cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations of breast cancer development in patients with systemic sclerosis: an exploratory study

The goal of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis who develop breast cancer and to identify associations for this relationship. From 769 patients followed at the scleroderma center of our institution over the past 16 years, 24 patients developed a diagnosis of breast cancer. The demographics and clinical characteristics of these patients will be compared to those of a randomly selected group of scleroderma patients without a diagnosis of cancer. A further analysis will compare the patients who developed their breast cancer before the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis to those diagnosed after. Twenty-four patients developed 25 breast cancers with 13 patients diagnosed before the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis and 11 after. Compared to 48 randomly selected systemic sclerosis patients without a diagnosis of cancer, the patients with breast cancer were diagnosed with systemic sclerosis at an older age (53.5±15.2) as compared to those without (42.4±12.5) (p=0.002). A relatively equal amount of patients had the diffuse and limited form of systemic sclerosis, while pulmonary fibrosis (p=0.015) and the lack of antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity (p=0.02) were more commonly seen in patients with breast cancer. Patients who developed breast cancer before the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis were older at systemic sclerosis diagnosis (61.6±11.3) compared to those after (43.9±13.5) (p=0.03). An older age at diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, a lack of ANA positivity, and the presence of pulmonary fibrosis were more commonly seen in patients with systemic sclerosis who have a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Development of sparse Bayesian multinomial generalized linear model for multi-class prediction

Background Gene expression profiling has been used for many years to classify samples and to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of phenotypes and diseases. A major challenge in expression analysis is caused by the large number of variables assessed compared to relatively small sample sizes. In addition, identification of markers that accurately predict multiple classes of samples, such as those involved in the progression of cancer or other diseases, remains difficult. Materials and methods In this study, we developed a multinomial Probit Bayesian model which utilized the double exponential prior to induce shrinkage and reduce the number of covariates in the model [1,2]. A fully Bayesian hierarchical model was developed in order to facilitate Gibbs sampling which takes into account the progressive nature of the response variable. Gibbs sampling was performed in R for 100k iterations and the first 20k were discarded as burn-in. The method was applied to a published dataset on prostate cancer progression downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus at NCBI (GSE6099) [3]. The data set contained 99 prostate cancer cell types in four different progressive stages. The dataset was randomly divided into training (N=50) and test (N=49) groups such that each group contained an equal number of each cell type. Before applying our model, for each gene we performed ordinal logistic regression. Genes were ranked based on the p-value of association. Using a cutoff value of 0.05 after Benjamini and Hochberg FDR correction resulted in a final set of 398 genes. Results Figure 1 shows the posterior mean of parameters associated with each gene. Using the top ten genes obtained from our model, we were able to achieve 86% classification accuracy in the training group and 82% accuracy in the test group. To test the robustness of the model, we switched the training and test groups and evaluated the classification accuracy. We obtained 88% classification accuracy on the new training group and 86% accuracy on the new test group. The classification accuracy by tumor type is shown in Table 1. Taken together, these results suggest that the Bayesian Multinomial Probit model applied to cancer progression data allows for reasonable subclass prediction.
Sensitive two-site sandwich enzyme immunoassay with antipeptide antibodies for detection of viral antigens

Two-site sandwich ELISAs with antipeptide antibodies were developed for measuring the amounts of polyoma virus medium T and SV40 virus large T antigen in extracts from virus infected and transformed cells. In order to exclude crossreactive proteins, two antipeptide antibodies directed against different regions of the antigen were used in series. Both antigenic determinants have to be recognized for the assay to score positive. A positive signal was obtained with as little as 10 microliter of polyoma virus infected cell lysate and 100 microliter of extract prepared from medium T antigen-transformed FR18-1 cells which were shown to contain 37 and 15 pg of medium T antigen, respectively. This two-site sandwich ELISA is a sensitive tool to detect novel or closely related proteins.
Reexamination of Motional Averaging in Magnetic Resonance

Abstract A new method of calculating the positions of motionally narrowed resonance lines has recently been proposed. The new method attempts to take into account the effects of the nuclear spin orientation on the motion of the environment. It is shown here that this proposal predicts results substantially different from the conventional method. A simple model system is considered and three arguments which favor the conventional method are presented.
Correlating Structure and Photocurrent for Composite Semiconducting Nanoparticles with Contrast Variation Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Photoconductive Atomic Force Microscopy

Aqueous dispersions of semiconducting nanoparticles have shown promise as a robust and scalable platform for the production of efficient polymer/fullerene active layers in organic photovoltaic applications. Semiconducting nanoparticles are a composite of both an n-type and p-type semiconductor contained within a single nanoparticle. In order to realize efficient organic solar cells from these materials, there is a need to understand how the size and internal distribution of materials within each nanoparticle contributes to photocurrent generation in a nanoparticle-derived device. Therefore, characterizing the internal distribution of conjugated polymer and fullerene within the dispersion is the first step to improving performance. To date, study of polymer/fullerene structure within these nanoparticles has been limited to microscopy techniques of deposited nanoparticles. In this work, we use contrast variation with small-angle neutron scattering to determine the internal distribution of poly(3-hexylthioph...
CDK2 activation in mouse epidermis induces keratinocyte proliferation but does not affect skin tumor development.

It has been widely assumed that elevated CDK2 kinase activity plays a contributory role in tumorigenesis. We have previously shown that mice overexpressing CDK4 under control of the keratin 5 promoter (K5CDK4 mice) develop epidermal hyperplasia and increased susceptibility to squamous cell carcinomas. In this model, CDK4 overexpression results in increased CDK2 activity associated with the noncatalytic function of CDK4, sequestration of p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. Furthermore, we have shown that ablation of Cdk2 reduces Ras-Cdk4 tumorigenesis, suggesting that increased CDK2 activity plays an important role in Ras-mediated tumorigenesis. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated two transgenic mouse models of elevated CDK2 kinase activity, K5Cdk2 and K5Cdk4D158N mice. The D158N mutation blocks CDK4 kinase activity without interfering with its binding capability. CDK2 activation via overexpression of CDK4D158N, but not of CDK2, resulted in epidermal hyperplasia. We observed elevated levels of p21Cip1 in K5Cdk2, but not in K5Cdk4D158N, epidermis, suggesting that CDK2 overexpression elicits a p21Cip1 response to maintain keratinocyte homeostasis. Surprisingly, we found that neither CDK2 overexpression nor the indirect activation of CDK2 enhanced skin tumor development. Thus, although the indirect activation of CDK2 is sufficient to induce keratinocyte hyperproliferation, activation of CDK2 alone does not induce malignant progression in Ras-mediated tumorigenesis.
Isolation and characterization of a new peptide from hypothalamus and pituitary using a monoclonal antibody to LHRH

A new peptide with LHRH-like immunoreactivity has been isolated from rat hypothalamus and pituitary using an immunosorbent prepared with monoclonal antibody to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). This peptide contains part of the C-terminal sequence of LHRH and has a molecular weight of about 2000. It comprises over 20% of hypothalamic immunoreactivity recognized by the monoclonal antibody. Chromatographic and amino acid analysis data confirm the distinction between this peptide and LHRH. Immunocytochemical evidence is consistent with its being a normal constituent of the LHRH system, while its presence in the pituitary suggests that it may play a role in the regulation of this gland.
Satisfaction Measurement of Small Tourism Sector (Museum): Samoa

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of the Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS) museum in Samoa in the measurement of tourist satisfaction. A correlation model was performed to determine the relationship of the satisfaction and attributes of the museum and visitors' intention to recommend the museum. In addition, an analysis of variance was employed to determine any significant differences among different demographic or trip characteristics groups. The results show that the visitor who has a high satisfaction intends to recommend the RLS museum to others. The implications of the study's findings concerned initiatives to expand its market to international tourists, especially Americans and Asians.
Sex-specific distinctions in audiogenic convulsions exhibited by severe seizure genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9S) 1

The severe seizure genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR-9) is characterized by a broad-based seizure predisposition and is increasingly recognized as a useful model of epilepsy. When sound stimulated, members of the GEPR-9 colony exhibit complete tonic extensor convulsions. Female GEPR-9s appear to experience a higher frequency of more severe seizures than males when they are sound stimulated. The purpose of this report is to examine and document this observation. Convulsive behavior was evaluated in approximately 4400 GEPR-9s. Each of these animals was sound stimulated 3 times at weekly intervals. Audiogenic response score (ARS), latency to wild running and latency to convulsion were recorded for each animal in each of the 3 tests. For the first 2 weekly tests, females exhibited a significantly higher incidence of complete tonic convulsions, a significantly higher ARS and significantly shorter latencies to wild running and convulsions than did males. The significant differences in latencies persisted through the 3 tests, whereas an increase in the incidence of complete tonic convulsions among males led to a diminution of the differences between males and females in the other parameters. The possible underlying biochemical differences that are responsible for this sex difference in seizure severity are, as yet, unknown.
Quantitative structure-retention relationships for gas chromatographic retention indices of alkylbenzenes with molecular graph descriptors.

Abstract Quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR) represent statistical models that quantify the connection between the molecular structure and the chromatographic retention indices of organic compounds, allowing the prediction of retention indices of novel, not yet synthesized compounds, solely from their structural descriptors. Using multiple linear regression, QSRR models for the gas chromatographic Kovats retention indices of 129 alkylbenzenes are generated using molecular graph descriptors. The correlational ability of structural descriptors computed from 10 molecular matrices is investigated, showing that the novel reciprocal matrices give numerical indices with improved correlational ability. A QSRR equation with 5 graph descriptors gives the best calibration and prediction results, demonstrating the usefulness of the molecular graph descriptors in modeling chromatographic retention parameters. The sequential orthogonalization of descriptors suggests simpler QSRR models by eliminating ...
Differential roles of CCL2 and CCR2 in host defense to coronavirus infection

The CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) is important in coordinating the immune response following microbial infection by regulating T cell polarization as well as leukocyte migration and accumulation within infected tissues. The present study examines the consequences of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infection in mice lacking CCL2 (CCL2(-/-)) in order to determine if signaling by this chemokine is relevant in host defense. Intracerebral infection of CCL2(-/-) mice with MHV did not result in increased morbidity or mortality as compared to either wild type or CCR2(-/-) mice and CCL2(-/-) mice cleared replicating virus from the brain. In contrast, CCR2(-/-) mice displayed an impaired ability to clear virus from the brain that was accompanied by a reduction in the numbers of antigen-specific T cells as compared to both CCL2(-/-) and wild-type mice. The paucity in T cell accumulation within the central nervous system (CNS) of MHV-infected CCR2(-/-) mice was not the result of either a deficiency in antigen-presenting cell (APC) accumulation within draining cervical lymph nodes (CLN) or the generation of virus-specific T cells within this compartment. A similar reduction in macrophage infiltration into the CNS was observed in both CCL2(-/-) and CCR2(-/-) mice when compared to wild-type mice, indicating that both CCL2 and CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) contribute to macrophage migration and accumulation within the CNS following MHV infection. Together, these data demonstrate that CCR2, but not CCL2, is important in host defense following viral infection of the CNS, and CCR2 ligand(s), other than CCL2, participates in generating a protective response.
RADICAL PERINEAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER IN MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENTS

ABSTRACT Purpose: We assessed the feasibility of radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) in morbidly obese patients with clinically organ confined prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Of 1,265 consecutive patients who underwent RPP at our institution from 1992 to 2003 we identified 18 with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m 2 or greater. Demographic and clinical patient characteristics were obtained from the medical records, which were further reviewed to identify the perioperative incidence of surgical and anesthesia related complications. Results: Median BMI was 41.7 kg/m 2 (range 40.2 to 62.6). Five patients had a BMI of 45.0 kg/m 2 or greater. No intraoperative or anesthesia related complication occurred. Mean operative time ± SD was 188 ± 32 minutes and estimated blood loss was 573 ± 285 ml. None of the 18 patients received blood transfusions. During the immediate postoperative period 4 complications occurred in the form of lower extremity neuropraxia in 2 patients, local skin bleeding in 1 and early sepsis in 1 requiring rehospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. Mean operative time and estimated blood loss were significantly lower when surgery was performed by a highly experienced surgeon compared with experienced surgeons (174 ± 21 vs 235 ± 10 minutes and 485 ± 258 vs 838 ± 197 ml, p=0.001 and 0.027, respectively). Conclusions: RPP in morbidly obese patients is feasible and it is associated with acceptable perioperative morbidity. The perineal approach should be considered in morbidly obese patients seeking surgical treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer.
Design of Extrusion Augers and the Characteristic Equation of Ceramic Extrusion Machines

Since the invention of the auger-type extrusion machine, there has developed a large business devoted to the production of extrusion machines of various types and sizes for the ceramic industry. During this time, a vast body of empirical knowledge concerning the design of augers, dies, and machines to do particular jobs has grown. As of today, no method has been proposed by which values may be assigned to the design parameters of an auger so that there may be reasonable assurance that it will extrude a material, the plastic properties of which may be known. This paper proposes a model for the operation of an auger on a material and adapts the theory of the screw conveying of solids in organic thermoplastic extrusion machines to the study of this model. The concept of the characteristic function, which describes the action of a particular extruder on a plastic material, is discussed.
Mechanisms of Resistance of HIV-1 Primary Isolates to Complement-Mediated Lysis

Previous studies suggested that HIV-1 primary isolates (PI) were resistant to complement-mediated lysis (CML), while virus produced in certain T cell lines and virus taken directly from the plasma of HIV+ persons were both susceptible to CML. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism(s) of PI resistance. PI were resistant to CML using pooled seropositive serum as an antibody source. Additionally, PI obtained from two patients at several times over 2 years were resistant to CML using autologous antibody. PI were also resistant to CML induced by monoclonal antibodies which neutralize a broad range of PI. Resistance to CML was associated with low binding of antibody to PI but was not due to low gp120 levels. Cell-line-derived virus and PI were equally sensitive to CML induced by antibody to host-cell proteins, suggesting that PBMC do not contribute properties to virions which make them more physically resistant to CML in general but that PI resistance is restricted to CML induced by antiviral antibody. These studies show that PI are resistant to CML mediated by various antiviral antibodies and indicate that low binding of antibody to virus is an important factor contributing to resistance.
Generic singularity studies revisited

Abstract We comment on a reply by Belinskii, Khalatnikov and Lifshitz to our analysis of their conclusions regarding the general structure of space-time singularities. We support our contention that it is impossible to provide a reliable analysis of the evolution of a general (or stable) solution with local techniques in a synchronous coordinate system having a simultaneous physical singularity.
Motor patterns and structural interactions of basi-ischiopodite levator muscles in routine limb elevation and production of autotomy in the land crab,Cardisoma guanhumi

1. The anatomical and neurophysiological basis of limb elevation at the basiischiopodite joint during locomotion, resistance reflexes, activation of cuticular stress detector 1 (CSL1) and production of the autotomy fracture was studied. 2. Scanning electron micrographs of the basi-ischiopodite interior revealed that the fracture plane consists of a line of tiny perforations in the cuticle (Fig. 3 A and B), which render the limb particularly susceptible to a distorting force concentrated at a single point along the plane. 3. Both the larger anterior levator (AL) and the smaller posterior levator (PL) can elevate the basi-ischiopodite. Force applied to the AL tendon is transmitted via elastic elements to a thin region of cuticle along the fracture plane and can cause the limb to fracture; force applied to the PL tendon is not transmitted to the fracture plane. The levator tendons are mechanically linked at their insertions so that contraction of PL alters the manner in which the force of AL is applied at its tendon insertion (Fig. 5). 4. AL and PL are simultaneously active in walking and resistance reflexes although they possess no shared innervation. The levators are antagonized in both motor patterns by the depressor muscle group. 5. Autotomy elicited by injury to the limb activates large phasic units in the AL nerve; activity in the PL nerve is simultaneously suppressed. In structural terms the inactivity of PL would result in the AL tendon bracing against the internal fulcrum (Fig. 4 A) in an orientation favorable for the transmission of force to the fracture plane. 6. Both levators are activated by stimulation of CSD1. This receptor does not evoke autotomy and instead may regulate the force exerted by the levators in such a way as to relieve stress in the cuticle distal to the AL tendon insertion when the integrity of the fracture plane is threatened.
Impact of Visuospatial Characteristics of Video Games on Improvements in Cognitive Abilities

The current study aimed to understand the effects of playing video games on navigation skills, spatial cognitive abilities and speed of processing, and to examine the characteristics of games and t...
Choices by rats between water and solutions of GABA or other amino acids

Responses differed widely when rats were offered choices between water and solutions of GABA, its isomers alpha-aminobutyric acid (AABA) and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), or of another 4-carbon amino acid, threonine. They preferred solutions of threonine and AABA starting at concentrations of about 30 mM; preference for threonine declined when its concentration was 330 mM or above. Rats never preferred GABA or AIB, but instead avoided these amino acids when concentrations were approximately 100 mM or above. Control rats showed strong preferences for drinking from a given location. Limited studies with humans showed variations in the concentrations at which they could detect GABA; the mean was about 0.06 mM, a concentration far below that at which rats began to avoid this amino acid. The ability of dietary GABA to depress food intake of rats (as shown in earlier studies) does not seem related to a uniquely high sensitivity to its gustatory qualities.
Artifact reduction method in ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography using exogenous contrast agents

In diffuse optical tomography (DOT), a typical perturbation approach requires two sets of measurements obtained at the lesion breast (lesion or target site) and a contra-lateral location of the normal breast (reference site) for image reconstruction. For patients who have a small amount of breast tissue, the chest-wall underneath the breast tissue at both sites affects the imaging results. In this group of patients, the perturbation, which is the difference between measurements obtained at the lesion and reference sites, may include the information of background mismatch which can generate artifacts or affect the reconstructed quantitative absorption coefficient of the lesion. Also, for patients who have a single breast due to prior surgery, the contra-lateral reference is not available. To improve the DOT performance or overcome its limitation, we introduced a new method based on an exogenous contrast agent and demonstrate its performance using animal models. Co-registered ultrasound was used to guide the lesion localization. The results have shown that artifacts caused by background mismatch can be reduced significantly by using this new method.
An approximate measurement of the ionization time behind shock waves in air

A hydromagnetic shock tube has been used to obtain an approximate measurement of the time to reach equilibrium ionization behind shock waves of Mach number 11 to 17, moving into air at a pressure of about 1 mm of mercury. This ionization time decreases with increasing Mach number. Experimental results are presented as a graph of the ionization time vs Mach number. The principal source of error in the measurements is the attenuation of the shock and the results indicate a lower limit for the ionization time in air.
Assessing the treatment efficacy of IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) serodiscordant couples

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy of using IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in HIV serodiscordant couples interested in having children while minimizing the risk of viral transmission. This study reviews the cases of HIV serodiscordant couples (n = 142) seeking fertility treatment at an assisted reproductive centre. The main outcome measures were successful pregnancy rate and HIV seroconversion rate. In calculating crude pregnancy rates, only patients who were actually treated were taken into account. To compensate for cancelled patients, and patient drop-out, lifetable analysis was performed. Life-table analysis demonstrated that 37.0 +/- 5.0% of couples attain a successful pregnancy after one completed IVF-ICSI with embryo transfer (IVF-embryo transfer) cycle. Following two and three IVF-embryo transfer cycles, the pregnancy rates rose to 56.8 +/- 6.0 and 73.4 +/- 6.9% respectively. Overall pregnancy rates were inversely related to age. There were no HIV seroconversions in treated patients or in delivered babies. It is concluded that the use of IVF-ICSI to avoid disease transmission in HIV-1 serodiscordant couples desiring children appears to be safe and yields high rates of pregnancy. However, success is influenced by the woman's age.
Cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making: a critical review using a systematic search strategy.

Background. The role of cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to determine whether studies on cognitive biases and heurist...
Early precursors of pancreatic cancer in college men

From college data on 50,000 male former students, the records of 126 men who died of pancreatic cancer in a 16–50yr follow-up period were compared with those of 504 surviving classmates with respect to physical and social characteristics. Return mail questionnaires received from 30,000 surviving alumni in 1962 or 1966 also were reviewed for characteristics that might predict altered risk of pancreatic cancer. Strong positive associations were found for cigarette smoking as reported both during college (p < 0.001) and at time of questionnaire return (p = 0.03). Smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day during college corresponded to a relative risk of 2.6 with 95% confidence limits 1.5 to 4.6, and a positive smoking history at questionnaire return yielded a relative risk of 2.4 (1.1–5.1). No association was found for collegiate coffee drinking, either before or after adjustment for cigarette smoking. The relative risk for coffee drinking adjusted for smoking was 1.1 (0.7–1.8). In contrast, collegiate tea consumption was associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk. The relative risk for tea drinking adjusted for smoking was 0.5 (0.3–0.9). Men who at college physical examination complained of occasional abdominal pain or discomfort had increased relative risk of pancreatic cancer (3.1 ; 1.1–9.0) in the follow-up period.
Constitutive modeling of the dynamic fracture of smooth tensile bars

Abstract A recently developed viscoplastic-damage type of constitutive theory for high strain-rate flow processes and ductile fracture is used to model the deformation and fracture of dynamically loaded smooth cylindrical tensile bars. The analysis assumes polycrystalline materials which usually contain microvoids with an average density of the order of 10 6 per cm 3 that are dispersed homogeneously throughout. It is shown that for dynamically imposed loading that produce nominal strain rates ranging between 5 × 10 2 − 5 × 10 3 sec −1 , the inhomogeneous fields of stress and deformation caused by wave propagation and wave reflection induce necking at different locations along the gauge section, depending upon the strain-rate imposed. This occurs without imposition of any geometrical or material irregularity to preposition the location of the necking. The imposed rate of strain is also shown to affect the magnitude of the strain at which necking initiates, as well as the strain required for fracture.
Generalized domination and efficient domination in graphs

Abstract This paper generalizes dominating and efficient dominating sets of a graph. Let G be a graph with vertex set V (G). If ƒ: V (G) → Y , where Y is a subset of the reals, the weight of ƒ is the sum of ƒ(v) over all v ϵ V(G). If the closed neighborhood sum of ƒ(v) at every vertex is at least 1, then ƒ is called a Y-dominating function of G. If the closed neighborhood sum is exactly 1 at every vertex, then ƒ is called an efficient dominating function. Two Y-dominating functions are equivalent if they have the same closed neighborhood sum at every vertex of G. It is shown that if the closed neighborhood matrix of G is invertiable then G has an efficient Y-dominating function for some Y. It is also shown that G has an efficient Y-dominating function if and only if all equivalent Y-dominating functions have the same weight. Related theoretical and computational questions are considered in the special cases where Y = {−1, 1} or Y = {−1, 0, 1}.
Solving the generalized eigenvalue problem on a synchronous linear processor array

We present a parallel method to solve the generalized eigenvalue problem on a linear array of processors, each connected to their nearest neighbors and operating synchronously. We also include a wrap-around connection from end to end. Our method is based on the well-known QZ algorithm of Moler and Stewart, which simultaneously reduces two n × n matrices to upper triangular form by orthogonal or unitary transformations. We show how this algorithm may be partitioned and distributed of n + 1 processors, achieving a speed-up over the serial algorithm of O(n). We use the concept of windows to describe the action of each processor at each step. We show how to incorporate singles shifts, and how to apply orthogonal plane rotations on either side of a matrix without the need to transpose the matrix itself.
Weaving our stories as they weave us

Women of Color graduate students use CI to explore their educational experience within the academy and relate it to their cultural contexts.
A cascade of events -- obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus in youth.

Increased rates of obesity among youth have emerged in the last 2 to 3 decades in the United States and in developed countries around the world. More recently, these trends have emerged even in very young children, and have become magnified among all child and adolescent age groups. Initially, it was unknown what related health outcomes would arise in youth, although the relationships of obesity in adults to outcomes such as increased cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, orthopedic problems, certain cancers, polycystic ovarian disease, and a myriad of other conditions, had been well documented. It is now known that youth share in at least several of the health outcomes that are related to obesity. This article focuses on two of those outcomes, namely metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The growing incidence of obesity and its related health problems can be viewed as a cascade. Imagine a water cascade that pours out of its source, gathering momentum as it tumbles downhill. Springs add to the surging water as it cascades and falls in an unstoppable manner. Obesity is the starting point of a seemingly unstoppable cascade of health events. It surges through a population of youth, gathering momentum from environmental factors, such as decreased physical activity and increased consumption of sugared beverages. It tumbles downward, spiraling into dark areas representative of metabolic syndrome and T2DM. Although seemingly out of control, a cascade can be harnessed. A dam can be built, conduits can displace water from its path, and springs can be diverted elsewhere. Similarly, many types of interventions can be used to interrupt obesity and its health outcomes. Using several strategies likely will be the best approach to stop the cascade
Hyperactivity and frustration: The influence of control over and size of rewards in delaying gratification

This study examined the differential effects of frustration on normal children and those diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. Each group consisted of 16 boys between the ages of 6 and 8 years who were prematched for age, grade, and classroom placement. All children completed a series of arithmetic problems in order to earn toy rewards. Using a variant of Mischel's (1974) delay-of-gratification paradigm, children were presented with two choice-of-delay conditions in a randomly assigned, counterbalanced sequence: a free-choice conflict situation involving a long-passive or short-active reward delay, and a short-active delay. Results showed that a significantly greater proportion of hyperactive children chose to complete problems for an immediate reward compared to their normal control counterparts (p less than .01). Group differences were no longer apparent in the short-active delay trial. The results are discussed in terms of frustration tolerance and contributing factors such as cognitive-attentional style. Implications for treatment and future directions are delineated.
Synthesis of periodic mesoporous coesite.

Periodic mesoporous coesite was obtained by a modified nanocasting process from a periodic mesoporous silica SBA-16/C composite at a pressure of 12 GPa and 350 °C.
The adipose cell lineage is not intrinsically insulin resistant in polycystic ovary syndrome

Selective resistance to the effects of insulin on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue is a key feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The pathogenesis of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle in PCOS involves interaction of in vivo environmental factors with intrinsic defects in insulin signaling. We aimed to determine whether (1) intrinsic defects in insulin action/signaling and cytokine secretion were present in adipose cells in PCOS and (2) insulin resistance can be induced in control adipose cells by culture in medium conditioned by insulin-resistant PCOS fibroblasts. Subcutaneous abdominal preadipocytes from obese women with PCOS (n = 7) and age- and body mass index-matched controls (n = 5) were cultured for several generations in vitro. Basal and insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and basal glucose transport did not differ in the preadipocytes from women with PCOS and controls. Abundance of insulin receptor (IR) beta subunit, insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and 2, p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation did not differ. Secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 did not differ. Insulin action on glycogen synthesis in control preadipocytes was not altered by coculture with or growth in media conditioned by PCOS skin fibroblasts with constitutive serine phosphorylation of IRbeta subunit (IR ser+), indicating that IR ser+ cells do not secrete an insulin resistance-inducing factor. We conclude that in contrast to skeletal muscle and skin fibroblasts, there is no evidence for intrinsic defects in insulin signaling in the PCOS adipose cell lineage, indicating that insulin resistance in these cells is likely due to factors in the in vivo environment.
Water-gas-shift reaction on molybdenum carbide surfaces: essential role of the oxycarbide.

Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the behavior of Mo carbides in the water-gas-shift reaction (WGS, CO + H2O → H2 +CO2). The kinetics of the WGS reaction was studied on the surfaces of Mo-terminated Mo2C(001) (Mo−Mo2C), C-terminated Mo2C(001) (C−Mo2C), and Cu(111) as a known active catalyst. Our results show that the WGS activity decreases in a sequence: Cu > C−Mo2C > Mo−Mo2C. The slow kinetics on C−Mo2C and Mo−Mo2C is due to the fact that the C or Mo sites bond oxygen too strongly to allow the facile removal of this species. In fact, due to the strong O−Mo and O−C interactions, the carbide surfaces are likely to be covered by O produced from the H2O dissociation. It is shown that the O-covered Mo-terminated Mo2C(001) (O_Mo−Mo2C) surface displays the lowest WGS activity of all. With the Mo oxide in the surface, O_Mo−Mo2C is too inert to adsorb CO or to dissociate H2O. In contrast, the same amount of O on the C−Mo2C surface (O_C−Mo2C) does not lead to deactivation, but enhances t...
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate S-Caine patch for reducing pain associated with vascular access in children.

BACKGROUND A randomized, double-blinded trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the S-Caine Patch (ZARS, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT), a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and tetracaine, for pain relief during venipuncture in children. METHODS With institutional review board approval, parental consent, and patient assent, 64 children who were scheduled for medically indicated vascular access at two centers were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either an S-Caine Patch or a placebo patch for 20 min before venipuncture procedures. The primary outcome measure was the child's rating of pain during venipuncture using the Oucher pain scale. Additional measures of efficacy included the blinded investigator's and an independent observer's four-point categorical scores. Variables were compared between treatments using Mantel-Haenszel summary chi-square tests or Pearson chi-square tests. RESULTS The S-Caine Patch produced significantly greater pain relief compared with placebo (median Oucher scores of 0 vs. 60; P < 0.001). Fifty-nine percent of the children in the S-Caine Patch group reported no pain compared with 20% of the children in the placebo patch group. The investigator estimated that 76% of the children in the S-Caine Patch group experienced no pain during venipuncture versus 20% in the placebo patch group (P = 0.001). Independent observer ratings also favored the S-Caine Patchtrade mark (P < 0.001). Mild skin erythema (< 38%) and edema (< 2%) occurred with similar frequencies between the groups. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that a 20-min application of the S-Caine Patch is effective in lessening pain associated with venipuncture procedures. Adverse events after S-Caine Patch application were mild and transient.
Interactions of CCl4 with Thin D2O Amorphous Ice Films, Part I: A Nanoscale Probe of Ice Morphology

High sensitivity temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry (TPDMS) was used in order to investigate the adsorption of carbon tetrachloride on thin ({approximately}500 ML) amorphous D{sub 2}O ice films at 95 K. The TPDMS experiments demonstrate that the desorption kinetics of CCl{sub 4} are extremely sensitive to the ice morphology. At submonolayer coverages, the adsorption of CCl{sub 4} on ice films prepared by vapor deposition at 130 K results in TPD spectra which consist of a single desorption feature {alpha}-CCl{sub 4} at 133--140 K. The TPD spectrum of CCl{sub 4} from ice films vapor-deposited at 95 K, however, consists of three desorption peaks labeled {sigma}, {delta}-, and {epsilon}-CCl{sub 4} at 145, 180, and 190 K, respectively. The authors attribute the observed differences in the TPD spectra of CCl{sub 4} from the two types of ice to differences in the microstructure of the ice surface. D{sub 2}O vapor deposition at 95 K apparently results in the formation of microporous amorphous ice, while deposition at 130 K results in the formation of pore-free, solid ice. Analysis of the TPD spectra demonstrates that CCl{sub 4} adsorption on ice prepared at 130 K results in the formation of metastable, two-dimensional islands. CCl{sub 4} adsorption on icemore » prepared at 95 K, however, proceeds through formation of three-dimensional clusters in the pores of microscopically rough ice. At very low coverages, small CCl{sub 4} clusters are trapped at the ice surface during TPD. Trapped CCl{sub 4} evolves into the gas phase at two different temperatures giving rise to {delta}- and {epsilon}-CCl{sub 4} desorption stat4es. The dependence of {delta}- and {epsilon}-CCl{sub 4} yields on the temperature of ice file deposition indicates that two structurally different forms of ice coexist at temperatures between 95 and 130 K.« less
Nanometer-scale columns in GaAs fabricated by angled chlorine ion-beam-assisted etching

Angled chlorine ion‐beam‐assisted etching has been used in combination with masked ion beam lithography to produce columns in GaAs with widths of less than 10 nm and height‐to‐width ratios greater than 25. This technique allows the highly controllable fabrication of structures with dimensions smaller than initially defined by the lithography. It can be applied to the fabrication of ultrasmall GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well structures having quantized energy states in two or three dimensions while at the same time being compatible with full‐wafer processing.
Thermally stable liquid crystalline thermosets based on aromatic copolyesters: Preparation and properties

The synthesis and physical properties are described for a thermally stable liquid crystalline (LC) thermoset based on all aromatic ester units. The persistence of the liquid crystalline phase throughout the curing process was monitored with polarizing optical microscopy. The applicability of these new liquid crystalline thermosets has been evaluated for use as an adhesive for bonding metals, namely titanium. The failure of the adhesive bonds always occurs within the polymer; thus it can be inferred that bonding at the polymer-metal interface is very good. This strong interfacial bonding is attributed to low cure shrinkage and CTE matching of the underlying substrate by the LC resins. The cohesive properties and strength of the cured resin can be greatly enhanced by the addition of filler materials.
A multiple model-based controller for nonlinearly-parametrized plants

The paper describes a multiple model-based controller design for a class of nonlinearly parametrized plants. The main idea is to combine a global robust controller with local nonlinear controllers within the framework of multiple models and switching to achieve and maintain acceptable performance of the overall system. In particular, the role of the robust controller is to bring the state of the system to a region where local nonlinear models are valid, and then to employ a switching strategy in this region to reduce the output error to zero. The suggested scheme combines a new indirect variable structure controller (IVSC) with fixed and adaptive nonlinear controllers for nonlinearly-parametrized plants. It is also shown that the new IVSC, combined with the suggested controller design for nonlinearly-parametrized plants, enables a relatively straightforward stability analysis of the overall system.
Flexible Polymer Waveguides With Integrated Mirrors Fabricated by Soft Lithography for Optical Interconnection

Flexible polymer waveguides with integrated 45 $^{\circ}$ mirrors to support surface normal optical coupling for optical interconnection were fabricated using a vacuum assisted microfluidic (VAM) soft lithographic technique. Waveguide array structures with slanted surfaces of the SU-8 master were realized by prism-assisted inclined UV lithography. The internal surface reflected UV light was utilized to eliminate undercut structures and to form the inclined surfaces on both ends of the straight waveguide structure via one-step UV exposure. Varying the inclined surface depth can result in different needed light coupling efficiency. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold was subsequently created. The use of UV curable resins in the VAM fabrication resulted in the polymer waveguides with 45 $^{\circ}$ integrated mirrors, demonstrating a coupling efficiency of 75% for full mirrors and 38% for half mirrors.
Acidic dissolution behavior of U containing ZrO2–MgO ceramics

This study explores the possibility of dissolving zirconia–magnesia inert matrix fuel containing uranium oxide as a fissile material and plutonium homolog and erbium oxide as a burnable poison with nitric and sulfuric acid as a potential first step in a reprocessing scheme. The progress of the dissolution is followed by monitoring the amount of material in solution by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, assessing the speciation of the material by time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy, and determining and quantifying the crystalline phases present in the remaining residue by X-ray diffraction. This study has shown a linear incongruent dissolution of the cubic zirconia phase in concentrated nitric acid under certain chemical compositions, while the magnesium oxide phase is completely soluble. In sulfuric acid uranium, erbium, and magnesium are soluble to different extents while zirconium forms a colloidal suspension that conglomerates and settles out of solution. The feasibility of the dissolution of zirconia–magnesia inert matrix fuel with nitric and sulfuric acid for reprocessing is discussed.
Four Storm-event Beds and the Tropical Cyclones that Produced them: A Numerical Hindcast

A three-dimensional, numerical prediction system for storm sedimentation has been constructed to compute a cyclonic wind field, coastal circulation, storm waves generated over the continental shelf, the combined effects of steady currents and waves on the benthic boundary layer, both suspended and bed load transport of sediment, and conservation of the sea floor. It has been used to hindcast the oceanographic and sedimentological responses of the western Gulf of Mexico to four historical tropical cyclones in order to investigate the effects of coastal configuration and storm variability on event bed genesis. The simulations reveal several common responses to these storms: 1) onshore flow to the fight of the storm track generally transports fine sediment landward; 2) off-shore flow to the left transports coarser sediment seaward; and 3) for an observer facing the coast, right to left along-shelf flow transports finer sediment in deep water and coarser sediment in shallow water. The main source of sandy sediment on the inner shelf is the shoreface which is eroded by currents driven by wind stress, geostrophy, and offshore flows associated with collapse of the coastal setup. Coastal geometry is the dominant factor in determining sedimentation patterns. Along the coast in front of each storm, the volume of sediment transported obliquely onshore or offshore is a function of shelf gradient and coastal configuration. Steeper gradients constrain flow to a more longshore pattern. Concave coastlines promote greater shoreface erosion because of increased coastal setup. None of the simulations reveals the vertical current structure predicted by the geostrophic model for continental shelf circulation, because the calculated depth of the wind-mixed layer exceeded local water depth everywhere over the shelf. Thus, in these experiments, most of the continental shelf fell within the friction-dominated zone in which the upper and lower boundary layers overlap, resulting in vertically uniform along-shelf flow.
Online design discussion sites: emerging resource for creative design

Online design discussion sites are a popular networking platform drawing thousands of designers from all around the globe. These sites show promise as emerging design resource by enabling designers to learn about design techniques and tools, share ideas and to seek (receive) critique to help refine their ideas, and to learn from other designers' experience. In this paper, we report results of a study that aims to understand designers' experience and activities in online design discussion site and how they relate to design. We have analyzed member profiles (N=12164), posts submitted by one-time posters (N=2854), and post-contents (N=1004) for a month and conducted follow-up interviews (N=5) to investigate what roles such sites play in supporting design. Our findings reveal that while designers find such sites extremely promising, ineffective representation of ongoing activities, lack of visibility of contribution, and difficulty in finding needed information hinder (even discourage) participation. We propose actionable implications that can lead into better site design.