivity, long-range correlations, fractures and faults orientations, and spatial and temporal variations. The main objective of this study was to investigate how permeability (k) and formation factor (F) vary with sample dimension at small scales by means of a combination of pore-network modeling and percolation theory. For this purpose, the permeability and formation factor were simulated in twelve three-dimensional pore networks with different levels of pore-scale heterogeneities. Simulations were carried out at five different network sizes, i.e., 1130, 2250, 3380, 4510 and 6770 µm. Four theoretical models were developed based on percolation theory to estimate the scale dependence of permeability and formation factor from the pore-throat radius distribution. In addition, two other theoretical scale-dependent permeability models were proposed to estimate permeability at different scales from the pore-throat radius distribution and/or formation factor. Comparing theoretical estimations with numerical simulations showed that the proposed models estimated the scale dependence of permeability and formation factor reasonably. The calculated relative error (RE) ranged between −3.7 and 3.8% for the permeability and between 0.21 and 4.04% for the formation factor in the studied pore-networks.
Implementation of emergent MRI for wake-up stroke: a single-center experience

Recent updates in national guidelines for management of acute ischemic stroke in patients of unknown time of symptom onset (“wake-up” strokes) incorporate, for the first time, use of emergent MRI. In this retrospective case series, we analyze our experience at a Comprehensive Stroke Center implementing a new workflow including MRI in this clinical setting. This study also describes “DWI-FLAIR” mismatch, a critical concept for the interpretation of emergent brain MRIs performed for wake-up strokes. Over a 14-month period, all brain MRIs for wake-up stroke were identified. The imaging was analyzed by two board-certified, fellowship-trained neuroradiologists, and a diagnosis of DWI-FLAIR mismatch was made by consensus. Process metrics assessed included interval between last known well time and brain imaging, interval between CT and MRI, and interval between brain MRI and interpretation. Sixteen patients with a history of “wake-up stroke” were identified. Thirteen of the 16 patients (81.3%) were found to have a DWI-FLAIR mismatch, suggesting infarct < 4.5 h old. The mean time between last known well and MRI was 7.89 h with mean interval between CT and MRI of 1.83 h. Forty-six percent of patients with DWI-FLAIR mismatch received intravenous thrombolysis. In this “real world” assessment of incorporation of emergent MRI for wake-up strokes, there were several key factors to successful implementation of this new workflow, including effective and accurate description of MRI findings; close collaboration amongst stakeholders; 24/7 availability of MRI; and 24/7 onsite coverage by neurology and radiology physicians.
War Reserve Spares Kits Supplemented by Normal Operating Assets

Abstract : Described is a mathematical model developed to assist the Air National Guard in designing war reserve spares (WRS) kits. The model differs from a previous one by taking into account the role that normal base operating assets might play in supplementing war reserve spares requirements. It solves the following kind of optimization problem: Find the least-cost WRS kit that will keep the probability of a stockout after cannibalizations less than or equal to a specified target objective. The technique of marginal analysis is used to maximize the operational rate, which is the probability of meeting all demands for spares. A sensitivity analysis, based on data from an Air National Guard unit, reveals that if peacetime levels were explicitly taken into account when designing a WRS kit, a cost saving of nearly 40 percent would be effected without degrading base supply performance in wartime. The model is programmed in FORTRAN IV for the IBM 7044. (Author)
Post-Hoop Curd Handling in the United States Cheddar Cheese Industry

Abstract Twenty commercial Cheddar cheese manufacturers, representing a cross-section of the Cheddar cheese industry in the United States, were surveyed about post-hoop curd-handling procedures. Both barrel- and block-type Cheddar manufacturers were included. In barrel-type operation, considerable variation was observed in the length of whey-drainage period and the time needed for the packed curd to reach 4.4 C in the curing room. As compared with barrel Cheddar, greater variation for several of the individual post-hoop operations was found in block-type operation. A large commercial Cheddar manufacturer not included in the survey indicated that the cooling rates of Cheddar cheese blocks in the curing room were influenced by the mode of stacking of blocks. Studies conducted in our pilot plant have shown that adequate control of temperature in the post-hoop period is necessary for manufacturing high-grade Cheddar cheese from day to day. These data should help individual Cheddar plants evaluate the post-hoop operations in their day-to-day routine.
Role of endothelin in thick ascending limb sodium chloride transport.

The thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle reabsorbs 20–30% of filtered sodium chloride (NaCl) and generates the osmotic gradient necessary for water absorption in the distal nephron. It is second
Fetal death in utero

Abstract 1. 1. In a review of 16,057 deliveries at the Kings County Hospital 165 cases of fetal death prior to the onset of labor were found, an incidence of 1.03 per cent. 2. 2. There was no difference between the patient's history and the physical examination with regard to dating the time of fetal death. 3. 3. The patients in the study group had an older age distribution than the clinic population though there was no difference in parity. 4. 4. Seven per cent of the fetuses were retained for 22 or more days; the longest period of retention was 120 days. 5. 5. There was no difference in incidence of postpartum hemorrhage between the study group and the clinic at large. 6. 6. Premature separation of the placenta was associated with 32 per cent of the fetal deaths, toxemia was implicated in 21 per cent, and diabetes in 11.5 per cent; a true knot of the umbilical cord was encountered in 3 instances. In none of these cases was syphilis the cause of death. 7. 7. Thirty-six per cent of the fetal deaths were thought to be preventable; the responsibility was equally divided between patient and physician. 8. 8. There was one maternal death (0.6 per cent) following spontaneous rupture of the uterus prior to labor. 9. 9. The data in this study support the concept of conservative management and abstinence from interference in cases of prolonged retention (more than 21 days) of a dead fetus.
The reconstitution of clostridial ferredoxin

Previous experiments from this laboratory (Lovenberg, et al., 1963; Malkin & Rabinowitz, 1966) indicated that when bacterial ferredoxin is treated with a mercurial, the color of the protein is bleached, and both the iron and the acidlabile sulfide of the protein are released. Regeneration of ferredoxin could be accomplished by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the bleached reaction mixture. Apoproteins were isolated by chromatography of the reaction mixture on DEAE-cellulose or passage over Sephadex. However, it was not possible to reconstitute ferredoxin from the isolated proteins by the addition of iron and inorganic sulfide under any conditions tested. In the present communication, we wish to describe two methods for the preparation and isolation of apoferredoxins, and their use in the reconstitution of ferredoxin by the addition of ferrous ions and 2-mercaptoethanol and ferrous ions, sodium sulfide, and 2-mercapto-ethanol respectively. The reconstituted materials are identical to native ferredoxin with respect to enzymic activity, acid-labile sulfide and iron content, and ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra.
Effects of low dose rate irradiation on plateau phase bone marrow stromal cells in vitro: Demonstration of a new form of non-lethal, physiologic damage to support of hematopoietic stem cells

Abstract The clinical use of low dose rate (LDR) (5–25 rad/min) total body irradiation in bone marrow transplantation patients is well established. We have developed an in vitro system for study of the effects of LDR irradiation on bone marrow stromal cells. Purified mouse bone marrow stromal cell cultures in plateau phase with no detectable hematopoiesis were prepared and were then “engrafted” in vitro by addition of purified nonadherent hematopoietic cells from continuous bone marrow cultures. Hematopoietic cells were added in liquid medium or suspended in an overlay of semisolid 0.4% agar-containing medium. Other agar overlays contained Interleukin-3-dependent cloned multipotential hematopoietic stem cell fine B6SUtA. In parallel experiments, a cloned permanent bone marrow stromal cell fine D2XRII was used in place of purified stromal cell cultures. Stromal cultures were irradiated at 5 rad/min, 20 rad/min, or 200 rad/min, 24 hours or 3 weeks prior to “engraftment.” Two classes of irradiation damage were demonstrated following 1000 rad irradiation at 200 rad/min: 1) Decreased clonagenic survival of trypsinized replated marrow stromal cells (lethal effect), and 2) decreased production by marrow stromal cells or D2XRII cells of colony stimulating factors (CSF)s for granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells and B6SUtA cells (physiologic effect). Holding the cultures in plateau phase for 3 weeks after irradiation was associated with significantly more repair of the lethal effect compared to the physiologic effect. Cultures irradiated at 5 rad/min or 20 rad/min to doses producing significantly less lethal effect showed a complex alteration of production of growth factors. Cumulative cell production by hemopoietic stem cells added in liquid culture was comparably decreased for all three dose rates. These data demonstrate a distinct physiologic expression of irradiation damage to bone marrow stromal cells that affects cell to cell interaction, responds differently to changes in dose rate, and is repaired with kinetics different from those of the lethal effect of irradiation. The present system should prove valuable for investigation of cellular interactions in hematopoietic stem cell engraftment that are altered by total body irradiation.
Topology Optimization of Nonlinear Metamaterials

Optimal topology for periodic structures exhibiting nonlinearity is considered for two-dimensional plane stress systems. Optimal, in this context, refers to a design which maximizes the frequency shift (and thus bandgap shift) at the edge of the first Brillouin Zone for the acoustic branch. Parametric analyses and a genetic algorithm implementation identify topologies that produce large increases in complete bandgap width or group velocity variation. Analysis of Bloch wavemodes which produce large nonlinear frequency shifts reveals that the largest contributions to the frequency shift are primarily produced from localized strains in thin layers of compliant, nonlinear matrix material.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The effect of trypan blue on the hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride in the rat

Abstract Rats were given intravenous injections of either physiologic saline or trypan blue dye suspended in saline. After 24 hours, the livers of these animals were sampled for light and electron microscopic study. The livers of the saline treated rats showed no morphologic alterations. The livers of the trypan blue injected animals exhibited no structural abnormalities in the hepatic parenchymal cells, but their sinusoidal lining cells were hypertrophied, mainly due to the appearance of numerous phagosomes, increased quantities of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and prominent Golgi zones. Similarly prepared rats were given intraperitoneal injections of CCl 4 , 24 hours after the intravenous administration of saline or trypan blue. The livers of these animals were sampled, 24 and 48 hours after the toxic challenge. At both intervals, the livers of the rats treated with trypan blue and CCl 4 displayed far less necrosis and inflammatory reaction than was found in the animals given saline and CCl 4 . It was considered unlikely that this difference could be completely explained by changes in hepatic blood flow. It was also demonstrated that, at 24 hours after administration of trypan blue, there were no hepatocellular morphologic alterations that might account for the divergent response to CCl 4 . It was proposed, therefore, that the hypertrophied sinusoidal lining cells of the trypan blue treated rats might be related to the observed protection from CCl 4 hepatotoxicity.
Isolated Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation as ''Wave-Suppressed'' Secondary Peristalsis

Esophageal venting following air insufflation may occur by secondary peristalsis or by isolated transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR). To identify factors determining venting by these two mechanisms, we analyzed the responses to esophageal air insufflation in 4 infants and in 2 adults. We used a nine-lumen dual-Dent-sleeve manometric catheter with an air insufflation esophageal side hole, identifying swallowing by pharyngeal manometry or submental electromyography. The time from the venting lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (whether part of a secondary peristalsis or an isolated TLESR) to the next swallow (whether spontaneous, in the infants, or on command, in the adults) was characterized as ≥15 sec or <15 sec. Of the 25 evaluable trials, the subsequent swallow was ≥15 sec after the venting response in 9 instances and <15 sec afterward in 16 instances. Eight of the 9 trials with delayed swallows (≥15 sec) were vented by secondary peristalsis, whereas 11 of the 16 with early swallows (<15 sec) were vented by TLESR (X2p < 0.01). TLESRs may be induced by esophageal stimuli, in which case they may represent ``wave-suppressed'' secondary peristaltic complexes.
Excited-State Kinetics of the Carotenoid S1 State in LHC II and Two-Photon Excitation Spectra of Lutein and β-Carotene in Solution: Efficient Car S1→Chl Electronic Energy Transfer via Hot S1 States?†

The excited-state dynamics of the carotenoids (Car) in light-harvesting complex II (LHC II) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were studied by transient absorption measurements. The decay of the Car S1 population ranges from ∼200 fs to over 7 ps, depending on the excitation and detection wavelengths. In contrast, a 200 fs Car S1→Chlorophyll (Chl) energy transfer component was the dominant time constant for our earlier two-photon fluorescence up-conversion measurements (Walla, P. J.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 4799−4806). We also present the two-photon excitation (TPE) spectra of lutein and β-carotene in solution and compare them with the TPE spectrum of LHC II. The TPE-spectrum of LHC II has an onset much further to the blue and a width that is narrower than expected from comparison to the S1 fluorescence of lutein and β-carotene in solution. Different environments may affect the shape of the S1 spectrum significantly. To explain the blue shift of the TPE spectrum and the difference in the time constant...
Molecular Mechanism Responsible for the Priming of Macrophage Activation

Abstract Host macrophages can be preprogrammed into opposing primed or tolerant states depending upon the nature and quantities of external stimulants. The paradigm of priming and tolerance has significant implications in the pathogenesis and resolution of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the responsible mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we report that super low dose bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as low as 5 pg/ml, primes the expression of proinflammatory mediators in macrophages upon a second high dose LPS challenge (100 ng/ml), although 5 pg/ml LPS itself does not trigger noticeable macrophage activation. Mice primed with super low dose LPS (0.5 μg/kg body weight) in vivo experience significantly elevated mortality following a second hit of high dose LPS as compared with saline-primed control mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that LPS primes macrophages by removing transcriptional suppressive RelB through interleukin receptor-associated kinase 1 and Tollip (Toll-interacting protein)-dependent mechanisms. This is in sharp contrast to the well documented RelB stabilization and induction by high dose LPS, potentially through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Super low dose and high dose LPS cause opposing modulation of interleukin receptor-associated kinase 1 and PI3K pathways and lead to opposing regulation of RelB. The pathway switching induced by super low versus high dose LPS underscores the importance of competing intracellular circuitry during the establishment of macrophage priming and tolerance.
Quantized mean-field approximation

Abstract An extension of the quantum–classical mean-field (MF) approximation is developed by application of quantized Hamilton dynamics (QHD) to the classical subsystem. The resulting quantized MF (QMF) approach supplements the classical position and momentum variables with higher order moments. In the limit of all moments exact quantum dynamics is achieved. Already with second order variables, QMF properly treats zero point energy (ZPE) that increases quantum transition probabilities and restricts energy exchange between quantum and classical subsystems. The efficiency of QMF and the effect of ZPE on the transition probability are illustrated by application to a model of O 2 interacting with a Pt surface.
MCMI‐III as a treatment outcome measure for psychiatric inpatients

Recently, the MCMI-II (Millon, 1987) has been introduced as a successor to the MCMI-I (Millon, 1983). This study evaluated the MCMI-II as a treatment outcome measure for psychiatric inpatients. Ninety-eight patients were tested at admission and discharge with the MCMI-II. Changes in mean MCMI-II scores on the basic and pathological personality scales, as well as the moderate and severe symptom scales, were generally congruent with findings from a previous outcome study with the MCMI-I (Piersma, 1986a). However, several differences between the MCMI-II and MCMI-I were noted, which suggests that the MCMI-II will need to be cross-validated as an instrument distinct from the MCMI-I.
Simultaneous pancreatectomy and liver transplantation: a single-institution experience

Abstract Background There is wide debate among transplant centres regarding the indications for liver transplantation (LT) in malignancy. We report a single-centre experience with simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively established database of patients who underwent simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy. We analysed demographics, indications, approach and outcomes. Results Between 1991 and 2006, 11 patients (four male; median age 51 years) underwent simultaneous LT and total pancreatectomy ( n = 4) or pancreaticoduodenectomy ( n = 7). Indications included metastatic neuroendocrine tumour ( n = 5), hepatocellular carcinoma ( n = 2), metastatic periampullary adenocarcinoma ( n = 1), periampullary adenocarcinoma with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) ( n = 2) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with ESLD ( n = 1). The three patients with ESLD had non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or cryptogenic cirrhosis. Median postoperative length of stay was 31 days (21–110 days). Overall median survival was 101 months (95% confidence interval 70.6–131.4). One-year survival was 91%, 2-year 90%, 5-year 67% and 10-year 33%. Postoperative complications included: re-operation ( n = 4); anastamotic leak ( n = 2); abdominal abscess ( n = 3), and organ rejection ( n = 1). Conclusions We report a series of pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy and simultaneous LT in patients with extensive malignancy or impending liver failure that prevented pancreatectomy. This series provides evidence that combined pancreatic resection and LT can be a strategy in both radical resections and cases with ESLD that would otherwise preclude operative intervention.
Commentary: Utility of the O-Arm in spinal surgery

Background: More studies report the intraoperative benefits vs. risks of utilizing the O-Arm in performing pedicle screw insertion in spinal surgery. Methods/Results: Several studies document the utility of CT-guided O-arm placement of pedicle/lateral mass screws. Singh et al . documented the efficacy of CT guided-O Arm placement of pedicle screws and lateral mass screws in the upper cervical spine. [4] Specifically, 10 patients with unstable hangman's fractures (ages 17-80) required 52 screws; C2 pedicle screws (20), C3 lateral mass screws (20), C4 lateral mass screws (12) and one C2 pedicle screw. Of these only 5% were misplaced, and none had new neuorlogical deficits. Kim et al . demonstrated the safety/efficacy of the CT/O-arm in minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) (posterior percutaneous spinal fusions). [1] Of 290 pedicle screws, 280 (96.6%) were acceptably placed. Kotani et al . compared the placement of 222 pedicle screws (29 patients operated upon with CT-based navigation) vs. 416 screws (32 having surgery using O-arm-based navigation); postoperative CT studies confirmed the accuracy of screw placement, and no significant differences in the frequency of grade 2-3 perforations between the two groups. Nelson et al . analyzed the radiation exposure delivered to the operating room staff utilizing C-arm fluoroscopy (C-arm), portable X-ray (XR) radiography, and portable cone-beam computed tomography (O-arm); the surgeon and assistant were exposed to higher levels of scatter radiation from the C-arm, with a 7.7-fold increase in radiation exposure on the tube vs. detector sides. [3] Conclusion: There are several pros and a few cons (radiation dosage) for the use of the O-arm in spine surgery.
A theoretical foundation for software engineering: A model calculus

Theory is a critical and undervalued part of software engineering and software engineering research. While empirical evaluation is important in both software engineering and software engineering research, there is still a lack of maturity and deep understanding of this critical aspect of both enterprises. The purpose of my unifying theoretical foundation for software engineering is, in part, to illuminate the place and importance of both theory and empirical evaluation. The focus here is on the model calculus and its use in the composition of more complex models to emphasize 1) the taxonomic space of both theory and empirical evaluation, and 2) the complexity resulting from various model compositions. The latter should not be a surprise as the complexity of model compositions merely reflects the fundamental and essential characteristic of our software systems - that is, complexity.
p62 Association with RNA Is Regulated by Tyrosine Phosphorylation

The ras-GAP associated protein, p62, is a major tyrosine phosphoprotein in transformed and growth factor treated cells. Although its exact function is not known, it can bind directly to src-family tyrosine kinases and has been implicated as a linker protein bridging activated src family tyrosine kinases with downstream effectors. One novel feature of p62, revealed by its predicted amino acid sequence, is the presence of an RNA-binding region, the KH domain. As p62 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated when src-kinases become activated, we compared the RNA binding ability of p62 in both its phosphorylated and unphosphorylated state. The ability of p62 to bind RNA was severely impaired when p62 was tyrosine phosphorylated. This suggests that the ability of p62 to bind RNA is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation and implicates the regulation of RNA as a component of tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.
Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) somatic embryogenesis: Improvements in embryogenic tissue initiation by supplementation of medium with organic acids, Vitamins B12 and E

Abstract A major barrier to the commercialization of somatic embryogenesis technology in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is recalcitrance of some high-value crosses to initiate embryogenic tissue and continue early-stage somatic embryo growth. Developing initiation and multiplication media that resemble the seed environment may decrease this recalcitrance. Organic acid analyses were performed weekly throughout the sequence of seed development for female gametophyte and zygotic embryo tissues to determine physiological concentrations present that may be beneficial if added to somatic embryogenesis media [14] . Major differences in stage-specific organic acids were observed. A simple bioassay was used to evaluate potential growth promotion of individual organic acids added to initiation or multiplication media at physiological concentrations. Nine vitamins and 25 organic acids were screened. Compounds showing statistically significant increases in early-stage embryo growth were then tested for initiation of loblolly pine. Two vitamins and five organic acids including Vitamins B12 and E, α-ketoglutaric, pyruvic, succinic, oxalic, quinic, and ascorbic acids produced statistically significant increases in early-stage embryo growth. When tested for improved initiation, Vitamins B12 and E, α-ketoglutaric, pyruvic, and succinic acids increased initiation when alone and when combined. Analyses of organic acids in the seed environment coupled with a bioassay to screen potential media supplements for protocol improvement resulted in statistically significant increases in the loblolly pine embryogenic tissue initiation protocol and saved much time and expense.
ELF hiss associated with plasma density enhancements in the outer magnetosphere

The low-frequency narrow hiss bands associated with plasma-density enhancements in the magnetosphere near and beyond L = 4 have been studied with the search coil magnetometer and ion mass spectrometer data from OGO 5. ELF hiss is found to accompany most of the detached plasmas in the outer magnetosphere and to be sharply limited by the steep ion-density gradient at their boundary. The observations indicate that the hiss originates in and is ducted by the plasma-density enhancements. In a particularly favorable case after an interval of low AE and Dst indices, a series of enhanced plasma-density peaks was observed between L = 4 and L = 6 in the afternoon local-time sector. In this case, it was possible to develop an empirical relation among hiss amplitude, plasma density, and L by using in situ simultaneous measurements.
Dual-core mass-balance approach for evaluating mercury and 210Pb atmospheric fallout and focusing to lakes.

Determining atmospheric deposition rates of mercury and other contaminants using lake sediment cores requires a quantitative understanding of sediment focusing. Here we present a novel approach that solves mass-balance equations for two cores algebraically to estimate contaminant contributions to sediment from direct atmospheric fallout and from watershed and in-lake focusing. The model is applied to excess 210Pb and Hg in cores from Hobbs Lake, a high-altitude lake in Wyoming. Model results for excess 210Pb are consistent with estimates of fallout and focusing factors computed using excess 210Pb burdens in lake cores and soil cores from the watershed and model results for Hg fallout are consistent with fallout estimated using the soil-core-based 210Pb focusing factors. The lake cores indicate small increases in mercury deposition beginning in the late 1800s and large increases after 1940, with the maximum at the tops of the cores of 16−20 μg/m2·year. These results suggest that global Hg emissions and pos...
Abstract C42: Predicting prostate cancer aggressiveness and progression using a new quantitative nanoparticle assay

Background: Over-diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has been a major problem in prostate cancer care and management. Currently the most relevant prognostic factor to predict a patient's risk of death due to prostate cancer is the Gleason score of the biopsied tissue samples. However, pathological analysis is subjective, and the Gleason score is only a qualitative estimate of the cancer malignancy. Molecular biomarkers and diagnostic tests that can accurately predict prostate tumor aggressiveness are rather limited. Method: We report here for the first time a nanoparticle test that not only can distinguish prostate cancer from normal and benign conditions, but also is capable of predicting the aggressiveness of prostate cancer quantitatively. To conduct the test, a prostate tissue lysate sample is spiked into a pure human IgG protein solution and the spiked sample is incubated with a citrate-protected gold nanoparticle solution. IgG is known to adsorb to citrate-protected gold nanoparticles to form a “protein corona” on the nanoparticle surface. From this study, we discovered that certain tumor-specific molecules can interact with IgG and change the adsorption behavior of IgG to the gold nanoparticles. This change is reflected in the nanoparticle size of the assay solution and detected by a dynamic light scattering technique. Assay data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for multiple variant analysis, and using the Student t-test or nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-tests for pairwise analyses. Results: IgG solutions spiked with prostate tumor tissue exhibit significantly smaller nanoparticle size than the solutions spiked with normal and benign tissues. An inverse, quantitative correlation of the average nanoparticle size of the assay solution with tumor status and histological diagnostic grading was observed from the nanoparticle test. The higher grade the tumor is, the smaller the nanoparticle size is. The test particularly revealed large differences among the intermediate Grade 2 tumors, and suggested the necessity to treat them differently. Conclusion: The new nanoparticle test provides a quantitative measure of the prostate cancer aggressiveness. The test is easy to conduct, requires less than 5 μL of tissue lysate samples, and results are obtained in less than 10 minutes. It can be easily adapted for clinical application using the current needle-biopsy sampling system. This test will provide a more accurate tool to distinguish aggressive cancer from indolent tumor than the current diagnostic practices, if successfully validated by large cohort clinical studies. Citation Format: Qun Huo, Sally Litherland, David Decker. Predicting prostate cancer aggressiveness and progression using a new quantitative nanoparticle assay [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C42.
On the construction of communication networks satisfying bounded fan-in of service ports

The problem of minimizing the number of service ports of a central facility which serves a number of users subject to some constraints is addressed. At any time, a set of at most s users may want to use the facility, and one user can be connected to each port at a given time. It is assumed that there are direct communication links from users to service ports, with at most d links incident at a single service port. This problem maps to the graph-theoretic problem of minimizing the number of outputs of a bipartite graph with n inputs, such the degree of each output node is at most d and every set of k >
Review of Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Exploring the Scientific Evidence

Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Exploring the Scientific Evidence (2nd Edition). Edited by Ezel Cardena, Steven Jay Lynn, and Stanley Krippner. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association...
Coralline hydroxyapatite bone-graft substitutes in a canine metaphyseal defect model. Radiographic-histometric correlation.

Radiographic and biomechanical assessment of a new type of bone graft substitute derived from reef-building sea coral was performed in a canine metaphyseal defect model. Blocks of this material and autogenous iliac crest graft were implanted, respectively, into the right and left proximal tibial metaphyses of eight dogs. Qualitative and quantitative radiographic evaluation was performed in the immediate postoperative period and at 6 months after surgery. Biomechanical testing was carried out on all grafts following harvest at 6 months, as well as on nonimplanted coralline hydroxyapatite and autogenous iliac cancellous bone. In contrast to autografts, incorporation of coralline implants was characterized by predictable osseous growth and apposition with preservation of intrinsic architecture. Greater percent increase in radiographic density, higher ultimate compressive strength, and lower stiffness with incorporation were documented advantages of coralline hydroxyapatite over autogenous graft. Densitometric measurements correlated moderately with strength for both types of graft material (r=-0.65). These promising results have important implications to the clinical application of coralline hydroxyapatite bone graft substitutes as an alternative to autogenous grafting.
A simple mnemonic for the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common anxiety disorder with a lifetime prevalence of about 8%.1 In the United States, it is thought to affect 5% of men and 10% of women.2 Because PTSD shares symptoms with other psychiatric conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depression, and substance abuse disorder, it is sometimes difficult to identify in a primary care setting. I describe a simple mnemonic that could help primary care physicians to recall the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
DiGeorge anomaly in a patient with isochromosome 18p born to a diabetic mother.

The DiGeorge anomaly (DGA) is an etiologically heterogeneous developmental field defect in which cardiovascular malformations, hypocalcemia, thymic hypoplasia, and characteristic dysmorphisms are major clinical features. The 22q11.2 deletion is the most common single etiology of DGA, although a number of other chromosomal abnormalities and teratogens, including maternal diabetes, have been implicated as well. We present a patient, born to a diabetic mother, with interrupted aortic arch type B (IAA-B), neonatal hypocalcemia, thymic hypoplasia, and dysmorphic features including microcephaly, thick, overfolded helices, and anteriorly-placed anus. Cytogenetic studies showed the presence of a marker chromosome, identified by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) as an isochromosome 18p [i(18p)]. We did not detect a 22q11.2 deletion by FISH using a cosmid probe corresponding to locus D22S75. The patient is the first example of either DGA or IAA-B in a patient with i(18p). We review the genetic abnormalities associated with DGA, and discuss the potential contributions of maternal diabetes and i(18p) in our patient. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Surgical determination of the site of crossing of jaw-opening reflex evoked by tooth pulp stimulation in the cat.

Abstract Tooth pulp stimulation in the cat evokes a jaw-opening reflex that is usually bilateral. We defined the location of fibers crossing to activate the contralateral reflex by making midline sagittal transections at peripheral and central levels in 11 anesthesized cats. A local midsagittal transection of the brain stem 2–4 mm above the obex selectively eliminated the contralateral reflex response. Midline sagittal transections of the maxilla, mandible, cervical cord, or upper brain stem did not.
Asian Sand Dust Enhances Allergen-Induced Th2 Allergic Inflammatory Changes and Mucin Production in BALB/c Mouse Lungs

Purpose Recent studies have reported that Asian sand dust (ASD) has a potential risk of aggravating airway inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ASD on inflammation and mucin production in the airways of allergic mice.
Low-energy charge transfer for collisions of Si3+ with atomic hydrogen

Cross sections of charge transfer for Si{sup 3+} ions with atomic hydrogen at collision energies of {approx} 40-2500 eV/u were carried out using a merged-beam technique at the Multicharged Ion Research Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The data span an energy range in which both molecular orbital close coupling (MOCC) and classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) calculations are available. The influence of quantum mechanical effects of the ionic core as predicted by MOCC is clearly seen in our results. However, discrepancies between our experiment and MOCC results toward higher collision energies are observed. At energies above 1000 eV/u good agreement is found with CTMC results.
Happiness and Humor Group Promotes Life Satisfaction for Senior Center Participants

ABSTRACT The impact of positive psychological attitudes on physical health and healthy aging has been well documented through research. This study assessed whether a therapeutic recreation program specifically addressing happiness and humor could promote life satisfaction among older adults. The Happiness and Humor Group was a 10-week program conducted once a week at an urban senior center. The Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) was administered as a pretest and posttest to 15 people who participated in the entire program. Scores from this self-rated assessment showed significant improvement in life satisfaction for the program participants. Anecdotal evidence also shows participants' outlook changed significantly as a result of program participation. An overview of the Happiness and Humor Group program is provided as a model that can be replicated in senior centers.
Accurate diagnosis of thyroid follicular lesions from nuclear morphology using supervised learning

Abstract Follicular lesions of the thyroid remain significant diagnostic challenges in surgical pathology and cytology. The diagnosis often requires considerable resources and ancillary tests including immunohistochemistry, molecular studies, and expert consultation. Visual analyses of nuclear morphological features, generally speaking, have not been helpful in distinguishing this group of lesions. Here we describe a method for distinguishing between follicular lesions of the thyroid based on nuclear morphology. The method utilizes an optimal transport-based linear embedding for segmented nuclei, together with an adaptation of existing classification methods. We show the method outputs assignments (classification results) which are near perfectly correlated with the clinical diagnosis of several lesion types’ lesions utilizing a database of 94 patients in total. Experimental comparisons also show the new method can significantly outperform standard numerical feature-type methods in terms of agreement with the clinical diagnosis gold standard. In addition, the new method could potentially be used to derive insights into biologically meaningful nuclear morphology differences in these lesions. Our methods could be incorporated into a tool for pathologists to aid in distinguishing between follicular lesions of the thyroid. In addition, these results could potentially provide nuclear morphological correlates of biological behavior and reduce health care costs by decreasing histotechnician and pathologist time and obviating the need for ancillary testing.
Condition numbers of Hankel matrices for exponential weights

Abstract We obtain the rate of growth of the largest eigenvalues and Euclidean condition numbers of the Hankel matrices ( ∫ I t j + k W 2 ( t ) d t ) j , k = 0 n for a general class of even exponential weights W 2 = exp ( − 2 Q ) on an interval I. As particular examples, we discuss Q ( x ) = | x | α on I = R , and Q ( x ) = ( d 2 − x 2 ) − α on I = [ − d , d ] .
Security in sensor network based SCADA system for adaptive traffic signal operation

Sensor network based SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system can be used to effectively manage traffic lights in a busy urban region. However, security is a major concern in this type of system. Though security in SCADA system is studied thoroughly, however they do not provide security in the integrated traffic system. This paper proposes a secure wireless sensor based intelligent traffic system which aims to use fuzzy logic to alleviate heavy traffic conditions. This sensor based traffic system provides security, so that attackers cannot get into the SCADA system and take over the controller and then control the sensors to create a traffic disaster in a busy urban area.
World Alienation in Feminist Thought: The Sublime Epistemology of Emphatic Anti-Essentialism

The alliance between feminism and postmodernism1 in the American academy has brought about a revolution in feminist epistemology. The early feminist epistemology of unmasking, of sorting through appearances to get to the real underneath, has been discredited as "essentialist."2 Feminist standpoint epistemology was an attempt to respond to this accusation by using social location as a "standpoint" from which at least local and situated knowledge could be articulated.3 More recently, many feminists have taken on the epistemology of the simulacrum. Here "the real" plays a part only as that which dissolves into the appearances themselves. Behind the appearances, if there were such a place, would be only an abyss of absence. With this revolution in feminist epistemology comes a wholesale dis-
Pyridine as a Borane Scavenger to Avoid Overreduction During the Conversion of Acid Chlorides to the Corresponding Aldehydes Using Sodium Borohydride

Abstract By use of sodium borohydride in N, N-dimethylformamide solution containing a molar excess of pyridine as a borane scavenger, direct conversion of both aliphatic and aromatic acid chlorides to the corresponding aldehydes can be achieved in >70% yield with minimal (5–10%) alcohol formation.
Nearest hyperplane distance neighbor clustering algorithm applied to gene co-expression analysis in Alzheimer's disease

Microarray analysis can contribute considerably to the understanding of biologically significant cellular mechanisms that yield novel information regarding co-regulated sets of gene patterns. Clustering is one of the most popular tools for analyzing DNA microarray data. In this paper, we present an unsupervised clustering algorithm based on the K-local hyperplane distance nearest-neighbor classifier (HKNN). We adapted the well-known nearest neighbor clustering algorithm for use with hyperplane distance. The result is a simple and computationally inexpensive unsupervised clustering algorithm that can be applied to high-dimensional data. It has been reported that the NFkB1 gene is progressively over-expressed in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases, and that the NF-kB complex plays a key role in neuroinflammatory responses in AD pathogenesis. In this study, we apply the proposed clustering algorithm to identify co-expression patterns with the NFkB1 in gene expression data from hippocampal tissue samples. Finally, we validate our experiments with biomedical literature search.
Adaptation of career goals to self and opportunities in early adolescence

Development of career goals that are adapted to self and opportunities is a central component of adolescent career preparation. The present longitudinal study (conducted throughout the eighth grade with three assessment points) investigated how 330 Swiss adolescents simultaneously adapt career goals to interests, scholastic achievement and environmental opportunities. Results demonstrated that students increasingly adapt their goals to the environment. Mean adaptation to environment related positively to degree of adaption to interests and achievement. Increased adaptation to environment over time related to increased adaptation to achievement but to decreased adaptation to interests. Gender, attended school type and nationality moderated adaptation processes. Structurally disadvantaged students (girls, lower requirements school track, immigrant students) reported more conflict in aligning adaptation to environment with adaptation to interests.
Measurements of the quantum-confined conduction band energy in the wetting layer surrounding individual In 0.4 Ga 0.6 As quantum dots by cross-sectional ballistic electron emission microscopy

We measured the quantum-confined conduction band minimum (CBM) energy in the wetting layer (WL) around and behind cleaved self-assembled ${\text{In}}_{0.4}{\text{Ga}}_{0.6}\text{As}$ quantum dots (QDs) using cross-sectional ballistic electron emission microscopy (XBEEM) at room temperature. With the probe tip positioned over a QD, the dependence of the measured CBM energy on the reverse bias confirmed that XBEEM measured the CBM energy in the wetting layer at the backside of the QD and not in the QD itself. Measurements indicated that the CBM of the quantum-confined wetting layer is approximately 90 meV below the GaAs CBM, and that this conduction band offset is not substantially affected by pinning effects at the metal/semiconductor interface. The amplitude of the BEEM current entering a WL was also observed to decrease once the deposited thickness of an ${\text{In}}_{0.4}{\text{Ga}}_{0.6}\text{As}$ or InAs layer exceeded a certain threshold, consistent with a reduction in the WL thickness after large-scale QD formation takes place.
Compensated hepatitis C: unenhanced MR imaging correlated with pathologic grading and staging

We prospectively examined unenhanced MR imaging findings in relation to pathologic fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis in patients with compensated chronic hepatitis C viral infection (HCV). Unenhanced MRI at 1.5 T was obtained within one month of core liver biopsy in 64 consecutive candidates for antiviral therapy for compensated HCV. Two pathologists independently graded inflammatory activity index (HAI) and steatosis, and staged fibrosis (grades 0–6). Morphologic MRI findings of cirrhosis, periportal lymph nodes, and MR fat signal ratio from dual gradient echo images were assessed independently by two radiologists blinded to clinical data. MRI and laboratory liver function results were correlated with pathologic results, using Spearman correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. MR fat signal ratio correlation coefficient with pathologic steatosis was 0.71 (p < 0.0001). Coefficients with fibrosis stage were highest for surface nodularity (r s = 47, p < 0.0001) and expanded gallbladder fossa (r s = 0.42, p = 0.0006). Coefficients with HAI were highest for lymph node size (r s = 0.355, p = 0.0040), surface nodularity (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001), expanded gallbladder fossa (r = 0.332, p = 0.0073), and caudate/right lobe ratio (r = 0.326, p = 0.0110). Combined lab and MRI variables provided the best prediction of fibrosis stage (r 2 = 0.656) and HAI (r 2 = 0.597). A combination of MRI and laboratory findings was most predictive of fibrosis and inflammation.