cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
There Isn't Always an App for That!

Abstract The speed with which apps for the iOS platform have become available has caused many clinicians, educators, and potential consumers of AAC to search for a “quick fix.” While this platform may indeed be a good match to the strengths and needs of some individuals, it is not a match to the communication needs of many with complex communication needs. This paper highlights the need to use the clinical feature matching process when considering all options for AAC. Apps are poised to have a dramatic impact in a wide range of fields, from education to health care to retail and financial services…[Apps] represent something large and important: the advent of a mobile technology paradigm that may just be as significant as the birth of the web…[Apps] are just the beginning of a social and technological transformation that will have major implications for years to come. (Gravitytank, 2009).
Maximum-Entropy and Data-Adaptive Procedures in the Investigation of Ocean Waves

The analytic decomposition of ocean waves into a mixture of wave trains with different travel directions and frequencies is based on cross-spectral analysis of time measurements of multiple wave properties. The Norwegian government, with funding by the Chevron Oil Field Research Company, is planning an extensive comparison of various systems for producing the ocean wave decompositions from wave data collected on a North Sea offshore platform. The comparisons will involve both instrumentation and analysis systems.
Diuretics for Hypertension

A 67-year-old African-American woman was referred to a hypertension specialty clinic for refractory hypertension and intermittent hypokalemia. Evaluations for primary aldosteronism and renal artery stenosis were negative; plasma renin was low. She had been hypertensive for 15 years. Most recently, she had taken chlorthalidone 25 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, and metoprolol 50 mg twice daily. She was not diabetic and had never smoked. Her blood pressures were in the range of 160 to 170/95 to 100 mm Hg. Except for her being mildly overweight (body mass index, 28), the physical examination was unremarkable, with no sign of target organ damage. Voltage criteria for left ventricular enlargement were present on the ECG. She was considered to be adherent to medication. Spironolactone 50 mg/d was prescribed, and her dose of chlorthalidone was reduced to 12.5 mg/d. Over the next year, her blood pressure fell to the range of 135 to 145/85 mm Hg, and serum potassium was consistently normal. This patient was taking three antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, which is considered by many as a necessary component for her management, yet remained uncontrolled, with an especially high risk of stroke. The addition of another diuretic was successful in bringing her pressure into an acceptable range and reversed the tendency toward hypokalemia that was caused by the thiazide-type diuretic. What is the lesson here? First, diuretic combinations from different subclasses play an important role in the management of hypertension. Second, salt-sensitive refractory hypertension in the African-American population, reflected clinically by low renin levels, can provide a clue to optimal management.1,2 Treatment of hypertension that uses a diuretic-based strategy has been effective in preventing stroke and cardiac disease in the earliest randomized clinical trials in the 1960s, with a consistently successful “track record” extending to contemporary trials, as emphasized …
Pressure Derivatives of the Elastic Constants of NaBr and KF

The isothermal pressure derivatives of the adiabatic second order elastic constants at 25 °C of NaBr and KF have been measured by the ultrasonic interferometric technique. The results are: Here c′αβ = ―ϱ where ―ϱ is the density and Vαβ is the velocity at the given pressure and temperature. These pressure derivatives are analyzed in the framework of the Born model of ionic solids. The pressure derivatives of the second order elastic constants can be expressed in terms of the second and third order elastic constants. The theoretical values of the second and third order elastic constants used in this article were obtained by considering the coulombic interactions of point ions, short range repulsive interactions up to second nearest neighbors, and van der Waals terms. Even though there is qualitative agreement between theory and experiment quantitative agreement is less satisfactory than desired. Die isothermen Druckableitungen der adiabatischen elastischen Konstanten zweiter Ordnung von NaBr und KF werden bei 25 °C mit der interferometrischen Ultraschall-technik gemessen. Es werden folgende Ergebnisse erhalten: Hierbei ist c′αβ = ―ϱ, wobei ―ϱ die Dichte und Vαβ die Geschwindigkeit bei gegebenem Druck und Temperatur sind. Diese Druckableitungen werden innerhalb des Rahmens des Bornschen Modells des Ionenfestkorpers diskutiert. Die Druckableitungen der elastischen Konstanten zweiter Ordnung lassen sich durch die elastischen Konstanten zweiter und dritter Ordnung ausdrucken. Die theoretischen Werte der elastischen Konstanten zweiter und dritter Ordnung, die in dieser Arbeit benutzt werden, werden unter Berucksichtigung der Coulombwechselwirkung der Punkt-Ionen, der kurzreichweitigen Abstosungswechselwirkung bis zu den zweitnachsten Nachbarn und der van der Waals-Terme erhalten. Obwohl qualitative Ubereinstimmung zwischen Theorie und Experiment vorhanden ist, ist die quantitative Ubereinstimmung weniger befriedigend als gewunscht.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Impact of a National Satellite Video Program

The 1999 national videoconference Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Implications for Professionals and Agencies educated professionals about the problems grandparents face as they parent a second time and encouraged professionals to work together on community-based solutions. Congruent with an ecological perspective, the videoconference portrayed problems and solutions as based in individuals and families, local communities, and the larger society. Those in attendance had a better understanding of the issues and programs that could address them. Many participants reported they planned to work locally with others to provide educational programs. Follow-up evaluations confirmed that participants actually did get involved in their communities. They addressed the situation of grandparents raising grandchildren through new or expanded local task forces or coalitions. The impact of this videoconference documents that a videoconference is a viable method of educating professionals and grandparents on issues of...
Homologous Recombination by the RecBCD and RecF Pathways.

Interaction with χ affects the helicase activity of RecBCD enzyme. Recognition of χ causes the enzyme to pause briefly at χ and to resume translocation after the χ site, but at a rate that is reduced by approximately twofold. In response to χ the RecBCD enzyme accomplishes both tasks essential for initiation of homologous recombination: (i) it recesses the double-strand break (DSB) to produce an ssDNA-tailed duplex DNA with χ at its terminus, and (ii) it catalyzes formation of the RecA nucleoprotein filament on the ssDNA produced. Interestingly, the efficiency of conjugational and transductional recombination by the RecF pathway in the recBC sbcBC cells is similar to that of the RecBCD pathway in wild-type cells, showing that the machinery of this pathway can be as productive as that of the RecBCD pathway. The loading of RecA protein is an essential aspect of recombination in the RecBCD pathway. On the other hand, recB recF double mutants are deficient in recombination between chromosomal direct repeats, suggesting that both RecBCD and RecF pathways play major roles in recombination. Homologous recombination can be initiated at either DSBs or single-strand DNA gap (SSG) in duplex DNA. Two major pathways are responsible for homologous recombination in wild-type E. coli: The RecBCD pathway is specific for the recombinational repair of DSBs, and in the wild-type cells, the RecF pathway is primarily used for recombination that initiates at SSGs.
Narratives of Africa in a Digital World: Kony 2012 and Student Perceptions of Conflict and Agency in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kony 2012, a film released by the nonprofit Invisible Children in the spring of 2012, drew a flurry of Facebook “shares” and “likes.” However, critics expressed a concern that the film offered a distorted portrayal of Africans and African politics. In this article, we test these criticisms by asking what effects the film had on college students’ perceptions of Africa and Africans. To address this question, we draw on a survey and an experiment conducted at a small liberal arts college where Kony 2012 enjoyed popularity. The results show that the film did affect students’ perceptions of Africa; specifically, it led many to perceive Africans as lacking agency and autonomy. We argue that whereas the film did have initial negative effects on students’ perceptions of Africa, these effects seem to fade over time. Future research should explore the compounding effects of exposure to images that misrepresent the African continent.
Application of the MLFMM to Calderon preconditioning for the EFIE

Recently, several papers have proposed using the Calderon identities to develop an analytic preconditioner for the electric field integral equation (EFIE) [1, 2]. We extend these results by first giving simple, physical explanations for Calderon preconditioning and the special basis functions used to implement the method. Also, it is shown that the preconditioner can be easily integrated with the fast multipole method to allow for solving large problems. Finally, numerical results demonstrate that the preconditioner is effective even in the presence of a dense mesh and geometric singularities.
SENSORY CONTROL OF BALANCE: A COMPARISON OF CHILDREN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS TO CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Background Inefficient central processing and integration of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information may contribute to poor balance and diminished postural control in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Objectives This pilot study examined sensorimotor performance and the sensory control of balance using a battery of clinical tests in combination with an experimental laboratory assessment that quantifies sensory subsystem use (i.e., sensory weighting) among a systematically diagnosed sample of children with FASD and children with typical development. Methods Using a case-control design, 10 children with FASD (8.0-15.9 years; 20% female) were compared to 10 age- and sex-matched controls on standardized clinical measures and on kinematic outcomes from the Multimodal Balance Entrainment Response system (MuMBER), a computerized laboratory assessment whereby visual, vestibular, and somatosensory input is manipulated at different frequencies during standing balance. Results Children with FASD showed poorer sensorimotor performance across clinical outcomes with significant group differences (p < .05) on parent-reported movement behaviors (Sensory Processing Measure and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Checklist) and performance on the Dynamic Gait Index. Experimental kinematic outcomes yielded statistically significant group differences (p <.10) on a small proportion of somatosensory and vestibular sensory weighting fractions and postural sway velocity in response to the manipulation of sensory input. Conclusions Preliminary findings showed small group differences in sensorimotor and sensory weighting behaviors, specifically those that rely on the integration of vestibular sensation. Differences must be examined and replicated with a larger sample of children with FASD to understand the impact on balance control and functional sensorimotor behaviors.
RUPTURED ADNEXAL ABSCESS (TUBOOVARIAN) WITH GENERALIZED PERITONITIS.

Abstract 1. One hundred and forty-three cases of ruptured adnexal abscesses with generalized peritonitis are presented. 2. Sixteen cases were treated prior to 1947 with a 100 per cent mortality rate. 3. One hundred and twenty-seven cases have been treated from 1947 to 1959 with a 3.1 per cent mortality. 4. There is a direct correlation between the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and its sequelae and the degree of socio-economic deprivation of the population. 5. The organisms causing abscess rupture are often the secondary invaders and not the gonococcus. 6. The principal factors associated with mortality are patient delay and failure of diagnosis or procrastination in treatment of the part of the physician. A combination of these factors can be lethal. 7. Unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is only considered when the condition of the patient does not warrant the more extensive procedure. 8. The ideal therapy is a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, because it not only removes the diseased organs, but also obviates the need for further operation.
HIV/AIDS and ocular manifestations.

This article presents a brief overview of some of the ophthalmic disorders among HIV infected and AIDS patients. HIV can affect all structures of the eye and HIV infected patients are prone to a large variety of microorganisms (e.g. viruses bacteria and fungi) that cause ocular diseases. These disorders can be classified as microvasculopathy large vessel disease opportunistic infectious disease neoplasms and neuro-ophthalmic signs of intracranial disease. Cytomegalovirus retinitis has been reported to be the most common form of ocular disease and affects 30-40% of people with HIV infection in the developed countries. Ocular tuberculosis syphilitic retinal diseases and ocular toxoplasmosis are other serious eye problems seen in HIV patients especially in developing countries. HIV patients may also develop neoplasms such as Kaposis sarcoma in the adnexa and anterior segments of the eye squamous cell carcinoma involving conjunctiva and eyelid and intra-ocular and orbital lymphomas. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of eye disease as well as a wide range of information regarding HIV/AIDS are important among ophthalmologists for better diagnosis and management of their patients with ocular disease.
Effect of High Temperature on the Gonads of Frog Larvae.

Frog larvae (R. sylvatica) which had been raised under nearly optimal conditions up to the 7th week were subjected after the 34th day to the maximal temperature they can endure permanently, i. e., 32° C. The gonads of both males and females grow much slower than those of normal controls. However, the spermatogonia of the testis are of about normal size and the seminiferous tubules differentiate in a typical way. The reactions of the ovaries are more complex and more important. At the time when the temperature was raised the ovaries contained large numbers of young ovocytes in the synapsis stage. Two weeks later this type of germ cells has completely disappeared. The ovogonia are still present and the deeper layers of the cortex contain now large auxocytes. The latter, however, are in way of degeneration. Their nucleoli are extremely large and basophilic and the ovoplasm contains coarse granules. During 2 more weeks the eggs disappear completely, the ovogonia being the only germ cells spared from degenerat...
Optimized second-generation CRY2-CIB dimerizers and photoactivatable Cre recombinase

Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome 2 (AtCRY2), a light-sensitive photosensory protein, was previously adapted for use in controlling protein-protein interactions through light-dependent binding to a partner protein, CIB1. While the existing CRY2-CIB dimerization system has been used extensively for optogenetic applications, some limitations exist. Here, we set out to optimize function of the CRY2-CIB system by identifying versions of CRY2-CIB that are smaller, show reduced dark interaction, and maintain longer or shorter signaling states in response to a pulse of light. We describe minimal functional CRY2 and CIB1 domains maintaining light-dependent interaction and new signaling mutations affecting AtCRY2 photocycle kinetics. The latter work implicates an α13-α14 turn motif within plant CRYs whose perturbation alters signaling-state lifetime. Using a long-lived L348F photocycle mutant, we engineered a second-generation photoactivatable Cre recombinase, PA-Cre2.0, that shows five-fold improved dynamic range, allowing robust recombination following exposure to a single, brief pulse of light.
New Species of Texas Fungi

tory within a radius of one hundred miles of San Antonio, and collections were made at many points. Parasitic species occurring on both wild and economic plants were collected, but attention was given chiefly to cultivated crops. As a result of this work, forty-one new species have been described and a total of two hundred and ninety-three species, on one hundred and ninety-three different hosts, have been recorded. They are distributed as follows:
Psychodynamic Theory and the Treatment of Autism: The Case of Austin

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders include difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behavior, sensory sensitivity, and, often, concomitant language deficits. Psychodynamic theory is a powerful tool in explaining and treating the behavioral symptoms of autism. Specifically, the object relations theories of Melanie Klein and Wilfred Bion explicate the meanings and developmental challenges associated with autism. The epistemology of heuristics, with the use of triangulation, supports psychodynamic theory as one of multiple ways of interpreting phenomena. In this particular situation, the symptoms and presenting issues associated with autism evident in this composite clinical case are drawn from one of the author’s practice. This report illustrates the use of psychodynamic formulations and treatment in the psychotherapeutic work with a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with autism whom we call Austin.
MICROSOMAL METABOLISM OF DIALLYLNITROSAMINE

Publisher Summary Most N-nitrosamines tested to date have proven carcinogenic, and have exhibited some species- and organ-specific effects. However, a few, including diallylnitrosamine (DAN) that was administered in diet to rats, did not induce neoplasms. This chapter discusses the microsomal metabolism of diallylnitrosamine. It has been suggested that DAN's chemical properties precluded it from undergoing necessary metabolic transformation to an active carcinogenic agent, thereby, explaining the negative findings. DAN was tested in Syrian golden hamsters and found to be a potent carcinogen that affected the respiratory system with even a single dose. This difference in the biological response of rats and hamsters to DAN has led to various biochemical and pharmacological parameters. The chapter presents a comparison of the effects of liver and lung microsomes, and of various modifiers on DAN metabolism.
Cocaine and Neuromolecular Imaging of Neurotransmitters in the Brain: BRODERICK PROBE® Laurate Nanobiosensors in Mesocorticolimbic Neurons and the Nucleus Accumbens: Sex and Genes

Abstract Cocaine is a psychostimulant and an addicting drug. Addiction is defined as the repetition of untoward behaviors regardless of consequence, albeit devastating such as loss of home, family, income, and loved ones. The term, “addiction,” remains elusive and indeed the neuropathology underlying the brain process in one who becomes addicted remains elusive as well. Nonetheless, addicting drugs, such as cocaine, are known to act on the reward centers of the brain, both in the humans and animals. Dopamine (DA) is a causative neurotransmitter in the addiction and reward process. Sex responses to cocaine are factors. As described in this chapter, data show that females are dramatically more sensitive to cocaine than males and the sensitivity is due to hormonal dysfunction as shown by exfoliate cytologyin correlation to data showing cocaine-induced changes in vaginal electrical resistance in ohms. Cocaine actually shifts the estrous cycle out of phase. Moreover, the phenomenon of “serotonin deficiency” in the genetic animal model of depression, the Fawn-Hooded animal, is shown here to affect the usually enhanced responses of DA and serotonin to cocaine; serotonin deficiency exhibits comorbidity with drug abuse. Neuromolecular imaging (NMI) uses miniature nanobiosensors, smaller than a human hair, that allow the selective electrochemical detection of neurotransmitters in vivo within seconds, online, and in real time. In these cocaine studies, BRODERICK PROBE ® laurate nanobiosensors image signals within mesocorticolimbic neuronal terminals, the nucleus accumbens, while at the same time, infrared photobeams monitor open-field movement behaviors in the same subjects. Thus, NMI enables studies of cocaine's cause and effects. Finally, this real-time imaging of neurotransmitters is an advance toward personalized medicine since NMI video tracks, point by point, the individual effects of cocaine as each animal is studied as its own control.
Immunoscintigraphy with 111-Indium Conjugated Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract We infused 111-Indium conjugated murine monoclonal antibodies into 37 patients with various malignancies. One patient with breast cancer received a human IgM conjugate. At least one known site of tumor was imaged in 75% of patients, and 50% of all known lesions were successfully imaged. In 6 patients, lesions were detected which had not been previously appreciated. There was no toxicity except in patients in whom the antibody cross-reacted with circulating cells. Isotope was concentrated nonspecifically in the liver of all patients. These studies confirm the feasibility of immunoscintigraphy, but emphasize several problem areas for radioimmunotherapy.
Fast rejection of external small impulse on biped robot

During biped robot moving, it is hard to avoid external impulse. If biped robot receives external impulse, its joint velocity has abrupt changes. As a result, biped robot deviates from normal status, to quickly reject external impulse, impulse model of biped robot is conducted, and compensation acceleration to each joint is calculated. Changes of joint angle and joint angle velocity are eliminated. Finally the rejecting method is proved effective by simulation result of biped robot.
Eliminating Nox2 reactive oxygen species production protects dystrophic skeletal muscle from pathological calcium influx assessed in vivo by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Key points Inhibiting Nox2 reactive oxygen species (ROS) production reduced in vivo calcium influx in dystrophic muscle. The lack of Nox2 ROS production protected against decreased in vivo muscle function in dystrophic mice. Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) was able to detect alterations in basal calcium levels in skeletal muscle and differentiate disease status. Administration of Mn2+ did not affect muscle function or the health of the animal, and Mn2+ was cleared from skeletal muscle rapidly. We conclude that MEMRI may be a viable, non-invasive technique to monitor molecular alterations in disease progression and evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked progressive degenerative disease resulting from a mutation in the gene that encodes dystrophin, leading to decreased muscle mechanical stability and force production. Increased Nox2 reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx are early indicators of disease pathology, and eliminating Nox2 ROS production reduces aberrant Ca2+ influx in young mdx mice, a model of DMD. Various imaging modalities have been used to study dystrophic muscle in vivo; however, they are based upon alterations in muscle morphology or inflammation. Manganese has been used for indirect monitoring of calcium influx across the sarcolemma and may allow detection of molecular alterations in disease progression in vivo using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI). Therefore, we hypothesized that eliminating Nox2 ROS production would decrease calcium influx in adult mdx mice and that MEMRI would be able to monitor and differentiate disease status in dystrophic muscle. Both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrate that eliminating Nox2 ROS protected against aberrant Ca2+ influx and improved muscle function in dystrophic muscle. MEMRI was able to differentiate between different pathological states in vivo, with no long-term effects on animal health or muscle function. We conclude that MEMRI is a viable, non-invasive technique to differentiate disease status and might provide a means to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapies in dystrophic muscle.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of Gastric Origin

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms. Although they account for only 0.1%–3% of all gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies (Crosby et al. 2001; DeMatteo et al. 2000; Lewis and Brennan 1996; Nishida and Hirota 2000), they represent 80% of GI mesenchymal tumors (Miettinen and Lasota 2001). GISTs may arise from anywhere along the GI tract and exhibit a broad spectrum of clinical behavior. Many are asymptomatic, discovered incidentally during imaging, endoscopy, or laparotomy for unrelated reasons. GISTs exhibit a broad spectrum of clinical activity. Some remain stable for years, whereas others progress rapidly (DeMatteo et al. 2000; Fletcher et al. 2002). Metastases may be identified in 15%–50% of GISTs at the time of diagnosis (Bauer et al. 2003; Roberts and Eisenberg 2002).
Radiation defect dynamics studied by pulsed ion beams

Abstract The formation of stable radiation damage in solids often proceeds via complex dynamic annealing processes, involving migration and interaction of ballistically-generated point defects. Our current understanding of the underlying physics is still not sufficient for predicting radiation damage even for Si, which is arguably the simplest and most extensively studied material. The complexity of radiation damage is closely related to radiation defect dynamics. Here, we demonstrate how defect interaction dynamics can be studied by pulsed beam irradiation when the total ion fluence is split into a train of equal square pulses. By varying the passive portion of the beam duty cycle, we measure a characteristic time constant of dynamic annealing and, hence, the defect relaxation rate. Measurements of stable lattice disorder as a function of the active portion of the beam duty cycle give an effective defect diffusion length. We illustrate the pulsed beam method with examples for Si bombarded at 100 °C with 500 keV Ar ions.
Reversible, Tunable, Electric-Field Driven Assembly of Silver Nanocrystal Superlattices

Nanocrystal superlattices are typically fabricated by either solvent evaporation or destabilization methods that require long time periods to generate highly ordered structures. In this paper, we report for the first time the use of electric fields to reversibly drive nanocrystal assembly into superlattices without changing solvent volume or composition, and show that this method only takes 20 min to produce polyhedral colloidal crystals, which would otherwise need days or weeks. This method offers a way to control the lattice constants and degree of preferential orientation for superlattices and can suppress the uniaxial superlattice contraction associated with solvent evaporation. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering experiments indicated that nanocrystal superlattices were formed while solvated, not during drying.
Relationship Between Gonadal Function and Cardiometabolic Risk in Young Men With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Background We reported previously that young men with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have a greater prevalence of testosterone deficiency compared with an age-matched, healthy control population. Young men with SCI also are at increased risk for developing cardiometabolic dysfunction after injury. It is unclear whether testosterone deficiency is associated with heightened cardiometabolic risk in men with SCI. Objective To investigate associations among levels of testosterone in young men with chronic SCI and surrogate markers of cardiometabolic risk. Design Secondary cross-sectional analysis. Setting Rehabilitation research centers in Washington, DC, and Miami, Florida. Participants Men (n = 58) aged 18-45 years with chronic (≥1 year), motor complete SCI without comorbidities or use of testosterone therapy. Methods Plasma concentrations of testosterone, lipids, inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), percent hemoglobin A1c, glucose, and insulin were measured in a fasting state using standard assays. A 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test and Framingham Risk Score were assessed for each subject. Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry scan. Main Outcome Measurements Surrogate markers of cardiometabolic risk among men based on the level of total testosterone (TT; ≤300, 301-500, or >500 ng/dL) and free testosterone (fT; ≤9 or >9 ng/dL). Comparisons were made between men with normal and low TT or fT. Results Framingham Risk Score was significantly greater in men with low fT ( P P P P > .08), were greater in men with low TT or low fT. Men with low TT or low fT had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ( P P > .1) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P > .07). Men with low TT had greater levels of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein ( P P P P P > .8). Conclusions In young men with chronic SCI who undergo an accelerated aging process postinjury, hypogonadism is associated with an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile. Further research is needed to determine whether a causal relationship exists between hypogonadism and heightened cardiometabolic risk in men with SCI and whether routine screening for testosterone deficiency is warranted in this population. Level of Evidence IV
A versatile and fully instrumented test station for piezoelectric energy harvesters

Abstract This paper describes the implementation of LabVIEW software to control instruments and acquire data from a piezoelectric energy harvesting test station which is based on a cantilever structure. The experiment is run in the Clean Energy Laboratory on the Ambient Energy Harvester Test Station. A digital multimeter, a programmable resistance selector, an arbitrary waveform generator, a shaker table, an accelerometer and a laser displacement sensor are used to control and acquire data in terms of harvested energy as a function of vibration frequency and load resistance. LabVIEW software is used to control the test station which makes near real-time data measurements, displays waveforms on a PC screen, and stores data for later analysis. Acquired waveforms are presented in terms of frequency versus voltage of the vibrating cantilever at preselected ranges of load resistances in terms of either AC or DC voltages. The vibration of the cantilever beam is measured with an accelerometer and beam movement is measured with a laser displacement meter. Test results are stored in a comma separated variable text file which can be imported into any data analysis software package. All experiments are performed on an isolated optical bench to avoid interference from mechanical noise that may exist in the surrounding environment. The system provides an integrated approach to characterize key performance indicators for energy harvesting materials and devices.
Cancer biology: Genome jail-break triggers lockdown

A pro-inflammatory response, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, can affect development, ageing and cancer. It emerges that one trigger for this response is the presence of DNA in the cytoplasm. See Letter p.402 It has been observed that cells undergoing senescence—meaning that they can no longer divide and grow—contain cytoplasmic chromatin fragments. Shelley Berger and colleagues now show that these fragments are sensed by the cGAS–STING pathway, which senses foreign DNA during infection with pathogens. Activation of this pathway leads to an inflammatory phenotype and, in mice, allows the immune system to restrain tumour growth. These findings hint at the possibility that other endogenous sources of DNA may also elicit an inflammatory phenotype and influence various biological processes.
Metal whisker growth induced by localized, high-intensity DC electric fields

In this work, a very high, locally applied electric field was used to induce whisker nucleation on an Sn film. The field was generated by using a conductive AFM tip and applying a voltage bias between the sample and the conductive cantilever. The tip-sample separation distance was thus controllable, and any dielectric breakdown could be avoided. At locations where the AFM tip was positioned for an extended period, minuscule whiskers were observed, whose growth direction matched vertical orientation of the field.
Statistical Mechanics of Many-Particle Systems

Statistical mechanics is the branch of theoretical physics that attempts to predict, by starting at the level of atoms, molecules, spins, or other small “particles,” the bulk properties of systems in which a large number of these particles interact with one another. In other words, it links the microscopic properties of matter (molecular interactions and structure), as determined from the laws of quantum or classical mechanics, to its macroscopic properties (e.g., pressure of a liquid). The province of statistical physics is more general, extending to any situation in which one is interested in the collective behavior of interacting entities, from population dynamics through solids, liquids, and gases to cosmology as well as random heterogeneous materials. Systems composed of many interacting particles (albeit much larger than molecular dimensions) are often useful models of random heterogeneous materials, and thus one can exploit the powerful machinery of statistical mechanics to study such materials. Moreover, as we will see in subsequent chapters, the formalism of statistical mechanics can be extended to nonparticulate systems.
The Stock Price Impact of Mandated Accounting Charges on Rate-Regulated Firms

This study seeks to determine ifmore highly leveraged rate-regulated firms are positively affectedby accounting standards that increase recognized expenses. Itfinds a positive relation between leverage and market reactionsto SFAS 106 for rate-regulated firms. Further, results indicatethat this positive relation is an increasing function of thelevel of financial leverage and the extent to which the regulatoryclimate is favorable.
Effect of the chromium ion diffusion in polyacrylamide/chromium acetate gelation system with surrounding water on gelation behavior

Abstract The diffusion of Cr3+ from the Cr3+/HPAM system is simulated by quantifying the entrapment ability of the Cr3+ after dialysis analysis through a dialysis bag method to study the Cr3+ diffusion effect on the gelation types. After the gelant is put in the dialysis bag surrounded by the solvents, only the diffusion of the aqueous ions are allowed, which eventually can be detected in the dialysate. By monitoring the gelants with varying initial contents, we find that the Cr3+ dialysis kinetics and total dialyzed amount are changed. In this particular experiment, the gelation types are classified and the classification result differences for the same gelant with or without dialysis process are investigated and compared. In this study, we assess the gelant contents in terms of possible limiting scenarios for successful gelation and discuss their gelation results influenced by the Cr3+ diffusion The results demonstrate that Cr3+ diffusion, in different extent, influences the gelation types and gelation time of the Cr3+/HPAM systems with varying HPAM molecular weight (MW), the Cr3+ initial concentration, the initial HPAM polymer concentration, or the degree of initial HPAM hydrolysis. Along with the gelation types and the accompanying morphological study, determine the relationships between the initial Cr3+ concentration and the true Cr3+ concentration entrapped on the polymers are possible, which are pretty distinct from each other. Neglecting to consider such diffusion effects will lead to overestimating of the crosslinking results. In addition, a sorption model is used to demonstrate the sorption trend changes before and after the gelation time.
Abstract 102: Cardiac-specific Overactivation of the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Induces Metabolic, Structural and Functional Remodeling

The heart remodels metabolically and structurally before it fails. Metabolically, the heart increases its reliance on carbohydrates for energy provision. Structurally, the heart hypertrophies to sustain increased hemodynamic stress. There is evidence suggesting that the activation of the mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is closely tied to glucose uptake by the heart to drive the metabolic and structural remodeling. We have previously shown that with insulin stimulation or increases in workload, the glycolytic intermediate glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) is required to activate mTORC1. Sustained mTORC1 activation leads, in turn, to ER stress and contractile dysfunction. Studies by others in the kidney have shown that mTORC1 activation upregulates glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) expression and glucose uptake. We therefore test the hypothesis that chronic mTORC1 overactivation results in G6P accumulation, and precedes structural and functional remodeling in the heart. We developed mice with inducible, cardiac-specific deficiency of the protein tuberin (TSC2), a member of the tuberous sclerosis complex, the principal inhibitor of mTORC1. Intracellular G6P concentrations were measured enzymatically. Immunoblotting was performed on protein markers to confirm activation of mTORC1 downstream targets and of the unfolded protein response. Histologic analysis were performed to assess structural changes. Serial echocardiograms were performed to evaluate cardiac function. The results indicate that chronic mTORC1 activation through inducible, cardiac-specific deletion of TSC2 is accompanied by G6P accumulation and metabolic remodeling. Metabolic remodeling precedes structural and functional remodeling. We suggest that in the heart, sustained mTORC1 activation is a key driver of metabolic and structural remodeling.
Field study in an urban environment of simultaneous self-cleaning and hydrophobic nanosized TiO2-based coatings on stone for the protection of building surface.

Abstract Titanium dioxide based nanocomposites for stone coating have been found to be promising in laboratory conditions to obtain manifold protective actions against pollution and weathering affecting the outdoor built heritage. Lasting performances in real conditions of these multifunctional coatings have been scarcely examined, although this is a key issue in evaluating their potential for applications in a real building context and their optimization. This paper illustrates a field study aimed at investigating simultaneous hydrophobic and self-cleaning effectiveness, on the medium-long run, of TiO2 NPs/fluoropolymer coatings applied on a limestone. The samples coated with the nanocomposites were exposed for one year in an urban environment and their surface was monitored. Hydrophobic properties were checked through contact angle measurements and a capillary water absorption test, while self-cleaning efficiency was evaluated by a photodegradation test of Rhodamine B. Optical microscopy observations and colour measurements were also performed. In addition, the contents of Ti and water-soluble ions on the sample surfaces were determined by X-ray Fluorescence and ion chromatography, respectively. The overall findings showed that TiO2 NPs did not affect the ability of the polymer to protect the stone surface against water penetration. The coatings were able to preserve the surfaces from dirt. However, photocatalytic efficiency progressively decreased, due to the loss of the photocatalyst from the coating surface, which may be attributed to a polymer modification by ageing. The embedding of nanosized titania within the polymer limited the adsorption and accumulation of soluble salt ions on the coated surface, which may increase the stone damage risk. The study supports that TiO2 NPs embedded in a fluoropolymer host matrix to appropriate amounts may be a suitable option to obtain stone coatings with both barrier effects against water penetration into the stone and photocatalytic ability, and provides useful knowledge for the improvement of these nanocomposites.
Assessing Age as a Risk Factor for Complications in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is primarily a diagnosis of older women. Many patients seeking breast reconstruction are elderly women (aged 65 years or older). However, many surgeons anecdotally believe that surgery in elderly patients is inherently dangerous, or at least prone to more complications. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study composed of chart review of all deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction patients at a single institution divided into an elderly cohort (65 years or older) and a nonelderly cohort (younger than 65 years). Cohort was the primary predictor variable. Demographic and comorbidity data were secondary predictor variables. Primary outcomes were complete flap loss, partial flap loss, or need for flap reexploration. Secondary outcomes such as wound healing problems, seroma, and others were also assessed. RESULTS There were 285 flaps in the nonelderly cohort and 54 flaps in the elderly cohort. The elderly cohort had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Chi-square analysis showed no significant differences in primary outcomes between the two cohorts. Breast wound dehiscence was significantly higher in the elderly cohort (p < 0.01). On logistic regression, being elderly was seen as a significant risk factor for complete flap loss (OR, 10.92; 95 percent CI, 0.97 to 122.67; p = 0.05). The overall success rate for the nonelderly cohort was 99.6 percent, whereas the success rate for the nonelderly cohort was 96.3 percent. CONCLUSIONS Elderly women desire breast reconstruction. Free flap breast reconstruction is a viable and safe procedure in these patients. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, II.
Effects on power system operations of potential changes in wind and solar generation potential under climate change

Climate change will likely impact wind and solar resources. As power systems increasingly shifting towards wind and solar power, these resource changes will increasingly impact power system operations. We assess how power system operations will be affected by climate change impacts on wind and solar resources by generating wind and solar generation profiles for a reference period and five climate change projections, then run a unit commitment and economic dispatch (UCED) model to dispatch a high renewable generator fleet with these profiles. For climate change projections, we use 2041–2050 output from five global climate models (GCMs) for Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 for Texas, our study system. All five GCMs indicate increased wind generation potential by 1-4% under climate change in Texas, while three and two GCMs indicate increased and decreased solar generation potential, respectively, by up to 1%. Uneven generation potential changes across time result in greater changes in dispatched generation by fuel type. Notably, nuclear generation decreases across GCMs by up to 7%, largely in low demand (winter) months when nuclear plants, which have a high minimum stable load, must reduce their generation to avoid overgeneration. Increased wind and/or solar generation result in reduced system CO2 emissions and electricity production costs across four of five GCMs by 8–16 million tons and $216-516 million, or by 2% and 1%, respectively. Future research should assess the atmospheric and climate dynamics that underlie such changes in power system operations.
IR-ATA: IR annotated timing analysis, a flow for closing the loop between PDN design, IR analysis & timing closure

This paper presents IR-ATA, a novel flow for modeling the timing impact of IR drop during the physical design and timing closure of an ASIC chip. We first illustrate how the current and conventional mechanism for budgeting the IR drop and voltage noise (by using hard margins) lead to sub-optimal design. Consequently, we propose a new approach for modeling and margining against voltage noise, such that each timing path is margined based on its own topology and its own view of voltage noise. By having such a path based margining mechanism, the margins for IR drop and voltage noise for most timing paths in the design are safely relaxed. The reduction in the margin increases the available timing slack that could be used for improving the power, performance, and area of a design. Finally, we illustrate how IR-ATA could be used to track the timing impact of physical or PDN changes, allowing the physical designers to explore tradeoffs that were previously, for lack of methodology, not possible.
The Regressivity of Individual State Taxes from 1980 to 2000: A Nationwide Comparison

This study develops a comprehensive measure of individual state tax system burdens for all 50 states. Such an index would be a useful tool to aid policymakers and scholars. Prior comprehensive measures are dated or have not been replicated at regular intervals with the same methodology. Utilizing the representative-taxpayer model, this study develops a comprehensive measure of individual tax system burdens among all 50 states for 1980, 1990 and 2000. From these burdens, a regressivity index across individual state tax systems for each time period is created. This methodology, if replicated at regular intervals, will produce a set of indices which can aid policymakers and scholars conducting empirical research.