cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OSCILLAXANTHIN IN THE SEDIMENT OF LAKE WASHINGTON1

Oscillaxanthin was determined quantitatively in portions of five cores cut in slices 1 cm thick. The distribution varied with depth in a manner qualitatively consistent in all cores, although there were quantitative differences. The pigment was undetectable below 9 cm in two cores, below 8 in another, and below 13 in the remaining two. The amount of pigment per unit dry weight of sediment was highest at the surface and had two subsurface maxima, at 4 cm for the shallow maximum, with a deep maximum at 7 cm for three cores, 8 cm for the fourth, and 9 cm for the fifth. The total accumulated pigment under unit area of bottom mud varied from 27.10 to 6.66 pg/cm’. To some extent these differences also relate to accumulation of organic matter and to other pigments. The oscillaxanthinproducing algae evidently are somewhat differently distributed during sedimentation, for the differences are not related to differences in distribution of the plankton. The vertical distribution of oscillaxanthin within the sediments is considered in relation to the recent history of sewage enrichment of the lake. Oscillaxanthin is known to be produced by Osc&toria rubescens and 0. ugardhii, both of which have occurred in abundance in Lake Washington since 1955 when 0. rubescens was observed for the first time, in a relatively dense population. OsciZZut~~ia agardhii occurred in small quantities in 1956. Cultured Anabaena circinalis, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Aphunixomenon flos-aquae had negligible amounts of oscillaxanthin. On the basis of available evidence about sedimentation rates, oscillaxanthin must have been produced in the lake before the appearance of 0. rubescens in 1955 and also before 1950. The first appearance of oscillaxanthin probably came early in the period of sewage enrichment that led to the recent diversion of sewage from Lake Washington. The reasons for the two maxima in concentration are not known. The changes apparently cannot be attributed to destruction of pigment or dilution with other components of sediment in varying amounts over the years and therefore seem to reflect changes in the production of Oscil2ator~.
A mechanistic examination of the impact of maternal high-fat diet on long-term offspring obesity risk.

Obesity is currently at epidemic rates in the United States, and this includes a large percentage of women of child-bearing age. It is clear that maternal obesity significantly increases the rates of birth defects, maternal complications, fetal loss, and the incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Equally intriguing is the emerging relationship between maternal obesity and the predisposition of children born of these pregnancies having an increased risk for overweight and obesity as adults. Elucidation of the possible mechanisms by which the intrauterine environment transmits these signals and impacts fetal development is necessary. To investigate these parameters, we have examined changes in expression levels for hypothalamic POMC and NPY in 3-week-old offspring from dams on a high-fat diet during pregnancy. Compared to controls, these mice show significant changes in POMC levels. No differences were found in NPY expression. As the offspring from high-fat diet dams weighed significantly more at this age, alterations in POMC expression may support epigenetic regulation resulting from a high nutritional state during development. We have begun examination of changes in DNA methylation of specific genes related to maternal dietary status. Results from our proposed work will provide significant insight into the underlying causes of the potential long-term risk for development of overweight or obesity associated with an obese intrauterine environment.
Effects of indomethacin on brain blood flow and cerebral metabolism in hypoxic newborn piglets

We tested the hypotheses that in newborn piglets indomethacin (Indo) pretreatment blunts the hyperemic brain blood flow (BF) and alters the cerebral metabolic responses to hypoxia and that these responses are dose dependent. We studied 23 chronically instrumented piglets exposed to graded hypoxia (O2 content: 7.1-0.4 microM O2/ml) after pretreatment with high (5 mg/kg, n = 8)-or low (0.3 mg/kg, n = 6)-dose Indo or placebo (diluent, n = 9). Total and regional brain BF increased significantly with decreasing O2 content values (P 0.05). Although coupling of cerebral BF and CMR(O2) was preserved in the three groups, this association was significantly altered with high-dose pretreatment. We conclude that an attenuation in the hypoxia-induced brain perfusion by Indo is dose dependent. Alterations in CMR(O2) and glucose metabolism are observed with high-dose pretreatment during severe hypoxia, and the responses to hypoxia are similar with placebo and low-dose Indo pretreatment.
Atrial Fibrillation in Eight New World Camelids.

Background There is limited information on the incidence of clinical signs, concurrent illness and treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF) in New World Camelids (NWC). Objective Describe clinical signs and outcome of AF in NWC. Animals Eight New World Camelids admitted with AF. Methods A retrospective observational study of camelids diagnosed with AF based on characteristic findings on electrocardiogram (ECG). Results All animals had an irregularly irregular heart rhythm detected on physical examination and 4 cases had obtunded mentation on admission. Three camelids were diagnosed with AF secondary to oleander intoxication, 3 animals had underlying cardiovascular disease, 1 was diagnosed with lone AF and 1 had AF diagnosed on examination for a urethral obstruction. Five of eight animals survived to discharge and nonsurvivors consisted of animals which died or were euthanized as a result of cardiovascular disease (2/8) or extra-cardiac disease unrelated to the AF (1/8). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Atrial fibrillation occurs in NWC in association with cardiovascular disease, extra-cardiac disease or as lone AF. Amiodarone and transthoracic cardioversion were attempted in one llama with lone AF, but were unsuccessful. Atrial fibrillation was recorded in 0.1% of admissions.
Comparison of Fluoroscopy and Computed Tomography for Tracheal Lumen Diameter Measurement and Determination of Intraluminal Stent Size in Healthy Dogs

Tracheal collapse is a progressive airway disease that can ultimately result in complete airway obstruction. Intraluminal tracheal stents are a minimally invasive and viable treatment for tracheal collapse once the disease becomes refractory to medical management. Intraluminal stent size is chosen based on the maximum measured tracheal diameter during maximum inflation. The purpose of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to compare tracheal lumen diameter measurements and subsequent selected stent size using both fluoroscopy and CT and to evaluate inter- and intraobserver variability of the measurements. Seventeen healthy Beagles were anesthetized and imaged with fluoroscopy and CT with positive pressure ventilation to 20 cm H2 O. Fluoroscopic and CT maximum tracheal diameters were measured by three readers. Three individual measurements were made at eight predetermined tracheal sites for dorsoventral (height) and laterolateral (width) dimensions. Tracheal diameters and stent sizes (based on the maximum tracheal diameter + 10%) were analyzed using a linear mixed model. CT tracheal lumen diameters were larger compared to fluoroscopy at all locations (P-value < 0.0001). When comparing modalities, fluoroscopic and CT stent sizes were statistically different. Greater overall variation in tracheal diameter measurement (height or width) existed for fluoroscopy compared to CT, both within and among observers. The greater tracheal diameter measured with CT and lower measurement variability has clinical significance, as this may be the imaging modality of choice for appropriate stent selection to minimize complications in veterinary patients.
The impact of monitoring and enforcement on air pollutant emissions

Monitoring and enforcement are an important part of any regulatory regime, and the costs of such regulatory actions should be justified by improvements in environmental performance. Among air pollutants, particulate matter has the greatest health impacts: the EPA estimates that reductions in ambient particulate matter will have prevented 195,500 cases of premature mortality by 2020. This article is the first to study the impact of monitoring and enforcement actions on emissions of criteria pollutants, which are commonly found air pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. Previous research on criteria pollutants has been limited as data are not easily available. This article studies both specific and general deterrence. It shows that penalties produce a small but statistically significant specific deterrence impact and inspections produce a general deterrence impact: increasing the average number of inspections at other facilities in the same county by one decreases emissions by 2.7 %.
Wide Awake Trigger Finger Release Surgery: Prospective Comparison of Lidocaine, Marcaine, and Exparel.

Background: Local anesthetics are routinely used in hand surgery for procedures such as trigger finger releases (TFRs). However, little is known as to the difference in efficacy and patient experie...
Response of Chaoborus (Diptera: Chaoboridae) Larvae to Different Wavelengths of Light

Immature and mature Chaoborus larvae (Diptera: Chaboridae) were tested in a specially designed apparatus to determine their behavorial response to light of different wavelengths. Larvae were exposed to 15 wavelengths of light for 30-minute intervals. In all cases, mature larvae (3rd and 4th instars) were uniformly distributed before light exposure and displayed a negative phototaxis to all wavelengths of light tested. The mature larvae were affected most by blue and green light, with the greatest negative phototaxis at 440 and 515 mμ. Mature larvae were affected least by red light (700 and 730 mμ) and closely approximated a uniform distribution after exposure to light. Immature larvae (1st and 2nd instars) exhibited a slight positive phototaxis at the blue end of the spectrum (350 and 400 mμ) but displayed a negative phototaxis for all wavelengths of light greater than 440 mμ.
An Automated Cyclic Particle Extractor

Based on diffusion mechanism, a program-controlled cyclic particle extraction on an integrated PDMS microfluidic platform is presented. The platform comprises on-chip pneumatic peristaltic pumps and valves connected to a PC-based relay board, hence allowing programmable manipulations. The main concept is cycling a sample stream along with an extraction stream multiple times to enhance the particle separation. A sample solution containing 3-μm and 0.5-μm particles was utilized to demonstrate the process. The average flow rate was 4.75 mm/s and the extraction channel length was 84.3 mm. The relatively accumulative concentration for the 0.5-μm particle was 7.52% at the 1st cycle and became 37.99% at the 10th cycle. The result shows an expected improvement of particle concentration after the cyclic extraction. Higher efficiency can be achieved with more cycles.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
COMPARISON OF TRADITIONAL AGILITY METRICS TO BECK PERFORMANCE AND AGILITY METRICS USING LINEAR ERROR THEORY

Previous investigations have studied the robustness of agility metrics to variations in initial conditions and uncertainties in physical characteristics and coefficients. In each of these investigations, the selected agility metrics were evaluated in a Cartesian coordinate system. It is known that values of calculated parameters can be sensitive to the particular form of the equation used, which in turn results from the choice of coordinate system. Although simple and intuitive for quantifying agility, Cartesian coordinates are not necessarily the best coordinate system for studying agility. Best is defined here as the form of agility equation, resulting from choice of coordinate system, which is most robust to variations in initial conditions and uncertainties in physical characteristics and coefficients. This paper seeks to establish the relationship between form of agility equations, choice of coordinate system, and the measured agility of high performance aircraft. Cartesian based agility metrics consisting of time to roll through bank angle metric, average pitch rate metric, and power onset/loss parameter metric, are compared to the Beck metrics which are based in the Frenet coordinate system. Each group of metrics is evaluated with initial condition errors and parametric uncertainties of physical constants using linear error theory to validate the use of linear approximations to propagate the errors, l^. is shown that the Beck metrics are less sensitive to initial condition errors and parametric uncertainties for the longitudinal and axial axes. The time to roll through bank angle metric is less sensitive to these variations than the Beck metrics for evaluating agility in the lateral axis.
Studying the Affinity, Kinetic Stability, and Specificity of RNA/Protein Interactions: SINE ncRNA/Pol II Complexes as a Model System

The number of documented interactions between proteins and non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) of all types has grown rapidly in the past several years. A current challenge is to experimentally characterize these interactions to ultimately understand their biological roles at a mechanistic level, which will require a combination of multiple experimental techniques. One such category of techniques is biochemical assays that determine the affinity, kinetic stability, and specificity of ncRNA/protein complexes. Here we describe how to experimentally determine these important parameters using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). The interaction between mammalian SINE-encoded ncRNAs and human RNA polymerase II is presented as a model system; however, the experiments could be readily adapted to other ncRNA/protein complexes.
Factors influencing flexor tendon adhesions

Formation of adhesions is precipitated by injury to the tendon sheath, suturing of the tendon, and immobilization. Of the factors associated with formation of adhesions, immobilization has been most extensively investigated clinically and experimentally. Early protected passive mobilization to improve flexor tendon healing is currently the most effective means of inhibiting formation of adhesions.
Dual-Energy CT of Incidental Findings in the Abdomen: Can We Reduce the Need for Follow-Up Imaging?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the added value of dual-energy CT for characterization of incidental lesions discovered during routine abdominal CT. CONCLUSION. Dual-energy CT allows acquisition of virtual unenhanced images, iodine maps, and virtual monochromatic images, all of which can aid in characterizing incidental lesions at the time of detection. Virtual unenhanced images and iodine maps are used for assessment of enhancement of incidental lesions, which can help differentiate suspicious enhancing lesions from benign nonenhancing lesions. Virtual monochromatic images can be obtained at low energy to improve conspicuity and detection of subtle lesions. Routine use of dual-energy CT may eliminate the need for additional imaging in the workup of some of these incidental lesions.
Evaluation and selection of accumulator size in electric-hydraulic hybrid (EH2) powertrain

An electric-hydraulic hybrid (EH2) powertrain has shown significant potential in extending driving range and reducing battery discharge current stress. Research has shown that the size of the hydraulic accumulator can have substantial influence on the performance and even the design of components in the overall electrified powertrain of the vehicle. This paper evaluates three sizes of hydraulic accumulator for urban delivery trucks according to different degrees of hybridization in the electric hydraulic hybrid powertrain. It has been shown that different hydraulic accumulators have notable impact on the reduction of battery current stress and electricity consumption, optimal utilization of hydraulic energy storage system, weight, cost, and hydraulic component efficiency.
Role of Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities — Techniques and Results

Soft tissue sarcomas account for less than 1% of all neoplasms in adults. The American Cancer Society (1993) estimates that in 1993, 5000 people will develop and 3000 will die with sarcoma in the United States. The most frequent sites of aqqearance of soft tissue sarcomas are the extremities. These tumors are the most aggressive, spreading extensively along anatomic structures.
Arsenic Trioxide (As2O3) Mediated Cell Death in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Investigation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Caspase, and MAP Kinase Signaling Pathways.

The cytotoxic activity of As2O3 in leukemia and myeloma has been shown to be mediated in part by ROS. We determined the mechanism of cytotoxicity of As2O3 in HL and NHL cell lines. Ramos, HF-1, SUDHL4 (NHL lines), and L428 (HL line) cells were cultured with increasing clinically relevant As2O3 concentrations (1.0mm-10mm) at 24-72 hours with and without the oxidizing agent, buthionine sulfoxime (BSO, 100mm), and with and without caspase inhibitors Z-VAD-FMK and Z-IETD-FMK. Apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and detected by flow cytometry (FACS). ROS was measured by oxidation of 2′7′ dichlorofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) to Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and analyzed by FACS. Immunoblots were performed for bcl-2, PARP, cleaved caspases 3, 8, 9, and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (ERK, JNK, and p38 activation). As2O3 alone at 10mM resulted in dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in all cell lines (HL and NHL) with >75% annexin+/PI+ between 48 and 72 hours. In Ramos and L428 cells, a combination of As2O3 (2 mM) and BSO 100mM resulted in >80% annexinV+/PI+, while either agent alone resulted in <15% apoptosis (p=0.001). A four-fold increase in ROS was seen in all four cell lines with As2O3/BSO, but not with As2O3 alone. Both ROS production and apoptosis induced by As2O3/BSO and As2O3 alone were reversible with the anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (10mM). Furthermore, As2O3/BSO induced PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activation in all NHL cell lines, but not in L428. In Ramos, Z-VAD-FMK and Z-IETD-FMK blocked As2O3-induced apoptosis (suggesting a caspase-dependent mechanism), but had no effect on As2O3/BSO-induced cell death (caspase-independent). To investigate the signaling pathways involved, we performed western blot analysis for phospho-p38 (p-p38), phospho-JNK and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in Ramos and L428 cells following As2O3 alone and As2O3/BSO. We found up-regulation of p-p38 in Ramos cells, while in L428, p-ERK was activated following As2O3 and As2O3/BSO. Inhibitors of p-38 in Ramos cells resulted in up-regulation of ERK. In summary, As2O3 induced dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in HL and NHL cell lines was significantly enhanced with the addition of BSO, and inhibited by NAC, suggesting that apoptosis was in part ROS-dependent. In Ramos, As2O3 alone resulted in caspase-dependent apoptosis, while addition of BSO resulted in caspase-independent apoptosis. As2O3 alone and combined with BSO resulted in activation of MAPK pathways in HL and NHL lines. These data provide a basis and a mechanism for As2O3-induced cell death in HL and NHL and have therapeutic implications.
Toward Online Optimal Power Flow of a Networked DC Microgrid System

Microgrids with distributed generation and storage assets often form an underdetermined system of power flow equations for balancing loads and generation. This feature is compounded for networked microgrid topologies. Advanced control strategies offer a solution to this power flow problem and often require a feedforward reference. This provides an opportunity to compute energy optimal references but with the limitation of solution computation time. Therefore, four optimal reference command generators were developed focusing on solution time and scalability to both asset quantity and number of microgrids networked. Strategies explored were pure numerical, closed form, and numerical hybrids, and a Lagrange multiplier method. A tradeoff existed between smaller solution time of the Lagrange multiplier method and guaranteeing a feasible solution intrinsic to the hybrid approaches. Timing trials were performed where generation assets per microgrid ranged from 1 to 130000 and networked microgrid quantity ranged from 1 to 250. These trials quantified the bounds where subsecond updates rates could be achieved for two types of topologies.
Abstract 16287: Genetic Deletion of Pim Causes Premature Cardiac Senescence

Rationale: Cardiac aging is defined as increased cellular senescence and loss of survival signaling within cardiomyocytes and the cardiac stem cell population. To prevent myocardial, aging it is important to reverse the characteristic aging phenotype. Pim-1 is a cardioprotective kinase downstream of AKT, and has been shown to be pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic. Pim-1 mediated antagonism of myocardial aging will lead to a decrease in cardiac senescence, maintain contractile performance, and prolong the lifespan of an organism. Objective: Demonstrate that myocardial senescence is antagonized by Pim-1 mediated signaling and loss of Pim-1 activity leads to premature aging of the myocardium and associated decline in cardiac performance. Methods and Results: Pim Triple KnockOut (PTKO) mice, in which all three isoforms of Pim are genetically deleted, develop premature phenotypic hallmarks of myocardial senescence. Elevated levels of the tumor suppressor p53 and senescence marker p16 are present in hearts of PTKO mice at two months of age as seen by western blot and confocal microscopy. Increased p16 expression is consistent with observed induction of Ets-1, a transcription factor that activates p16 transcription in PTKO cardiac samples by western blot. Levels of Id1 and Id2, positive transcriptional regulators of the cell cycle, are decreased in hearts of PTKO mice. Hemodynamic analyses reveal impaired cardiac function in PTKO mice at two months of age. Conversely, cardiac specific overexpression of Pim1-kinase attenuates the senescent phenotype. Hypoxia treatment of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes infected with Pim-1 encoding adenovirus results in reduction of p16 accumulation as seen by qRT-PCR. Pim-1 overexpression increases expression of c-myc, thereby upregulating Id2 and inhibits p16 induced senescence. Cardiac Pim-1 transgenic mice show a delay in the onset of senescence as evidenced by decreased frequency of p16 positive cells in the myocardium by confocal microscopy. Conclusion: Pim-1 inhibits cardiac senescence and is important for maintaining cardiac function. Therefore, selective manipulation of Pim-1 should be pursued as a therapeutic target to promote and extend myocardial cellular lifespan and function.
Nonlinear conductivity in silicon nitride

To better comprehend electrical silicon-package interaction in high voltage applications requires full characterization of the electrical properties of dielectric materials employed in wafer and package level design. Not only the packaging but wafer level dielectrics, i.e. passivation layers, would experience high electric fields generated by the voltage applied pads. In addition the interface between the passivation layer and a mold compound might develop space charge because of the mismatch in electrical properties of the materials. In this contribution electrical properties of a thin silicon nitride (Si3N4) dielectric is reported as a function of temperature and electric field. The measured values later analyzed using different temperature dependent exponential expressions and found that the Mott variable range hopping conduction model was successful to express the data. A full temperature/electric field dependency of conductivity is generated. It was found that the conduction in Si3N4 could be expressed like a field ionization or Fowler-Nordheim mechanism.
Enthalpies of formation of polyhalite: A mineral relevant to salt repository

Abstract Polyhalite is an important coexisting mineral with halite in salt repositories for nuclear waste disposal, such as Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The thermal stability of this mineral is a key knowledge in evaluating the integrity of a salt repository in the long term, as water may release due to thermal decomposition of polyhalite. Previous studies on structural evolution of polyhalite at elevated temperatures laid the basis for detailed calorimetric measurements. Using high-temperature oxide-melt drop-solution calorimetry at 975 K with sodium molybdate as the solvent, we have determined the standard enthalpies of formation from constituent sulfates (ΔH°f,sul), oxides (ΔH°f,ox) and elements (ΔH°f,ele) of a polyhalite sample with the composition of K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4·1.95H2O from the Salado formation at the WIPP site. The obtained results are: ΔH°f,sul = −152.5 ± 5.3 kJ/mol, ΔH°f,ox = −1926.1 ± 10.5 kJ/mol, and ΔH°f,ele = −6301.2 ± 9.9 kJ/mol. Furthermore, based on the estimated formation entropies of polyhalite, its standard Gibbs free energy of formation has been derived to be in the range of −5715.3 ± 9.9 kJ/mol to −5739.3 ± 9.9 kJ/mol. These determined thermodynamic properties provide fundamental parameters for modeling the stability behavior of polyhalite in salt repositories.
Filter Flow Made Practical: Massively Parallel and Lock-Free

This paper is inspired by a relatively recent work of Seitz and Baker which introduced the so-called Filter Flow model. Filter flow finds the transformation relating a pair of (or multiple) images by identifying a large set of local linear filters, imposing additional constraints on certain structural properties of these filters enables Filter Flow to serve as a general one stop construction for a spectrum of problems in vision: from optical flow to defocus to stereo to affine alignment. The idea is beautiful yet the benefits are not borne out in practice because of significant computational challenges. This issue makes most (if not all) deployments for practical vision problems out of reach. The key thrust of our work is to identify mathematically (near) equivalent reformulations of this model that can eliminate this serious limitation. We demonstrate via a detailed optimization-focused development that Filter Flow can indeed be solved fairly efficiently for a wide range of instantiations. We derive efficient algorithms, perform extensive theoretical analysis focused on convergence and parallelization and show how results competitive with the state of the art for many applications can be achieved with negligible application specific adjustments or post-processing. The actual numerical scheme is easy to understand and, implement (30 lines in Matlab) &#x2014; this development will enable Filter Flow to be a viable general solver and testbed for numerous applications in the community, going forward.
Pressure Effect on CH3 and C2H3 Cross-Radical Reactions

The effect of pressure on the cross-radical reactions of vinyl and methyl radicals has been investigated. These radicals were produced by excimer laser photolysis of methyl vinyl ketone (CH{sub 3}COC{sub 2}H{sub 3}) at 193 nm. The reaction products were detected and analyzed using a sensitive gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. The study covered a pressure range from about 0.28 kPa (2.1 Torr) to 27 kPa (200 Torr) at 298 K. The yield of propylene (C{sub 3}H{sub 6}), the cross-combination product of methyl and vinyl radicals, was compared to the yield of ethane (C{sub 2}H{sub 6}), the methyl radical combination product. At 27 kPa [C{sub 3}H{sub 6}]/[C{sub 2}H{sub 6}] = 1.28 was derived. This ratio was reduced to about 0.75 when the pressure was reduced to bout 0.28 kPa. Kinetic modeling results indicated that the contribution of the combination reaction C{sub 2}H{sub 3} + CH{sub 2}+ M {r{underscore}arrow} C{sub 3}H{sub 6} + M to the total cross-radical reactions is reduced from 78% at high pressures (27 kPa) to about 39% at low pressures (0.28 kPa). At low pressures an additional reaction channel, C{sub 2}H{sub 3} + CH{sub 3} {r{underscore}arrow}C{sub 3}H{sub 5} + H, becomes available, producing a host of allyl radicalmore » reaction products including 1,5-hexadiene, the allyl radical combination product. The observed 1,5-hexadiene is strong evidence for allyl radical formation at low pressures, presumably from the decomposition of the chemically activated C{sub 3}H{sub 6}. Macroscopic and microscopic modeling of product yields and their pressure dependencies were used to interpret the experimental observations. Results of master equation calculations using weak colliders and RRKM theory are in agreement with the observed pressure dependence of the combination reactions. It has been shown that the chemically activated species can undergo unimolecular processes that are competitive with collisional stabilization. The pressure dependence for the unimolecular steps appears as a pressure dependence of the combination/disproportionation ratio. The apparent pathological behavior in this unsaturated system is attributed to the formation of a stronger C-C bond as contrasted to the weaker C-C bond formed from combination of saturated hydrocarbon radicals. This C-C bond strength is sufficiently high for the chemically activated propylene, produced from the methyl and vinyl cross-combination reaction to cleave the allyl C-H bond or isomerize to cyclopropane.« less
The Problem of Exclusion from Refugee Status on the Grounds of Being Guilty of Terrorist Acts in the cjeu Case-law: Commentary on the Lounani Case

The current article provides a critical analysis of the rulings of the European Court of Justice with regard to the exclusion of third-country nationals from the possibility of applying for refugee status on the grounds of serious reasons for considering that a person is being guilty of terrorist acts. The CJEU examined the grounds for exclusion in Cases B. and D. (C-57/09), H.T. (C-373/13) and also in the judgment of 21 January 2017 passed in the Lounani case (C-573/14) and conducted a complex analysis of Article 12 of the Qualification Directive. The instrument of exclusion is, as such, applied in exceptional cases under strictly defined legal circumstances, depriving at the same time a third-country national of the guarantees under Article 18 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The CJEU has proposed an interesting legislative acquis, which is worth putting under discussion. On the one hand, the Court has highlighted the necessity to individually examine each case and, on the other, the possibility of excluding a person posing a threat to the receiving country. The balance between these two values—the safety of the receiving community and the protection of fundamental rights of third-country nationals seems to be especially significant in the current situation, when the EU faces an increased influx of persons seeking international protection due to the migration crisis.
Counter-Gravity Sand Casting of Steel with Pressurization During Solidification

Counter-gravity filling and pressurization during solidification have been separately shown to improve casting quality in sand cast steel. Studies and industry practice show that counter-gravity filling increases the yield and reduces reoxidation inclusions. Other studies show pressurization during solidification has the potential to increase the feeding effectivity of risers, which leads to a reduction in centerline shrinkage. In the present study, a method for sand casting steel is developed that combines both practices. Casting simulations are used to determine key events during the process. Counter-gravity filling of a sand mold with liquid steel is performed by linearly decreasing pressure to a value of 0.053 MPa and holding this pressure for 40 s. After the vacuum pressure is released, the entire system is pressurized to a maximum pressure of 0.35 MPa, 220 s after the start of the filling process. The casting method is applied to cylindrical bar castings. Radiographic and dye penetrant inspection of the bars shows no detectable centerline porosity forms when the casting system is pressurized, unlike the gravity-poured control castings.
Updates on Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive malignancy confined to the brain, spinal cord, leptomeninges, and eyes. Due to its rarity, there is a paucity of randomized trials and a varied approach to its management in the oncologic community. This review summarizes recent literature guiding current clinical practice. The presentation, work up, and management of PCNSL are discussed. Induction therapy incorporates a methotrexate-based chemotherapy regimen and is generally followed by a consolidation regimen including high dose chemotherapy (with or without autologous stem cell rescue). Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is a potential additional consolidation strategy. Management of relapsed and refractory disease poses a special challenge due to poor outcomes. Immunotherapy and targeted treatments are promising novel strategies for recurrent/refractory patients. Currently, there is little consensus in the management of PCNSL. Treatment recommendations should be tailored to the individual patient, with consideration for risk of neurotoxicity. New, exciting strategies are in development and when feasible, enrollment in a clinical trial should be considered.
Computational methods in development of modern synchrotrons and their applications (Conference Presentation)

Advanced analysis and modelling methods has been an essential part of X-ray optics advances and X-ray techniques development at synchrotron light sources. These methods not only help researchers develop designs of X-ray sources and beamlines, diagnose and identify problems and issues in operations, but also enable advanced modelling and simulations of novel X-ray optics and experiments. Recent development rends in diffraction-limited sources and in coherence applications further illustrate the community interests and increased needs in advanced wavefront-based analysis and modelling capabilities. This presentation will provide an overview of this growing area of X-ray optics and techniques and its impact on synchrotron science in general.
Vaginal progesterone and the vaginal first-pass effect.

Vaginal progesterone is an effective alternative to systemic administration by oral or intramuscular use. The first-pass effect is reviewed, as are the most common uses for this route of delivery. ...
School Counselors’ Emotional Intelligence and Its Relationship to Leadership:

In this investigation, we examined the relationship between emotional intelligence, leadership self-efficacy (LSE), self-leadership, and leadership experiences among a sample of practicing school c...
Man in the Ocean Environment: Performance

The purpose of this chapter is to present information about man’s performance in an ocean environment, particularly as it contrasts with performance in a normal, dry-land, 1-atm, air environment. The kind of information selected for presentation is that based on experimentation as opposed to that from less formal sources. The strength of this choice is that information obtained by the scientific method can be assessed for confidence, reliability, and generality; the weakness is the piecemeal character of the information. Research results typically are not about holistic job performance by operational divers working in the ocean, but about a dimension of performance as affected by a characteristic of the ocean environment. Most often, several performance dimensions are measured as effects of variations in a single environmental characteristic. Researchers tend to work by varying an environmental characteristic, such as cold or atmospheric pressure, and recording a range of performance dimensions, such as manual dexterity, reaction time, and memory. The principal challenge of preparing this chapter, therefore, was to develop a framework for organizing the fragments of performance-oriented research information relevant to man in the sea.
Futures of Human Evolution

The isolated, remote, and radically different geographies of Space will have a profound impact on human evolution, not only in the conventional biological sense, but also through the technological mediations that will be indispensable for dwelling in Space. The process of change will shift from slow gradual increments as it is in biology, to a revolutionary, abrupt, full-scale transformation. We should not expect that we will remain human in the conventional sense—but what does it mean then to be ‘posthuman’?
Palliative Care in the Acute Care Surgery Setting

Palliative care is medical care focused on symptom reduction and improvement of quality of life for patients with serious, life-threatening, or debilitating illness. Acute care surgical patients who will benefit from palliative care include those common surgical problems in the setting of advanced underlying disease such as cancer or end stage organ dysfunction or advanced surgical disease in an otherwise healthy patient. Two core competencies in surgical palliative care have been identified for all surgeons: acute pain and symptom management and communication skills. Inherent in the communication skills needed when caring for acute care surgical patients are an appreciation of the role of shared decision-making, prognostication, and vital role of family meetings throughout the course of surgical care. Palliative surgical procedures are only one aspect of surgical palliative care. Palliative procedures include any procedure intended to relieve symptoms, reduce debility, or improve quality of life. The morbidity and mortality of palliative surgical procedures is significantly higher than that associated with curative-intent procedures. Utilizing thorough preoperative discussions about goals of the procedure, expected outcomes, an understanding of patient/family goals and careful patient selection, acceptable palliative and procedure-related outcomes can be achieved. Education in surgical palliative care is sorely lacking in most surgical training programs. Abundant opportunities exist for research to improve the application of palliative care to acute care surgical patients.
Reading Alex Haley’s Roots: Toward An Anthropology Of Scriptures

Alex Haley's Roots reframed America's discourse on race. The best selling novel and award winning miniseries centered the nation's history around the experiences of African Americans. The multigenerational saga of Kunta Kinte's descendants and their roots became a paradigm for American dreaming. This essay examines the scriptural qualities of Haley's Roots, contending that the story has had a binding effect on America's racial consciousness. Building on the work of Vincent L. Wimbush and James W. Watts, it approaches Haley's Roots as a case study in the anthropology of scriptures. A discourse analysis of media allusions to Kunta Kinte underscores Roots as an interpretive site around which Americans uproot, route, and root for a sense of meaning. When read critically, Roots provides a vocabulary and grammar for articulating inter- and intra-racial dynamics, but also the politics that accompany the phenomenon of scriptures.
Self-Reported vs. Measured Height, Weight, and BMI in Young Adults

Self-reported height and weight, if accurate, provide a simple and economical method to track changes in body weight over time. Literature suggests adults tend to under-report their own weight and that the gap between self-reported weight and actual weight increases with obesity. This study investigates the extent of discrepancy in self-reported height, weight, and subsequent Body Mass Index (BMI) versus actual measurements in young adults. Physically measured and self-reported height and weight were taken from 1562 students. Male students marginally overestimated height, while females were closer to target. Males, on average, closely self-reported weight. Self-reported anthropometrics remained statistically correlated to actual measures in both sexes. Categorical variables of calculated BMI from both self-reported and actual height and weight resulted in significant agreement for both sexes. Researcher measured BMI (via anthropometric height and weight) and sex were both found to have association with self-reported weight while only sex was related to height difference. Regression examining weight difference and BMI was significant, specifically with a negative slope indicating increased BMI led to increased underestimation of weight in both sexes. This study suggests self-reported anthropometric measurements in young adults can be used to calculate BMI for weight classification purposes. Further investigation is needed to better assess self-reported vs measured height and weight discrepancies across populations.
The development and characterization of a chemical probe targeting PRMT1 over PRMT5

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of mammalian enzymes catalyzing the symmetric dimethylation (Type I), asymmetric dimethylation (Type II), or monomethylation (Type III) of arginine residues within proteins. This family is composed of 11 isozymes, however the vast majority of asymmetric and symmetric dimethylation in mammals is completed by either PRMT1 or PRMT5, respectively. In recent years, a number of chemical probes targeting this family of enzymes have been developed, but the majority of these probes lack isozyme specificity. Herein, we report the development of a chemical probe, based on a non-natural peptide sequence, which specifically labels PRMT1 over PRMT5 with high selectivity and sensitivity.
A Voltammetric Study of Nitrogenase Catalysis Using Electron Transfer Mediators

Nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of an array of small molecules, including N2 to NH3, by delivering electrons and protons to substrates bound to the active site metal cluster FeMo-cofactor. A ch...
Prolonged survival of patients with extensive oat cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy and cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271-, vincristine (NSC-67574), and methotrexate (NSC-740)

This paper describes the progress made by 18 patients with oat cell carcinoma who were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (CVM). The use of the combined treatment has lengthened survival 3 months. While this may not seem significant, it must be remembered that all the patients had extensive disease. Some side effects from the chemotherapy are briefly described. (KRM)
Gerontology competencies: Construction, consensus and contribution

The term “gerontology” was coined in 1903 and is defined as the study of social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging. Subsequently, gerontology began to develop into...
Supervising Communication SoC for Secure Operation Using Machine Learning

Manufacturers normally buy and/or fabricate communication chips using third-party suppliers, which are then integrated into a complex hardware-software stack with a variety of potential vulnerabilities. This work proposes a compact supervisory circuit to classify the operation of a Bluetooth (BT) SoC at low frequencies by monitoring the input power and radio frequency (RF) output of the BT chip passed through an envelope detector. The idea is to inexpensively fabricate an envelope detector, power supply current monitor, and classification algorithm on a custom low-frequency integrated circuit in a trusted legacy technology. When the supervisory circuit detects unexpected behavior, it can shut off power to the BT SoC. In this preliminary work, we proto-type the supervisory circuit using off-the-shelf components. We extract simple yet descriptive features from the envelope of the RF output signal. Then, we train machine learning (ML) models to classify different BT operation modes, such as BT advertising and transmit modes. Our results show ∼100% classification accuracy.
Notchplasty alters knee biomechanics after anatomic ACL reconstruction

The aims of this study were (1) to study the biomechanics of single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstructed knees with and without notchplasty using a robotic testing system and (2) to determine if there would be a difference between performing a small or large notchplasty. Fifteen fresh-frozen specimens were used in this study. The ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) was performed using an anatomic single-bundle technique with the 8 mm soft tissue graft fixed at 30° with suspensory fixation on the femoral side and a screw and washer on the tibial side. The notchplasty was then created with a burr. The following knee states were compared: (1) ACL-R, (2) ACL-R with a small (3 mm) notchplasty, and (3) ACL-R with a large (6 mm) notchplasty. Four loading conditions were applied: (1) an anterior drawer with an 89 N anterior tibial load, (2) simulated pivot-shift loading, (3) a 5 Nm internal rotational moment, and (4) a 5 Nm external rotational moment. Under anterior tibial loading, anterior tibial translation increased, and graft force decreased significantly after ACL-R + 3 mm notchplasty and ACLR + 6 mm notchplasty compared to ACL-R alone at FE, 15° and 30° of knee flexion. There were no changes in either anterior tibial translation or graft force under simulated pivot-shift loading, internal rotational moment, or external rotational moment. When added to anatomic ACL reconstruction, notchplasty increased anterior tibial translation and decreased graft forces during low knee flexion angles. There was no difference between a small and large notchplasty. The findings of this study are clinically relevant as the purpose of anatomic ACL reconstruction is to restore normal knee laxity, and while notchplasty may be helpful in avoiding graft impingement and improving visualization, removing even 3 mm of bone leads to biomechanical changes.
Capitalising on shared goals for family planning: a concordance assessment of two global initiatives using longitudinal statistical models.

Objective Family planning is unique among health interventions in its breadth of health, development and economic benefits. The complexity of formulating effective strategies to promote women’s and girls’ access to family planning calls for closer coordination of resources and attention from all stakeholders. Our objective was to quantify the concordance of two global initiatives: Family Planning 2020’s adding 120 million modern contraceptive users by 2020 (proposed during The London Summit 2012 by Gates Foundation) and satisfying the 75% demand for modern contraceptives by 2030 (proposed by United States Agency for International Development). A demonstration of their concordance, or lack thereof, provides an understanding of the proposed quantitative goals and helps to formulate collective strategies. Design and setting We applied fixed effects longitudinal models to assess the convergence of the two initiatives. The implications of success in one initiative on achieving the other are simulated to illustrate their shared goals. Publicly available data on contraceptive use, unmet need and met need from national surveys are used. Extensive model validations were conducted to check and confirm models’ predictive performance. Results Our results show that the 75% demand satisfied initiative will reach 82 million additional modern users by 2020 and 120 million by early 2023. Following FP2020’s proposed annual increase of modern contraceptive use, 9 of the 41 commitment-making countries will reach the 75% target by 2020; another 8 countries will do so by 2030. Extending FP2020’s proposed contraceptive growth to 2030 implies the achievement of the 75% target in less than half (17) of the 41 commitment-making countries. Conclusion The results from the statistical exercise demonstrate that the two global initiatives move toward the same goal of promoting access to family planning and overall both are ambitious. Closer coordination between major stakeholders in international family planning may stimulate more efficient mobilisation and utilisation of global sources, which is urgently needed to accelerate the progress toward satisfying women’s need for family planning.