cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
pH dependent ion exchange properties of soils and clays from Mazama pumice.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements were made for whole pumice soil samples by several methods, including standard procedures involving cation saturation, excess salt removal, and cation displacement steps, and a 45Ca2+ radioisotope dilution procedure. Results indicated that the vesicular pores of the pumice soil material affected attainment of ion diffusion equilibria, and, hence, introduced a large source of error in the measurements. On this basis, the validity of ion exchange values obtained for these soils was concluded to be subject to considerable doubt. More important, however, the solute and/or solution exclusion or retention exhibited by pumice particles during the course of CEC procedures was thought to be highly significant with respect to the probable influence exerted on physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soils in the field situation. Interpretation of pH dependent cation and anion exchange capacity measurements of the <2μ clay fraction of the pumice soils was confounded by the occurrence of hydroxy interlayered 2: 1 phyllosilicate materials in admixture with the amorphous components. Since the interlayered materials contributed an indeterminate proportion of the total pH dependent charge of the mixture, it was further concluded that the measurement of this property was of little direct value in assessing the relative amounts of amorphous and crystalline components in the clay fractions of the soils investigated. However, the values obtained revealed fundamental aspects of ion exchange behavior which are important to understanding the complex systems involved.
Analysis of the cilostazol safety database

Cilostazol, a type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was approved in the United States in 1999 for the reduction of the symptoms of intermittent claudication. This article summarizes the safety data from 8 cilostazol phase 3 controlled clinical trials, involving 2,702 patients: 1,374 receiving cilostazol, 973 assigned to placebo, and 355 taking pentoxifylline. The trials ranged from 12 to 24 weeks in duration. There were a total of 475 patient-exposure years on cilostazol, 357 patient-exposure years on placebo, and 135 patient-exposure years on pentoxifylline. Headache, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal complaints were seen more often in cilostazol-treated than placebo-treated patients; pharyngitis and nausea were more common in pentoxifylline-treated than placebo-treated patients. Headache requiring discontinuation occurred in 1.3% of patients taking cilostazol 50 mg bid and 3.7% of those receiving cilostazol 100 mg bid, compared with 0.3% of placebo-treated patients. Discontinuations due to diarrhea, palpitations, or myocardial infarction were similar in cilostazol-, placebo-, and pentoxifylline-treated patients. The rate of serious cardiovascular events was similar in all 3 treatment groups. Myocardial infarction occurred in 1.0% of cilostazol-treated, 0.8% of placebo-treated, and 1.1% of pentoxifylline-treated patients. The incidence of stroke was 0.5% in both cilostazol- and placebo-treated patients and 1.1% in pentoxifylline-treated patients. Total cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality was 6.5% for cilostazol 100 mg bid, 6.3% for cilostazol 50 mg bid, and 7.7% for placebo. There were 16 deaths occurring in 0.6%, 0.5%, and 0.6% of cilostazol-, placebo-, and pentoxifylline-treated patients, respectively. The evaluations showed no trend toward increased cardiovascular morbidity or mortality risk in patients receiving cilostazol. In addition, postmarketing surveillance in the United States, representing 70,430 patient-years of cilostazol exposure, has shown minimal accounts of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. The safety profile of cilostazol in doses of 50 mg bid and 100 mg bid appears to offer an acceptable risk-benefit ratio in patients with intermittent claudication.
Competitive fuzzy clustering

In this paper, we introduce a new approach called Competitive Agglomeration (CA), which combines the advantages of hierarchical and partitional clustering techniques. The CA algorithm starts by partitioning the data set into a large number of small clusters. As the algorithm progresses, adjacent clusters compete for data points, and clusters that lose in the competition gradually become depleted and vanish. Thus, as the iterations proceed, we obtain a sequence of partitions with a progressively diminishing number of clusters. The final partition is taken to have the "optimal" number of clusters from the point of view of the objective function. Since the algorithm starts with an overspecified number of clusters, the final results are quite insensitive to the initialization and to local minima. In addition, we can incorporate different distance measures in the objective function of the CA algorithm to find an unknown number of clusters of various shapes. We illustrate the performance of the CA algorithm for the special cases of spherical, ellipsoidal, linear, and shell clusters.
Residue 41 of the Eurasian avian-like swine influenza A virus matrix protein modulates virion filament length and efficiency of contact transmission

Position 41 of the influenza A virus matrix protein encodes a highly conserved alanine in human and avian lineages. Nonetheless, strains of the Eurasian avian-like swine (Easw) lineage contain a change at this position: position 41 of A/swine/Spain/53207/04 (H1N1) (SPN04) encodes a proline. To assess the impact of this naturally occurring polymorphism on viral fitness, we utilized reverse genetics to produce recombinant viruses encoding wild-type M1 41P (rSPN04-P) and consensus 41A (rSPN04-A) residues. Relative to rSPN04-A, rSPN04-P virus displayed reduced growth in vitro. In the guinea pig model, rSPN04-P was transmitted to fewer contact animals than rSPN04-A and failed to infect guinea pigs that received a low-dose inoculum. Moreover, the P41A change altered virion morphology, reducing the number and length of filamentous virions, as well as reducing the neuraminidase activity of virions. The lab-adapted human isolate, A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) (PR8), is nontransmissible in the guinea pig model, making it a useful background in which to identify certain viral factors that enhance transmissibility. We assessed transmission in the context of single-, double-, and triple-reassortant viruses between PR8 and SPN04; PR8/SPN04 M, PR8/SPN04 M+NA, and PR8/SPN04 M+NA+HA, encoding either matrix 41 A or P, were generated. In each case, the virus possessing 41P transmitted less well than the corresponding 41A-encoding virus. In summary, we have identified a naturally occurring mutation in the influenza A virus matrix protein that impacts transmission efficiency and can alter virion morphology and neuraminidase activity. IMPORTANCE We have developed a practical model for examining the genetics underlying transmissibility of the Eurasian avian-like swine lineage viruses, which contributed M and NA segments to the 2009 pandemic strain. Here, we use our system to investigate the impact on viral fitness of a naturally occurring polymorphism at matrix (M1) position 41 in an Easw isolate. Position 41 has been implicated previously in adaptation to laboratory substrates and to mice. Here we show that the polymorphism at M1 41 has a limited effect on growth in vitro but changes the morphology of the virus and impacts growth and transmission in the guinea pig model.
Fibrin Inhibits Peripheral Nerve Remyelination by Regulating Schwann Cell Differentiation

Remyelination is a critical step for functional nerve regeneration. Here we show that fibrin deposition in the peripheral nervous system after injury is a key regulator of remyelination. After sciatic nerve crush, fibrin is deposited and its clearance correlates with remyelination. Fibrin induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and production of p75 NGF low-affinity receptor in Schwann cells and maintains them in a nonmyelinating state, suppresses fibronectin production, and prevents synthesis of myelin proteins. In mice depleted of fibrin(ogen), remyelination of myelinated axons is accelerated due to the faster transition of the Schwann cells to a myelinating state. Regulation of fibrin clearance and/or deposition could be a key regulatory mechanism for Schwann differentiation after nerve damage.
Crohn's disease and the mycobacterioses: a review and comparison of two disease entities.

Crohn9s disease is a chronic granulomatous ileocolitis, of unknown etiology, which generally affects the patient during the prime of life. Medical treatment is supportive at best, and patients afflicted with this disorder generally live with chronic pain, in and out of hospitals, throughout their lives. The disease bears the name of the investigator who convincingly distinguished this disease from intestinal tuberculosis in 1932. This distinction was not universally accepted, and the notion of a mycobacterial etiology has never been fully dismissed. Nevertheless, it was 46 years after the distinction of Crohn9s disease and intestinal tuberculosis before research attempting to reassociate mycobacteria and Crohn9s disease was published. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the possible association of mycobacteria and Crohn9s disease due largely to the isolation of genetically identical pathogenic Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from several patients with Crohn9s disease in the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, and France. These pathogenic organisms have been isolated from only a few patients, and direct evidence for their involvement in the disease process is not clear; however, M. paratuberculosis is an obligate intracellular organism and strict pathogen, which strongly suggests some etiologic role. Immunologic evidence of a mycobacterial etiology, as assessed by humoral immune determinations, has been conflicting, but evaluation of the more relevant cellular immunity has not been performed. Data from histochemical searches for mycobacteria in Crohn9s disease tissues have been equally conflicting, with acid-fast bacilli detected in 0 to 35% of patients. Animal model studies have demonstrated the pathogenic potential of isolates as well as elucidated the complexity of mycobacterial-intestinal interactions. Treatment of Crohn9s disease patients with antimycobacterial agent has not been fully assessed, although case reports suggest efficacy. The similarities in the pathology, epidemiology, and chemotherapy of Crohn9s disease and the mycobacterioses are discussed. The issue is fraught with controversy, and the data generated on the association of mycobacteria and Crohn9s disease are in their infantile stages so that a general conclusion on the legitimacy of this association cannot be made. While no firm evidence clearly implicates mycobacteria as an etiologic agent of Crohn9s disease, the notion is supported by suggestive and circumstantial evidence and a remarkable similarity of Crohn9s disease to known mycobacterial diseases.
Performance objectives for the self-management of cystic fibrosis

Performance objectives for the self-management of cystic fibrosis (CF) were developed and subjected to a two-stage content validation. A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals generated a list of 149 medical and adjustment performance objectives. Behaviors included monitoring symptoms and judging their significance, treating symptoms and communicating with health care providers about symptoms and treatment plans. In the first stage a panel of experts in the medical and behavioral aspects of CF rated each behavior. In general, the eleven panelists rated the 149 behaviors as somewhat important or important (mean 2.6, S.D. 0.17, on a 3-point scale). In the second stage, 84 of 155 CF center directors rated all behaviors as somewhat important or important (mean 2.9, S.D. 0.23). Specific behaviors related to medical regimens were more consistently rated as important than were those related to psychosocial adjustment. The performance objectives provide a framework for developing and evaluating health education programs for the self-management of CF in order to promote optimum health and adjustment.
The effects of environmental conditions on persistence and inactivation of Brucella suis on building material surfaces.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental conditions and material type on persistence and inactivation of Brucella suis. Methods and Results: Brucella suis (approx. 1 × 108 CFU) was spiked onto surfaces (glass, aluminium and wood) by liquid inoculation. Persistence was evaluated over 56 days at 22 ± 2°C, 40 ± 15% r.h. and 5 ± 3°C, 30 ± 15% r.h. In addition, three readily available decontaminants (pH-adjusted bleach, 70% ethanol and 1% citric acid) were evaluated for their effectiveness at inactivating Br. suis on these materials. Decontaminations were conducted following 0 and 28 days exposure to the two conditions. Results indicated that Br. suis can persist on environmental surfaces for at least 56 days. Persistence was highest at low temperature. Decontamination was most challenging on wood with all three decontaminants. Conclusions: Following a Br. suis contamination incident, passive decontamination (through attenuation) may not be feasible, as this organism can persist for months. In addition, the results suggest that some sporicidal decontaminants may be ineffective on materials such as wood, even for vegetative biological agents such as Br. suis. Significance and Impact of Study: This study aids incident commanders and remediation experts to make informed decisions regarding decontamination after a biological contamination incident.
Analysis of pellet implant for cranioplasty

Cranioplasty for large cranial defects greater than 10 cm/sup 2/ is a still challenge to neurosurgeons because of insufficient materials and strength. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) generates chemical heat and fumes that cause tissue necrosis and delayed bone growth. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is not recommended for larger cranial defects. Large defects may not provide appropriate underlying cerebral protection from direct trauma even after cranioplasty. In this study, we investigated cranial prosthesis with pellet structures that facilitate stress redistribution upon impact.
Multiple criterion optimization with yield maximization

A number of recent papers have described circuit optimization methods in which maximizing yield was the sole design criterion. However, in actual practice there are many competing design criteria such as minimizing power and area, maximizing speed, etc., as well as maximizing yield. In this paper the techniques of Multiple Criterion Optimization (MCO) are used to provide a framework within which to consider all of these objectives simultaneously. Towards this end a theoretical foundation for the analysis of geometrically based yield algorithms is introduced. This framework can be used to investigate the yield estimation algorithms of Director, Hachtel and Brayton, and Bandler and Abdel-Malek. By combining features from both of these methods, a new yield estimation scheme is developed which is better suited to the needs of the MCO problem. The ideas of MCO and the new yield estimation procedure are applied to the design of a two-input MOSFET NAND gate.
Innovation Quality Cultivation of College Students by Scientific Contest

As a high-tech counter-contest, robot contest touches upon advanced research and technological integration of multiple professional fields and will become an important platform of the innovation quality cultivation for college students. According to real experience, the mechanism and exercise of innovation quality cultivation for college students is analyzed based on the robot contest platform. The fundamental cultivation condition that robot contest can provide for college students is explained. It is pointed out that this contest can bring rivalrous study chance and effectively compensate for the defaults of traditional education through the all-round training of students. Combined with acknowledge and experience acquired from real operation, the correct leading necessary for the innovation ability cultivation of college students is declared. At the end, the impact and effect on college student education created by robot contest is discussed.
An overview of developments in research on recovery from brain injury.

Although there have recently been many other conferences on the subject, it was in 1981 that Professors van Hof and Mohn, under the auspices of the European Brain and Behaviour Society, organized the first major European workshop devoted exclusively to “Functional Recovery from Brain Damage.” That landmark meeting, held at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, was the first major international conference bringing together investigators from many different countries who were interested in a careful and thorough analysis of brain damage and the processes mediating behavioral recovery.
Systemic hemorrhage augments local O2 extraction in canine intestine

When O2 delivery (QO2) to a tissue is reduced, microvascular adjustments facilitate increases in O2 extraction, thereby delaying the onset of O2 supply-limited metabolism until a critically low QO2 is reached. The present study investigated the contribution of the autonomic nervous system to these adjustments by measuring O2 extraction in isolated intestine. In anesthetized dogs, a 30- to 50-g segment of intestine was vascularly isolated and its QO2 was decreased in stages by reducing the speed of an occlusive pump. In a normovolemic group (n = 11), blood volume was maintained to minimize sympathetic tone while flow to the intestine was reduced. In a hypovolemic group (n = 7), blood volume was removed in stages to augment sympathetic tone as flow to the intestinal segment was simultaneously reduced. A hypovolemic alpha-adrenergic-blocked (alpha-blocked) group (n = 6) was identical to the corresponding alpha-adrenergic intact (alpha-intact) group except that alpha-adrenergic effects were inhibited with phenoxybenzamine (3 mg/kg). The systemic critical O2 extraction ratio in the alpha-blocked group (69 +/- 6%) was less than that in the alpha-intact group (77 +/- 7%; P = 0.05). In the intestine, the critical O2 extraction ratio was significantly poorer in the normovolemic (45 +/- 11%) group than in either hypovolemic group (alpha-intact: 69 +/- 3%, P < 0.00005; alpha-blocked: 62 +/- 9%, P < 0.005). These findings demonstrate that systemic hemorrhage significantly augments critical O2 extraction in intestine during progressive local stagnant hypoxia and suggest that nonadrenergic vasoconstrictor mechanisms may play an important role.
RH and H2 Production in Reactions between ROH and Small Molybdenum Oxide Cluster Anions

To test recent computational studies on the mechanism of metal oxide cluster anion reactions with water [Ramabhadran, R. O.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2010, 1, 3066; Ramabhadran, R. O.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 17039], the reactivity of molybdenum oxo–cluster anions, MoxOy– (x = 1 – 4; y ≤ 3x) toward both methanol (MeOH) and ethanol (EtOH) has been studied using mass spectrometric analysis of products formed in a high-pressure, fast-flow reactor. The size-dependent product distributions are compared to previous MoxOy– + H2O/D2O reactivity studies, with particular emphasis on the Mo2Oy– and Mo3Oy– series. In general, sequential oxidation, MoxOy– + ROH → MoxOy+1– + RH, and addition reactions, MoxOy– + ROH → MoxOy+1RH–, largely corresponded with previously studied MoxOy– + H2O/D2O reactions [Rothgeb, D. W., Mann, J. E., and Jarrold, C. C. J. Chem. Phys. 2010, 133, 054305], though with much lower rate constants than those determined for MoxOy– + H2O/D2O reactions. This finding is consistent with ...
DYNAMICAL FRACTURE PROPERTIES OF AEROFAN BLADE COM-POSITE MATERIAL CANDIDATES

The study documented in this report consisted of a quantitative assessment of developmental composite material specimens of varied architectures. The primary goals were: to isolate material properties and characteristics that apply to aircraft engine fan blade design and typical inservice load scenarios; to develop appropriate test methods to evaluate these properties; and to present and compare results from testing actual specimens. It was also desired that recommendations for modifications of material composition be delivered in the form of minimum design specifications. Several sets of apparatus and data acquisition equipment were developed to enable completion of the program. Tests conducted utilized dynamic and static testing to gather several forms of data characterizing material behavior. Analyzed data included the average strain release rate during impact (G& values), bending modulus, bending damage threshold, and flexural strength, tensile modulus, and dynamic flex characteristics. Examination of data collected from the test series indicated the supplied composite materials would not completely meet all in-service requirements. Excessive cross-stitching in specimens eliminated delamination as a failure mode but compromised in plane and flexural strength. Conversely, specimens without crossstitching reinforcement had higher in-plane strength, but did not have adequate interlaminar properties or impact resistance.
SRC-1 Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis by Activating MAPK Pathway.

Background: Steroid receptor coactivator (SRC-1) was defined as a nuclear receptor coactivator. It interacts with nuclear receptor and other transcriptional factors and promotes target genes expression. In breast cancer, SRC-1 expression correlates positively with HER2 expression, disease recurrence and resistance to endocrine therapy. Our previous work demonstrated that knockout of SRC-1 in mice suppressed breast cancer metastasis without affecting primary tumor initiation and growth in the MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for SRC-1 in breast cancer metastasis is still unclear.Material and Methods: To further study the function of SRC-1 in breast cancer metastasis, we generated transgenic mice with overexpression of human SRC-1 in the mouse mammary epithelial cells. The mammary glands of these mice exhibited normal development. After crossing these mice with MMTV-TVA (avian subgroup A receptor gene, TVA) transgenic mice, we obtained MMTV-TVA/MMTV-hSRC-1 (tester) and MMTV-TVA/WT (control) biogenic mice. RCAS (avian leukosis virus) viruses, which contain MMTV-PyMT expression cassette and can bind to TVA, were injected into mammary gland to induce mammary tumor. Tumor initiation, growth and metastasis were carefully examined with these mice. To investigate mechanism, multiple PyMT tumor cell lines were generated form individual primary tumor with or without SRC-1 and cell migration and invasion were compared with those cells and human breast cancer cells.Results and discuss: No difference in tumor initiation and growth was observed in those mice, but metastasis incidence of breast cancer to lung increased significantly in PyMT/TVA/hSRC-1 mice compared with PyMT/TVA/WT control mice. Tumor metastasis in lung also presented higher index in PyMT/TVA/hSRC-1 mice. In vitro study with PyMT/SRC-1 WT and KO cell lines showed SRC-1 deficiency disturbed cells migration and invasion. WT tumor cells adhered faster to extracellular matrix fibronecetin (FN) and presented high levels of phosphorylated forms of FAK, c-Src, Erk, Jnk and activated Rac1. Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR revealed lower integrin alpha5 and Gem, one of GTP binding protein, levels in SRC-1 deficient tumor cells. In human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, SRC-1 knockdown led to decreased cell migration and invasion. Therefore, SRC-1 may regulate integrin expression and MAPK pathway to promote cancer cell migration and metastasis. Our study provides a possibility to inhibit breast cancer metastasis by targeting SRC-1 function. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6150.
Verification and Validation of a Numerical Analysis for a Reentry Space Shuttle Vehicle

The Air Force is currently is interested in reusable launch vehicles (RLV) to better understand their flight environment. This will require the use of high fidelity CFD solutions to capture the flow features that are of interest for resolving design issues. To help meet these requirements, AFRL is looking into different CFD solvers. In this work, preliminary evaluation of the AVUS Equilibrium Air solver developed by Wright State University (AFRL/RBAC) for RLVs will be presented. Flight data from the Space Shuttle was used as a basis for this preliminary study. The flight data was for a Mach 18 flow at ~65 km in the reentry trajectory. Pressure coefficients from the flight are used as a comparison. The CFD results were also compared to a non-equilibrium CFD solver, US3D (University of Minnesota). The Shuttle trajectory is known to be in-between the equilibrium and nonequilibrium regime and a comparison will give understanding to the applicability of an equilibrium solver to Shuttle type trajectories.
Development of Renal Function in Fetal and Neo-Natal Rabbits Using Phenolsulfonphthalein.

Summary1. Renal function in the rabbit as measured by phenolsulfonphthalein excretion increases rapidly and regularly in the first 10 days after birth but does not exist to an important degree before birth. 2. At the end of 10 days of postnatal life the rate of dye excretion is 100 times greater than the prenatal rate while the renal mass is increased less than 20 fold. 3. In one hour PSP does not traverse the rabbit placenta in either direction in appreciable amounts after the 26th day of gestation. 4. The effect of urethane anesthesia on the excretion of PSP by newborn rabbits was found to be negligible.
A Study on the Transition Layer Between Phases ‘in Semi-Compatible Blend by Light Scattering

Light scattering theory was developed for the semi compatible blend system. A new parameter - the transition layer thickness (d) - was introduced to describe the compatibility of the system in both the static and the dynamic states. d was shown to be a function of the integral invariant (Q), the size of the dispersed phase(r), and the volume fractions of each component (φ 1, φ 2 respectively). Using the correlation distance, a c, instead of r (since both are indicative of the dimension of the dispersed phase pellets), d was calculated for the PA6/PP system using both the Small Angle Light Scattering (SALS) method and the Small Angle X ray Scattering (SAXS) technique. The calculated d was compared with σ b, the interface layer thickness which is a widely used parameter calculated from SAXS. The result shows that the transition layer thickness is indeed a valid parameter to describe compatibility. φ 3, the volume fraction of the transition layer, was also calculated in this paper. Both d and φ 3 can be used in discussing changes in compatible behavior during mixing.
Hepatic insufficiency after portacaval shunting is prevented by prior intraportal pancreatic islet autotransplantation.

Les autotransplants intraportes d'ilots pancreatiques previennent, par la liberation locale de facteurs hepatotrophes dans le foie, les anomalies metaboliques et la perte de la fonction hepatique apres anastomose porto-cave
The Haunted Museum: E.M. Forster, Italy, and the Grand Tour

This chapter examines the broad redefinition of Englishness from the perspective of a writer, who, like other modernist authors, was disappointed with the direction his country was headed and felt at times like a stranger at home. Seeking in his fiction a countervailing measure against what he saw as a sprawling and harmful urbanization, Forster has to take an imaginary journey to Italy to find a powerful example of the enemy within that is furnished to Conrad by his Polish background. This chapter offers an overview of the long cultural history of the Grand Tour and shows that Forster’s characters become emblems of a renewed national consciousness only after they have learned to Romanize their provincial English backgrounds by Gothicizing their Italian tourist destinations.
Direct displacement-based seismic design of semi-rigid steel frames

Abstract Semi-rigid steel frames are often considered a cost-effective alternative to conventional fully rigid steel frames, because they use the economical partially restrained (PR) connections instead of the costly moment connections while performing satisfactorily under seismic loads. So far, semi-rigid steel frames have typically been designed using the traditional force-based method that is meant for the design of fully rigid steel frames. With this method, the sizing of various structural components is firstly carried out per code strength requirements and then revised iteratively to satisfy the stiffness requirements on both individual structural components and the overall frame. As a result, a designer often encounters considerable difficulty in achieving a structural solution that meets the target displacement and attains a desired yield mechanism. To address this issue, we propose a facile displacement-based method for the seismic design of semi-rigid steel frame structures by directly and explicitly relating the target displacement and deformation to the appropriate sizing of various structural components in terms of their strength, stiffness, and ductility. The new method is based on a simplified analytical semi-rigid frame model assuming that the structural plastic deformation is mainly concentrated within the PR connections while beams and columns largely remain elastic. A step-by-step procedure for implementing the new method is described and illustrated with example semi-rigid steel frame designs. The usefulness of the new method is demonstrated by comparing the target displacement and deformation values specified as a design objective with the actual values predicted by a nonlinear static pushover analysis.
Sex Offenders in the Digital Age

With most youths now using the Internet and social networking sites (SNSs), the public has become increasingly concerned about risks posed by online predators. In response, lawmakers have begun to pass laws that ban or limit sex offenders' use of the Internet and SNSs. At the time of this article, 12 states and the federal government have passed legislation attempting to restrict or ban the use of SNSs by registered sex offenders. These laws have been successfully challenged in 4 states. In this article, we discuss examples of case law that illustrate evolving trends regarding Internet and social networking site restrictions on sex offenders on supervised release, as well as those who have already completed their sentences. We also review constitutional questions and empirical evidence concerning Internet and social networking use by sex offenders. To our knowledge, this is the first paper in the psychiatric literature that addresses the evolving legal landscape in reference to sex offenders and their use of the Internet and SNSs. This article is intended to help inform forensic mental health professionals who work with sex offenders on current concerns in this rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Gemcitabine Plus Rituximab Therapy of Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Abstract The malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) reside among an overwhelming number of benign stromal cells. The majority of the cells in this microenvironment are T and B lymphocytes. Both B and T cells have been reported to express growth and survival factors that may support HRS cells survival. Specifically, we and others reported that B cells in HL lesions express CD30 ligand and CD40 ligand that are known to activate NF-kB and provide survival and resistance signals to HRS cells. To determine the contribution of benign B-cells to the survival of RS cells in vivo, we have recently conducted a pilot study using rituximab alone in patients with relapsed classical HL. Depleting benign B cells from HL lesions produced an overall response rate was 23% in heavily pretreated patients (response rate was 50% when patients with no extranodal site involvement). We therefore hypothesized that depleting benign B cells from HL lesions by rituximab may deprive HRS cells from critical growth and survival factors which may synergizes with chemotherapy. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of the novel combination of rituximab and gemcitabine chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory classical HL. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m2 weekly for 6 weeks to rapidly deplete B lymphocytes, while gemcitabine was given at a 1 gm/m2 on day 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. The first dose of rituximab was given concurrently with the first dose of gemcitabine. Patients were eligible if they had biopsy-confirmed relapsed/refractory classical HL irrespective of CD20 expression on HRS cells, bidimensionally measurable disease that is confined to lymph nodes, adequate bone marrow reserve (ANC > 1,000/uL, Platelet > 100,000/uL) and adequate cardiac and renal functions. Patients with prior autologous stem cell transplantation were eligible. Patients were excluded if they had extranodal disease, HIV infection, or were pregnant women. To date 29 patients are enrolled, of whom 26 are evaluable for treatment response. Median age 32 years (range 19–73), 11 were females and 15 males. The median number of prior treatment regimens was 4 (Range 1–6), and 17 (65%) were refractory to their last regimen. Fourteen patients (54%) received prior stem cell transplantation. Twenty-one patients (81%) were previously treated with platinum-based therapy. Treatment was reasonably well tolerated with the most frequent toxicity being thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Thirteen patients (50%) responded to therapy irrespective of CD20 expression by HRS cells. Our results compare favorably with the reported single agnet activity of gemcitabine in less heavily pretreated patients. This encouraging results warrants evaluating this novel therapeutic concept in less heavily pretreated patients, perhaps in a randomized phase II design to shed more light on the potential contribution of rituximab to gemcitabine.
Neural correlates of working memory development in adolescent primates.

Working memory ability matures after puberty, in parallel with structural changes in the prefrontal cortex, but little is known about how changes in prefrontal neuronal activity mediate this cognitive improvement in primates. To address this issue, we compare behavioural performance and neurophysiological activity in monkeys as they transitioned from puberty into adulthood. Here we report that monkeys perform working memory tasks reliably during puberty and show modest improvement in adulthood. The adult prefrontal cortex is characterized by increased activity during the delay period of the task but no change in the representation of stimuli. Activity evoked by distracting stimuli also decreases in the adult prefrontal cortex. The increase in delay period activity relative to the baseline activity of prefrontal neurons is the best correlate of maturation and is not merely a consequence of improved performance. Our results reveal neural correlates of the working memory improvement typical of primate adolescence. Working memory is known to improve through adolescence into adulthood, yet the associated changes in neuronal activity are not well understood. Zhou and colleagues report increased delay period activity correlated with changes in performance on working memory tasks in monkeys as they transition into adulthood.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Knowledge and Awareness on the Navajo Reservation

B38 This is the first study to have examined colorectal cancer screening knowledge and awareness among the Navajo people residing on the reservation. We first collected data at two annual regional tribal fairs on the Navajo Reservation among 303 adult tribal members who filled out anonymous assessment of colorectal screening knowledge. Next we collected data at two Indian Health Service hospitals in 2007 among 20 adult outpatients to test a culturally adapted instrument on colorectal cancer screening knowledge and awareness. Lastly, we conducted four focus groups in the Navajo language among 30 elders to document their knowledge and awareness of cancer and colorectal cancer screening. Our results show that the majority of the tribal fair participants were Navajo females (78%), with the most common age category of 40-49, a median education of grade 13 (9%); 72% spoke both Navajo and English. Only 16% of the respondents reported having been screened for colorectal cancer. In the hospital survey, the 11 female and 9 male participants had a median age of 58 years. The hospital survey results also show that 55% of the participants had heard about colorectal screening. More importantly, however, 70% of the respondents reported never been screened for colorectal cancer screening. Data from the focus groups show that 77% of the participants were females and the median age was 71. Thirty-six percent of the participants had zero education. Among individuals 50 years and older, 50% reported never having had a colorectal cancer screening, 43% reporting having had one, and the remaining 7% did not. Results of our study show that awareness and interest in colorectal cancer screening among the Navajo is present. The proportion of those reporting undergoing screening is much lower than the national average. The study documents the need for colorectal screening for Navajo people. Results also indicate that the greatest need for colorectal cancer screening efforts is among Navajo individuals who have lower levels of education (0-12) as has been reported for other racial/ethnic groups.
Pediatric post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in the setting of post-transplantation immunosuppression

Abstract Introduction Long-term immunosuppressants form an integral part of therapy for post-transplantation patients. Immunosuppressants may also have an anticoagulant effect, and little is known about their effects on bleeding risk after adenotonsillectomy. Our objective was to investigate whether there is an increased observed rate of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in a population of pediatric patients on long-term immunosuppressants after solid organ transplantation, compared to healthy controls. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with a history of renal or heart transplant undergoing adenotonsillectomy at our institution between 2000 and 2014. All patients underwent tonsillectomy with monopolar electrocautery. Retrieved data included perioperative medications, occurrence of post-operative bleeding and associated treatment. For comparison, we obtained a population of age-matched controls with no history of immunosuppression who underwent the same procedure. Results A total of 34 patients meeting criteria were identified, of which 3 (8.82%) suffered a postoperative bleed. Forty-seven controls were obtained, with a total of 2 (4.26%) postoperative hemorrhages (p = 0.65). Two of the post-transplantation patients who bled postoperatively required cauterization in the operating room. None of the controls required surgical treatment. The incidences of postoperative bleeding requiring surgical treatment were 5.88% and 0%, respectively (p = 0.17). Conclusion We failed to demonstrate an increased risk of bleeding after undergoing adenotonsillectomy in our cohort of post-transplantation pediatric patients on chronic immunosuppression. Future research, likely requiring a multi-institutional effort, could stratify by immunosuppressive agent to elucidate bleeding risk with specific medications.
Targeting the glucose metabolism of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells to stimulate cancer immunity.

126Background: Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) inhibit the expansion of tumor antigen-specific effector CD8+ T cells via different mechanisms including increased expression of arginase, tr...
The role of neutrophils in host defense against invasive fungal infections.

Invasive fungal infections caused by the commensal yeast Candida and the ubiquitous, inhaled mold Aspergillus have emerged as major causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill and immunosuppressed patient populations. Here, we review how neutrophils contribute to effective immunity against these infections. Studies in mouse models of invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis and observations in hematological patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders that manifest with these infections have highlighted the critical role of neutrophils and have identified key immune factors that promote neutrophil-mediated effective host defense against invasive fungal disease. Neutrophils are crucial in host protection against invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular cues that mediate protective neutrophil recruitment and effector function against these infections hold promise for developing immune-based strategies to improve the outcomes of affected patients.
Connectivity Measurements for Network Imaging

Communication across the brain networks is dependent on neuronal oscillations. Detection of the synchronous activation of neurons can be used to determine the well-being of the connectivity in the human brain networks. Well-connected highly synchronous activity can be measured by MEG, EEG, fMRI, and PET and then analyzed with several types of mathematical algorithms. Coherence is one mathematical method that can detect how well 2 or more sensors or brain regions have similar oscillatory activity with each other. Phase synchrony can be used to determine if these oscillatory activities are in sync or out of sync with each other. Correlation is used to determine the strength of interaction between two locations or signals. Granger causality can be used to determine the direction of the information flow in the neuronal brain networks. Statistical analysis can be performed on the connectivity results to verify evidence of normal or abnormal network activity in a patient.
An Enzyme-Targeted Herbicide Design Program Based on EPSP Synthase: Chemical Mechanism and Glyphosate Inhibition Studies

The herbicide markets of the late 1990’s and beyond will demand high performance products with stringent environmental acceptability requirements. We have initiated a multi-disciplinary herbicide discovery program directed toward the inhibition of key plant enzymes as one approach to meet these challenges. Plants contain a variety of biosynthetic pathways which are essential for their growth. Effective, plant-specific enzyme inhibitors offer the opportunity to satisfy the herbicide performance needs of the marketplace while exhibiting favorably low mammalian toxicity properties.1 Our enzyme-targeted research effort systematically integrates mechanistic biochemistry, molecular biology, modeling, inhibitor recognition, and structural biology information with organic synthesis through a series of collaborations within and outside Monsanto. A thorough understanding of the chemical mechanism for a particular enzyme target is an essential first step for the design of potent inhibitors.
Size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography of native trypsinogen, the denatured protein, and partially refolded molecules: further evidence that non-native disulfide bonds are dominant in refolding the completely reduced protein

Size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography was used to compare the Stokes radius of the mixed disulfide of trypsinogen refolded for 10 min with the Stokes radius of denatured trypsinogen in high concentrations of urea. After folding for 10 min, rechromatography of a collection of sequential fractions of an initial separation showed that the fractions display microheterogeneity as seen in the value of the Stokes radius of each fraction. These intermediate species differed in their Stokes radius, and each had a globular structure cross-linked by disulfide bonds. In contrast, when trypsinogen with the native disulfides intact was equilibrated at different concentrations of urea (0-8 M), a progressive increase in Stokes radius was observed with extent of unfolding. Rechromatography of a series of fractions collected at a specific urea concentration showed that each had the same Stokes radius as the fraction in the initial separation. Urea-denatured trypsinogen and partially refolded trypsinogen must therefore differ in the disulfide pairing that links regions of the polypeptide chain. These observations support the suggestion that non-native disulfide bonds are responsible for the many stable conformations that form early in the folding of the mixed disulfide of trypsinogen (Light, A., and Higaki, J.N. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 5556-5564). These intermediates initially are loose structures (large Stokes radius) that become more compact with time (decreasing Stokes radius). The intermediates must therefore undergo a continuing disulfide interchange until native disulfides form late in the process when the stable conformation of the native molecule is reached.
Preverbs and their Origins in Georgian and Udi

The structure of the preverb + stem combination is superficially similar in Georgian, a member of the Kartvelian (South Caucasian) family, and in unrelated Udi, a member of the Lezgian group of the North East Caucasian family. Compare (1) and (2) in this regard. (1) Georgian: mi-v-i-t’an-e thither-1sg-cv-carry-aor ‘I took it (away)’2 (2) Udi: ta-zu-s-er-e thither-1sg-carry-er-aorII ‘I took it (away)’ Of interest here is the fact that in both languages the preverb (mi-, ta-) forms a semantic whole with the verb root (-t’an-,-s-), yet an agreement marker (v-, -ne-) occurs between them. This kind of interruption of a semantic and formal unit is a well recognized problem in linguistics (see, for example, Ackerman and Webelhuth 1998). In this paper it is shown that two quite different histories led to the situation found today and illustrated in (1–2).