cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What is included with your online e-cigarette order? An analysis of e-cigarette shipping, product and packaging features

Background The electronic cigarette industry is growing, with youth using e-cigarettes at higher rates than they are using cigarettes, and retail and online sales projected to reach $10 billion in 2017. Minimal regulation of the production and marketing of e-cigarettes exists to date, which has allowed companies to promote unsupported claims. We assessed the shipping, product features and packaging of a wide variety of e-cigarettes purchased online by adults and youth. Methods The most popular internet e-cigarette vendors were identified from a larger study of internet tobacco vendors. Between August 2013 and June 2014, adults made 56 purchase attempts from online vendors, and youth made 98 attempts. Packages received were assessed for exterior and internal packaging features, including product information, health warnings and additional materials. Results We analysed a total of 125 orders featuring 86 unique brands of e-cigarettes. The contents were rarely indicated on package exteriors. Product information came with just 60% of orders and just 38.4% included an instruction manual. Only 44.6% of products included a health warning, and some had unsupported claims, such as lack of secondhand smoke exposure. Additionally, some products were leaking e-liquid and battery fluid on arrival. Conclusions A large variety of e-cigarette products are manufactured and marketed to consumers. Many products do not include instructions for use, and unsupported claims are being presented to consumers. Effective federal regulation of the manufacturing, packaging, product information and health claims surrounding e-cigarettes is necessary to ensure consumers are presented with accurate e-cigarette use information.
Negotiator Personality and Concession Perceptions in Shipper - Motor Carrier Negotiations

Negotiator personalities are commonly believed to be a major influence on their activities during bargaining. However, this notion which is enforced in the popular literature on negotiations is not supported by current research. This study, using data collected from shippers and motor carriers which have completed negotiations over motor carrier contract terms, supports previous negotiation research findings. These findings.question the influence of personality factors on the perceived number of concessions made by the other party.
Near-field flow of submarines and ships advancing in a stable stratified fluid

Abstract A methodology is presented to predict density stratified flows in the near-field of naval vessels. The approach uses a single-phase level set method for the free surface, a dynamic overset technique to handle motions and controllers for self-propulsion and maneuvering. The density is solved with a higher-order transport equation coupled with momentum and mass conservation. Turbulence is implemented with a k − e / k − ω based Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) approach modified to add density gradients. Evaluation tests were performed for a two-dimensional square cavity, including grid and time step studies, and the stratified flow past a sphere, showing good agreement with available data. The stratified flow was studied for a self-propelled ship and a submarine. Density, velocity, pressure and turbulent quantities at the exit plane of the near-field contain a description of the relevant scales of the flow and can be used to compute the far-field stratified flow. It is shown that, as is the case of surface waves, the generation of internal waves requires energy that results in an increase in resistance. Moreover, the presence of a density interface against the hull results in a thickening of the boundary layer, just as in a solid/free surface juncture flow.
A demand function for the New York abortion market.

The elasticity of demand for the services of free standing clinics in New York City was estimated by fitting linear and exponential models to price and stock data (clinic capacity) as independent variables. The relatively high price elasticity (—1.2) found was surprising given the urgency of need situation of many of the buyers of such services. The majority of buyers originate outside New York raising the cost of purchase. Since price is a consideration in abortion demand, the price-income effect of "right to life" move ment induced subsidy reductions for abortions may have a dramatic impact on abortion demand.
Away from Freud: The Sociological School

If someone had asked Freud about the nature of human culture, he would probably have answered as follows: Human nature is the basis of culture. Culture is the product of human nature, and psychology of the individual is the key that opens the door to the study of culture.
A mathematical model for fitting and predicting relaxation modulus and simulating viscoelastic responses.

We propose a mathematical model for relaxation modulus and its numerical solution. The model formula is extended from sigmoidal function considering nonlinear strain hardening. Its physical meaning can be interpreted by a macroscale elastic network-viscous medium model with only five model parameters in a simpler format than the molecular-chain-based polymer models to represent general solid materials. We also developed a finite-element (FE) framework and robust numerical algorithm to implement this model for simulating responses under both static and dynamic loadings. We validated the model through both experimental data and numerical simulations on a variety of materials including asphalt concrete, polymer, spider silk, hydrogel, agar and bone. By satisfying the second law of thermodynamics in the form of Calusius–Duhem inequality, the model is able to simulate creep and sinusoidal deformation as well as energy dissipation. Compared to the Prony series, the widely used model with a large number of model parameters, the proposed model has improved accuracy in fitting experimental data and prediction stability outside of the experimental range with competitive numerical stability and computation speed. We also present simulation results of nonlinear stress–strain relationships of spider silk and hydrogels, and dynamic responses of a multilayer structure.
Information sharing and conflict resolution in distributed factored evolutionary algorithms

Competition and cooperation are powerful metaphors that have informed improvements in multi-population algorithms such as the Cooperative Coevolutionary Genetic Algorithm, Cooperative Particle Swarm Optimization, and Factored Evolutionary Algorithms (FEA). However, we suggest a different perspective can give a finer grained understanding of how multi-population algorithms come together to avoid problems like hitchhiking and pseudo-minima. In this paper, we apply the concepts of information sharing and conflict resolution through Pareto improvements to analyze the distributed version of FEA (DFEA). As a result, we find the original DFEA failed to implement FEA with complete fidelity. We then revise DFEA and examine the differences between it and FEA and the new implications for relaxing consensus in the distributed algorithm.
Thyroid system ontogeny in the sheep: a model for precocial mammalian species.

Human thyroid system ontogenesis can be divided into three phases which roughly parallel the three classic trimesters of pregnancy. These include the period of embryogenesis during the first trimester, a period of relative hypothalamic-pituitary quiescence during the mid-trimester of pregnancy, and a final phase of synchronized maturation of hypothalamic-pituitary control of TSH secretion, thyroid hormone secretion, and peripheral iodothyronine metabolism (1). These phases of thyroid ontogenesis occur, as well, in other mammals and have been investigated in considerable detail in two models, the developing rat and the fetal sheep (1). In both models thyroid system development generally resembles human thyroid ontogenesis. However, in the rat, an altricial species, the total period of thyroid development encompasses about 50 days (21 fetal days + 28 postnatal days) and delivery occurs at approximately the midpoint of development during the phase of relative system quiescence. In the sheep, a precocial species, the period of thyroid system maturation extends from conception to two weeks of postnatal age, about 165 days. Birth occurs at approximately 150 days gestation in this species.
Second-Harmonic Generation in Bulk Centrosymmetric Media

Until recently, the dependence on the crystal orientation in second-harmonic generation (SHG) by cubic centrosymmetric media had gone unnoticed.1 It is now known that a variety of such materials do in fact show appreciable anisotropies.2,3 The second-harmonic (SH) radiation arises from the polarization in the bulk, which is for bidden in the electric-dipole approximation, as well as from a layer of polarization at the surface, where the symmetry constraint is relaxed. The bulk nonlinear polarization is nonlocal, consisting of terms proportional to products of the pump electric field E and gradients of this field. We find for cubic symmetry that the (generalized) nonlinear polarization along the ith crystal axis can be expressed as
Structure-function fit underlies the evaluation of teleological explanations.

Abstract Teleological explanations, which appeal to a function or purpose (e.g., “kangaroos have long tails for balance”), seem to play a special role within the biological domain. We propose that such explanations are compelling because they are evaluated on the basis of a salient cue: structure-function fit, or the correspondence between a biological feature’s form (e.g., tail length) and its function (e.g., balance). Across five studies with 852 participants in total, we find support for three predictions that follow from this proposal. First, we find that function information decreases reliance on mechanistic considerations when evaluating explanations (Experiments 1–3), indicating the presence of a salient, function-based cue. Second, we demonstrate that structure-function fit is the best candidate for this cue (Experiments 3–4). Third, we show that scientifically-unwarranted teleological explanations are more likely to be accepted under speeded and unspeeded conditions when they are high in structure-function fit (Experiment 5). Experiment 5 also finds that structure-function fit extends beyond biology to teleological explanations in other domains. Jointly, these studies provide a new account of how teleological explanations are evaluated and why they are often (but not universally) compelling.
Continuous Long Term Patient Motion Monitoring Using Ultra Wide Band Radar

Use of electromagnetic modeling tools has significantly helped in analyzing human vital signs and gait. The paper will briefly discuss modeling efforts; radars used, and some recent simulated and measured results. This is a very important step in developing a practical 24/7 activity tracking system.
Iron down-regulates leptin by suppressing protein O-GlcNAc modification in adipocytes, resulting in decreased levels of O-glycosylated CREB

We previously reported that iron down-regulates transcription of the leptin gene by increasing occupancy of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) at two sites in the leptin gene promoter. Several nutrient-sensing pathways including O-GlcNAcylation also regulate leptin. We therefore investigated whether O-glycosylation plays a role in iron- and CREB-mediated regulation of leptin. We found that high iron decreases protein O-GlcNAcylation both in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in mice fed high-iron diets and down-regulates leptin mRNA and protein levels. Glucosamine treatment, which bypasses the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of substrate for glycosylation, increased both O-GlcNAc and leptin, whereas inhibition of O-glycosyltransferase (OGT) decreased O-GlcNAc and leptin. The increased leptin levels induced by glucosamine were susceptible to the inhibition by iron, but in the case of OGT inhibition, iron did not further decrease leptin. Mice with deletion of the O-GlcNAcase gene, either via whole-body heterozygous deletion or through adipocyte-targeted homozygous deletion, exhibited increased O-GlcNAc levels in adipose tissue and increased leptin levels that were inhibited by iron. Of note, iron increased the occupancy of pCREB and decreased the occupancy of O-GlcNAcylated CREB on the leptin promoter. These patterns observed in our experimental models suggest that iron exerts its effects on leptin by decreasing O-glycosylation and not by increasing protein deglycosylation and that neither O-GlcNAcase nor OGT mRNA and protein levels are affected by iron. We conclude that iron down-regulates leptin by decreasing CREB glycosylation, resulting in increased CREB phosphorylation and leptin promoter occupancy by pCREB.
Link Rate Selection using Constrained Thompson Sampling

We consider the optimal link rate selection problem in time-varying wireless channels with unknown channel statistics. The aim of optimal link rate selection is to transmit at the optimal rate at each time slot in order to maximize the expected throughput of the wireless channel/link or equivalently minimize the expected regret. Lack of information about channel state or channel statistics necessitates the use of online/sequential learning algorithms to determine the optimal rate. We present an algorithm called CoTS - Constrained Thompson sampling algorithm which improves upon the current state-of-the-art, is fast and is also general in the sense that it can handle several different constraints in the problem with the same algorithm. We also prove an asymptotic lower bound on the expected regret and a high probability large-horizon upper bound on the regret, which show that the regret grows logarithmically with time in an order sense. We also provide numerical results which establish that CoTS significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art algorithms.
Turbo-MMC: Minimizing the Submodule Capacitor Size in Modular Multilevel Converters with a Matrix Charge Balancer

This paper presents a Turbo-MMC architecture with a Matrix Charge Balancer (MCB) to minimize the size of the submodule capacitors in modular multilevel converter (MMC) based medium voltage motor drives. The MCB manages the energy in all the submodule capacitors of a standard MMC. It balances the low frequency pulsating power among many MMC submodules and can significantly reduce the submodule capacitor size as well as the voltage ripple. We introduced the operation principles of the Turbo-MMC, and systematically investigated the tradeoffs between the capacitor size reduction and the power conversion stress of the MCB. A distributed phase-shift control strategy was adopted to compress the voltage ripple of the submodule capacitors while maintaining high performance for the MMC. Theoretical analysis and detailed design guidelines for the Turbo-MMC architecture are presented. A scaled-down MMC prototype and a 12-Port MCB have been built and tested to verify the effectiveness of the Turbo-MMC concept.
Detection of tyrosine kinase inhibitors-induced COX-2 expression in bladder cancer by fluorocoxib A.

// Jennifer Bourn 1 , 2 , 4 , Sony Pandey 1 , Jashim Uddin 3 , Lawrence Marnett 3 and Maria Cekanova 1 , 2 1 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA 2 University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA 3 A. B. Hancock, Jr., Memorial Laboratory for Cancer Research, Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Center for Molecular Toxicology and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA 4 Current address: Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA Correspondence to: Maria Cekanova, email: mcekanov@utk.edu Keywords: bladder cancer; TKIs; RTKIs; COX-2; targeted therapies Received: June 18, 2019 Accepted: July 17, 2019 Published: August 27, 2019 ABSTRACT Among challenges of targeted therapies is the activation of alternative pro-survival signaling pathways in cancer cells, resulting in an acquired drug resistance. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in bladder cancer cells, making it an attractive molecular target for the detection and treatment of cancer. Fluorocoxib A is an optical imaging agent that selectively targets COX-2. In this study, we evaluated the ability of fluorocoxib A to monitor the responses of bladder cancer to targeted therapies in vivo . The effects of several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs: axitinib, AB1010, toceranib, imatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, SP600125, UO126, and AZD 5438) on COX-2 expression were validated in ten human and canine bladder cancer cell lines (J82, RT4, T24, UM-UC-3, 5637, SW780, TCCSUP, K9TCC#1Lillie, K9TCC#2Dakota, K9TCC#5Lilly) in vitro . The effects of TKIs on bladder cancer in vivo were evaluated using the COX-2-expressing K9TCC#5Lilly xenograft mouse model and detected by fluorocoxib A. The increased COX-2 expression was detected by all tested TKIs in at least one of the tested COX-2-expressing bladder cancer cell lines (5637, SW780, TCCSUP, K9TCC#1Lillie, K9TCC#2Dakota, and K9TCC#5Lilly) in vitro . In addition, fluorocoxib A uptake correlated with the AB1010- and imatinib-induced COX-2 expression in the K9TCC#5Lilly xenografts in vivo . In conclusion, these results indicate that fluorocoxib A could be used for the monitoring the early responses to targeted therapies in COX-2-expressing bladder cancer.
Conclusion: Order Within Anarchy

World politics cannot be divorced from its normative context. Norms shape the preferences of national leaders, the foreign policy choices they make, and aggregate international outcomes. After summarizing the book’s findings on the impact of permissive versus restrictive war-initiation norms on armed conflict, this chapter discusses how these norms combine with alliance-making, military buildups, and coercive bargaining in a dynamic, multi-level process that affects the probability of serious interstate disputes escalating to war. The chapter also considers possible errors of commission and omission in the analysis and then concludes by offering recommendations for future research.
Electric Energy Data Storage and Privacy Protection in Edge Computing Mode

Edge computing can process a large amount of data in the power grid locally, and then transmit the results and knowledge to the cloud platform, which reduces the use of network bandwidth and the processing response time. The process requires secure storage and privacy protection on the power terminal. This paper analyzes the demand of power edge computing, designs the power edge computing architecture, and proposes a distributed storage method using block chain technology. Through experiment combined with smart meter terminal data, the results show that this method is feasible and can be used for the safe storage and analysis of electric energy data in power grid.
Accelerated Estimation of Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Pressure Gradients with Distributed Lumped Parameter Modeling vs. 3D CFD with Instantaneous Adaptive Mesh Refinement: Experimental Validation in Swine

Branch pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) commonly occurs in congenital heart disease and the pressure gradient over a stenotic PA lesion is an important marker for re-intervention. Image based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has shown promise for non-invasively estimating pressure gradients but one limitation of CFD is long simulation times. The goal of this study was to compare accelerated predictions of PAS pressure gradients from 3D CFD with instantaneous adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) versus a recently developed 0D distributed lumped parameter CFD model. Predictions were then experimentally validated using a swine PAS model (n = 13). 3D CFD simulations with AMR improved efficiency by 5 times compared to fixed grid CFD simulations. 0D simulations further improved efficiency by 6 times compared to the 3D simulations with AMR. Both 0D and 3D simulations underestimated the pressure gradients measured by catheterization (− 1.87 ± 4.20 and − 1.78 ± 3.70 mmHg respectively). This was partially due to simulations neglecting the effects of a catheter in the stenosis. There was good agreement between 0D and 3D simulations (ICC 0.88 [0.66–0.96]) but only moderate agreement between simulations and experimental measurements (0D ICC 0.60 [0.11–0.86] and 3D ICC 0.66 [0.21–0.88]). Uncertainty assessment indicates that this was likely due to limited medical imaging resolution causing uncertainty in the segmented stenosis diameter in addition to uncertainty in the outlet resistances. This study showed that 0D lumped parameter models and 3D CFD with instantaneous AMR both improve the efficiency of hemodynamic modeling, but uncertainty from medical imaging resolution will limit the accuracy of pressure gradient estimations.
Using a child's power mobility learner group to tailor power mobility interventions: a case series.

The purpose of this case series was to explore using a child’s power mobility learner group (exploratory, operational, or functional) to tailor power mobility interventions. Materials and methods: ...
Comparative efficacy of a single-session "Empowered Relief" videoconference-delivered group intervention for chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Chronic pain is naturally aversive and often distressing for patients. Pain coping and self-regulatory skills have been shown to effectively reduce pain-related distress and other symptoms. In this trial, the primary goal is to pilot test the comparative efficacy of a single-session videoconference-delivered group pain education class to a waitlist control among patients with chronic pain. Our study is a randomized clinical trial pilot testing the superiority of our 2-h single-session videoconference-delivered group pain education class against a waitlist control. We will enroll 120 adult patients with mixed etiology chronic pain and randomize 1:1 to one of the two study arms. We hypothesize superiority for the pain education class for bolstering pain and symptom management. Team researchers masked to treatment assignment will assess the outcomes up to 3 months post-treatment. This study aims to test the utility of a single-session videoconference-delivered group pain education class to improve self-regulation of pain and pain-related outcomes. Findings from our project have the potential to significantly reduce barriers to effective psychological treatment for pain, optimizing the delivery of increasingly vital online and remote-delivered intervention options. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04546685 . Registered on 04 September 2020.
Sources of Ambiguity in Construction Contract Documents, Reflected by Litigation in Supreme Court Cases

AbstractA construction contract is a mutually agreed upon and signed document by the contracting parties and plays a significant role in controlling and preventing disputes in a project. This paper...
Gyrofluid Model of Plasma Expansion in a Magnetic Nozzle

The gyrofluid equations are a fluid model for plasma that includes the magnetic mirror force and the reduction in density that occurs in a diverging field.1 These equations are applied to collisionless electrons and ions that flow from an upstream region of high magnetic field to a downstream region of lower field. The model is applicable to ion engines for spacecraft, helicon plasma sources, and some plasma processing devices. The ion flux from the source region is found to be approximately the Bohm flux and the continuity equation requires that the particle flux within a magnetic flux tube be constant. The mirror force converts upstream thermal energy of both species into energy in the ion flow speed downstream. The downstream ion flow speed is about 1.5 times the ion sound speed for large expansion ratios. The downstream density is about half the upstream density scaled additionally by the magnetic field ratio. Quasineutrality is assumed hence the possibility of additional ion acceleration in a double layer is not considered.
Neural network reactive force field for C, H, N, and O systems

Reactive force fields have enabled an atomic level description of a wide range of phenomena, from chemistry at extreme conditions to the operation of electrochemical devices and catalysis. While significant insight and semi-quantitative understanding have been drawn from such work, the accuracy of reactive force fields limits quantitative predictions. We developed a neural network reactive force field (NNRF) for CHNO systems to describe the decomposition and reaction of the high-energy nitramine 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). NNRF was trained using energies and forces of a total of 3100 molecules (11,941 geometries) and 15 condensed matter systems (32,973 geometries) obtained from density functional theory calculations with semi-empirical corrections to dispersion interactions. The training set is generated via a semi-automated iterative procedure that enables refinement of the NNRF until a desired accuracy is attained. The root mean square (RMS) error of NNRF on a testing set of configurations describing the reaction of RDX is one order of magnitude lower than current state of the art potentials.
Mental Health Needs of TANF Recipients

This paper reports findings of a study of female Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and non-recipients ages 18-40, receiving behavioral health services in the rural Southwest in 1998-9. TANF recipients (N = 119) were more likely to be seriously mentally ill than non-recipients (N = 370), suggesting that a subgroup of TANF recipients may face significant barriers to employment given the new TANF regulations. The author argues that responsibility for recognizing the needs of TANF recipients for behavioral health services is shared by both the public welfare and behavioral health systems. Suggestions for meeting this challenge in both systems are discussed.
Cryopumping Hydrogen Isotope Mixtures in MFTF-B With and Without Argon Adsorbent

Mixtures of hydrogen isotopes, primarily deuterium (D2), protium-deuterium (HD), and protium (H2) must be pumped by the vacuum system in the Mirror Fusion Test Facility at Lawrence Livermore Nation...
Demonstration of Ge CMOS inverter and ring oscillator with 10 nm ultra-thin channel

Ge is considered as a promising candidate to continue the Moore's law in post-Si technology, due to its high and balanced carrier mobilities, low thermal budget process and good compatibility with Si. Great efforts have been spent on developing the Ge MOSFET technology and great advancements have been accomplished [1–4]. Recently, by using a novel dry etching process, the recessed channel structure has been successfully integrated into the Ge MOSFET processes on the Ge on insulator (GeOI) substrate [5], providing good gate electrostatic control. Based on the same technique, Ge CMOS devices and circuits have been demonstrated [6]. In this work, we further scale the channel thickness (T ch ) from 25 nm down to 10 nm. Both n- and p- MOSFETs, together with CMOS inverters and ring oscillators, are demonstrated with channel lengths (L ch ) from 100 to 50 nm. An oscillation frequency of 64 MHz is achieved in an 80 nm L ch 9-stage ring oscillator at V DD of 2.2 V. To study the channel thickness dependences, both MOSFETs and CMOS inverters with various T ch of 10 nm (this work), 15 and 25 nm (previously work [5]) are compared, indicating that thinner channels provides much improved immunity from the short channel effects (SCEs).
Composing Simple Image Descriptions using Web-scale N-grams

Studying natural language, and especially how people describe the world around them can help us better understand the visual world. In turn, it can also help us in the quest to generate natural language that describes this world in a human manner. We present a simple yet effective approach to automatically compose image descriptions given computer vision based inputs and using web-scale n-grams. Unlike most previous work that summarizes or retrieves pre-existing text relevant to an image, our method composes sentences entirely from scratch. Experimental results indicate that it is viable to generate simple textual descriptions that are pertinent to the specific content of an image, while permitting creativity in the description -- making for more human-like annotations than previous approaches.
Reliability‐based design of axially loaded drilled shafts using Monte Carlo method

SUMMARY This paper presents a performance-based reliability design methodology for axially loaded drilled shaft foundations using the Monte Carlo statistical methods. The performance criteria for an axially loaded drilled shaft are defined in terms of the drilled shaft head displacement. The load transfer method is used as the computational model for solving the nonlinear soil–foundation interaction problem and to predict the load–settlement curve at the drilled shaft head. The input to the computational model and the model error are treated as random variables. Particularly, soil properties such as soil strength parameters are modeled as random fields to account for soil spatial variability. Random field samples are generated using local averaging subdivision according to the prescribed statistical descriptors, including mean, variance, and correlation length. Given performance-based acceptance criteria, the probability of failure can be evaluated for the prescribed load effects. A computer program is developed to facilitate the computation of the load–displacement curves of the drilled shaft head by using the commonly adopted load transfer concepts (t–z curves and q–w curves for shaft side and toe, respectively). Two design examples are presented, one for uplift and the other for compression, to illustrate the application of the developed performance-based reliability design methodology. One of the important observations from the examples is that the computed probability of failure can be sensitive to the spatial variations of soil strengths characterized by the correlation structures. It is strongly recommended that spatial variation of soil properties be considered in the reliability-based foundation design. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract 610: Context-Dependent Effects of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) in Angiotensin II-Induced Vascular Dysfunction: Mechanisms and Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Cells

Angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes vascular disease and hypertension, in part, by activating the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. Although SOCS3 regulates this pathway in the immune system, its role in vascular disease and hypertension is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of SOCS3 in a model of Ang II-induced vascular disease. To exam direct effects, carotid arteries from wild-type (WT) and SOCS3 haplodeficient (SOCS3+/-) mice were incubated with Ang II for 22 hrs, followed by examination of endothelial function using acetylcholine (Ach). Relaxation to Ach was similar in all arteries incubated with vehicle. A low concentration of Ang II (1 nmol/L) did not affect Ach-induced vasodilation in WT mice, but reduced that of SOCS3+/- mice by ~50% (P<0.05). Ang II-induced impairment was prevented by inhibitors of STAT3, IL-6, NF-κB, or a scavenger of superoxide. Responses to nitroprusside were similar in all groups. We also tested the impact of SOCS3 in vivo by systemically infusing Ang II (1.4 mg/kg per day) for 14 days via osmotic mini-pumps. Ach-induced vasodilation in carotid and resistance arteries in brain from WT mice was reduced by ~60% (P<0.05). Surprisingly, deficiency in SOCS3prevented the majority of Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction without affecting the pressor response to Ang II. Lethally irradiated WT mice reconstituted with SOCS3+/- bone marrow were protected from Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction (P<0.05), while reconstitution of irradiated SOCS3+/- mice with WT bone marrow exacerbated Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction (P<0.05). WT into WT and SOCS3+/- into SOCS3+/- bone marrow chimeras exhibited vascular function consistent with non-irradiated controls. The pressor response to Ang II was reduced by ~50% in WT mice reconstituted with bone marrow from SOCS3+/- mice (P<0.05). These data suggest SOCS3 exerts divergent local versus systemic effects on Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction. In the face of SOCS3 deficiency, bone marrow-derived cells protect against Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction and hypertension.
A simple fast sweeping system for extracted cyclotron beams

Abstract A simple system for sweeping an extracted cyclotron beam on and off an adjustable aperture at various repetition rates and duty cycles is described. This system permits lifetime measurements of delayed γ-rays to be made over a range of 0.5 to 5000 μs. The application of this system for the study of the 3.29 and 159 μs isomeric states in 115 Sn populated by the (p,nγ) reaction at 8.0 MeV is described.
High-frequency Percussive Ventilation for Airway Clearance in Cystic Fibrosis: A Brief Report

Exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung dis- ease are characterized by increased inspissation of abnor- mally viscid pulmonary secretions with resultant plugging of small airways, worsened ventilation/perfusion mismatch, and increased physiological deadspace. In this circumstance, hypoxic respiratory failure necessitating mechanical venti- lation can be life-threatening. We present such a case of CF lung disease poorly responsive to conventional mechanical ventilatory strategies, in which high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) using volumetric diffusive respiration mobilized copious amounts of inspissated pulmonary secre- tions and improved refractory hypoxia. Subsequent transient hypercarbia necessitated titrating ventilator parameters to return the PaCO2 to baseline; the voluminous clearance of secretions and improvement in oxygenation were sustained. HFPV appears unique in its ability to function as a meth- odological continuum from noninvasive percussion to invasive percussive ventilation for airway clearance, a fun- damental tenet of the CF treatment paradigm.
Growth temperature and surfactant effects on the properties of mixed group V alloys

Abstract The optical properties of InAsSb, nominally lattice matched to GaSb, grown at varying substrate temperatures with and without Bi-surfactant exposure, were studied with photoluminescence (PL). Both Bi exposure and increasing substrate temperatures reduce the Sb-incorporation and produce strained layers. The bandgap of lattice mismatched layers grown in this way is lowered compared to unstrained material. The PL intensity decreases dramatically when the lattice mismatch increases. The PL intensity also shows significant broadening that can be interpreted as evidence for inhomogeneous alloy distributions induced by the Bi.
Optimal importance sampling for quick simulation of highly reliable Markovian systems

We develop necessary and sufficient conditions for importance sampling measures to yield estimates with bounded relative error. We use these conditions to examine the properties of existing methods for estimating failure probabilities in highly reliable systems. We then propose a new approach which we show has bounded relative error and is asymptotically optimal.
Some remarks on quasi-equivalence of bases in Fréchet spaces

Abstract We consider some results related to the problem of quasi-equivalence of absolute bases in a Frechet space. We show that under some conditions on the matrices, transforming one basis into another, these bases are quasi-equivalent.
An Investigation of the Plasma Chemistry Involved in the Synthesis of ZnO by PECVD

Department of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, USAPlasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition~PECVD! of zinc oxide was accomplished using diethyl zinc, oxygen, and argon ina capacitively coupled reactor. The plasma chemistry was studied by optical emission spectroscopy ~OES! with particular focus onthe effects of reactant composition and rf power. Process-property relationships were established by comparing plasma behaviorwith resulting ﬁlm properties as characterized by the Hall effect, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and X-ray diffraction. In our studiesof stoichiometry it was observed that the plasma chemistry was very similar to hydrocarbon combustion, so much so that theresults were interpreted by borrowing the concept of the equivalence ratio, f. For fuel-rich conditions (f . 1) deposition wasdominated by incorporation of atomic Zn, the ﬁlms were randomly oriented, and electrically insulating. In contrast fuel-leanconditions produced conducting ﬁlms with a preferred ~002! orientation. The results indicate that OES may be useful forcalibrating oxide PECVD systems that employ bubblers to deliver organometallic precursors. It was also shown that increasing theplasma power had the same effect of decreasing f, which was to drive the chemistry toward complete combustion. Electricalproperties improved exponentially with both increased substrate temperature and decreased growth rate, highlighting the impor-tance of surface migration in establishing carriers and controlling mobility.© 2003 The Electrochemical Society. @DOI: 10.1149/1.1605746# All rights reserved.Manuscript submitted October 15, 2002; revised manuscript received April 22, 2003. Available electronically August 15, 2003.
Enhanced efficacy of nigral-striatal cotransplants in bilaterally dopamine-depleted rats: an anatomical and behavioral analysis.

Abstract When embryonic ventral mesencephalic tissue containing nigral dopamine (DA) neurons is transplanted into adult DA-depleted striatum, synaptic connections form and behavioral effects are observed. This study investigated the cotransplantation of embryonic striatal tissue as a means of enhancing the innervation, survival, and functional effects of nigral transplants. Rats neonatally DA-depleted, via bilateral intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine, developed turning in response to amphetamine and stress following unilateral transplantation of either nigral or combination nigral-striatal cell suspensions. Animals with cotransplants developed higher levels of turning to both stimuli and maintained these responses for a longer period of time post-transplantation, when compared with animals receiving transplants of nigral cells alone. In addition, these combination transplants required fewer dopaminergic cells to produce a strong behavioral effect on the host. Dense patches of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers were observed within the cotransplants, yet no greater outgrowth of DA fibers into host striatum was detected. Amphetamine produced widespread induction of the immediate-early gene c-fos in cells of host striatum that extended beyond the transplant-derived DA innervation. After both amphetamine and stress, Fos protein was found within both types of transplants, but these F os-immunoreactive cells did not colocalize with TH-immunoreactive cells nor dense TH-immunoreactive patches within the grafts. Thus, cotransplanted embryonic striatal tissue augments the effects of ventral mesencephalic transplants, possibly by providing a trophic influence that enhances the function of the DA cells without increasing cell survival.
The MEK inhibitor PD 098059 inhibits prolactin-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis but not milk product synthesis in cultured mouse mammary tissues

The MAP kinase pathway has been shown to be active in many growth factor signaling systems, including that of prolactin (PRL). In our studies, the main objective was to examine the possible involvement of MEK kinases (Map/Erk kinase kinases) in PRL-stimulated mitogenic and lactogenic processes. We used the MEK kinase inhibitor PD 098059 to block MEK kinase activation in the Nb2 cell line and mammary gland explants derived from 12- to 14-day pregnancy mice. PD 098059 attenuated PRL-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis at 10 microM and a maximum inhibition was observed at 100 microM. In cultured mammary tissues, PD 098059 at 100 microM had no effect on the PRL stimulation of lipid, casein and lactose synthesis and iodide uptake. Further, the growth-inhibitory effect of PD 098059 on Nb2 cells was ameliorated when the drug was removed from the culture medium, indicating that PD 098059 acts in a reversible manner. When MEK1 was immunoprecipitated from PD 098059 and/or PRL treated Nb2 cells, PRL-stimulated MEK1 kinase activity was directly inhibited by PD 098059 at concentrations employed in the culture experiments. PRL has no effect on the tyrosyl phosphorylation of MAP kinases in cultured mammary tissues derived from pregnant mice, whereas earlier we found that PRL stimulates the tyrosyl phosphorylation of all four MAP kinases in Nb2 cells. The results suggest that the MAP kinase pathway plays an important role in the PRL stimulation of Nb2 cell mitogenesis but is not involved in the PRL stimulation of milk product synthesis.
Physiology of sulfide in the rat colon: use of bismuth to assess colonic sulfide production.

Colonic bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide, a toxic compound postulated to play a pathogenetic role in ulcerative colitis. Colonic sulfide exposure has previously been assessed via measurements of f...
Management of Pneumothorax in Cattle by Continuous‐Flow Evacuation

Pneumothorax in cattle can develop subsequent to acute or chronic pulmonary disease, and if unresolved may lead to respiratory distress and death due to hypoxia and compression and collapse of cardiac and thoracic great vessels. Therapeutic evacuation of free air within the pleural space can provide acute relief and improve chances of survival. This article descibes the adaptation and use of a continuous flow evacuation device to resolve pneumothorax in 3 cattle with pneumothorax associated with infectious lower airway disease.
CLA supplementation and aerobic exercise lower blood triacylglycerol, but have no effect on peak oxygen uptake or cardiorespiratory fatigue thresholds.

This study examined the effects of 6 weeks of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation and moderate aerobic exercise on peak oxygen uptake ( $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2}$$ peak), the gas exchange threshold (GET), the respiratory compensation point (RCP), and serum concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and glucose in humans. Thirty-four untrained to moderately trained men (mean ± SD; age = 21.5 ± 2.8 years; mass = 77.2 ± 9.5 kg) completed this double-blind, placebo controlled study and were randomly assigned to either a CLA (Clarinol A-80; n = 18) or placebo (PLA; sunflower oil; n = 16) group. Prior to and following 6 weeks of aerobic training (50 % $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2}$$ peak for 30 min, twice per week) and supplementation (5.63 g of total CLA isomers [of which 2.67 g was c9, t11 and 2.67 g was t10, c12] or 7.35 g high oleic sunflower oil per day), each participant completed an incremental cycle ergometer test to exhaustion to determine their $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2}$$ peak, GET, and RCP and fasted blood draws were performed to measure serum concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and glucose. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations were lower (p < 0.05) in the CLA than the PLA group. For $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2}$$ peak and glucose, there were group × time interactions (p 0.05) between the CLA and PLA groups. GET and RCP increased (p < 0.05) from pre- to post-training for both the CLA and PLA groups. Overall, these data suggested that CLA and aerobic exercise may have synergistic, blood triacylglycerol lowering effects, although CLA may be ineffective for enhancing aerobic exercise performance in conjunction with a 6-week aerobic exercise training program in college-age men.
PART II: CONDUCTION BAND-EDGE STATES ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVAL OF d-STATE DEGENERACIES BY THE STATIC JAHN-TELLER EFFECT

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is used to study band edge electronic structure of high-k transition metal (TM) and trivalent lanthanide rare earth (RE) oxide dielectrics. The lowest conduction band d*-states in nano-crystalline TiO2, ZrO2 and HfO2 are correlated with features in the O K1 edge, and transitions from occupied Ti 2p, Zr 3p and Hf 4p states to empty Ti 3d-, Zr 4d-, and Hf 5d-states, respectively. Optical band gaps, Eopt, and conduction band offset energy with respect to Si, EB, scale monotonically with d-state energies of the TM/RE atoms. The multiplicity of d-state features in the Ti L2,3 spectrum of TiO2, and the O K1 derivative spectra for ZrO2 and HfO2 indicate a complete removal of d-state degeneracies resulting from a static Jahn-Teller effect. Similar degeneracy removals are shown for complex nano-crystalline TM/RE oxides such as Zr and Hf titanates, and La, Gd and Dy scandates. XAS and band edge spectra indicate an additional band edge defect state assigned Jahn-Teller distortions...
Comparison of the Dosimetry of Spinal Fields in Craniospinal Irradiation using Two Dimensional, Three Dimensional and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning Techniques

Materials/Methods: The CT-based treatment planning was performed for the CSI volume using lateral cranial fields with a matched posterior single spine field. The prescription dose was 36 Gy to the CS axis delivered with 4 junction shifts. Target delineations were as follows: 2D plan field edge was placed 1 cm lateral to vertebral bodies; 3D plan had 1 cm expansion from the spinal canal for clinical target volume (CTV) for adults (0.5 cm for children) and an additional 0.7 cm to field edge for planning target volume (PTV). For IMRT plan, CTV was equal to PTV without additional expansion. To improve target coverage, a field in field technique was used for both 2D and 3D plans to act as compensators. The OAR evaluated included heart, thyroid, liver, lung, kidney, and small bowel. Dose volume histograms were used to assess the plans and time spent per plan was recorded. Results: The CT scans of 10 consecutive patients (4 pediatric and 6 adult) treated at our institution with CSI from 2004-2007 were selected. There was no statistical difference in PTV coverage when looking at the mean, minimum, maximum, and median doses andthepercentvolumecoveredby95%and107%ofthedose.MeandosetoOARwerealldecreasedwhencomparingIMRTto3D as follows: heart 11.3%, liver 12%, thyroid 2%, kidneys 22%, bowel 8% (p\0.05). Mean dose to OAR were all decreased when comparing 3D to 2D as follows: heart 5%, liver 13.5%, kidneys 31%, lungs 16.3% , bowel 28% (p\0.05). Total time spent planning (not including contouring) for each plan was approximately 4 hours per IMRT plan and 6-7 hours per 3D and 2D plans. Conclusions: Optimal treatment planning using either 2D or 3D plans with field in field technique results in similar PTV coverage when compared to IMRT plans. However, IMRT plans were superior to either 2D or 3D when looking at mean dose to most OAR. The IMRT planning took significantly less amount of time for treatment planning. These results make IMRT treatment planning more desirable in clinical practice. Author Disclosure: P.K. Parhar, None; C. Hitchen, None; T. Duckworth, None; K. DeWyngaert, None; A. Narayana, None.