cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D printed, bio-inspired prototypes and analytical models for structured suture interfaces with geometrically-tuned deformation and failure behavior

Abstract Geometrically structured interfaces in nature possess enhanced, and often surprising, mechanical properties, and provide inspiration for materials design. This paper investigates the mechanics of deformation and failure mechanisms of suture interface designs through analytical models and experiments on 3D printed polymer physical prototypes. Suture waveforms with generalized trapezoidal geometries (trapezoidal, rectangular, anti-trapezoidal, and triangular) are studied and characterized by several important geometric parameters: the presence or absence of a bonded tip region, the tip angle, and the geometry. It is shown that a wide range (in some cases as great as an order of magnitude) in stiffness, strength, and toughness is achievable dependent on tip bonding, tip angle, and geometry. Suture interfaces with a bonded tip region exhibit a higher initial stiffness due to the greater load bearing by the skeletal teeth, a double peak in the stress–strain curve corresponding to the failure of the bonded tip and the failure of the slanted interface region or tooth, respectively, and an additional failure and toughening mechanism due to the failure of the bonded tip. Anti-trapezoidal geometries promote the greatest amplification of properties for suture interfaces with a bonded tip due the large tip interface area. The tip angle and geometry govern the stress distributions in the teeth and the ratio of normal to shear stresses in the interfacial layers, which together determine the failure mechanism of the interface and/or the teeth. Rectangular suture interfaces fail by simple shearing of the interfaces. Trapezoidal and triangular suture interfaces fail by a combination of shear and tensile normal stresses in the interface, leading to plastic deformation, cavitation events, and subsequent stretching of interface ligaments with mostly elastic deformation in the teeth. Anti-trapezoidal suture interfaces with small tip angles have high stress concentrations in the teeth and fail catastrophically by tooth failure, whereas larger tip angles exhibit a shear failure of the interfaces. Therefore, larger tip angles and trapezoidal or triangular geometries promote graceful failure, and smaller tip angles and anti-trapezoidal geometries promote more brittle-like failure. This dependence is reminiscent of biological systems, which exhibit a range of failure behaviors with limited materials and varied geometry. Triangular geometries uniquely exhibit uniform stress distributions in its teeth and promote the greatest amplification of mechanical properties. In both the bonded and unbonded cases, the predictions from the presented analytical models and experimental results on 3D printed prototypes show excellent agreement. This validates the analytical models and allows for the models to be used as a tool for the design of new materials and interfaces with tailored mechanical behavior.
A note on the signatures of the dominant regge trajectories

By the requirements of the unitarity condition and the positive definiteness of the imaginary parts of the forward amplitudes, it has been shown that the dominant Regge trajectories of amplitudes that contribute to forward scattering passing through integer values of angular momenta in the interval 0 ⩽t < 4μ 2, wheret is the square of the momentum transfer and 4μ2 is the square of the mass of the lowest intermediate state in the t-channel, must have definite signatures. This result is derived for amplitudes satisfying the Mandelstam representation.
Amblyopia in childhood eyelid ptosis

Purpose To report the prevalence and causes of amblyopia among children with ptosis diagnosed in a well-defined population over a 40-year period. Design Retrospective, population-based cohort study. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 107 patients younger than 19 years for the prevalence and causes of amblyopia who were diagnosed with childhood ptosis and were residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1965, through December 31, 2004. Results Amblyopia was diagnosed in 16 (14.9%) of the 107 patients with childhood ptosis. Fourteen (14.6%) of 96 patients diagnosed with a congenital form of ptosis demonstrated amblyopia. Twelve (14.8%) of the 81 patients diagnosed with simple congenital ptosis had amblyopia, 7 (8.6%) cases of which solely were the result of eyelid occlusion of the visual axis. The causes of amblyopia in the remaining 5 patients were significant refractive error in 3 patients and strabismus in 2 patients. Conclusions Amblyopia occurred in 1 in 7 children diagnosed with ptosis in this population-based cohort. In approximately half of those with amblyopia, or less than 10% of all patients, the disease solely was the result of eyelid occlusion of the visual axis.
Reported skin cancer screening of US adult workers.

Background Early detection of skin cancer by skin examination may reduce its associated morbidity and mortality, in particular for workers routinely exposed to sun. Objectives We sought to describe the proportion of US workers reporting skin cancer screening examination in a representative sample of the US worker population in the National Health Interview Survey. Methods Report of skin cancer examination in the 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Survey cancer control supplements were examined by a range of variables. Results Lifetime and 12-month reported clinical skin examination prevalence was 15% and 8%, respectively. Workers with elevated occupational exposure to ultraviolet light were less likely to have ever received a skin examination than the average US worker. Logistic regression analysis identified occupational category and age, sex, race, education level, health insurance, and sun-protective behavior as significant independent correlates of skin cancer examination. Limitations A limitation is potential healthy worker effect and underestimation of skin cancer screening with self-reported data. Conclusions Routine examination by primary care physicians frequently does not include a thorough skin examination. Physicians should be even more vigilant with patients at increased risk of excessive occupational sun exposure, as early detection of skin cancer by periodic skin examination decreases morbidity and can improve survival.
Interactions between natural and hatchery chinook salmon parr in a laboratory stream channel

Pre-smolt (fry and parr) hatchery chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha are increasingly being used in supplementation projects to augment natural but diminished salmon populations, but little is known of the behavioral interactions between sympatric hatchery and wild chinook salmon populations and how those interactions may affect success of a supplementation program. We used experiments conducted in a laboratory stream channel to document behavioral interactions that occur when hatchery salmon are stocked to streams containing existing natural chinook salmon juveniles. We found that natural fish aggression was suppressed when hatchery fish were larger than natural fish in the spring and summer, and the aggressiveness of natural fish increased when paired with similar sized hatchery fish during fall. Types of micro-habitat used by natural chinook salmon were mainly affected by hatchery fish during the fall trials when more natural fish were found in open pool areas, and fewer used cobble cover when hatchery fish were present. Observed behavioral shifts by natural chinook salmon parr could increase energy expenditures and exposure to predators when hatchery fish are present, but there were few consistent effects from hatchery salmon on the growth or movement patterns of natural chinook salmon during this study. Relative fish size, increased stream densities, and the behavior of the hatchery salmon appeared to be a major factors influencing observed changes in the behavior of juvenile natural chinook salmon in the stream sections.
Challenges and progress toward quantitative deformation morphometry of gyral anatomy

This paper examines recent work toward quantitative mapping of cross-sectional structural differences in gyral anatomy. Taking the approach of deformation based morphometry, it examines an alternative method of calibrating the spatial filtering used in the statistical analysis of maps of relative tissue volume. This differs fundamentally from many common studies based on voxel morphometry. Rather than applying spatial filtering to simply create a significant statistical effect, filtering can be applied in a way which optimizes the qualitative accuracy of the maps with respect to structures of interest, allowing inferences to be made about the effect of a degenerative disease on the amount of tissue on a given region of anatomy. Results using this approach are included from a recent cross sectional study of semantic dementia.
Development of a highly quantitative, reproducible assay for determination of chicken T cell growth factor biological activity

Abstract This report examines optimal culture conditions necessary for accurate and sensitive quantification of chicken T Cell Growth Factor (TCGF) activity. With this bioassay, TCGF is quantified by measuring its ability to cause proliferation of splenocytes prestimulated with mitogen. Proliferation is quantified by determining the optical density (OD) or “signal” of test samples in microtiter wells by measuring the incorporation of tetrazolium salt by live cells. To optimize assay conditions, systematic evaluation of the effects of cell culture variables was carried out with the constant aim of increasing signal to noise ratio in the assay. Higher signal to noise ratios were found when using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) rather than Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium (RPMI) for basal tissue culture media containing the same supplements. The addition of lipid supplement to the assay system not only increased the proliferation signal, but also decreased the background OD. Incubation temperatures of 41 C rather than 37 C for both the mitogen prestimulation and proliferation phases of the assay also resulted in a higher signal to noise ratio. While incorporating the optimal experimental conditions, a finalized assay procedure employing test sample normalization with an internal assay standard was tested for accuracy. The assay can accurately detect 2 to 15 U/mL of TCGF activity. The within-assay variation ranged from 2 to 13% and the between-assay variation ranged from 11 to 22% depending upon the TCGF preparation being tested. The excellent reproducibility of this assay has facilitated investigations of TCGF production, processing, and purification.
A Distinct Type of Heterochromatin Within Drosophila melanogaster Chromosome 4

Studies of transcriptional gene silencing in Drosophila melanogaster suggest that most of chromosome 4 resembles pericentric heterochromatin. However, some modifiers of position-effect variegation, including chromosome 4 dosage and loss of SU(VAR)3-9, have different effects on silencing in pericentric vs. distal arm chromosome 4 heterochromatin, distinguishing these two heterochromatin types.
ULTRAFILTRATION OF URINE FOR COLLECTION AND BIOLOGICAL ASSAY OF EXCRETED HYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES

THE DEVELOPMENT of a convenient and dependable procedure for bioassay of excreted pituitary hormones has commanded the continued interests of many endocrinologists. The numerous published techniques, and their variations, attest to this fact. Their number indicates, also, that although dependable procedures were evolved some time ago, all of them are laborious enough to stimulate further inquiry. The procedure described here achieves both economy of effort and completeness and accuracy of result, and would, therefore, seem t o fulfill a long sought purpose. Existing methods for concentrating urinary hypophyseal hormones all depend upon precipitation with various reagents (alcohol, tannic acid, tungstic acid, acetone, ammonium sulphate, etc.) and subsequent processing of the precipitate. To insure completeness of recovery and to avoid denaturation of hormone various specialized manipulations (pH adjustment, dialysis, working at cold-room temperatures, etc.) have been employed. The difficulties incident to ...
A region-based fuzzy feature matching approach to content-based image retrieval

This paper proposes a fuzzy logic approach, UFM (unified feature matching), for region-based image retrieval. In our retrieval system, an image is represented by a set of segmented regions, each of which is characterized by a fuzzy feature (fuzzy set) reflecting color, texture, and shape properties. As a result, an image is associated with a family of fuzzy features corresponding to regions. Fuzzy features naturally characterize the gradual transition between regions (blurry boundaries) within an image and incorporate the segmentation-related uncertainties into the retrieval algorithm. The resemblance of two images is then defined as the overall similarity between two families of fuzzy features and quantified by a similarity measure, UFM measure, which integrates properties of all the regions in the images. Compared with similarity measures based on individual regions and on all regions with crisp-valued feature representations, the UFM measure greatly reduces the influence of inaccurate segmentation and provides a very intuitive quantification. The UFM has been implemented as a part of our experimental SIMPLIcity image retrieval system. The performance of the system is illustrated using examples from an image database of about 60,000 general-purpose images.
Preliminary Mechanical Analysis for Novel Woven/Wound Composite Axial-Compressor

This paper introduces an impeller design for a turbo compressor based on a novel composite material winding technology. The main objective is to develop a high performance impeller, which can be economically produced for refrigeration plants using water as a refrigerant (R718) even below 300 kW (100 ton) capacity. Water as a refrigerant can provide a very high coefficient of performance, while it is environmentally inert and hence preferred. The impeller is required to be able to handle large volume flows and also withstand high stresses due to high speed rotation for high compression ratios. Here, an impeller suitable for a counter rotating axial or mixed flow impeller is presented. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) is chosen as the material as it has light weight and also high strength. Finite element modeling is performed in order to check the impeller designs for failure. It is found that the impeller is able to sustain high rotational stresses using CFRP material. The manufacturing process of the impeller consists of winding endless fibers of CRFP on a commercially available winder suitable for CAD/CAM integration. With this design, also the motor and the bearings can be integrated with the impeller. Further, the interweaving of electrical components enables shaftless designs. This in turn allows for implementing conveniently multiple counter rotating impellers in axial and mixed flow configurations. Consequently this promises to considerably reduce overall costs of production of such high-performance impellers that even have an outer shroud as inherent element of the design.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Exact solution to the Zakai equation for certain diffusions

An exact expression for the unnormalized conditional density is derived for certain diffusions with nonlinear drift terms. This corresponds to the exact solution of the Zakai equation for certain nonlinear estimation problems. This represents a generalization of both the Kalman-Bucy filter and the Bene? filter within a unified framework. Moreover, the new filter can handle a large class of nonlinear estimation problems, including diffusions with the generalized Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, that cannot be accommodated by either the Kalman-Bucy filter or the Bene? filter.
Microbial persistence. I. The capacity of tubercle bacilli to survive sterilization in mouse tissues.

A previously reported form of microbial persistence whereby large populations of tubercle bacilli can be made to "vanish" uniformly from the tissues of mice has been shown to occur generally throughout each group of animals subjected to the experimental procedure; it does not reflect the eradication of the bacilli in the majority of animals with their persistence and ultimate revival in only a minority. The one demonstrable alteration of the tubercle bacilli while "vanished" is that they are sterile. Thus, they are undetectable by cell-free culture, tissue culture, and blind animal passage, i.e. by any method based on microbial multiplication. Whether they have also undergone alteration in morphology and persist in some unconventional form cannot be stated. Acid-fast forms similar to tubercle bacilli can be detected in small numbers by intensified microscopic search of tissue homogenates but the relationship of these forms to the sterile bacilli that ultimately revive is unclear. Thus, the persisting tubercle bacilli are more correctly designated as being in a "sterile state" than one of true latency. The uniform induction of the sterile state is a specific phenomenon requiring the participation of both the nicotinamide derivative, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid. Once assumed, this sterile state is relatively stable and the time required for revival of the tubercle bacilli in the spleens in one-half the animals is seven months. This process can be speeded up by the administration of large doses of cortisone in the third or fourth month after sterilization but revival is not significantly affected by the administration of cortisone earlier.
Records Contributing to National Genetic Evaluations by Year, Registration Status, Herd Size, and Region

Lactation records from official DHIA were screened for usability in computing USDA-DHIA genetic evaluations. Counts of usable lactation records by state, registration status, and year were examined. Number of cows enrolled in official record-keeping plans of DHIA was the denominator for calculation of percentage of official DHIA records usable in genetic evaluations for state-years. Percentage of official records usable for genetic evaluations had a small increase from 44% during 1968 to 49% during 1978, had a steep increase through 1988 (65%), and then showed little change during the last 2 yr. Number of usable records of registered cows for genetic evaluations increased from 604,570 during 1968 to 864,630 during 1990, which, nevertheless, represented a decline from 64% of all usable records during 1968 to only 42% during 1990. Effects of year, DHIA region, average herd size, and average percentage of registered cows were important for explaining variation in percentage of records usable for genetic evaluations for state-years. States with large average herd sizes and low percentages of dairy cows that were registered had low percentages of records usable for genetic evaluations. Increased official DHIA participation and improved sire identification increases the percentage of records usable for genetic evaluations and helps facilitate genetic improvement.
Public journalism a reply to critics

This article analyzes and responds to the most significant criticisms of public journalism made by scholars. After discussing public journalism advocates’ alleged failure to define public journalis...
A simultaneous switching noise design algorithm for leadframe packages with or without ground plane

This paper provides design techniques for leadframe packages with or without a ground plane, which enable an accurate estimate of the maximum Simultaneous Switching Noise (SSN) and the required numbers of power and/or ground pins for pre-specified SSN limits early in the design phase. Two heuristic design approaches, namely equal-angle and quarter-plane, are proposed as initial design choices for the lead frame design to meet pre-specified SSN constraint. Effects of the signal conductors in reducing the effective inductance of a leadframe package are quantified. Closed-form equations and SPICE simulation are used to calculate the Simultaneous Switching Noise. A design example for a 28/spl times/28 mm Plastic Quad Flat Package (PQFP) is given to provide guidelines for SSN-constrained design. The design algorithm is integrated into a CAD tool, UASSNS3.0, which is capable of initial SSN design of leadframe packages.
Common Lisp relations: an extension of Lisp for logic programming

The author presents a set of relational constructs that support logic programming in the Common Lisp framework. These constructs support locally defined and first-class relations, an interface between function and relation-calling logical variables as first-class Lisp objects, and the ability to define relations over Common Lisp structures. The relational programming constructs are amenable to standard Prolog compilation techniques, thus making possible high-speed performance. A relation is an executable specification defined in terms of a sequence of clause-expressions. Each clause-expression specifies a list of argument patterns that determine the selection and local bindings of the clause as well as a sequence of goals that must be satisfied for the clause to succeed. Sequences of clause-expressions are used for defining relations and single lambda-expressions are used for defining functions. As an analog to the usual function-calling execution mode of Common Lisp, a relation-calling mechanism is provided. The semantics of passing values between relations and functions is described. >
Reduction by the End Groups of Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone): A New and Versatile Route to the Kinetically Controlled Synthesis of Ag Triangular Nanoplates

Polymers are widely used in the chemical synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals, and their roles are generally documented as steric stabilizers or capping agents. In particular, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) has received special attention because of its high chemical stability, nontoxicity, and excellent solubility in many polar solvents. Although the repeating unit of PVP has been extensively investigated for its coordination capability, the end groups of PVP remain largely unexplored in terms of functionality and reactivity.
Power transmission line parameter estimation and optimal meter placement

This paper puts forth a framework for estimating the transmission line parameters (including series resistance and reactance and shunt susceptance), line temperature and sag employing synchronized phasors obtained by Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) in real time. The estimated temperature and sag can be utilized for dynamic thermal rating for increased power transfer. The proposed algorithms harness the non-linear optimal estimation theory, and are capable of detecting and identifying bad measurement data, minimizing impacts of measurement errors and thus significantly improving the estimation accuracy. In addition, this paper proposes an optimal scheme for placing PMUs in the system such that a minimum number of PMUs need to be installed in order to determine the parameters, temperature and sag of all the concerned transmission lines in a power network.
Different Strategies for Reducing Intestinal Background Radioactivity Associated with Imaging HSV1- tk Expression Using Established Radionucleoside Probes

One limitation of HSV1-tk reporter positron emission tomography (PET) with nucleoside analogues is the high background radioactivity in the intestine. We hypothesized that endogenous expression of thymidine kinase in bacterial flora could phosphorylate and trap such radiotracers, contributing to the high radioactivity levels in the bowel, and therefore explored different strategies to increase fecal elimination of radiotracer. Intestinal radioactivity was assessed by in vivo microPET imaging and ex vivo tissue sampling following intravenous injection of 18F-FEAU, 124I-FIAU, or 18F-FHBG in a germ-free mouse strain. We also explored the use of an osmotic laxative agent and/or a 100% enzymatically hydrolyzed liquid diet. No significant differences in intestinal radioactivity were observed between germ-free and normal mice. 18F-FHBG-derived intestinal radioactivity levels were higher than those of 18F-FEAU and 124I-FIAU; the intestine to blood ratio was more than 20-fold higher for 18F-FHBG than for 18F-FEAU and 124I-FIAU. The combination of Peptamen and Nulytely lowered intestinal radioactivity levels and increased (2.2-fold) the HSV1-tk transduced xenograft to intestine ratio for 18F-FEAU. Intestinal bacteria in germ-free mice do not contribute to the high intestinal levels of radioactivity following injection of radionucleoside analogues. The combination of Peptamen and Nulytely increased radiotracer elimination by increasing bowel motility without inducing dehydration.
Queue pair IP: a hybrid architecture for system area networks

We propose a SAN architecture called Queue Pair IP (QPIP) that combines the interface from industry proposals for low overhead, high bandwidth networks, e.g. Infiniband, with the well established inter-network protocol suite. We evaluate how effectively the queue pair abstraction enables inter-network protocol offload. We develop a prototype QPIP system that implements basic queue pair operations over a subset of TCP, UDP and IPv6 protocols using a programmable network adapter. We assess this prototype, in terms of basic application performance, underlying processing costs, and a network storage application. With modest hardware support, QPIP can perform as well as traditional inter-network protocol implementations at a fraction of the host CPU overhead. With hardware support equivalent to Infiniband, QPIP would achieve similar performance targets.
The effect of zidovudine and 2'3'-dideoxyinosine on human trophoblast in culture.

: Trophoblast from term and first trimester placenta, maintained in culture, were exposed to 20 μmoles/1 zidovudine or 2′3'dideoxyinosine. Several indices of function were measured and compared to control trophoblast in parallel culture. The results from individual placentas were examined by Student's t-test and cumulative results by ANOVA. Neither zidovudine or 2′3'-dideoxyinosine had statistically significant effects on the function of term trophoblast, following a 48 hr exposure to the drug as indicated by hCG secretion, protein synthesis and glucose consumption. In one of five placentas exposed to zidovudine, progesterone secretion was reduced as compared to its control but remained in the high range. Zidovudine had no significant effect on cultured trophoblast isolated from first trimester placenta even after prolonged exposure to the drug for eleven days. Both term and first trimester trophoblast in culture tolerate prolonged exposure to high concentrations of zidovudine or 2′3'-dideoxyinosine. Human trophoblast in culture provides a safe in vitro model for the screening of drugs intended for use during pregnancy.
Selective uptake of cholesteryl esters from low density lipoproteins in vitro and in vivo.

Evidence for the direct uptake ("selective uptake") of cholesteryl esters (CE) from low density lipoproteins (LDL) by perfused luteinized rat ovaries (Azhar, S., A. Cooper, L. Tsai, W. Maffe, and E. Reaven. 1988. J. Lipid Res. 29: 869-882) led to this examination of LDL selective uptake in cultured cells and in rats using LDL doubly labeled with intracellularly trapped tracers of the CE and apoB moieties. Studies in vitro demonstrated LDL selective uptake by human fibroblasts at a low rate relative to LDL particle uptake; the fractional rate of this selective uptake increased with decreasing LDL particle size. Mouse Y1-BS1 adrenal cortical tumor cells also selectively took up LDL CE; on ACTH treatment, LDL selective uptake increased in parallel with high density lipoproteins (HDL) selec- tive uptake, and accounted for the majority of LDL CE uptake. Metabolism of doubly labeled LDL was examined in rats. Adrenal gland and liver selectively took up CE from rat LDL, as did lung and adipose tissue. Selective uptake from human LDL was at a lower fractional rate than from rat LDL, and could not be demonstrated in as many organs. Although selec- tive uptake from LDL by ovaries of adult rats was not signifi- cant, ovaries of immature rats consistently exhibited LDL selective uptake; on treatment of these rats with hormones to produce superovulated, luteinized ovaries, LDL selective uptake increased in the ovaries and nowhere else. Selective uptake was also apparent in liver, where it accounted for 27% of total hepatic uptake of rat LDL CE. 8 These studies indicate a sig- nificant contribution of selective uptake to LDL CE metabolism in rats, suggesting the possibility of a role in other animals as well. -Green, S. R., and R. C. Pittman. Selective uptake of cholesteryl esters from low density lipoproteins in vitro and in vivo. J Lipid Res. 1991. 32: 667-678.
Inverse problems in heterogeneous and fractured media using peridynamics

The following work presents an adjoint-based methodology for solving inverse problems in heterogeneous and fractured media using state-based peridynamics. We show that the inner product involving the peridynamic operators is self-adjoint. The proposed method is illustrated for several numerical examples with constant and spatially varying material parameters as well as in the context of fractures. We also present a framework for obtaining material parameters by integrating digital image correlation (DIC) with inverse analysis. This framework is demonstrated by evaluating the bulk and shear moduli for a sample of nuclear graphite using digital photographs taken during the experiment. The resulting measured values correspond well with other results reported in the literature. Lastly, we show that this framework can be used to determine the load state given observed measurements of a crack opening. Furthermore, this type of analysis has many applications in characterizing subsurface stress-state conditions given fracture patterns in cores of geologic material.
Natural Control over Immune Responses

The immune system, like government, requires a host of checks and balances for normal function. Regulation of immunological responses, including both cell-mediated and humoral activities, involves a complex web of cellular interactions recently described by Jerne (1974) as a “network.” These interactions include a number of stop-and-go signals mediated by various leukocytes and their circulating soluble products. Specificity of these regulatory activities ranges from highly restricted to nonspecific and may or may not include requirements for genetic identity between the regulator and effector mechanisms. Recent efforts have resulted in the characterization of many of these regulatory cells on the basis of membrane antigens or other surface markers (Cantor and Boyse, 1977). An understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these immunoregulatory phenomena is also presently emerging, and numerous investigators are attempting to isolate and biochemically characterize soluble immunoregulatory factors. In this chapter, we shall pay particular regard to role of natural immunological control mechanisms and their dysfunction in the pathogenesis of several disease states in man.
Quantifying exponential growth: Three conceptual shifts in coordinating multiplicative and additive growth

Abstract This article presents the results of a teaching experiment with middle school students who explored exponential growth by reasoning with the quantities height (y) and time (x) as they explored the growth of a plant. Three major conceptual shifts occurred during the course of the teaching experiment: (1) from repeated multiplication to initial coordination of multiplicative growth in y with additive growth in x; (2) from coordinating growth in y with growth in x to coordinated constant ratios (determining the ratio of f(x2) to f(x1) for corresponding intervals of time for (x2 − x1) ≥ 1), and (3) from coordinated constant ratios to within-units coordination for corresponding intervals of time for (x2 − x1)
Depressive Symptomatology in Women and Residential Proximity to High-Voltage Transmission Lines

A number of epidemiologic studies indicate an association between depression and proximity to high-voltage transmission lines. These studies have been criticized, however, for using surrogate measures of electromagnetic fields and unstandardized measures of depression. In an effort to overcome these limitations, the authors administered the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) in 1992 to 152 women in Orange County, California, who lived either adjacent to a transmission line or one block away. The results indicated that the average magnetic field level is 4.86 mG at the front door of homes adjacent to transmission lines and 0.68 mG at the front door of homes one block away. There was no significant difference in CES-D scores between the groups when demographic variables were controlled for. The homogeneity of the study population may limit the generalizability of findings.
Flashes of ultimate reality: Dreams of saints and shrines in a contemporary Pakistani Sufi community

This article explores the use of dreams and dream interpretation by teachers and disciples within a prominent Sufi order in contemporary Pakistan. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and Sufi texts, the analysis describes how Chishti Sabiri Sufis employ dreams as models for Muslim selfhood and sainthood, tools for spiritual development and markers of spiritual attainment.
Justice Stewart Meets the Press

Among the Supreme Court Justices who have articulated distinctive views of free expression, Justice Potter Stewart alone placed particular emphasis on the First Amendment's protection of a free press. Drawing upon the lessons of history, the plain language of the Constitution, the political events of his day, and his own personal experience, Stewart argued that the organized news media should be considered an essential part of the checks-and-balances competition between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. Stewart’s emphasis on the special structural function of the established press placed him at odds with most of his colleagues on the Supreme Court. His thinking is also in tension with recent changes in the news media landscape. With the decline of newspapers and the rise of the blogosphere, the United States faces the prospect of enjoying a great deal of free speech and yet losing its free press, as Stewart understood the term.
Can We Clean This Up? A Brief Journey Through the U.S. Rules for Taxing Business Entities

This article summarizes the 80-plus year history of the U.S. Federal income tax rules for classifying business entities, concluding that they result largely from administrative and/or legislative reactions to specific problems or legislative accommodations to industry lobbying efforts and do not reflect an effort to develop a comprehensive and coherent system for taxing (or not taxing) business income. While this history does not suggest that comprehensive reform is likely, the article proposes some changes that might be considered – specifically, a single tax system for non-publicly traded businesses and rationalizing the treatment of foreign investment in the US, particularly in the case of investments in stocks, securities and real estate.
E-062 Coiling Cost per Volume Analysis and Strategy for Cost Reduction

Introduction/Purpose Aneurysm treatment is a major revenue driver of neurointerventional surgery. The cost of devices used during treatment has a direct effect on the profitability and financial sustainability of a given therapy. For aneurysm coiling procedures, the major component of material costs is the cost of implanted coils. As the healthcare system becomes increasingly cost-sensitive, understanding and controlling costs will prove to be instrumental in maintaining the future health of the specialty while maintaining patient outcomes. Stable coil embolisation and aneurysm occlusion is not well understood, but may relate to packing density - achieving a minimum sum total coil volume. Other approaches include achieving lower porosity ratios at inflow zone of the aneurysm, which may achieve functional occlusion of an aneurysm despite residual internal unfilled volume. This approach is best exemplified by flow diversion devices. Modelling the second approach is currently not feasible, as critical factors remain poorly understood, but modelling a reasonable strategy for minimising procedure material costs to achieve a minimum packing density may help identify methods of reducing coiling costs on a volumetric efficiency basis. To date no analysis has been done to model this relationship. Materials and Methods The price information for 468 different coils used by our institution were obtained by Q-Sight and normalised to the price of the least expensive coil. Coil volumes were lifted from the database of AngioSuite Neuro Edition software. Coils were grouped as frame, finish or fill coils by FKH by tertiary structural elements for framing coils, and size and length for finishing coils. Results Mean normalised coil cost per volume by categories yield 0.22 ± 0.24/mm3 for framing coils, 0.25 ± 0.22/mm3 for fill coils, and 0.99 ± 0.81 for finish coils. Between categories, there was no significant difference (p=0.32) between frame vs fill coils, but an extremely significant difference between both of the former vs finish coils (p Conclusions As a class, finishing coils are approximately 4 times as expensive as their frame and filling counterparts. Upon closer of figure 1 though, as a general trend smaller coils, regardless of frame, fill or finish designation, have a much higher cost per volume. This analysis suggests that the approach when coiling to minimise costs is to always insert the largest volume coil possible. Disclosures C. Wang: None. F. Hui: None.
Bayesian analysis of variance components in a regression model when there is a restriction on the range of a coefficient

In this paper we have considered a linear regression model which contains two random components: an individual effect and a remainder. We have shown how, within a Bayesian framework, to analyze the variance components taking into account a restriction on the range of a coefficient. We have presented an example to illustrate our procedures.
Sensitivity-Based Product Portfolio and Design Integration

In this study we present a novel integration between product portfolio management evaluation criteria and product design decisions involving the design of chemical-based configured consumer products. We consider the variance contribution made by the product’s quality characteristics to the product’s economic performance that is measured via its net present value (NPV). The sensitivity-based time-constrained selection problem (STCSP) is modeled as a static deterministic problem, solved with the objective of mean cost minimization. The STCSP model utilizes a hybrid approach involving the application of Monte Carlo simulation, heuristics, and algorithmic processing to optimize the product design planning process. In this approach product design activities dependencies are modeled as linear inequality constraints. An industry-based case is used to illustrate the proposed approach.
The Use of Immunological Techniques to Detect Cells of Rare Genotype

An increase in the mutation rate in germinal cells may result in an increase in the number of genetically defective persons in the next and future generations, and mutations in somatic cells may be the possible cause of such diseases as cancer(1–3) and of advanced aging.(4) These health effects result in decreased fitness and life-span of and emotional stress on the affected person and in high cost to the society. Mutation monitoring of the human population, therefore, is an important part of the effort to avoid genetic health hazards from pollutants. There are many different types of mutations that we need to monitor in the human population. The two predominant types are (1) gene mutations and (2) chromosome mutations. Many techniques exist today for detecting chromosome aberrations in single cells of a mammal in vivo and in the offspring of exposed parents. In contrast, only a few systems exist for detection of gene mutations in single cells of a mammal in vivo and in the offspring of exposed parents. Since gene mutations are an important part of the genetic burden that humans are carrying, it is important to monitor human populations for gene mutations.
An Exploratory Study of Influences on Vulnerabilities to Family Violence Among Vietnamese Wives Who Marry South Korean Men

This article describes an exploratory study of why Vietnamese women who migrate to marry South Korean men are vulnerable to abuse. Inductive qualitative analysis of data from 22 Vietnamese wives who experienced abuse reveals inconsistencies in their expectations and their Korean husbands’ and in-laws’ expectations about their roles and influence in their Korean families and their provision of assistance to their Vietnamese families. A marriage broker system in both Vietnam and Korea supports these inconsistent expectations. Abuse and control result when Korean husbands and in-laws act to enforce their expectations of the women’s role in the family and to prevent their leaving the home.
We can study ultrarare tumors effectively in this day and age, it just takes a cooperative approach: The role of dasatinib in assorted indolent sarcomas

Dasatinib may be an active agent in assorted indolent sarcomas. The impact of endpoint selection, well‐defined cohorts, and responses (Choi criteria vs Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) are discussed. See also pages 90‐7.
Effects of a Leukemia-Associated Gain-of-Function Mutation of SHP-2 Phosphatase on IL-3 Signaling.

Mutations in SHP-2 phosphatase that cause its hyper-activation have been identified in human leukemias, in particular, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) that is characterized by hypersensitivity of myeloid progenitor cells to granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin (IL)-3. However, the molecular mechanisms by which gain-of-function (GOF) mutations of SHP-2 induce leukemia are not fully understood. Our previous studies have shown that SHP-2 plays an essential role in IL-3 signal transduction in catalytic-dependent and -independent manners and that overexpression (5-to-6 fold) of wild-type (WT) SHP-2 attenuates IL-3-mediated hematopoietic cell function through dephosphorylation of STAT5. This raised the possibility that SHP-2-associated JMML was not solely attributed to the increased catalytic activities of SHP-2 GOF mutants. The SHP-2 mutants must have gained other additional functions. To test this possibility, we investigated effects of a GOF mutation (E76K, the most frequent SHP-2 mutation seen in JMML) of SHP-2 on IL-3 signal transduction in great detail by comparing signaling activities of SHP-2 E76K to WT SHP-2. Our results showed that SHP-2 E76K mutation caused myeloproliferative disease in mice, while overexpression of WT SHP-2 decreased hematopoietic potential of the transduced cells in recipient animals. E76K mutation in the N-terminal Src homology 2 domain significantly increased binding of the mutant SHP-2 to Grb2 and Gab2, two adaptor proteins coupling downstream Erk and PI3 kinase pathways to the proximity of the IL-3 receptor. As a result, IL-3-induced Erk and PI3 kinase pathways were highly activated by SHP-2 E76K mutation. In addition, Jak2 kinase activation was also markedly enhanced and due to the E76K mutation the substrate specificity of SHP-2 toward STAT5 was changed. Dephosphorylation of STAT5 by SHP-2 E76K was alleviated. These studies suggest that in addition to elevated catalytic activity, profound changes in protein-protein interaction capacities of GOF mutant SHP-2 play an important role in the pathogenesis of SHP-2-related leukemias.
Review of Hardware Platforms for Real-Time Simulation of Electric Machines

This paper presents a review of the research status for real-time simulation of electric machines. The machine models considered are the lumped parameter models, including the phase-domain, $d$ – $q$ , and voltage-behind-reactance models, as well as the physics-based models, including the finite-element method and magnetic equivalent circuit models. These models are initially presented along with their relative advantages and disadvantages with respect to modeling fidelity and their computational intensity. A field-programmable gate array, a graphics processing unit, a chip multiprocessor, and computer clusters are the main hardware platforms for real-time simulations. An overview of such hardware platforms is presented and their comparative performances are evaluated with respect to real-time simulation of electric machines and drives on the basis of simulation acceleration, machine types, and modeling methodology.
Reconstruction of a Long-Segment Tracheal Defect using an Alloderm Conduit:

This case describes successful reconstruction of a long-segment tracheal defect using AlloDerm as the conduit for reconstruction. A 38-year-old woman who had undergone a thyroid lobectomy in 2011 presented several months later unable to swallow. Chest computed tomography results revealed a tracheal/esophageal mass and a subsequent bronchoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy results revealed an upper esophageal/tracheal mass with two areas concerning for fistula. She underwent a bronchoscopy with a tracheal stent and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. All biopsies were nondiagnostic for malignancy and the patient recovered well. After a repeat bronchoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy a few months later, she underwent a diagnostic right video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy. To obtain adequate tissue for diagnosis, the fistula was opened, resulting in a large defect in the esophagus and trachea, as portions of the trachea, esophagus, and right recurrent laryngeal nerve liquefied. A 7-cm portion of her esophagus, 8 cm of the posterior trachea, and 5 cm of the right trachea wall were removed. The pathology came back as Hodgkin lymphoma. Because of the size of the esophageal defect, reconstruction was not an option. Therefore, the remainder of the esophagus was resected, the stomach stapled off, and esophageal hiatus closed. The tracheal defect was also too large for patch repair and was reconstructed with a tube of AlloDerm (6 × 10 cm). Four years after reconstruction, the patient is disease free and living a normal life. This case demonstrates successful tracheal reconstruction with AlloDerm.
Racial disparities in breast cancer survival.

6000 Background: Reducing racial disparities in breast cancer survival has been a federal priority since the early 1990’s. We present a new method to assess disparities using sequential multivariate matching. We ask if racial disparities have increased or decreased over time and if so, what were potential reasons for such changes. Methods: We studied all women over 65 years of age in the Medicare fee for service system diagnosed with breast cancer between 1991 and 2005 who were treated in one of 12 SEER sites (the sites in SEER since 1991). There were 5,251 black patients (74% early stage (I-III), 9% late stage (IV) and 17% missing stage) and 72,695 white patients (81% early stage, 5% late stage and 14% missing stage). All black cases represented the focal group for all matches. Using multivariate matching and the propensity score, white controls were matched to blacks in steps: (1) White controls matched to black cases on age and year of diagnosis; (2) Age, year of diagnosis, and stage; (3): Age, year, s...