cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gaussian beam modeling of the radius of curvature

A Gaussian model of the radius measurement of micro-optics has been developed and tested using simulations. The model is based on the propagation distances in the interferometer, a heretofore uninvestigated effect. The goal of the model is to determine the bias error in the radius due to the Gaussian Beam propagation model. After testing the model with varying conditions, we have concluded the following: the measured part is smaller than the input, the cat's eye and confocal positions have approximately the same error, radius error increases with smaller test parts, decreasing the numerical aperture increases the errors, and the propagation distances do not affect the radius. The outline of the experimental plan to be used to verify the results is given.
CURRENTS ALGEBRA AND MODELS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES

Abstract A new sum rule expressing the β-decay axial vector renormalization constant g A in terms of circularly polarized photon scattering cross sections by polarized nucleons has been derived on basis of an equal-time commutation relation between spatially integrated electrical currents. Based upon this sum rule, it is possible in principle to check validities of various models of elementary particles. Also, it has been pointed out that models assuming fundamental boson fields may be experimentally ruled out.
Conformal invariance and torsion in general relativity

We study a theory for gravity in which the linear connections are assumed to be arbitrary, except that they are restricted to satisfy the metric condition ∇μgλν=0. A scalar field is added to the theory, and a conformally invariant action integral, linear in the curvature tensor, is defined. The linear connections emerging from the variational principle contain torsion that is related to a propagating spin-1 vector field, identified as the electromagnetic gauge potential. We obtain a set of conformally invariant equations for the metric field, and conclude that Einstein's equations arise from a particular choice of gauge. Finally, spin-1/2 fields are introduced by means of the vierbein formalism, and the qualitative features of the theory are maintained.
NONDISCRIMINATION AND THE WTO AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS

Most-favored-nation treatment, i.e., nondiscrimination among trading partners, is a fundamental principle of the GATT/WTO system. The WTO Agreement on Safeguards has thus been seen as encouraging use of a preferred form of contingent protection relative to antidumping and other inherently discriminatory measures. In practice, however, safeguard protection may also incorporate discriminatory elements. This paper focuses on three ways that policies conforming to the Agreement on Safeguards may nonetheless discriminate explicitly or implicitly among trading partners. First, the form of the safeguard policy matters: quantitative restrictions discriminate among foreign suppliers by preserving historical market shares more than a safeguard implemented as a tariff. Second, safeguard measures discriminate against faster-growing exporters and new entrants in import markets. Third, formal exemptions for partners in preferential trade agreements and for small developing-country suppliers allow these countries to gain market share at the expense of non-exempted exporters. We provide evidence of these discriminatory effects in actual cases of safeguard protection.
Chromosomal variation in certain populations of Peromyscus boylii and its systematic implications.

The karyotype of Peromyscus boylii attwateri is contrasted with that of P. b. boylii, P. b. rowleyi , and P. b. utahensis . The latter three taxa have identical karyotypes. Chromosomal and morphological evidence indicate that attwateri is specifically separated from the boylii-rowleyi-utahensis assemblage. Limited samples from Mexican populations of P. boylii imply that current taxonomic alignments in this species require reevaluation. The karyotype of Peromyscus difficilis comanche is described and it appears to be identical to that of Peromyscus truei truei and unlike those of northern populations of P. difficilis .
Compact quasi-monoenergetic photon sources from laser-plasma accelerators for nuclear detection and characterization ☆

Abstract Near-monoenergetic photon sources at MeV energies offer improved sensitivity at greatly reduced dose for active interrogation, and new capabilities in treaty verification, nondestructive assay of spent nuclear fuel and emergency response. Thomson (also referred to as Compton) scattering sources are an established method to produce appropriate photon beams. Applications are however restricted by the size of the required high-energy electron linac, scattering (photon production) system, and shielding for disposal of the high energy electron beam. Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) produce GeV electron beams in centimeters, using the plasma wave driven by the radiation pressure of an intense laser. Recent LPA experiments are presented which have greatly improved beam quality and efficiency, rendering them appropriate for compact high-quality photon sources based on Thomson scattering. Designs for MeV photon sources utilizing the unique properties of LPAs are presented. It is shown that control of the scattering laser, including plasma guiding, can increase photon production efficiency. This reduces scattering laser size and/or electron beam current requirements to scale compatible with the LPA. Lastly, the plasma structure can decelerate the electron beam after photon production, reducing the size of shielding required for beam disposal. Together, these techniques provide a path to a compact photon source system.
Orbital Floor Fractures: A Retrospective Review of 45 Cases at a Tertiary Health Care Center

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate treatment options for orbital floor fractures at a Level 1 Trauma Center in Southern California. A review of 45 cases of isolated orbital floor fractures treated at the University of California at Irvine between February 2004 and April 2007 was done. Patients were retrospectively analyzed for gender, age, mechanism of injury, associated facial injuries, presenting symptoms, method of treatment, and postoperative complications. Thirty-six male patients and nine female patients were treated. Motor vehicle collision (26/45) was the most common cause of injury, and the mean age of the patients was 35.5 years (range: 15–81 years). Ecchymosis surrounding the orbital tissue was the most common presentation (38/45). Diplopia was present in 8 of 45 patients, with 1 patient requiring urgent decompression for retrobulbar hematoma. Forty-three patients underwent surgical repair; 40 underwent transconjunctival approach with lateral canthotomy; 17 underwent reconstruction with porous polyethylene Medpor (Porex Surgical, Inc., College Park, GA.); and 26 underwent reconstruction with a titanium mesh plate. Immediate postoperative complications included 12 patients with infraorbital numbness, 3 with diplopia, 1 with cellulitis, and 1 with ectropion with a subcilliary approach. Average timing of surgery of our study was 4.94 days (range, 1–20 days). Orbital floor fracture management has changed significantly over the past few decades with the introduction of new internal fixation methods and new materials for reconstructing orbital floor defects. Recommendations for surgical intervention on orbital floor fractures mostly depend on clinical examination and imaging studies. Consequences of inadequate repair of orbital floor fractures can lead to significant facial asymmetry and visual problems. Both porous polyethylene and titanium plates are effective tools for reconstructing the orbital floor. Our review demonstrates that orbital floor fractures can be repaired safely with minimal postoperative complications and confirms that transconjunctival approach to orbital floor is an effective way for exposure and prevention of ectropion that can be seen with other techniques.
Stability of adversarial queues via fluid models

The subject of this paper is stability properties of adversarial queueing networks. Such queueing systems are used to model packet switch communication networks, in which packets are generated and routed dynamically, and have become a subject of research focus recently. Adversarial queueing networks are defined to be stable, if the number of packets stays bounded over time. A central question is determining which adversarial queueing networks are stable, when an arbitrary greedy packet routing policy is implemented. In this paper we show how stability of a queueing network can be determined by considering an associated fluid models. Our main result is that the stability of the fluid model implies the stability of an underlying adversarial queueing network. This opens an opportunity for analyzing stability of adversarial networks, using established stability methods from continuous time processes, for example, the method of Lyapunov function or trajectory decomposition. We demonstrate the use of these methods on several examples.
Effects of Riboflavin Repletion during Different Developmental Phases on Behavioral Patterns, Brain Nucleic Acid and Protein Contents, and Erythrocyte Glutathione Reductase Activity of Male Rats

Effects of riboflavin repletion of rats at various stages of development were evaluated by biochemical and behavioral parameters. One group of dams received diets containing a suboptimal level of riboflavin, approximately 15 mug, and another group, control, received approximately 40 mug of the vitamin daily 2 weeks before mating. Rats fed the control diet received approximately 120 mug riboflavin daily during pregnancy and lactation; suboptimals received approximately 15 mug daily. Some rats fed the control diet were pair-fed to rats fed the suboptimal ration. A group of dams fed the suboptimal diet was switched to control after parturition. At weaning, male offspring were fed the same riboflavin levels their respective dams received before mating except one group, whose dams were fed the suboptimal diet, received the control diet. Male progeny of dams pair-fed the control diet to suboptimal rats were either pair-fed to offspring of suboptimal dams or to offspring riboflavin-repleted at weaning. Rats that always received the suboptimal diet had significantly higher general activity scores at 60 days of age than the scores of other animals. Brains from rats always fed the suboptimal diet and those receiving riboflavin repletion at weaning had lower, sometimes significantly, DNA, RNA, and protein contents than those from other animals. Riboflavin restriction during gestation and lactation, but not gestation alone, appeared to produce permanent alterations in general activity scores and brain nucleic acid and protein contents of male rat progeny.
Reliability issues in GaAs-based devices for space applications

This work describes some of the effects of high humidity and temperature tests undertaken with the 2.5 THz GaAs monolithic membrane-diode mixers (fabricated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Some preliminary results and device characterization performed on GaAs CHFETS under consideration for an upcoming mission's power system will also be presented.
USING MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR EVIDENCE TO INFER SPECIES BOUNDARIES WITHIN PROCTOPORUS BOLIVIANUS WERNER (SQUAMATA: GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE)

Proctoporus bolivianus is a gymnophthalmid lizard species that occurs at high elevations in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru and Bolivia. Extensive morphological variation in populations collected in the Department of Cusco, Peru, suggested the presence of cryptic species. To assess this possibility, we reconstructed morphological and molecular phylogenies of 13 populations of this species and also used a character-based approach to examine the morphology in more detail. We found P. bolivianus to be composed of three distinct lineages that are separated by substantial genetic distances. We erect two new species to contain unnamed lineages within the P. bolivianus complex. These three species are found within a small geographic area and are likely differentiated because of historical geographic barriers in the extreme landscape of the central Andes.
Rapid onset of fulminant myocarditis portends a favourable prognosis and the ability to bridge mechanical circulatory support to recovery

OBJECTIVES: Fulminant myocarditis with cardiogenic shock is fatal without mechanical circulatory support. Once haemodynamic stability has been established with a ventricular assist device (VAD), the decision to wait for myocardial recovery as opposed to listing for an orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) can be difficult. We have undertaken this study to establish the criteria for determining the need for heart transplantation following VAD implant for fulminant myocarditis. METHODS: A total of 442 VADs were implanted between 1993 and 2011. Twenty-four VADs were implanted for fulminant myocarditis with refractory cardiogenic shock. We retrospectively analysed the variables and the pathology for this cohort. Patients who had a full recovery of myocardial function and subsequent VAD explant (Explant) were compared with those bridged to OHT. There was one acute death. RESULTS: There was no difference in the past medical history between the groups. Explant patients had a more acute onset of heart failure with a median of 7 days between the onset of symptoms and VAD implant, when compared with 22 days for OHT (P= 0.01). A rapid recovery in myocardial function was seen in the Explant group, with recovery of myocardial function (ejection fraction = 53 ± 24%) in 14 ± 7 days. Myocardial function was sustained for 5 years following the VAD explant. The female gender favoured myocardial recovery and VAD explantability. Two patients had giant cell myocarditis, neither of whom had a recovery of function, and they were bridged to heart transplant with a VAD. CONCLUSIONS: Fulminant myocarditis is a fatal condition without mechanical support. The rapid onset of symptoms is associated with a complete recovery of myocardial function and VAD explant. The absence of rapid recovery of myocardial function should prompt listing for a heart transplant.
Elevated antibody to D-alanyl lipoteichoic acid indicates caries experience associated with fluoride and gingival health.

Acidogenic, acid-tolerant bacteria induce dental caries and require D-alanyl glycerol lipoteichoic acid (D-alanyl LTA) on their cell surface. Because fluoride inhibits acid-mediated enamel demineralization, an elevated antibody response to D-alanyl LTA may indicate subjects with more acidogenic bacteria and, therefore, an association of DMFT with fluoride exposure and gingival health not apparent in low responders. Cluster analysis was used to identify low antibody content. Within low and high responders (control and test subjects), the number of teeth that were decayed missing and filled (DMFT), or decayed only (DT) were regressed against fluoride exposure in the water supply and from dentrifice use. The latter was determined from gingival health: prevalences of plaque (PL) and bleeding on probing (BOP), and mean pocket depth (PD). Age was measured as a possible confounding cofactor. In 35 high responders, DMFT associated with length of exposure to fluoridated water (F score), PL and BOP (R2 = 0.51, p < 0.001), whereas in 67 low D-ala-IgG responders, DMFT associated with PL, age, and PD (R2 = 0.26, p < 0.001). BOP correlated strongly with number of 7 7 decayed teeth (DT) in 54 high responders (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001), but poorly in 97 low responders (R2 = 0.12, p < 0.001). The strength of the PD association with DMFT, or of BOP with DT, in high responders significantly differed from that in low responders (p < 0.05). Caries associates with gingival health and fluoridated water exposure in high D-alanyl LTA antibody responders.
The boundary layer induced by a convected two-dimensional vortex

The response of a wall boundary layer to the motion of a convected vortex is investigated. The principal cases considered are for a rectilinear filament of strength –κ located a distance a above a plane wall and convected to the right in a uniform flow of speed U∞*. The inviscid solution predicts that such a vortex will remain at constant height a above the wall and be convected with constant speed αU∞*. Here α is termed the fractional convection rate of the vortex, and cases in the parameter range 0 [les ] α < 1 are considered. The motion is initiated at time t* = 0 and numerical calculations of the developing boundary-layer flow are carried out for α = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.55, 0.7, 0.75 and 0.8. For α < 0.75, a rapid lift-up of the boundary-layer streamlines and strong boundary-layer growth occurs in the region behind the vortex; in addition an unusual separation phenomenon is observed for α [les ] 0.55. For α [ges ] 0.75, the boundary-layer development is more gradual, but ultimately substantial localized boundary-layer growth also occurs. In all cases, it is argued that a strong inviscid–viscous interaction will take place in the form of an eruption of the boundary-layer flow. The generalization of these results to two-dimensional vortices with cores of finite dimension is discussed.
Lung cancer among workers in chromium chemical production.

Background An elevated risk of lung cancer among workers in chromate production facilities has previously been reported. This excess risk is believed to be the result of exposure to hexavalent chromium. There have been mixed reports about whether trivalent chromium exposure is also associated with an excess lung cancer risk. Previous studies of measured hexavalent chromium exposure and lung cancer risk have not examined cigarette smoking as a risk factor. Methods A cohort of 2,357 workers first employed between 1950 and 1974 at a chromate production plant was identified. Vital status of the workers was followed until December 31, 1992. Work histories of cohort members were compiled from the beginning of employment through 1985, the year the plant closed. Annual average exposure estimates, based on historical exposure measurements, were made for each job title in the plant for the years 1950‐1985. These exposure estimates were used to calculate the cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure of each member of the study population. Following closure of the plant, settled dust samples were collected and analyzed for hexavalent and trivalent chromium. The trivalent/hexavalent concentration ratios in each plant area were combined with historic air-sampling data to estimate cumulative trivalent chromium exposure for each individual in the study cohort. Smoking status (yes/ no) as of the beginning of employment and clinical signs of potential chromium irritation were identified from company records. Results Cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure showed a strong dose‐response relationship for lung cancer. Clinical signs of irritation, cumulative trivalent chromium exposure, and duration of work were not found to be associated with a risk of lung cancer when included in a proportional hazards model with cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure and smoking. Age-specific data on cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure, observed and expected numbers of lung cancer cases, and person-years of observation are provided. Conclusion Cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure was associated with an increased lung cancer risk; cumulative trivalent chromium exposure was not. The excess risk of lung cancer associated with cumulative hexavalent chromium exposure was not confounded by smoking status. The current study offers the best quantitative evidence
A rapid laboratory method for developing contact prints of stained polyacrylamide gels

A rapid laboratory method for processing quality color prints of high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels has been developed to obtain photographs for data storage or for the presentation of results in poster formats. This method involves the contact printing of a gel directly onto the film so that the final print will be an exact duplication of the size and color of the gel. A variety of papers or films can be used to produce color prints or transparencies. This method has been adapted for use with a color or with a black and white photographic enlarger.
Direct Ex Vivo Kinetic and Phenotypic Analyses of CD8+ T-Cell Responses Induced by DNA Immunization

CD8 + T-cell responses can be induced by DNA immunization, but little is known about the kinetics of these responses in vivo in the absence of restimulation or how soon protective immunity is conferred by a DNA vaccine. It is also unclear if CD8 + T cells primed by DNA vaccines express the vigorous effector functions characteristic of cells primed by natural infection or by immunization with a recombinant live virus vaccine. To address these issues, we have used the sensitive technique of intracellular cytokine staining to carry out direct ex vivo kinetic and phenotypic analyses of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells present in the spleens of mice at various times after (i) a single intramuscular administration of a plasmid expressing the nucleoprotein (NP) gene from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), (ii) infection by a recombinant vaccinia virus carrying the same protein (vvNP), or (iii) LCMV infection. In addition, we have evaluated the rapidity with which protective immunity against both lethal and sublethal LCMV infections is achieved following DNA vaccination. The CD8 + T-cell response in DNA-vaccinated mice was slightly delayed compared to LCMV or vvNP vaccinees, peaking at 15 days postimmunization. Interestingly, the percentage of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells present in the spleen at day 15 and later time points was similar to that observed following vvNP infection. T cells primed by DNA vaccination or by infection exhibited similar cytokine expression profiles and had similar avidities for an immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope peptide, implying that the responses induced by DNA vaccination differ quantitatively but not qualitatively from those induced by live virus infection. Surprisingly, protection from both lethal and sublethal LCMV infections was conferred within 1 week of DNA vaccination, well before the peak of the CD8 + T-cell response.
Fontan Operation After 3 Decades What We Have Learned

The Fontan operation was designed to provide blood flow in series to the pulmonary and systemic circulation without the requirement for a right ventricular pumping chamber. The operation allows systemic venous blood to flow directly into the pulmonary circulation on the basis of a single ventricular impetus through the arteries, capillaries, and systemic venous system. This arrangement has improved life expectancy for patients with single-ventricle and pulmonary-outflow obstruction compared with previous arterial shunts. The long-term effects of marked single-ventricle preload and inefficient oxygenation via an arterial shunt rarely allowed survival beyond the second or third decade of life. Remarkably, the Fontan operation has become the most common procedure performed for congenital heart disease after the age of 2 years. Over the past 3 decades, the early and intermediate prognoses for patients who have undergone this operation have been improving as a result of useful refinements in the surgical procedure that have been introduced since Fontan’s original direct right atrium–to–pulmonary artery (RA-PA) connection. Furthermore, the indications for the operation have broadened considerably compared with the relatively few patients thought to be eligible in the late 1970s and 1980s. Article p 85 The ultimate test of any surgical procedure is the long-term status of the postoperative patients. The article by Khairy and associates1 in this issue of Circulation provides insight into the survival of the earliest generation of Fontan patients and allows assessment of the impact of management and surgical variations that have evolved over the past 3 decades on mortality. However, the young adults reported in this study represent the survivors of the early operations and may not reflect the eventual status of today’s infants and children who undergo the modern procedure. Beyond mortality, it is important to evaluate potential risk factors as they relate to the functional status and …
Rapid growth in surgeons' use of secure messaging in a patient portal.

Use of secure messaging through patient portals has risen substantially in recent years due to provider incentives and consumer demand. Secure messaging may increase patient satisfaction and improve outcomes, but also adds to physician workload. Most prior studies of secure messaging focused on primary care and medical specialties. We examined surgeons’ use of secure messaging and the contribution of messaging to outpatient interactions in a broadly deployed patient portal. We determined the number of clinic visits and secure messages for surgical providers in the first 3 years (2008–2010) after patient portal deployment at an academic medical center. We calculated the proportion of outpatient interaction conducted through messaging for each specialty. Logistic regression models compared the likelihood of message-based versus clinic outpatient interaction across surgical specialties. Over the study period, surgical providers delivered care in 648,200 clinic visits and received 83,912 messages, with more than 200 % growth in monthly message volume. Surgical specialties receiving the most messages were orthopedics/podiatry (25.1 %), otolaryngology (20.1 %), urology (10.8 %), and general surgery (9.6 %); vascular surgery (0.8 %) and pediatric general surgery (0.2 %) received the fewest. The proportion of outpatient interactions conducted through secure messaging increased significantly from 5.4 % in 2008 to 15.3 % in 2010 (p < 0.001) with all specialties experiencing growth. Heart/lung transplantation (74.9 %), liver/kidney/pancreas transplantation (69.5 %), and general surgery (48.7 %) had the highest proportion of message-based outpatient interaction by the end of the study. This study demonstrates rapid adoption of online secure messaging across surgical specialties with significant growth in its use for outpatient interaction. Some specialties, particularly those with long-term follow-up, interacted with patients more through secure messaging than in person. As surgeons devote more time to secure messaging, additional research will be needed to understand the care delivered through online interactions and to develop models for reimbursement.
Yield of double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel strictures.

Abstract Background Small bowel strictures are common in gastroenterology practice. We report diagnostic and therapeutic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy for small bowel strictures. Methods Retrospective study of 71 consecutive patients who were found to have small bowel stricture at the time of double-balloon enteroscopy. Results During double-balloon enteroscopy, stricture identification and tissue sampling were possible in all 71 cases. Surgical pathology reported aetiology as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (32%), non-specific (21%), Crohn's disease (21%), radiation-induced (9%), tumour (10%), anastomotic (4%), celiac disease (1%), and surgical adhesions (1%). Sixteen patients (23%) underwent balloon dilation. Sensitivity of abdominal computed-tomography and video-capsule endoscopy for strictures based on double balloon enteroscopy findings was 61% and 43%, respectively. Conclusion Double-balloon enteroscopy was safe and effective to access small bowel stricture with direct visualization and tissue sampling or for therapeutic balloon dilation. Given low sensitivity with conventional computed-tomography and/or video-capsule endoscopy for small bowel stricture, double-balloon enteroscopy can be considered if clinical suspicion is high.
Fostering Resilience in the Face of an Uncertain Future: Using Scenario Planning to Communicate Climate Change Risks and Collaboratively Develop Adaptation Strategies

Communicating about climate change is a serious challenge. There is an urgent need to develop effective processes at the local level to engage, inform, and support decision-makers in their efforts to plan for the impacts of climate change. This is particularly urgent in Alaska, where the impacts of climate change are already being felt. The Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning (SNAP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has spent the past 7 years facilitating the use of scenarios for climate change planning. In this case study highlighting SNAP’s collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS), we explore how the scenario planning process can be applied to support effective communication of climate risks. The scenario planning process is a promising approach for engaging diverse individuals in a dialogue that promotes a new way of thinking about uncertainty while facilitating the coproduction of knowledge.
Characterizing Electrical Output of Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules by Altering Reflective Materials

Bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules offer potentially enhanced power output over conventional modules due to their reported ability to harvest reflected radiation, increasing output up to an additional 30%. However, this enhancement has yet to be confirmed in the literature. This paper reports on a study comparing the power output of two nominally identical 700 W photovoltaic arrays utilizing equivalent system components and data logging equipment with varying configurations of reflecting geometries and materials. This study was undertaken at the Appalachian State University Solar Research Laboratory in Boone, NC, which houses two Class 1 pyranometers and pyrheliometer. PV power was reported under well-quantified irradiance conditions, including direct beam fraction. Six trials over six months (November-April) with varying reflective materials and geometries revealed that different reflecting materials did not significantly change power output. Mounting an array at 0˚ did adversely affect power output compared to the array at a 36° angle relative to horizontal using the same reflective material. Additional studies with varied materials, panel locations and geometries different from those tested may improve the power output.
Early cannulation graft: Acuseal

AimTo review the published literature on the early cannulation graft, Acuseal.Methods235 reported cases have been published and reviewed. These cases are both prospective and retrospective, from ei...
Abstract 4433: RB mediates TGF-β effects on growth inhibition and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly malignancy that arises from precursor lesions, termed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). PDAC's aggressiveness derives from its advanced stage when patients present clinically, the high frequency of driver mutations (KRAS, INK4A, TP53 and SMAD4) and the heterogeneous distribution of low frequency driver mutations. To study the potential role of RB in PDAC pathobiology, we generated a novel mouse model with pancreatic RB deletion and oncogenic Kras expression (Rb/K mice). These mice rapidly developed highly proliferative PanIN that progress to PDAC with high frequency, underscoring RB's tumor suppressive role in the pancreas. RB deletion alone, however, did not alter pancreatic histology. Previously, we have demonstrated that Smad7-induced loss of TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition is due to functional inactivation of RB. To further examine RB's role in TGF-β action, we established pancreatic cancer cell lines from the Rb/K model. These cells were resistant to TGF-β1-mediated growth inhibition, whereas growth of murine cell lines that retained RB was markedly inhibited. RB loss also abolished TGF-β-induced cell invasion, but did not alter Smad-dependent TGF-β1 signaling since TGF-β1 induced Smad2 phosphorylation, Smad3/4 nuclear translocation, and transactivation of TGF-β1-dependent reporters. By contrast, RB loss did not affect TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Array analysis revealed marked alterations in the gene expression profile of Rb/K cells. These data suggest that RB loss contributes to the dysregulation of TGF-β actions in PDAC and suggest that delineation of these perturbations may yield novel therapeutic approaches in this malignancy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4433. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4433
Population Dynamics of the Western Jumping Mouse (Zapus Princeps) During a Four-Year Study

A live-trapping study of the western jumping mouse ( Zapus princeps ) was conducted in a willow-sedge bog adjacent to a montane stream in the Laramie Mountain Range of southeastern Wyoming from August 1965 through June 1969. Population densities were quite stable during the 4 years and varied from a high of 1.8 mice per acre in August 1967 to a low of 0.9 mouse per acre in June 1966. Insufficient energy stores appeared to be a major source of juvenile mortality during the long period of winter hibernation, with an average of 55.6 per cent of young not being taken in traps the following spring. the over-winter loss of adults was much lower, averaging only 16.5 per cent. Summer disappearance rates for adults and young adults were nearly identical, averaging 27.3 and 30.0 per cent, respectively. Some jumping mice exhibited remarkable longevity for small rodents, surviving as long as 4 years. the estimated mean life span of 28 jumping mice was 16.5 months. the average home range length of 32 adults was 572 feet, with males averaging 691 feet and females 510 feet. Home ranges of most jumping mice tended to be extremely elongate and to parallel a stream that crossed the study area. the seasonal, cyclic weight changes of the species were of considerable magnitude. At least 10 other species of small mammals were associated with Zapus on the study plot.
Components of a Proper Warm-up For Active Adolescents: A Literature Review

Background: Through a previous project my goal was to research and understand cultural identity. Through that project I found I wanted to help as many people as I can and it became a goal to research the adolescent age group. Body: The purpose of this project was to review existing literature and come to a conclusion about proper warm-up components and techniques in adolescent sports and physical activity that help to lower the chance of injuries. The leading cause of injury in adolescents is sports, so the focus is to help decrease the amount of injuries in adolescent sports. Methods: Articles used in this review include those with both females and males participating in diverse sports, recreational and intermediate level sports, as well as physical education class level of activity. Results and Conclusion: A structured dynamic warm-up led by an adult is the most beneficial warm-up for preventing adolescent injuries. The warm-up should consist of stretching, strengthening, balance, sport-specific agility, and landing techniques. This will prepare the body for the specific sport or exercise. The literature on this topic is a good foundation but much more research focused on gender differences and different level of competition still needs to be completed. COMPONENTS OF A PROPER WARM-UP FOR ACTIVE ADOLESCENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW 3
The Choice of Thread Cutter When Milling Machining

Thread milling is an advanced processing technology,which is a CNC machining tool using the method of processing thread.It can improve production efficiency and ensure the quality of the thread machining.Thread milling is a new technology that can reduce the cost of tools and is an effect way for replacing thread cutting and thread squeezing.The types of thread cutter were discussed,the main designing and processing problems were studied,and the machining parameter of thread milling was calculated.
Luminal angiotensin II stimulates rat medullary thick ascending limb chloride transport in the presence of basolateral norepinephrine

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is secreted by the proximal tubule resulting in a luminal concentration that is 100- to 1,000-fold greater than that in the blood. Luminal ANG II has been shown to stimulate sodium transport in the proximal tubule and distal nephron. Surprisingly, luminal ANG II inhibits NaCl transport in the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL), a nephron segment responsible for a significant amount of NaCl absorption from the glomerular ultrafiltrate. We confirmed that addition of 10(-8) M ANG II to the lumen inhibited mTAL chloride transport (220 ± 19 to 165 ± 25 pmol·mm(-1)·min(-1), P < 0.01) and examined whether an interaction with basolateral norepinephrine existed to simulate the in vivo condition of an innervated tubule. We found that in the presence of a 10(-6) M norepinephrine bath, luminal ANG II stimulated mTAL chloride transport from 298 ± 18 to 364 ± 42 pmol·mm(-1)·min(-1) (P < 0.05). Stimulation of chloride transport by luminal ANG II was also observed with 10(-3) M bath dibutyryl cAMP in the bathing solution and bath isoproterenol. A bath of 10(-5) H-89 blocked the stimulation of chloride transport by norepinephrine and prevented the effect of luminal ANG II to either stimulate or inhibit chloride transport. Bath phentolamine, an α-adrenergic agonist, also prevented the decrease in mTAL chloride transport by luminal ANG II. Thus luminal ANG II increases chloride transport with basolateral norepinephrine; an effect likely mediated by stimulation of cAMP. Alpha-1 adrenergic stimulation prevents the inhibition of chloride transport by luminal ANG II.
Brief cytochalasin-induced disruption of microfilaments during a critical interval in 1-cell C. elegans embryos alters the partitioning of developmental instructions to the 2-cell embryo

We are investigating the involvement of the microfilament cytoskeleton in the development of early Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. We previously reported that several cytoplasmic movements in the zygote require that the microfilament cytoskeleton remain intact during a narrow time interval approximately three-quarters of the way through the first cell cycle. In this study, we analyze the developmental consequences of brief, cytochalasin D-induced microfilament disruption during the 1-cell stage. Our results indicate that during the first cell cycle microfilaments are important only during the critical time interval for the 2-cell embryo to undergo the correct pattern of subsequent divisions and to initiate the differentiation of at least 4 tissue types. Disruption of microfilaments during the critical interval results in aberrant division and P-granule segregation patterns, generating some embryos that we classify as 'reverse polarity', 'anterior duplication', and 'posterior duplication' embryos. These altered patterns suggest that microfilament disruption during the critical interval leads to the incorrect distribution of developmental instructions responsible for early pattern formation. The strict correlation between unequal division, unequal germ-granule partitioning, and the generation of daughter cells with different cell cycle periods observed in these embryos suggests that the three processes are coupled. We hypothesize that (1) an 'asymmetry determinant', normally located at the posterior end of the zygote, governs asymmetric cell division, germ-granule segregation, and the segregation of cell cycle timing elements during the first cell cycle, and (2) the integrity or placement of this asymmetry determinant is sensitive to microfilament disruption during the critical time interval.
The Application of the Wave Superheater in Nuclear Rocket Systems

The wave superheater is a machine which uses shock waves to generate very hot gas. The use of such a machine in conjunction with a nuclear reactor for rocket propulsion is examined theoretically. It was found that: 1) the simplest cycle, in which the same gas is first used to generate the shock wave and is then heated by a shock wave, does not appear practical; 2) a cycle in which a gas which can be condensed and reused, generates the shock wave, increases the specific impulse, but it is questionable whether the increase is large enough to compensate for the additional complexity and weight; and 3) the wave superheater may be a suitable method for utilizing the very hot gas from a gaseous fission reactor without losing a large amount of unreacted uranium.
Improving Factor Score Estimation Through the Use of Observed Background Characteristics

A challenge facing nearly all studies in the psychological sciences is how to best combine multiple items into a valid and reliable score to be used in subsequent modelling. The most ubiquitous method is to compute a mean of items, but more contemporary approaches use various forms of latent score estimation. Regardless of approach, outside of large-scale testing applications, scoring models rarely include background characteristics to improve score quality. The current paper used a Monte Carlo simulation design to study score quality for different psychometric models that did and did not include covariates across levels of sample size, number of items, and degree of measurement invariance. The inclusion of covariates improved score quality for nearly all design factors, and in no case did the covariates degrade score quality relative to not considering the influences at all. Results suggest that the inclusion of observed covariates can improve factor score estimation.
Competition Policy in the Internet-Based Industries: Do We Need to Reboot the Debate?

This paper exposes the limits of competition policy in the assessment of Internet-based industries. These limits are traceable to a static/structural paradigm in neoclassical economics that finds innovation an alien concept that is difficult to grasp and analyze under the basic equilibrium tenets of this mainstream paradigm. Accordingly, Internet-based industries run through online platforms are perceived by competition analysts awkwardly; two-sided markets do not align well to the conventional market power assessment done under competition policy. Proper assessment of disruptive or incremental innovation requires changing the analytical framework in order to make the causes of innovation taking place at digital platforms visible. The main determinant of innovation is the appropriability that innovators develop through dynamic capabilities and strategic use of Intellectual Property. Under this assessment, digital platforms fulfill an important welfare-enhancing role, in promoting reducing the search for information costs, stimulating further innovation by slicing, apportioning and recombining customers, as well as several other long run benefits
Reassessing Recommendations for Choice of Vascular Access.

Optimizing vascular access outcomes remains a major challenge, despite the accumulation of consensus guidelines during the past 20 years. The initial Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines published in 1997 ([1][1]) and updated in 2001 ([2][2]) and 2006 ([3][3]) as well as the “
Controlling open-shell loading in norbornene-based radical polymers modulates the solid-state charge transport exponentially

Radical polymers are an emerging class of electronically active macromolecules; however, the fundamental mechanism by which charge is transferred in these polymers has yet to be established in full. To address this issue, well-defined norbornene-based nitroxide radical polymers were synthesized using the controlled ring-opening metathesis polymerization technique. These polymers were blended in solution with a quenched, electrically insulating hydroxylamine derivative to dilute the radical content of the system. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy data were used to characterize the radical content as well as to reveal that hydrogen atom transfer occurred between the open-shell and closed-shell polynorbornene derivatives when they were blended in solution. Using these platform macromolecules, we demonstrate that the systematic manipulation of the radical content in open-shell macromolecules leads to exponential changes in the macroscopic electrical conductivity. When coupled with the fact that these materials show a clear temperature-independent charge transport behavior, a picture emerges that charge transfer in radical polymers is dictated by a tunneling mechanism between localized donor and acceptor sites within the redox-active thin films. These results constitute the first experimental insight into the mechanism of solid-state electrical conduction in radical polymers, and this provides a design paradigm for open-shell macromolecular charge transport. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1516–1525
Comparison of the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test with the Berg Balance Scale in relationship to walking speed and motor recovery post stroke.

AbstractBackground: The Mini-BESTest is a recently developed balance assessment tool that incorporates challenging dynamic balance tasks. Few studies have compared the psychometric properties of the Mini-BESTest to the commonly used Berg Balance Scale (BBS). However, the utility of these scales in relationship to post stroke walking speeds has not been explored.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the Mini-BESTest and BBS to evaluate walking speeds in individuals with stroke.Design: A retrospective exploratory design.Methods: Forty-one individuals with chronic stroke were evaluated with the Mini-BESTest, BBS, and 10-meter self-selected walk test (10MWT). Based on their self-selected gait speeds (below or above 0.8 m/s), participants were classified as slow and fast walkers.Results: Significant linear correlations were observed between the Mini-BESTest vs. BBS (r = 0.72, p ≤ 0.001), Mini-BESTest vs. 10MWT (r = 0.58, p ≤ 0.001), and BBS vs. 10MWT (r = 0.30,...
Review of Epidemiological Studies of Drinking-Water Turbidity in Relation to Acute Gastrointestinal Illness.

Background: Turbidity has been used as an indicator of microbiological contamination of drinking water in time-series studies attempting to discern the presence of waterborne gastrointestinal illne...