cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage transient propagation in AC and DC datacenter distribution architectures

Global industries, governments, organizations, and institutions rely on the operation of datacenters in order to successfully meet their day-to-day objectives. The increased reliance on datacenters combined with the growth of the industry sector has led to more careful considerations for datacenter design. Stakeholders in the datacenter industry have begun to consider alternative electrical distribution systems that provide greater reliability and operating efficiency, as well as lower capital costs and ease-of-installation. Among the many alternatives proposed, facility-level DC distribution has emerged as the option providing the highest operating efficiency.
Bakerian Lecture. Physics above 20,000 kg./cm. 2

Pressures up to the general order of 20,000 kg. /cm. 2 may be obtained and their effects measured in vessels made of single blocks of the best grades of steel. There is no sharp limit to the pressures which may be so obtained, for the life of the apparatus decreases rapidly in the 20,000 region, so that the upper limit is dictated by considerations of economy in conjunction with the significance of the phenomenon under investigation. The absolute limit for such mono-bloc apparatus for even a single application of pressure is, in my own experience, something less than 30,000 kg. /cm. 2. To reach higher pressures some different principle of construction must be employed. In this lecture I propose to review some of the technical problems which arise in constructing such apparatus and to indicate some of the experimental results in the pressure range above 20,000 kg. /cm. 2. In the construction of apparatus for this range it is almost necessary to afford external support for the vessel in such a way that the support becomes more effective the higher the internal pressure. This rules out for our consideration apparatus of the conventional built-up construction, in which the support is supplied by shrunk-on hoops, or in similar ways, as by wire winding as in a gun. Furthermore, there is no essential advantage in such built-up construction, for a true mono-bloc apparatus can be thrown into a state of stress similar to the built-up apparatus by a preliminary stretching beyond the elastic limit. All my mono-bloc apparatus does receive such a preliminary treatment. In fact, the distribution of stress so produced in a mono-bloc apparatus is somewhat more effective than that in the equivalent composite apparatus, because the distribution of stress is uniform. The built-up or the ‘auto-frettaged ’ mono-bloc apparatus reaches an obvious upper limit when the initial compressive stress at the inner surface exceeds the critical plastic flow stress.
Constitutive and herbivore-induced structural defenses are compromised by inbreeding in Solanum carolinense (Solanaceae)

 Premise of the study: A growing number of studies document effects of inbreeding on plant interactions with insect herbivores, including deleterious effects on direct and indirect plant defenses. However, our understanding of the specifi c mechanisms mediating such effects remains limited. Here we examine how inbreeding affects constitutive and induced expression of structural defenses (spines and trichomes) in common horsenettle, Solanum carolinense .  Methods: Inbred and outbred progeny from nine maternal families of horsenettle were assigned to three treatments: control, Manduca sexta caterpillar damage, or mechanical damage. Numbers of internode spines and the density of abaxial and adaxial trichomes were assessed before and after (21 d) damage treatments. Data on internode length, fl owering time, and total fl ower production was also collected to explore the costs of defense induction.  Key results: Inbreeding adversely affected constitutive and induced physical/structural defenses: undamaged outbred plants produced more abaxial and adaxial leaf trichomes and internode spines than did inbred plants. Foliar damage by M. sexta larvae also induced more trichomes (on new leaves) and internode spines on outbred plants. Both inbred and outbred plants exposed to mechanical or caterpillar damage had shorter internodes than did control plants, but inbred damaged plants had longer internodes than did outbred damaged plants. Control outbred plants produced signifi cantly more fl owers than did control inbred plants or damaged plants of either breeding type.  Conclusions: Constitutive and induced structural defenses in horsenettle were negatively affected by inbreeding. Reduced fl ower production and internode length on damaged plants compared to controls suggests that defense induction entails signifi cant costs.
Faculty and Family Policies in Higher Education

This article provides a review of existing policies in higher education institutions that affect faculty and their families, and identifies areas for advocacy and research. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is great variability in policies both between and within universities and that the effects of certain of these policies may discriminate unfairly against women. Thus dual-career problems and parental concerns are reviewed within the context of gender equity. The implications of these policies for recruitment and retention of faculty and for the tenure and promotion process are considered.
Use of a highly sensitive assay for cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to diagnose acute rejection in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients.

Background Biomarkers have been proposed to augment or replace endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) to diagnose acute transplant rejection (AR). A new, highly sensitive assay for troponin T detects levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) 10- to 100-fold lower than standard assays but has not been investigated in transplant patients. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has not been evaluated in pediatric transplant patients. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the association of cTnT and NT-proBNP with AR in pediatric cardiac transplant patients. Methods Plasma was obtained at the time of EMB from pediatric patients ≥1 year old. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was measured in fresh plasma at the time of biopsy, and cTnT was measured from frozen, stored samples using the highly sensitive assay for troponin T. Biomarker data were correlated with EMB results. Cellular AR was defined as an International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation biopsy score of grade ≥2R. Results Fifty-three blood samples were obtained from 42 patients (mean age 11 years). Seven episodes of AR occurred in 5 patients. Biopsies with vs without AR were associated with higher cTnT (median [interquartile range {IQR}] 66 [45-139] vs 7 [2-13] pg/mL, P = .001) and NT-proBNP (median [IQR] 11,169 [280-23,317] vs 334 [160-650] pg/mL, P < .01). After successful treatment of AR in 5 patients, cTnT fell markedly (median [IQR] 53.5 [44.8-66.5] to 10.7 [1.5-16.4], P = .05). Conclusion In this pilot study, we found marked elevation of cTnT and NT-proBNP among children with AR. Moreover, reduction in cTnT levels after treatment paralleled improvement in EMB results. If these findings are confirmed in larger prospective studies, monitoring with these biomarkers may obviate surveillance EMB.
Jamaica bound? Marine resources and management at a crossroads in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is rapidly developing a tourism industry built around a marketed perception of a healthy marine and coastal environment. Yet economic indicators suggest that Antigua and Barbuda is overexploiting its marine resources, particularly its fish and coral reef communities. Although its marine resources remain relatively healthy, Antigua and Barbuda will jeopardise the ecological basis of its economic growth and sustainability if current exploitation rates continue. We compare the current situation and economic trends of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and commercial fishery industries to those of Jamaica and other OECS member states. Jamaica is suggested as a cautionary example of the potential socioeconomic and ecological impacts caused by resource overexploitation and mismanagement within the various economic sectors. Antigua and Barbuda is at a crossroads. The ‘Jamaica path’ leads to large-scale resource depletion, fishery collapse, and a mass tourism industry that can operate independent of a healthy environment. Alternatively, it can pursue a path that seeks to conserve its marine resources. Antigua and Barbuda will be better able to protect its sustainability both for commercial fishing interests and its growing high-end destination tourism industry. To this end, Antigua and Barbuda has developed a network of marine-protected areas along the northeastern coast of Antigua, an area popular with both fishers and tourists.
A Review of Dry Particulate Lubrication: Powder and Granular Materials

Research efforts related to dry particulates in sliding contacts are reviewed. In the tribology community, there are primarily two types of dry particulate lubricants that are studied—granular and powder. Granular lubricants usually refer to dry, cohesionless, hard particles which transfer momentum and accommodate surface velocity differences through shearing and rolling at low shear rates, and collisions at high shear rates. Powder lubricants refer to dry, cohesive, soft particles which accommodate surface velocity differences mostly by adhering to surfaces and shearing in the bulk medium, in a manner similar to hydrodynamic fluids. Spanning the past five decades, this review proposes a classification system for the scientific works in the dry particulate tribology literature in terms of theory, experiments, and numerical simulations. It also suggests that these works can be further categorized based on their tribosystem geometry—annular, parallel, and converging.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Analysis of aircraft dynamics near the flight envelope boundary

A multiple-linear model and high resolution switching scheme are presented to approximate the highly complex and nonlinear behavior of aircraft operating near and within their upset region. The experimental NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM) is utilized in conjunction with Matlab, Simulink, and FlightGear 3D flight simulator software to explore the nonlinear behavior of aircraft during fault scenarios and to create multiple-linear models of the system dynamics through the course of a fault trajectory. It is shown that a switching multiple-linear model system can be used to faithfully recreate the dynamics observed in the nonlinear simulation. Linear analysis techniques are also employed to explore the controllability of the system at various points throughout the fault scenario and to illustrate the usefulness of the multi-linear model.
Testing and Qualifying Linear Integrated Circuits for Radiation Degradation in Space

This paper discusses mechanisms and circuit-related factors that affect the degradation of linear integrated circuits from radiation in space. For some circuits there is sufficient degradation to affect performance at total dose levels below 4 krad(Si) because the circuit design techniques require higher gain for the pnp transistors that are the most sensitive to radiation. Qualification methods are recommended that include displacement damage as well as ionization damage.
Pulse shape, resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio in perpendicular recording

The paper theoretically examines playback characteristics of a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head for perpendicular recorded magnetization transitions with a soft underlayer. The magnetic scalar potential, calculated numerically by the finite-element method, is fitted to a simple formula involving geometry-dependent parameters. The reciprocity principle leads to the shape of the single pulse signal. For high permeability of the underlayer the pulse has an error function-type dependence on distance. Within this approximation, the paper derives simple formulas for the pulsewidth T/sub 50/, D/sub 50/, and transition-noise-limited signal-to-noise ratio.
Atrial Fibrillation and Cognitive Impairment

Growing evidence suggests that atrial fibrillation (AF), in addition to known thromboembolic risk, is a risk factor for significant cognitive impairment via several pathways, further contributing to morbidity and mortality. Whether anticoagulation, rhythm control strategies and other interventions aiming at preventing thromboembolic events and ameliorating the clinical outcome of AF patients, may also have a beneficial effect on long-term cognitive function remains to be seen in future studies.
Mutations in NR0B1 (DAX1) and NR5A1 (SF1) responsible for adrenal hypoplasia congenita.

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) causes primary adrenal insufficiency due to the failure of development of the adrenal cortex. Clinical and pedigree data indicate that the condition is genetically heterogeneous. The predominant adrenal hypoplasia congenita locus, however, is the NR0B1 gene, at Xp21, encoding the protein DAX1. In this article, we present a compendium of published NR0B1 mutations and polymorphisms, and discuss them in the contexts of known biology and clinical applicability. The recent descriptions of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency due to mutations of NR5A1, which encodes SF1, are also discussed.
Identification of a Putative G Protein-Coupled Receptor Induced during Activation-Induced Apoptosis of T Cells

During development, self-reactive immature thymocytes are clonally deleted in the thymus, a phenomenon which establishes T cell tolerance (negative selection). It has been shown that the deletion of self-reactive immature T cells in the thymus is mediated by apoptosis upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. Apoptosis of immature thymocytes mediated by the TCR requires the expression of a new set of genes. To define which genes are required during the TCR-mediated death of immature thymocytes, we sought to identify genes whose expression is increased during TCR-mediated cell death. Using the technique of differential mRNA display, we have identified a novel gene, TDAG8, which encodes a putative G protein-coupled receptor. The expression of TDAG8 is greatly induced upon activation of T cells by anti-TCR antibody or by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin. The treatment of T cells with glucocorticoids also greatly induces the expression of TDAG8. In mice, TDAG8 is predominantly expressed in thymus and spleen. The tissue-specific expression of TDAG8 and the induction of its expression during cell death of T cells mediated by the TCR or glucocorticoids suggest that it may have a role in activation-induced cell death or differentiation of T cells.
Visualization of scattered meteorological data

Considers how rain-gauge data, scattered in two dimensions, aid the study of El Nino-caused rainstorms in normally arid coastal Peru. Continuous realization techniques can extract qualitative information from the data. The techniques described were developed with IBM Visualization Data Explorer, a general-purpose software package for scientific data visualization and analysis. Data Explorer provides tools for both scattered and gridded data. >
Field emitter display (FED) technology

Harris Corporation, Government Aerospace Systems Division, recognized the need for a lower cost alternative to the Active Matrix Liquid Crystal flat-panel display with potentially superior optical performance, lower power dissipation, and less volume at significantly reduced life-cycle cost. This paper compares the performance of Harris' Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) with the potential performance of a comparable FED. The FED offers superior sunlight- viewable optical performance compared with the AMLCD. The FED projects a significant reduction in power dissipation that will enhance the reliability of the displays and reduce the cooling loads on the cockpit design. It also promises reduced volume and weight. The simpler FED manufacturing processed, and the elimination of expendable backlight and heaters, will result in reductions in the cost of acquisition and ownership of flat-panel displays.
Quantum modes in DBI inflation: Exact solutions and constraints from vacuum selection

We study a two-parameter family of exactly solvable inflation models with variable sound speed, and derive a corresponding exact expression for the spectrum of curvature perturbations. We generalize this expression to the slow-roll case, and derive an approximate expression for the scalar spectral index valid to second order in slow roll. We apply the result to the case of Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation, and show that for certain choices of slow-roll parameters, the Bunch-Davies limit (a) does not exist, or (b) is sensitive to stringy physics in the bulk, which in principle can have observable signatures in the primordial power spectrum.
Difference approximations for higher index differential-algebraic systems with applications in trajectory control

The equations which describe a trajectory prescribed path control (TPPC) problem naturally form a system of nonlinear semi-explicit, differential-algebraic equations (DAES) with index greater than one. It is known that not all implicit systems may be solved stably by the k-step backward difference formulas (BDF), yet these methods do produce convergent numerical solutions to some semi-explicit systems. Convergence theory of the BDF for DAE systems are briefly reviewed, before discussing our numerical experience with the simplest BDF when applied to an index three, TPPC problem that arose in the reentry control of the Space Shuttle.
Human cytomegalovirus temporally regulated gene expression in differentiated, immortalized retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Abstract Background Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in epithelial cells is crucial for its pathogenesis. To date, HCMV gene expression has been primarily studied in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs), although their importance for HCMV pathogenesis remains unclear. Primary retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are permissive for HCMV. Objectives Our objectives were to determine the production of alternatively processed HCMV major immediate-early (MIE) and UL37 RNAs and their essential products in infected, terminally differentiated immortalized RPE (hTERT-RPE) cells. Study design hTERT-RPE cells were studied because of their notable similarities with primary RPE cells, and because they overcome key limitations of primary cells. hTERT-RPE cells were terminally differentiated in vitro and infected with HCMV. Total RNA or cell proteins were analyzed at various times post-infection. Results We show for the first time that HCMV-infected, differentiated hTERT-RPE cells produce IE1, IE2, UL37 exon 1 (UL37x1) and UL37 alternatively spliced RNAs, albeit with abundances and kinetics distinct from those observed in HCMV-infected HFFs. IE1-72 was produced in HCMV-infected, differentiated hTERT-RPEs within 24 h post-infection (hpi); whereas, IE2-86 and pUL37x1 were produced within 72 hpi. IE2-86 was detected after IE1-72 even though its transcript appeared first. Early/late (pp65) and late (pp28) proteins were produced within 96–120 hpi. Conclusions The temporal cascade of HCMV gene expression was observed in infected, differentiated hTERT-RPE cells. Moreover, HCMV IE RNAs are alternatively and accurately processed in differentiated hTERT-RPE cells. However, the delayed temporal expression suggests further regulation of HCMV gene expression at post-transcriptional/translational levels in differentiated hTERT-RPE cells.
Histones stimulate von Willebrand factor release in vitro and in vivo.

Histones, nuclear proteins that normally package DNA in cells, are increasingly recognized as important mediators of inflammation and thrombosis, and have recently been linked to death in sepsis.1 They are released during inflammation by activated leukocytes, primarily neutrophils, as part of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).2 Although NETs play an important role in innate immunity, components within NETs, namely histones, are linked to platelet activation3 and the development of thrombi.4 Indeed, mice that are unable to produce NETs have decreased thrombus formation.5 Although most descriptions of the prothrombotic effects of histones are based on activation of platelets and fibrin formation, less is known about their effects on endothelial cells.
An Economic Analysis of Performance Data from Toe-Clipped Laying Hens Housed at Variable Stocking Densities

Abstract Data from a previously reported study investigating the interaction of toe-clipping and stocking density on laying-hen performance were subjected to economic analyses to determine optimal profit-producing combinations of these two management practices. In three separate trials, toe-clipped (TC) and intact (IN) pullets were examined at caging densities of either 4 (465 cm2/ hen) or 5 (372 cm2/hen) birds per cage. In each trial, beginning at 22 wk of age, hen production performance (hen-day egg production, hen-housed egg production, feed consumption, body weight, and mortality) was assessed for 12 28-day periods of lay. Performance criteria were averaged over all trials and used to determine per cage returns ($) above feed and pullet rearing costs (irrespective of fixed costs) and per cage profits (gross returns minus total costs) for the four treatment combinations. Economic analyses were also adjusted for hatchery toe-clipping costs. Profits (or losses) from each toe treatment stocking-density combination were calculated under variable egg and feed prices. At a blended egg price of $.35/doz, all cage systems lost money. Housing hens TC, 5/cage, yielded the greatest profits or least losses in 76% of the toe treatment stocking-density combinations studied. Economic returns were greatest for TC hens, 5/cage, at an egg price of $.55/doz when feed costs ranged from $140 to $230/ton and at egg prices higher than $.55/doz, regardless of feed prices. However, when these price combinations exist, housing hens IN, 4/cage is more profitable than housing hens TC, 4/cage. Reducing hen density to 4/cage resulted in less losses at the very low egg price of $.35/doz and at the very high feed price of $260/ton when coupled with an egg price of $.55/doz. Under these price combinations, housing hens TC was economically better than IN, except at the very low feed and egg prices of $140/ton and $.35/doz, respectively, where IN hens, 4/cage, resulted in the least losses.
Cyano-decorated ligands: a powerful alternative to fluorination for tuning the photochemical properties of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes

A new cyclometalating ligand, featuring nitrile moieties to enhance the photophysical and consequently photocatalytic properties of bis-cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes, was synthesized. Nitrile moieties were selected to replace expensive and environmentally problematic fluoride moieties commonly employed for synthetic tuning of chromophores. Two new chromophores bearing the new nitrile-decorated ligand were synthesized with strong electron-donating and electron-withdrawing ancillary ligands to probe extremes of the complexes' tunability. These complexes possessed rich and drastically different electrochemical and photophysical properties. One chromophore possessed a particularly long lifetime of approximately 8 μs; it was also a remarkably efficient triplet emitter with a quantum yield of 63%. The complexes were finally assessed as photosensitizers of water reduction with Pt colloids, where both complexes produced hydrogen with optimized conditions reaching 2000 and 1400 turnovers.
Hydrodynamics of damping plates at small KC numbers

The performance of circular thin plates in enhancing hydrodynamic damping of lightly damped offshore structures such as Spar Platforms and Tension Leg Platforms is studied. These platforms can experience resonant oscillations in heave under first and more likely second-order wave forces. As such, drag-augmenting devices are desired to limit the response amplitude to a safe range. This work includes two parts. The first part focuses on the damping coefficients’ parametric dependence (KC number) and geometric dependence (thickness-to-diameter ratio). The study exploits a series of forced oscillation experiments. The experiment spans a range of KC numbers from 0.01 to 1.1 and a range of thickness-to-diameter ratios from 1/87.5 to 1/25. The second part of this study focuses on the underlying flow physics utilizing flow visualization experiments. The results of KC number dependence indicate three KC regimes where the damping coefficient behaves differently. Further flow visualization experiments demonstrate four unique vortex formation modes in these three KC regimes. A comparison of the slopes of the damping curve indicates that the interaction of vortices generated from two half cycles increases the damping effectiveness. For plates with different thickness-to-diameter ratio, similar characteristics of KC dependence are observed. The transitional KC numbers are thickness-to-diameter ratio dependent with the transitions occurring at larger KC numbers for thicker plates. While the total force experienced by oscillating plates is linear with KC number and essentially independent of the thickness-to-diameter ratio, a significant reduction in damping with an increase in thickness-to-diameter ratio is observed.
SU-F-J-164: A Simulation Study On Anovel 4D MRI Reconstruction Method Based On Probability-Driven Sorting

Purpose: To evaluate a novel probability-driven sorting based 4D MRI reconstruction method by comparing with the conventional 4D MRI reconstruction methods. Methods: We have proposed a novel probability-driven sorting based 4D MRI reconstruction method capable of retaining breathing variation information in breathing signals by generating multiple breathing cycles instead of a single cycle as the case with conventional 4D MRI reconstruction methods. It is expected that our proposed method can reduce motion artifacts caused by breathing variations, and can generate more accurate Average Intensity Projections (AIP). To evaluate the performance of the novel method, the probability-driven sorting based method, along with two conventional phase-based methods, for cine acquisition mode, and sequential acquisition mode, was applied on six patient breathing curves to simulate the 4D MRI reconstruction process using eXtended CArdiac Torso (XCAT) phantom. In the 4D images, a spherical target of 3 cm in diameter was generated in the liver and set to move with the liver. AIPs were generated for all three sets of 4D images. Ground-truth AIP was generated by averaging all the 3D volumes of the phantom. Motion artifacts were evaluated by the tumor volume consistency in 4D images and volume difference from the tumor volumes measured in 3D images. AIPs from the three sorting methods were evaluated and compared to the reference AIP in terms of intensity difference. Results: Probability-driven sorting has higher target volume consistency between phases for all the six patients, indicating the less motion artifacts. AIP from probability-driven sorting has the best agreement with the ground-truth AIP among the three reconstruction methods. Conclusion: Based on the cases in this study, it has been shown that probability-driven sorting method is capable of generating multi-cycle 4D MRI images with reduced motion artifacts and improved AIP accuracy. 1R21CA165384
Case 55: A Bad Outcome

You are doing a clinical study on a new intravenous (IV) antiemetic which has been promoted to reduce/prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. The drug is to be given about 90 min before the end of the surgery.
Hierarchical Capitalism in Latin America: Hierarchical Capitalism in Latin America

Introduction: Perspectives and Arguments In the many intense debates over development in Latin America in recent decades, the question rarely arose, as it had in previous decades, as to what kind of capitalism existed or whether capitalism in Latin America was somehow different. If anything, the homogenizing Washington Consensus of the 1990 sidelined such queries with expectations that market reforms would soon make the economies of Latin America resemble liberal economies elsewhere. Market reforms and globalization have transformed many aspects of capitalism in Latin America, but areas of convergence are often, as elsewhere, less interesting and less consequential for development than are the areas of continued divergence. So, it is worthwhile to raise again the question of what sort of capitalism exists in Latin America. Most attempts to characterize the political economies of Latin America as somehow distinctive can be roughly classified as internationalist or statist. The former was famously staked out in various dependency arguments of the 1960s and 1970s that claimed that international economic ties created a stunted form of capitalism with limited possibilities for autonomous development. The internationalist perspective later resurfaced in several guises including global production networks (Gereffi, Humphrey, and Sturgeon 2005), natural resource curses (Karl 1997), and other macro perspectives on debt and international capital flows (Maxfield 1997). Internationalist perspectives are indispensable in some places (such as oil exporters or export zones) or some periods (such as the debt crisis of the 1980s), but these are only partial views because they miss most of the domestic political economies of the rest of the region in more normal times.
A model study of the possible effect of beryllium grain sound speed anisotropy on ICF capsule implosions

An overview is given of methods available to solve the (partial) differential equations describing plasma heating and current drive. Weakness and strength of each method is briefly discussed.
Increasing Thyromimetic Potency through Halogen Substitution.

Sobetirome is one of the most studied thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ)-selective thyromimetics in the field due to its excellent selectivity and potency. A small structural change-replacing the 3,5-dimethyl groups of sobetirome with either chlorine or bromine-produces significantly more potent compounds, both in vitro and in vivo. These halogenated compounds induce transactivation of a TRβ-mediated cell-based reporter with an EC50 value comparable to that of T3, access the central nervous system (CNS) at levels similar to their parent, and activate an endogenous TR-regulated gene in the brain with an EC50 value roughly five-fold lower than that of sobetirome. Previous studies suggest that this apparent increase in affinity can be explained by halogen bonding between the ligand and a backbone carbonyl group in the receptor. This makes the new analogues potential candidates for treating CNS disorders that may respond favorably to thyroid-hormone-stimulated pathways.
Modeling the Resistive Critical Current Transitions of Striated Superconducting Tapes

Striating a high-temperature superconducting tape into an array of narrow filaments is a viable way to reduce thermal losses in ac applications, provided the patterning process yields uniform filaments whose total critical current density scales with that of the pristine tape. To help explain some of the scaling discrepancies that are often encountered during the optimization of such a patterning step, a model was developed to calculate the expected critical current values for tapes simulated with various nonuniform critical current distributions of filaments. These results show that if the filaments are permanently damaged when their critical currents are exceeded, then a particular threshold filament can be identified whose transition to the normal state prompts a subsequent transition of all or most of the tape's remaining superconducting filaments. These critical current and threshold filament values were determined analytically for linear critical current distributions, while Monte Carlo simulations were statistically analyzed for Gaussian distributions.
Middle Ear Obliteration with Blind-Sac Closure of the External Auditory Canal for Spontaneous CSF Otorrhea:

Outcome Objectives To (1) identify unique features of patients who underwent middle ear/mastoid obliteration with blind-sac closure of the external auditory canal for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea and (2) explore outcomes. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods Adults treated for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea from 2007 through 2015 were reviewed and stratified into 2 groups based on the surgery performed: (1) 11 patients underwent middle ear/mastoid obliteration with blind-sac closure of the external auditory canal and (2) 26 patients underwent other procedures. Demographics, body mass index, revised cardiac risk index, Duke Activity Status Index scores, and anticoagulation use were documented. Audiologic data were gathered from pre- and postoperative visits. The primary outcome measure was leak recurrence. Complications were tabulated. Results Poor preoperative hearing was a relative indication for obliteration. Obliteration patients had higher body mass index (43.2 vs 34.9 kg/m2; P < .05), incidence of super-morbid obesity (45% vs 7.6%; P = .015), anticoagulation usage (36% vs 0%; P = .004), cardiac risk scores (1.2 vs 0.1 dB; P < .0004), and Duke Activity Status Index scores. There was 1 leak recurrence (9%). Major and minor complication rates were 9% and 36%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 30.8 ± 8.6 months. Conclusion Middle ear and mastoid obliteration with blind-sac closure of the external auditory canal is effective for treating spontaneous CSF otorrhea. The small cohort reviewed did not experience any major perioperative morbidity. The technique may be best suited for patients with poor hearing, the infirm, and those in whom craniotomy is contraindicated.
Contemporary outcomes after venography-guided treatment of patients with May-Thurner syndrome

Abstract Objective Patients with May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) present with a spectrum of findings ranging from mild left leg edema to extensive iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Whereas asymptomatic left common iliac vein (LCIV) compression can be seen in a high proportion of normal individuals on axial imaging, the percentage of these persons with symptomatic compression is small, and debate exists about the optimal clinical and diagnostic criteria to treat these lesions in patients with symptomatic venous disease. We evaluated our approach to venography-guided therapy for individuals with symptomatic LCIV compression and report the outcomes. Methods All patients with suspected May-Thurner compression of the LCIV between 2008 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with chronic iliocaval lesions not associated with compression of the LCIV were excluded from analysis. Criteria for intervention included LCIV compression in the setting of (1) leg edema/venous claudication with associated venographic findings (collateralization, iliac contrast stagnation, and contralateral cross cross-filling), or (2) left leg deep venous thrombosis. Outcome measures included presenting Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology (CEAP) score, postintervention CEAP score, primary patency, and secondary patency. Technical success was defined as successful stent implantation without intraoperative device complications, establishment of in-line central venous flow, and less than 30% residual LCIV stenosis. Results Of the 63 patients evaluated, 32 (51%) had nonthrombotic MTS and presented with leg edema (100%) or venous claudication (47%). Thirty-one patients (49%) had thrombotic MTS and presented with acute (26%) or chronic (71%) DVT, leg edema (100%), or venous claudication (74%). The mean presenting CEAP score was 3.06 and 3.23 for nonthrombotic and thrombotic MTS, respectively. Forty-four patients (70%) underwent successful intervention with primary stenting (70%) or thrombolysis and stenting (30%); 14 nonthrombotic MTS patients were treated conservatively with compression therapy alone, and 5 thrombotic MTS patients were treated with lysis or angioplasty alone. Clinical improvement and decrease in CEAP score occurred in 95% and 77% of stented patients compared with 58% and 32% of nonstented patients. Complete symptom resolution was achieved in 48% of patients overall, or 64% of stented patients and only 21% of nonstented patients. Complications included two early reocclusions. Primary and secondary 2-year patency rates were 93% and 97% (mean follow-up, 20.3 months) for stented patients. Conclusions Venography-guided treatment of MTS is associated with excellent 1-year patency rates and a significant reduction in symptoms and CEAP score. Treating symptomatic MTS patients on the basis of physiologically relevant venographic findings rather than by intravascular ultrasound imaging alone results in excellent long-term patency and clinical outcomes but may result in undertreatment of some patients who could benefit from stent implantation.
Passivity, Bounded Feedback and Global Stabilization of Nonlinear Systems

Abstract In this paper we develop a systematic design method for global aspmptotic stabilization (GAS) of general nonlinear control systems with stable free dynamics, by means of non-affine passive systems theory, the idea of feedback equivalence and technique of bounded feedback.
Abstract 2168: Nucleic acid clamp-mediated recognition and transcriptional modulation of MYC oncogenes through the stabilization of G-quadruplexes

G-quadruplexes (G4s) tend to cluster around biologically important regions such as promoters of DNA, 5’-UTR of mRNA and telomeres. Modulating the stability of G4 as in these regulatory sequences is an emerging approach for cancer treatment. MYC proto-oncogene is overexpressed in over 80% of tumor types, contributing to deregulated cancer cell proliferation. Silencing MYC expression has been demonstrated to be an effective approach to inhibit tumor growth. Among all the silencing strategies, stabilizing MYC promoter G4 that serves as an on-off switch for the transcription of MYC has been explored by the targeting of small molecules. However, the binding specificity of small molecule retarded the drug development process. Exploring novel MYC G4-targeting strategies is necessary to potentiate the pharmacological specificity of MYC G4 modulation. Here, we adopted a nucleic acid clamp based approach to recognize and stabilize the physiologically predominant MYC G4. Previously, a clamp (clamp A) was been demonstrated to recognize the physiologically relevant MYC G4 with high specificity and to downregulate MYC promoter activity. In the current research, we modified and optimized this clamp to allow for flexibility with labeling and monitoring techniques. The original 18 A polyethylene glycol phosphate linker connecting the 5’ and 3’ regions of clamp A were substituted with thymine bases of varying lengths; 5 thymines were found to be optimal. The binding specificity and MYC G4 recognizing ability of this optimized clamp A T5 were confirmed by EMSA and ECD; the G4 stabilizing ability of clamp A T5 was demonstrated by DMS footprinting. The cytotoxicity of clamp A T5 was examined by MTS assay on HEK-293 and MCF-7 cells. The intracellular localization of clamp A T5 is being determined microscopically with a 6-FAM-labeled clamp A T5 after being transfected into and incubated with HEK-293 and MCF-7 cells for 48 hr. Nuclear localization is being examined by co-staining with DAPI, and MYC promoter localization is being determined by clustering with a MYC FISH probe. The modification of the clamp is both cost-effective, and enables the detailed study of intracellular functions. This clamp has potential as both a diagnostic tool to inform the use of MYC G4-targeted small molecules, and as a nanotherapeutic. Citation Format: Taisen Hao, Tracy A. Brooks. Nucleic acid clamp-mediated recognition and transcriptional modulation of MYC oncogenes through the stabilization of G-quadruplexes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2168. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2168
Clinical Implications of Cyclooxygenase Enzymes: COX-1/COX-2 Role of the New NSAIDs.

Professor John Vane won the Nobel Prize for elucidating the mechanism of action of aspirin. He reported that this was accomplished by blocking the enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX-1) that was responsible for the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Prostaglandins liberated from arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase are short-lived substances that act as local hormones (autocoids) important in normal physiology and pathologic conditions. Prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) is the principal eicosanoid in inflammatory conditions. Since that discovery, more than 30 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have come on the market, and they represent the most widely prescribed class of drugs in the world. Along with their benefits, several side effect involving the gastrointestinal, renal, and hemopoietic systems have emerged that have limited their usefulness. Recently, a second cyclooxygenase enzyme system that appears to be only upregulated in inflammation has been described. Inhibition of this second enzyme (COX-2) appears to confer anti-inflammatory effects without inhibiting the prostaglandins that are important for normal physiologic function of the gastrointestinal, renal, and hemopoietic systems.
Periodic Trends from Metal Substitution in Bimetallic Mo-Based Phosphides for Hydrodeoxygenation and Hydrogenation Reactions

Bimetallic phosphides are promising materials for biomass valorization, yet many metal combinations are understudied as catalysts and require further analysis to realize their superior properties. Herein, we provide the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of a variety of period 4 and 5 solid solutions of molybdenum-based bimetallic phosphides (MMoP, M = Fe, Co, Ni, Ru). From the results, the charge sharing between the metals and phosphorus control the relative oxidation of Mo and reduction of P in the lattice, which were both indirectly observed in binding energy shifts in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and absorption energy shifts in X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). For MMoP (M = Fe, Co, Ni), the more oxidized the Mo in the bimetallic phosphide, the higher the selectivity to benzene from phenol via direct deoxygenation at 400 °C and 750 psig. This phenomenon was observed in the bimetallic materials synthesized across period 4, where aromatic selectivity and degr...
Associations of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet with pregnancy complications in Project Viva.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has been shown to improve cardiometabolic outcomes in non-pregnant populations. Little is known regarding the impact of this diet on health during pregnancy. The objective of this research is to examine associations of adherence to the DASH diet with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and other pregnancy outcomes. We conducted analyses with data that came from 1760 women in Project Viva, a Boston-area longitudinal cohort recruited in early pregnancy 1999–2002. We derived a DASH score using data from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered at median 11.1 weeks gestation. Next, we used multivariable linear regression models that accounted for the woman’s age at enrollment, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), education, smoking habits, race/ethnicity, gestational weight gain (GWG) up until the time of the FFQ, and total energy intake to examine associations of the DASH score with HDP, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery (<37 weeks), birth size, and GWG from FFQ to delivery. Models for HDP and GDM were additionally mutually adjusted for each other. Because pre-pregnancy weight status may modify these relationships, we tested for interactions between pre-pregnancy BMI and the DASH score. Mean ± SD age of the women was 32.2 ± 4.9 years; 71.9% were white. Overall, the DASH diet score (mean: 24.0, SD: 5.0) was not associated with any of the pregnancy outcomes or complications. However, we found a positive association between the DASH diet and subsequent GWG among women who were obese before pregnancy (0.19 [95% CI: 0.05, 0.34], P ≤ 0.05 kg higher GWG per 1 unit DASH score). Adherence to DASH diet during early pregnancy does not appear to be protective against HDP or other adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Radial Head Prosthetic Replacement with the Avanta Implant

The first English reference we can find to prosthetic replacement of the radial head is that of Speed in 1941 [1] describing a Vitallium implant employed in three patients. Cherry [2] discussed limited experience with an acrylic implant a decade later and the use of a silicone radial head implant was popularized by Swanson [3]. The logical reason to use a radial head implant is to restore function. Success may be measured by the effectiveness to restore axial or angular (valgus) stability; by enhanced strength, or ultimately by relief of pain. Morrey et al. [4] have shown the radial head is an important stabilizer of the elbow if the medial collateral ligament is deficient or in the presence of deficient distal radio-ulnar stability. King et al. [5] subsequently demonstrated that such instability can be effectively addressed by a metallic, but not by a Silastic, radial head implant.
“Dirty Love”: Frank Zappa and the Antithetical Love Song

American composer and guitarist Frank Zappa hated love songs. Relegating them to “everybody else’s department,” Zappa parodied them instead. His method of musical pastiche aptly caricatured cliche ...
Photoreceptor Shedding in the Frog Retina

The vertebrate retina can be subdivided into two distinct areas, the neural retina and the sensory retina. The sensory retina (see Fig. 1) contains two types of photoreceptor cells, the rods and cones, and is backed by a single layer of epithelial cells, the pigment epithelium. Light initially received by the photoreceptors is transformed into a neural message and then further processed and propagated by the cells of the neural retina. The sensory information then leaves the retina via the optic nerve and passes on to the brain. The maintenance of normal, healthy photoreceptors is essential to the visual process, and in recent years a great deal of research attention has been turned toward an understanding of the physiology of the photoreceptor. This report describes one area of this research, and will focus on the outer segment of the frog photoreceptor cell.
Large Scale Production of NTD Silicon in the United States

The growth of the demand for NTD float zone silicon in the U.S. is traced in general terms with a discussion of device use patterns. A brief survey of types of irradiation facilities in the U.S. is outlined including an indication of commercial capabilities. Published licensed requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency are discussed including monitoring of irradiated material for residual radioactivity, personnel protection measures, control of effluent levels, inventory monitoring and associated documentation Product specifications and tolerances are discussed with emphasis on the role played by the starting material. Analysis of the possible sources of inaccuracies is made.
Lattices and Crystal Structures

We can classify solids into three general categories: 1. Single crystal 2. Poly crystalline 3. Amorphous
SPECTROSCOPIC AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN DOPED LOW-TEMPERATURE SiO2 FILMS

ABSTRACT The stoichiometry, contamination, chemical bonding, and electrical properties of nitrogen doped, low-temperature SiO 2 films prepared by the pyrolytic decomposition of silane in an ammonia rich atmosphere on InSb and Si substrates have been studied by attenuated total reflection (ATR), Auger, electrical, ellipsometry, nuclear reaction analysis, optical transmission, Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) techniques. The films were quite similar to thermal SiO 2 films in their physical properties as demonstrated by each of the above techniques and had uniform Si and 0 concentrations. The N concentration in the films was between 1 to 3% of the 0 concentration atomically, depending on growth parameters. The optical results demonstrated conclusive evidence of Si-H bonding but inconclusive evidence of Si-N bonding in the films.