cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 3-D Model of Cold Drawing in Engineering Thermoplastics

This article presents a 3-D multiplicative finite strain model for cold drawing (necking) in engineering thermoplastics. Amorphous as well as semi-crystalline polymers are considered. The notion of intermediate (local) stress-free configuration, that is associated with the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient, is shown to provide an appropriate framework for the modeling and analysis of this class of materials. A hyperelastic stored energy function is written with respect to the intermediate configuration to yield the finite elastic response. It is then combined with the J 2-flow theory to model the finite inelastic response. The constitutive integration procedure is based on a product formula algorithm with elastic-predictor/inelastic-corrector components. Numerical results are presented to show the behavior of the three dimensional model in the finite strain range.
What Are Devices

Devices are similar to drugs, being articles (instruments, apparatus, implements, contrivances or implants) that are intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent a disease or condition, or articles that affect the structure or function of the body. Devices are regulated by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The difference between drugs and devices is that devices do not achieve their “intended use” through chemical action in or on the body or through being metabolized (Table 2.2). Most doctors have not been taught about this fairly clear distinction between a drug, which acts chemically, and a device, which does not produce its effects chemically. Because there have recently been so many combinations of a drug and a device, for example, coronary artery stents containing drugs which may prevent occlusive new tissue growths, combination categories have been recognized. “Combination Drug” indicates that the primary mechanism-of-action is as a drug, in which case the combination will have to go through the drug approval process and be regulated as a drug. “Combination Device” indicates that the primary action is as a device, with the regulatory pathway being as a device. (Combination Agents Chapter).
DEFINING EMPATHY: THOUGHTS ON COPLAN'S APPROACH

In this paper, I raise three sets of issues inspired by Amy Coplan's paper, “Will the Real Empathy Please Stand Up.” They concern whether we need to distinguish between the three phenomena as Coplan suggests, what method(s) should be used in making those distinctions, and whether they are in fact made correctly.
Gene therapy for the hemoglobin disorders.

The hemoglobin disorders of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease together constitute the most prevalent group of human monogenic diseases. Although curative allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy and palliative therapies have been developed for these disorders, the majority of patients still suffer significant morbidity and early mortality. The development of therapeutic approaches based on genetic manipulation of autologous stem cells therefore remains an attractive alternative. In the past 4 years, significant advances have been made toward this goal using lentiviral vectors to obtain high-level expression of complex globin gene cassettes. Therapeutic correction in murine models of both β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia has been achieved using this approach. These advances, coupled with progress in the ability to achieve in vivo selection of genetically modified cells, can now be evaluated in the well-developed nonhuman primate autologous transplant model. The goal in these studies is to provide preclinical safety and efficacy data prior to human clinical trials in order to maximize the likelihood of success in the context of an acceptable risk to benefit ratio. Here we review progress in each of these areas.
Linear array image analysis for automated detection of human papillomavirus

Persistent infections with carcinogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are a necessary cause for cervical cancer, which is the fifth most deadly cancer for women worldwide. Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV but only a subset will develop cervical cancer. While a negative HPV test indicates a very low risk for cervical cancer, a positive test cannot discriminate between an innocuous transient infection and a prevalent cancer. Additional information such as HPV genotype and HPV viral load is thought to improve the predictive ability of which women will develop cervical cancer. The visual interpretation of hybridization-strip-based HPV genotyping results, however, is heterogeneous and poorly standardized. This has led to work toward the development of a robust automated image analysis package for HPV genotyping strips.
An Evaluation of Food Commercials During Soap Operas

Abstract Seventy-two hours of programming from four networks and three time slots was videotaped for later analysis. All taping was done between January and March of 1998. Timing was done with a stop watch and one person reviewed all the commercials for implicit and explicit messages. Of the 1042 total commercials, 25.9% (270) were for food. Per hour there were 11.3 food commercials and 43.4 total commercials. Mean length of food commercials was 23.1 seconds and non-food commercials was 25.3 seconds. Commercials on CBS and ABC averaged longer man on NBC and FOX. Candy/sweets/gum was the product category advertised most frequently in the Soap Opera time slot (18.5% of food commercials). Supplements ranked second appearing in 10.7% of the food commercials and oils/margarine ranked third at 9.6%. The number one explicit message was a reference to the taste of the product. The number one implicit message during Soap Operas was "family/lads like it", "nutritious/healthy" ranked second, and "gives you energy" ranked third. Television commercials are important in setting eating trends and should be monitored regularly to determine what the public is being told.
Radiologic Spectrum of Craniocervical Distraction Injuries

Injuries to the atlanto-occipital region, which range from complete atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial dislocation to nondisplaced occipital condyle avulsion fractures, are usually of critical clinical importance. At initial cross-table lateral radiography, measurement of the basion-dens and basion-posterior axial line intervals and comparison with normal measurements may help detect injury. Computed tomography (CT) with sagittal and coronal reformatted images permits optimal detection and evaluation of fracture and luxation. CT findings that may suggest atlanto-occipital injury include joint incongruity, focal hematomas, vertebral artery injury, capsular swelling, and, rarely, fractures through cranial nerve canals. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spine with fat-suppressed gradient-echo T2-weighted or short-inversion-time inversion recovery sequences can demonstrate increased signal intensity in the atlantoaxial and atlanto-occipital joints, craniocervical ligaments, prevertebral soft tissues, and spinal cord. Axial gradient-echo MR images may be particularly useful in assessing the integrity of the transverse atlantal ligament. All imaging studies should be conducted with special attention to bone integrity and the possibility of soft-tissue injury. Atlanto-occipital injuries are now recognized as potentially survivable, although commonly with substantial morbidity. Swift diagnosis by the trauma radiologist is crucial for ensuring prompt, effective treatment and preventing delayed neurologic deficits in patients who survive such injuries.
Effect of food on the bioavailability of lisinopril, a nonsulfhydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

A randomized, two-way, crossover study was performed on 18 normal volunteers to assess the influence of food on the bioavailability of lisinopril, (1-[N2-[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-lysyl]-L-proline), a long-acting nonsulfhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. A single, 20-mg oral dose of lisinopril was administered to volunteers in the fasting state or following a standardized breakfast. Treatment periods were separated by 2-week intervals. No significant differences existed between fasting and fed regimens in the mean +/- SD area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC0-120h; 1231 +/- 620 versus 1029 +/- 254 ng X h X ml-1), peak lisinopril serum concentration (86 +/- 48 versus 69 +/- 19 ng/mL), or time to peak lisinopril serum concentration (6.2 +/- 1.1 versus 6.8 +/- 1.0 h). Five-day urinary excretion of lisinopril was not altered by food (5.3 +/- 3.0 versus 5.1 +/- 2.0 mg). Based on the urinary data, the mean +/- SD bioavailability of lisinopril was not different following fasting or fed regimens (27 +/- 15 versus 26 +/- 10%). Unlike with captopril, food did not affect the bioavailability of lisinopril.
Distributed cooperative formal methods tools

This paper describes some tools to support formal methods, and conversely some formal methods for developing such tools. We focus on distributed cooperative proving over the web. Our tools include a proof editor/assistant, servers for remote proof execution, a distributed truth protocol, an editor generator; and a new method for interface design called algebraic semiotics, which combines semiotics with algebraic specification. Some examples are given.
Improved Detection by DNA Amplification of Trichomonas vaginalis in Males

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that is highly prevalent worldwide and has been linked to preterm birth and human immunodeficiency virus acquisition. In females, trichomoniasis causes vaginitis, while in males, it is frequently asymptomatic but can be a cause of urethritis. Control efforts have been hampered by the lack of a sensitive diagnostic technique for this infection in males. Men attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic for a new complaint were screened for Trichomonas vaginalis by culture and by PCR analysis of urine and urethral-swab specimens. The prevalence of Trichomonas determined by culture was 5% (15 of 300 specimens), compared to 17% (52 of 300) determined by PCR. Urine specimens yielded a greater number of positive results by PCR than did urethral-swab specimens. The sensitivity of PCR analysis of urine specimens in comparison to that of culture was 100%. The use of PCR techniques in urine specimen-based detection of T. vaginalis was highly sensitive and revealed a prevalence of infection more than three times that revealed by culture for men at high risk for STDs.
On the importance of surface structure in electrochemistry: the well-defined Au (111) single crystal electrode surface

Donnees sur l'etude par diffraction d'electrons lents de la structure UHV (d'ultravide) de cristaux d'or (111), sur les caracteristiques voltammetriques de cette surface et sur la stabilite de la structure UHV au cyclage anodique. Considerations sur les difficultes d'obtention d'une structure superficielle bien definie sur les cristaux d'Au (111)
RUNX1, a transcription factor mutated in breast cancer, controls the fate of ER-positive mammary luminal cells

RUNX1 encodes a RUNX family transcription factor (TF) and was recently identified as a novel mutated gene in human luminal breast cancers. We found that Runx1 is expressed in all subpopulations of murine mammary epithelial cells (MECs) except the secretory alveolar luminal cells. Conditional knockout of Runx1 in MECs by MMTV-Cre led to a decrease in luminal MECs, largely due to a profound reduction in the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive mature luminal subpopulation, a phenotype that could be rescued by the loss of either Trp53 or Rb1. Mechanistically RUNX1 represses Elf5, a master regulatory TF gene for alveolar cells, and regulates mature luminal TF/co-factor genes (e.g., Foxa1 and Cited1) involved in the ER program. Collectively, our data identified a key regulator of the ER⁺ luminal lineage whose disruption may contribute to the development of ER⁺ luminal breast cancer when under the background of either TP53 or RB1 loss.
Utility of biological monitoring for detection of timber harvest effects on streams and evaluation of Best Management Practices: a review

Abstract Best Management Practice (BMP) guidelines have been developed to reduce the negative impacts of timber harvest on streams. BMPs are widely implemented, but the effectiveness of timber harvest BMPs has not been evaluated using modern biological monitoring techniques. Most current biological monitoring is based on 1 of 2 main approaches: multimetric monitoring or predictive modeling. These approaches differ considerably, and their respective merits and failings have been debated extensively in the literature. Our review evaluated the ability of these biological monitoring approaches to detect timber harvest effects and to assess the effectiveness of BMPs. Both techniques detect impairment via changes in macroinvertebrate community structure, despite their differences in approach. Most of the negative effects of timber harvest result in changes in the macroinvertebrate community, so we have concluded that both techniques should be effective for the evaluation of timber harvest and BMPs.
Reputation-Based Web Service Selection for Composition

The success and acceptance of Web service composition depends on computing solutions comprised of trustworthy services. In this paper, we extend our Web service Composition framework to include selection and ranking of services based on their reputation score. With the increasing popularity of Web-based Social Networks like Linked in, Facebook, and Twitter, there is great potential in determining the reputation score of a particular service provider using Social Network Analysis. We present a technique to calculate a reputation score per service using centrality measure of Social Networks. We use this score to produce composition solutions that consist of services provided by trust-worthy and reputed providers.
A fast and secure phase-multiplexing technique based on random speckles modulation in multimode ferroelectric single crystal fiber for volume holographic storage

In this paper, a new speckle based hologram multiplexing recording technique is proposed and tested. In this method, a multi-mode LiNbO3 single crystal fiber is employed to generate speckle patterns which are used as reference beams in hologram recording process. The speckle pattern generation can be precisely controlled by external E-field. Theoretically, this technique can generate thousands of decorrelated reference beams at given practical constraints. Its storage capacity can be scaled up as material properties are improved, making it well adapted to new material development. A theoretical analysis and numerical simulation of speckle pattern generation are also presented in this paper.
Dynamic Predication of Indirect Jumps

Indirect jumps are used to implement increasingly-common programming language constructs such as virtual function calls, switch-case statements, jump tables, and interface calls. Unfortunately, the prediction accuracy of indirect jumps has remained low because many indirect jumps have multiple targets that are difficult to predict even with specialized hardware. This paper proposes a new way of handling hard-to-predict indirect jumps: dynamically predicating them. The compiler identifies indirect jumps that are suitable for predication along with their control-flow merge (CFM) points. The microarchitecture predicates the instructions between different targets of the jump and its CFM point if the jump turns out to be hard-to-predict at run time. We describe the new indirect jump predication architecture, provide code examples showing why it could reduce the performance impact of jumps, derive an analytical cost-benefit model for deciding which jumps and targets to predicate, and present preliminary evaluation results.
Science, Revolution and Belief in Camilo Torres: A Secular Colombia?

The figure of Camilo Torres (1929-1966), represented in literature like the ‘scientist’ the founder of the first program of sociology in Latin America; Camilo, like the “revolutionary”, guerrilla man of the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN); like the “priest”, decisive figure in the dynamics of the revolutionary ecclesiastical movements of Latin America. This article analyzes the form in which, in agreement with the literature that constructs him like a hero, his experience altered the scientific practices en Colombia, transformed the revolutionary ways of fight, and reshaped the joints between belief and politics.
Living in an Age of Distraction: Multitasking and Simultaneous Media Use and the Implications for Advertisers

This study of 200 college students reveals that a majority engage in concurrent activities, like eating or socializing, while watching television. The analysis found that the vast majority of respondents engage in the simultaneous use of multiple media, for example, surfing the Internet while watching television. The findings on attention to multiple media suggest respondents do not find this easy, and when engaged in simultaneous media use they are not likely to pay close attention to programming or advertising despite the relevance of content or the salience of familiar faces that appear in television commercials.
Viscoelastic Winkler Foundation with Shear Interactions

Concept of Pasternak-foundation, consisting of Winkler-foundation with shear interactions, is extended to case of viscoelastic behavior; formulation for vertical surface displacements due to creep and solutions for several loading cases are worked out; procedure to determine viscosity parameter and visco-compressibility parameter of vertical foundation elements; application of analysis to creep behavior of snow foundations.
Mobilizing Poor Voters: The Microfoundations of Political Clientelism

The logic of perverse incentives implies that candidates are rewarded based on the number of voters they mobilize regardless of the strategies they employ to achieve their goal. Candidates interested in pursuing a political career have to demonstrate their ability to get votes for the party. The more votes a candidate manages to provide for the party, the more likely he or she is to be promoted. The testimony of Mario, a party candidate in Buenos Aires, explains this logic sharply: This is very simple. You are worth as much as the amount of people you can mobilize. You have a prize, a number. Your number is how many people you can carry to a rally and how many votes you can give in an election. I tell you, what you need to do is simple. How you do it, that is strategy. Building on these incentives, existing explanations assume that all candidates capable of using clientelism will do so and thus fail to shed light on cases in which candidates forgo the use of clientelism. This chapter argues that, beyond being capable of using clientelism, candidates also have to prefer using clientelistic strategies. I claim that a party candidate's capacity to turn to clientelistic strategies of mobilization is a necessary but insufficient condition to explain the use of clientelism. Besides having the capacity to employ clientelistic strategies, party candidates have to prefer to build clientelistic linkages with voters. In questioning the central assumption in the literature, this chapter contributes to building the microfoundations of clientelism by advancing a distinction between a candidate's capacity and a candidate's preference to use clientelism. Choosing Clientelism A candidate's decision to use clientelism to mobilize voters will vary according to his or her capacity and preference to use clientelism. A candidate's capacity to use clientelistic strategies of mobilization varies depending on his or her access to resources and the existence of a network of party activists who contribute to distributing those goods to voters who are likely to turn out and support the candidate.
Molecular model for force production and transmission during vertebrate gastrulation

Vertebrate embryos undergo dramatic shape changes at gastrulation that require locally produced and anisotropically applied forces, yet how these forces are produced and transmitted across tissues remains unclear. We show that depletion of myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) levels in the embryo blocks force generation at gastrulation through two distinct mechanisms: destabilizing the myosin II (MII) hexameric complex and inhibiting MII contractility. Molecular dissection of these two mechanisms demonstrates that normal convergence force generation requires MII contractility and we identify a set of molecular phenotypes correlated with both this failure of convergence force generation in explants and of blastopore closure in whole embryos. These include reduced rates of actin movement, alterations in C-cadherin dynamics and a reduction in the number of polarized lamellipodia on intercalating cells. By examining the spatial relationship between C-cadherin and actomyosin we also find evidence for formation of transcellular linear arrays incorporating these proteins that could transmit mediolaterally oriented tensional forces. These data combine to suggest a multistep model to explain how cell intercalation can occur against a force gradient to generate axial extension forces. First, polarized lamellipodia extend mediolaterally and make new C-cadherin-based contacts with neighboring mesodermal cell bodies. Second, lamellipodial flow of actin coalesces into a tension-bearing, MII-contractility-dependent node-and-cable actin network in the cell body cortex. And third, this actomyosin network contracts to generate mediolateral convergence forces in the context of these transcellular arrays.
Online Bellman Residual algorithms with predictive error guarantees

We establish a connection between optimizing the Bellman Residual and worst case long-term predictive error. In the online learning framework, learning takes place over a sequence of trials with the goal of predicting a future discounted sum of rewards. Our analysis shows that, together with a stability assumption, any no-regret online learning algorithm that minimizes Bellman error ensures small prediction error. No statistical assumptions are made on the sequence of observations, which could be non-Markovian or even adversarial. Moreover, the analysis is independent of the particular form of function approximation and the particular (stable) no-regret approach taken. Our approach thus establishes a broad new family of provably sound algorithms for Bellman Residual-based learning and provides a generalization of previous worst-case result for minimizing predictive error. We investigate the potential advantages of some of this family both theoretically and empirically on benchmark problems.
Does breeding ecology alter selection on developmental and life history traits? A case study in two Ambystomatid salamanders

Terrestrial breeding with extended incubation has evolved repeatedly in fishes and amphibians but raises challenges for embryos, which must conserve sufficient yolk to continue development until water is available. One means of avoiding premature yolk consumption is for embryos to slow their development such that yolk is consumed more slowly. However slower development is associated with smaller adult body sizes and lower survivorship, particularly in amphibians occupying ephemeral habitats. The variable breeding strategies of Ambystomatid salamanders provide an excellent system in which to examine whether variation in breeding ecology is associated with divergence in embryonic development. Phylogenies of Ambystoma strongly support aquatic egg-laying and winter breeding as ancestral. Early breeding has evolved in three species and terrestrial breeding in two of the three. We propose that early, terrestrial breeding has altered selection on embryonic development. In particular, we propose that the prolonged incubation typically associated with early, terrestrial breeding has selected for longer development times. We compared embryonic development of the terrestrial breeding Ambystoma opacum (Gravenhorst 1807) with the co-occuring, aquatic breeding Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw 1802) under a range of laboratory conditions over two breeding seasons. We found that A. opacum embryos took longer to develop and hatched at a later stage, consistent with the hypothesis that early, terrestrial breeding favors embryos that extend development.
NADP + -specific isocitrate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli. I. Purification and characterization.

Abstract The NADP + -dependent isocitric dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli E-26 was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and partially characterized. The purification was carried out at room temperature and resulted in a 64% recovery of the enzyme from the crude cellular extract. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 80 000 as determined by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The K m values for threo - d s -isocitrate, NADP + , Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ were 1.56 · 10 −5 , 3.7 · 10 −5 , 1.27 · 10 −4 , and 1.29 · 10 −5 M, respectively. The coenzyme analogs, thionicotinamide-NADP + and 3-acetylpyridine-NADP + , but not selenonicotinamide-NADP + , were able to replace NADP + in the reaction. The enzyme exhibited maximum stability at pH 6 and had a broad pH optimum from 7 to 9.
Collecting Specimens From the Elderly Patient

Collecting specimens from elderly patients presents challenges for phlebotomists and other laboratory professionals. Certain problems appear to be similar to those encountered in other patient groups; others are unique to the elderly. By understanding conditions characteristic of the aging process and understanding potential problems, particularly those associated with preanalytical variables, laboratorians can make the specimen collection process more acceptable to the elderly patient. When specimen collection is properly approached, quality of care, especially in terms of specimen acceptability, can improve. Phlebotomists and other laboratorians, especially those who have direct contact with elderly patients, need specific education and training to achieve goals for improved patient care.
THE APPLICATION STUDY ON URBAN SEWAGE SECONDARY EFFLUENT WITH BOILER COAL CINDERS

Urban sewage secondary effluent is rich in high phosphorus,and hoped to treat further then drainaged standardly.In this study,boiler coal cinders was used to treat urban sewage secondary effluent,and it studied the effect of phosphorus removal on the effluent pH value,the adition amount of boiler coal cinders,the reaction time and the static placing time.The results showed that when the solid-liquid ratio of the adition amount of boiler coal cinders was 8.0 g/L、the reaction time was 50 min、the static placing time was 60 min,urban sewage secondary effluent can meet the level 1critial of Integrated wastewater discharge standard.
Speed and duration of dose titration with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril: relationship with efficacy in patients with moderate hypertension.

Most antihypertensive agents, including ACE inhibitors, are routinely dose titrated upwards every two weeks in both clinical trials and clinical practice to achieve control of systemic pressure. Two separate clinical trials assessing comparative antihypertensive efficacy of quinapril versus other ACE inhibitors (enalapril and captopril) were conducted in a double-blind fashion in patients with moderate to severe hypertension already receiving a diuretic (study I: entry DBP > or = 105 and or = 110 and < or = 130 mmHg while taking 25 mg chlorthalidone). In study I, 88 patients were randomised to receive quinapril (10-40 mg twice daily) which was titrated upwards every one to two weeks as necessary to reduce DBP < or = 90 mmHg (titration period six weeks, followed by an additional six weeks of therapy during which open-labelled beta-blocker therapy could be added for nonresponders). In study II, 84 patients were randomised to receive quinapril (5-20 mg twice daily) which was titrated upwards every four weeks as necessary to reduce DBP < or = 90 mmHg (titration period 16 weeks, followed by a 12-week maintenance period). Both cohorts of patients were demographically slightly dissimilar because there were more females and higher baseline DBP in study II versus study I (60% vs 34%, and 115.0 vs 109.1 mmHg, respectively) and more blacks (26% vs. 0%) and heavier patients (90 kg vs. 73 kg) in study I versus study II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Simulating Gram-Negative Bacterial Outer Membrane: A Coarse Grain Model

The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria contains a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) rich outer membrane that acts as the first line of defense for bacterial cells in adverse physical and chemical environments. The LPS macromolecule has a negatively charged oligosaccharide domain that acts as an ionic brush, limiting the permeability of charged chemical agents through the membrane. Besides the LPS, the outer membrane has radially extending O-antigen polysaccharide chains and β-barrel membrane proteins that make the bacterial membrane physiologically unique compared to phospholipid cell membranes. Elucidating the interplay of these contributing macromolecular components and their role in the integrity of the bacterial outer membrane remains a challenge. To bridge the gap in our current understanding of the Gram-negative bacterial membrane, we have developed a coarse grained force field for outer membrane that is computationally affordable for simulating dynamical process over physiologically relevant time scale...
A phase I pilot study evaluating the beneficial effects of black raspberries in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

// Laura A. Kresty 1 , John J. Fromkes 2 , Wendy L. Frankel 3 , Cynthia D. Hammond 2 , Navindra P. Seeram 4 , Maureen Baird 3 , Gary D. Stoner 1 1 Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA 2 Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA 3 Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA 4 Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA Correspondence to: Laura A. Kresty, email: Lkresty@mcw.edu Keywords: Barrett’s esophagus, black raspberry, esophageal adenocarcinoma, chemoprevention, oxidative stress Received: February 18, 2016 Accepted: May 23, 2016 Published: July 7, 2016 ABSTRACT Black raspberries inhibit a broad range of cancers in preclinical models which has led to clinical evaluations targeting premalignant lesions of the colon, oral cavity and esophagus. A phase I pilot study was conducted in twenty Barrett’s esophagus (BE) patients to investigate the effect of lyophilized black raspberries (LBR) on urinary metabolites and markers of lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and tissue markers of cellular proliferation, detoxification, and inflammation. Surveys, biopsies, blood and urine samples were collected before and after 6 months of LBR treatment (32 or 45 g). LBR significantly reduced urinary excretion of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α, a marker of lipid peroxidation linked to oxidative stress and free radical damage. Urinary levels of the ellagitannin metabolites, urolithin A-glucuronide, urolithin A-sulfate and dimethylellagic acid glucuronide were significantly increased following 12 and 26 weeks of LBR consumption and may prove useful as indicators of compliance in future clinical studies. Immunohistochemical staining of BE biopsies following LBR treatment showed significant increases in mean GST-pi levels, with 55.6% of subjects responding favorably. In summary, LBR significantly decreased urinary lipid peroxidation levels and significantly increased GST-pi, a marker of detoxification, in BE epithelium. Still, LBR may need to be formulated differently, administered at higher concentrations or multiple times a day to increase efficacy.
Materials for Microelectronic Packaging

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Some Important Packaging Material Properties Ceramics in Packaging Polymers in Packaging Metals in Packaging Materials Used in High-density Interconnect Substrates Summary This chapter contains sections titled: References Exercises ]]>
Wind loads on residential scale rooftop photovoltaic panels

Abstract The vast application of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays on residential buildings has increased the importance for reliable and efficient design of racking systems. Adequate design guidelines assure proper function of the system as well as safety implications on the surroundings during extreme wind events. During such events, the distributed pressures on PV panels’ surface can lead to considerable structural damage which can result in partial or total loss of the PV array as well as potential damage to nearby properties. In this study, large-scale models of PV systems installed on residential structures were tested in the Wall of Wind Research Facility. The findings revealed that the critical wind directions that induced the worst maximum and minimum peak force coefficients were depended on roof type and panel tilt angle. Overall, the panel tilt angle was found to be the most critical parameter on the resulting peak pressure coefficients. Finally, the resulting force coefficients from all tested configurations were codified and presented for different effective areas while comparison was made between the outcomes of this study and the results of previous investigations.
Complex childcare experiences and sleep outcomes in young children.

Abstract Objectives Attending center-based childcare has been linked to shorter nighttime sleep in children. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of complexity and transition of childcare arrangements on children's sleep. This study used prospective, nationally representative data to estimate the associations between complex childcare experiences and sleep outcomes during infancy and toddlerhood. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Setting This study used 9-month (n = 3921) and 2.5-year-old (n = 3412) data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The 2-wave longitudinal sample included 3046 children. Intervention Not applicable. Measurements Complex childcare experiences were measured by time spent in center, relative, and nonrelative childcare; use of multiple childcare arrangements; and patterns of childcare use over the 2-wave period. Sleep outcomes included maternal reports of weekday and weekend nighttime sleep duration, difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, and restless sleeping of the child. Results Cross-sectional analysis showed that, in addition to center childcare, hours spent in relative and nonrelative childcare were negatively associated with weekday nighttime sleep duration but not weekend nighttime sleep duration. Multiple childcare arrangements were not associated with worse sleep outcomes. Longitudinal analysis showed that the association between child age and nighttime sleep duration was moderated by patterns of childcare use. Late attenders and children who used childcare for 2 waves but changed configuration had smaller increase of nighttime sleep duration. Conclusions In addition to center childcare, noncenter childcare may be an influential factor for children's nighttime sleep. Longitudinal patterns of childcare use can moderate children's developmental trajectories of nighttime sleep.
Tailored Carbon Anodes Derived from Biomass for Sodium-Ion Storage

Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as an alternative energy storage system for lithium-ion batteries because of the abundance and low cost of sodium. Various carbon-based anode materials have been investigated in order to improve sodium battery performance and cycle life. In this study, because of its abundance and high porosity, pistachio shell was selected as the primary carbon source, and carbonization temperatures ranged from 700 to 1500 °C. Pistachio shell carbonized at 1000 °C resulted in a highly amorphous structure with specific surface area 760.9 m2 g–1 and stable cycle performance (225 mA h g–1 at 10 mA g–1). Our initial results obtained from carbonized pistachio shell suggest that sufficient electrochemical performance may be obtained from biowaste materials, offering new pathways for sustainable electro-mobility and other battery applications.
The Not-So-Little Engine That Can

• The Credential Engine will allow students to locate, learn about, and compare educational offerings. Counselors will have a convenient and reliable means of guiding their clients, and employers w...
Accelerating Therapeutic Development through Innovative Trial Design in Colorectal Cancer

Current trial design is challenged by the advancement of technologies that have enabled deeper understanding of the molecular drivers of colorectal cancer (CRC). The speed of trial testing and the ability to test larger volumes of promising novel agents in the face of smaller populations identified by molecular profiling are challenges posed to clinical studies. Master protocols that utilize umbrella designs are equipped to deal with potential biomarker and matched treatments simultaneously. Although complex in nature, they increase trial efficiency by utilizing shared screening platforms, test multiple treatments together, and simplify regulatory submission and reporting under a common protocol. Emerging technologies such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may help speed up adjuvant trials. These studies have been traditionally slow to complete due to low event rates and the high numbers needed to recruit. ctDNA used as a surrogate for minimal residual disease (MRD) and as an early marker of relapse may help counter some of these factors that deter innovation in this setting. Finally, in the era of precision medicine, surgery should not be forgotten as the only potentially curative option to date in metastatic disease. Five-year overall survival following resection of liver metastasis exceeds what can be achieved with chemotherapy alone in selected cases. Surgical advances have lowered morbidity and allow for greater resection volumes and repeated interventions. Although historically challenging, a well-designed randomized surgical intervention trial would greatly facilitate moving single-institution guidelines reported by case series into wider clinical practice.
Gaussian mixture learning via adaptive hierarchical clustering

Abstract In signal processing, a large number of samples can be generated by a Monte Carlo method and then encoded as a Gaussian mixture model for compactness in computation, storage, and communication. With a large number of samples to learn from, the computational efficiency of Gaussian mixture learning becomes important. In this paper, we propose a new method of Gaussian mixture learning that works both accurately and efficiently for large datasets. The proposed method combines hierarchical clustering with the expectation-maximization algorithm, with hierarchical clustering providing an initial guess for the expectation-maximization algorithm. We also propose adaptive splitting for hierarchical clustering, which enhances the quality of the initial guess and thus improves both the accuracy and efficiency of the combination. We validate the performance of the proposed method in comparison with existing methods through numerical examples of Gaussian mixture learning and its application to distributed particle filtering.
Ionic Processes at Membrane Surfaces: The Role of Electrical Double Layers in Electrically Stimulated Ion Transport

Surface properties differ significantly from bulk properties. At charged membrane (or channel) surfaces the surface concentrations and surface potentials of ions differ from the bulk values, but the combined electrochemical potentials are the same. Any increase in surface concentration is exactly balanced by the decrease in electrical potential, so ions at the surface are in equilibrium with those in the bulk. Since ion transport is driven by electrochemical potentials, it is clear that the driving forces for the ions are the same at the surface as in the bulk solution.
A modular approach to language engineering using XML and inexpensive robots

Language engineering --- the theory and practice of compiler and language processor design, has long been recognized as a core subject in Computer Science curricula. However, due to the scope and depth of the included topics, the limited time constraint, and the lack of suitable target system, educators often find it difficult to engage students and teach language engineering courses effectively. This paper presents a new modular approach to language engineering using XML and inexpensive robots. We teach language engineering in the context of the popular, inexpensive Scribbler robot, and use XML to externalize the compiler intermediate representation. The inexpensive robot device provides an affordable, yet realistic system platform to explore a broad set of compiler topics; the XML-based intermediate representation divides the compiler components into self-contained, independent modules; combined together, these two techniques give instructors a highly flexible and powerful framework to design course materials and teach language engineering subjects. We have designed the Chirp-Scribbler language to program the Scribbler robots. The Chirp-Scribbler compiler consists of lexer, parser, semantic verifier, code generator, and uses XML as shared intermediate representation. Each of the components can be built as a separate module and integrated to create the complete compiler. We describe the design of Chirp-Scribbler language, the XML-based module structure of Chirp-Scribbler compiler, integration with robots and supporting tools, and our teaching practice of using them to teach language translation basics in an undergraduate programming course.
Aqueous Humor Composition in Fuchs' Dystrophy

Several studies have suggested differences in aqueous humor composition in Fuchs' dystrophy, including elevations in fibrinogen-related factors, compared with controls. In the current study, aqueous humor was obtained at surgery from 10 uninflamed eyes with advanced Fuchs' dystrophy and cataracts and 11 control eyes with cataracts alone. Total fibrinogen-related antigen was measured in a masked manner using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). There was no statistically significant difference between the means of the two groups (0.281 ± 0.292 (SD) and 0.176 ± 0.090 mg/ml, respectively). Similarly, there was no difference in ELISA-determined aqueous humor small molecular weight flbrinogen-derived metabolites between the two groups, 623 ± 141 and 550 ± 55 fibrinogen equivalents, respectively. Also, no statistically significant difference was detected between Fuchs' dystrophy and control eyes in aqueous humor ascorbate, glucose, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and pH. Therefore, this study found no evidence of alterations in aqueous humor composition in Fuchs' dystrophy and supports the hypothesis that the disease is a primary disorder of the corneal endothelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 30:449-453,1989 Fuchs' dystrophy is a well-known clinical disease, initially described by Fuchs in 1910.' It is a progressive disorder of the corneal endothelium characterized by a condition termed cornea guttata, in which excrescences of Descemet's membrane, or guttae, occur in the central cornea. A decrease in the number of endothelial cells 2
PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERRUPTION OF THE RENIN SYSTEM AND THE KIDNEY: LESSONS FROM COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacological interruption of the renin system has played a crucial role in our understanding of this system’s contribution to normal physiological processes and in the pathogenesis of disease. Blocking the system pharmacologically is a crucial line of investigation, a function ordinarily played by glandular ablation and hormone replacement. The pharmacological agents, on the other hand, are often plagued by actions which contribute to ambiguity. In the case of the renin system, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have multiple additional actions beyond blocking angiotensin (Ang) II formation, including kinin formation and consequent promotion of nitric oxide and vasodilator prostag-landin release. The development of Ang II antagonists and renin inhibitors has provided pharmacological alternatives and improved information on specificity of action. Although concern has been expressed that the alternatives to ACE inhibition may lack some therapeutic features, it is suspected that blockade at the renin or the Ang II receptor levels will block the system more effectively, and thus may provide a positive alternative. The renin inhibitor is more effective because the interaction of renin with its substrate is a rate-limiting step in the process. The possibility that non-renin—non-ACE dependent Ang II generation contributes to blocking the Ang II receptor is real and will be the subject of substantial investigation in the near future.
Cigarette Smoking Among Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Clinical Phenomenology, Comorbidity, and Genetics

Cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use among children and adolescents is a significant public health concern. The negative consequences of prolonged exposure to such substances are numerous, and include higher prevalence rates of cardiopulmonary dysfunction and certain cancers, and may lead to other forms of drug use. Identifying subgroups of youth who may be at greater risk than others to develop a nicotine habit is an important step forward in preventing smoking initiation, and controlling tobacco use. One such subgroup is children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is because the prevalence of smoking among these youngsters is nearly twice as high as it is among those who are unaffected with ADHD. However, the etiology of this association is not known. It is possible that a constellation of social, behavioral, and biological factors influences this process, resulting in higher prevalence rates. To further our understanding of this problem, we reviewed each of these factors in relationship to smoking and to ADHD. Using the primary care population as a model, we then discuss clinical research methods that may shed additional light on this topic, as well as the strengths and limitations of current smoking prevention and cessation options for ADHD-affected youth who are assessed and treated in medical settings.
Young Men’s Attitudes and Neighborhood Risk Factors for Sexual Harassment Perpetration in the United States

Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem predominantly perpetrated by men. Creating cultural shifts to prevent men’s sexual harassment perpetration requires attention to community as well as individual factors. Study data were collected from a cohort of 768 youth and young adult males ages 10–18 at baseline (2013), with follow-up 3 years later. Multivariable regression was applied to assess the role of neighborhood characteristics, including crime rates, gender equality, and concentrated disadvantage, adjusting for individual sociodemographics and views on traditional gender stereotypes. The self-reported prevalence of sexual harassment perpetration was 8.8%. In neighborhoods characterized by greater concentrated disadvantage, the likelihood of male sexual harassment perpetration was significantly lower than in neighborhoods characterized by greater advantages. Relative neighborhood advantage was associated with sexual harassment perpetration even controlling for the significant positive association between espousing traditional gender stereotypes and perpetration of sexual harassment. The relative rates of neighborhood crime and gender equality did not predict young males’ sexual harassment perpetration. In sum, young men’s perpetration of sexual harassment behaviors is more common in more advantaged communities, underscoring the importance of awareness that, beyond individual attitudes, there is a collective social influence on individual behavior.
An extension of collateral consequences: Impact on the recovery process

With the War on Drugs came a punitive approach to drug use and addiction, which has resulted in a large increase in the prison population, specifically for those who use drugs. The purpose of this ...