cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single incision laparoscopic proficiency correlates with residency training level.

Abstract Background With experience, certain psychomotor skills should translate from standard laparoscopy to single-incision laparoscopy (SIL). We proposed to compare all surgical postgraduate year (PGY) levels and determine if experience translated to improved SIL skills. Methods Surgical residents of all PGY levels (1-5) at our institution were included. Baseline surveys were obtained to determine resident level of exposure to both SIL and standard laparoscopic cases. Participants performed the following tasks: running of the bowel, endoloop placement, extracorporeal suture tying, and intracorporeal suture tying. Tasks were performed on a commercially provided simulated inanimate organ model. Participants were given 5 min to complete each task. Data were collected and analyzed by an impartial-certified Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery proctor. Results A total of 31 residents participated in the study. Overall, there was minimal SIL exposure among all residents. As expected, PGY level correlated with increased ability to complete assigned tasks within the allotted time. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of individuals able to complete a task based on PGY level for all given tasks ( P = 0.005). With increased difficulty, the percentage of higher level residents able to complete the task decreased (100% PGY5 completed running of bowel versus 0% intracorporeal knot tying). Conclusions Certain psychomotor skills did appear to translate to SIL skills. However, further dedicated SIL training may help to better develop certain laparoscopic skills devoted to SIL.
Semiologia/semiótica em Saussure e Jakobson: conceitos, filiações, debates

Foi atraves do desenvolvimento da fonologia, conforme os principios do CGL que o Circulo Linguistico de Praga conseguiu reconhecer a linguistica como a mais avancada entre as ciencias humanas ha varias decadas. O grupo checo, assim, ajudou a estabelecer Ferdinand de Saussure como uma figura seminal para a era moderna, ao lado de pensadores como Freud, Marx e Nietzsche. Roman Jakobson fez deu uma contribuicao particularmente significativa para a propagacao do saussurismo, gracas a sua genialidade e a sua abundante producao academica, as suas visoes amplas e a sua longa e variada carreira. A primeira parte deste ensaio descreve brevemente os principais passos da elaboracao de Saussure sobre a ideia do semiologico. A segunda parte examina como Jakobson adotou a tese da saussureana ao mesmo tempo em que adicionou suas proprias ideias semioticas que ampliam, desenvolvem e as vezes contestam determinadas propostas do CGL. Este artigo enfoca o signo e a semiose, ou a acao de produzir signos, e traca o crescimento progressivo do dominio semiotico, primeiro em Saussure, depois em Jakobson. Tendo feito a escolha de esbocar uma evolucao complexa e extensa dos dois linguistas, somos obrigados a aceitar que o ensaio nao pode examinar em detalhes cada conceito fundamental em questao.
Néron Functions Over the Complex Numbers

We start by giving Neron’s formula for the Neron function of an abelian variety over the complex numbers in terms of the normalized theta function associated with a divisor.
Molecular Analysis for Forensic Casework and Parentage Testing

Disciplines in forensic science have developed alongside and continue to be dependent on technological advances in the corresponding basic scientific disciplines. This is true with forensic medicine, toxicology, and chemistry but has become most evident with the advent of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and molecular biology, a field that has rapidly made way for powerful DNA-based methodologies that can be easily used for human identification. Applications are wide ranging, from paternity/maternity establishment to determination of violent criminal offenders through forensic casework. The current molecular techniques employed in identity testing can be used to generate genetic profiles that are so rare (<1 in 360 billion) that some laboratories will state that identity has been demonstrated and an analyst can confidently report that a biological specimen originated only from a specific individual or his/her identical twin.
Transient bubble oscillations associated with the underwater noise of rain detected optically and some properties of light scattered by bubbles

It is known that a drop of water falling on a water surface will entrain a bubble for a range of drop diameters and velocities. The transient volume oscillations of the bubble can be important to the generation of underwater noise. In the present work the volume pulsations are optically detected and the general magnitude of the initial radial oscillation is estimated. The detection method is based on the dynamic extinction of light by the oscillating bubble and on certain optical scattering properties. General progress concerning the scattering of light by bubbles is reviewed in an Appendix.
Theory of Rate-Independent Elasto-Plasticity

The term inelasticity is used to describe any constitutive behavior other than elastic. Typically, the inelastic behavior includes viscoelastic, viscoplastic, and elasto-plastic behaviors. The uniaxial stress–strain relation shown in Fig. 9.1 is characteristic of many materials (e.g., aluminum, soil, etc.). For some materials (e.g., metals), the elastic part of the stress–strain relation is linear (and hence the elastic modulus is a constant). The nonlinearity results largely due to plasticity. However, the elastic modulus itself does change with loading for materials such as soil and rubber. A portion of the work done on a material by external forces is recoverable and the remaining portion is irrecoverable. The former is associated with inelastic strains and the latter with elastic strains. The behavior of inelastic materials is history- (or path-) dependent, whereas that of elastic materials is history independent.
Infradentate Approach to the Fourth Ventricle.

Background The use of minimally invasive transcranial ports for the resection of deep-seated lesions has been shown to be safe and effective for supratentorial lesions. The routine use of this surgical modality for posterior fossa masses has not been well established in the literature. In particular, fourth ventricular tumors are not the typical target for neuro-port surgery because of potential injury to the dentate nucleus. Objective To describe the use of a tubular retractor system to reach the fourth ventricle while sparing the cerebellar vermis and the dentate nucleus. Three cases illustrations are presented. Methods Surgical access to the fourth ventricle was developed sparing the cerebellar vermis and the dentate nucleus. The authors reviewed 3 cases to illustrate the feasibility of minimal access transcerebellar port surgery for the resection of these lesions using an infradentate access. Results None of the patients developed new neurological deficits and the pathology was successfully resected in all cases. There were no major complications related to surgery and no mortalities. Conclusion The infradentate approach obviates the need for traditional approaches to the fourth ventricle, thus making this challenging target in the posterior fossa more accessible to neurosurgeons. The authors observed successful removal of lesions involving the fourth ventricle while avoiding any associated morbidity or mortality.
Let me tell you a story: Narrative effects in the communication of stigma toward migrant workers in China

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the impact of narratives on urban dwellers’ attitudes toward migrant workers in China. With a 2 (message valence: positive or negative)×2 (message type: narrative or...
Body composition and mortality in the general population: A review of epidemiologic studies.

Numerous studies have examined the association between body mass index and mortality and often observed that risk of mortality was higher in those with lower body mass index than those who were ove...
Lying as a Political Wrong

In Speech Matters, Seana Shiffrin claims that certain lies should be tolerated on grounds of political inclusiveness. If political equality requires perfect compliance with fair terms of social cooperation, and if lying violates those terms, then liars might be at risk of losing their standing as political equals. To avoid that draconian result requires accommodation of moral imperfections, including some lies. In response, I argue that Shiffrin’s view may have broader implications for requirements of sincerity under non-ideal political conditions. In some circumstances, where there is widespread defection from fair terms of cooperation, lying might be a moral but not a political wrong.
Improving NOMA Multi-Carrier Systems With Intentional Frequency Offsets

In this letter, we investigate the possible benefits of asynchrony in the frequency domain for the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) schemes. Despite the common perspective that asynchrony in transmission or reception of multi-stream signals is harmful, we demonstrate the advantages of adding intentional frequency offset to the conventional power domain-NOMA (P-NOMA). We introduce two methods which add artificial frequency offsets between different sets of sub-carriers destined for different users. The first one uses the same successive interference cancellation (SIC) method as the conventional P-NOMA except that it enjoys reduced inter-user interference (IUI) between interfering sub-carriers. The second scheme adopts a precoding at the base station and a linear preprocessing scheme at the receiving user. It decomposes the broadcast channel into parallel channels circumventing the need for SIC. As a result, it fully exploits the advantages provided by the frequency asynchrony and enables the interference-free transmission to the users. The numerical results show that both methods can outperform the conventional P-NOMA.
How Market Design Emerged from Game Theory: A Mutual Interview

We interview each other about how game theory and mechanism design evolved into practical market design. When we learned game theory, games were modeled either in terms of the strategies available to the players ("noncooperative games") or the outcomes attainable by coalitions ("cooperative games"), and these were viewed as models for different kinds of games. The model itself was viewed as a mathematical object that could be examined in its entirety. Market design, however, has come to view these models as complementary approaches for examining different ways marketplaces operate within their economic environment. Because that environment can be complex, there will be unobservable aspects of the game. Mathematical models themselves play a less heroic, stand-alone role in market design than in the theoretical mechanism design literature. Other kinds of investigation, communication, and persuasion are important in crafting a workable design and helping it to be adopted, implemented, maintained, and adapted.
All of Life an Experiment: A Synthetic Perspective on Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.’s Free Speech Opinions

US Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. reshaped American free speech law through his Supreme Court opinions during World War I and after. This paper explores the oft-debated questions of whether and how Holmes’s free speech views changed between his legal education (during which he was taught that the common law’s bad tendency test allowed governments to punish any speech after it was uttered) and World War I (during which he created and developed the more expansive clear and present danger test). This paper argues that Holmes developed the underlying principles of his later free speech ideas in his writings on American common law, but that he only expressed those ideas in Supreme Court opinions after several other legal thinkers prodded him to do so.
Predicting vineyard canopy coverage using drone pictures

The common techniques used to estimate tree canopy coverage are line-intercept, spherical densiometer, moosehorn or hemispherical photography, all which demand intensive manual operations both in data collection (typically underneath the trees) and in post-processing the results, calculations and reports. These labor-intensive techniques result in high costs and are difficult to apply to large scale areas. We propose acquiring airborne images by flying a low-altitude drone with a built-in digital camera over a large-scale vineyard. The airborne images convey all necessary information, and the image analysis techniques plus deep learning neural network can create a set of regression models for the anticipated calculations. Specifically, we can predict leaf area index (LAI) and percent canopy cover, which will provide guidance for planting intercrops or cover crops to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health, determine the photosynthetic and transpirational surface of plant canopies, ecophysiology, water balance modeling, in calculating the correct amounts of foliar sprays of pesticides or fungicides, and characterization of vegetation-atmosphere interactions.
Healthcare workforce transformation: implementing patient-centered medical home standards in an academic medical center

BACKGROUND Large scale implementation of new strategies and healthcare delivery standards in academic medical centers (AMCs) requires training of healthcare workforce at different stages of their medical career. The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model for healthcare delivery involves adoption by all members of the healthcare workforce, including seasoned professionals and trainees. Though widely known, the PCMH model has been implemented sporadically at large AMCs and methods to implement the model across healthcare workforce have not been well-documented. METHODS To meet all PCMH standards and achieve sustainable level 3 recognition, the authors implemented in 2014-2015 a multi-pronged approach that capitalized on existing educational infrastructure among faculty, residents, and medical students. Within 18 months, the authors applied new interdisciplinary practices and policies, redesigned residency training in continuity practices and extensively modified medical school curricula. RESULTS These innovative transformational education efforts addressed the six PCMH standards for faculty, residents, and undergraduate medical students. Faculty played a major role as system change agents and facilitators of learning. Residents learned to better understand patients' cultural needs, identify 'at-risk' patients, ensure continuity of care, and assess and improve quality of care. Medical students were exposed to PCMH core standards throughout their training via simulations, training in the community and with patients, and evaluation tasks. By implementing these changes across the healthcare workforce, the AMC achieved PCMH status in a short time, changed practice culture and improved care for patients and the community. Since then, the AMC has been able to maintain PCMH recognition annually with minimal effort. CONCLUSIONS Successful strategies that capitalize on existing strengths in infrastructure complemented by innovative educational offerings and inter-professional partnerships can be adapted by other organizations pursuing similar transformation efforts. This widespread transformation across the healthcare workforce facilitate a deep-rooted change that enabled our academic medical center to sustain PCMH recognition.
Optimum 3D Matrix Stiffness for Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells Is Dependent on Tissue Origin of Cancer Cells

Introduction The growth and expression of cancer stem cells (CSCs) depend on many factors in the tumor microenvironment. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of cancer cells’ tissue origin on the optimum matrix stiffness for CSC growth and marker expression in a model polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel without the interference of other factors in the microenvironment. Methods Human MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma, HCT116 colorectal and AGS gastric carcinoma, and U2OS osteosarcoma cells were used. The cells were encapsulated in PEGDA gels with compressive moduli in the 2-70 kPa range and optimized cell seeding density of 0.6x106 cells/mL. Micropatterning was used to optimize the growth of encapsulated cells with respect to average tumorsphere size. The CSC sub-population of the encapsulated cells was characterized by cell number, tumorsphere size and number density, and mRNA expression of CSC markers. Results The optimum matrix stiffness for growth and marker expression of CSC sub-population of cancer cells was 5 kPa for breast MCF7 and MDA231, 25 kPa for colorectal HCT116 and gastric AGS, and 50 kPa for bone U2OS cells. Conjugation of a CD44 binding peptide to the gel stopped tumorsphere formation by cancer cells from different tissue origin. The expression of YAP/TAZ transcription factors by the encapsulated cancer cells was highest at the optimum stiffness indicating a link between the Hippo transducers and CSC growth. The optimum average tumorsphere size for CSC growth and marker expression was 50 μm. Conclusion The marker expression results suggest that the CSC sub-population of cancer cells resides within a niche with optimum stiffness which depends on the cancer cells’ tissue origin.
Collocation and galerkin finite element methods for viscoelastic fluid flow—I.: Description of method and problems with fixed geometry

Abstract Collocation and Galerkin finite element methods are developed for viscoelastic fluid flow in a fixed geometry. The collocation methods use Hermite cubic polynomials with a global coordinate transformation to permit irregular geometry. The Galerkin method uses isoparametric elements (transformed element by element) with bilinear polynomials for pressure and quadratic polynomials for velocity. Both methods are applied to two-dimensional flow in planar geometry and the Galerkin method is applied to axisymmetric cylindrical geometries as well. The fluid model is a nonlinear Maxwell model but is limited to small elastic components. The two methods are applied to several test problems. Entry-length problems test the ability to model pressure singularities are velocity discontinuities. Stick-slip problems test the ability to model pressure singularities and stress discontinuities. Both test problems have analytic or accurate numerical solutions for Newtonian fluids so that the accuracy of the two methods is compared.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene delivery protects cortical neurons from dying following a traumatic brain injury

Purpose The therapeutic potential of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene delivery was examined in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the controlled cortical impact (CCI). Methods An adenoviral vector harboring human GDNF (AdGDNF) or green fluorescent protein (AdGFP) was injected unilaterally into the forelimb sensorimotor cortex (FL-SMC) of the rat one week prior to a unilateral CCI. Tests of forelimb function and asymmetry were administered for 2 weeks post-injury. At 2 weeks post-injury, animals were sacrificed and contusion size, neuronal survival, neurodegeneration, and virally-mediated GDNF and GFP protein expression were measured. Results Rats injected with AdGDNF had significantly smaller contusions, more surviving neurons, and less neurodegeneration than AdGFP injected and uninjected injured animals. GDNF gene delivery also resulted in significantly faster recovery of forelimb coordination and a smaller initial preference for the uninjured forelimb during exploration of the walls of a platform. However, overall recovery of symmetrical forelimb use was not achieved. Conclusions The discrepancy between neural protection and behavioral recovery suggests that while GDNF gene delivery provided a high degree of protection of damaged cortical neurons in this model of TBI, it may not have fully protected their terminals and synaptic functioning, resulting in only mild protection against behavioral deficits.
STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF CYTOSKELETAL/CONTRACTILE PROTEINS IN AVIAN MYOTUBES

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on cell culture approach that would allow in vitro structural and functional evaluation of mutations in cytoskeletal and contractile proteins of muscle. The basic idea is to create a preparation that is similar to the permeabilized skeletal muscle fiber, which has been a mainstay of muscle physiologists for more than four decades. Although this preludes the assessment of cytoskeletal-membrane-extracellularm atrix interactions, it is a preparation that is well suited to structure/function analyses of contractile and intermediate filament proteins. This approach has been applied to the analysis of desmin and troponin T, each of which illustrates a different paradigm. To date, primary muscle cell cultures have been used because of their superior sarcomeric structural development in culture, when compared to muscle cell lines. However, the same approach is easily adapted to cell lines. Rather than growing cells on collagen, the cells are plated onto dishes that have been initially treated with collagen and then coated with a 1.0 mm thick layer of Matrigel.
A Model and Rule Driven Approach to Service Integration with Eclipse Modeling Framework

BPEL is fast becoming the most widely-adopted standard for business processes involving web services; however BPEL is geared mainly at the higher level processes and is not well suited for the lightweight, short-lived "micro-processes" that share the same service space. Such processes require the advantages of interoperability and asynchronicity offered by an SOA approach but at a more granular logical level. This paper details a way to use a declarative approach to define the micro-processes that occur in the services called by an SOA based application. Using the context of a global call center workflow application framework named CCF, for Custom Call Flows, this paper describes how micro-processes (call flows) can be defined, and how declaratively defined rules can be used to integrate these micro-processes with other services to build a flexible service system.
Relationships between a hyper-rec mutation (REM1) and other recombination and repair genes in yeast.

ABSTRACT Mutations in the REM1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae confer a semidominant hyper-recombination and hypermutable phenotype upon mitotic cells (Golin and Esposito 1977). These effects have not been observed in meiosis. We have examined the interactions of rem1 mutations with rad6-1, rad50-1, rad52-1 or spo11-1 mutations in order to understand the basis of the rem1 hyper-rec phenotype. The rad mutations have pleiotropic phenotypes; spo11 is only defective in sporulation and meiosis. The RAD6, RAD50 and SPO11 genes are not required for spontaneous mitotic recombination; mutations in the RAD52 gene cause a general spontaneous mitotic Rec - phenotype. Mutations in RAD50, RAD52 or SPO11 eliminate meiotic recombination, and mutations in RAD6 prevent spore formation. Evidence for the involvement of RAD6 in meiotic recombination is less clear. Mutations in all three RAD genes confer sensitivity to X rays; the RAD6 gene is also required for UV damage repair. To test whether any of these functions might be involved in the hyper-rec phenotype conferred by rem1 mutations, double mutants were constructed. Double mutants of rem1 spo11 were viable and demonstrated rem1 levels of mitotic recombination, suggesting that the normal meiotic recombination system is not involved in producing the rem1 phenotype. The rem1 rad6 double mutant was also viable and had rem1 levels of mitotic recombination. Neither rem1 rad50 nor rem1 rad52 double mutants were viable. This suggests that rem1 causes its hyper-rec phenotype because it creates lesions in the DNA that are repaired using a recombination-repair system involving RAD50 and RAD52 .
Effect of Triton X-100 on Electrophoretic Mobility of Red Blood Cell Ghosts from Normal Individuals and Patients With Tay—Sachs Disease

The negative surface charge of red blood cell ghosts and their anodal electrophoretic migration are largely due to their sialic acid moiety. The RBC of patients with Tay—Sachs disease are thought to contain increased amounts of sialic acid. Electrophoretic mobility and ganglioside content of RBC ghosts were compared in four patients with Tay—Sachs disease and eight normal controls. There was no measurable difference in electrophoretic mobility on cellulose acetate or acrylamide gel. The sialic acid content of lyophilized RBC ghosts was about the same for samples from both patients and controls. The nonionic detergent, Triton X-100, interacts with the ghost glycolipoprotein, causing a reversal of migration, both on cellulose acetate and moving-boundary electrophoresis. Acrylamide gel, by its sieving effect, disrupts the complex, which then migrates anodally again.
Use of a Structural Model in Compensating for Robot Deflections

Summary A robot with six revolute axes and DC drives was investigated. Using impact excitation a spring, sass, dashpot model was established comprising nine concentrated flexibilities and four masses. Most of the flexibilities are found in mechanical transmissions of the drives. Two of the drives (shoulder and elbow) include these flexibilities within the position loop; the corresponding deflections are completely eliminated after a transient of about 2 sec. The lowest structural natural frequencies are about 10 Hz and one of the modes is very lowly damped, ζ = 0.014. This low damping is the main obstacle to increasing the gain of the servos. The transient errors are, however, not considered serious for most applications. A scheme is designed to compensate for static deflections in routing sheet metal aircraft parts.
Culture of pachytene spermatocytes for analysis of meiosis.

An impediment to the investigation of mammalian spermatogenic meiosis has been the lack of an appropriate system for experimental manipulation of meiotic prophase cells. We report here the use of a simple system for the short-term culture of pachytene spermatocytes. We have assayed parameters of cell function pertinent to meiotic prophase, namely chromosome pairing and synapsis. During the culture period of 24–48 hr, cells maintained typical pachytene morphology, chromatin condensation patterns, and chromosome pairing, as assessed by light and electron microscopy. Uridine incorporation, monitored by autoradiography, reflected the chromosomal distribution found in vivo in that the autosomal chromosomes were transcriptionally active, while the sex chromosomes were not. Thus features of chromosome pairing and sex chromatin inactivation are maintained in these cultures. We have conducted experiments to demonstrate that cultured pachytene spermatocytes can be useful for the analysis of agents, some of which may be suspected mutagens, that might affect chromosome structure and function during meiosis. Treatment of cells with actinomycin D revealed a differential effect on chromatin condensation in the autosomes versus the sex chromosomes. Carnptothecin, a topoisomerase inhibitor, induced desynapsis of paired chromosomes. Okadaic acid, a phosphatase inhibitor, induced premature metaphase-I condensation of pachytene chromosomes. This last experiment suggests that these cultured cells may be useful for analysis of meiotic cell cycle controls. Taken together, these results demonstrate a culture system that can be useful for analysis of meiotic events as well as in screening for potential mutagenic agents that might affect meiotic chromosome structure and function. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Low temperature behavior of hydrogen in copper and CuAl alloys

Abstract Positron annihilation spectra of copper and CuAl alloy samples (which had been thermally charged with hydrogen at 1273 K, quenched to 123 K and placed in liquid nitrogen) were measured during slow warming to room temperature. In copper the main trapping site for hydrogen is found to be monovacancies in the lower temperature range and vacancy clusters closer to room temperature. In CuAl alloys, however, the main trapping site for hydrogen appears to be the extended dislocation.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in lymph node positive bladder cancer

Abstract Objectives Lymph node-positive bladder cancer is a systemic disease in the majority of patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy given shortly after surgery, when tumor burden is low, seems reasonable, yet there is no proof that it improves survival. In this retrospective study, we compare the outcomes of patients with microscopic lymph node positive bladder cancer (pN1 or pN2) treated with radical cystectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and those who declined chemotherapy. Methods Sixty-seven patients with lymph node positive bladder cancer (26 pN1 and 41 pN2) who underwent radical cystectomy between April 1995 and April 2005 were reviewed. Combined adjuvant chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin in most patients) was given to 35 patients (52%), but declined by 32 (48%). The two groups were similar in performance status, postoperative complication rate, and N stage but deferring patients were on average 5 years older and had a more advanced T stage. Study primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results Adjuvant chemotherapy was well tolerated and 28/35 patients (80%) completed all 4 cycles. Median OS of patients given adjuvant chemotherapy was 48 months compared with 8 months for declining patients (hazard ratio 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.4, P P Conclusion This study supports the use of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical cystectomy in patients with node positive bladder cancer. Study design and patient imbalances make it impossible to draw definitive conclusions.
Putative role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway in the survival of granulosa cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important differentiation and survival factor for granulosa cells. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that IGF-1 promotes survival of porcine granulosa cells by signaling though the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase/Akt signal transduction pathway. Treatment with IGF-1 (100 ng/ml) for 10 min stimulated PI 3-kinase and Akt protein kinase activity. IGF-I stimulated the phosphorylation and activation of Akt in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The PI 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 blocked IGF-1 induced increases in PI 3-kinase activity and phosphorylation of Akt. Additionally, IGF-1 treatment prevented apoptosis. The survival response to IGF-I was blocked by treatment with either wortmannin or LY294002. These data suggest that IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of Akt is mediated through PI 3-kinase and that inactivation of this pathway results in granulosa cell apoptosis. We conclude that the P1 3-kinase/Akt signaling serves as a functional survival pathway in the ovary.
Threshold Behavior for Longitudinal Stability of Induction LINAC Bunches

The induction linac bunches of heavy ion fusion scenarios are strongly influenced by the longitudinal space charge impedance. This is in distinct contrast to relativistic bunches in storage rings where most of the data on stability have been obtained. Simulation results reveal that when space charge effects are large, the stability requirement of small growth rate relative to the synchrotron frequency for relativistic bunches is replaced by the relaxed condition of small growth rate relative to the frequency spacing of the space charge wave modes on the bunch. Dispersive effects from finite pipe size tend to make the lower frequencies less susceptible to instability than higher frequencies. Since induction modules have a high resistive component only for the lowest bunch modes, stability is better than would occur for a broadband impedance of comparable magnitude. These results indicate that long term longitudinal bunch stability is realizable for induction linac drivers for heavy ion fusion.
Nanosecond laser-induced shock propagation in and above organic liquid and solid targets

Abstract The study of shock propagation in air and liquid can play an important role in understanding light-matter interactions during laser processing experiments. In this work, we perform plume shadowgraphy experiments on liquid and solid targets of acetone and toluene and calculate the velocity and pressure at the leading edge of the shock front. Our results are compared to recent work in which early blast wave dynamics are studied and the applicability of the classical Taylor–Sedov model is assessed for our data. We observe an enhanced vertical expansion in the shockwave that is attributable to absorption and heating above the surface.
The effects of process faults and misalignments on the cutting force system and hole quality in reaming

A chip thickness and cutting force model that considers the deflection of the tool and the regenerative effect resulting from the presence of process faults and misalignments has been developed for the reaming process. Through a series of experiments, the model has been calibrated and validated. The model predicts tool displacement, torque, thrust, X and Y forces, and the average radius of the reamed hole. The developed model is also shown to be capable of being used as a basis for the on-line detection of process faults present in the system.
The Galactic magnetic field and ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray deflections

Abstract Our understanding of the Galactic magnetic field (GMF) has increased considerably in recent years, while at the same time remaining far from adequate. By way of illustration, the Jansson and Farrar (2012) (JF12) GMF model is described, emphasizing how it is constrained and which features are robust or likely to change, as modeling and constraining data improve. The most urgent requirements for the next phase of modeling are a more realistic model for the relativistic electron distribution (in order to reduce the systematic error associated with interpreting synchrotron data) and a better theoretical understanding of the origin of the large-scale coherent field (in order to develop a better phenomenological parameterization of the field). Even in its current stage of development, the JF12 model allows some important conclusions about UHECR deflections in the GMF to be formulated.
Fate of intravenously administered glucosamine in the rat.

Summary1. Following the intravenous administration of glucosamine-HCl to the rat, 80-90% disappears from the blood within the first 10 minutes, in intact animals, as well as those in which the liver or kidneys have been excluded from the general circulation. 2. No destruction is evident when glucosamine is incubated with whole blood for 10 minutes. Glucosamine is destroyed, however, under neutral or alkaline pH conditions after a more prolonged period of time. 3. Intravenously administered glucosamine-HCl becomes rapidly distributed in all tissues of the body, with the greatest concentration increases appearing in the kidneys, liver, and intestines. In total amount, however, most of the administered dose is found in muscle, connective tissue, blood and liver. 4. Approximately 50% of intravenously administered glucosamine-HCl is destroyed in the body in a period of less than 1 hour.
Characterization and analysis of Porous, Brittle solid structures by X-ray micro computed tomography

The internal structure of porous, brittle solid structures, such as porous rock, foam metal and wallboard, is extremely complex. For example, in the case of wallboard, the air bubble size and the thickness/composition of the wall structure are spatial parameters that vary significantly and influence mechanical, thermal, and acoustical properties. In this regard, the complex geometry and the internal texture of material, such as wallboard, is characterized and analyzed in 3-D using cone beam x-ray micro computed tomography. Geometrical features of the porous brittle structure are quantitatively analyzed based on calibration of the x-ray linear attenuation coefficient, use of a 3-D watershed algorithm, and use of a 3-D skeletonization procedure. Several examples of the 3-D analysis for porous, wallboard structures are presented and the results discussed.
Modification of quantum mechanics at short distances

To make quantum mechanics a suitable description of short-distance (≲10−13 cm) physics, we introduce a spatial variation of Planck’s constanth. In the new system, the dynamics of a test particle is developed and discussed. As one of the consequences it is shown that the new theory can lead to asymptotic freedom and quark confinement in a simple way.
Influence of Matrix Solution Conditions on the MALDI-MS Analysis of Peptides and Proteins

Sample−matrix preparation procedures are shown to greatly influence the quality of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra of peptides and proteins. In particular, dramatic mass discrimination effects are observed when the matrix 4-hydroxy-α-cyanocinnamic acid is used for analyzing complex mixtures of peptides and proteins. The discrimination effects are found to be strongly dependent on the sample−matrix solution composition, pH, and the rates at which the sample−matrix cocrystals are grown. These findings demonstrate the need to exercise great care in performing and interpreting the MALDI analysis of biological samples. The results also indicate that there is a reverse-phase chromatographic-like dimension in the sample−matrix preparation procedures that can be exploited to optimize the analysis. The present work describes the conditions under which the majority of components of a complex mixture of peptides and proteins can be successfully measured.
Assessing the specificity of anti-canine-factor VIII-related antigen

Abstract Antibodies to canine factor VIII-related antigen should be monospecific to accurately study this protein's location in tissue and its structure. Because no uniformly accepted standard for monospecificity exists for anti-factor VIII-related antigen, we have compared the sensitivities of three common evaluation techniques—immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Unabsorbed rabbit anti-canine factor VIII-related antigen appeared monospecific against whole plasma by all three methods; however, multiple specificities were recognized against a plasma cryoconcentrate. These results demonstrate the insensitivity of the techniques under certain conditions, which can lead to erroneous interpretation of data.
Equalization integrated online monitoring of health map and worthiness of replacement for battery pack of electric vehicles

Abstract Ever increasing acceptance of electric vehicles relies on better operation and control of large battery packs. The individual modules in large battery packs cannot have identical characteristics and may degrade differently due to manufacturing variability and other factors. Degraded battery modules waste more power, affecting the performance and economy for the whole battery pack. Also, such impact varies with different trip patterns. It is beneficial if the performance gain can be evaluated online prior to replacing certain battery module regarding to actual driving. In this paper, the research objectives are two-fold. First, we propose an on-line battery module degradation diagnostic scheme using the intrinsic signals of battery module equalization. Without need for additional sensors or offline tests, this scheme is cost-effective for constructing and updating the battery pack “health map” in real time during the vehicle operation. Secondly, based on the derived battery health map, the Worthiness of Replacement (WOR) for certain modules/cells is proposed to evaluate the performance of the battery pack for customer specified trip. Such evaluation index provides a quantitative measure for module replacement and battery pack swapping Simulation study is performed to validate the proposed ideas using an actual driving cycle recorded for a commuting trip.
Retention characteristics of a new butylimidazolium-based stationary phase. Part II: anion exchange and partitioning.

A surface-confined ionic liquid (SCIL) and a commercial quaternary amine silica-based stationary phase were characterized employing the linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) method in binary methanol/water mobile phases. The retention properties of the stationary phases were evaluated in terms of intermolecular interactions between 28 test solutes and the stationary phases. The comparison reveals a difference in the hydrophobic and hydrogen bond acceptance interaction properties between the two phases. The anion exchange retention mechanism of the SCIL phase was demonstrated using nucleotides. The utility of the SCIL phase in predicting logk IL/water values by chromatographic methods is also discussed.
Modeling of programming time of nanocrystal flash memory cells

Charging dynamics of nanocrystals in the emerging silicon nanocrystals-based flash memory is explained using a simplified engineering model based on effective mass approximation. The model includes the presence of discrete energy levels in the nanocrystals and also the effect of shift in energy levels in the nanocrystals with more than one electron. The simulated results of shift in threshold voltage as a function of programming time, and the effect of gate voltage and drain voltage on the programming speed agree very well with the experimental results. The tunnel mass of electron in the oxide, which is used as a fit parameter, takes into account the effect of strain and crystallographic orientational effects. Assumptions and limitations of the model are discussed.
Ab initio simulations of hot dense methane during shock experiments

Using density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations, we predict shock Hugoniot curves of precompressed methane up to 75$\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$000 K for initial densities ranging from 0.35 to 0.70 g$\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. At 4000 K, we observe the transformation into a metallic, polymeric state consisting of long hydrocarbon chains. These chains persist when the sample is quenched to 300$\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$K, leading to an increase in shock compression. At 6000$\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$K, the sample transforms into a plasma composed of many, short-lived chemical species. We conclude by discussing implications for the interiors of Uranus and Neptune and analyzing the possibility of creating a superionic state of methane in high pressure experiments.
Environmental Factors Item Development for Persons With Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Spinal Cord Injury

Objectives To describe methods used in operationalizing environmental factors; to describe the results of a research project to develop measures of environmental factors that affect participation; and to define an initial item set of facilitators and barriers to participation after stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.
The ‘crush’ of ideologies: The United States, the Arab world, and Cold War modernisation

This article re-examines America's approach to cold war modernisation in US–Arab relations during the era of Nasser. It shows how US and Arab modernisers pursued different aims on the basis of similar assumptions about the nature of societal change. By analysing Arabic political literature and describing US–Arab conflicts over development in Iraq and Egypt, it illustrates how the cold war raised expectations regarding total modernising systems and escalated an earlier rivalry among Arab anti-colonial movements. This contribution fills a gap between studies of cold war development that emphasise conflict and those that explain modernisation theory in an exclusively American context.
Precipitation of metal 8-hydroxyquinolates from homogeneous solution—V magnesium

Abstract A method has been developed for the precipitation of magnesium 8-hydroxyquinolate from homogeneous solution with 8-acetoxyquinoline. Satisfactory separations from sodium, potassium, and barium were obtained.
Determinants of Aerobic Capacity During Exercise Following Complete Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with a Transannular Patch

Exercise capacity and the causes of its limitation following repair of tetralogy of Fallot have been studied in heterogeneous populations. Study populations have been grouped together regardless of the type of repair and residual hemodynamic abnormalities. To better understand the factors limiting aerobic exercise capacity in patients repaired with a transannular patch, 37 patients with a transannular patch and no residual pulmonary stenosis underwent resting spirometry and treadmill exercise testing. Maximal oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold were measured in all patients to assess aerobic capacity. Patients were subdivided by gender. Resting spirometry measurements tended to be lower in both genders compared to healthy controls but did not correlate with any measurement of aerobic capacity. Maximal oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold were significantly less in the female than the male population. A quadratic relation between maximal oxygen consumption and age at exercise testing existed for both genders but peaked at an earlier age and was significantly less in the female population. There was a significant negative correlation between maximal oxygen consumption and echocardiographically estimated right ventricular inflow volume index in the female population only. These data suggest that in patients with tetralogy of Fallot repaired with a transannular patch aerobic capacity is limited primarily by cardiac function, but that gender differences are due to noncardiac causes.
Coarse-particle effects in a multisolid circulating fluidized bed for catalytic reactions

Abstract The fast-fluidized bed is characterized by intensive backmixing and nonhomogeneous flow patterns represented by two flow regions, i.e. a dense wall (or annular) region and a dilute core region. This segregated flow structure is undesired for certain chemical reaction applications. To reduce the backmixing and nonhomogeneity, superimposition of coarse particles onto a fine-particle circulating fluidized bed is attempted in this study. The effects of the coarse particles on the reactor performance are investigated in the light of a catalytic ozone decomposition reaction in the bed. The apparatus used consists of a riser, 102 mm in diameter and 6.32 m in height. FCC particles with a mean diameter of 58μm, impregnated with ferric oxide, are used as catalysts. Polyethylene particles of 4.4 mm diameter and glass beads of 2 mm diameter are employed in the experiments as coarse particles. Both the hydrodynamic parameters and the ozone concentrations are measured under various operating conditions. Comparison are made of the axial and radial distributions of ozone concentrations in the presence and absence of coarse particles. For a given Damkoeheler number, the presence of coarse particles is found to improve ozone conversions in a riser with polyethylene particles at a high gas velocity, and with glass beads at a low gas velocity. A reactor model based on the core—annulus flow structure is also proposed to account for the ozone conversion in the reactor.
Biomarker responses in river otters experimentally exposed to oil contamination.

Investigations in Prince William Sound (Alaska, USA) following the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) revealed that river otters (Lontra canadensis) on oiled shores had lower body mass and elevated values of biomarkers, than did otters living on nonoiled shores. In addition, otters from oiled areas selected different habitats, had larger home ranges, and less diverse diets than animals living in nonoiled areas. These differences between river otters from oiled shores and those from nonoiled areas strongly suggested that oil contamination had an effect on physiological and behavioral responses of otters. In this study, we explored the effects of crude oil contamination on river otters experimentally. We hypothesized that exposure to oil would result in elevated values of biomarkers, indicating induced physiological stress. Fifteen wild-caught male river otters were exposed to two levels of weathered crude oil (i.e., control, 5 ppm/day/kg body mass, and 50 ppm/day/kg body mass) under controlled conditions in cap...