cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of stretching—shearing coupling on instability-related delamination growth

Abstract Results are presented from a combined theoretical and experimental investigation into the effect of stretching—shearing coupling on the buckling and growth of near-surface delaminated regions. Honeycomb sandwich laminates with graphite/epoxy face sheets containing preimplanted, through-width delaminations were tested in compression. Two layups were tested. Each layup contained delaminated regions with identical in-plane and flexural moduli; however, one layup exhibited stretching—shearing coupling, whereas the other did not. Delamination buckling was predicted using a cylindrical buckling analysis, and energy release rates and fracture mode ratios were obtained by a crack tip element analysis. Delamination growth was predicted using a linear, mixed-mode delamination growth law. Significantly different delamination buckling and growth strains were predicted for the two layups. Predicted delamination buckling and growth strains correlated well with experimental results.
Validation of Clinical Scores Predicting Severe Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated strongly with adverse patient outcomes. Recently, 3 predictive risk models for RRT have been developed. The aims of our study are to validate the predictive scoring models for patients requiring postoperative RRT and test applicability to the broader spectrum of patients with postoperative severe AKI. Study Design Diagnostic test study. Setting & Participants 12,096 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, from 2000 through 2007. Index Test Cleveland Clinic score, Mehta score, and Simplified Renal Index (SRI) score. Reference Test or Outcome Incidence of postoperative RRT or composite outcome of severe AKI, defined as serum creatinine level >2.0 mg/dL, and a 2-fold increase compared with the preoperative baseline creatinine level or RRT. Results RRT was used in 254 (2.1%) patients, whereas severe AKI was present in 467 (3.9%). Discrimination for the prediction of RRT and severe AKI was good for all scoring models measured using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs): 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84-0.88) for RRT and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.79-0.83) for severe AKI using the Cleveland score, 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.73-0.80) using the Mehta score, and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77-0.82) and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.72-0.77) using the SRI score. The Cleveland score and Mehta score consistently showed significantly better discrimination compared with the SRI score ( P 0.80. The Mehta score is applicable in only a subgroup of patients. Limitations Single-center retrospective cohort study. Conclusions The Cleveland scoring system offers the best discriminative value to predict postoperative RRT and covers most patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It also can be used for prediction of the composite end point of severe AKI, which enables broader application to patients at risk of postoperative kidney dysfunction.
Estimating population size with truncated sampling

Let X1, X2,…,Xn be independent, indentically distributed random variables with density f(x,θ) with respect to a σ-finite measure μ. Let R be a measurable set in the sample space X. The value of X is observable if X ∊ (X−R) and not otherwise. The number J of observable X’s is binomial, N, Q, Q = 1−P(X ∊ R). On the basis of J observations, it is desired to estimate N and θ. Estimators considered are conditional and unconditional maximum likelihood and modified maximum likelihood using a prior weight function to modify the likelihood before maximizing. Asymptotic expansions are developed for the [Ncirc]’s of the form [Ncirc] = N + α√N + β + op(1), where α and β are random variables. All estimators have the same α, which has mean 0, variance σ2 (a function of θ) and is asymptotically normal. Hence all are asymptotically equivalent by the usual limit distributional theory. The β’s differ and Eβ can be considered an “asymptotic bias”. Formulas are developed to compare the asymptotic biases of the various estima...
Synthesis of end-functionalized poly(norbornene)s via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

The synthesis of a variety of poly(norbornene)s (PNB)s bearing acetoxy, hydroxy, and vinyl end groups was accomplished. PNBs with an acetoxy group at one terminus and a vinyl group at the other were prepared using norbornene, ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalyst (PCy3)2Cl2RuCHPh, and allyl acetate as a chain transfer agent (CTA). Employing a more active catalyst, (1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene)(PCy3)Cl2RuCHPh, and 1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene as the CTA afforded telechelic PNBs bearing acetoxy groups at both ends of the polymer chains. Molecular weights were controlled by varying the initial monomer/CTA ratio and were in agreement with their theoretical values. Using a similar procedure, acetoxy end-terminated PNBs were also obtained by degradation of high molecular weight PNB. Removal of the acetoxy groups afforded the corresponding hydroxy-terminated polymers with number-averaged functionalities close to two. Mechanisms are proposed for the formation of the end-functionalized polymers. Cor...
Accurate localization of intracavitary brachytherapy applicators from 3D CT imaging studies.

Purpose: To present an accurate method to identify the positions and orientations of intracavitary (ICT) brachytherapy applicators imaged in 3D CT scans, in support of Monte Carlo photon-transport simulations, enabling accurate dose modeling in the presence of applicator shielding and interapplicator attenuation. Materials and methods: The method consists of finding the transformation that maximizes the coincidence between the known 3D shapes of each applicator component (colpostats and tandem) with the volume defined by contours of the corresponding surface on each CT slice. We use this technique to localize Fletcher–Suit CT-compatible applicators for three cervix cancer patients using post-implant CT examinations (3 mm slice thickness and separation). Dose distributions in 1-to-1 registration with the underlying CTanatomy are derived from 3D Monte Carlo photon-transport simulations incorporating each applicator’s internal geometry (source encapsulation, high-density shields, and applicator body) oriented in relation to the dose matrix according to the measured localization transformations. The precision and accuracy of our localization method are assessed using CT scans, in which the positions and orientations of dense rods and spheres (in a precision-machined phantom) were measured at various orientations relative to the gantry. Results: Using this method, we register 3D Monte Carlodose calculations directly onto post insertion patient CT studies. Using CT studies of a precisely machined phantom, the absolute accuracy of the method was found to be ±0.2 mm in plane, and ±0.3 mm in the axial direction while its precision was ±0.2 mm in plane, and ±0.2 mm axially. Conclusion: We have developed a novel, and accurate technique to localize intracavitary brachytherapy applicators in 3D CTimaging studies, which supports 3D dose planning involving detailed 3D Monte Carlodose calculations, modeling source positions, shielding and interapplicator shielding, accurately.
Recyclable and electrically conducting carbon nanotube composite films.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) composite films possess unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. In particular, some research has shown that CNT–polymer composite films greatly enhance the performance of organic light-emitting diodes. Therefore, CNT composite films have been intensively fabricated and applied. However, recent research has shown that CNTs carry carcinogenic risks in vivo. Therefore, how to collect and treat damaged or trashed CNT composite films are considerable tasks for scientists working in this area. From the viewpoint of environmental protection and saving resources, recycling the CNT composite films is the most efficient way to solve these problems. Here, we employ a benign water-soluble polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), to disperse CNTs and a general spin-coating process to prepare the homogeneous CNT composite films. The prepared CNT composite films exhibit good water-soluble properties and recyclability, i.e. they can be formed and dissolved in water. In addition, the long CNTs and high loading in the PEI matrix facilitates good electric conductivity in these CNT composite films. A significant improvement in the conductivity of the composite films is observed as the concentration of CNTs in the PEI increases, reaching as high as 43.73 S cm−1 when the CNT concentration is equal to 3%.
Theophylline tissue partitioning and volume of distribution in normal and dietary‐induced obese rats

Theophylline tissue distribution was examined in normal and dietary-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats following constant infusion to steady-state. Theophylline distribution was linear among all tissues and uniform throughout body water spaces. The apparent distribution coefficient, Kd,app (tissue: serum concentration) ranged from 0.55 to 0.69 for all lean tissues, but averaged 0.08 in fat. Obese rats had a consistently higher Kd,app in several tissues including muscle, heart, and liver caused by reduced (from 42 to 33 per cent) serum protein binding. Muscle slice uptake of theophylline from buffer was similar in normal and obese animals, confirming serum binding as the factor altering Kd,app. The conceptual and applied bases of calculating and measuring steady-state volume of distribution (VSS) by various methods were explored. The physiological perturbations of theophylline VSS by obesity can be accounted for by alterations in serum binding and expanded lean and fat tissue masses, rather than changes in tissue partitioning.
Algal Culture as a Source of Feed1

The batch and continuous culture methods of marine algae are discussed. Protein content of algae, their production reliability, and effects of several types of additives are presented, and their nutritional potential for mariculture is stressed.
Cyclosporine disposition and long-term renal function in a 500-pound kidney transplant recipient.

Abstract Patient size has been suggested as a risk factor in kidney transplantation. We have followed a recipient of a cadaver kidney who became massively obese (232 kg, 511 lbs) 5 years posttransplantation. He has maintained stable renal function with no rejection episodes and at 5 years has a measured serum creatinine of 2.2 mg/dL, creatinine clearance 42 mL/min, and urinary protein excretion of 320 mg/24h. Both oral and intravenous cyclosporine (Sandimmune) pharmacokinetic studies were done on a steady-state dose of 150 mg, which represents 0.65 mg/kg per dose. The patient exhibited very high bioavailability, F=95%, and an oral elimination T1/2 of over 21 hours. These data confirm that stable cyclosporine delivery in very obese recipients can be sustained by dosing normalized to the ideal body weight and trough level monitoring. (Am J Kidney Dis 1998 Oct;32(4):E4)
Examining resonant inelastic spontaneous scattering of classical Laguerre-Gauss beams from molecules

This paper treats theoretically the spontaneous resonant inelastic scattering of Laguerre-Gauss (LG) beams from the vibrations of complex polyatomic molecules within the semiclassical framework. We develop an interaction Hamiltonian that accounts for the position of the molecule within the excitation beam to derive the effective differential scattering cross section of a classical LG beam from a molecule using the frequency-domain third-order nonlinear optical response function. To gain physical insight, we utilize a model vibronic molecule to study the changes to this scattering process. For specific molecular parameters including vibrational frequency and relative displacement of the involved electronic states, this investigation shows that an incident LG beam asymmetrically enhances one of two participating excitation transitions causing modulation of the interference present in the scattering process. This modulation allows a pathway to coherent control of resonant inelastic scattering from complex, polyatomic molecules. We discuss the possible application of this control to the resonant x-ray inelastic scattering (RIXS) of small polyatomic molecules central to applications ranging from single-molecule electronics to solar energy science.
Changes in coronal and sagittal plane alignment following minimally invasive direct lateral interbody fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease in adults: a radiographic study

Object The lateral transpsoas approach for lumbar interbody fusion is a minimal access technique that has been used by some to treat lumbar degenerative conditions, including degenerative scoliosis. Few studies, however, have analyzed its effect on coronal and sagittal plane correction, and no study has compared changes in segmental, regional, and global coronal and sagittal alignment after this technique. The object of this study was to determine changes in sagittal and coronal plane alignment occurring after direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF). Methods The authors performed a review of the radiographic records of 36 patients with lumbar degenerative disease treated with the DLIF technique. Thirty-five patients underwent supplemental posterior fixation to maintain correction. Preoperative and postoperative standing anteroposterior and lateral lumbar radiographs were obtained in all patients for measurement of segmental and regional coronal and sagittal Cobb angles. Standing anteroposterior and lateral...
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer using prostatic acid phosphatase loaded antigen presenting cells.

Dendritic cells from patients with cancer are deficient in number and functional activity, leading to inadequate tumor immunosurveillance as a result of poor induction of T-cell antitumor responses. Loaded dendritic cell therapy is a vaccination strategy aimed at eliciting tumor antigen-specific, T-cell immune responses. Loaded dendritic cell therapy using prostatic acid phosphatase (APC8015; Provenge®, Dendreon Corp., Seattle, WA) as an immunogen has shown a survival benefit in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer in a randomized phase III trial. This review will summarize the prostate cancer clinical trials using APC8015 and discuss the potential future role of APC8015 in prostate cancer treatment.
The Role of the GluR2 Subunit in AMPA Receptor Function and Synaptic Plasticity

The AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluR2 subunit dictates the critical biophysical properties of the receptor, strongly influences receptor assembly and trafficking, and plays pivotal roles in a number of forms of long-term synaptic plasticity. Most neuronal AMPARs contain this critical subunit; however, in certain restricted neuronal populations and under certain physiological or pathological conditions, AMPARs that lack this subunit are expressed. There is a current surge of interest in such GluR2-lacking Ca2+-permeable AMPARs in how they affect the regulation of synaptic transmission. Here, we bring together recent data highlighting the novel and important roles of GluR2 in synaptic function and plasticity.
Fast pulsars, strange stars; An opportunity in radio astronomy

The world's data on radio pulsars are not expected to represent the underlying pulsar population because of a search bias against detection of short periods, especially below 1 ms. Yet pulsars in increasing numbers with periods right down to this limit have been discovered, suggesting that there may be even shorter ones. If pulsars with periods below 1/2 ms were found, the conclusion that the confined hadronic phase of nucleons and nuclei is only metastable would be almost inescapable. The plausible ground state in that event is the deconfined phase of (3-flavor) strange-quark-matter. From the QCD energy scale this is as likely a ground state as the confined phase. We show that strange matter as the ground state is not ruled out by any known fact, and most especially not by the fact that the universe is in the confined phase.
Moment theory of self-trapped laser beams with nonlinear saturation

Abstract The moment theory of the quasi-optical equation is used to obtain simple analytical expressions for the relation between beam radius and power of stationary self-trapped light beams in passive nonlinear media with saturation of the index of refraction. In addition, the stability of these self-trapped beams is determined.
Separation Control Using Plasma Actuators: Steady Flow in Low Pressure Turbines

A Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma actuator is operated in flow over the suction surface of a Pack-B Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) airfoil at a Reynolds number of 50,000 (based on exit velocity and suction surface length) and inlet free-stream turbulence intensity of 2.5%. Measurements of total pressure using a glass total-pressure tube are taken. Corrections for streamline displacement due to shear and wall effects are made, and comparisons with previous hot-wire measurements are used to validate data. Measurements from previous work have shown that separation control is possible without stream-wise momentum addition, by adding disturbances that cause transition in the separated shear layer. The present results are from measurements taken using a glass dielectric, with a conventional two-electrode geometry, and a new three-electrode geometry. The region of high momentum flow produced due to the presence of the actuator is found to be above the shear layer, and not at the wall. The near-suction-surface total pressure field in the trailing part of the airfoil passage and its wall-normal gradient are used to demonstrate effective prevention of flow separation using the plasma actuator.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Fresh and fresh lean pork are substantial sources of key nutrients when these products are consumed by adults in the United States

Many fresh pork products, in particular, fresh lean pork products, are nutrient-dense sources of protein and several other nutrients. The purpose of this study was to estimate nutritional contributions of fresh and fresh lean pork to adults' diets in the United States. Mean total nutrient intakes by fresh and fresh lean pork consumers on a day of recall were compared with intakes by nonconsumers to test the hypothesis that overall nutrient intakes by consumers were comparable with or better as compared with intakes by nonconsumers. Intakes were assessed using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006. Based on 1 day of dietary intake, 10% of adults consumed fresh pork, and 4% consumed fresh lean pork. Among consumers, fresh and fresh lean pork contributed 16% and 9%, respectively, of total fat and accounted for 23% to 31% of total protein, cholesterol, selenium, and thiamin intake. Fresh and fresh lean pork also accounted for 11% to 19% of total saturated fat, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in the diets of consumers and contributed 21% and 16%, respectively, of total zinc. Diets including fresh or fresh lean pork provided higher energy-adjusted amounts of protein, selenium, thiamin, and vitamin B6 as compared with diets of adults not consuming fresh pork (P b .05) and provided comparable amounts of fat and saturated fat. Consumption of lean cuts of fresh pork is consistent with dietary guidance, and selection of fresh lean pork products by current nonconsumers could increase dietary variety without adversely affecting nutrient intake. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Statistical modeling of the program/erase cycling acceleration of low temperature data retention in floating gate nonvolatile memories

Charge leakage from nonvolatile memory floating gates at temperatures below 200/spl deg/C has been observed by many authors. The leakage, which we refer to as low temperature data retention (LTDR), is activated by program/erase (P/E) cycling of a flash memory array. LTDR can be observed as tailbits in experimental threshold voltage distributions. In this paper, we describe cycling acceleration using experimental data across a wide range of P/E cycles from 10 to 1x10/sup 5/. To account for the random nature of LTDR, we apply a statistical modeling methodology using data from large sample experiments.
An Analysis of Some Commercial PL/I Programs

The source code for 120 production PL/I programs from several General Motors' commercial computing installations has been collected. The programs have been scanned both manually and automatically. Some data from the scanning process are presented and interpreted.
Survey findings on characteristics and health status of clients treated by the federally funded (US) Health Care for the Homeless Programs

For almost two decades, the US Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program has funded clinics across the country for homeless populations. Between October and December 2003, for the first time ever, a nationally representative sample of the almost 200 HCH clinics with a response rate of approximately 71% (the HCH User Visit Survey) was created to examine the health status of its users ( n = 1017). This study employed the HCH User Visit Survey’s cross-sectional data set to evaluate health indicators of individuals using HCH Services with the US population, and compare individuals who reported they routinely used HCH clinics (‘usual’ HCH users) to those who did not (‘non-usual’ users). HCH users had poorer health status than the US population (44.0% versus 12.3%, respectively). Usual HCH users had similar healthcare status compared to non-usual users, but were more likely to be uninsured, non-English speakers, and walking or taking public transportation to their medical appointments. Usual versus non-usual HCH users were also more apt to have slept in cars, buses or on the streets in the week prior to the survey (14.8% versus 4.3%, respectively). This study shows that the HCH clinics are serving homeless individuals who have a variety of complex health and psychosocial needs, and its most frequent users are those who experience the most barriers accessing care.
Network Utility Maximization and Price-Based Distributed Algorithms for Rate-Reliability Tradeoff

The current framework of network utility max- imization for rate allocation and its price-based algorithms assumes that each link provides a fixed-size transmission 'pipe' and each user's utility is a function of transmission rate only. These assumptions break down in many practical systems, where, by adapting the physical layer channel coding or transmission diversity, different tradeoffs between rate and reliability can be achieved. In network utility maximization problems formu- lated in this paper, the utility for each user depends on both transmission rate and signal quality, with an intrinsic tradeoff between the two. Each link may also provide a higher (lower) rate on the transmission 'pipes' by allowing a higher (lower) decoding error probability. Despite non-separability and non- convexity of these optimization problems, we propose new price- based distributed algorithms and prove their convergence to the globally optimal rate-reliability tradeoff under readily-verifiable sufficient conditions. We first consider networks in which the rate-reliability tradeoff is controlled by adapting channel code rates in each link's physical layer error correction codes, and propose two distributed algorithms based on pricing, which respectively implement the 'integrated' and 'differentiated' policies of dynamic rate- reliability adjustment. In contrast to the classical price-based rate control algorithms, in our algorithms each user provides an of- fered price for its own reliability to the network while the network provides congestion prices to users. The proposed algorithms converge to a tradeoff point between rate and reliability, which we prove to be a globally optimal one for channel codes with sufficiently large coding length and utilities whose curvatures are sufficiently negative. Under these conditions, the proposed algorithms can thus generate the Pareto optimal tradeoff curves between rate and reliability for all the users. The distributed algorithms and convergence proofs are extended for wireless MIMO multi-hop networks, in which diversity and multiplexing gains of each link are controlled to achieve the optimal rate- reliability tradeoff.
Understanding glioma invasion: a necessity for effective therapy.

O m a All solid malignancies have a tendency to invade other cells, resulting from a combination of cancer cell motility, loss of contact inhibition, and ability to produce factors that can disintegrate components of the extracellular matrix. For the majority of cancers, this process is the basis of metastatic spread; for gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the equivalent of metastatic spread is diffuse and progressive brain invasion, evidenced by the characteristic intermingling of tumor cells with normal tissue. Scientifically, the majority of discoveries with the subsequent finding of therapeutic targets have been focused on the biology of glioma and tumor cell proliferation. However, greater focus is being redirected to trying to discover how tumor cells move, why they do it, and, most importantly, what can be done to prevent it. An understanding of molecular processes leading to the invasive behavior of glioblastoma and, consequently, any therapies that can derive from this knowledge would likely bring the next quantum leap in the treatment of this tumor.
Care directed by a specialty-trained nurse practioner or physician assistant can overcome clinical inertia in management of inpatient diabetes.

Objective: The study's objective was to determine the impact of care directed by a specialty-trained nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) on use of basal-bolus insulin therapy and glycemic control in a population of noncritically ill patients with diabetes.Methods: A retrospective review of diabetes patients evaluated between July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 was conducted. Patients cotreated by a specialty-trained NP/PA were compared with patients who did not receive such care.Results: In total, 171 patients with 222 hospitalizations were cotreated by an NP/PA and 543 patients with 665 hospitalizations were not. Patients with NP/PA involvement were younger, and had more frequent hyperglycemia, and had greater corticosteroid use than patients without NP/PA involvement (P<.01 for all). Basal-bolus insulin therapy was administered to 80% of patients with NP/PA involvement and 34% of patients without it (P<.01). After adjustment for age, sex, hyperglycemia measures, and corticosteroid use, th...
Distinct cytochrome P450 aromatase isoforms in zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain and ovary are differentially programmed and estrogen regulated during early development.

As a first step toward understanding estrogen’s role in neurodevelopment, a PCR cloning strategy was used to isolate complementary DNAs encoding two distinct cytochrome P450 aromatase isoforms in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain and ovary (termed P450aromB and P450aromA, respectively). Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that the zebrafish P450arom forms are orthologs of previously identified cyp19b and cyp19a genes in goldfish. On Northern blots, a single 4.4-kb transcript of the P450aromB subtype was identified in brain, and a 2.1-kb transcript of the P450aromA subtype in ovary, but RT-PCR showed a degree of overlapping expression. Both messenger RNA (mRNA) forms were detected in unfertilized eggs and 1.5 hpf (cleavage stage) embryos but declined by 12 hpf, indicating maternal transfer. A secondary rise in mRNAs between 12‐24 hpf indicated the onset of embryonic cyp19b and -a transcription. Both mRNA species accumulated progressively to 120 hpf (early larval stage), but the relative magnitude and pattern of change was isoform specific. Estradiol (E2, 1 mM) advanced and amplified the developmentally programmed accumulation of P450aromB mRNA, and ICI164.384 decreased expressed levels, implying blockade of an endogenous estrogen mediated regulatory component. Conversely, E2 had no effect or decreased P450aromA mRNA. The early embryonic expression of P450aromB and P450aromA isoforms, and differences in developmental programming and estrogen regulation, imply independent regulatory mechanisms and unique functions during major morphogenetic and differentiative events. (Endocrinology 142: 740 ‐750, 2001)
Particle oxidation model of synthetic FeS and sediment acid‐volatile sulfide

A model is proposed for the kinetics of the oxidation of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS). It is based on a surface oxidation reaction that erodes the particle surface until the particle disappears. A monodisperse particle size distribution is assumed with a reaction rate that is proportional to the surface area remaining and a dimensional exponent that relates the surface area to the particle volume. The model is fit to time course data from a number of experiments conducted using synthetic FeS at various pHs, oxygen concentrations, and ionic strengths. The reaction rate constants are modeled using a surface complexation model. It is based upon the formation of two activated surface complexes with molecular oxygen, one of which is charged. The complexation model provides a good fit to the variation of the reaction rate constant with respect to O2, pH, temperature, and ionic strength. The dimensional exponent v increases with pH from values characteristic of plates and needles to values reflecting more spherical particles, presumably due to coagulation. However the increase in v with respect to O2 at high concentrations is unexplained.
Sensitive detection of somatic point mutations in impure and heterogeneous cancer samples

The MuTect algorithm for calling somatic point mutations enables subclonal analysis of the whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing data being generated in large-scale cancer genomics projects.
Management of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Before and After Liver Transplantation: An Update

The use of newer and more potent antiviral agents against hepatitis B virus (HBV) results in greater viral suppression; however, liver transplantation is still required for complications of HBV infection. Post-transplant outcomes for HBV-related disorders are currently comparable to or slightly better than for other indications for liver transplantation in adults in the United States. In the absence of prophylactic antiviral therapy, recurrent HBV infection occurs invariably in patients with detectable serum HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the time of transplantation, leading to poorer outcomes with severe graft injury, reduced patient and allograft survival. Therefore, anti-HBV therapy is indicated in all patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA pre-transplantation and prophylactic therapy to prevent recurrent HBV infection is standard-of-care. This review summarizes available evidence for the use of different antiviral agents before liver transplantation, the effectiveness of prophylactic agents in preventing recurrent HBV infection post-liver transplantation, and the efficacy of several regimens for treating recurrent HBV infection post-liver transplantation.
A Theory of Rational Random Behavior

It is shown that, under general conditions, rational random behavior (appropriately defined) is equivalent to large-sample maximum-likelihood estimation of the theoretically optimal decision. Some supporting evidence, based on Dutch and American consumption data, is presented. The approach can also be used as a statistical basis for the delegation of authority.
Comment on Tesfaye et al. Mechanisms and Management of Diabetic Painful Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy. Diabetes Care 2013;36:2456–2465

The excellent discussion by Tesfaye et al. (1) of management of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) pain fails to include mention of any alternatives for the large minority of cases that do not respond to or cannot tolerate available pharmacological interventions. Riazi et al. (2) and others (3) have pointed out that ultrasonographic nerve enlargement is present in these neuropathy cases and might actually be used as a bedside diagnostic tool. Meta-analyses (4,5) have reviewed the favorable response of DSPN patients to nerve decompression (ND) by surgical external neurolysis at the several fibro-osseous tunnel …
Simplified cooling capacity estimation model for top insulated metal ceiling radiant cooling panels

The main thrust of this research was to develop a simplified cooling capacity estimating correlation for a top insulated metal ceiling radiant cooling panel (CRCP). By statistically analyzing the impact of various panel design parameters on the panel cooling capacity, a linear regression equation was derived. A validated analytical CRCP model was used to collect panel performance data for the various combinations of design parameters. In this analysis, it was found that eight single design parameters and eleven two-factor interactions significantly affect the panel cooling capacity. Consequently, a first order linear regression equation, or the simplified CRCP model, was derived as a function of the major single parameters and two-factor interactions. The proposed model returns the cooling capacity of a top insulated CRCP not only for the natural convection condition but also for the mixed convection condition present in mechanically ventilated spaces. The predicted panel cooling capacities for both aluminum and steel panels corresponded well with manufacturer's data and experimental results reported in the literature.
Productivity of parallel production lines with unreliable Machines and material handling

Using parallelism in bufferless production lines can improve productivity, with significant productivity gains achieved with crossover. However, including crossover in the line implies additional material-handling requirements that may reduce the availability of the system. This paper examines if parallel systems with crossover between the stages are more productive than parallel systems without crossover between the stages, when one considers the availability of the additional material handling required for the crossover. The minimum material-handling availability necessary for inclusion of crossover is determined for a given parallel line's configuration such that productivity can be maximized. Note to Practitioners-Two approaches in configuring parallel manufacturing lines are currently being used in industrial plants. These have been characterized as the Japanese approach of parallel independent cells of serial operations, and the European approach of a serial line with each operation being duplicated in parallel. The European approach has a productivity advantage over the Japanese approach when considering machine failures within each operation. However, the European approach requires more material handling which increases the configuration complexity and can reduce productivity. A math model is developed to determine which approach is best for a given line design when line length is defined by process planning and line balancing, and line width is determined by throughput requirements. The analysis is limited to cell configurations that do not use buffers internal to the cell.
'Next-generation' sequencing becomes 'now-generation'

A report on the Advances in Genome Biology & Technology conference, Marco Island, USA, 2-5 February 2011.
Population response to climate change: linear vs. non-linear modeling approaches

Background Research on the ecological consequences of global climate change has elicited a growing interest in the use of time series analysis to investigate population dynamics in a changing climate. Here, we compare linear and non-linear models describing the contribution of climate to the density fluctuations of the population of wolves on Isle Royale, Michigan from 1959 to 1999.
A promising new therapy may assist efforts to combat ICU-acquired weakness

In previous issues of Critical Care and other publications, authors have characterized emerging therapies such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and functional electrical stimulation (FES)-cycling as promising tools to help prevent the onset of ICU-acquired weakness [1-3]. Despite compelling preliminary data, practical challenges with these technologies have limited their use. For example, there are documented limitations in NMES efficacy in patients with obesity and peripheral limb edema [3], and one study demonstrated treatment failures in 50% of patients, even in a non-obese cohort [4]. FES-cycling appears to perform more consistently (80% success) [2], but is associated with relatively long set-up times (15 to 30 minutes for a two-person team [2]) that make widespread use challenging when available resources are limited. Motivated by recently presented research [5], we’ve deployed a newly available variation of NMES, thermal-enhanced muscle stimulation (supplied via the Niveus Medical System 110), in our critical care unit. This technique combines local hypothermia with electrical energy delivery in a manner that was shown to increase effectiveness and improve comfort [5]. While not intended to replace early team-driven mobilization, we hoped that this new method could provide more consistent efficacy than traditional NMES and facilitate our early mobility initiatives without adding significant burden to our staff. Our experience led to several notable findings. Though our results are anecdotal, treated patients have consistently exceeded our expectations with regard to both strength and level of function following extended periods of immobilization. Additionally, we estimate that successful treatments have occurred in greater than 95% of sessions, which is substantially higher than reports of traditional NMES effectiveness in this cohort. To date, meaningful muscle contractions have been documented in patients with a body mass index as high as 42 and in patients with significant edema (for example, in a patient with a 21 kilogram weight gain from admission). With regard to patient comfort, it is common to see alert patients calmly experiencing quadriceps contractions strong enough to elevate heels from the bed bilaterally. Lastly, we found that bedside nursing can set up treatment in less than 5 minutes, minimizing distraction from other aspects of patient care and early rehabilitation. Our experience using thermal-enhanced muscle stimulation has been overwhelmingly positive. We believe this technique is simple to deploy and could be a strong complement to other activities included in the ABCDE bundle. We hope our experiences will be informative to others when developing their own strategies for earlier rehabilitation in critically ill patients.
Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a chemotherapy-resistant disease, and current molecularly targeted therapies offer limited clinical benefit but no cures. The observation that RCC is immunogenic led to immune-based strategies for the treatment of this disease. Immunotherapy with high-dose IL-2 can induce long-term, complete responses in a small percentage of patients. IFN has been used as an immune intervention as well but with much less success than IL-2. Currently IFN is used only in combination with the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody bevacizumab. Further investigation of novel immune interventions in RCC is ongoing with promising results. Dendritic cell vaccines have been tested in single-arm clinical trials suggesting improved survival when added to standard anti-angiogenic therapy. Monoclonal antibodies against PD-1 and PD-L1, novel immune targets, have shown promising response in phase I trials. Peptide vaccines have shown efficacy in phase II trials as well. Phase III trials to test these immune interventions are currently ongoing and have the potential to bring new, effective treatment options for patients with advanced RCC.
Contraceptive Counseling for Adolescents

The majority of adolescents become sexually active during their teenage years, making contraceptive counseling an important aspect of routine adolescent healthcare. However, many healthcare providers express discomfort when it comes to counseling adolescents about contraceptive options. This Special Report highlights the evidence supporting age-appropriate contraceptive counseling for adolescents and focuses on best practices for addressing adolescents’ questions and concerns about contraceptive methods.
A 13-Month-Old With Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis With Features of Renal Malakoplakia:

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is an uncommon chronic inflammatory renal disorder caused by chronic infection with gram-negative bacteria leading to destruction of the renal parenchyma and replacement with foamy lipid-laden macrophages. Renal malakoplakia is another rare form of chronic inflammatory granulomatous disease in the kidney associated with infection usually occurring in adults with immunocompromised status or debilitating disease. It is hallmarked by the finding of foamy histiocytes with distinctive basophilic inclusions (Michaelis-Gutmann bodies). We present a case of a 13-month-old male with history of congenital hydronephrosis who presented with clinical and radiologic findings suggestive of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. However, further pathologic studies revealed the presence of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, which are pathognomonic for renal malakoplakia. With this case we hope to bring further evidence to support that these two conditions are not mutually exclusive but rather represent two pathologic processes on the same disease spectrum.
Hume’s Politics: Coordination and Crisis inthe History of England

David Hume achieved two distinctions as a writer and thinker. He was a preeminent philosopher of his time and also an accomplished historian. His History of England from the Invasion of Julius Caes...
An Irregular and Unusual Formation of Mycelial Mats by Ceratocystis Fagacearum

Ceratocystis fagacearum (Bretz) Hunt produces a unique specialized structure called a mycelial mat (2, 3, 4). Apparently this is the only species of the genus, in fact of all the fungi, which produces it. The so-called "mycelial mat or felt" of the decay fungi is only vegetative in nature, and is quite different in composition and function, as well as position. The structure as found in C. fagacearum consists of a central, black, furrowed, gelatinous sclerotium-like pad or cushion, surrounded by a stromatic or mycelial growth (FIG. 1). The central, furrowed pad is considerably thicker than the mycelial portion of the mat. In addition, the mat, in all reported observations (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13), develops as one mat on the outer surface of the wood, and one exactly similar mat on the inner surface of the bark as a mirror image structure (FIGS. 1, 2). As the pad develops it exerts considerable pressure on the bark, causing a bulge and forming a moist chamber which is excellent for the development of the sporulating mycelial portion. The continued growth of the pad eventually ruptures the bark. The mycelial portion bears endoconidia in large numbers. Since the mat produces an odor similar to fermenting apples, insects are attracted after the crack has formed. In this fashion, the structure functions as a mechanism not only for the liberation of spores, but also as a method of diploidization (7), since the endoconidia can function as sex cells, inducing ascospore formation. According to all previous reports endoconidia and perithecia have been found only in the mycelial portion of the mat. The hyphae in this portion form a plectenchyma of narrow
Stage Difference Coordination Characteristic Analysis for Substation DC System Protection

Combined with configuration design of typical 500 kV substation DC system protection in Hebei south grid,the short-circuit current at different stages of DC system were calculated,and the select principle of configuration ratings were given.According to calculation result of short-circuit current and configuration of DC breaker,the stage difference coordination charac-teristic were studied for 500 kV Substation DC system protection.At last,the problems of substation DC system breaker protec-tion configuration in a substation were summarized,and the rationalization transformation proposals were given.
Dense Volume-to-Volume Vascular Boundary Detection

In this work, we tackle the important problem of dense 3D volume labeling in medical imaging. We start by introducing HED-3D, a 3D extension of the state-of-the-art 2D edge detector (HED). Next, we develop a novel 3D-Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture, I2I-3D, that predicts boundary location in volumetric data. Our fine-to-fine, deeply supervised framework addresses three critical issues to 3D boundary detection: (1) efficient, holistic, end-to-end volumetric label training and prediction (2) precise voxel-level prediction to capture fine scale structures prevalent in medical data and (3) directed multi-scale, multi-level feature learning. We evaluate our approaches on a dataset consisting of 93 medical image volumes with a wide variety of anatomical regions and vascular structures. We show that our deep learning approaches out-perform the current state-of-the-art in 3D vascular boundary detection (structured forests 3D), by a large margin, as well as HED applied to slices. Prediction takes about one minute on a typical \(512\,\times \,512\,\times \,512\) volume, when using GPU.
Thermal Wave Imaging for Materials Characterization

Novel techniques for materials characterization and nondestructive evaluation are being continually developed to meet the requirements of examining an ever-increasing range of new materials, A wide range of physical properties and processes are exploited in the current measurement technologies and it is often necessary to match the characterization technique to the materials problem at hand. A very recent addition to the repertoire of materials characterization techniques is thermal wave imaging. This field encompasses a wide range of techniques for exciting and detecting periodic temperature fields or “thermal waves” in solids. The physical probe for this materials characterization technique is heat and thermal wave imaging thus provides information about local variations in sample thermal properties such as the thermal conductivity and the heat capacity. Thermal wave imaging is a developing technique and although the contrast mechanisms can be identified in simple situations, understanding the contrast in thermal wave images for complicated sample geometries and detection schemes is very involved (1). It is readily apparent that many topics of interest in materials science lend themselves well to characterization on the basis of variations in the sample’s thermal properties. The examples considered in this paper consider interfaces and show that the measurement of variations in the interruption of heat flow across these interfaces provides an effective means for characterizing the structure of the interface.
Lack of hepcidin ameliorates anemia and improves growth in an adenine-induced mouse model of chronic kidney disease

Growth delay is common in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), often associated with poor quality of life. The role of anemia in uremic growth delay is poorly understood. Here we describe an...
A New Doctrine of Eternity

The relationship between God and time has formed the epicenter of our entire discussion. Since God changes, there is some sense in which he is temporal. It follows from this that God is in time. God really changes, as opposed to mere relational change, because of his real relations with the world. Remember principle (D2) from chapter one? It states that, (D2) Necessarily, if a change occurs then a duration occurs.