cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Shear Stress and Cyclic Strain on Sp1 Phosphorylation by Protein Kinase Cζ Modulates Membrane Type 1-Matrix Metalloproteinase in Endothelial Cells

Membrane type 1–matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) plays a key role in extracellular matrix remodeling, endothelial cell (EC) migration, and angiogenesis. Whereas cyclic strain (CS) increases MT1-MMP expression, shear stress (SS) decreases MT1-MMP expression. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in levels of Sp1 phosphorylation induced by protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) in ECs exposed to SS but not CS are important for MT1-MMP expression. The results showed that SS increased Sp1 phosphorylation, which could be inhibited by pretreatment with PKCζ inhibitors. In the presence of PKCζ inhibitors, the SS-mediated decrease in MT1-MMP protein expression was also abolished. These data demonstrate that increased affinity of Sp1 for MT1-MMP's promoter site occurs as a consequence of PKCζ-induced phosphorylation of Sp1 in response to SS, increasing Sp1 binding affinity for the promoter site, preventing Egr-1 binding, and consequently decreasing MT1-MMP expression.
Sirviving Cardiac Stress: Cardioprotection Mediated by a Longevity Gene

Over the last decade, a number of genetic modifiers of yeast and animal lifespan have been discovered and studied in some detail. Many of these genes lie on or impinge on the evolutionarily conserved insulin signaling pathway.1 In fact, one of the first genes discovered that was linked to lifespan regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans was DAF2, the product of which is highly related to mammalian insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors.2 Many of the intermediates activated by insulin intracellular signaling, such as phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (PI3K) and AKT/PKB, mediate cytoprotection associated not only with the insulin receptor but other receptor-mediated signaling pathways as well.3 Preventing the cell death that occurs in response to stress would seem to be a reasonable component of an overall cellular strategy for extending lifespan because the cumulative effects of cell loss have been implicated in various age-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Increased activity of prosurvival molecules through increased growth factor/insulin signaling would seem to be one way to achieve extension. Yet the lifespan extending-mutation in the C elegans DAF2 gene caused decreased, rather than increased, signaling. Although it seems counterintuitive that decreased prosurvival signaling is capable of extending lifespan, the notion is supported by the remarkable success that caloric restriction has had in increasing lifespan across the phylogenic spectrum.4 Here too lifespan extension is associated with reduced glucose, insulin, and IGF1 plasma levels, as well as reduced insulin signaling.5 Clearly, either the role of cytoprotection in lifespan extension has been overstated or the complexities of insulin signaling and its downstream effectors underestimated. In this issue of Circulation Research , Alcendor et al6 report on the expression of the longevity factor encoded by SIRT1 (Sir2α) and its potential role as an endogenous inhibitor of stress-mediated cell death in isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes. …
Evaluation of reinforced concrete and reinforced engineered cementitious composite (ECC) members and structures using small-scale testing

The behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) and reinforced engineered cementitious composites (ECC) was comparatively investigated at the component and system levels through a small-scale (1/8 scale factor) experimental program. The logistical and financial advantages of small-scale testing were utilized to investigate a range of parameters, including the effect of reinforcement ratio and material properties, on the response of reinforced concrete and reinforced ECC structures. The procedures pertaining to material preparation, specimen construction, and input motion development that were critical for enhancing the similarity between the scales are provided. Engineered cementitious composite mixtures with different cost and sustainability indices were evaluated. Under cyclic loading, the stiffness, strength, ductility, and energy absorption capacity of columns made of different ECC mixtures were found to be 110, 65, 45, and 100% higher, respectively, than those of the RC columns. The system level investigati...
Notochordal cell conditioned medium stimulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward a young nucleus pulposus phenotype

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer promise for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration because they are easily isolated and expanded, and can differentiate into several mesenchymal tissues. Notochordal (NC) cells contribute to IVD development, incorporate into the nucleus pulposus (NP), and stimulate mature disc cells. However, there have been no studies investigating the effects of NC cells on adult stem cell differentiation. The premise of this study is that IVD regeneration is more similar to IVD development than to IVD maintenance, and we hypothesize that soluble factors from NC cells differentiate MSCs to a phenotype characteristic of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells during development. The eventual clinical goal would be to isolate or chemically/recombinantly produce the active agent to induce the therapeutic effects, and to use it as either an injectable therapy for early intervention on disc disease, or in developing appropriately pre-differentiated MSC cells in a tissue engineered NP construct. Methods: Human MSCs from bone marrow were expanded and pelleted to form high-density cultures. MSC pellets were exposed to either control medium (CM), chondrogenic medium (CM with dexamethasone and transforming growth factor, (TGF)-β3) or notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM). NCCM was prepared from NC cells maintained in serum free medium for four days. After seven days culture, MSC pellets were analyzed for appearance, biochemical composition (glycosaminoglycans and DNA), and gene expression profile (sox-9, collagen types-II and III, laminin-β1 and TIMP1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1)). Results: Significantly higher glycosaminoglycan accumulation was seen in NCCM treated pellets than in CM or TGFβ groups. With NCCM treatment, increased gene expression of collagen III, and a trend of increasing expression of laminin-β1 and decreased expression of sox-9 and collagen II relative to the TGFβ group was observed. Conclusions: Together, results suggest NCCM stimulates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward a potentially NP-like phenotype with some characteristics of the developing IVD.
Real-Time Liver Motion Compensation for MRgFUS

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive method by which tissue is ablated using ultrasound energy focused on a point. The procedure has proven effective for stationary targets (e.g. uterine fibroids) but has not yet been used for liver lesion treatment due to organ motion. We describe a method to compensate for organ motion to enable continuous application of ultrasound energy in the presence of target movement in the liver. The method involves tracking several salient features (typically blood vessels) in the vicinity of the target location. The location of the target point(s) themselves are updated using a thin plate spline (TPS) interpolation scheme. We demonstrate sub-pixel tracking accuracy on synthetic sequences and additionally show results on MRI sequences acquired on human subjects. Per-feature tracking times were measured to be 5.7ms with a standard deviation of 1.6ms, sufficient for real-time use.
Growth inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of three arsenic compounds on cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract The growth inhibitions and parallel morphological changes due to three arsenic compounds (sodium arsenite, arsenate, and dimethylarsinate) are examined and compared systematically for the first time in cultured mammalian cells. We used suspension‐adapted Chinese hamster ovary (CHO‐S) cells and cultured them under low and high folate conditions to assess whether arsenic toxicity is related to 1‐carbon metabolism. The concentration of arsenite required to produce a 50% growth rate inhibition is increased from 4 μM to 22 μM when the culture medium folate level is raised from 0.2 μM (low folate) to 2.0 μM (high folate). Arsenate is less inhibitory than arsenite to growth; yet, the presence of a high folate concentration also results in a fivefold increase in the cellular tolerance for this anion. A 50% growth inhibition is attained with 30 μM arsenate in 0.2 μM folate medium, while 150 μM is needed in 2.0 μM culture medium. Dimethylarsinate (DMA) is much less inhibitory to cell growth than either of ...
Interhemispheric Modulation Induced by Cortical Stimulation and Motor Training

Background. Interhemispheric inhibition might be a beneficial cortico-cortical interaction, but also might be maladaptive in people with neurological disorders. One recently revisited technique that has been shown to be effective in improving motor function in people with stroke using interhemispheric modulation is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tDCS combined with unilateral motor training with contralateral hand restraint on interhemispheric inhibition between the dominant and nondominant hemispheres of the brain and on motor performance in participants who were healthy. Design. This was a double-blind, prospective, single-center study with participants who were healthy. Methods. Twenty participants who were healthy were randomly assigned to receive either active or sham tDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1) bilaterally combined with unilateral motor training and contralateral hand restraint. A blinded rater assessed motor function and cortical excitability, including assessment of transcallosal inhibition (TCI). Results. There was a larger increase in motor performance in the nondominant hand for the active tDCS group compared with the sham tDCS group. In addition, a decrease in cortical excitability in the dominant hemisphere and a decrease in TCI from the dominant to nondominant hemisphere were observed for the active tDCS group only. The TCI decrease in the active tDCS group was correlated with motor performance improvement for the nondominant hand. Limitations. Limitations of this study included missing the effect of intracortical inhibition due to a floor effect, not using the optimal tDCS montage, and not being able to assess the effects of other variables such as gender due to the small sample size. Conclusions. The results indicate that tDCS enhances the effects of unilateral motor training and contralateral hand restraint on motor function, and this benefit is associated with a different mechanism of action characterized by bihemispheric modulation in which TCI from the dominant to the nondominant hemisphere is decreased. Transcranial direct current stimulation might be a useful tool to enhance the motor effects of constraint-induced movement therapy.
Angle measurement based on the internal-reflection effect using elongated critical-angle prisms

Elongated critical-angle prisms that provide multiple reflections have been used to increase measurement sensitivity while retaining excellent linearity in the recently developed angle-measurement method, angle measurement based on the internal-reflection effect.
Plastic incineration versus recycling: a comparison of energy and landfill cost savings

Recycling of municipal solid waste has been offered as an attractive alternative to traditional forms of waste disposal such as landfilling. In recent years, attention has also been focused upon recycling as an effective method of energy recovery. The focus of this article is to address these assumptions and to determine the degree of energy saving achieved through recycling, particularly in comparison to waste-to-energy conversion. The theoretical cost saving arising from the recycling or reuse of raw materials found in municipal solid waste is presented along with the theoretical energy value of converting plastic to energy by combustion. An energy cost saving from recycling is proven for many recyclable products, excluding plastics. Given current recycling technology, maximization of energy recovery from plastic recycling can only be accomplished through waste-to-energy conversion, which may have other undesirable results.
Application of a quantitative software metrics assessment process to military software development programs

The objective assessment of DOD Weapons System and Automated Information System software development programs is becoming increasingly dependent on the application and analysis of software process and product related metrics. Experience in the actual application of software metrics to military programs has shown that a key requirement for a practical software measurement program is a consistently implemented and repeatable quantitative software development assessment process applied across the software development life cycle. Within the defined software metrics process software attributes are continuously measured and evaluated with respect to development program characteristics, constraints, and objectives, and the results are subsequently integrated into an overall assessment of the software development program. A key part of the defined software metrics assessment process is the relationship of software development process attributes and measurement results to expected and observed product characteristics. Implementation of the metrics process has shown that effective development processes yield high quality software products. >
The combined effect of surface rain and wind on scatterometer observations of surface roughness

Changes in the sea surface roughness from the combined effects of wind and rain, on scales of tens of kilometers, are being studied using the QuikSCAT scatterometer and simultaneous NEXRAD three-dimensional measurements of rain within Hurricane Claudette. Buoys, NOAA HRD H*Winds and related data provide the additional wind information. From the remote sensing perspective, these results will show the dependence of the sea surface radar cross section, at Ku-band, as a function of the rainrate, wind speed and relative direction, and polarization. At this microwave frequency the surface backscatter is controlled by the centimeter-scale roughness, but at these high wind speeds the simple models based on Bragg scattering are not useful. In order to study the air-sea interaction that is related to surface fluxes (e.g., momentum, sensible heat, and latent heat) during rain events, extended experimental investigations are needed. Heavy rain in the boundary layer changes the profiles of wind and stratification which alter the surface stress and turbulent heat fluxes. The wind driven rain also creates roughness properties that need to be modeled in order to interpret the Kuband NRCS at the two polarizations, When high winds also exist (≫20 m/s), the interaction is complicated by sea spray.
STABILITY STUDIES ON LUTEINIZING HORMONE.

Stability of the biological activity of luteinizing hormone to a range of conditions and agents was studied using the Parlow ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay. Inactivation was virtually complete after performic acid oxidation, urea denaturation, heating to 100 C in solution, subjection to pH 2 at 25 C or less, reduction by sodium in liquid ammonia, or digestion by the enzymes trypsin or clostripaine. Partial inactivation was observed after limited digestion with chymotrypsin, trypsin, carboxypeptidase A, clostripaine, or incubation with sulfhydrylcontaining compounds. No inactivation was observed following neuraminidase or bacterial a-amylase treatment or short exposure to pH 12. (Endocrinology 75: 333, 1964)
A Randomized Comparison of Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Overweight Individuals With Binge-Eating Disorder

Background: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has documented efficacy for the treatment of bingeeating disorder (BED). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been shown to reduce binge eating but its long-term impact and time course on other BEDrelated symptoms remain largely unknown. This study compares the effects of group CBT and group IPT across BED-related symptoms among overweight individuals with BED. Methods: One hundred sixty-two overweight patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for BED were randomly assigned to 20 weekly sessions of either group CBT or group IPT. Assessments of binge eating and associated eating disorder psychopathology, general psychological functioning, and weight occurred before treatment, at posttreatment, and at 4-month intervals up to 12 months following treatment. Results: Binge-eating recovery rates were equivalent for CBT and IPT at posttreatment (64 [79%] of 81 vs 59 [73%] of 81) and at 1-year follow-up (48 [59%] of 81 vs 50 [62%] of 81). Binge eating increased slightly through follow-up but remained significantly below pretreatment levels. Across treatments, patients had similar significant reductions in associated eating disorders and psychiatric symptoms and maintenance of gains through followup. Dietary restraint decreased more quickly in CBT but IPT had equivalent levels by later follow-ups. Patients’ relative weight decreased significantly but only slightly, with the greatest reduction among patients sustaining recovery from binge eating from posttreatment to 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: Group IPT is a viable alternative to group CBT for the treatment of overweight patients with BED. Although lacking a nonspecific control condition limits conclusions about treatment specificity, both treatments showed initial and long-term efficacy for the core and related symptoms of BED. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:713-721
Food: Edible Antibiotics in Food Crops

Examines the moral/ethical issues surrounding the placing of an ­antibiotic in a major food crop.
Surveillance outcomes of small abdominal aortic aneurysms identified from a large screening program

Objective Surveillance of patients identified with small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from an AAA screening program poses a challenge for health systems because of numerous patient follow-ups. This study evaluates the surveillance outcomes of patients identified with small AAA from a large screening program. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients screened for small AAA (3.0-5.4 cm) from 2007 to 2011 was conducted. Patients with small AAA and no previous history of repair were tracked for follow-up using the 2013 RESCAN follow-up guidelines according to aortic diameter (3.0-3.9 cm, 3 years; 4.0-4.4 cm, 2 years; 4.5-5.4 cm, 1 year). Socioeconomic factors that may influence the follow-up rate and all-cause mortality after screening, including marital status, distance to hospital from residence, estimated household income, and employment disability status, were also evaluated. Results A total of 568 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 73.4 ± 7.2 years old) with small AAA (3.6 ± 0.6 cm) were analyzed. Patient follow-up rate was 65.1% (n = 370 of 568). Reasons for follow-up failure were lack of the physician's ordering a scan (n = 139; 70.2%), delayed ordering of scans (n = 36; 18.2%), patient no-show (n = 18; 9.1%), or patient death before follow-up (n = 5; 2.5%). Of all patient-specific factors, patients with smaller diameters were unlikely to achieve follow-up scans ( P P P P = .001), and lower household incomes (HR, 0.989; P = .01). Conclusions The follow-up rate of patients with small AAA was poor at 65.1%. The data indicate that socioeconomic factors do not significantly affect follow-up success. Therefore, physician ordering of scans may exert the greatest influence on follow-up rates in patients with small AAA. Automatic ordering of follow-up scans for patients with small AAAs is proposed to improve follow-up rates.
Giant actin inclusions in hematopoietic cells associated with transfusion-dependent anemia and grey skin discoloration

We evaluated a 13-month-old boy with cytoplasmic inclusions in hematopoietic cells, transfusion-dependent anemia, splenomegaly, and striking grey skin discoloration. Bright blue inclusions, 1 to 5 microns in diameter, were observed, primarily in the cytoplasm, of 30% to 40% of myeloid cells and in occasional monocytes, megakaryocytes, and lymphocytes on Wright Giemsa-stained bone marrow and blood smears. They occasionally involved the nucleus. The inclusions lacked lysosomes, polysaccharides, or lipids. Ultrastructurally, they lacked limiting membranes and consisted of tightly packed microfilaments averaging 7 nm in diameter, consistent with the size of actin monofilaments. On light microscopy, the inclusions stained with a monoclonal antibody to muscle-specific actin. Inclusion-positive cells contained increased F-actin content and were defective in chemotactic factor-activated actin polymerization; inclusion-negative cells polymerized actin normally. Neutrophil and platelet numbers and functional studies were mildly abnormal. Anemia and skin discoloration resolved spontaneously after 18 months, but the giant inclusions have persisted to the present. We conclude that this child has a previously unreported constellation of clinical and laboratory findings comprising severe anemia, intermittent neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, abnormal neutrophil migration and platelet aggregation, giant inclusions of actin in hematopoietic cells, and grey skin discoloration.
ConfChem Conference on Flipped Classroom: Improving Student Engagement in Organic Chemistry Using the Inverted Classroom Model

Improving student engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses generally, and organic chemistry specifically, has long been a goal for educators. Recently educators at all academic levels have been exploring the “inverted classroom” or “flipped classroom” pedagogical model for improving student engagement in subjects spanning the fields from liberal arts to business studies to science and technology. This learner-centered pedagogy, in which course content is delivered outside the classroom, allows class time to be more productively used for higher-level engaging activities, such as collaborative and problem-based learning through instructor-led applications of the material delivered outside of class. The techniques used and the technology employed to deliver an inverted two-semester organic chemistry classroom at Rowan College at Gloucester County along with preliminary student performance data versus the traditional lecture classroom format are presented. This communicat...
POLYMER COMPOSITES : ADJUSTING TO THE COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE

The future of polymer composites, and advanced materials in general, holds much promise as well as many challenges as the turn of the century approaches. Not the least of these challenges is the major transition that is occurring for defense- and aerospace-driven materials industries that must now turn to commercial markets. For the producers of polymer composites and the components that employ them, an aggressive, market-based philosophy must be employed. By reviewing tactics being used by Du Pont, this article discusses how the polymer composites industry can retain its viability and enhance its competitive position by developing, in addition to new technologies, systems-oriented solutions, economical manufacturing processes, and diverse markets.
Is Advertising Wasteful

Does advertising represent a dissipation of economic resources or their efficient use? Economists generally have been lined up on one side of this question and marketing men on the other. In this a...
Sex, Gender, and Asthma

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a sexual dimorphism in prevalence that changes throughout life. As children, boys are more likely than girls to have asthma, but as adults women are more likely than men to have asthma. The prevalence of asthma in females increases around the age of menarche, suggesting a role for sex hormones in disease pathogenesis. In some women with asthma, increased symptoms are reported just prior to or during menstruation. Further, asthma symptoms during pregnancy and menopause also vary for women. In this chapter, we will discuss the findings from epidemiological, clinical, and molecular studies exploring the role of sex hormones and asthma. We will also discuss findings from animal models of asthma, focusing primarily on allergic asthma, and how these findings may be used to develop potential therapies or guide the personalized use of currently available asthma therapies.
Separation and Identification of the Chemical Constituents from the Roots of Oplopanax Elatus by Using Off-line Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass

Two- dimensional liquid chromatography- diode array detection- mass spectrometry( 2D- LC- DAD-MS) assay was developed for separation and identification of the chemical constituents from the roots of Oplopanax elatus.Eight compounds were identified or tentatively deduced based on their retention time,UV,accurate molecular weight. The results demonstrated that the method can provide a considerable improvement in peak capacity compared with the traditional 1D- HPLC.
Sinus venosus type of atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.

This report describes our method of repairing the sinus venosus type of atrial septal defects. The superior vena cava is compartmentalized by means of a single double-armed suture. Caval catheters are used as temporary internal shunts, and a vertical U-shaped patch is incorporated into the atriotomy suture line. The experiences with 27 cases are presented.
Hidden voice commands

Voice interfaces are becoming more ubiquitous and are now the primary input method for many devices. We explore in this paper how they can be attacked with hidden voice commands that are unintelligible to human listeners but which are interpreted as commands by devices. We evaluate these attacks under two different threat models. In the black-box model, an attacker uses the speech recognition system as an opaque oracle. We show that the adversary can produce difficult to understand commands that are effective against existing systems in the black-box model. Under the white-box model, the attacker has full knowledge of the internals of the speech recognition system and uses it to create attack commands that we demonstrate through user testing are not understandable by humans. We then evaluate several defenses, including notifying the user when a voice command is accepted; a verbal challenge-response protocol; and a machine learning approach that can detect our attacks with 99.8% accuracy.
Experimental models of mucosal inflammation.

Introduction While studies of models of mucosal inflammation has been a mainstay of IBD research for the past half century, it is only in the last 10-15 years that this kind of study has taken its place zs primus inter pares among the many approaches to studying these diseases. The reason this has come about is both simple and complex. It is simple because this period has seen the advent of a myriad of new models that individually and collectively allow the exhaustive exploration of many aspects of IBD that were formerly impossible in any other way. This includes the study of the possible effects of various types of genetic and immunologic abnormalities on disease pathogenesis and disease therapy. It is complex because the full and adequate exploration of these models inevitably requires an ability to apply a sophisticated knowledge of current molecular and cellular methodology to the study of living organisms. As attested to by the material reviewed here, the explosion in our knowledge of IBD derived from models is spectacular. With their use it has been possible to construct the main features of IBD on a detailed immunologic level, to explore the role of the bacterial microflora on disease pathogenesis, and to begin to understand the genetic underpinnings of the human disease. In addition, it has been possible to predict the efficacy of new treatments of the disease. In this chapter we will review the main features of models of mucosal inflammation in three ways. First, we discuss the features of models that characterize the models as a whole and that therefore give rise to over-arching principles of mucosal inflammation that provide a sound basis of the human counterpart diseases. Second, we will consider two types of models (the cell-transfer model and the hapten-induced models) in considerable detail. These models are among those subjected to persistent in-depth study and have thus yielded a substantial fraction of the sum total of knowledge that has been gleaned from the study of all of the models. In addition, these models are among those most extensively studied and together they yield the majority of the insights that can be gleaned from the study of all models. Third and last, we have compiled a comprehensive table of all models of mucosal inflammation so that the models can be appropriately grouped and special insights that can be derived from each model can be briefly stated. While this tripartite approach should be very adequate in giving the reader a strong inkling of the models field, the reader is also encouraged to consult other recent reviews of this area including: Annual Review of Immunology and Nature Immunology Review.
Mild Carotid Stenosis with Recurrent Symptoms Triggered by Eating.

Background Carotid atherosclerosis is a known risk factor for acute ischemic stroke. Although severe luminal narrowing is a well-established risk factor for future ischemic events, 10% of patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks are thought to have ischemic events secondary to vulnerable carotid plaques in the setting of mild to moderate carotid artery stenosis. Case Description A 78-year-old man presented with multiple recurrent strokes and transient ischemic attacks that consistently occurred with eating. Based on the anatomic relationships of the proximal internal carotid artery harboring the plaque, we hypothesized that multiple recurrent emboli occurred secondary to the mechanical effect of the esophagus “squeezing” the vulnerable plaque against the surrounding fixed tissues despite a mild degree of stenosis (approximately 20% stenosis on magnetic resonance angiography and angiography). Despite the mild stenosis, a carotid endarterectomy was performed, which resulted in immediate resolution of the ischemic events. Conclusions We postulate that the likely mechanical “squeeze” of the vulnerable plaque involving the retropharyngeal proximal internal carotid artery was responsible for the multiple recurrent transient ischemic attacks, which characteristically occurred only while eating. Resolution of the episodes after carotid endarterectomy supports this hypothesis.
Microstructure change in wood cell wall fracture from mechanical pretreatment and its influence on enzymatic hydrolysis

Abstract Mechanical pretreatment is an effective process for chemical or biochemical conversion of woody biomass. The deconstruction features of the wood cell wall play an important role in its chemical or biochemical processing. In this work, we evaluated the wood cell wall fracture in the early stage of mechanical pretreatment process conducted with various initial moisture contents. Electronic microscopy (i.e., SEM and TEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to visualize the cellular structure changes due to cell wall fractures. Results reveal that the enzymatic digestibility of micronized wood produced from different initial moisture contents was improved by 2–6 folder than that of the raw material. The types of cell wall fractures after mechanical pretreatment were distinguished by the initial moisture contents of wood. In wood samples with lower moisture content, interwall fracture occurred predominantly at the middle lamella region, while intrawall fracture occurred primarily at inner cell wall layers, with sever breakage in wood fibers for high moisture content samples. Differences in the distribution of surface chemical composition also resulted from different cell wall fractures. Lignin preferentially covered the fracture surface of low-moisture content samples, while carbohydrates were more predominate in high-moisture content samples. These morphological and structural alternation contributed to improving enzymatic digestibility of micronized wood. Findings from this study demonstrate how mechanical pretreatment modifies the fracture features of wood cell wall for further chemical/biochemical reactions.
Using the probabilistic fertility table to test the statistical significance of fertility trends

At below replacement level, fertility changes are subtle and complex; distinguishing statistically significant trends from random shifts is becoming a relevant issue. The probabilistic fertility table describes the uncertainty of the childbearing process, and provides a significance test for the annual changes of various fertility measures, which is essential for distinguishing a statistically significant change from a random fluctuation. This paper provides an analytical model for the total fertility of the probabilistic fertility table, and extends the significance test to period trends that include multiple annual changes. The extended significance test indicates that complex annual changes could accumulate to become a significant trend. Applying the analytical model and extended test to the total fertility of Canada, it indicates that the 2002–11 increase trend is statistically significant and, therefore, supports project future increases of total fertility. En-dessous du seuil de remplacement des generations, les changements a la fertilite sont subtils et complexes. Aussi, il est devenu pertinent de pouvoir distinguer les tendances significatives au plan statistique des ecarts aleatoires. Le tableau probabiliste de fertilite decrit l’incertitude liee au processus de reproduction et fournit un critere de signification des changements annuels dans les diverses mesures de fertilite, element essentiel pour distinguer un changement important au plan statistique des fluctuations aleatoires. Cet article fournit un modele analytique pour l’ensemble du tableau probabiliste de fertilite et elargit la portee de cette mesure aux tendances dans le temps incluant les multiples changements annuels. Ce critere elargi indique que les changements complexes annuels peuvent representer une tendance significative. En appliquant le modele analytique et le critere au tableau de fertilite du Canada, on constate que la tendance a la hausse de 2002–11 est importante au plan statistique et, par consequent, augure des hausses futures dans la fertilite totale.
A New method of eliciting pyramidal tract impairment in adults (P2.254)

Objective: To describe a new way of eliciting pyramidal tract dysfunction in adults in view of global significance of sign elicitation. Background: The most widely utilized plantar reflex is Babinski reflex and it has its own share of limitations with different reliability and consistency among many examiners. Because of the technique dependency and ambiguity it’s always interpreted as equivocal or withdrawal response. Methods: 168 adult subjects were examined for the new sign. It consists of an observation of the patient9s feet and toes in a conscious patient looking for the extension of the great toe along with fanning, spreading and plantar flexion of the small toes either at rest or when patient elevates one leg up at a time. Pyramidal tract impairment was ascertained via CT, MRI of the brain in addition to extensive neurological examination for signs of Pyramidal tract dysfunction such as Babinski reflex, hemiparesis, facial paresis and so on. We analyzed the survey responses from internists, Family medicine residents, Medical residents, Medical students, Nurses and Physical Therapists to identify the up going toe from images taken from the patients who had these lesions. Results: We were able to observe the extension of the great toe along with fanning, spreading and plantar flexion of the small toes in patients with impairment of pyramidal tract. The specificity was 94[percnt] while the sensitivity was 96[percnt]. Conclusion: This sign provides physicians with additional clinical observation to improve patient care due to limitations of Babinski’s. Pyramidal tract impairment in adults can be elicited by this new test that observes the extension of the great toe along with fanning and plantar flexion of the small toes in patients. This sign can be globally used to complement signs like Babinski’s especially in resource challenged areas where accessibility of CT/MRI is limited. Disclosure: Dr. Osuagwu has nothing to disclose.
Adults with Poor Reading Skills and the Inferences They Make during Reading.

ABSTRACTMillions of U.S. adults lack the literacy skills needed for most living-wage jobs. We investigated one particular comprehension process for these adults: generating predictive inferences. If a sentence says that someone falls from a 14th-story roof, a reader should infer almost certain death. On any test of comprehension, there are two dependent variables: the speed of the response to a test item and accuracy. To address both simultaneously, we used a decision model that separates how much information an individual understands from a text and the individual’s speed/accuracy trade-off settings. We found that adult literacy students do differentiate between predictive inference sentences and control sentences, a finding that illustrates how a decision-making model combined with tests of particular comprehension processes can lead to further understanding of low-literacy adults’ reading skills.
Virtual Decomposition and Feedback Equivalence for Nonlinear Systems

Abstract In this paper, we give the conditions of transfroming nonlinear system triangular system, we also discuss the problem of feedback equivalence for triangular system.
A many-core architecture for in-memory data processing

For many years, the highest energy cost in processing has been data movement rather than computation, and energy is the limiting factor in processor design [21]. As the data needed for a single application grows to exabytes [56], there is clearly an opportunity to design a bandwidth-optimized architecture for big data computation by specializing hardware for data movement. We present the Data Processing Unit or DPU, a shared memory many-core that is specifically designed for high bandwidth analytics workloads. The DPU contains a unique Data Movement System (DMS), which provides hardware acceleration for data movement and partitioning operations at the memory controller that is sufficient to keep up with DDR bandwidth. The DPU also provides acceleration for core to core communication via a unique hardware RPC mechanism called the Atomic Transaction Engine. Comparison of a DPU chip fabricated in 40nm with a Xeon processor on a variety of data processing applications shows a 3× - 15× performance per watt advantage.CCS CONCEPTS• Computer systems organization $\rightarrow$ Multicore architectures; Special purpose systems;
Approximating reachable belief points in POMDPs

We propose an algorithm called σ-approximation that compresses the non-zero values of beliefs for partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs) in order to improve performance and reduce memory usage. Specifically, we approximate individual belief vectors with a fixed bound on the number of non-zero values they may contain. We prove the correctness and a strong error bound when the σ-approximation is used with the point-based value iteration (PBVI) family algorithms. An analysis compares the algorithm on six larger domains, varying the number of non-zero values for the σ-approximation. Results clearly demonstrate that when the algorithm used with PBVI (σ-PBVI), we can achieve over an order of magnitude improvement. We ground our claims with a full robotic implementation for simultaneous navigation and localization using POMDPs with σ-PBVI.
Perspectives on molecular modeling of supercritical fluids: From equations of state to molecular simulations. Recent advances, remaining challenges and opportunities

Abstract Knowing the behavior of fluids in the near critical region is a problem of scientific relevance and practical implications. However, some of the unique phenomena happening in this region can only be captured with theoretical methods if the fluctuations in the density and composition, as one approaches the critical point, are explicitly considered. This article provides an overview of the field of molecular modeling and supercritical fluids focused on recent applications of molecular-based equations of state and molecular simulations explicitly taking into account the singular behavior in the near critical region. Remaining challenges and opportunities in this field are also addressed here. As molecular-based equations of state become more precise and global, and force fields and molecular simulation are more affordable, it is expected that these modeling tools become routinely used for process design, as a bridge linking fundamental knowledge and practical applications.
Harmonic cavities and the transverse mode-coupling instability driven by a resistive wall

Author(s): Venturini, M | Abstract: The effect of rf harmonic cavities on the transverse mode-coupling instability (TMCI) is still not very well understood. We offer a fresh perspective on the problem by proposing a new numerical method for mode analysis and investigating a regime of potential interest to the new generation of light sources where resistive wall is the dominant source of transverse impedance. When the harmonic cavities are tuned for maximum flattening of the bunch profile we demonstrate that at vanishing chromaticities the transverse single-bunch motion is unstable at any current, with growth rate that in the relevant range scales as the 6th power of the current. With these assumptions and radiation damping included, we find that for machine parameters typical of 4th-generation light sources the presence of harmonic cavities could reduce the instability current threshold by more than a factor two.
Updates in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Gynecologic Cancer

The aim of this study is to review the indications, techniques, and outcomes of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancers. In endometrial cancer, the prospective FIRES trial showed that the negative predictive value of SLN mapping was 99.6%. Furthermore, multi-institutional retrospective studies comparing SLN mapping to traditional lymphadenectomy have found comparable survival between the two techniques, in both type 1 and type 2 endometrial cancer. In cervical cancer, randomized data from the SENTICOL-2 study has demonstrated significant reduction in postoperative complications without compromising survival with SLN mapping as compared to SLN mapping and pelvic lymphadenectomy. In vulvar cancer, the GROINS-V-II study protocol was amended to mandate inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy in all patients with SLN macrometastasis greater than 2 mm after unacceptably high rates of groin recurrences were observed on interim analysis. SLN mapping is now included in the treatment guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancer as an acceptable lymphatic assessment technique in select patients. SLN biopsy is a safe and effective alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy for women with early-stage endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancer. Recent data has validated the excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value of this technique in carefully selected patients, without compromising survival. The use of an algorithm that mandates pathologic ultrastaging on all SLNs, and ipsilateral lymphadenectomy in cases of failed bilateral mapping improves sensitivity and negative predictive value. All suspicious lymph nodes should be resected regardless of the location of the SLN. In patients with vulvar cancer, SLN biopsy is an acceptable standard of care for patients with unifocal tumors, less than 4 cm in largest diameter, and clinically and radiographically negative groin nodes.
Exploring a possible connection between U.S. tornado activity and Arctic sea ice

The significant losses in Arctic sea ice over the past few decades appear to have been accompanied by changes in global-scale and regional-scale atmospheric circulation. Such circulation changes have in turn been used to support arguments that low Arctic sea-ice extent (SIE) has helped to promote extreme weather events within the mid-latitudes. The contemporaneous variability in U.S. tornado incidence over the past decade provides motivation to explore whether the essence of these arguments also applies to tornadoes. Here, robust statistical correlations are found between tornado activity and SIE during boreal summer, specifically in July. The statistical relationship is supported by the presence of anomalous regional circulation and storm track that are unfavorable (favorable) for tornado-bearing thunderstorm formation when SIE is low (high). Low Arctic sea-ice extent in July is associated with reduced tornado activity in the United States. Robert J. Trapp from the University of Illinois, and Kimberly A. Hoogewind from Purdue University, analysed sea-ice and tornado data from 1990–2015 to examine a possible correlation between Arctic conditions and tornado activity in North America in summer. When Arctic sea-ice is low in July, tornado activity in the United States in July is also low. The decreased activity during this month is attributed to the presence of unfavorable atmospheric conditions for tornado formation over central North America. Such a robust link could be used in forecasts of tornado activity. Further research is needed to determine whether Arctic sea-ice loss is the driver of anomalous atmospheric conditions over North America and if so, how.
Fibers, Phosphates, and Public Protection

This book tells, in the simplest terms the author is capable of writing, the day-to-day experiences of a group of dedicated scientists. Their mission was to bring to the world a safe, inexpensive, mineral fiber that everyone could use without fear. It also teaches the background science and engineering required to bring this project to a technical success, only to have the project abandoned as a direct result of its initial reason for existing. Societies worldwide have become so afraid of “asbestos” that any mineral replacement for “asbestos” is viewed as potentially harmful, and is usually attacked immediately after it is announced.
DAEs: ODEs with constraints and invariants

This paper is an extension of parts of two earlier papers [3, 4] which dealt with the problems of maintaining invariants in the numerical solution of ODEs and the index reduction of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs). DAEs with their constraints ignored can be viewed as undeterminated ODEs, while ODEs with their invariants appended can be viewed as overdetermined DAEs. Index reduction applied to DAEs appends additional equations derived by differentiating some of the equations to get an overdetermined system. Methods for maintaining invariants in the solution of ODEs are extended to DAEs to handle this case.
Metabolic syndrome identifies normal weight insulin-resistant stroke patients at risk for recurrent vascular disease:

BackgroundThe obesity paradox refers to the finding in observational studies that patients with obesity have a better prognosis after stroke than normal weight patients.AimTo test the hypothesis th...
The “Kickstand Rod” technique for correction of coronal imbalance in patients with adult spinal deformity: theory and technical considerations

The "Kickstand-Rod" technique: new surgical procedure for correction of coronal imbalance (CI) in spinal deformity patients. Coronal plane correction is difficult to achieve and maintain. We developed the technique for CI in deformity patients. The technique is a safe and effective method for correction of CI in deformity patients.