cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Vulnerability to Landslides.

Landslides pose a devastating threat to human health, killing thousands of people annually. Human vulnerability is a crucial element of landslide risk reduction, yet up until now, all methods for estimating the human consequences of landslides rely on subjective, expert judgment. Furthermore, these methods do not explore the underlying causes of mortality or inform strategies to reduce landslide risk. In light of these issues, we develop a data-driven tool to estimate an individual's probability of death based on landslide intensity, which can be used directly in landslide risk assessment. We find that between inundation depths of approximately 1-6 m, human behavior is the primary driver of mortality. Landslide vulnerability is strongly correlated with the economic development of a region, but landslide losses are not stratified by gender and age to the degree of other natural hazards. We observe that relatively simple actions, such as moving to an upper floor or a prepared refuge space, increase the odds of survival by up to a factor of 12. Additionally, community-scale hazard awareness programs and training for citizen first responders offer a potent means to maximize survival rates in landslides.
Case Scenario for Fluid Management in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Fluids administration should aim at restoring normovolemia. Dynamic indices, such as pulse pressure variation or systolic pressure variation are far better than static pressure measurements, such as central venous pressure. Even if dynamic indices indicate a fluid-responsive state, fluids should not be administered if hemodynamics are stable. The clinical application of dynamic perfusion indices is unknown in the presence of sternotomy and thoracotomy.
Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Water Using Mn(III)-Based Advanced Oxidation Process

AbstractFloods have the potential to resuspend polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) laden sediments and potentially impact drinking water intakes. This work identifies optimal operating conditio...
Opposing the Imam: The Legacy of the Nawasib in Islamic Literature

Islam's fourth caliph, Ali, can be considered one of the most revered figures in Islamic history. His nearly universal portrayal in Muslim literature as a pious authority obscures centuries of contestation and the eventual rehabilitation of his character. In this book, Nebil Husayn examines the enduring legacy of the nawasib, early Muslims who disliked Ali and his descendants. The nawasib participated in politics and scholarly discussions on religion at least until the ninth century. However, their virtual disappearance in Muslim societies has led many to ignore their existence and the subtle ways in which their views subsequently affected Islamic historiography and theology. By surveying medieval Muslim literature across multiple genres and traditions including the Sunni, Mu'tazili, and Ibadi, Husayn reconstructs the claims and arguments of the nawasib and illuminates the methods that Sunni scholars employed to gradually rehabilitate the image of Ali from a villainous character to a righteous one.
A multilevel approach for assessing the effects of microclimatic urban design on pedestrian thermal comfort: The High Line in New York

Abstract Due to global warming and rapid urbanization, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in the United States have increased. Particularly for pedestrians, excessive heat has been reported as a critical barrier to walking activity, which, in turn, can deteriorate walkability and urban vitality. By using a multilevel spatial approach, this study investigates the combined effects of microclimatic urban design features on daytime pedestrian thermal comfort. For this purpose, it uses on-site field measurements taken in July 2019 and estimates how different scales of street- and block-scale design factor impact the physiological thermal comfort of pedestrians on the High Line in New York City. Based on the findings, the High Line experiences high thermal stress conditions, with clusters of hot spots particularly in its upper section. In addition, the urban design features at both the street and block scales are highly correlated with estimated pedestrian thermal comfort. Specifically, at the block-scale level, the mean energy budget value largely depends on block density and volume, while at the street-scale level, the height-to-width ratio, tree view factors, and tree canopy cover ratio have a negative linear relationship with absorbed solar radiation. Moreover, the findings indicate that the combination of urban design factors at the street- and block-scale levels significantly impact pedestrian thermal comfort. This study offers practical knowledge and a deeper understanding about climate-sensitive urban designs that are highly resistant to extreme heat events.
Functional regression with repeated eigenvalues

Abstract We explore the functional principal component method for estimating regression parameters in functional linear models. We demonstrate that the commonly made assumption concerning unique eigenvalues is unnecessary. Convergence rates are established allowing a variety of sample spaces and dependence structures.
Impairment of spermatogenesis in transgenic mice with selective overexpression of Bcl-2 in the somatic cells of the testis.

ABSTRACT: To explore the functional role of Bcl-2 in germ cell development, transgenic mice carrying 6 kilobases of the inhibin-α promoter were generated to express human bcl-2 gene product in the gonads. Although female transgenic mice demonstrated decreased follicle apoptosis, enhanced folliculogenesis, and increased germ cell tumorigenesis, the adult males exhibited variable impairment of spermatogenesis. The degree of damage ranged from tubules with intraepithelial vacuoles of varying sizes to near atrophied tubules consisting of Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia. Although there was no significant change in body weight, an approximately 34% decrease in testicular weights was noted in transgenic animals compared with wild-type mice. Gamete maturation, assessed by determining the percentage of tubules with advanced (steps 13–16) spermatids, was decreased to 44.4% of the values measured in the wild-type animals. The incidence of germ cell apoptosis increased 3.8-fold in the transgenic animals and was associated with a marked loss of germ cells. Electron microscopy of the testes further revealed large vacuoles in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm and dilations of the intracellular spaces between adjacent Sertoli cells, spermatid malformations, and increased germ cell apoptosis in the transgenic animals. There was no evidence of Sertoli cell death either by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay or electron microscopy. Leydig cell ultrastructure, cell size and numbers, and plasma levels of testosterone were not different between normal and the transgenic animals. Collectively, these results support the critical role of Bcl-2 in male germ cell development and are consistent with the gender-specific role of the Bcl-2 family members in reproduction.
Multiple model-based control: development and initial evaluation

For a large class of physical systems the structure of the plant dynamics is known, but the parameters in the system model vary with time and/or configuration. A new form of adaptive model-based control has been developed for this class of control problem. The multiple model-based control (MMBC) technique utilizes knowledge of nominal plant dynamics and principles of Bayesian estimation to provide controller performance independent of plant parameter variations. The MMBC is formed by augmenting a model-based controller with a new closed-loop form of multiple model adaptive estimation ( Delta MMAE). The Delta MMAE uses perturbation models of the combined plant and feedback control system, along with measurements of tracking error, to provide an estimate of the plant parameters. The model-based controller combines the a priori knowledge of plant structure with the parameter estimates to produce the multiple models of the plant dynamics required to maintain controller accuracy. Extensive simulation studies have demonstrated the MMBC's ability to adapt quickly and accurately adapt to the parameter variations of a plant described by complex nonlinear coupled dynamics. >
Effect of Microvoids on Anomalous Moisture Absorption of Quartz/BMI Composite Laminates

The focus of this paper was to investigate the effects of microvoid content in quartz/BMI laminates on both short and long-term moisture absorption dynamics. The moisture absorption characteristics for the laminates were experimentally obtained by water immersion tests at 25oC of three-ply quartz/BMI samples that contain voids, ranging from 8.6% to 13.7% by volume. The void levels were obtained by conditioning the prepreg at different moisture levels for 48 hours in an environmental chamber before curing in a hot press. The curing process was carried out at 69 kPa, which leads to a more uniform fiber volume fraction for the laminates. Having a constant fiber volume fraction ensures the same amount of fiber-matrix interface present in all the test samples, therefore eliminating the effect of fiber-matrix interface as an experimental variable. It is shown that the presence of microvoids leads to an increased non-Fickian absorption behavior. Hence, the anomalous, non-Fickian absorption parameters are obtained by using a one-dimensional absorption model that accounts for both bound and unbound free water within the laminate. It is shown that the microvoids act as storage sites for moisture which can be described by the onedimensional, non-Fickian absorption model. Finally, possible relationships between the four absorption model parameters and the process-induced microvoid content are discussed.
Dietary phosphorus, serum phosphorus, and cardiovascular disease

Recent epidemiologic studies have linked higher serum phosphorus concentrations to cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. This association has been identified in the general population and in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The risk of adverse outcomes appears to begin with phosphorus concentrations within the upper limit of the normal reference range. Multiple experimental studies have suggested pathogenetic mechanisms that involve direct and indirect effects of high phosphorus concentrations to explain these associations. Drawing from these observations, guideline-forming agencies have recommended that serum phosphorus concentrations be maintained within the normal reference range in patients with CKD and that dietary phosphorus restriction or use of intestinal phosphate binders should be considered to achieve this goal. However, outside the dialysis population, the links between dietary phosphorus intake and serum phosphorus concentrations, and dietary phosphorus intake and CVD events, are uncertain. With specific reference to the nondialysis populations, this review discusses the available data linking dietary phosphorus intake with serum phosphorus concentrations and CVD events.
Distributed Memory Parallel Architecture Based on Modular Linear Arrays for 2-D Separable Transforms Computation

A framework for mapping systematically 2-dimensional (2-D) separable transforms into a parallel architecture consisting of fully pipelined linear array stages is presented. The resulting model architecture is characterized by its generality, high degree of modularity, high throughput, and the exclusive use of distributed memory and control. There is no central shared memory block to facilitate the transposition of intermediate results, as it is commonly the case in row-column image processing architectures. Avoiding shared central memory has positive implications for speed, area, power dissipation and scalability of the architecture. The architecture presented here may be used to realize any separable 2-D transform by only changing the coefficients stored in the processing elements. Pipelined linear arrays for computing the 2-D Discrete Fourier Transform and 2-D separable convolution are presented as examples and their performance is evaluated.
The Economic Imperatives of Marriage: Emerging Practices and Identities Among Youth in the Middle East

The Middle East today is a very youthful region, due to the consequences of the demographic transition. As mortality declined and life spans rose, youthful cohorts are now marrying later in life. Delayed marriage has become the norm, particularly for men who may not marry until their late twenties or thirties. The political and economic context of delayed marriage is causing debate and controversy in the Muslim world, since early and universal marriage had been the norm and sexuality had been linked to marriage. The consequences and meaning of the youth bulge in the region, however, can only be fully comprehended if we examine the political economy of youth through the lens of the "marriage imperative." It is not only the demographic transition, the greater participation of women in the labor force and education, changing gender norms, or globalization which has delayed marriage. The financial costs surrounding marriage (housing, dower, jewelry, celebrations, furniture and furnishings) themselves may be the source of delayed marriage as young people and their families wait years before they can accumulate the massive sums needed to marry.
Intradural chordoma of the tentorium cerebelli: Case report

✓ A rare case of intradural chordoma is described. The literature contains seven examples of intradural extraosseous chordoma, all reported in a ventral location. This is the first reported case of a primary intradural chordoma distant from the clivus and involving both the supra- and infratentorial compartments.
Optimal Point Sets for Total Degree Polynomial Interpolation in Moderate Dimensions

This paper is concerned with Lagrange interpolation by total degree polynomials in moderate dimensions. In particular, we are interested in characterising the optimal choice of points for the interpolation problem, where we define the optimal interpolation points as those which minimise the Lebesgue constant. We give a novel algorithm for numerically computing the location of the optimal points, which is independent of the shape of the domain and does not require computations with Vandermonde matrices. We perform a numerical study of the growth of the minimal Lebesgue constant with respect to the degree of the polynomials and the dimension, and report the lowest values known as yet of the Lebesgue constant in the unit cube and the unit ball in up to 10 dimensions.
Predicting late anemia in critical illness

Introduction Identifying critically ill patients most likely to benefit from pre-emptive therapies will become increasingly important if therapies are to be used safely and cost-effectively. We sought to determine whether a predictive model could be constructed that would serve as a useful decision support tool for the pre-emptive management of intensive care unit (ICU)-related anemia.
The Transcriptome of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

This chapter explains how such data, when combined, can give a comprehensive overview of the transcriptome of the malaria parasite throughout its life cycle. These data are expected to lead to the identification of key Plasmodium-specific regulatory targets, a fundamental step for the development of new antimalarials. Gene expression throughout the cell cycle is usually regulated by complex interactions between DNA regulatory motifs and transcription factors that bind to these motifs, as well as regulation by distinct chromatin structures. Parasite isolates possess a high degree of diversity within their var genes because of duplications, deletions, or recombination events that provide the parasite with a huge repertoire of antigenic determinants. Before the complete release of the Plasmodium falciparum genome sequence, several genomic efforts were accomplished to investigate the transcriptome of the malaria parasite. The first large-scale expression study of P. falciparum was accomplished with a DNA microarray platform constructed using a nuclease-generated genomic library. With the completion of the P. falciparum genome, two transcriptional analyses covering the entire genome were published. Both techniques allow effective and complete genome design. The 70-mer oligonucleotide array study was confined to a high-resolution analysis of the erythrocytic cell cycle. Gene expression in parasitic protozoa has shown itself to be unique when it comes to mechanisms of regulation. For instance, Leishmania and other members of the Trypanosomatidae have polycistronic transcription with maturation of their mRNA by transplicing events.
Characterization of some essential oils and their key components: Thermoanalytical techniques

The present study was aimed at determining the kinetics of evaporation and establishing vapor pressure curves for both single and multi-component systems by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Essential oils (e.g. lavender oil, orange oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil, etc.) are typically multi-component systems consisting of various volatile pure components (e.g. linalyl acetate, limonene, cinnamaldehyde, etc.) which resemble single component systems. In this study linalyl acetate was taken as the calibration compound for TG. The vapor pressure curves for the pure substances were plotted using TG and vapor pressure plots for clove oil and eucalyptus oil were constructed using DSC. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the pure compounds were compared to that of the multi-component systems to quantitatively and qualitatively measure the influence of different compounds on each other. The k-value from the vapor pressure data for linalyl acetate was calculated as 112006 Pa kg0.5mol0.5s-1 m-2 K-0.5. The vapor pressure values were used to determine the Antoine constants using the SPSS 10.0 software.
Microbial biomass and mineralizable nitrogen distributions in no-tillage and plowed soils

Distribution of soil microbial biomass and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) in long-term tillage comparisons at seven sites in the United States varied with tillage management and depth in soil. Microbial biomass and PMN levels of no-tillage soils averaged 54% and 37% higher, respectively, than those in the surface layer of plowed soil. Biomass and PMN levels were greatest in the surface 0 to 7.5-cm layer of no-tillage soil and decreased with depth in soil to 30 cm. Biomass and PMN levels of plowed soil, however, were generally greatest at the 7.5 –15 cm depth. Microbial biomass levels were closely associated with soil distributions of total C and N, water content, and water-soluble C as influenced by tillage management. Potentially mineralizable N levels in soil were primarily associated with distributions of microbial biomass and total N. Absolute levels of PMN and microbial biomass and the relative differences with tillage management were dependent on climatic, cropping, and soil conditions across locations. The additional N contained in soil biomass and PMN in the surface 0–7.5 cm of no-tillage compared with plowed soils ranged from 13 to 45 and 12 to 122 kg N/ha, respectively, for 6 of 7 locations. Fertilizer placement below the biologically rich surface soil layer and/or rotational tillage may improve short-term nitrogen use efficiency and crop growth on reduced-tillage soils.
SU-E-T-440: Elliptical Source Model for IMRT and VMAT with Complex Modulation

Purpose: To improve dose calculation accuracy for highly modulated fields in IMRT and VMAT using an elliptical source model. Methods: For 2 TrueBeam linacs equipped with Millennium and HD MLCs, the source model of 6 and 15 MV beams was optimized with adjustments of the focal spot dimensions in the Varian Eclipse TPS. Starting from the measured focal spot size of 1.75 × 1.75 mm, the y-dimension of the source was varied while the x-dimension was kept constant. In addition, all other modeling parameters such as the extrafocal source and dosimetric leaf gap remained unchanged. The different models were compared with measured penumbra for jaws and MLC using ion chamber and diode. For 2 IMRT and 2 VMAT cases, the calculated doses were compared with radiochromic film and EPID measurements. Results: A source size of 1.75 × 0.75 mm was found to be optimal for beam modeling. The calculated penumbra (80–20) of a MLCdefined open field was within 0.8 mm compare to measurement for both the inline and crossline profile for various field sizes and depths. The dose gradients in the direction perpendicular to the MLC travel direction was better modeled compared to the source model with a circular focal spot of 1.75 mm for the fields with rigorous MLC modulation. Local differences up to 8% were found in those regions. Conclusion: The conventional source model using a symmetric focal spot tends to overestimate the penumbra perpendicular to the MLC travel direction, resulting in an inaccurate dose calculation especially for fields with complex MLC modulation. This can be improved with an elliptical source model and it can be considered as a standard as IMRT and VMAT treatments are becoming a norm for the clinic.
Acute effect of a glucocorticoid on normal human sleep.

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC studies of sleep suggest that the magnitude of sleep disturbances in depressed and schizophrenic subjects varies with the degree of psychic turmoil1–6. Psychoendocrine studies of psychiatric patients have suggested that adrenal cortical steroid excretion is elevated with subjective distress7–13. Some endocrine studies have shown that nocturnal secretion of adrenal cortical steroids is elevated at least part of the time in psychiatric patients14–17. We have undertaken to determine the effect of a glucocorticoid on normal human sleep.
Zoom And Multiconfiguration Optimization Using The Indices Of Refraction To Represent Zoom Modes

This paper describes a method of multiconfiguration or zoom optimization of optical systems using a conventional optical design program, even though the program was not explicitly designed to provide such a capability. This is accomplished by using the three indices of refraction that are accepted by the program (which are usually used to identify different spectral wavelengths) to identify different multiconfiguration or zoom modes. When using the indices for this mode identification purpose, it is not possible to control chromatic aberrations. There are, however, a number of design applications where a multiconfiguration or zoom optimization is required, but the control of chromatic aberrations is not. These ap-plications include all-reflective systems, laser systems or other narrow spectral bandwidth systems, and certain IR systems. Two procedures for utilizing the indices of refraction to represent multiconfiguration or zoom modes are the transparent mode method and the variable path method. Illustrative examples using both procedures are presented.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Somatic reflex response-reversal of reticular origin.

Abstract This study was undertaken in order to determine the role played by the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation in regulating somatic reflex activity during states of sleep and wakefulness. The amplitude of the brain stem masseteric (jaw closing) reflex, induced continuously in freely-moving adult cats, served as a baseline control for this analysis of reflex modulation. At randomly-spaced intervals, high frequency stimulation was applied to the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation for 4-sec periods. In the states of wakefulness and quiet sleep, the amplitude of the masseteric reflex increased significantly during superimposed reticular stimulation. When the animal entered into active sleep, however, the result of reticular stimulation (using identical parameters) was a profound decrease in reflex amplitude. This single neural region, then, previously thought to be responsible only for facilitation of somatic motor activity, appears to be capable of expressing another diametrically opposite function, i.e., reflex inhibition. Thus, a role is suggested for the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation in the modulation of somatic motor activity, not only during wakefulness, but also throughout sleep. Since the direction of reflex control is governed by the state of the animal, this region of the brain may also be responsible for the state of the animal itself.
Radiation imaging operators for the detection of buried targets

Radiation imaging operators are a class of linear partial differential operators that combine material boundary conditions with absorbing boundary conditions. Radiation imaging operators of various orders can be constructed by considering absorbing boundary conditions of corresponding orders. The coefficients of the radiation imaging operator, for the acoustic case, depend on the acoustic properties of the background medium of propagation and also the geometric orientation of the target surfaces. The radiation imaging operators operates on the total acoustic signal and produce a real valued function of time and space which is subsequently squared and averaged over time to produce a positive real valued image as a function of spatial coordinates. The quality of the images produced with this method depends on the accuracy of the parameters determining the coefficients in the operator. This can be demonstrated with simulated examples. In addition, some result based on data acquired from an ellipsoidal focused acoustic/receiver have been analyzed. In this case, the target consists of a shallow buried mine-like object.
A Matched-Group Personality Comparison of Delinquent and Nondelinquent Juveniles

purpose of classifying and measuring personality factors, and the past two decades have witnessed considerable advances in this area. In response to the need for standardization and objectivity in the testing of personality, a number of objectively administered and objectively scored tests have been developed. Although subject to certain limitations, these tests as a group have the considerable advantage of largely eliminating differences in scoring from one investigator to another. This capacity, which is essential to scientific testing, is lacking in the "projective" type of test instrument. Systems for evaluating the clinical significance of the scores of objective tests have not been adequately standardized, however, and this constitutes an important limitation to validity. An objective psychometric instrument currently enjoying wide use is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (hereafter called the MMPI). A number of studies have employed this instrument in comparing delinquent and nondelinquent personalities and have reported its ability to differentiate between these two classifications. Capwell (3), for example, submitted five standardized personality tests to groups of delinquent and nondelinquent girls; these were the Terman-Miles MasculinityFemininity Test, The Pressey InterestAttitude Test, the Washburn Social Adjustment Inventory, the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, and the MMPI. The latter showed a significant difference of mean scores between delinquents and nondelinquents on seven of its clinical scales, and was claimed to differentiate most clearly between the two groups. Similarly, Ashbaugh (1) and Monachesi (6), in separate MMPI studies, reported statistically significant differences between the scores of delinquents and nondelinquents on several scales of the in-
Responding to framed health messages: Different strokes for different (handedness) folks

Research has shown that strength of handedness - a proxy variable for the degree of interaction between the left and right brain hemispheres - predicts differences in a variety of cognitive domains. The present paper extends this work to message (or goal) framing effects in which persuasive health communications emphasise positive vs. negative outcomes. One hundred fifty-six participants read pamphlets containing statements emphasising either the gains of using or the losses of not using sunscreen. Replicating previous research, non-users of sunscreen were more affected by framed messages than users. However, we found a loss- rather than gain-framed advantage, and mixed (inconsistent)-handers seemed to drive these effects more so than strong (consistent)-handers. These results suggest that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach may be inadequate in crafting effective educational messages about health behaviours, and that theories centring around one's regulatory focus orientation as well as new methods in laterality research may be useful in reaching the widest range of individuals.
Genome dynamics in aging mice

Random spontaneous genome rearrangements are difficult to detect in vivo, especially in postmitotic tissues. Using a lacZ-plasmid reporter mouse model, we have previously presented evidence for the accumulation of large genome rearrangements in various tissues, including postmitotic tissues, during aging. These rearrangements, which were found to be organ-specific and to increase with age, have one breakpoint in the lacZ-reporter locus and the second elsewhere in the mouse genome. In this present work, we have used a mouse genome sequence database to physically characterize a total of 49 genome rearrangements in the brain, heart, and liver from young and old mice at two lacZ-plasmid reporter loci. Half of all breakpoints in the mouse genome occurred in chromosomes 3 and 4, each carrying a lacZ-reporter cluster, at distances varying from <100 kb to 66 Mb, indicating intrachromosomal deletions or inversions. The other half of the breakpoints in the mouse genome was found randomly on any of the other chromosomes, indicating translocations. Alternatively, part of the intra- and extrachromosomal events could involve transpositions. Regions of extended homology were not found at the breakpoints. These results lead us to postulate potential mechanisms for the origin of large genome rearrangements in mouse tissues and to predict their possible impact as a potential cause of aging.
Numerical Simulation of Hydrogen Desorption in Metal-Hydride Reactor

Studying hydrogen desorption in metal-hydrogen reactors is important for the usage and commercialization of hydrogen energy. In this article, we consider a cylindrical metal-H2 reactor and present a finite-difference scheme for simulating the heat and mass transfer between LaNi5 and H2 during the desorption of hydrogen in the reactor, by using a two-dimensional (2D) mathematical model. Numerical results including temperature, gas and solid densities are obtained.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Abstract 2: Paxillin enhances angiogenesis through transcriptional regulation of Src in ovarian cancer

Purpose: Paxillin (PXN) expression is increased in various cancer types, but its biological and clinical impact is not well understood. Here, we examined the biological effects of paxillin in ovarian cancer. Methods: The in vivo (HeyA8 and HeyA8-MDR orthotopic mouse models of ovarian cancer) and in vitro (tube formation assays, reverse phase protein array (RPPA) analysis, RT-PCR chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay) effects of paxillin were examined in ovarian cancer. Results: Paxillin silencing using siRNA incorporated in DOPC nanoliposomes resulted in 55% reduction in tumor growth in a HeyA8 orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse model (p Conclusion PXN exerts indirect effects on tumor angiogenesis, mediated through Src. These findings provide a new understanding of the role of PXN in malignant biology. Citation Format: Hyun Jin Choi, Seung-Wook Kim, Sunila Pradeep, Heather J. Dalton, Rajesha Rupaimoole, Selanere Mangala, Gabriel Lopez, Sood K. Anil. Paxillin enhances angiogenesis through transcriptional regulation of Src in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2
We Can't Go Home Again: Insights from a Quarter Century of Experiments in External Academic Quality Assurance

ABSTRACT What have we learned from 25 years of experience with external academic quality assurance that can help design more effective framework conditions for assuring academic standards? The key elements appear to be the structure and means of evaluating national academic quality assurance agencies, the nature of academic quality information mandated by government, and the focus of external academic quality assurance reviews.
Protecting Medical Record Information: Start Your Research Registries Today

Objective: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was enacted with the long-term goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health care. It has created sweeping changes for clinical medicine and research. Generally, the standards for privacy of individual, identifiable health information (the privacy rule) require patient consent before their protected health information (PHI) can be employed in clinical research. This rule requires that all patients sign an IRB approved informed consent before their identifiable clinical information can be aggregated with the information from other patients. This rule has been applied to ensure the privacy of health care data accrued previously. Accordingly, investigators have been blocked from using the aggregate data from prior clinical records and registries until consent is obtained from living, former patients. At the University of Pittsburgh Department of Otolaryngology, a clinical tumor registry was established in 1982. These data have served as the basis for over 200 publications reflecting practice-based learning. The present study quantifies the cost of HIPAA compliance to maintain access to our faculty's career-long clinical activities and to stress to all physicians the importance of research registries as a means of protecting their own career's work. Results/Conclusions Compliance with the privacy rule required that written, informed consents be mailed to 14,330 former patients. This resulted in direct costs of more than $30,888. The practical and financial impact of HIPAA on clinical research and our departmental solutions to these challenges are discussed.
Impact of Urban Growth Boundary on Housing and Land Prices: Evidence from King County, Washington

This study provides evidence of the impact of an urban growth boundary (UGB) on housing and land prices. The study uses a data-set that inventories sales transactions of single-family homes and of vacant lots zoned for single-family homes within two miles of either side of the eastern boundary of the primary UGB in King County, Washington. The results show that although the UGB increases land prices by 230 per cent, it decreases housing prices by 1.3 per cent. These findings should encourage policy-makers to adopt a policy framework in which a UGB's anticipated inflationary land price effect is mitigated by policies that increase housing supply. Such policies could include minimum density requirements, zoning for multifamily housing, and ordinances enabling the construction of accessory dwelling units.
Laurdan Fluorescence Lifetime Discriminates Cholesterol Content from Changes in Fluidity in Living Cell Membranes

Detection of the fluorescent properties of Laurdan has been proven to be an efficient tool to investigate membrane packing and ordered lipid phases in model membranes and living cells. Traditionally the spectral shift of Laurdan’s emission from blue in the ordered lipid phase of the membrane (more rigid) toward green in the disordered lipid phase (more fluid) is quantified by the generalized polarization function. Here, we investigate the fluorescence lifetime of Laurdan at two different emission wavelengths and find that when the dipolar relaxation of Laurdan’s emission is spectrally isolated, analysis of the fluorescence decay can distinguish changes in membrane fluidity from changes in cholesterol content. Using the phasor representation to analyze changes in Laurdan’s fluorescence lifetime we obtain two different phasor trajectories for changes in polarity versus changes in cholesterol content. This gives us the ability to resolve in vivo membranes with different properties such as water content and cholesterol content and thus perform a more comprehensive analysis of cell membrane heterogeneity. We demonstrate this analysis in NIH3T3 cells using Laurdan as a biosensor to monitor changes in the membrane water content during cell migration.
Cimetidine reduces bile acid-mediated small intestinal mucosal injury in rats in vivo

Whether cimetidine has protective effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa independent of its ability to reduce gastric acid secretion is still controversial. To study this, rats had small intestinal mucosal injury induced in vivoby perfusion with 5 mM chenodeoxycholic acid. Control rats were compared to rats receiving either intraperitoneal or intravenous pretreatment with 50 mg/kg cimetidine or intraluminal pretreatment with 0.5 mM cimetidine. Mucosal injury was assessed by measuring villus tip epithelial cell denudation by computerized quantitative morphology. Intraperitoneal cimetidine reduced the average denudation/villus (micrometers) caused by 45- min perfusion with chenodeoxycholic acid: control=39.1± 7.7 sem,intraperitoneal cimetidine=20.8 +-3.5 (P <0.05). Additionally, both intraluminal and intravenous cimetidine reduced villus denudation caused from 30 min perfusion with chenodeoxycholic acid: control=62.5 ±5.8, intravenous cimetidine=42.6±4.7 (P < 0.05), intraluminal cimetidine=44.6 ±7.2 (P < 0.05). The observation that reduced mucosal injury is observed in an in vivo model that is independent of gastric acid supports the conclusion that cimetidine indeed has acid- independent protective properties.
FACILITATED TRANSPORT OF HNO3 THROUGH A SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANE CONTAINING A TERTIARY AMINE AS CARRIER

ABSTRACT The facilitated transport of HN03 through a supported liquid membrane consisting of a porous polypropylene film containing a solution of trllaurylamine 1n diethyl benzene as carrier was studied as a function of the stirring speed of the aqueous solutions and the membrane composition. A physico-chemical model which takes Into account diffusion through an aqueous boundary layer, a fast Interfaclal chemical reaction leading to the formation of a membrane soluble alkylammonium salt and diffusion through the membrane was proposed. In this way, equations were derived which describe how composition changes, occurring In the course of the permeation process, Influence the membrane permeability. The experimental data were quantitatively explained by the derived equations. The results indicate that the monomerlc form of the trllaurylammonium nitrate salt 1s the species which 1s mainly responsible for the acid transport through the membrane. The diffusion coefficient of the permeating species and the order ...
Current challenges in antimicrobial chemotherapy: the impact of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamases on the treatment of resistant Gram-negative pathogens

Gram-negative bacteria that produce extended-spectrum- and metallo-beta-lactamases are being discovered at an alarming rate, while the development of new antimicrobial agents has almost ground to a standstill. A body of experience exists with the detection and treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli), suggesting that knowledge of their existence and dissemination might have an impact on therapeutic choices and patient outcomes via targeted empirical antimicrobial selection and infection control practices. It is unclear whether the same mandate exists for the detection of metallo-beta-lactamases. As dictated by local susceptibility patterns, in many settings worldwide empirical therapy in serious nosocomial infections now requires the use of carbapenems alone or in combination with a second antibiotic that is also effective against Gram-negative pathogens; colistin is advocated as the empirical drug of choice in the setting of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, although high doses of beta-lactams might prove to be effective.
Characterization of Pt–Au and Ni–Au Clusters on TiO2(110)

The surface composition and properties of Pt–Au and Ni–Au clusters on TiO2(110) have been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low energy ion scattering (LEIS) and soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (sXPS). STM studies show that bimetallic clusters are formed during sequential deposition of the two metals, regardless of the order of deposition. At the 2 ML of Au/2 ML of Pt or Ni coverages studied here, the second metal contributes to the growth of existing clusters rather than forming new pure metal clusters. LEIS experiments demonstrate that the surfaces of the bimetallic clusters are almost 100% Au when 2 ML of Au is deposited on top of 2 ML of Pt or Ni. However, a much larger fraction of Pt or Ni (50 and 20%, respectively) remains at the surface when 2 ML of Pt or Ni is deposited on 2 ML of Au, most likely due to limited diffusion of atoms within the clusters at room temperature. According to sXPS investigations, the binding energies of the metals in the bimetallic clusters are shifted from those observed for pure metal clusters; the Pt(4f7/2) and Ni(3p3/2) peaks are shifted to lower binding energies while the position of the Au(4f7/2) peak is dominated by surface core level shifts. Pure Pt clusters as well as 0.4 ML of Au on 2 ML of Pt clusters reduce the titania support upon encapsulation after annealing to 800 K, whereas 2 ML of Au on 2 ML of Pt clusters do not reduce titania, presumably because there is no Pt at the surface of the clusters. Pure Ni clusters are also known to become encapsulated upon heating, but the reduction of titania is much less extensive compared to that of pure Pt clusters.
Deterministic and stochastic modeling of aquifer stratigraphy, South Carolina

Deterministic and stochastic methods of three-dimensional hydrogeologic modeling are applied to characterization of contaminated Eocene aquifers at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. The results address several important issues, including the use of multiple types of data in creating high-resolution aquifer models and the application of sequence-stratigraphic constraints. Specific procedures used include defining grid architecture stratigraphically, upscaling, modeling lithologic properties, and creating multiple equiprobable realizations of aquifer stratigraphy. An important question answered by the study is how to incorporate gamma-ray borehole-geophysical data in areas of anomalous log response, which occurs commonly in aquifers and confining units of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and other areas. To overcome this problem, gamma-ray models were conditioned to grain-size and lithofacies realizations. The investigation contributes to identifying potential pathways for downward migration of contaminants, which have been detected in confined aquifers at the modeling site. The approach followed in this investigation produces quantitative, stratigraphically constrained, geocellular models that incorporate multiple types of data from borehole-geophysical logs and continuous cores. The use of core-based stochastic realizations in conditioning deterministic models provides the advantage of incorporating lithologic information based on direct observations of cores rather than using only indirect measurements from geophysical logs. The high resolution of more » the models is demonstrated by the representation of thin, discontinuous clay beds that act as local barriers to flow. The models are effective in depicting the contrasts in geometry and heterogeneity between sheet-like nearshore-transgressive sands and laterally discontinuous sands of complex shoreline environments. « less
The use of preoperative chemotherapy in Wilms' tumor with contained retroperitoneal rupture

Abstract Purpose The National Wilms Tumor Study currently describes 3 indications for the use of preoperative chemotherapy: extensive caval involvement, bilateral tumors, and patients who only have a single kidney. However, the management of patients who present with a contained retroperitoneal rupture is not specifically addressed. This is relevant because of the strong possibility of peritoneal contamination when performing a primary resection and the resultant requirement for total abdominal radiation. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in this subgroup of patients may be warranted. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our experience with Wilms' tumor and identified 3 cases with contained rupture at presentation. Details of their initial evaluation and therapy, resection and pathologic findings, and follow-up constitute this report. Institutional review board waiver was obtained for the purposes of this review. Results Two male patients, aged 2.9 years, and 1 female patient, aged 9.3 years, were identified. All patients received preoperative chemotherapy with vincristine and dactinomycin (n = 1) plus doxorubicin (n = 2) for 4 to 6 weeks before surgical resection. One patient underwent pretreatment computed tomography–guided biopsy of the kidney mass for diagnostic purposes. Presurgical computed tomographic scans showed resolution of perinephric blood and fluid with tumor shrinkage. Histopathologic analyses showed all tumors were resected with negative margins, and there was no intraoperative tumor spillage. All patients received 1050 to 1080 cGy of flank radiation postoperatively. All patients are currently alive at follow-up without evidence of local recurrence or distant disease. Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed for complete resection and avoidance of total abdominal radiation in 3 patients with ruptured Wilms' tumor and hematoma within the retroperitoneum. These data support the use of initial chemotherapy in children with retroperitoneal rupture and hematoma of Wilms' tumor at diagnosis.
Principal component analysis of speech spectrogram images

Abstract Recent research has demonstrated that spectrograms containing human speech utterances can be analyzed using image processing techniques to yield a high recognition rate. In particular, Fourier descriptors (FDs) have been proved very useful for characterizing the boundary of segmented isolated words containing the English semivowels /w/, /y/, /1/, and /r/. This study examines the appropriateness of FDs combined with 17 other general features for classifying objects contained in binary spectrogram images. Principal components (PCs) are used for feature reduction on a speaker-dependent data set consisting of 80 sounds representing 20 speakerdependent words containing English semivowels. With only eight features, including four 32-point FDs and four general features obtained from principal component analysis, a 97.5% recognition rate was obtained. © 1997 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Fuel droplet burning rates in a combustion gas environment

Fuel droplet burning rate variation with ambient temperature and oxygen concentration in combustion gas environment