cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three dimensional printing of a low-cost middle-ear training model for surgical management of otosclerosis.

Background Surgical management of otosclerosis is technically challenging with studies demonstrating that outcomes are commensurate with surgical experience. Moreover, experts apply less force on the ossicular chain during prosthesis placement than their novice counterparts. Given the predicted decreasing patient pool and the rising cost of human temporal bone specimens it has become more challenging for trainees to receive adequate intraoperative or laboratory-based experience in this procedure. As such, there is a need for a low-cost training model for the procedure. Here we describe such a model. Methods A surgical model of the middle ear was designed using computer aided design (CAD) software. The model consists of four components, the superior three dimensional (3D)-printed component representing the external auditory canal, a 90° torsion spring representing the incus, a 3D-printed base with a stapedotomy underlying the torsion spring, and a 3D-printed phone holder to facilitate video-recording of trials and subsequent calculation of the force applied on the modeled incus. Force applied on the incus is calculated based on Hooke's Law from post-trial computer-vision analysis of recorded video following experimental determination of the spring constant of the modeled incus. Results The described model was manufactured with a total cost of $56.50. The spring constant was experimentally determined to be 97.0 mN mm/deg, resulting in an ability to detect force applied to the modeled incus across a range of 1.2 to 5200 mN. Conclusions We have created a low-cost middle-ear training model with measurable objective performance outcomes. The range of detectable force exceeds expected values for the task.Level of Evidence: IV.
38. Homogeneous Ziegler–Natta Catalysts and Synthesis of Anisotactic and Thermoplastic Elastomeric Poly (propylenes) Dedicated to Professor T. Keii on the Occasion of his seventieth birthday.

Publisher Summary Ziegler–Natta (ZN) catalysis is in a revival with vigorous activities and advances achieved in both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems. Most Ziegler–Natta catalysts have maximum activity at some optimal temperature; the activity decreases at both lower and higher temperature because of catalyst activation and deactivation, respectively. The microstructures of the polymer fractions have been determined by 13 C-NMR and the steric sequence distributions are summarized in the chapter. In case of 70°C polymerization the fractions in the order of increasing solvent ranking show regular increases in the mmmm and mmmr pentads and regular decreases in the pentads having two or more replacements. The same holds true for all, but the −55°C/E fraction. The polymers obtained at 0°C have occasional reversals in the progressions of steric sequence distributions with respect to the solvent ranking. High level of isotactic polypropylene (PP) crystallizes in the α-modification; less stereoregular polypropylenes can also crystallize in the β and γ-modifications. The heterogeneity in the microstructures of ani-PP and the radio labeling determination of C * distribution showed that there are two or more catalytic species in the ansa-metallocene/MAO systems. The catalytic activity (A) of metallocene compound is strongly dependent on the amount of MAO used for activation. The results are summarized in the chapter.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Interference Rejection Using Vector Space Projection Techniques

A new method of rejecting narrowband interference in direct-sequence spread spectrum communications is presented. A typical approach is to reject the interference using a filter with large attenuation at the interference frequencies prior to despreading. The interference rejection method presented in this paper incorporates vector space projection techniques to suppress the correlated interference. Several signal characteristics are formulated which lead to constraint surfaces in the vector space of possible solutions. These constraint surfaces describe interference rejection solutions which introduce minimal distortion to the chip sequence and simultaneously remove the interference. The constraint surfaces essentially correspond to chip sequence estimates which, after interference rejection, conform to known characteristics of the transmitted chip sequence. The formulation of the surfaces relies on prior knowledge about the chip sequence correlation and spectral properties.
NMR observations of drawn polymers VI. Poly (ethylene oxide)

Wide line NMR spectra of cold drawn poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were recorded at temperatures between −196°C. and 66°C. as a function of the alignment angle between the draw direction and the magnetic field. Line width, second moment, and mobile fraction were determined and are discussed in terms of segmental motion. In agreement with other authors two motional processes were found. (1) The β-process, commencing at temperatures around −45°C., probably occurs in non-crystalline regions and causes the emergence of a narrow NMR line in addition to the broad one. (2) The β-process was observed between 0°C. and the melting point (66°C.) and led to a pronounced decrease of the width of the broad line and of the second moment. This decrease was anisotropic and was greatest at the alignment angle γ = 45°. As a consequence of this the dependence of the line width and of the second moment on γ is changed: whereas both these quantities show at low temperatures (<0°C.) a maximum at γ = 45° and an absolute minimum at γ = 0°, near the melting point, a minimum close to γ = 45° and an absolute maximum at γ = 0° were found. These changes are explained by oscillations of the helical molecules around their axes in crystalline regions. Breitlinien-Protonenresonanz-Spektren von gerecktem Polyathylenoxyd (PAO) wurden bei Temperaturen zwischen −196°C und 66°C in Abhangigkeit vom Drehwinkel γ zwischen der Reckrichtung und dem Magnetfeld aufgenommen. Linienbreite, zweites Moment und beweglicher Anteil wurden bestimmt und zur Diskussion der molekularen Bewegungsvorgange herangezogen. In Ubereinstimmung mit anderen Autoren wurden zwei Bewegungsprozesse unterschieden: 1. Der bei Temperaturen um −45°C einsetzende β-Prozes findet wahrscheinlich in nichtkristallinen Bereichen statt und verursacht das Erscheinen einer schmalen Linie zusatzlich zur breiten Komponente. 2. Der zwischen 0°C und dem Schmelzpunkt (66°C) auftretende γ-Prozes fuhrt zu einer starken Abnahme der Linienbreite der breiten Komponente und auch des zweiten Moments. Diese Abnahme ist anisotrop und am grosten bei γ = 45°. Als Folge davon andert sich die Abhangigkeit der Linienbreite und des zweiten Moments vom Drehwinkel γ: Wahrend beide Grosen bei tiefen Temperaturen (<0°C) ein Maximum bei γ = 45° und ein absolutes Minimum bei γ = 0° besitzen, liegt gerade unterhalb des Schmelzpunkts bei γ = 45° ein Minimum und bei γ = 0° ein absolutes Maximum. Diese Veranderung wurde auf Drehbewegungen der helixformigen Molekule um ihre Achse in kristallinen Bereichen zuruckgefuhrt.
Hospital course and discharge criteria for children hospitalized with bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND For children hospitalized with bronchiolitis, there is uncertainty about the expected inpatient clinical course and when children are safe for discharge. OBJECTIVES Examine the time to clinical improvement, risk of clinical worsening after improvement, and develop discharge criteria. DESIGN Prospective multiyear cohort study. SETTING Sixteen US hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Consecutive hospitalized children age <2 years with bronchiolitis. MEASUREMENT We defined clinical improvement using: (1) retraction severity, (2) respiratory rate, (3) room air oxygen saturation, and (4) hydration status. After meeting improvement criteria, children were considered clinically worse based on the inverse of ≥1 of these criteria or need for intensive care. RESULTS Among 1916 children, the median number of days from onset of difficulty breathing until clinical improvement was 4 (interquartile range, 3-7.5 days). Of the total, 1702 (88%) met clinical improvement criteria, with 4% worsening (3% required intensive care). Children who worsened were age <2 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07-5.94), gestational age <37 weeks (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.13-3.32), and presented with severe retractions (AOR: 5.55; 95% CI: 2.12-14.50), inadequate oral intake (AOR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.39-4.62), or apnea (AOR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.45-5.68). Readmissions were similar for children who did and did not worsen. CONCLUSIONS Although children hospitalized with bronchiolitis had wide-ranging recovery times, only 4% worsened after initial improvement. Children who worsened were more likely to be younger, premature infants presenting in more severe distress. For children hospitalized with bronchiolitis, these data may help establish more evidence-based discharge criteria, reduce practice variability, and safely shorten hospital length-of-stay.
A graded problem oriented record to evaluate clinical performance.

In order to see if the problem oriented record could be used to measure a student9s facility at data collection, data recording, and clinical problem solving, the problem oriented record (POR) was divided into 14 sections, each of which was graded for structure and completeness. Maximum possible score was 162 points. Seven faculty members and a teaching resident at two institutions graded a single work-up, with a coefficient of variation of 2.8%. In two observed work-ups, there was a high correlation between observed and recorded data. Three clerkship groups of 9 to 16 students each, some of whom were taught by a teaching resident, handed in at different times during the clerkship a total of 66 PORs, with a mean score of 101.75 points (range, 10 to 152 points). It was concluded that the graded POR could objectively measure facility at data collection, data recording, and problem solving, and that students were taught these skills by grading a work-up themselves.
Benefits and Costs of Screening Ashkenazi Jewish Women for BRCA1 and BRCA2

PURPOSE: To determine the survival benefit and cost-effectiveness of screening Ashkenazi Jewish women for three specific BRCA1/2 gene mutations. METHODS: We used a Markov model and Monte Carlo analysis to estimate the survival benefit and cost-effectiveness of screening for three specific mutations in a population in which their prevalence is 2.5% and the associated cancer risks are 56% for breast cancer and 16% for ovarian cancer. We assumed that the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 98% and 99%, respectively, that bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy would reduce ovarian cancer risk by 45%, and that bilateral prophylactic mastectomy would reduce breast cancer risk by 90%. We used Medicare payment data for treatment costs and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data for cancer survival. RESULTS: Our model suggests that genetic screening of this population could prolong average nondiscounted survival by 38 days (95% probability interval, 22 to 57 days) for combined surgery, 33 days (95% ...
Designing auction mechanisms for dynamic spectrum access

With the increasing demands for radio spectrum, techniques are being explored that would allow dynamic access of spectrum bands that are underutilized. In this regard, a new paradigm called dynamic spectrum access is being investigated where wireless service providers (WSPs) would dynamically seek more spectrum from the under-utilized licensed bands when and where they need without interfering with the primary users. Currently, there is little understanding on how such a dynamic allocation will operate so as to make the system feasible under economic terms. In this paper, we consider the dynamic spectrum allocation process where multiple WSPs (bidders) compete to acquire necessary spectrum band from a common pool of spectrum. We use auction theory to analyze the allocation process when the demand from WSPs exceeds the available spectrum. We investigate various auction mechanisms under different spectrum allocation constraints to find WSPs' bidding strategies and revenue generated by spectrum owner. We show that sequential bidding of bands provides better result than the concurrent bidding when WSPs are constrained to at most single unit allocation. On the other hand, when the bidders request for multiple units, (i.e., they are not restricted by allocation constraints) synchronous auction mechanism proves to be beneficial than asynchronous auctions.
A least-distance programming procedure for minimization problems under linear constraints

In this paper, an algorithm is developed for solving a nonlinear programming problem with linear contraints. The algorithm performs two major computations. First, the search vector is determined by projecting the negative gradient of the objective function on a polyhedral set defined in terms of the gradients of the equality constraints and the near binding inequality constraints. This least-distance program is solved by Lemke's complementary pivoting algorithm after eliminating the equality constraints using Cholesky's factorization. The second major calculation determines a stepsize by first computing an estimate based on quadratic approximation of the function and then finalizing the stepsize using Armijo's inexact line search.
Influence of long-range transport of combustion emissions on the chemical variability of the background atmosphere

MAUNA Loa Observatory, located 3,400 m above sea level on the island of Hawaii in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is a critical site for determining the background chemical reactivity of the unpolluted atmosphere and for monitoring its rate of change on a global scale. However, recent measurements of soluble nitrogen (principally HNO3) at the observatory find mixing ratios rising from their expected background values of 0.02–0.03 parts per 109 by volume (p.p.b.v.) in the winter to 0.07–0.12 p.p.b.v. in late summer with three-hour events as high as 0.25 p.p.b.v. (ref. 1). This raises the specific question of contamination by the long-range transport of pollution1 and a broader question of the chemical variability of the background atmosphere. Here we show that a general circulation transport model which simulates the global spread and deposition of emissions from fossil-fuel combustion can reproduce the nitrogen measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory. By isolating individual source regions, we show that US emissions are responsible for the late summer increase and that Asian emissions cause a smaller increase in the spring. These simulations, together with the earlier observations, indicate frequent contamination of the Mauna Loa Observatory by the long-range transport of reactive trace gases, such as HNO3, and suggest a highly variable background atmosphere. It is essential that we are aware of such variability in order to discern anthropogenic effects on the atmosphere.
The polyphyletic origins of ophiostomatoid fungi

Cladistic analysis was performed on partial sequences from the nuclear-encoded small subunit ribosomal DNA. Taxa were sampled from Ceratocystis, Ophiostoma and Sphaeronaemella to determine the placement of the inferred monophyletic groups among non-fissitunicate perithecial ascomycetes. Eight equally most parsimonious cladograms resulted from the analysis. In a strict consensus of the eight cladograms, the taxa sampled from the three genera did not form a monophyletic group collectively. Ceratocystis and Sphaeronaemella formed a clade, which was a sister group to the taxa sampled from the Microascales. Ophiostoma was placed in a separate clade of the tree. These results support the convergent evolution of long-necked perithecia, scattered evanescent asci and galeate ascospores. Congruence of anamorph morphology, cycloheximide sensitivity, cell wall carbohydrate composition and centrum anatomy with the molecular data is discussed.
Exploring Young Children's Writer Identity Construction through the Lens of Dialogism.

Drawing on Bakhtinian dialogism and interactional sociolinguistics, the author explored how young English language learners become writers over time. With a focus on the children’s dialogic writing processes rather than their products, the author aimed to trace the children’s journey in becoming writers and make evident the evolvement of their identity as writers. In this light, their interactive discourses within and across particular but connected literacy events were studied. Discourse analysis was undertaken on the video segments and transcripts of three literacy events selected from different writing units across an academic year. It was found that the young writers evolved from “others as authors,” to “self as an author,” and to “self as a reflective writer” and the process of becoming a writer was ongoing and actively engaged multiple voices of the children, their teacher, and others. Further, the findings suggested that the dialogic becoming processes opened possibilities for young writers to discover and bring their different voices and selves to their writing and enhanced motivation relative to learning to write and writing to learn.
Explicit Instruction With or Without High-p Sequences: Which is More Effective to Teach Multiplication Facts?

Basic fact acquisition is an important component for developing higher-order math skills. However, getting students with a history of academic noncompliance to engage in activities related to skills acquisition can be difficult. Prior research demonstrates that engagement increases when nonpreferred activities are preceded by a series of brief activities with a high probability of completion. This technique, called high-p task/request sequences, was not fully explored within the context of skill acquisition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adding high-p sequences to explicit instruction on the math fact acquisition of three elementary-age students in a learning support classroom. Results showed no differences in fact acquisition between explicit instruction and explicit instruction with an added high-p component. However, the high-p sessions took nearly twice as long to complete when compared to explicit instruction alone. Implications for instructional efficiency and limitations of the high-p procedures for acquisition tasks are discussed.
St. Petersburg and the Decline of Local Self-Government in Post-Soviet Russia

An expert on Russian politics examines the development of regional political institutions in St. Petersburg, comparing them with those of other regions of Russia. Asking whether St. Petersburg is a "delegative democracy," and whether democratic institutions have taken root in the city, the author examines five areas: the way chief executives have been chosen; the nature of the legislature and its relations with the executive branch; the effectiveness of political parties; the degree of independence of the media; and the relationship of local politics and the federal government.
The thermodynamics of extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) from nitrate solution by neutral phosphorus-based organic compounds

Abstract The extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) from lithium nitrate solution by several neutral phosphorus-based extractants has been studied as a function of temperature in the range of 0–50°C. From the variation of the distribution ratio with temperature the thermodynamic quantities ΔG , ΔH and ΔS have been calculated for these extractions. The results of this study indicate that these two metal ions behave quite similarly in respect to the basicity and the steric bulk of the extractant molecules. Extraction of these metals is enhanced significantly with increasing basicity of the extractant but is inhibited with increasing steric bulk of the phosphorus compounds.
Molecular Evolution of Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I in Primates: Is There Coevolution between Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genomes?

Abstract Phylogenetic analyses carried out on cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunit I mitochondrial genes from 14 primates representing the major branches of the order and four outgroup nonprimate eutherians revealed that transversions and amino acid replacements (i.e., the more slowly occurring sequence changes) contained lower levels of homoplasy and thus provided more accurate information on cladistic relationships than transitions (i.e., the more rapidly occurring sequence changes). Several amino acids, each with a high likelihood of functionality involving the binding of cytochrome c or interaction with COX VIII, have changed in Anthropoidea, the primate suborder grouping New World monkey, Old World monkey, ape, and human lineages. They are conserved in other mammalian lineages and in nonanthropoid primates. Maximum-likelihood ancestral COX I nucleotide sequences were determined utilizing a near most parsimonious branching arrangement for the primate sequences that was consistent with previously hypothesized primate cladistic relationships based on larger and more diverse data sets. Relative rate tests of COX I mitochondrial sequences showed an elevated nonsynonymous (N) substitution rate for anthropoid–nonanthropoid comparisons. This finding for the largest mitochondrial (mt) DNA-encoded subunit is consistent with previous observations of elevated nonsynonymous substitution/synonymous substitution (S) rates in primates for mt-encoded COX II and for the nuclear-encoded COX IV and COX VIIa-H. Other COX-related proteins, including cytochrome c and cytochrome b, also show elevated amino acid replacement rates or N/S during similar time frames, suggesting that this group of interacting genes is likely to have coevolved during primate evolution.
Corrosion Properties of Laser-Welded Superaustenitic Stainless Steel Sandwich Structures

Abstract The localized corrosion behavior of laser spot-welded UNS N08367 superaustenitic stainless steel (SASS) in 0.6 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solution at ambient and elevated temperatures was investigated through a variety of approaches. Localized corrosion behavior was connected with laser weld microstructure using macro- and microelectrochemical characterization and exposure experiments conducted on laser-welded sheet over a range of weld input energies. Corrosion experiments were augmented by studies on closely related materials such as UNS N08366, UNS N08904, and UNS N08367 with different Cr, Mo, or N contents, used to mimic the Mo-rich and depleted regions of the laser weld microstructure of UNS N08367. In addition, complimentary studies were conducted on furnace heat-treated, resistance spot-welded, and laser-welded UNS N08367 SASS sandwich structures. Long-term furnace heat treatments resulted in subsequent degradation of corrosion resistance of the alloy. Good corrosion resistance was maintaine...
Censored time series analysis with autoregressive moving average models.

MSC 2000: Primary 62M10; secondary 62C10. Abstract: The authors consider time series observations with data irregularities such as censoring due to a detection limit. Practitioners commonly disregard censored data cases which often result in biased esti- mates. The authors present an attractive remedy for handling autocorrelated censored data based on a class of autoregressive and moving average (ARMA) models. In particular, they introduce an imputation method well suited for fitting ARMA models in the presence of censored data. They demonstrate the effectiveness of their technique in terms of bias, efficiency, and information loss. They also describe its adaptation to a specific context of meteorological time series data on cloud ceiling height, which are measured subject to the detection limit of the recording device. Analyse de s´ eries chronologiques censur ´
Congenital prepubic sinus : a variant of dorsal urethral duplication suggested by immunohistochemical analysis

Purpose: Congenital prepubic sinus is a rare disorder of uncertain etiology. Immunohistochemical staining is used to elucidate the etiology of the sinus.Materials and Methods: We treated 5 patients with congenital prepubic sinus. A sinogram delineated the tract, which was then excised. In addition to routine hematoxylin and eosin stain of the 5 specimens, immunohistochemical analysis was also performed with smooth muscle and sarcomeric actin, high (34βE12) and low molecular weight cytokeratin (35βH11), and cytokeratin 7 antibodies.Results: The 2 females and 3 males were 1 month to 14 years old. All patients had presented with purulent discharge from the sinus opening. Hematoxylin and eosin stain demonstrated transitional and squamous epithelium lining the sinus. Immunohistochemical study showed that the stain with 3 cytokeratin antibodies was moderately to strongly positive in all patients at the proximal end, low molecular weight cytokeratin weakly to moderately positive and cytokeratin 7 weakly positive...
Home Tube Feeding for Long-term Nutritional Support:

Twenty-three adult patients with protein-calorie malnutrition were referred for outpatient tube feeding. Initial nutritional support with hypercaloric supplemented diets did not prevent further catabolism and weight loss, as the mean protein intake was 35.2 g/24 hr and the mean calorie intake was 844 cal/24 hr. Outpatient tube feeding was then initiated to deliver a mean of 78.5 g protein/24 hr and 2248 cal/24 hr. Patients on tube feeding demonstrated an increase of serum albumin and total body weight compared to diet therapy alone. The patient and family members were instructed in the technique of outpatient enteral feeding, which included instructions in feeding tube intubation, formula aspiration, and monitoring methods to prevent gastric aspiration and pooling. No major complications were observed. Home tube feeding was concluded to be a safe, efficient, and relatively inexpensive method of hyperalimentation for selected patients.
Everolimus (RAD) Inhibits In Vivo Growth of Murine Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC VII)

Objective: Everolimus (RAD) is an mTOR inhibitor closely related to rapamycin. A potent immunosuppressive agent, it has also shown evidence of antineoplastic properties. SCC VII is a spontaneously arising murine squamous cell carcinoma line. This study examines the effect of everolimus on SCC VII proliferation. The data may provide support for the use of everolimus in transplant recipients with a history of malignancy. Methods: A dose efficacy study was conducted that used a murine model of intradermal tumor growth and pulmonary metastases. The development of intradermal tumors and pulmonary metastases were studied. Of 80 total mice, 40 received intradermal injection of 1 × 105 SCC VII cells and 40 received intravenous injection of 1 × 105 cells to establish pulmonary metastases. Within each group, animals were subdivided into four subgroups that received 1) 1 mg/kg everolimus twice a day, 2) 0.5 mg/kg everolimus twice a day, 3) 7.5 mg/kg cyclosporine per day, and 4) no treatment. Intradermal tumors were measured three times per week. Animals receiving an intravenous tumor injection were killed after 17 days and pulmonary metastases were quantified. Medication trough levels were measured in all treated animals. Results: Everolimus showed statistically significant tumor inhibition at 1.0 mg/kg twice a day and 0.5 mg/kg twice a day when compared with animals treated with cyclosporine and with untreated animals (P < .0001). Tumor inhibition was evident in both models studied (intradermal tumors and pulmonary metastasis generation). Conclusions: Everolimus provides potent tumor inhibition in animals inoculated with SCC VII cells. Inhibition of both local and distant spread of disease is evident. Although most immunosuppressives are known to potentiate neoplastic disease, this study supports the use of everolimus immunosuppression in the face of prior malignancy. This data has significant implication for laryngeal transplantation after laryngectomy.
205 Discovery and Development of Bardoxolone Methyl, an Antioxidant Inflammation Modulator (AIM) Targeting the KEAP1-NRF2 Pathway

DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BARDOXOLONE METHYL, AN ANTIOXIDANT INFLAMMATION MODULATOR (AIM) TARGETING THE KEAP1-NRF2 PATHWAY Colin J. Meyer, W. Christian Wigley, Deborah A. Ferguson, J. Warren Huff, Robin Kral, Karen T. Liby, Michael B. Sporn Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Irving, TX, USA; Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA. Bardoxolone methyl and related analogs in the AIM class are the most potent known inducers of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. AIMs were discovered through an approach to identify novel molecules to inhibit inflammation-induced carcinogenesis. Oleanolic acid, a triterpenoid natural product, was selected as the initial scaffold due to its weak antiinflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activity. Synthetic derivatives were evaluated by measuring suppression of NO production in activated macrophages; bardoxolone was one of the most potent analogs (IC50=0.11 nM). Biochemical assays established that bardoxolone directly interacts with regulatory cysteine residues on Keap1. Activation of Keap1 promotes accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus, inducing transcription of genes that increase antioxidant capacity, induce glutathione synthesis, and conjugate and export potentially harmful molecules from the cell. In addition, Keap1 activation suppresses the pro-inflammatory activity of NF-κB. Bardoxolone protects against pro-inflammatory stimuli in vitro and in vivo in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Bardoxolone and related analogs have also been shown to improve endothelial dysfunction, suppress mesangial cell contraction, and increase inulin clearance in preclinical studies. Open-label clinical trials of bardoxolone resulted in substantial improvements in measures of kidney function in most patients. In a recent double-blind, randomized trial, placebo-controlled trial, treatment with bardoxolone for 24 weeks in patients with Stage 3b/4 chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes resulted in a large increase in eGFR of 10.1±1.1 mL/min/1.73m relative to no change in the placebo group (p<0.001). Significant improvements were also noted in other measured of kidney function, including blood urea nitrogen, serum phosphorus, and serum uric acid relative to placebo. Bardoxolone has been well tolerated to date. A Phase 3 study (BEACON) is being initiated in the same population to measure time to a composite of 50% decline in eGFR, renal replacement therapy, or death.
Fully momentum-conserving reduced deformable bodies with collision, contact, articulation, and skinning

We propose a novel framework for simulating reduced deformable bodies that fully accounts for linear and angular momentum conservation even in the presence of collision, contact, articulation, and other desirable effects. This was motivated by the observation that the mere excitation of a single mode in a reduced degree of freedom model can adversely change the linear and angular momentum. Although unexpected changes in linear momentum can be avoided during basis construction, adverse changes in angular momentum appear unavoidable, and thus we propose a robust framework that includes the ability to compensate for them. Enabled by this ability to fully account for linear and angular momentum, we introduce an impulse-based formulation that allows us to precisely control the velocity of any node in spite of the fact that we only have access to a lower-dimensional set of degrees of freedom. This allows us to model collision, contact, and articulation in a robust and high visual fidelity manner, especially when compared to penalty-based forces that merely aim to coerce local velocities. In addition, we propose a new "deformable bones" framework wherein we leverage standard skinning technology for "bones," "bone" placement, blending operations, etc. even though each of our "deformable bones" is a fully simulated reduced deformable model.
Structure and thermotropic phase behavior of sodium and potassium carboxylate ionomers

Abstract A molecular complex is formed between long-chain carboxylic acids and their alkali salts in a 1 : 1 mixture. These so-called “acid soaps” or carboxylate ionomers have multilamellar bilayer-type structures in solid state, which are retained in the presence of excess water, resembling the dispersions (gels) formed by typical two-chain amphiphiles, e.g. lipids. The special arrangement of hydrogen-bonded pairs of carboxylic acid and carboxylate groups into a unique “head-group” is supported by frequency shifts and partial or total disappearance of the characteristic vibrations of carboxylic acid dimers and of carboxylate groups. The existence of well-ordered hydrocarbon chains is demonstrated by the existence and polarization properties of the methylene rocking and wagging propagation modes. The gel to liquid-crystal phase transition of the hydrated acid soaps shows practically no cation dependence, unlike the corresponding phase transition in neutral soaps which varies considerably with the nature of the counterion. There is spectroscopic evidence to suggest a cooperative process that involves “melting” of the alkyl chains and disintegration of the hydrogen-bonded carboxylate—carboxylic acid complex, followed by a cation-dependent equilibrium that favors the formation of acid dimers at elevated temperatures and some form of hydrogen-bonded ion pair aggregates at intermediate temperatures.
Nisoxetine prevents the 6-hydroxydopamine induced decrease in post-decapitation convulsions.

Abstract Intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (60HDA) to rats caused a marked reduction in post-decapitation convulsions (PDC), which was also observed in rats given 60HDA systemically at birth. The reduction in PDC and norepinephrine (NE) content in brain and spinal cord was completely prevented by pretreatment with the selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, nisoxetine, but not by fluoxetine, a specific serotonin uptake inhibitor. Presumably nisoxetine prevented the reduction in PDC and NE levels by blocking the entry of 60HDA into the neuron via the membrane uptake pump, and thus preventing subsequent NE depletion and neuron degeneration. These data imply that NE neurons are involved in the neurological mechanism of PDC, although this does not exclude a role for other neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA).
The transactional manifesto: software engineering and non-blocking synchronization

Computer architecture is about to undergo, if not another revolution, then a vigorous shaking-up. The major chip manufacturers have, for the time being, simply given up trying to make processors run faster. Instead, they have recently started shipping "multicore" architectures, in which multiple processors (cores) communicate directly through shared hardware caches, providing increased concurrency instead of increased clock speed.As a result, system designers and software engineers can no longer rely on increasing clock speed to hide software bloat. Instead, they must somehow learn to make effective use of increasing parallelism. This adaptation will not be easy. Conventional synchronization techniques based on locks and conditions are unlikely to be effective in such a demanding environment. Coarse-grained locks, which protect relatively large amounts of data, do not scale, and fine-grained locks introduce substantial software engineering problems.Transactional memory is a computational model in which threads synchronize by optimistic, lock-free transactions. This synchronization model promises to alleviate many (perhaps not all) of the problems associated with locking, and there is a growing community of researchers working on both software and hardware support for this approach. This talk will survey the area, with a focus on open research problems.
Successful pregnancy complicated by early and late adnexal torsion after in vitro fertilization.

Objective To report a case of unilateral adnexal torsion and subsequent contralateral adnexal torsion after in vitro fertilization. Design Case report and literature review. Setting Academic fertility center; university hospital. Patient(s) A 28-year-old woman with tubal factor infertility conceived with IVF and experienced mild-to-moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Right adnexal torsion occurred at 7 weeks of gestation, and laparoscopic detorsion was performed. Subsequent contralateral adnexal torsion occurred at 19 weeks and was managed with laparotomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. Intervention(s) Laparoscopic right adnexal detorsion and laparotomy with salpingo-oophorectomy for left adnexal torsion. Main Outcome Measure(s) Preservation of torsed adnexa and successful pregnancy. Result(s) Successful pregnancy and birth complicated by two episodes of adnexal torsion after IVF, and viable right adnexa after laparoscopic detorsion. Conclusion(s) Subsequent contralateral adnexal torsion is a rare complication of IVF and can occur in the second trimester. Data support preservation of the torsed adnexa despite the ovary's appearance.
Microprocessor architecture and design for GaAs technology

GaAs technology has reached the VLSI level of integration. At the same power consumption, it is up to about half an order of magnitude faster than silicon technology, and up to several orders of magnitude more radiation hard. However, it imposes radical changes in the area of computer architecture and computer designs. This paper explains several processor design strategies for GaAs technology, and emphasizes the RISC strategy. It discusses the impacts of GaAs technology on the design of CPU resources (adder, register file, etc.), system resources (cache, coprocessing, etc.), and system software resources (code optimisation, hardware-to-software migration, etc.). It summarises the essence of one 32-bit GaAs microprocessor design, and reviews the lessons, learned. Finally, it concentrates on the synergism methodology for GaAs microprocessor design; actually, on its most promising aspect: catalytic migration.
Interdependence of tetrapyrrole metabolism, the generation of oxidative stress and the mitigative oxidative stress response

Tetrapyrroles are involved in light harvesting and light perception, electron-transfer reactions, and as co-factors for key enzymes and sensory proteins. Under conditions in which cells exhibit stress-induced imbalances of photosynthetic reactions, or light absorption exceeds the ability of the cell to use photoexcitation energy in synthesis reactions, redox imbalance can occur in photosynthetic cells. Such conditions can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with alterations in tetrapyrrole homeostasis. ROS accumulation can result in cellular damage and detrimental effects on organismal fitness, or ROS molecules can serve as signals to induce a protective or damage-mitigating oxidative stress signaling response in cells. Induced oxidative stress responses include tetrapyrrole-dependent and -independent mechanisms for mitigating ROS generation and/or accumulation. Thus, tetrapyrroles can be contributors to oxidative stress, but are also essential in the oxidative stress response to protect cells by contributing to detoxification of ROS. In this review, we highlight the interconnection and interdependence of tetrapyrrole metabolism with the occurrence of oxidative stress and protective oxidative stress signaling responses in photosynthetic organisms.
Production and sequence validation of a complete full length ORF collection for the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae

Cholera, an infectious disease with global impact, is caused by pathogenic strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. High-throughput functional proteomics technologies now offer the opportunity to investigate all aspects of the proteome, which has led to an increased demand for comprehensive protein expression clone resources. Genome-scale reagents for cholera would encourage comprehensive analyses of immune responses and systems-wide functional studies that could lead to improved vaccine and therapeutic strategies. Here, we report the production of the FLEXGene clone set for V. cholerae O1 biovar eltor str. N16961: a complete-genome collection of ORF clones. This collection includes 3,761 sequence-verified clones from 3,887 targeted ORFs (97%). The ORFs were captured in a recombinational cloning vector to facilitate high-throughput transfer of ORF inserts into suitable expression vectors. To demonstrate its application, ≈15% of the collection was transferred into the relevant expression vector and used to produce a protein microarray by transcribing, translating, and capturing the proteins in situ on the array surface with 92% success. In a second application, a method to screen for protein triggers of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) was developed. We tested in vitro-synthesized proteins for their ability to stimulate TLR5 in A549 cells. This approach appropriately identified FlaC, and previously uncharacterized TLR5 agonist activities. These data suggest that the genome-scale, fully sequenced ORF collection reported here will be useful for high-throughput functional proteomic assays, immune response studies, structure biology, and other applications.
Exercise Endurance in Rats: Roles of Type I and II Corticosteroid Receptors

Abstract Intact and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats were mildly food deprived and administered dexamethasone (type II agonist), aldosterone (type I agonist), corticosterone (mixed agonist), or vehicle 24 and 2 h prior to forced exercise in a treadmill. The endurance of intact animals was unaffected by hormone treatments. Adrenalectomy greatly advanced the onset of fatigue, and aldosterone exacerbated the effect of adrenalectomy. Corticosterone improved endurance in ADX rats, and dexamethasone was even more potent in this respect. Aldosterone slowed deprivation-induced weight loss in ADXs, while corticosterone and especially dexamethasone accelerated loss. Thus, endurance was directly related to body weight loss, and presumably to the fuels released by such loss. The results extend the type I-type II fuctional dichotomy to the delivery of utilizable energy for metabolically active tissues.
Surface modes and loss in air-core photonic bandgap fibers

We briefly review recent progress in the fabrication and characterization of air-core photonic band-gap fibers. These are silica fibers with an hexagonal array of air holes in the cladding, and a larger air hole creating the core. Improved structural uniformity transverse to the fiber axis and down the fiber axis has yielded fibers with better transmission characteristics. We have measured a minimum loss of 13 dB/km at 1500 nm for a 100 m length of our fiber. This is a marked improvement over previous loss measurements for air-core fibers of any kind. A comparison of observed spectra and calculated gap modes suggests that coupling between surface modes and core modes may be an important contributor to the remaining loss. We present a detailed analysis of the expected losses associated with mode crossings between the fundamental core mode and surface modes, showing that Lorentzian-shaped loss peaks are predicted.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: SEASONAL MIGRATION TO A SUNBELT METROPOLIS

Seasonal migration to Sunbelt locales in recreational vehicles (RVs) has emerged as a major form of cyclical movement among Americans and Canadians. Using Phoenix, Arizona, as a case study, this paper addresses three questions. Who participates in this lifestyle? What are their geographical and temporal patterns of migration? What are the distinguishing characteristics of RV resort communities? Results highlight that older Americans and Canadians are defining new lifestyles and forms of retirement living based on seasonal movement in RVs.
Akinesia and postural abnormality after unilateral dopamine depletion.

Abstract Following unilateral nigrostriatal dopamine depletion rats engage in drug-induced and spontaneous turning. These asymmetric behaviors are associated with a hemispheric asymmetry in the dopamine function. Several tests of ‘spontaneous’ behavior have revealed other abnormalities, primarily in posture and akinesia. A test is described here which quantifies postural abnormalities, as well as difficulties in initiating and terminating movement. This test may be suitable for evaluating aspects of dopamine-mediated behaviors not addressed by drug tests and may prove valuable in evaluating the potential of new treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease.
Novel use of polA bacteria for inserting DNA fragments into Agrobacterium binary vectors

Abstract A strategy for transferring a DNA molecule from a pUC8 plasmid to an Agrobacterium binary vector plasmid (pBIN19) without purifying the fragment of interest, is described. This method employs a strain of Eschericia coli defective in DNA polymerase 1 to select plasmid cointegrates consisting of pUC8 harboring the DNA fragment of interest and pBIN19, into which this DNA molecule is to be inserted. The pUC8 plasmid is then excised by restriction enzyme digestion, resulting in the insertion of the DNA fragment of interest into pBIN19. This technique results in the exchange of DNA fragments from one plasmid to another and has been termed `vector exchange'.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for lipovitellin quantification in copepods: A screening tool for endocrine toxicity

Vitellogenin (VTG) has been widely used as a biomarker of estrogenic exposure in fish, leading to the development of standardized assays for VTG quantification. However, standardized quantitative assays for invertebrate, particularly crustacean, lipovitellin (also known as vitellin [VTN]) are lacking. In this study, a fluorescence-based VTN enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to quantify microquantities of VTN in the estuarine, sediment-dwelling copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis. This ELISA utilizes a VTN-specific polyclonal antibody developed against amphipod (Leptocheirus plumulosus) embryo VTN and exhibits specificity toward female copepod proteins. In routine assays, the working range of the ELISA was 31.25 to 1,000 ng/ml (75-25% specific binding/maximum antibody binding [B/B0]) with a 50% B/B0 intra- and interassay variation of 3.9% (n = 9) and 12.5% (n = 26), respectively. This ELISA is capable of detecting VTN as low as 2 ng/ml, and can accurately detect VTN in as few as four copepods. The ELISA significantly discriminated positive (gravid female) and negative (male) samples, and was suitable for screening endocrine toxicity in copepods. Stage-I juvenile copepods were individually reared to adults in aqueous microvolumes of the phenylpyrazole insecticide, fipronil, and whole-body homogenate extracts were assayed for VTN levels. Fipronil-exposed virgin adult females, but not males, exhibited significantly higher levels of VTN relative to control males and females. This crustacean VTN ELISA is likely useful for evaluating endocrine activity of environmental toxicants in copepods and other crustacean species.
Genetic, geographic, and linguistic distances in Europe

Abstract Genetic and taxonomic distances were computed for 3466 samples of human populations in Europe based on 97 allele frequencies and 10 cranial variables. Since the actual samples employed differed among the genetic systems studied, the genetic distances were computed separately for each system, as were matrices of geographic distances and of linguistic distances based on membership in the same language family or phylum. Significant matrix correlations between genetics and geography were found for the majority of systems; somewhat less frequent are significant correlations between genetics and language. The effects of the two factors can be separated by means of partial matrix correlations. These show significant values for both genetics and geography, language kept constant, and genetics and language, geography kept constant, with a tendency for the former to be higher. These findings demonstrate that speakers of different language families in Europe differ genetically and that this difference remains even after geographic differentiation is allowed for. The greater effect of geography than of language may be due to the several factors that bring about spatial differentiation in human populations.