cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thrombophilia and Thrombosis

In pregnancy there are major hemostatic changes which begin early in gestation and last for several weeks postpartum. Changes to coagulation and fibrinolysis serve to protect against maternal hemorrhage in all stages of pregnancy, from implantation to delivery. This hypercoagulability along with vascular alterations in pregnancy from venous stasis and vascular damage fulfills Virchow’s triad for increased thrombosis risk (Greer IA. Lancet 353(9160):1258–65, 1999). In the developed world, thrombosis remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality (Cantwell R et al. BJOG 118(Suppl 1):1–203, 2011; Chang J et al MMWR Surveill Sum (Washington, DC: 2002) 52(2):1–8, 2003). Modifiable risk factors, such as obesity and smoking, and non-modifiable risk factors, such as thrombophilia, further increase maternal risk for thrombosis (James AH et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol 194(5):1311–5, 2006). The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy are complex clinical challenges and demand a balanced attention to maternal and fetal well-being, often without the support of validated management guidelines. Fortunately, the fund of research on thrombosis risk assessment and management in pregnancy has grown. This chapter will highlight an evidence-based approach to the pregnant patient with known or suspected thrombosis. First, the evaluation and management of thrombophilia in pregnancy will be discussed.
Management and Recommendations for Future Pregnancy in Patients with Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: A Survey of Gynecologic Oncologists and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialists

Purpose: To determine how young patients with early-stage endometrial cancer are counseled regarding fertility preserving therapy and pregnancy options by gynecologic oncology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) providers. Methods: Anonymous online survey of Society of Gynecology Oncology (SGO) and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) members; data were analyzed using chi-square and t-tests. Results: Twelve percent (169/1433) of SGO and 6.5% (60/927) of SREI members responded to the survey request. Most providers manage fewer than 10 fertility preservation patients annually. All gynecologic oncologists offer conservative management to patients with grade 1 endometrial cancer without evidence of invasion, and 40% would offer it to patients with grade 2 or <50% invasion. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most common method of assessing invasion, and the progesterone intrauterine device was the preferred first-line treatment. Two-thirds of providers would recommend hysterectomy if no endometrial response was noted by 12 months, two-thirds would continue conservative management for more than a year if a partial response was noted, and 70% would recommend hysterectomy after a patient completes childbearing. Comparatively, 60% of REI providers would recommend hysterectomy after childbearing. More gynecologic oncologists than REI providers recommend attempting spontaneous conception and for longer durations before initiating fertility treatments. Conclusion: Heterogeneous management styles exist among and between gynecologic oncology and REI providers for patients with early-stage endometrial cancer desiring future pregnancy. Improved guidelines are needed regarding treatment and monitoring surrounding trials of conception and pregnancy.
Gender Inequality and Well-Being: Concepts and Their Measures Are Cultural Products—A Reflection on Li et al. (2021):

This Further Reflections piece was invited by the Editors of the journal to provide additional consideration of some of the significant issues under study in “Culture Moderates the Relation Between...
Coordinately regulated interbacterial antagonism defense pathways constitute a bacterial innate immune system

Abstract Bacterial survival is fraught with antagonism, including that deriving from viruses and competing bacterial cells1–34. It is now appreciated that bacteria mount complex antiviral responses; however, whether a coordinated defense against bacterial threats is undertaken is not well understood. Previously we showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa possess a danger sensing pathway that is a critical fitness determinant during competition against other bacteria5, 6. Here, we conducted genome-wide screens in P. aeruginosa that reveal three conserved and widespread interbacterial antagonism resistance clusters (arc1-3). We find that although arc1-3 are coordinately activated by the Gac/Rsm danger sensing system, they function independently and provide idiosyncratic defense capabilities, distinguishing them from general stress response pathways. Our findings demonstrate that Arc3 family proteins provide specific protection against phospholipase toxins by preventing the accumulation of lysophospholipids in a manner distinct from previously characterized membrane repair systems. These findings liken the response of P. aeruginosa to bacterial threats to that of eukaryotic innate immunity, wherein threat detection leads to the activation of specialized defense systems.
Epigenetics, estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and the brain.

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a major public health concern, yet there are gaps in knowledge about the mechanisms for their effects. The brain is incredibly sensitive to small changes in the hormonal environment during early development, with natural sex differences in gonadal hormones shaping the organization of sex-specific neural circuits early in life. EDC exposure during these periods can lead to lifelong impacts on neurobiological health outcomes. Recently, epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed as a potential molecular mechanism for effects of endogenous hormones on the organization of developing brain circuits, leading to speculation that these mechanisms may underlie the long-term impacts of EDC exposure. Of these mechanisms, DNA methylation, associated with gene suppression, and histone marks, associated with gene suppression or activation, will be discussed. We review the evidence for hormones and their role in brain sexual differentiation; underlying epigenetic mechanisms; and how two classes of estrogenic EDCs, BPA and PCBs, may interfere with these processes to change brain structure and function.
Exploratory Galois Theory

Combining a concrete perspective with an exploration-based approach, Exploratory Galois Theory develops Galois theory at an entirely undergraduate level. The text grounds the presentation in the concept of algebraic numbers with complex approximations and assumes of its readers only a first course in abstract algebra. The author organizes the theory around natural questions about algebraic numbers, and exercises with hints and proof sketches encourage students' participation in the development. For readers with Maple or Mathematica, the text introduces tools for hands-on experimentation with finite extensions of the rational numbers, enabling a familiarity never before available to students of the subject. Exploratory Galois Theory includes classical applications, from ruler-and-compass constructions to solvability by radicals, and also outlines the generalization from subfields of the complex numbers to arbitrary fields. The text is appropriate for traditional lecture courses, for seminars, or for self-paced independent study by undergraduates and graduate students.
Effects of aging on ionic movements of atrial muscle.

The effect of age on ion concentrations and fluxes in cardiac muscle was examined. Left atria from rats of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 28 months of age were analyzed for content of total water, sodium and potassium, for 14C-inulin space and for 22Na and 42K influx and efflux rates. Animals of 3 and 24 months of age showed a small but significantly greater water content than those of the other age groups. The inulin space, after a small nonsignificant fall between 1 and 3 mo, increased significantly at 6 mo, then leveled off through 28 mo. Intracellular sodium (Na)i and potassium (K)i concentrations were calculated. (Na), showed a significant increase from 1 to 3 mo, decreased significantly at 6 mo, and then leveled off. (K)i exhibited an initial significant decrease from 1 to 3 mo followed at 6 mo by a significant increase which remained unchanged through 28 mo. Trend analyses of the Na influx rates showed that a significant increase with age occurred, except for a decrease at 24 mo. Potassium influx rates remained relatively constant at all ages. Sodium efflux appeared to be multiexponential, with at least two distinct rate constants (k 1 and k 2). Potassium efflux steadily decreased as a function of age. The results are discussed with reference to possible consequences of aging on cardiac physiology and reactivity to pharmacological agents.—Goldberg, P. B., S. I. Baskin and J. Roberts. Effects of aging on ionic movements of atrial muscle. Federation Proc. 34: 188–190, 1975.
Safety and diagnostic accuracy of tumor biopsies in children with cancer

BACKGROUND: Tumor biopsies are central to the diagnosis and management of cancer and are critical to efforts in personalized medicine and targeted therapeutics. In the current study, the authors sought to evaluate the safety and accuracy of biopsies in children with cancer. METHODS: All biopsies performed in children at the study institution with a suspected or established diagnosis of cancer from 2003 through 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and disease-related and procedure-related factors were correlated with procedure-related complications and diagnostic accuracy using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1073 biopsies were performed in 808 patients. Of 1025 biopsies with adequate follow-up, 79 (7.7%) were associated with an adverse event, 35 (3.4%) of which were minor (grade 1-2) and 32 (3.1%) of which were major (grade 3-4) (grading was performed according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). The most common major adverse events were blood transfusion (>10 mL/kg; 24 cases) and infection requiring intravenous antibiotics (6 cases). Eleven deaths (1.4%) occurred within 30 days after the procedure, but the procedure may have contributed to the outcome in only 2 cases. A total of 926 biopsies (90.3%) provided definitive histologic diagnoses. Using multivariable analysis, biopsy site, preprocedure hematocrit level, and body mass index were found to be associated with the risk of postprocedural complications (P<.0001, P<.0001, and P 5.0029, respectively). Excisional biopsy and biopsy site were found to be independently associated with obtaining a diagnostic result (P 5.0002 and P 5.0008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor biopsies in children with cancer are associated with a low incidence of complications and a high rate of diagnostic accuracy. The predictive factors identified for adverse outcomes may aid in risk assessment and preprocedural counseling. Cancer 2014;000:000-000. V C 2014 American Cancer Society.
A Leader's Legacy

Introduction. Part One: Significance. 1 Leaders Serve and Sacrifice. 2 The Best Leaders Are Teachers. 3 We All Need Loving Critics. 4 You Are the Most Important Leader in Your Organization. 5 No One Likes to Be an Assumption. Part Two: Relationships. 6 Leadership Is Personal. 7 Leaders Should Want to Be Liked. 8 When You Don't See Eye to Eye, Seek toUnderstand. 9 You Can't Take Trust for Granted. 10 Let Your People Go. Part Three: Aspirations. 11 Lead from the Inside Out. 12 Forward-Looking Is a Leadership Prerequisite. 13 It's Not Just the Leader's Vision. 14 Liberate the Leader in Everyone. 15 Leaders Are Followers, Too! Part Four: Courage. 16 There's Courage in All of Us. 17 You Can't Plan to Be Courageous, But You Can Choose It. 18 It Takes Courage to Make a Life. 19 The Courage to Be Human. 20 Failure Is Always an Option. 21 No Money-Back Guarantee. Afterword: The Legacy You Leave Is the Life You Lead. Notes. Acknowledgments. About the Authors. Index.
THE MIRROR FUSION TEST FACILITY

ABSTRACT The MFTF is a large new mirror facility under construction at Livermore for completion in 1981–82. It represents a scaleup, by a factor of 50 in plasma volume, a factor of 5 or more in ion energy, and a factor of 4 in magnetic field intensity over the Livermore 2XIIB experiment. Its magnet, employing superconducting NbTi windings, is of Yin-Yang form and will weigh 200 tons. MFTF will be driven by neutral beams of two levels of current and energy: 1000 amperes of 20 keV (accelerating potential) pulsed beams for plasma startup; 750 amperes of 80 keV beams of 0.5 second duration for temperature buildup and plasma sustainment. Two operating modes for MFTF are envisaged: The first is operation as a conventional mirror cell with nτ ≈ 1012cm-3 sec, Wi = 50 keV, where the emphasis will be on studying the physics of mirror cells, particularly the issues of improved techniques of stabilization against ion cyclotron modes and of maximization of the electron temperature. The second possible mode is the further study of the Field Reversed Mirror idea, using high current neutral beams to sustain the field-reversed state. Anticipating success in the coming Livermore Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX) MFTF has been oriented so that it could comprise one end cell of a scaled up TM experiment. Also, if MFTF were to succeed in achieving a FR state it could serve as an essentially full-sized physics prototype of one cell of a FRM fusion power plant.
Time-dependent density functional theory treatment of the first UV absorption band in all-transoid permethyloligosilanes SinMe2n + 2 (n = 2-8, 10).

The TD B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) method slightly overestimates the excitation energies of the first UV absorption band of the all-transoid conformers of SinMe2n+2 (n = 2–8, 10), deduced from temperature-dependent measurements on conformer mixtures in hydrocarbon solvents, by a nearly constant amount (∼2000 cm−1). The TD B3LYP/6-31G(d) results are less satisfactory. The first band is calculated to be due to a σπ* excitation in Si2Me6 and to a superposition of overlapping σσ* and σπ* excitations in the longer oligosilanes. The σπ* excitation is calculated to lie a little below the σσ* excitation up to Si4Me10, the two transitions are nearly degenerate in Si5Me12, and the σσ* excitation drops increasingly below the σπ* as the chain length is extended. The dipole strength of the σσ* excitation grows by 4.8 D2 (D = debye) per added SiSi bond (more slowly up to n = 5) and the calculation overestimates it by a factor of about three. The σπ* excitation is computed to carry no or almost no oscillator strength, but as noted earlier by others, its presence is critical for the interpretation of the observed thermochromism. Upon cooling below room temperature, the first absorption maximum is blue-shifted in short chains and red-shifted in long chains. Unlike the prior investigators, we attribute the blue shift to the disappearance of hot bands built on the σπ* origin using intensity borrowing σ–π mixing vibrations (b1 in Si3Me8). As usual, the red shift is attributed to the disappearance of twisted conformers, which have higher calculated σσ* excitation energies.
Cold‐formed steel structures around the world

The objective of this paper is to provide a brief review of recent (over approximately the last five years) advances in the application, analysis and design of cold-formed steel structures. Attention here is focused on load-bearing cold-formed steel structures; as opposed to secondary systems, curtain walls, etc. Cold-formed steel applications continue to advance in three primary categories: framing, metal buildings, and racks. Examples largely derived from the author’s experiences in North America are used to illustrate the applications. The behaviour of cold-formed steel structures can be complicated due to the thin-walled nature of the sections; thus, analysis advances are required. Recent work in Generalized Beam Theory and the constrained Finite Strip Method demonstrate that, at least when it comes to thin-walled members, significant advances in structural analysis are still possible and desirable. Design of cold-formed steel structures continues to see significant improvements and refinements. Recent efforts related to the Direct Strength Method of design are highlighted, including novel extensions from the member to the system level. Finally, similar to many other areas of structural engineering, seismic engineering has motivated notable advances in applications, analysis, and design. For cold-formed steel structures these advances are reviewed to demonstrate current progress and future directions in this important area.
High-Resolution Satellite Data Open for Government Research

U.S. satellite commercial imagery (CI) with resolution less than 1 meter is a common geospatial reference used by the public through Web applications, mobile devices, and the news media. However, CI use in the scientific community has not kept pace, even though those who are performing U.S. government research have access to these data at no cost.Previously, studies using multiple CI acquisitions from IKONOS-2, Quickbird-2, GeoEye-1, WorldView-1, and WorldView-2 would have been cost prohibitive. Now, with near-global submeter coverage and online distribution, opportunities abound for future scientific studies. This archive is already quite extensive (examples are shown in Figure 1) and is being used in many novel applications.
Richer color experience in observers with multiple photopigment opsin genes.

Traditional color vision theory posits that three types of retinal photopigments transduce light into a trivariate neural color code, thereby explaining color-matching behaviors. Thisprinciple of trichromacy is in need of reexamination in view of molecular genetics results suggesting that a substantial percentage of women possess more than three classes of retinal photopigments. At issue is the question of whether four-photopigment retinas necessarily yield trichromatic color perception. In the present paper, we review results and theory underlying the accepted photoreceptor-based model of trichromacy. A review of the psychological literature shows that gender-linked differences in color perception warrant further investigation of retinal photopigment classes and color perception relations. We use genetic analyses to examine an important position in the gene sequence, and we empirically assess and compare the color perception of individuals possessing more than three retinal photopigment genes with those possessing fewer retinal photopigment genes. Women with four-photopigment genotypes are found to perceive significantly more chromatic appearances in comparison with either male or female trichromat controls. We provide a rationale for this previously undetected finding and discuss implications for theories of color perception and gender differences in color behavior.
Stimulus-specific and cell type-specific cascades: emerging principles relating to control of apoptosis in the eye.

Apoptosis has a critical role in development, homeostasis, wound healing, and the pathophysiology of disease in the organs of multicellular organisms. It has been implicated in these processes in retina, lens, cornea, trabecular meshwork, optic nerve, and the central nervous system pathways that contribute to vision. Considerable interest has been focused on inhibiting apoptosis to control disease and wound healing processes in which programmed cell death is thought to have a critical role. A simplified view led to the search for effective inhibitors of 'the final common pathway for apoptosis'. Recent studies have provided important insights into the modulators that participate in and regulate the apoptosis cascades which are activated in response to cytokines, ionizing radiation, chemotherapeutic agents, growth factor deprivation, and other stimulators of cell death. These studies lead to the inescapable conclusion that the apoptosis pathways are not only stimulus-specific, but also cell-type specific. These observations have important implications related to development of pharmacological strategies for controlling apoptosis-associated disease and apoptosis-initiated wound healing.
Alkene hydrogenation and related reactions: A comparison of heterogeneous with homogeneous catalysis

Abstract A relationship between the degree of coordinative unsaturation and the set of elementary reactions involving hydrogen and simple alkenes which may occur at a particular reaction site on the surface of a transition metal oxide is proposed. The theory is based upon the mechanisms which best account for the action of two representative homogeneous catalysts, chlorotris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) and hydridocarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I). The theory is illustrated by reference to reported reactions on cobalt oxide and chromia catalysts.
An Interactive Image Processing System

A multiuser multiprocessing image processing system has been developed. It is an interactive picture manipulation and enhancement facility which is capable of executing a variety of image processing operations while simultaneously controlling real-time input and output of pictures. It was designed to provide a reliable picture processing system which would be cost-effective in the commercial production environment. Additional goals met by the system include flexibility and ease of operation and modification.
Urticaria pigmentosa. Systemic evaluation and successful treatment with topical steroids.

† Nine patients with adult-onset urticaria pigmentosa were studied for the incidence of extracutaneous mast cell involvement and the efficacy of potent topical corticosteroid therapy for cutaneous lesions. Seven of the nine patients had increased mast cells in the marrow biopsy specimens, and five patients had focal aggregates of mast cells. The bone scan was abnormal in one patient. Liver-spleen scans revealed a shift of colloid uptake from liver to spleen in four patients. No abnormal gastrointestinal tract roentgenograms were obtained. Urinary histamine metabolites correlated with nodular bone marrow involvement, but not with other parameters. Results of the psychoneurologic testing revealed significant deviation from the norm with a verbal memory deficit in all nine patients and abnormalities on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in four patients. All nine patients were treated with 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate ointment under occlusion over half of the body nightly for 6 weeks. Seven of nine patients treated responded with almost complete resolution of their lesions. Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis suppression was evaluated with intramuscular cosyntropin stimulation and metyrapone administration during treatment. Only two patients, both of whom used the medication improperly, developed transient abnormalities. Slow return of lesions was noted 6 months after completion of therapy. Remissions could be lengthened with single weekly applications of topical steroids. Systemic involvement is frequent in patients with cutaneous mast cell disease and it is best demonstrated by bone marrow biopsy. Mast cell lesions can be safely and effectively treated with topical steroids in motivated patients. (Arch Dermatol.1991;127:191-196)
Comparison of roadside crash injury metrics using event data recorders

The occupant impact velocity (OIV) and acceleration severity index (ASI) are competing measures of crash severity used to assess occupant injury risk in full-scale crash tests involving roadside safety hardware, e.g. guardrail. Delta-V, or the maximum change in vehicle velocity, is the traditional metric of crash severity for real world crashes. This study compares the ability of the OIV, ASI, and delta-V to discriminate between serious and non-serious occupant injury in real world frontal collisions. Vehicle kinematics data from event data recorders (EDRs) were matched with detailed occupant injury information for 180 real world crashes. Cumulative probability of injury risk curves were generated using binary logistic regression for belted and unbelted data subsets. By comparing the available fit statistics and performing a separate ROC curve analysis, the more computationally intensive OIV and ASI were found to offer no significant predictive advantage over the simpler delta-V.
Prospective Analysis of Ejaculatory Function After Anterior Urethral Reconstruction

Purpose: Urethral reconstruction may improve ejaculatory function by relieving urethral obstruction but could worsen it by disrupting the bulbocavernosus muscle. We prospectively evaluated the effects of urethral reconstruction on ejaculatory function.Materials and Methods: All men who underwent anterior urethroplasty from September 2006 to June 2009 were asked to complete the ejaculatory function component of the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (7 questions with a total of 35 points) preoperatively and postoperatively after resuming sexual activity. Postoperatively decreased and improved ejaculation was defined as an increase and a decrease of 5 or more points, respectively.Results: A total of 43 men were included in the study. The overall ejaculatory score did not change postoperatively (25.54 vs 26.94 points, p = 0.17) at a mean ± SD followup of 8.1 ± 6.0 months but men with poor preoperative function had significant improvement (15.27 vs 21.22 points, p = 0.01). Overall ejaculatory vigor (3.19 vs 3.5...
The effects of intranasal histamine challenge on eustachian tube function

Eustachian tube (ET) function was evaluated bilaterally by use of the inflation-deflation and forced-response test before and after nasal challenge with various doses of histamine in five adult and 10 infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Of the 20 experiments conducted on the infant and juvenile monkeys, functional ET obstruction resulted in six ears after a dose of 0.5 mg of histamine, in 10 ears after a dose of 1 mg, and in four ears after a dose of 2 mg. In contrast, of the 10 experiments conducted on the adult monkeys, functional ET obstruction developed in two ears after a dose of 1 mg of histamine and in two ears after a dose of 4 mg. Six ears failed to respond at doses of 8 mg of histamine. The ET obstruction was characterized by increases in the values of the passive function parameters and an abolition of the ability to equilibrate applied middle ear pressures by muscular activity. ET obstruction was not observed in any ears after challenge with a saline control. The severity of the induced ET obstruction was lessened within 60 minutes after challenge. These data are similar to those reported for intranasal pollen challenges in sensitized rhesus monkeys and human volunteers and suggest that type I allergic reactions at the site of the nasopharyngeal mucosa disrupts the normal functioning of the ET by a mechanism potentially mediated by histamine release.
The Dielectric Constants of Liquid Mixtures of Phenol-Water, Phenol-m-Cresol, Phenol-Aniline, and Phenol-p-Toluidine

The densities, viscosities, and electrical conductivities of solutions in the system phenol-water have been measured over the whole range of miscibility at 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, and 70°C. It has been shown that at each temperature the variation of each of these properties with composition of the mixture is quite continuous and gives no indication of the presence in solution of phenol-hemihydrate. On the contrary, the constants in the equations expressing the variation of each of these properties with temperature, when plotted against the composition, exhibit marked inflexions at the concentration corresponding to equimolecular proportion of the two constituents. This is attributed to inter-ionization of the two substances through the transfer of a hydrogen ion from a molecule of one component to a molecule of the other.
Fiber-derived butyrate and the prevention of colon cancer

Inhibition of the enzyme histone deacetylase by butyrate results in the direct transcriptional upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/Cip1/WAF1. We discuss a small-molecule-mediated signaling pathway to explain the suspected anti-colon-cancer properties of fiber-derived butyrate.
Radioresistance of prostate cancer cells with low proteasome activity.

Background Prostate cancer is frequently treated with radiotherapy. While treatment results are in general excellent, some patients relapse and current systemic therapies are not curative, thus, underlining the need for novel targeted therapies. Proteasome inhibitors have been suggested as promising new agents against solid tumors including prostate cancer but initial results from clinical trials are disappointing.
A distributed constant bit rate Slepian-Wolf based multiple access scheme with nodes having common and correlated information

Practical implementation of video compression for distributed sources is currently an active research area. The distributed compression paradigm based on the Slepian-Wolf model has been proposed for low-complexity video compression algorithms and energy efficient wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we consider a joint source-channel resource allocation for sensor network applications based on the Slepian-Wolf paradigm in fading channel environments. The sensor nodes are modeled as a multiuser uplink channel transmitting correlated information. We study an efficient distributed constant bit rate allocation scheme based on the Slepian-Wolf model operating in a multiaccess wireless channel.
Best Practices for Reliable and Robust Spacecraft Structures

A study was undertaken to capture the best practices for the development of reliable and robust spacecraft structures for NASA s next generation cargo and crewed launch vehicles. In this study, the NASA heritage programs such as Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle program were examined. A series of lessons learned during the NASA and DoD heritage programs are captured. The processes that "make the right structural system" are examined along with the processes to "make the structural system right". The impact of technology advancements in materials and analysis and testing methods on reliability and robustness of spacecraft structures is studied. The best practices and lessons learned are extracted from these studies. Since the first human space flight, the best practices for reliable and robust spacecraft structures appear to be well established, understood, and articulated by each generation of designers and engineers. However, these best practices apparently have not always been followed. When the best practices are ignored or short cuts are taken, risks accumulate, and reliability suffers. Thus program managers need to be vigilant of circumstances and situations that tend to violate best practices. Adherence to the best practices may help develop spacecraft systems with high reliability and robustness against certain anomalies and unforeseen events.
Modeling human gait using a Kalman filter to measure walking distance

In this demo, we present a novel method to estimate joint angles and distance traveled by a human while walking. Understanding the kinematics of the human leg gives the velocities associated with forward human motion. Gyroscopes and accelerometers placed at two limbs provide the required measurement inputs. The inputs are used to estimate the desired state parameters associated with forward motion using a constrained Kalman Filter. Experimental results with walking subjects show that distance walked can be measured with accuracy comparable to state of the art motion tracking systems. The average RMSE is 0.05 meters per stride, which corresponds to 95% accuracy considering average stride length of 1 metre from the experiments.
A simple and efficient high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for etomidate in plasma

The development and validation of an effective and simplified LC assay for the quantitation of etomidate in beagle plasma is described. The methodology employs a rapid and simple protein precipitation procedure in combination with previously reported chromatographic conditions. Using a 0.3 ml aliquot of plasma, the assay is linear in the concentration range of 50 to 5000 ng/ml, with an extraction efficiency between 97 to 104% and accuracy between 98 and 105%.
Energetics of temperature regulation and foraging in a bumblebee, Bombus terricola kirby

Temperature regulation inBombus terricola was investigated in the field in relation to foraging energetics on flowers differing widely in morphology and nectar contents. 1. While foraging for nectar fromAsclepias syriaca mean thoracic temperature (TTh) was relatively independent from ambient thermal conditions, ranging from 35.2 °C in shade at 12 °C, to 37.5 °C in sunshine at 28 °C (Fig. 1). 2. While foraging for pollen fromSolanum dulcamara TTh was also regulated near 36 °C (Fig. 2). 3. In contrast, mean TTh ofB. terricola foraging fromSpiraea latifolia andSolidago canadensis varied nearly directly with ambient thermal conditions (Figs. 4 and 5). 4. Abdominal temperature varied nearly directly with TA regardless of whether or not TTh was stabilized (Figs. 1 and 4). 5. At TA<21 °C in shade many of the nectar foragers onSolidago canadensis andSpiraea latifolia, having a TTh < 29 °C, were incapable of immediate flight. However, the TTh of pollen gatherers at the same TA (Table 1) was higher (p < 0.01), and these bees were always capable of immediate flight. 6. The energetic costs for temperature regulation during foraging at different TA, and the energetic gains that might be derived are discussed (see Figs. 7 and 8) in relation to the geometry of nectar distribution in space, and in relation to nectar abundance.
Calculations of Fuel NO Formation in a Gas Turbine Combustor

PCGC-2, a two-dimensional combustion code for pulverized coal gasification and combustion, and PHOENICS, a general purpose fluid dynamics code, were adapted for use in simulating the conversion of fuel nitrogen to nitric oxide, NO, in a gas turbine combustor using low-Btu fuel. A two-reaction global mechanism was used to describe the oxidation of fuel nitrogen. PCGC-2 is limited to two-dimensional, axisymmetric calculations. Both two- and three-dimensional simulations were made with PHOENICS. A parametric study was conducted to determine the variation of fuel nitrogen conversion with changes in the input variables including the inlet fuel nitrogen concentration and swirl numbers. The fuel nitrogen conversion predicted with both codes is similar to those reported in experimental studies on gaseous fuels. The conversion decreased with increasing fuel nitrogen inputs as shown in experimental data. The fuel conversion predicted in three-dimensional simulations for an industrial gas turbine was slightly higher than those in simplified two-dimensional simulations.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
A putative ABC-transport operon of Mycobacterium smegmatis

We have recently described the mpr gene of Mycobacterium smegmatis whose product confers resistance to mycobacteriophages L5 and D29 when overproduced (Barsom and Hatfull (1996) Mol. Microbiol. 21, 159-170). We have determined the nt sequence of approximately 3.5 kb immediately adjacent to mpr which appears to encode components of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system. Four closely-spaced open reading frames (ORF) were identified although two of these may cooperate to produce an integral membrane component of the transport system via a programmed translational frameshift. Another putative protein is also predicted to be an integral membrane protein, while the third is an ABC-transporter protein. We propose that these three putative proteins form a mycobacterial membrane-bound complex involved in protein-dependent transport. This is the first ABC-transport system to be described in mycobacteria.
Low temperature growth of ultrananocrystalline diamond

Ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films were prepared by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition using argon-rich Ar∕CH4 plasmas at substrate temperatures from ∼400 to 800°C. Different seeding processes were employed to enhance the initial nucleation density for UNCD growth to about 1011sites∕cm2. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure, visible and ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the bonding structure as a function of growth temperature. The results showed that the growth of UNCD films is much less dependent on substrate temperature than for hydrogen-based CH4∕H2 plasmas. UNCD with nearly the same nanoscale structure as those characteristic of high-temperature deposition can be grown at temperatures as low as 400°C with growth rates of about 0.2μm∕hr. The average grain size increased to about 8nm from 3 to 5nm that is characteristic of high-temperature growth, but the relative amounts of sp3 and s...
A novel approach for nonuniform list fusion

List fusion is a critical problem in information retrieval. The approach using uniform weights for list fusion ignores the correctness, importance and individuality of various detectors for a concrete application. In this paper, we propose a nonuniform and rational optimized paradigm for TRECVid list fusion, which is expected to loyally preserve the precision in the outcomes and reach the maximum Average Precision (A.P.). Therefore we exhaustively search for the corresponding parametric set for the best A.P. in the space spanned by the feature vectors. In order to accelerate the fusion procedure of the input score lists, we train our model using the training data set, and apply the learnt parameters to fuse those new vectors. We take the nonuniform rational blending functions into account, the advantage of using this fusion is that the problem of weights selection is converted to the issue of parameters selection in the space related to the nonuniform and rational functions. The high precision and multiple resolution, controllable and stable attributes of rational functions are helpful in parameters selection. Therefore, the space for fusion weights selection becomes large. The correctness of our proposal is compared and verified with the average and linear fusion results.
The Intervening Task Method: Implications for Measuring Mediation

To study mediation, investigators sometimes examine the effect of an independent variable on an unrelated filler task that precedes the focal task. This approach assumes that the same psychological process drives performance on both tasks. The authors tested this assumption in a stereotype threat paradigm by manipulating whether or not the intervening task was described as relevant to the gender-math stereotype. When performance was relevant to the stereotype, females outperformed controls on an intervening Stroop task, but not when it was irrelevant (Experiment 1). In fact, females anticipating taking a math test under threat withdrew effort and performed more poorly on the intervening task when performance was irrelevant (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that different processes may drive performance on irrelevant and relevant intervening tasks. As a result, performance on irrelevant filler tasks may actually tell scholars little about mediating mechanisms.
Iwasawa Theory, projective modules, and modular representations

This paper shows that properties of projective modules over a group ring Zp[∆], where ∆ is a finite Galois group, can be used to study the behavior of certain invariants which occur naturally in Iwasawa theory for an elliptic curve E. Modular representation theory for the group ∆ plays a crucial role in this study. It is necessary to make a certain assumption about the vanishing of a μ-invariant. We then study λ-invariants λE(σ), where σ varies over the absolutely irreducible representations of ∆. We show that there are non-trivial relationships between these invariants under certain hypotheses. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary 11G05, 11R 23 Secondary 20C15, 20C20
NUCLEON DENSITIES IN A DIFFUSE-BOUNDARY INDEPENDENT-PARTICLE MODEL

The approximate wave functioins developed in a previous study are applied to a survey of the proton and nucleon densities. The proton densities in six representative nuclei (each assumed to be spherically symmetrical) are calculated and compared with densities inferred from the systematics of the Stanford electron scattering experiments. Apart from a small systematic discrepancy in radii which may readily be removed by a slight readjustment of potential parameters, the theoretical and experimentally inferred proton densities are in general conformity. The theoretical densities, however, display a fine structure not present in the smoothed densities which have been used in interpreting the electron scattering experiments.The total theoretical nucleon densities also show a similar but less pronounced fine structure. In the six cases studied, it is found that the nuclear potentials extend significantly beyond the total nucleon densities. A discussion of the possible physical significance of the density-potential differences is given.
Induction of a DNA adduct detectable by 32P-postlabeling in the dorsolateral prostate of NBL/Cr rats treated with estradiol-17β and testosterone

Treatment with estradiol-17 beta and testosterone induces epithelial dysplasia and, subsequently, adenocarcinoma in the dorsolateral prostate of NBL rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this carcinogenic effect is mediated by genotoxicity. Analogous to adducts produced by estrogens in the male hamster kidney, a target of estrogen carcinogenicity, induction of DNA adducts detectable by 32P-postlabeling was investigated in the prostate target tissue. NBL rats were treated with separate Silastic tubing implants containing testosterone and estradiol-17 beta. Control animals received empty implants. Animals were killed at 8, 16 and 24 weeks after initiation of treatment, and accessory sex glands were sampled for adduct analysis. DNA of the dorsolateral and ventral prostate and the coagulating gland (= anterior prostate) was isolated and analyzed by nuclease P1-enhancement of the 32P-post-labeling assay. DNA adducts were quantitated by Cerenkov counting. An adduct occurred selectively in DNA of the dorsolateral prostate of rats treated with estradiol plus testosterone for 16 or 24 weeks with relative adduct level values of approximately 10 x 10(9), but not in DNA of the ventral or anterior prostate. The adduct was not present in DNA of prostate tissue of rats treated for 8 weeks or in DNA of control tissues. This adduct was unique with respect to chromatographic location and has not been observed before in any tissue of control or hormone-treated animals. Neither the structure of the treatment-induced adduct nor the mechanism of its formation is known. However, the selective occurrence of this adduct in the tissue of origin of the carcinomas and its appearance coinciding with putative preneoplastic lesions and preceding carcinoma development suggests a causal relation between adduct formation and prostate cancer development in testosterone plus estradiol-17 beta-treated rats.
Should pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation in patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis be abandoned

Background Pancreatectomy or drainage has been advocated for pain due to chronic pancreatitis. Islet cell autotransplantation (IAT) may improve quality of life (QOL); optimal patient selection has not been established. Study Design Outcomes of 100 patients who underwent pancreatectomy with islet isolation between 2005 and 2012 were assessed by etiology (alcoholic pancreatitis [AP] 30%, and nonalcoholic pancreatitis [NAP] 70%). Insulin requirement, Short Form-36, and McGill Pain Questionnaires were assessed. Data were analyzed using SASv9.2. Results Of the 100 patients, isolation was unsuccessful in 9 patients due to fibrosis. Alcoholic pancreatitis was associated with 7 of 9 failed isolations (23% vs 3%, p 0.05). Conclusions After pancreatic resection with planned IAT, AP resulted in failed isolations, lower yields, higher insulin requirements, poor long-term QOL improvement, and no improvement in pain scores compared with NAP. Further studies should define criteria for resection and IAT for patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.
Photodynamic crosslinking of proteins II. Photocrosslinking of a model protein-ribonuclease A

Abstract Illumination of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) in solution in the presence of rose bengal as a photosensitizer resulted in the progressive formation of enzyme dimers, trimers, tetramers and higher oligomers, as measured by gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography. Oxygen was necessary for crosslink formation, and azide inhibition studies indicated that singlet oxygen was involved in the process. Chemical modification of His residues (with diethyl pyrocarbonate) and/or Lys residues (with acetic acid N -hydroxysuccinimide ester) in the enzyme decreased crosslinking, suggesting the participation of these two amino acid residues in the reaction. Met and cystine residues did not appear to be involved. Similar studies have shown that model N -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers containing ϵ-aminocaproic acid side chains terminating in His or Lys residues are photodynamically crosslinked via His-His or His-Lys interactions. Treatment of crosslinked RNase A and its His, Lys and Lys-His derivatives for 5 min at 97°C in a dithiothreitol-sodium dodecyl sulfate mixture efficiently ruptured a major part of the photodynamically formed crosslinks; treatment with the detergent alone had no effect. Similar results were obtained with the crosslinked amino acid-containing HPMA copolymers, suggesting that photodynamic crosslinks involving His-His and His-Lys interaction are chemically the same in RNase A and the copolymer model.
Predisability and gait patterns in older adults.

Presence of performance inconsistency during repeated assessments of gait may reflect underlying subclinical disease, and help shed light on the earliest stages of disablement. We studied inter-session fluctuations on three selected gait measures (velocity, stride length, and stride length variability) during normal pace walking as well as during a cognitively demanding ‘walking while talking’ condition using a repeated measurement burst design (six sessions within a 2-week period) in 71 nondisabled and nondemented community residing older adults, 40 with predisability (does activities of daily living unassisted but with difficulty). Subjects with predisability had slower gait velocity and shorter stride length on both the normal and walking while talking conditions at baseline compared to nondisabled subjects. However, there was no significant pattern of fluctuations across the six sessions on the three selected gait variables comparing the two groups during normal walking as well as on the walking while talking conditions. Our findings support consistency of gait measurements during the earliest stages of disability.
Prediction in the two‐way random‐effect model with heteroskedasticity

In this paper we extend Taub (1979) approach for prediction in the context of the variance components model. The extension obtained is based on the two-way random-effect model with heteroskedasticity. Prediction functions are then obtained in three heteroskedasticity cases (heteroskedasticity on the individual term , heteroskedasticity on the composite term ϵit, and heteroskedasticity on the temporal term ). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.