cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experience with Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®) As a Salvage Therapy for Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Children and Young Adults

Ruxolitinib was recently approved as a treatment for steroid refractory acute GVHD (aGVHD) and is used in adults for the treatment of chronic GVHD (cGVHD). As a JAK-1/JAK-2 inhibitor, it reduces T-cell proliferation and trafficking and leads to a potent anti-inflammatory effect. There is limited data of its use in pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) patients. We report our single center experience with ruxolitinib in this population. Data on patients treated with ruxolitinib at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital between 8/1/18 and 8/31/19 were retrospectively analyzed after institutional IRB approval. aGVHD was graded according to the Modified Glucksberg scale, while cGVHD was scored as limited or extensive based on Seattle criteria. Only patients on ruxolitinib for ≥14 days were evaluated for response, which was defined as a reduction by at least one grade in severity of aGVHD. Ability to reduce other GVHD medications, especially steroids, and/or symptomatic improvement was considered a response in cGVHD. 15 patients (median age 18, range: 11-29 years) received ruxolitinib: 5 for aGVHD and 10 for cGVHD. Standard starting dose was 5 mg twice a day. Patients in the aGVHD group were steroid refractory with ≥ Grade III GVHD and had received a median of 3 (range: 2-5) different agents prior to ruxolitinib. Patients received treatment for a median of 46 days (range: 23-332). 4 of 5 patients had a partial response (PR) with one non-responder, for an overall response rate (ORR) of 80%. All patients experienced at least one episode of infection- CMV reactivation (n=2), adenovirus (n=1), viral gastroenteritis (n=1), bacterial infections (n=3) and probable fungal infection (n=1). Dose-limiting cytopenia was the only toxicity observed in 3 patients (60%), requiring dose reduction or discontinuation. 2 patients had TRM, both related to GVHD and infections. 10 patients treated for cGVHD (6 limited, 4 extensive) had received a median of 3 (range: 2-6) different agents prior to ruxolitinib. One patient required early cessation of therapy due to a severe allergic reaction and in another patient ruxolitinib was stopped due to leukemia relapse. Of the eight patients evaluable for response, treatment duration was for a median of 195 days (range: 59-372) with an ORR of 88%. 5 (63%) patients developed infections: CMV reactivation (n=2), respiratory infections (n=4), bacterial infection (n=1). Only one patient required dose reduction due to GI side effects and cytopenias. Ruxolitinib is an effective salvage therapy for severe GVHD. It was well tolerated in our patient population, with myelosuppression as the dose limiting toxicity, especially in aGHVD patients. A high rate of infections was noted during ruxolitinib treatment and concomitant antimicrobial prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Anaerobic Respiration in Bacteroides fragilis and Its Importance In Vivo.

ABSTRACT In bacteria, the respiratory pathways that drive molecular transport and ATP synthesis include a variety of enzyme complexes that utilize different electron donors and acceptors. This property allows them to vary the efficiency of energy conservation and to generate different types of electrochemical gradients (H+ or Na+). We know little about the respiratory pathways in Bacteroides species, which are abundant in the human gut, and whether they have a simple or a branched pathway. Here, we combined genetics, enzyme activity measurements, and mammalian gut colonization assays to better understand the first committed step in respiration, the transfer of electrons from NADH to quinone. We found that a model gut Bacteroides species, Bacteroides fragilis, has all three types of putative NADH dehydrogenases that typically transfer electrons from the highly reducing molecule NADH to quinone. Analyses of NADH oxidation and quinone reduction in wild-type and deletion mutants showed that two of these enzymes, Na+-pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) and NADH dehydrogenase II (NDH2), have NADH dehydrogenase activity, whereas H+-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NUO) does not. Under anaerobic conditions, NQR contributes more than 65% of the NADH:quinone oxidoreductase activity. When grown in rich medium, none of the single deletion mutants had a significant growth defect; however, the double Δnqr Δndh2 mutant, which lacked almost all NADH:quinone oxidoreductase activity, had a significantly increased doubling time. Despite unaltered in vitro growth, the single nqr deletion mutant was unable to competitively colonize the gnotobiotic mouse gut, confirming the importance of NQR to respiration in B. fragilis and the overall importance of respiration to this abundant gut symbiont. IMPORTANCEBacteroides species are abundant in the human intestine and provide numerous beneficial properties to their hosts. The ability of Bacteroides species to convert host and dietary glycans and polysaccharides to energy is paramount to their success in the human gut. We know a great deal about the molecules that these bacteria extract from the human gut but much less about how they convert those molecules into energy. Here, we show that B. fragilis has a complex respiratory pathway with two different enzymes that transfer electrons from NADH to quinone and a third enzyme complex that may use an electron donor other than NADH. Although fermentation has generally been believed to be the main mechanism of energy generation in Bacteroides, we found that a mutant lacking one of the NADH:quinone oxidoreductases was unable to compete with the wild type in the mammalian gut, revealing the importance of respiration to these abundant gut symbionts.
Language across the Lifespan in Fragile X Syndrome: Characteristics and Considerations for Assessment

While it is widely acknowledged that language development is delayed for the majority of individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), there has been limited research into how best to assess this area. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of standardized language assessment in FXS by addressing the three following objectives: (1) Examine the feasibility and validity of widely-used, standardized assessments in participants with FXS; (2) describe linguistic and cognitive profiles for a large sample of individuals with FXS; and (3) Compare results obtained from objective testing in clinic to those obtained using caregiver report. Results indicate that previous results indicating strong correlations between cognition and language results hold true across a wide range of ages as well as across multiple assessments, with an exception in very young children. Caregiver report tended to give lower estimates of language ability than what was found using an objectively administered assessment. Appropriate assessments remain difficult to find as a significant percentage of individuals scored at floor when scaled scores were calculated. Further, a sub-group of participants were coded for behavioral response to testing demands, the majority being able to complete a standardized assessment. These results speak to the need for assessments that provide a wider range of items so individuals can both achieve a valid score and demonstrate progress in their attainment of language skills.
Cluster Development of Economy of a Multicultural Region: Challenges for State Management

The purpose of the research is to study the specific features of cluster development of a multicultural region’s economy (by the example of modern Russia’s regions) and to develop recommendations for improving the practice of state management of this process. It is determined that multicultural regions face the specific barriers on the path of their cluster development, which are not characteristic of monocultural regions. One of these challenges is the necessity to create and support special conditions in a cluster that stimulates the development of its existing participants and stimulates the attraction of new participants. Another challenge is the necessity for stricter selection of cluster’s participants, for avoiding their destructive influence on it.
Meigs' Versus Pseudo-Meigs' Syndrome: A Case of Pleural Effusion, Ascites, and Ovarian Mass

Meigs' syndrome is classically characterized as the triad of ascites, pleural effusion, and ovarian fibroma. The incidence is not easily determined but has been described in medical literature. We report a case of a patient who presented for shortness of breath and was found to have pleural effusion, ascites, and an ovarian mass. Investigative measures were consistent with Meigs' syndrome; however, definitive diagnosis was not able to be determined as our patient opted for symptomatic treatment rather than pursue surgical options. We discuss the pathophysiology of pleural effusion, ascites, and management of Meigs' and pseudo-Meigs' syndrome. Ultimately, we discuss palliative options for patients who are not ideal candidates for surgery.
Minimal and Disjoint Negation Sets in Signed Graphs

A signed graph is a graph with a function that assigns a label of positive or negative to each edge. The sign of a circle is the product of the signs of its edges; a graph is balanced if all of its circles are positive. A set of edges whose negation yields a balanced graph is a negation set. Results: tests to determine whether a negation set is minimal, minimum, or the unique minimum; any two disjoint negation sets must be bipartite; two classes of graphs are shown to have bipartite negation sets (in general, existence is an unsolved problem); I give an algorithm which finds a maximum family of disjoint negation sets that includes a given negation set.
Pain Experiences in Individuals with Reported and Suspected Sleep Disorders

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether individuals with varying reported and/or suspected insomnia and sleep apnea presentations differed with respect to pain.Data included 3,161 adults who participated in an online study investigating sleep and health. Participants reported a lifetime history of prior sleep disorder diagnoses while the presence of suspected sleep disorders was determined using the Insomnia Severity Index and the STOP-Bang. Average pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale and pain interference was determined using two items from the PHQ-15. Participants who reported diagnoses of insomnia and/or sleep apnea reported greater pain intensity and interference compared to those with no sleep disorder; however, no differences in pain were observed between the various reported sleep disorders. Of participants who did not report either insomnia or sleep apnea diagnoses, 24% were suspected of having either insomnia, sleep apnea, or both disorders based on responses to questionnaires. Participants with one or more suspected sleep disorders reported higher pain intensity and interference than those without a suspected disorder. Additionally, having either suspected insomnia or suspected comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea was associated with greater pain intensity compared to only having suspected sleep apnea. Sleep disorders go commonly undiagnosed and are associated with adverse pain experiences. While results do not support a synergistic effect of suspected insomnia and sleep apnea on pain, findings indicate that screening for sleep disorders is warranted and may have important implications for pain treatment.
Subotimal semi-active vehicle suspensions

A two-degree-of-freedom model of a semi-actively suspended vehicle is used for the design of and optimal suspension where the optimization is performed with respect to a quadratic performance index which reflects the influence of suspension design constraints and ride quality requirements. For the constrained semi-active optimization problem, two numerical methods are proposed as approximate solutions. The justification for the methods is based on some recent existence theorems from stochastic optimal control theory. One of the proposed methods is applied to a sample problem.
Virulent mutants of phage P22 : II. Physiological analysis of P22 virB-3 and its component mutations

Abstract The virulent mutant of phage P22, virB-3 , consists of two mutations: K 5, which maps in the c 2 repressor gene, and Vx , which maps between c 2 and c 3 . Although neither P22 K 5 nor P22 Vx is virulent, each of these mutants can express gene functions not expressed by other nonvirulent phages in the presence of prophage immunity. In mixed superinfection of a lysogen with P22 virB-3 , only a small fraction of the yield consists of c + , c 1 , or c 2 phage even though the virulent grows normally. This is the phenomenon of replication inhibition. In contrast, P22 K 5 and to a lesser extent, P22 Vx show escape from replication inhibition. However, neither P22 K 5 nor P22 Vx alone replicates extensively in a lysogen. These mutants complement in trans for phage DNA synthesis and phage production. This result indicates that both P22 K 5 and P22 Vx express some of the functions required for phage replication in immune conditions. In addition, P22 K 5 kills lysogens at low multiplicities, and lysis is observed when these complexes are treated with chloroform. P22 virB-3 is repressed by the c 2 gene product made by a c + phage in mixed infection of a sensitive host. There is an inverse relationship between the burst size and the multiplicity of infection of the c + phage. P22 virB-3 represses its own growth at high multiplicities even though the K 5 mutation maps in the c 2 gene and confers a clear plaque phenotype to phage P22. Introduction of a second c 2 mutation into the P22 virB-3 genome abolishes this multiplicity effect. These findings demonstrate that P22 virB-3 is sensitive to its own repressor and to that of a coinfecting phage bearing a c 2 + allele. We have called this effect multiplicity repression . The residual sensitivity of P22 virB-3 to repressor suggests that at least one of its component mutations is of the operator constitutive type.
Methodology of the Sciences

In the growing Prussian university system of the early nineteenth century, “Wissenschaft” (science) was seen as an endeavor common to university faculties, characterized by a rigorous methodology. On this view, history and jurisprudence are sciences, as much as is physics. Nineteenth century trends challenged this view: the increasing influence of materialist and positivist philosophies, profound changes in the relationships between university faculties, and the defense of Kant’s classification of the sciences by neo-Kantians. Wilhelm Dilthey’s defense of the independence of the methodology of the human sciences (Geisteswissenschaften) from those of the natural sciences (Naturwissenschaften) is as much a return to the ideal of Wissenschaft as a cooperative endeavor as it is a defense of the autonomy of interpretive or hermeneutic methods. The debate between Dilthey and the neo-Kantian Wilhelm Windelband at the close of the century illuminates the development of this dialogue over the nineteenth century.
A technique for the repair of giant umbilical hernia in children

Umbilical hernia repair is a common procedure in the pediatric patient. Most pediatric surgeons will delay repair of umbilical hernia until school age to allow maximum opportunity for spontaneous closure of the defect. The occasional patient with a large fascial defect and excessive stretching of the skin to produce an “elephant trunk” or proboscis-like appearance poses a more challenging management problem. These defects are unlikely to close spontaneously and are distressing to parent and child. This technique was initially devised to provide an improved umbilical size and contour in an infant with a proboscoid hernia containing an umbilical remnant. It has been used in 32 children with good results in all. Repair of these hernias stimulated the question of what the normal dimensions of the umbilicus should be in terms of diameter and relative position on the xiphoid-to-pubis axis.
Commentary on Andrew Orta's “Managing the Margins”: The anthropology of transnational capitalism, neoliberalism, and risk

Ethnographic examinations of neoliberalism are increasingly nuanced and varied, intersecting vertical power relations to enter such sites as MBA curricula and the training and cultivation of business executives. Andrew Orta's “Managing the Margins” exemplifies such research. In it, he investigates how professionalizing business subjects are socialized to approach “the market” and showcase their business expertise through commensurating techniques such as executive summaries and value-chain analyses. At the same time, the distinctiveness of their education is often forged through singular, seemingly incommensurable study-abroad trips to “emerging markets,” where the experiences and adventure of encountering “risky” margins construct the self as daring and enterprising. Incommensurable experiences at the margins are translated and reabsorbed into the normative production of professional selves. Careful attention is required, in ethnographic projects such as these, not to reinscribe dominant assumptions of what constitutes capitalist motivations and approaches to risk, not to mention, the very context of capitalism itself.
Model predictive control of dual-output nine-switch inverter with output filter

This paper presents a model-based predictive control scheme for a dual-output Nine-Switch Inverter (NSI) with output filter. The conventional Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method for NSI control is very complicated, it requires a multi-loop control scheme and implementation incurs high computational costs. Conversely, the proposed predictive control scheme is simple and controls two the three-phase output voltages by solving a single optimization problem.
The Commercialization of Database Management Systems, 1969&#x2013;1983

Database management systems were the most important commercial software packages of the 1970s. The authors reconstruct their early history by examining the evolution of their capabilities and installed base. They also document early user experiences, including the sources from which potential users learned about these new technologies, new roles such as the database administrator, and new concepts such as the data dictionary.
First pass of an MR susceptibility contrast agent through normal and ischemic heart: Gradient-recalled echo-planar imaging

Gradient-recalled echo-planar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to monitor the first pass of a magnetic susceptibility contrast agent through the heart of normal rats and rats subjected to 60-minute occlusion of the anterior branch of the left main coronary artery. Each animal (six normal and six ischemic) received four doses (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mmol/kg) of Dy-DTPA-BMA [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-bis(methylamide)] administered as a bolus volume of 1.0 mL/kg. In both normal and ischemic rats, signal intensity in nonischemic myocardium was reduced by the contrast agent in a dose-dependent manner. Signal intensity in the ischemic zone was reduced much less, so that at a contrast agent dose of 0.1 mmol/kg or greater the ischemic zone was clearly defined as a high-intensity zone on echo-planar images. Plots of the change in the apparent T2* relaxation rate (delta R2*) during the peak bolus effect versus injected dose were well fit by straight lines for normal, nonischemic, and ischemic myocardium but not for blood in the left ventricle. No difference was seen between myocardial response in normal animals and in nonischemic regions in animals with coronary artery occlusion. These findings suggest that the contrast agent-induced changes in tissue T2* are monoexponential and support the idea that data derived from contrast transit studies may be useful for calculation of myocardial blood flow.
Atomic distance estimates from disulfides and high-affinity metal-binding sites in a K+ channel pore

The pore of potassium channels is lined by four identical, highly conserved hairpin loops, symmetrically arranged around a central permeation pathway. Introduction of cysteines into the external mouth of the drk1 K channel pore resulted in the formation of disulfide bonds that were incompatible with channel function. Breaking these bonds restored function and resulted in a high-affinity Cd(2+)-binding site, indicating coordinated ligation by multiple sulfhydryls. Dimeric constructs showed that these disulfide bonds formed between subunits. These results impose narrow constraints on intersubunit atomic distances in the pore that strongly support a radial pore model. The data also suggest an important functional role for the outer mouth of the pore in gating or permeation.
Thickness of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) predicts imiquimod efficacy: a proposal for a thickness-based definition of sBCC.

Summary Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in the white population. It is an important driver of healthcare costs and causes significant morbidity. Topical imiquimod is a good noninvasive treatment alternative for surgical excision in superficial BCC (sBCC). However, there are currently no uniform histological definitions of sBCC. A definition based on tumour thickness might be a good alternative. Objectives To determine whether tumour thickness in sBCC is a predictor of treatment failure. Methods We retrospectively examined 127 histological biopsy specimens of sBCC treated primarily with imiquimod five times a week for 6 weeks. Mean follow-up was 34 months (range 3–91). Recurrence was evaluated clinically with histological verification. Results Among nonrecurrent cases the median tumour thickness was 0·26 mm (range 0·09–0·61), while for recurrent cases the median tumour thickness was 0·57 mm (range 0·41–1·41, P 0·40 mm the recurrence rate was 58% (P < 0·0001). Conclusions We recommend the use of tumour thickness to define the superficial pattern in pathology reports for BCC as this can help to determine treatment response of sBCC to imiquimod.
Overview: Hypertension and atherosclerosis

Abstract Many large-scale trials of drug treatment for hypertension have shown an apparent lack of benefit with regard to the incidence of complications related to atherosclerosis. Recent experimental evidence has contributed to an understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertensive vascular disease, although exact mechanisms by which hypertension and antihypertensive drugs influence the atherosclerotic process are still poorly defined. In animal models, hypertension appears to induce a sequence of changes in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial permeability. However, increased lipid deposition in the intima and acceleration of atherosclerosis appear to require elevation of plasma lipid levels. Some β-blockers have been found to retard the development of atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed rabbit model. The clinical applicability of these interesting research findings awaits further investigation.
The position of the urethrovesical junction after incontinence surgery: early postoperative changes

This study prospectively evaluated the position of the urethrovesical junction using the Q-tip angle to assess early postoperative changes for different anti-incontinence surgeries. All procedures resulted in a statistically significant change in resting angle from the intraoperative value. The mean change for the transvaginal tape was 25.74 degrees (27.43 to 3.28); Burch 11.18 degrees (-20.44 to -10.0) and fascia sling 13.9 degrees (26.57 to 15.68). The mean change in Q-tip angle was greater after transvaginal tape placement than after Burch ( p=0.000) and fascial sling ( p=0.022) procedures. These findings show that the resting position of the urethrovesical junction after surgery is different for all procedures. The transvaginal tape results in the greatest change in angle. This may help to negate the so-called 'tension-free' nature of the procedure. Surgeons need to be aware of this, as it may be an etiological factor in cases of late urinary retention and urethral erosion.
Locating information within extended hypermedia

New literacies researchers have identified a core set of strategies for locating information, one of which is “reading a Web page to locate information that might be present there” (Leu et al. in: Rush, Eakle, Berger (eds) Secondary school reading and writing: What research reveals for classroom practices, 2007, p. 46). Do middle-school, high school, and undergraduate students (N = 51) differ in effectiveness at locating information within extended hypermedia? Students completed a pretest measure of knowledge about the circulatory system. They then gave verbal answers to 10 researcher-developed questions about the circulatory system, which they answered by searching the environment and thinking aloud about the task. Consistent with large-scale national and international studies, students were only moderately successful at locating information. Successfully locating information was significantly associated with having more prior knowledge, efficient searching, and giving better quality answers to the researcher-posed questions. It was also associated with specific strategies only at the level of individual questions. That is, the “ideal” strategy depended on the question and how the answer was phrased in the text. Implications of the results for teaching students how to search in hypermedia are offered.
Linear polyalkylamines as fingerprinting agents in capillary electrophoresis of low molecular weight heparins and glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analysis represents a challenging frontier despite the advent of many high-resolution technologies because of their unparalleled structural complexity. We previously developed a resolving agent-aided capillary electrophoretic approach for fingerprinting low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) to profile their microscopic differences and assess batch-to-batch variability. In this report, we study the application of this approach for fingerprinting other GAGs and analyze the basis for the fingerprints observed in CE. Although the resolving agents, linear polyalkylamines, could resolve the broad featureless electropherogram of LMWH into a large number of distinct, highly reproducible peaks, longer GAGs such as chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparin responded in a highly individualistic manner. Full-length heparin interacted with linear polyalkylamines very strongly followed by dermatan sulfate, whereas chondroitin sulfate remained essentially unaffected. Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate could be easily identified from full-length heparin. Scatchard analysis of the binding profile of enoxaparin with three linear polyalkylamines displayed a biphasic binding profile suggesting two distinctly different types of interactions. Some LMWH chains were found to interact with linear polyalkylamines with affinities as high as 10 nM, whereas others displayed nearly 5000-fold weaker affinities. These observations provide fundamental insight into the basis for fingerprinting of LMWHs by linear polyalkylamine-based resolving agents, which could be utilized in the design of advanced resolving agents for compositional profiling, direct sequencing, and chemoinformatics studies.
Methylphenidate treatment following ablation-induced hemiplegia in rat: Experience during drug action alters effects on recovery of function

Two experiments examined the effects of single or multiple administrations of methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) and differing amounts of beam-walking trials (symptom relevant experience) during the period of drug action on recovery from hemiplegia following unilateral sensorimotor cortex ablation in rat. The first study tested multiple doses of MPH (10 mg/kg) or sterile saline given once daily, followed by four beam-walk (BW) trials at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h on 3 consecutive days. A significant and enduring enhancement of recovery was only observed 24 h after the third administration of MPH, compared to saline controls. In the second study, a single dose of MPH (10 mg/kg) or saline was administered 24 h after ablation, followed by 12 BW trials beginning 1 h and continuing at 15-min intervals until 3 h after MPH or saline administration. A significant and enduring facilitation of BW ability was produced by this single MPH treatment regimen. These data further support the importance of an interaction between symptom-relevant experience and drugs that increase norepinephrine transmission to enhance functional recovery after brain damage.
Influence of reduced glucose levels on the in vitro hatching, attachment, and trophoblast outgrowth of the mouse blastocyst.

Abstract The influence of glucose on the in vitro hatching, attachment, and trophoblast outgrowth of 856 mouse blastocysts has been examined. Results indicate that glucose is a necessary factor for the in vitro hatching of the mouse blastocyst and that a delay in hatching can be accomplished by culturing blastocysts in culture media devoid of glucose.
Collaborative Sketching With skWiki: A Case Study

Sketching for conceptual design has traditionally been performed on paper. Recent computational tools for conceptual design have leveraged the availability of hand-held computing devices and web-based collaborative platforms. Further, digital sketching interfaces have the added advantages of storage, duplication, and sharing on the web. We have developed skWiki, a tool that enables collaborative sketching on digital tablets using a web-based framework. We evaluate skWiki in two contexts, (a) as a collaborative ideation tool, and (b) as a design research tool. For this evaluation, we perform a longitudinal study of an undergraduate design team that used skWiki over the course of the concept generation and development phase of their course project. Our analysis of the team’s sketching activity indicated instances of lateral and vertical transformation between participants, indicating collaborative exploration of the breadth and depth of the design space. Using skWiki for this evaluation also demonstrated it to be an effective research tool to investigate such collaborative design processes.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The new era of scaling in an SoC world

The time has passed when traditional MOSFET scaling techniques were adequate to meet the needs of microprocessor products, but that has not meant the end of Moore's Law nor the end of improvements in microprocessor performance and power. In the new era of device scaling, innovations in materials and device structure are just as important as dimensional scaling. The past trend of using smaller transistors to build larger microprocessor cores operating at higher frequency and consuming more power is also at an end. The new era of microprocessor scaling is a system-on-a-chip approach that combines a diverse set of components using adaptive circuits, integrated sensors, sophisticated power-management techniques, and increased parallelism to build products that are many-core, multi-core, and multi-function. Although many promising technologies and device options are in the research pipeline, we need to recognize that we are doing system integration, and the future challenge we face is learning how to integrate an ever wider range of heterogeneous elements.
A new aesthetics of black equality: on Tony Medina

In the US today, a new generation of poets and writers of colour is taking up and moving on from the 1960s Black Arts Movement. According to Amiri Baraka, a co-founder of that movement, one of its pitfalls was an inadequate critique of 'race' at the expense of a class understanding of oppression. Subsequent critical discussion has done little to correct this, despite the crucial links between class and race made by Malcolm X shortly before his death. But the paths indicated by Malcolm are now being challengingly developed by one of the most exciting of this new generation of poets, the Afro-American writer Tony Medina. Combining a visceral political sensibility with a dynamic, improvisatory aesthetic, Medina's work speaks with urgency of the realities of life in the ghetto and the barrio and the need for radical, activist struggle.
On the possible role of crystals in the origins of life V. The polymerization of glycine

Abstract Hydroxyapatite is proposed as a catalyst by which amino acids could be polymerized under conditions generally believed to exist on the prebiotic earth. Polymerization in the presence of hydroxyapatite was shown to occur at temperatures lower than required for glycine alone. In addition, under certain conditions the number of moles of peptide bonds formed was shown tc exceed greatly the number of moles of available catalytic sites, indicating cycling. Included is a procedure for the quantitative separation and measurement of reaction products.
Geometric morphometrics: recent applications to the study of evolution and development

The field of morphometrics is developing quickly and recent advances allow for geometric techniques to be applied easily to many zoological problems. This paper briefly introduces geometric morphometric techniques and then reviews selected areas where those techniques have been applied to questions of general interest. This paper is relevant to non-specialists looking for an entry into geometric morphometric methods and for ideas of how to incorporate them into the study of variation within and between species, the measurement of developmental stability, the role of development in shaping evolution and the special problem of measuring the shape of fossil specimens that are deformed from their original shape.
Effect of furnace atmosphere on E-glass foaming

The effect of furnace atmosphere on E-glass foaming has been studied with the specific goal of understanding the impact of increased water content on foaming in oxy-fired furnaces. E-glass foams were generated in a fused-quartz crucible located in a quartz window furnace equipped with video recording. The present study showed that humidity in the furnace atmosphere destabilizes foam, while other gases have little effect on foam stability. These findings do not contradict the generally accepted “dilution model”, suggesting that foaming is more severe in oxy-fired furnaces than in air-fired furnaces because the higher concentration of water in the furnace atmosphere ultimately enhances sulfate decomposition resulting in stronger foaming. The failure to reproduce this effect in laboratory experiments may be attributed to water incorporation into the glass melt occurring during ablation melting in industrial furnaces.
Outcomes of Patients Discharged the Same Day Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives This study evaluated the outcomes of patients discharged the day of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by analyzing the data from a single-center, large, multioperator registry of interventions. Background Although same-day discharge is likely safe after interventions on low-risk stable patients, there is limited data to guide selection of a broader population of patients. Due to numerous patient variables and physician preferences, standardization of the length of stay after PCI has been a challenge. Most of the reported studies on same-day discharge have strict inclusion criteria and hence do not truly reflect a real-world population. Methods We analyzed the outcomes of consecutive same-day discharge in 2,400 of 16,585 patients who underwent elective PCI without any procedural or hospital complication. Composite end point included 30-day major adverse cardiac cerebral events and bleeding/vascular complications. Results The mean age of the study population was 57.0 ± 23.7 years with 12% aged over 65 years. Twenty-eight percent received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor with closure devices in 90.5%. Clinical and angiographic success was noted in 97% of all PCIs. The average length-of-stay following PCI was 8.2 ± 2.5 h. The composite end point was reached in 23 patients (0.96%). Major adverse cardiac cerebral events occurred in 8 patients (0.33%) and vascular/bleeding complications in the form of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction minor bleeding in 14 patients (0.58%) and pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient (0.04%). Conclusions When appropriately selected, with strict adherence to the set protocol, same-day discharge after uncomplicated elective PCI is safe despite using femoral access in a wide spectrum of patients.
Nanoscale characterization of redox and acid properties of keggin-type heteropolyacids by scanning tunneling microscopy and tunneling spectroscopy: effect of heteroatom substitution.

Nanoscale characterization of acid and redox properties of Keggin-type heteropolyacids (HPAs) with different heteroatoms, HnMW12O40 (M = P, Si, B, Co), was carried out by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tunneling spectroscopy (TS) in this study. HPA samples were deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces to obtain images and tunneling spectra by STM before and after pyridine adsorption. All HPA samples formed well-ordered 2-dimensional arrays on graphite before and after pyridine exposure. NDR (negative differential resistance) peaks were observed in the tunneling spectra. Those measured for fresh HPA samples appeared at less negative voltages with increasing reduction potential of the HPAs and with increases in the electronegativity of the heteroatom, but with decreases in the overall negative charge of the heteropolyanions. These results support the conclusion that more reducible HPA samples show NDR behavior at less negative applied voltages in their tunneling spectra. Introductio...
Problem Solving Heuristics, Affect, and Discrete Mathematics

It has been suggested that activities in discrete mathematics allow a kind of new beginning for students and teachers. Students who have been “turned off” by traditional school mathematics, and teachers who have long ago routinized their instruction, can find in the domain of discrete mathematics opportunities for mathematical discovery and interesting, nonroutine problem solving. Sometimes formerly low-achieving students demonstrate mathematical abilities their teachers did not know they had. To take maximum advantage of these possibilities, it is important to know what kinds of thinking during problem solving can be naturally evoked by discrete mathematical situations—so that in developing a curriculum, the objectives can include pathways to desired mathematical reasoning processes. This article discusses some of these ways of thinking, with special attention to the idea of “modeling the general on the particular.” Some comments are also offered about students' possible affective pathways and structures.
A New Tool for Design and Certification of Aircraft Turbine Rotors

This paper summarizes recent enhancements to a probabilistic damage tolerance software code, DARWIN that can be used for design certification of aircraft jet engine titanium disks/rotors that may contain melt-related anomalies. Evaluations of DARWIN by engine manufacturers are also discussed, including comparisons with existing codes for accuracy and time efficiency In addition, relevant test results, including various fatigue tests on material containing melt-related anomalies, are summarized.
Parallel Algorithm for Modeling Constrained Multi-Flexible Body System Dynamics

This paper presents an algorithm for modeling the dynamics of multi-flexible body systems in closed kinematic loop configurations where the component bodies are modeled using the large displacement small deformation formulation. The algorithm uses a hierarchic assembly disassembly process in parallel implementation and a recursive assembly disassembly process in serial implementation to achieve highly efficient simulation turn-around times. The operational inertias arising from the rigid body modes of motion at the joint locations on a component body are modified to account for the nonlinear inertial effects and body forces arising from the body based deformations. Traditional issues, such as motion induced stiffness and temporal invariance of deformation field related inertia terms, are robustly addressed in this algorithm. The algorithm uses a mixed set of coordinates viz. (i) absolute coordinates for expressing the equations of motion of a body fixed reference frame, (ii) relative or internal coordinates to express the kinematic joint constraints and (iii) body fixed coordinates to account for the body’s deformation field. The kinematic joint constraints and the closed loop constraints are treated alike through the formalism of relative coordinates, joint motion spaces and their orthogonal complements. Verification of the algorithm is demonstrated using the planar fourbar mechanism problem that has been traditionally used in literature.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
INFLUENCE OF INCREMENTAL CHANGES IN HEART RATE ON MITRAL FLOW VELOCITY : ASSESSMENT IN LIGHTLY SEDATED, CONSCIOUS DOGS

To determine the effect of increasing heart rate on mitral flow velocity variables, the time constant of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation and the transmitral pressure gradient, 16 lightly sedated, conscious dogs were studied with Doppler echocardiography during incremental right atrial pacing (n = 16) or the administration of atropine (n = 8) or isoproterenol (n = 8). With increasing heart rate, similar changes were seen with all three interventions and included: 1) mitral flow velocity in early diastole and the early diastolic transmitral pressure gradient either changed minimally or did not change; 2) mitral flow velocity at the start of and as a result of atrial contraction progressively increased; 3) the "absolute" increase in mitral flow velocity and transmitral pressure gradient at atrial contraction demonstrated a biphasic response, initially decreasing as heart rate increased, but then increasing again when atrial contraction occurred in close proximity (less than 70 ms) to mitral valve opening; 3) mitral flow velocity at atrial contraction did not exceed mitral flow velocity in early diastole until atrial contraction was within 70 ms of mitral valve opening and the two velocity peaks were nearly fused; and 4) the largest transmitral pressure gradient and mitral flow velocity occurred at the fastest heart rates, when left atrial contraction preceded mitral valve opening. Major differences among methods included: 1) variable changes in PR interval (+14.2 +- 8.9 ms with atrial pacing versus -74 +/- 26 ms with isoproterenol at peak heart rate compared with baseline); 2) variable changes in the speed of left ventricular relaxation (-2.8 +/- 2.8 ms with pacing versus -7.6 +/- 2.4 ms with isoproterenol at peak rate); and 3) the heart rate at which equalization of mitral flow velocity in early diastole and mitral flow velocity at atrial contraction velocity occurred (128 +/- 12 beats/min with pacing versus 185 +/- 19 beats/min with isoproterenol). These results show that regardless of method, qualitatively similar changes in mitral flow velocity and transmitral pressure gradient occur as heart rate increases. However, for any given heart rate, mitral flow velocity variables and late diastolic pressure gradient can be markedly different, depending on whether atrial pacing, withdrawal of parasympathetic tone or sympathetic stimulation is the cause of the increase in heart rate. These differences among methods appear most related to their effect on PR interval and to a lesser extent the rate of letf ventricular isovolumic relaxation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The application of novel extraction chromatographic materials to the characterization of radioactive waste solutions

A simple method for the separation and preconcentration of radiostrontium from acidic nuclear waste solutions for subsequent determination is described. The method involves passage of the waste solution, acidified to at least 2M with nitric acid, through an extraction chromatographic column consisting of a 1M solution of bis-4,4′(5′)[(t-butyl)cyclohexano]-18-crown-6 in 1-octanol sorbed on an inert polymeric substrate, which preferentially retains strontium. The strontium may then be stripped from the column with a small volume of either dilute (≤0.05M) nitric acid or water. Actinides present are removed quantitatively prior to strontium separation by passage of the sample through an actinide-specific extraction chromatographic column.
A Theory Bite on Learning Through Mathematical Activity

I wish to emphasize two fundamental points related to theory that were significantly underplayed in Simon et al.'s “A Developing Approach to Studying Students’ Learning through Their Mathematical A...
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF INTERSTELLAR CLOUDS.

The application of organic chemistry to the interstellar medium has considerably heightened the appreciation of the complexity and variety of interstellar clouds. Results obtained during the past three years suggest that only a start has been made in the identification of the molecular constituents of these clouds.
Environmentally friendly methods of water disinfection: The chemistry of alternative disinfectants

Abstract The risk of disease from microbiological organisms far surpasses any chemical risk associated with water treatment by chemical oxidation. Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum, common microbiological contaminants, sometimes have fatal consequences to individuals with weak immune systems. Because effective environmentally friendly oxidants are available and accessible for treating drinking water, utilities throughout the industrialized world are investigasting alternative disinfection/oxidation practices. Chlorine dioxide and ozone are frequently used to remove taste and odor problems, color and to inactive problem microbiological species. To understand the unique value of ozone and chlorine dioxide in water treatment, one must start with the chemistry.
The December 1998 elections in Taiwan

Abstract The 5 December 1998 elections in Taiwan mark the first time that the national city mayoral elections and Legislative Yuan elections were held simultaneously. There was an increase in the number of candidates and seats for the Legislative Yuan election compared to the 1995 election; the Legislative Yuan sits for a three-year term. The mayoral elections in Taipei and Kaoshiung were the second direct popular elections featuring two well-known incumbents and two tough challengers vying for the four-year post. All Taiwanese elections in the 1990s were seen as referendums on the fate of the long-ruling Kuomintang, but many political commentators saw the 1999 elections as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the presidential election in 2000.
Figural emphasis and person perception.

Abstract Based on Jones and Nisbett's (1972) proposition that actor-observer differences in causal attributions derive from differences in attentional focus, it was hypothesized that observers' focus of attention would influence their causal attributions for an actor's behavior. More specifically, it was predicted that the behavior of an actor who was the focus of attention by virtue of some salient physical attribute would be attributed by observers more to dispositional causes and less to situational causes than would the behavior of a less physically salient actor. The manipulations of physical salience were based upon Gestalt laws of figural emphasis in object perception. They included brightness (Study I), motion (Study II), pattern complexity (Study III), and contextual novelty (Studies IV and V). The results revealed that the salinece of the actors' environments (i.e., the other people present) rather than the salience of the actor him/herself had the most consistent influence on causal attributions. When environmental salience was high, behavior was attributed relatively more situationally than when it was low. Prior research findings are considered in light of the proposition that causal attributions for an actor's behavior vary only with the salience of his/her environment, and additional implications of this phenomenon are suggested. Some ambiguities in the application of Gestalt principles to the perception of people are discussed.