cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of leachable components from an experimental endodontic sealer by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

Introduction. Studies of experimental composites based on amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) intended for dental applications as remineralizing pit and fissure sealants, orthodontic adhesives and, most recently, endodontic sealers were mainly focused on improving their mechanical, esthetic and remineralizing capabilities. Similar to the vast majority of commercial composites, these experimental formulations might have clinical drawbacks due to incomplete conversion of monomers and leachability of monomers and degradation products, shrinkage and stress associated with polymerization, and microleakage typically occurring at the tooth/composite interfacial region. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify leachable components from the experimental amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) endodontic sealer using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Material and Methods. The light-cure resin [camphorquinone (CQ) + ethyl-4-N,N-dimethylamino benzoate (4EDMAB)] was formulated from urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), poly(ethylene glycol)- extended urethane dimethacrylate (PEG-U), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methacryloyloxyethyl phthalate (MEP). The experimental sealer contained 40 mass % ground ACP and 60 mass % resin. The copolymer (unfiled resin) and ACP/UPHM composite specimens, after being dried to a constant mass, were extracted in butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT; prevents polymerization of eluted components) containing acetone for 7 days at 23oC with continuous magnetic stirring. Gravimetric changes were recorded for each specimen. After solvent evaporation, 1H NMR spectra were collected on the extractable portion of each specimen. Representative peaks for each component were used to calculate their relative portions in the extracts. By combining the gravimetric and NMR data, the overall loss of each monomer and its concentration in the extract was calculated. Results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and multiple pair-wise comparisons (t-test). Results. No CQ could be detected in the extracts. However, 33.06 % and 24.66 % of the initially incorporated 4EDMleached from the copolymers and composites, respectively. 0.30-14.29% and 0.12-10.39% of each monomer content leached out from copolymers and composites, respectively. The apparent differences in the concentrations between copolymers and composites became marginal when composite data were normalized with respect to the initial amount of the resin. Conclusion. 1H NMR conveniently provides qualitative and quantitative information on leachables without the elaborate sample preparation and/or data interpretation. Leachability of the unrectaed monomers from the experimental ACP sealer is apparently controlled by the highly cross-linked resin network and unaffected by the incorporation of bioactive ACP into the resin. The maximum levels of leachables from our experimental composite were within or below the concentration ranges reported for the commercial counterparts.
More on eikonal approximation for high energy scattering

Abstract We formulate eikonal approximation to the calculation of high energy scattering amplitude in the frame where both colliding objects are very energetic. We express the eikonal scattering matrix in terms of the color charge densities of the colliding objects. The calculation is performed in the Hamiltonian formalism. We also show that the appearance of the longitudinal electric and magnetic fields immediately following the collision is fully taken into account in the eikonal approximation.
Interventions to improve screening and follow-up in primary care: a systematic review of the evidence.

Abstract Background The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations recommend several screening tests as part of preventive care. The proportion of children who are appropriately screened and who receive follow-up care is low. Objective To conduct a systematic review of the evidence for practice-based interventions to increase the proportion of patients receiving recommended screening and follow-up services in pediatric primary care. Data Source Medline database of journal citations. Study Eligibility Criteria, Participants, and Interventions We developed a strategy to search MEDLINE to identify relevant articles. We selected search terms to capture categories of conditions (eg, developmental disabilities, obesity), screening tests, specific interventions (eg, quality improvement initiatives, electronic records enhancements), and primary care. We searched references of selected articles and reviewed articles suggested by experts. We included all studies with a distinct, primary care-based intervention and post-intervention screening data, and studies that focused on children and young adults (≤21 years of age). We excluded studies of newborn screening. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods Abstracts were screened by 2 reviewers and articles with relevant abstracts received full text review and were evaluated for inclusion criteria. A structured tool was used to abstract data from selected articles. Because of heterogeneous interventions and outcomes, we did not attempt a meta-analysis. Results From 2547 returned titles and abstracts, 23 articles were reviewed. Nine were pre-post comparisons, 5 were randomized trials, 3 were postintervention comparisons with a control group, 3 were postintervention cross-sectional analyses only, and 3 reported time series data. Of 14 articles with preintervention or control group data and significance testing, 12 reported increases in the proportion of patients appropriately screened. Interventions were heterogeneous and often multifaceted, and several types of interventions, such as provider/staff training, electronic medical record templates/prompts, and learning collaboratives, appeared effective in improving screening quality. Few articles described interventions to track screening results or referral completion for those with abnormal tests. Data were often limited by single-site, nonrandomized design. Conclusions Several feasible, practice- and provider-level interventions appear to increase the quality of screening in pediatric primary care. Evidence for interventions to improve follow-up of screening tests is scant. Future research should focus on which specific interventions are most effective, whether effects are sustained over time, and what interventions improve follow-up of abnormal screening tests.
Estrogen determination using liquid chromatography with precolumn fluorescence labeling

Abstract A liquid chromatography procedure is described for the determination of some estrogens using fluorescence detection. The estrogens are labeled by precolumn derivatization with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonylchloride (dansyl chloride) and chromatographed on a reversed-phase, C-18 column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol, water, and acetic acid. The eluted analytes are measured with a fluorescence detector using excitation and emission wavelengths of 350 and 540 nm, respectively. The chief advantage of this new procedure is its sensitivity, requiring smaller amounts of sample to detect and quantitate estrogens in biological materials. We could detect less than 400 pg of estriol. With our procedure, this corresponded to about 25 ng in the final reaction mixture, before derivatization. The use of smaller sample volumes could improve this limit. Linearity for dansylated estriol, estrone, and estradiol was excellent over the estrogen range below 100 μg in the sample. This corresponds to approximately 1.7 μg on the column. Within-run precision was better than 5% for the full extraction and derivatization procedure for estriol from pregnancy urine samples. Chromatography is complete within 10 min for dansylated estriol, estrone, and estradiol.
An Integrated Model of the Material Handling System and Unit Load Design Problem

Material flow system design problems (i.e. facility layout, material handling equipment selection and specification, flow path design, unit load sizing, cell design, warehousing, routing, etc.) have been predominately modelled independently in the past, Independent consideration of each design problem has reduced the solution complexity, but in the process has caused a loss in problem reality. This paper reviews recent developments in integrated approaches to material flow design and presents a model which integrates material handling equipment selection and specification (including material handling interface equipment) and path/load dependent unit load size. The formulation is solved using the meta-heuristic procedure of tabu search to find good solutions to the more realistic (and more complex model formulation.
Effects of a mandatory death penalty on the decisions of simulated jurors as a function of heinousness of the crime

The influence of a mandatory death penalty on the verdicts of simulated jurors was assessed. Seventy male and 81 female subjects read a description of a trial involving either a gang war murder or the heinous murder of a child. A guilty verdict carried with it either a prison term or a mandatory death penalty. Given equivalent evidence against the defendant, subjects rendered guilty verdicts significantly less frequently when the sentence was the death penalty than when it was a prison term. However, the influence of the death penalty in decreasing the likelihood of a guilty verdict was defendent on the nature of the crime. The difference in frequency of guilty verdicts was significant in the gang-war-murder condition but was not significant in the heinous-murder condition. Conviction rates in the imprisonment condition were unaffected by the nature of the crime.
Functional interactions between an atypical NF-κB site from the rat CYP2B1 promoter and the transcriptional repressor RBP-Jκ/CBF1

The phenobarbital-inducible rat cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B1 and 2B2 proteins are encoded by homologous genes whose promoters contain a mammalian-apparent long terminal repeat retrotransposon (MaLR). An NF-κB-like site within the MaLR forms multiple protein–DNA complexes with rat liver and HeLa cell nuclear extracts. Using antibody supershift assays, we have identified these complexes as NF-κB and RPB-Jκ/CBF1. Competition assays using a series of single site mutant oligonucleotides reveal that the recognition sites for these two factors overlap. We also show that the CYP2B1/2 NF-κB element, but not the Igκ NF-κB element, can repress transcription in vitro when positioned upstream of the heterologous adenovirus major late core promoter. In addition, RBP-Jκ overexpressed in COS-7 cells repressed expression in vivo from an SV40–luciferase reporter construct that contained the CYP2B1/2 NF-κB element. Finally, we observe similar levels of NF-κB and RBP-Jκ binding activities in nuclear extracts prepared from control and phenobarbital-induced rat livers. The results suggest that RBP-Jκ/CBF1 binds an atypical NF-κB site in the CYP2B1/2 promoters and may help to maintain a low level of expression in the absence of inducer.
Analysis of electrostatics and correlated motions for hydride transfer in dihydrofolate reductase

The hydride transfer reaction catalyzed by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase is simulated with a hybrid quantum/classical molecular dynamics method. Electronic and nuclear quantum effects, as well as the motion of the entire solvated enzyme, are included in these simulations. The free energy profile is generated as a function of a collective reaction coordinate. The structure, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and correlated motions are analyzed along the collective reaction coordinate (i.e., at the reactant, transition state, and product). The analysis of hydrogen bonding and electrostatics provides insight into the impact of conformational changes on the energetics of the reaction. A charge deletion scheme is used to quantify the electrostatic contributions of each residue along the collective reaction coordinate and to identify the key residues that influence the changes in the electrostatic energy during the reaction. Analysis of the correlated motions in the enzyme, cofactor, and substra...
An examination of impulsivity as a trait characterizing delinquent youth.

The delinquent personality is frequently conceptualized as being marked by a high degree of impulsivity. Two empirical studies are discussed, which, taken together, contradict the hypothesis that delinquent behavior is related to impulsivity and suggest that the existing measures of impulsivity do not tap the same dimension.
Effects of Dry Matter Content of Barley Silage on Nutrient Preservation and Animal Response

Abstract Barley silage was made at three dry matters, direct cut at soft dough maturity 36%, wilted to 40%, and 50%. These silages were fed with either 13% or 10.5% dietary crude protein in a 3×2 factorial design to 30 lactating Holsteins to test milk production response. Complete rations containing silages, ground corn, soybean meal, minerals, and vitamins supplied anticipated dietary needs except for protein. Animals were grouped according to 3.5% fat-corrected milk, age, and days in lactation and fed a standard ration for 2 wk for a covariate for production. During fermentation the highest temperature (38C) was recorded in the top portion of the 50% silage. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen was 11.2% of total nitrogen in it, compared to 7.2 and 6.4% in the other silages. Eleven-week means for daily milk and intake of dry matter were for (36–10.5) 22.3, 19.2; (36–13) 23.2, 19.8; (40–10.5) 23.9, 21.3; (40–13) 27.1, 21.4; (50–10.5) 20.0, 19.6; and (50–13) 25.3, 19.6. The interaction was significant for milk. The 36% dry-matter silage when fed alone had higher digestion coefficients for dry matter, protein, and acid detergent fiber; however, nitrogen balance was similar.
Structural Changes and Hydrogen Motion in A-SI:H Observed by Proton Nmr

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is applied to investigate hydrogen dynamics and microstructures in a-Si:H. In addition to the generic broad and narrow lines observed in all aSi:H, an additional narrow line (about 1 kHz wide) is observed as the temperature is raised above RT. This narrow line is shifted to the up-field by about 4 ppm with respect to the generic narrow line of a few kHz in width. Below 150°C, the change of the proton spectrum with temperature is reversible; the hydrogen associated with this additional narrow line is shown to originate from hydrogen originally associated with the broad line. The spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of this up-field shifted narrow line is about 0.4 s. This short T1, along with its small linewidth, suggests that this line is associated with molecular hydrogen, possibly trapped in sites of atomic dimensions.
Agents as Web services

Web services are extremely flexible. Most advantageously, a developer of Web services need not know who or what will use the services being provided. The paper discusses current standards for Web services, directory services and the Semantic Web. It considers how agents extend Web services in several important ways.
Symmetries of the self-dual SU(2) gauge fields

The equations of the self-dual SU(2) gauge fields in the $R$ gauge with a Euclidean metric are derived from a Lagrangian. The Lagrangian displays six symmetries of these fields. To each symmetry corresponds a divergence-free vector, one of them being dependent on the others. The nonsymmetric canonical energy-momentum tensor also has vanishing divergence. The conserved vectors and tensor are explicitly displayed. The Lagrangian is also exhibited from which the corresponding self-dual SU(3) gauge fields in the $R$ gauge may be derived.
PERIODIC ELECTROMAGNETIC AND QUANTUM SYSTEMS

We develop a new analysis of periodic electromagnetic structures which is based on their resonant properties rather than their traveling wave properties. By expanding the fields of Maxwell's equations in a set of short-circuit modes, defined as the resonant modes within a unit cell of the structure bounded by electric shorting planes on the coupling surfaces and excited by tangential electric field on those surfaces, we obtain a determinantal equation for k2 = ω2μ0ϵ0 for a given periodic phase shift φ. Alternately we expand the fields in a set of open-circuit modes, defined as the resonant modes within a unit cell with magnetic shorting planes on the coupling surfaces and excited by tangential magnetic field on those surfaces. We obtain the same determinantal equation for k2(φ). We prove these theorems for a general symmetric structure: (1) the irrotational modes with zero curl are not necessary for determining the passband curves, (2) the shape of a narrow passband is a simple (1 ± cos φ) curve between the cutoff frequencies, independent of the coupling between cavities, and (3) the sum of all the k2(φ) associated with the passbands is the sum of all the k2 lying on the (1 ± cos φ)-curves between the actual cutoff frequencies, independent of the nature of the coupling. The determinantal equation for k2(φ) can be obtained from variational expressions for k2, and these lead us by analogy to a variational expression for the energy of a periodic quantum system. We solve the Schrodinger equation for the first energy band of an infinite line of positive ions, in terms of the first “short-circuit” and “open-circuit” eigenfunctions to illustrate the analysis. Then we outline a cellular procedure for solving Schrodinger's equation variationally within a unit cell of a more complicated crystal. The procedure provides for continuity of both ĝY and ∇ĝY over the whole surface of a unit cell and should prove useful for many crystals with unit cells of arbitrary shapes, described by very general Hamiltonians.
Global engineering education: What difference does it make?

In this paper, the author describes the findings of his study of fifteen representative graduates of the University of Rhode Island International Engineering Program (IEP). The IEP program enables the students to earn a language degree alongside their engineering curriculum and involves one year of immersion study and professional internship abroad. The study seeks to define the long-term impact of the IEP experience on the lives and careers of its students.
Fibrinolysis in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract Objective: Thromboelastographic evaluation of the influence of fibrinolysis on blood loss and blood product transfusions in children during cardiac surgery. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University-affiliated, pediatric medical center. Participants: Two hundred seventy-eight consecutive children undergoing cardiac surgery. Interventions: Blood sampling for coagulation tests, including native and protamine-modified thromboelastography. Measurements and Main Results: Blood coagulation tests were measured before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Demographic data, perioperative blood loss, and blood product transfusions were prospectively recorded. Fibrinolysis was defined as thromboelastography of A30/MA less than 0.85 (MA, maximum amplitude; A30, amplitude 30 minutes after MA) and was noted in 3% of children pre-CPB, 16% during CPB, and 3% post-CPB. Fibrinolysis before CPB was associated with poor cardiac output. Fibrinolysis during CPB occurred in young children (aged 350 ± 836 days) undergoing complex surgery with prolonged CPB (119 ± 48.8 minutes) and deep hypothermia (25.6°C ± 4.7°C). These patients received blood products after CPB and were not fibrinolytic after transfusion. They incurred similar blood loss (in mL/kg) and received similar volumes of blood products (mL/kg) as age-matched and surgery-matched patients without fibrinolysis. Conclusion: A group of children at risk for fibrinolysis during CPB was identified. However, fibrinolysis during CPB did not influence blood loss or the total volume of blood products transfused.
A new algorithm for faster full-thermodynamic device simulations

Full-thermodynamic device simulation solves drift-diffusion (DD), energy balance, and lattice self-heating equations simultaneously and the solution time is extensive. An algorithm to reduce the solution time is presented. The method uses a single lattice temperature to describe the self-heating in the whole semiconductor device. It is shown that the solution time is reduced by 20% and little error is induced compared with the full-thermodynamic simulations. This approach appears useful for submicron device structures.
The Roles of “3d/2d” and “3d/3d” Topography Simulators in Virtual Wafer Fabs

After discussing topography simulation, we summarize two approaches used to move surfaces in topography simulators used in virtual semiconductor wafer fabs; “front tracking” and “level set”. Front tracking is presented for two dimensional (2d) surfaces, and a number of examples are shown to demonstrate the approach. The level set approach is presented for three dimensional (3d) surfaces, and examples are shown. Though either approach could be used in both 2d and 3d topography simulators, this is by and large the current usage. Transport and reaction submodels needed for physically based process simulations will continue to be developed using experiments performed on structures that are inherently 2d, combined with three dimensional 3d transport simulations; i.e., “3d/2d” simulations. Three dimensional device structures will be generated using “3d/3d” topography simulations, using robust codes. Plasma enhanced deposition of silicon dioxide from TEOS is used as an example of how 3d/2d and 3d/3d simulations are used.
Developing an Index to Measure Urban Heat Island Effect Using Satellite Land Skin Temperature and Land Cover Observations

A new index of calculating the intensity of urban heat island effects (UHI) for a city using satellite skin temperature and land cover observations is recommended. UHI, the temperature difference between urban and rural regions, is traditionally identified from the 2-m surface air temperatures (i.e., the screen-level temperature T2m) measured at a pair of weather stations sited in urban and rural locations. However, such screen-level UHI is affected by the location, distance, and geographic conditions of the pair of weather stations. For example, choosing a different pair of rural and city sites leads to a different UHI intensity for the same city, due to the high heterogeneity of the urban surface temperature. To avoid such uncertainty, satelliteobserved surface skin temperature measurements (i.e., skin level temperature Tskin) is recommended to record UHI, known as skin-level UHI or UHIskin. This new index has advantages of high spatial resolution and aerial coverage to better record UHI intensity than T2m. An assessment of skin-level UHI from 10 yr of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations reveals that skin-level UHI has a strong UHI signal during the day and at night. In addition, there are significant diurnal and seasonal variations in skin-level UHI. Furthermore, the skin-levelUHIisstrongerduringthedayandsummer(July)thanduringnighttimeandwinter.Thisnewindex is important for more uniformly assessing UHIs over cities around the globe. Nevertheless, whether the seasonalityand diurnalvariationsrevealedin this workusing skin-level UHIindexarevalid overdesert cities, such as Phoenix, Arizona, need to be examined.
Commonality Analysis: Partitioning Variance for Multivariate Prediction

Commonality analysis partitions the proportion of explained variance in the dependent variable or variables that is accounted for by the independent variables. Both variances unique to independent variables and variances common to sets of independent variables are obtained. An algorithm is described for computing these variance components for both the single and multiple dependent variable case. An associated program selects the proper procedure, multiple regression or canonical correlation, and provides a table of all variance components.
Circulating bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone and less acidic follicle-stimulating hormone isoforms increase during experimental induction of puberty in the female lamb.

The pubertal process with its multifaceted neuroendocrine control provides an excellent model for the study of the regulation of FSH heterogeneity. We tested the hypothesis that during the pubertal transition in the female lamb 1) an increase in both pituitary and circulating bioactive FSH concentrations occur and 2) that the increase in bioactivity is associated with a change in the distribution pattern of both pituitary and circulating FSH isoforms. Pituitary and serum immunoreactive (I), and bioactive (B, Sertoli cell bioassay) FSH concentrations were measured in six prepubertal lambs (18 +/- 1 weeks, 29.9 +/- 2.8 kg body weight; mean +/- SE) and compared to those of six others (24.2 +/- 2.2 weeks of age, 41.4 +/- 2.5 kg body weight) during the pubertal transition period. Puberty was synchronized by pulsatile iv administration of GnRH (2 ng/kg every 2 h for 24 h and then at hourly intervals for the next 12 h) in a manner mimicking the I-LH pulse patterns observed during the natural transition to adulth...
Refining Patient Selection for Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy Reeling in a Net Cast Too Widely

The Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial (MADIT) II and Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) prospectively tested the hypothesis that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) could reduce mortality in patients at increased risk for sudden death from ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF).1,2 These trials, which demonstrated 5% to 7% absolute mortality reductions over 2 to 4 years, established ICDs as a standard of care for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, the significant risks and high cost of ICD therapy, combined with the high number needed to treat to save 1 life in these populations, have led some to ask whether we have cast the net of sudden death prevention too widely. In this issue, Levy et al3 provide cautionary evidence that ICD therapy is futile in an identifiable subgroup of SCD-HeFT patients because their heart failure is too advanced. Article see p 835 Most risk stratification efforts to identify candidates for primary prevention ICDs have been based on the hypothesis that patients are likely to benefit if their risk of sudden death is high enough. Various electric measures of arrhythmic risk, such as T-wave alternans, signal-averaged ECG, and electrophysiological study, have not demonstrated adequate or consistent discriminatory power.4,5 Paradoxically, the mortality reduction benefit of primary prevention ICDs was established only when risk stratification was based on measures of left ventricular dysfunction and functional class (left ventricular ejection fraction <30% after myocardial infarction in MADIT II or left ventricular ejection fraction <35% with New York Heart Association class II to III in SCD-HeFT) rather than direct measures of arrhythmic risk. Presently, the number needed to treat to save 1 life for primary prevention ICDs is 15 to 20.1,2 Analysis of SCD-HeFT demonstrated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <$100 000 only by extrapolating 3 years …
A simple instrument and technique for measuring columnar water vapor via near-IR differential solar transmission measurements

A simple two-channel solar radiometer and data retrieval technique is described for sensing the columnar content of atmospheric water vapor via differential solar transmission measurements in and adjacent to the 940-nm water vapor absorption band. The instrument features two parallel channels for simultaneous measurements in and out of the absorption band to eliminate temporal variability effects in the differential comparison of the data from the two channels. The water vapor transmittance is determined by a modified Langley plot analysis of the ratio of the two channel signals. A statistical band model which closely follows the square-root law is then used to extract the columnar water vapor amount from the water vapor band transmittance. Error analyses and experimental results indicate that the instrument/technique can be reasonably employed to retrieve water vapor amounts with an error of 10% or less. >
Heme levels switch the function of Hap1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae between transcriptional activator and transcriptional repressor.

Changes in oxygen levels cause widespread changes in gene expression in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this response is mediated in part by Hap1, originally identified as a heme-dependent transcriptional activator that functions during aerobic growth. We show here that Hap1 also plays a significant and direct role under hypoxic conditions, not as an activator, but as a repressor. The repressive activity of Hap1 controls several genes, including three ERG genes required for ergosterol biosynthesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Hap1 binds to the ERG gene promoters, while additional experiments showed that the corepressor Tup1/Ssn6 is recruited by Hap1 and is also required for repression. Furthermore, mutational analysis demonstrated that conserved Hap1 binding sites in the ERG5 5 regulatory region are required for repression. The switch of Hap1 from acting as a hypoxic repressor to an aerobic activator is determined by heme, which is synthesized only in the presence of oxygen. The ability of Hap1 to function as a ligand-dependent repressor and activator is a property shared with mammalian nuclear hormone receptors and likely allows greater transcriptional control by Hap1 in response to changing oxygen levels.
Path-planning for elastically constrained space manipulator systems

Current design proposals for space manipulator systems suggest the use of a general-purpose dexterous arm attached to the end of a long flexible arm to perform a variety of tasks. The dynamic interaction between the components of such systems presents a number of dynamic and control problems. The motion of the small manipulator can excite difficult-to-control vibrations of the large manipulator. A technique called the coupling map is presented for planning motions of elastically constrained space manipulator systems that result in relatively low residual vibrations to their supporting structures. A prototype was designed in some detail as a baseline for simulation and evaluation of the algorithms developed. >
Long-term outcome in children after antenatal intervention for obstructive uropathies.

Summary Background Antenatal intervention has been done for fetal obstructive uropathy for over a decade, yet little is known about long-term outcomes. To assess the long-term implications of fetal intervention, we reviewed the outcomes of children who underwent vesicoamniotic shunt placement. Methods We reviewed the clinical outcomes of 14 children who underwent vesicoamniotic shunt placement at our institution and who survived beyond 2 years of age. Findings In 1987–96, 34 patients underwent vesicoamniotic shunt placement. 13 died and 21 survived, of whom 17 are now more than 2 years old. Three survivors were lost to follow-up. Mean age at follow-up was 54·3 months (range 25–114). Final diagnoses included prune belly syndrome (seven cases), posterior urethral valves (four), urethral atresia (one), vesicoureteral reflux (one), and megacystis (one). Height was below the 25th percentile in 12 (86%) with seven (50%) below the 5th percentile. Five (36%) had renal failure and had successful transplantation, three (21%) have renal insufficiency, and six (43%) have normal renal function. Seven (50%) are acceptably continent, five (36%) have not yet begun toilet-training, and two (14%) are incontinent. Three of four children with valves needed bladder augmentation. Interpretation Antenatal intervention may help those fetuses with the most severe forms of obstructive uropathy, usually associated with a fatal neonatal course. Intervention achieves outcomes similar to less severe cases that are usually diagnosed postnatally.
Phase I study of alemtuzumab for therapy of steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract Steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) carries a poor prognosis with no agreed upon algorithm for treatment. Because both B and T cells contribute to the pathophysiology of cGVHD, we conducted a phase I study in subjects with steroid-refractory cGVHD using the anti-CD52 antibody alemtuzumab to transiently deplete most mononuclear subsets. Three regimens were investigated in a 3+3 dose-escalation design: 3 mg × 6 (dose level 1), 3 mg × 1, then 10 mg × 5 (dose level 2) and 3 mg × 1, 10 mg × 1, then 30 mg × 4 (dose level 3) administered over 4 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose of alemtuzumab was dose level 2. Thirteen patients were assessable for toxicities, which were primarily infectious and hematologic. Rates of infectious complications in the first 12 weeks were 0% at dose level 1 (n = 3), 50% at dose level 2 (1 death, n = 6), and 75% at dose level 3 (2 deaths, n = 4). Of 10 patients assessable for response, 7 (70%) responded at 12 weeks, with a 30% complete response rate. Four subjects reduced steroid dose or discontinued an immunosuppressant at 12 weeks. The median decrease in steroid dose at 1 year was 61.6%. Infectious complications occurred predominantly in the first 3 months after therapy, but full B and T cell recovery took well over 12 months. Immunophenotypic profiling revealed early recovery by natural killer cells and relative sparing of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cell subsets. Our study indicates that therapy with alemtuzumab for steroid-refractory cGVHD is tolerable with close attention to dosing and may be active in subjects who have failed multiple therapies. The pattern of lymphocyte recovery after alemtuzumab will inform the biology and future therapy of cGVHD. The use of alemtuzumab in the context of therapy for cGVHD deserves study in larger phase II trials.
Genetically engineered nanofiber-like viruses for tissue regenerating materials.

Controlling structural organization and signaling motif display of biomimetic matrices at the nanometer scale is of great importance to the functional design of tissue regenerating materials. We have genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage (phage), naturally occurring nanofiberlike viruses, to display a high density of cell-signaling peptides on their major coat proteins. Structural orientation of these phage building blocks can be achieved due to their long-rod shape and monodispersity, which lead them to self-assemble into directionally organized liquid crystalline-like materials. We showed that the constructed viral nanofiber scaffolds were able to support neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation as well as direct orientation of their growth in three dimensions. Such functionalized and structurally aligned phage matrices offer promising opportunities for therapies that address challenging medical problems, such as nerve tissue regeneration after spinal cord injuries, or as in vitro model systems for studying complicated cell signaling environments.
Creating the Academy: historical discourse and the shape of community in the Old Academy

The Old Academy developed in an unplanned fashion and, as its structure evolved, changes in leadership and institutional culture were mirrored by shifting Academic historical traditions. As the Old Academy became an institution that presented a systematized philosophy, its leadership placed increased emphasis upon traditions about Plato and other Academic leaders that illustrated the power and practical application of this Academic teaching. This suggests a conscious attempt by the scholarchs of the Old Academy to craft a distinctive institutional identity centred as much upon the character and exemplary lifestyle of its leadership as upon its specific doctrinal teaching.
ANTECEDENT EFFECTS OF OBSERVING PEER PLAY

The relative reinforcing value of toys was assessed in the absence of, and immediately following, participant observation of a peer manipulating one of the toys. Preference assessments were used to identify preference hierarchies. Reinforcer assessments were conducted with a high-preference item, a low-preference item, and a control. Each participant allocated responding toward the high-preference item during baseline. When reinforcer assessment sessions were preceded by a peer observation period, 3 of the 4 participants shifted allocation to the toy manipulated by the peer. The 4th participant shifted allocation only when the high-preference stimulus was replaced with a medium-preference stimulus. These data suggest that, among preschoolers, response allocation is influenced by observations of peers playing.
Comparative study of absorption in tilted silicon nanowire arrays for photovoltaics

Silicon nanowire arrays have been shown to demonstrate light trapping properties and promising potential for next-generation photovoltaics. In this paper, we show that the absorption enhancement in vertical nanowire arrays on a perfectly electric conductor can be further improved through tilting. Vertical nanowire arrays have a 66.2% improvement in ultimate efficiency over an ideal double-pass thin film of the equivalent amount of material. Tilted nanowire arrays, with the same amount of material, exhibit improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays across a broad range of tilt angles (from 38° to 72°). The optimum tilt of 53° has an improvement of 8.6% over that of vertical nanowire arrays and 80.4% over that of the ideal double-pass thin film. Tilted nanowire arrays exhibit improved absorption over the solar spectrum compared with vertical nanowires since the tilt allows for the excitation of additional modes besides the HE 1m modes that are excited at normal incidence. We also observed that tilted nanowire arrays have improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays for a large range of incidence angles (under about 60°).
Managing adverse effects of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment with supportive care measures

. Over the last 15 years, the number of therapies for CTCL has grown rapidly and continues to do so as new medications are enter-ing clinical trials and seeking US FDA approval. Adverse events (AEs) related to a new therapy sometimes become the treatment-limiting factor. Fortunately, AEs for many medications can be suc-cessfully managed, allowing for contin-ued use and benefit from therapy. Here, we discuss the management of common AEs of several topical and systemic medi -cations frequently used in the treatment of CTCL.
PS2-22: Geisinger Health System’s Clinical Interventions for Preventing Pediatric Obesity - Infancy through School-age

Background/Aims Childhood obesity remains a priority issue for the nation and health systems yet little is known about the effectiveness of pediatric obesity prevention interventions overall and evidence is particularly lacking with regard to prevention in clinical settings. Our aim is to discuss process steps in developing two clinical interventions to prevent obesity and their research designs to evaluate effectiveness.
Introduction to the Physiology of Body Fluids

Life of complicated pluricellular organisms depends upon the preservation of a very narrow range of volume and composition of body fluids. Water, inorganic substances, and organic molecules are taken up from the external medium and distributed in one or more body fluid compartments. Some of them are eventually utilized for energy production, growth, and repair. Others, such as water and electrolytes, provide the environment in which the physical and chemical processes characteristic of cell, tissue, and organ function take place.
Integrated fisheries assessment and possible causes for the collapse of anchovy kilka in the Caspian Sea

Daskalov, G. M., and Mamedov, E. V. 2007. Integrated fisheries assessment and possible causes for the collapse of anchovy kilka in the Caspian Sea. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 503-511.Anchovy kilka (Clupeonella engrauliformis) is the most abundant species of fish in the Caspian Sea. An integrated catch-at-age analysis based on commercial catch data and relative abundance indices from research surveys over the period 1991-2004 indicated two main periods. First, a period of high catches, from 1991 to 2000, sustained by relatively good recruitment and high spawning-stock biomass. At the end of this period, catches peaked at up to 271 400 t, fishing mortality reached 1.8 y −1 in 1999, and overfishing seems to have taken place. Over the next period, 2001-2004, the stock virtually collapsed, recruitment failing in 2001 and remaining very low thereafter. In 2005, total catches dropped to a historical minimum of 54 300 t. The most likely primary cause of the stock collapse is the invasion and spread of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Caspian Sea. The dramatic recruitment failure from 2001 to 2004 is primarily attributed to competition/predation by this ctenophore, although other factors, including overfishing, likely contributed.
Medical stabilization of adolescents with nutritional insufficiency: a clinical care path.

Nutritional insufficiency (NI) is a potential consequence of restrictive eating disorders. NI patients often require hospitalization for refeeding to restore medical stability and prevent complications such as refeeding syndrome. Limited information is available on the optimal approach to refeeding. In this study, we describe an inpatient NI care path and compare treatment outcomes at an academic medical center and a community hospital. A retrospective chart review was conducted on inpatients treated using a standardized NI care path at either the academic site, from August 2012 to July 2013 (n = 51), or the community site, from August 2013 to July 2014 (n = 39). Demographic information, eating disorder history, and treatment variables were recorded for each patient. Data were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Fisher’s exact test. Patients admitted to the community site had shorter hospital stays than patients admitted to the academic site (IQR 2–4 vs. 2–7 days, p = 0.03). All patients were discharged in <14 days with a median stay of 3 days. The median initial calorie prescription was 2200 calories for both groups. No clinical cases of refeeding syndrome occurred, with only one patient developing hypophosphatemia during refeeding. A standardized care path with a higher-calorie intervention allows for short-term hospitalization of NI patients without increasing the risk of refeeding syndrome, regardless of treatment site. This study demonstrates the efficiency and safety of treating NI patients on a regular medical floor at a community hospital.
Pigmented ganglioglioma in a patient with chronic epilepsy and cortical dysplasia

We report a rare case of a 22-year-old woman with biopsy-proven pigmented ganglioglioma. The patient initially underwent a right temporal lobectomy for intractable seizures at the age of 9 and remained seizure free for several years but subsequently developed complex partial seizures. Due to enhancement of a left mesial occipital lesion on preoperative MRI of the brain, the patient underwent a left subdural electrode placement and simultaneous biopsy of the left mesial occipital lesion. Biopsy results revealed a rare pigmented ganglioglioma, World Health Organization Grade I. The seizure focus was identified in the left mesial occipital lobe and the patient underwent tumor resection. An extensive literature search revealed that our patient is the fourth case of pigmented ganglioglioma described in the literature and was positive for BRAF V600E mutation by molecular studies.
Under Armours Lawsuit Against Nike: Worth Breaking A Sweat?

On February 12 of 2013, Under Armour launched I WILL, its biggest ever global advertising campaign. Only nine days later, the company filed a lawsuit accusing Nike of illegally using variations of the I WILL trademark. This case study analyzes Nikes move and Under Armours countermove. The case is well suited for initiating a broader discussion of competitive dynamics, especially of unconventional hardball and curveball strategies.
The Cost of Glass Steagall on Corporate Investment: Evidence from Bank, Trust Company, and Insurance Company Affiliations

This paper finds that the implementation of the Glass Steagall Act may have increased the cost for corporations of raising external funds for investment spending. Specifically, it detects significant differences in the way financial institutions (commercial banks, trust companies, and insurance companies) influenced corporate investment spending. Investment regressions for a sample of companies affiliated to a financial institution are estimated and compared to the regression results of a control sample. Prior to Glass-Steagall, affiliated companies do not display any sensitivity between investment spending and internal measures of liquidity, whereas the control sample does. After Glass-Steagall, bank and trust-affiliated companies display the same large sensitivity of investment spending to internal measures of liquidity as the control sample. This provides some empirical evidence for the hypothesis that corporate financing was adversely affected by the imposition of the Glass-Steagall Act.
Cell fate determination in cisplatin resistance and chemosensitization.

// Khanh V. Luong 1 , Ling Wang 1 , Brett J. Roberts 1 , James K. Wahl III 1 , Aimin Peng 1 1 Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA Correspondence to: Aimin Peng, e-mail: Aimin.Peng@UNMC.edu Keywords: chemoresistance, cell fate, cisplatin, Mg132, caffeine Received: August 21, 2015 Accepted: February 28, 2016 Published: March 16, 2016 ABSTRACT Understanding the determination of cell fate choices after cancer treatment will shed new light on cancer resistance. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the individual cell fate choice in resistant UM-SCC-38 head and neck cancer cells exposed to cisplatin. Our study revealed a highly heterogeneous pattern of cell fate choices in UM-SCC-38 cells, in comparison to that of the control, non-tumorigenic keratinocyte HaCaT cells. In both UM-SCC-38 and HaCaT cell lines, the majority of cell death occurred during the immediate interphase without mitotic entry, whereas significant portions of UM-SCC-38 cells survived the treatment via either checkpoint arrest or checkpoint slippage. Interestingly, checkpoint slippage occurred predominantly in cells treated in late S and G2 phases, and cells in M-phase were hypersensitive to cisplatin. Moreover, although the cisplatin-resistant progression of mitosis exhibited no delay in general, prolonged mitosis was correlated with the induction of cell death in mitosis. The finding thus suggested a combinatorial treatment using cisplatin and an agent that blocks mitotic exit. Consistently, we showed a strong synergy between cisplatin and the proteasome inhibitor Mg132. Finally, targeting the DNA damage checkpoint using inhibitors of ATR, but not ATM, effectively sensitized UM-SCC-38 to cisplatin treatment. Surprisingly, checkpoint targeting eliminated both checkpoint arrest and checkpoint slippage, and augmented the induction of cell death in interphase without mitotic entry. Taken together, our study, by profiling cell fate determination after cisplatin treatment, reveals new insights into chemoresistance and suggests combinatorial strategies that potentially overcome cancer resistance.