cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invasion of a Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve from Small Well-Differentiated Papillary Thyroid Cancers: Patient Selection Implications for Active Surveillance.

Background: The success of an active surveillance management approach to low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is heavily dependent on proper patient selection. For example, primary tumors located in a subcapsular position immediately adjacent to the trachea or a recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) are considered to be inappropriate for active surveillance. Since preoperative imaging cannot reliably rule out extrathyroidal extension or reveal the full course of the RLN relative to the thyroid gland, it is important for clinicians to understand subcapsular tumor locations and minimum tumor sizes that are most likely to be associated with gross invasion of the RLNs. Methods: We assessed the medical records of 123 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) between 1986 and 2015 who had a primary PTC tumor demonstrating gross extrathyroidal extension to either the right or left RLN. Thirty patients with a primary tumor ≤2 cm in diameter demonstrating extrathyroidal extension into an RLN were included in the analysis. Results: Gross invasion of an RLN by tumors ≤2 cm is a rare event that was seen in only 0.8% (35/4334) of patients with PTC who underwent initial thyroid surgery at MSK between 1986 and 2015. Gross RLN invasion was associated with subcapsular PTC tumors located in either the right paratracheal area (60%), left paratracheal area (36.7%), or right lateral posterior lobe area not adjacent to the trachea (3.3%). Only a quarter of the patients had imaging findings suggestive of extrathyroidal extension and only 30% had clinically apparent vocal paresis/paralysis on preoperative examination. Invasion of the RLN was not observed for primary tumors <0.9 cm in diameter, regardless of tumor location. Conclusions: Well-differentiated PTC tumors ≥0.9 cm in maximal diameter that are located in the right paratracheal, left paratracheal, and right lateral posterior lobe subcapsular positions are usually not appropriate for active surveillance even in the absence of definitive evidence for nerve invasion on preoperative imaging or vocal cord examination. Patient selection for active surveillance management should take into account not only the size and growth rate of a tumor but also its location in relation to the expected course of RLNs.
Postpartum Pyelonephritis and Risk of Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Objective: Pyelonephritis is the most common non-obstetric cause for hospitalization during pregnancy. The maternal and obstetric complications associated with antepartum pyelonephritis are well-described. However, it is not clear whether these risks extend into the postpartum period. The primary objective of this study was to describe the morbidity associated with postpartum pyelonephritis, by comparing the morbidity associated with pyelonephritis in the postpartum period to morbidity seen during pregnancy or delivery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), an all-payor sample of discharges from approximately 60% of United States (US) hospitalizations. Discharges between October 2015 through December 2018 were included. Maternity-associated hospitalizations, diagnosis of pyelonephritis, comorbid conditions, and incidence of severe maternal morbidity were identified using ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure codes. Bivariate statistics, weighted to account for the complex survey methods in the NRD, were used to evaluate the association between antepartum, delivery, and postpartum hospital stays associated with pyelonephritis and maternal morbidity. Weighted regression models were used to evaluate the association between admission timing and maternal outcomes. Results: A total of 32,850 pyelonephritis admissions were identified, corresponding to a national estimate of 61,837 admissions. Of these, 1,465 (2.4%) were postpartum, 55,056 (89.0%) were antepartum, and 5,317 (8.6%) involved a delivery stay. Rates of severe maternal morbidity were higher in the postpartum group than the antepartum or delivery hospitalization groups (59.5% vs. 12.9% and 15.8%, respectively, p < 0.001); when compared to antepartum hospitalizations, the adjusted relative risk for composite severe maternal morbidity for postpartum hospitalizations was 4.68 (95% CI: 4.33, 5.05). Most of this difference was driven by rates of sepsis (53.2% vs. 11.0% vs. 10.9%). Conclusions: Though relatively uncommon, postpartum hospitalizations for pyelonephritis are associated with higher rates of severe maternal morbidity, driven by differential rates of sepsis, than are antepartum or delivery-associated hospitalizations.
Implementing Role-Changing Versus Time-Changing Innovations in Health Care Differences in Helpfulness of Staff Improvement Teams, Management, and Network for Learning

Health care organizations often fail in their effort to implement care-improving innovations. This article differentiates role-changing innovations, altering what workers do, from time-changing inn...
Mechanism of miR-302-Mediated iPS Cell Generation

A unique transcriptome profile defines the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). To reprogram somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells or iPSCs), we need to manually reset all kinds of somatic gene expression patterns back to the defined ESC-specific profile. During embryogenesis, the reprogramming process of ESCs goes through two critical stages: germline and zygotic demethylation, both of which erase genome-wide DNA methylation sites and hence allow different gene expression patterns to be reset to a stem cell state. We found that miR-302, an ESC-specific microRNA (miRNA), plays an essential role in this epigenetic reprogramming process. This review provides insights into the role of miR-302 in four aspects of the reprogramming mechanism—(1) initiating global DNA demethylation, (2) activating ESC-specific gene expression, (3) inhibiting developmental signaling, and (4) preventing stem cell tumorigenicity. These findings may help to improve the efficiency and safety of current iPSC generation.
The Geomagnetic Field Its Nature, History, and Biological Relevance

In the past decade, it has become apparent that the importance of magnetic interactions is not confined to the world of physics but extends into the realm of physiology and whole organism biology. That this should be so follows from two elementary observations: (1) by virtue of their magnetic moments and electrical charges, the atoms and ions which make up an organism can magnetically interact with the organism’s environment, and (2) the environment of practically every organism includes a highly ordered and stable (relative to the lifetime of the organism) geomagnetic field which contains both spatial and temporal information of potential value to the organism.
'So What?' The Impact of Legalization on Change on the Ground: Pillage and Rape in War

Does international law matter? Does it have any impact on behavior? Furthermore, does more legalization, meaning the increase in the precision, obligation and delegation of international laws bringing about a higher probability of enforcement induce more change on the ground? By looking at the track record of two related practices of war, which were prohibited by highly legalized regimes 100 years apart, this article seeks to address this question about the relationship between legalization and compliance. Comparing these two prohibitions reveals that law and particularly enforcement matters in terms of inducing compliance. However, the temporal gap between the two prohibitions also points to another important variable: time. Even for the most legalized regimes, it takes time for the laws to be internalized hence complied which should make us think about the significance of norm internalization as an important part of the legalization process.
Iowa Variant of Familial Alzheimer’s Disease : Accumulation of Posttranslationally Modified AβD23N in Parenchymal and Cerebrovascular Amyloid Deposits

Mutations within the amyloid-β (Aβ) sequence, especially those clustered at residues 21-23, which are linked to early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are primarily associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The basis for this predominant vascular amyloid burden and the differential clinical phenotypes of cerebral hemorrhage/stroke in some patients and dementia in others remain unknown. The AβD23N Iowa mutation is associated with progressive AD-like dementia, often without clinically manifested intracerebral hemorrhage. Neuropathologically, the disease is characterized by predominant preamyloid deposits, severe CAA, and abundant neurofibrillary tangles in the presence of remarkably few mature plaques. Biochemical analyses using a combination of immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, amino acid sequence, and Western blot analysis performed after sequential tissue extractions to separately isolate soluble components, preamyloid, and fibrillar amyloid species indicated that the Iowa deposits are complex mixtures of mutated and nonmutated Aβ molecules. These molecules exhibited various degrees of solubility, were highly heterogeneous at both the N- and C-termini, and showed partial aspartate isomerization at positions 1, 7, and 23. This collection of Aβ species—the Iowa brain Aβ peptidome—contained clear imprints of amyloid clearance mechanisms yet highlighted the unique neuropathological features shared by a non-Aβ cerebral amyloidosis, familial Danish dementia, in which neurofibrillary tangles coexist with extensive pre-amyloid deposition in the virtual absence of fibrillar lesions. These data therefore challenge the importance of neuritic plaques as the sole contributors for the development of dementia.
Neural Circuits: Functional Reconfiguration

Animals produce a vast array of behaviours. In part, this ability arises because the neural networks that produce behaviour are multifunctional entities capable of producing many different outputs, and because many different functional neural networks can be created from a single large neuronal assembly. Keywords: modulation; crustacean stomatogastric system; tritonia; respiration; neuronal switching
Heat inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores lacking small, acid-soluble spore proteins is accompanied by generation of abasic sites in spore DNA.

Previous work has shown that lethal heat treatment of Bacillus subtilis spores lacking the major DNA-binding proteins SASP-alpha and -beta (alpha-beta- spores) causes significant DNA damage, including many single-strand breaks. In this work we have used a reagent specific for aldehydes present in abasic sites in DNA to show that DNA from wild-type spores killed by heat treatment to levels of < 0.05% survival had at most two aldehydes (i.e., abasic sites) per 10(4) nucleotides, while DNA from alpha(-)beta- spores killed to similar levels had 7 to 20 times as many abasic sites per 10(4) nucleotides. These data were generally consistent with the level of single-strand breaks in DNA from these heated spores and strongly suggest that a major mechanism responsible for the heat killing of alpha(-)beta- (but not wild-type) spores is DNA depurination followed by strand breakage at the resultant abasic site. In contrast, hydrogen peroxide killing of alpha(-)beta - spores was not accompanied by generation of a high level of DNA aldehydes.
Chapter 14 Volatility

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the assumption that under rational expectations the volatility of changes in expected dividends is related systematically to the volatility of changes in actual dividends, which can be estimated. LeRoy andPorter as well as Shiller exploited this line of reasoning to derive the bounds on stock price volatility implied by measured dividend volatility. The chapter presents a survey of the variance-bounds literature and the parallel evolution of the literature on returns tests of market efficiency, taking power as the organizing principle. New results on the comparative power of volatility and returns of model-free and model-based orthogonality tests are described in the chapter. Both the model-free and model-based orthogonality tests are better-behaved econometrically than the returns test that is optimal against the alternative. The model-free orthogonality test has somewhat higher power than the benchmark returns test when size is held constant. Unlike the regression test the model-free orthogonality test is not subject to the nuisance parameter problem under either the null or the alternative. The model-based orthogonality test, in contrast, is subject to the nuisance parameter problem under both the null and the alternative. The chapter also describes the procedural question of the relative ability of different types of statistical tests to detect departures from the present-value model.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot detection, and antibody neutralization of Stemphylium botryosum phytotoxin

Abstract Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against the native phytotoxin (M r = 19500) produced by Stemphylium botryosum Wallr. pathogenic on alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) and individual electro-eluted SDS-PAGE resolved polypeptides (M r = 26900; 19500; 15500 triplet) which were consistently associated with the native toxin activity during purification. Each of the individual antibody preparations cross-reacted in immunoblot assays with all three polypeptides except the antibodies made in response to the 15500 triplet. The latter antibodies reacted with the 26900 polypeptide, the 15500 triplet, and a polypeptide with slightly lower relative mobility than 19500. Pre-immune IgG did not bind to phytotoxin polypeptides. Culture filtrates of S. botryosum , sampled at 2-day intervals after inoculation and analysed by SDS-PAGE, contained all three polypeptides at 6 days with maximum intensity at 20 days. This corresponded to the time of highest phytotoxin yield in culture filtrates estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture filtrates compared to bioassayed purified phytotoxin dilutions. Pre-immune IgGs and IgG against the 26900 polypeptide were incapable of neutralizing phytotoxic activity in gel filtration fractions. IgG against the native toxin (M r = 19500) neutralized phytotoxic activity. Antibody recognition of quaternary structure may be important to neutralization of phytotoxic activity.
Explaining the Rights Revolutions? The Rise (and Fall?) of Rights Themes in Presidential Rhetoric

This paper traces trends in the discussion of rights claims related to the "rights revolutions" of the 20th and 21st centuries in presidential rhetoric. Reviewing hundreds of major presidential addresses from 1933-2011, I find that substantive rights related to the "rights revolutions" have had a modest place in presidential rhetoric, and that references to these rights claims have been declining steadily over time. Although this trend has been influenced by the rise of conservative Republicans to the presidency since the 1970s, Democrats who served prior to this period often neglected to speak about important rights (such as economic rights and social welfare rights), and more recent Democratic presidents have reinforced, rather than fought, the conservative trend. Given that much of what the federal government does today is related to protecting programmatic (e.g. Social Security and Medicare) and constitutional (civil rights, political rights, etc.) rights, there is a serious disconnect between government activities and presidential messages to ordinary citizens. Because presidents have largely failed to teach citizens to venerate the rights related to the "rights revolutions," we should not be surprised that so many citizens are frustrated and bewildered by what the government does.
Chemical and physical deterioration of wine

Abstract: Unlike almost all other food products, there is a great deal of subjectivity involved when it comes to assessing a given wine’s level of deterioration. There are many chemical components in wine that change during storage, and the drivers are time, temperature and oxygen. In nearly all commercial wine, sulfur dioxide is added to wine as a preservative, just as it is used in other preserved fruits. The sulfur dioxide is the oxidation sink and it either consumes oxygen in various forms, reverses or scavenges many of the oxidation products, or reacts with them to render them undetectable. However, once the sulfur dioxide has been depleted, then oxidation products begin to accumulate and at some point the wine degrades to the point of unacceptability, although some age worthy wines do very well after sulfur dioxide depletion.
Predictors of Prenatal Screening for Fragile X Syndrome

Background: We sought to determine the uptake rate and predictors of acceptance of fragile X DNA molecular analysis among pregnant women who are offered this testing. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients who met with a genetic counselor in our Prenatal Diagnosis Center. The primary outcome was undergoing fragile X carrier screening. Hypothesized predictors included gestational age, insurance status, family history, the genetic counselor with whom the patient met, duration of the counseling session, and whether the patient underwent amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between acceptance of testing and the aforementioned predictors, controlling for potential confounders. Results: Nine hundred forty-nine (17.3%) of 5,490 patients underwent fragile X screening. We observed significant variation in uptake by genetic counselor. Additionally, women who had Medical/Medicaid insurance (aOR: 1.99; CI: 1.63 - 2.43), or who had amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling (aOR: 2.48; CI: 1.99 - 3.08) had increased odds of undergoing fragile X screening. Conclusions: Numerous factors that are reported in patients’ charts are associated with decisions to undergo fragile X DNA molecular diagnosis. Interestingly, modifiable factors including the patient’s genetic counselor and insurance status appear to have a significant impact on acceptance of fragile X screening. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2015;4(2):203-208 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo301w
Pulsed KrF laser deposited GaN/TiN/Si(111) heterostructures by sequential TiN and liquid Ga laser ablation

GaN/TiN heterostructures were deposited on 4° miscut Si(111) substrates by pulsed KrF laser ablation of TiN through vacuum, followed by reactive pulsed KrF laser ablation of liquid Ga through 70–75 mTorr of microwave-activated NH3. Deposition temperatures of 950 °C and 1050 °C were employed for the TiN layer while 900 °C was employed for the GaN layer. The targets were positioned 5 cm from the substrate and ablated by using a reimaging beamline at a nominal energy density of 3–4 J/cm2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a highly textured heterostructure with GaN(0001)//TiN(111)//Si(111) and with a rocking curve width for both GaN(0001) and TiN(111) equal to ∼1.1°. The mosaic spread through the TiN(001) reflection was ∼1.3°, whereas that of the GaN(101_1) was undetectable because of low S/N. Scanning electron microscopy revealed large oriented 10 μm-sized hexagonal crystallites decorating large depressions in the TiN film with many smaller pits also present. The effect of substrate processing and TiN film processing on pit formation was explored.
Far field asymmetry in narrow stripe gain-guided lasers

A number of 5 μm stripe width shallow proton-bombarded double heterostructure (DH) AlGaAs LPE grown lasers show asymmetric light versus current characteristics and far fields. The optical power output above threshold is not the same for both faces at a given current. The far field patterns in the junction plane from the two mirrors are also different: the angular distribution of the optical power emitted in the junction plane is not the same for both mirrors. The asymmetry in the far fields is the subject of this paper. It is suggested that a large optical loss near the face with lower optical power output may explain the different far fields observed from the two mirrors. Possible explanations for the origin of this optical loss are discussed.
Finite element analysis of elastic property bounds of a composite with randomly distributed particles

Abstract The bounds of the elastic properties of an E-glass particle reinforced BISGMA/TEGDMA composite were predicted by a random unit cell model. Two means of tensile loading were used: iso-displacement loading and iso-stress loading. The iso-displacement loading predicts the upper bound of Young’s modulus, while iso-stress loading predicts the practical lower bound of Young’s modulus. The results showed that Young’s modulus increases, while Poisson’s ratio decreases with increasing filler content for both loading conditions. For comparative purposes, the upper and practical lower bounds were also calculated by Hashin’s method, a periodic three-dimensional single-particle, and two-particle unit cells. Analytical solutions using the Mori–Tanaka model and experiments were also conducted for verification purpose. The results showed that the random unit cell predicts better overall bounds for elastic properties.
TRIPLES: a database of gene function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using a novel multipurpose mini-transposon, we have generated a collection of defined mutant alleles for the analysis of disruption phenotypes, protein localization, and gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To catalog this unique data set, we have developed TRIPLES, a Web-accessible database of TRansposon-Insertion Phenotypes, Localization and Expression in Saccharomyces. Encompassing over 250 000 data points, TRIPLES provides convenient access to information from nearly 7800 transposon-mutagenized yeast strains; within TRIPLES, complete data reports of each strain may be viewed in table format, or if desired, downloaded as tab-delimited text files. Each report contains external links to corresponding entries within the Saccharomyces Genome Database and International Nucleic Acid Sequence Data Library (GenBank). Unlike other yeast databases, TRIPLES also provides on-line order forms linked to each clone report; users may immediately request any desired strain free-of-charge by submitting a completed form. In addition to presenting a wealth of information for over 2300 open reading frames, TRIPLES constitutes an important medium for the distribution of useful reagents throughout the yeast scientific community. Maintained by the Yale Genome Analysis Center, TRIPLES may be accessed at http://ycmi.med.yale.edu/ygac/triples.htm
Sum rules for the coupling constants of three boson octets in brokenSU3

Sum rules for the coupling constants of three bosons octets are given. They are applied to K** (1430) and A2 (1320) resonances. It is concluded that they belong to aJ P =2+ octet rather than a 27-plet.
Backchannel persistence and collaborative meaning-making

Digital backchannel communication has become an increasingly important area of study for researchers and practitioners in several fields. From the emergence of wifi-enabled Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to contemporary instances of microblogging and SMS messaging, the role of digital backchannels in enabling collaborative affordances has received much recent attention. As backchannel communication continues to become more prevalent at professional conferences, in educational curricula, and in organizational settings, robust frameworks for understanding the role of backchannel environments in collaborative meaning-making are needed. Drawing upon cultural-historical activity theory and actor network theory, this paper explores the development of backchannel persistence through microblogging platforms, and suggests an approach to studying the collaborative affordances of backchannel communication by focusing on the related concepts of mobilization and recursive writing collaboration.
A multiscale approach for estimating solute travel time distributions

This paper uses a multiscale statistical framework to estimate groundwater travel times and to derive conditional travel time probability densities. In the applications of interest here travel time uncertainties depend primarily on uncertainties in hydraulic conductivity. These uncertainties can be reduced if the travel times are conditioned on scattered measurements of hydraulic conductivity and/or hydraulic head. In our approach the spatially discretized log hydraulic conductivity is modeled as a multiscale stochastic process, where each scale describes the process at a different spatial resolution. Related dependent variables such as hydraulic head and travel time are approximated by discrete linear functions of the log conductivity. The linearization makes it possible to incorporate these variables into efficient multiscale estimation and conditional simulation algorithms. We illustrate the application of these algorithms by considering two options for estimating travel time densities: (1) a Monte Carlo technique which only requires linearization of the groundwater flow equation and (2) a Gaussian approximation which also requires linearization of Darcy's law and an implicit particle tracking equation. Both options provide reasonable estimates of the travel time probability density in a synthetic experiment if the underlying log hydraulic conductivity variance is small (0.5). When this variance is increased (to 5.0), the Monte Carlo result is still quite good but the Gaussian approximation is unsatisfactory. The multiscale Monte Carlo option is a very competitive approach for estimating travel time since it provides accurate results over a wide range of conditions and it is more computationally efficient than competing alternatives.
Differences in the regiospecific metabolism of testosterone as catalyzed by variant forms of rabbit microsomal cytochrome P-450 3b.

Abstract Highly purified preparations of rabbit microsomal cytochrome P-450 3b obtained from New Zealand White and IIIVO J rabbits display kinetic differences in the regiospecific metabolism of testosterone. Whereas the preparations from New Zealand White rabbits exhibit a Km of 15 μM for 6β-hydroxylation, those obtained from strain IIIVO J exhibit a much higher Km. The two types of cytochrome P-450 3b exhibit similar kinetic properties for the 16α-hydroxylation of testosterone.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Nanopores

Nanopores have found increasing numbers of applications in basic science research and biotechnological devices. The favorable physical and chemical properties of solid state nanopores makes them attractive for many of these applications. However, the geometry and surface properties of such nanopores is often variable and must be characterized for each experiment. Such characterization typically takes place before or after the experiment. We have developed an approach to characterize the geometry and surface characteristics of nanopores using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We show how EIS can be used to determine the geometry and surface charge density of nanopores and apply the approach to nanocapillaries, focussed ion beam drilled nanopores (∼90 nm), and noble gas ion beam sculpted nanopores (∼20 nm). The ladder differential equation developed to allow inversion of the EIS to geometry is further adapted to treat the presence of an unfolded protein in the nanopore. We show how the EIS spectrum is expected to shift in response to the local coarse-grain sequence of the unfolded polypeptide chain. The results show that the EIS spectrum is substantially more sensitive to nanopore geometry and local sequence information than traditional DC resistive pulse measurements.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Lunar Habitat Micrometeoroid and Radiation Shielding: Options, Applications, and Assessments

Various shielding approaches to protect lunar habitats from micrometeoroid and radiation hazards present major trade-off considerations. Popular scenarios that envision covering modules with in situ regolith will necessitate means to excavate and move large amounts of material; will complicate evolutionary outpost growth; and may require long tunnels between connecting pressurized elements. Strategies that incorporate shielding materials into module structures or internal shelters add very substantial launch mass penalties. Utilization of water bladders can make efficient use of consumable/recyclable supplies, but may impose excess capacity deliveries at early development stages. This paper addresses these different shielding approaches from a top-level application perspective, highlighting pros and cons of each. Examples draw upon research and design investigations undertaken by the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture in support of separate National Aeronautics and Space Administration (...
Stochastic homogenization of random elastic multi-phase composites and size quantification of representative volume element

Abstract By using effective properties derived from homogenization techniques, a heterogeneous medium is transformed into a homogenous one, and the number of the degrees of freedom (DOF) can therefore be significantly reduced. This dimension reduction approach has been a most widely used computational approach for efficient simulation of heterogeneous materials. The success of such a deterministic Representative Volume Element (RVE) practice critically relies on satisfaction of the assumption on scale decoupling, i.e. the size of heterogeneity is significantly smaller than the size of finite elements or RVE. The condition however has been incautiously or unknowingly ignored in quite a number of engineering practices. One typical example is finite element modeling of concrete materials where the element size is often chosen to be comparable to or even smaller than the size of aggregates. In computational modeling of small scale systems such as NEMS and MEMS, the scale decoupling assumption is commonly invalid. For such circumstances, the use of deterministic homogenization to reduce DOF results in large errors and new methodology using stochastic homogenization and non-deterministic material constants in finite elements should be considered. This paper is aimed to quantify the size effect of RVE and therefore provide estimates for the threshold of scale separation. The generalized variational principles developed in Xu [Xu, X.F., submitted for publication. Generalized variational principles for uncertainty quantification of boundary value problems of random heterogeneous materials] are adapted to stochastic homogenization problems, which results in size-dependent energy bounds and Hashin–Shtrikman (HS) bounds. The difference between the size dependent stochastic bounds and the classical deterministic bounds demonstrates the size effect of RVE. Numerical characterization suggests that for three-dimensional problems the size threshold of scale-decoupling, or equivalently the minimum size of deterministic RVE, is approximately between 10 and 20 times of “correlation diameter” based on a range of accuracy criteria between 1% and 0.1%. The threshold for two-dimensional problems is approximately between 15 and 50 times of correlation diameter for the same criteria, which shows stronger size effect than the 3-D cases.
Functionalized oligoanthranilamides: modular and conformationally controlled scaffolds.

This paper describes the use of functionalized oligoanthranilamides as conformationally controlled scaffolds for molecular recognition. Oligomers of anthranilamides are stabilized by the formation of intramolecular six-membered hydrogen bonds in a linear strand conformation. Onto alternate anthranilic acid units, we have attached di- or tripeptide recognition units with the potential to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds to an intercalated peptide strand. Using 1H NMR dilution experiments in CDCl3, we have observed chemical shift changes that are consistent with the formation of an extended hydrogen bonded sheet dimer. We also demonstrate that the bis-alanine functionalized strands are able to form discrete hydrogen bonded complexes with dipeptide substrates and to bind hexanoyl alanylalanine selectively over its benzyl ester. In the presence of excess hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, the oligoanthranilamide strand retained its linear conformation, pointing to the potential of this modular design as a useful and stable scaffold for molecular recognition studies.
Higher order twisted cohomology operations

This paper gives a definition and axiomatization of higher order twisted cohomology operations and an application to the problem of classifying cross sections .of fibrations. "Phe axioms are analogous to, and essentially include, those given by Maunder [22] for ordinary higher order operations. The operations are associated with relations in A(D)=H*(D; Zp)C)Ap where D is a fixed space, A m the mod p Steenrod algebra, and C) the semi-tensor product operation of Massey and Peterson [21]. The operations are defined on the underlying vector space of )2 H*(X, B; Zp) where (X, B, ~) is a pair over D (meaning BoX and ~:X---, D) and ~cH*(X, B; Zp) is simply H*(X, B; Zp) viewed as an A(D)-module via ~. There are four parts and an appendix. An outline follows. Part I. Motivation, Statement of Axioms. A particular twisted secondary operation is examined from several viewpoints. The purpose of this is to motivate the definition that is ultimately given for the general case. (The casual reader may wish to read this section and then skip to Part V.) The axioms and existence and quasi-uniqueness theorems are stated. Part II. The Category ~-(u), u: C--* D. The study of the homotopy properties of this category of spaces and maps "under C and over D by u" is motivated by I. It is shown that ~--D =g-(id), id:D--, D, has all of the good properties of J-, = the category of base pointed spaces and maps. Homotopy operations are developed in the category and a PetersonStein formula is proved relating functional and secondary operations. Part III. Proofs of the Theorems of I. The theorems are restated in the language of YD. There the techniques of Adams [1] and Maunder [22] could be applied directly. However, a slightly different method is outlined which owes something to Spanier [30, 31] and Alvez [2]. Part IV. Some Exact Sequences. Some special cases of the general results of Part II are considered in this part. The functional cup product of Steenrod [34] and the twisted functional operation of Meyer [24] and Gitler-Stasheff [9] are shown to be special cases of the homotopy operations of Part II.
Soft X-Ray Absorption And Emission Spectra And The Electronic Structure Of Some Exotic Materials

The technique of soft x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SXE) is complimentary to that of photoemission spectroscopy (PES). SXE probes the local partial density of states (PDOS), selects dipole allowed symmetries, and is not necessarily surface sensitive. PES on the other hand, averages over the DOS and can be used to measure the dispersion of the energy bands. PES is also very surface sensitive. We present measurements on the high Tc superconductors, the quasicrystalline phase of A1Mn, and the LiAl intermetallic alloy. These measurements provide insight for theoretical modeling. In the case of the high Tc compound and the intermetallic compound the measurements are in good agreement with the theory. However, for the quasicrystals the measurements provide new insights to challenge theory.
Review: Exercise/physical therapy and vitamin D each reduce risk for falls in older community-dwelling adults

Source Citation Michael YL, Whitlock EP, Lin JS, et al. Primary care-relevant interventions to prevent falling in older adults: a systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Fo...
A BENCHMARK PROBLEM FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING

A task group consisting of a dozen or so active members has defined a benchmark for structural health monitoring consisting of simulated-data cases and experimental cases. The models and data are available for the research community to download at the web site of the task group at wusceel.cive.wustl.edu/asce.shm/.
Social Drinking Patterns of the Yankton Sioux

Several comparative studies made recently by anthropologists and sociologists have indicated a causal relationship between the sociocultural organizations of a particular society and its drinking patterns.1 In fact, Field has emphasized that sociocultural factors may be more important in the incidence, degree, and patterns of alcohol drinking than strictly psychological traits, such as levels of anxiety, tension, and the tendency toward selfdestruction.2 If drinking patterns are directly related to the sociocultural patterns of unique societies it can be expected they result from many determining traits rather than from any one universal causal factor. A comparative analysis of the various investigations cited above bears out this observation.
Selective increase in TNFα permeation across the blood–spinal cord barrier after SCI

We generated a novel mouse model of spinal cord injury (SCI) by hemisection of the right L1 lumbar spinal cord, measured the permeability of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), and tested the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) penetrates the injured BSCB by an enhanced transport system. SCI produced stereotypical sensorimotor deficits resembling the classically described Brown-Sequard syndrome. Disruption of the BSCB was reflected by increased spinal cord uptake of radiolabeled albumin from blood; this was transient (immediately after SCI) and confined to the lumbar spinal cord. By contrast, specific increase in the entry of TNF alpha was detected in brain, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord at 1 week after SCI, in addition to its immediate and transient increase consistent with barrier disruption. Lack of a second peak of increase in the entry of IL1 beta further supported the specificity of the TNF alpha response. Moreover, enhanced uptake of radiolabeled TNF alpha was suppressed by excess non-radiolabeled TNF alpha, indicating competition of entry via the known transport system for TNF alpha. Therefore, upregulation of the transport system after SCI probably mediates the increased permeation of TNF alpha across the BSCB. Enhanced entry of TNF alpha at 1 week after SCI was concurrent with sensorimotor and gait improvement of the mouse. We conclude that SCI by lumbar hemisection activates the transport system for TNF alpha at the BBB and suggest that selective permeation of TNF alpha may facilitate functional recovery.
Effect of nitrogen on band alignment in HfSiON gate dielectrics

Nitridation of HfSiO films improves certain physical and electrical properties—when using gate stack layers—such as their crystallization temperature and their resistance to interdiffusion. We have studied the band alignment of HfSiO and HfSiON films by soft x-ray photoemission, oxygen K-edge x-ray absorption, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Nitridation of HfSiO reduced the band gap by 1.50eV±0.05eV, and the valence- and conduction-band offsets by 1.2eV±0.1eV and 0.33eV±0.05eV, respectively. Although the band-gap reduction should lead to increased leakage, the barrier heights are still sufficient for proposed near-future complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor applications.
Choctaws at the Crossroads: The Political Economy of Class and Culture in the Oklahoma Timber Region

Choctaws at the Crossroads: The Political Economy of Class and Culture in the Oklahoma. Timber Region. Sandra Faiman-Silva. Lincoln; University of Nebraska Press, 1997. xxxiii. 273 pp., illustrations, tables, epilogue, appendix, sources, index.
Facial Cutaneous Mucormycosis in a Full-term Infant

Mucormycosis is a rare and potentially fatal fungal infection that most commonly affects the immunocompromised population. Although originally described by Paltauf in 1885 (D. G. Finn as cited by Vessely et al(1)((p573)) and A. M. Marchevsky as cited by Oh and Notrica(2)((p1607))), it was not until 1955 that Harris (as cited by Vessely et al(1)((p573))) reported the first case of a mucormycosis survivor. In recent years, the number of immunosuppressed patients has increased partly owing to the widespread implementation of organ transplantation and the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Consequently, the incidence of mucormycosis has also increased, especially in pediatric patients. In the setting of immunocompromise, a high index of suspicion is required to accurately diagnose and treat this potentially lethal infection in a timely fashion. To our knowledge, we report the first case of facial cutaneous mucormycosis in an infant, who also represents the first reported neonate or infant to survive a cutaneous mucormycosis infection of the head and neck.
Facilitation of memory retrieval by centrally administered catecholamine stimulating agents

Abstract Amnesia for inhibitory avoidance learning induced in mice by a post-training injection of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin was alleviated in a dose-dependent fashion by introcerebroventricular injections of d -amphetamine (20 μg), dopamine (10, 25 and 50 μg) and the dopamine agonist lisuride (0.5 and 1.0 μg) given 5 min before the retention test. Animals which received avoidance training in a different apparatus did not show increased test latencies following drug treatment thus eliminating non-specific behavioral suppression as an explanation for the findings. Neither norepinephrine nor the norepinephrine agonist clonidine was able to reverse the amnesia. These findings indicate that central dopamine systems may play a role in the retrieval of inhibitory avoidance learning.
Lunar Cinder Cones

Data on terrestrial eruptions of pyroclastic material and ballistic considerations suggest that in the lunar environment (vacuum and reduced gravity) low-rimmed pyroclastic rings are formed rather than the high-rimmed cinder cones so abundant on the earth. Dark blanketing deposits in the Taurus-Littrow region (Apollo 17 landing area) are interpreted as being at least partly composed of lunar counterparts of terrestrial cinder cones.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for lung transplant recipients with primary severe donor lung dysfunction

Primary severe donor lung dysfunction (DLD) is a significant complication after lung transplantation (LTx), and a high mortality is reported with conventional therapy. The purpose of this report is to review the experience of the University of Pittsburgh with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for primary severe DLD after LTx. From September 1991 to May 1995, 220 LTx were performed at our center. Eight patients (8/220=3.6%) with severe DLD after LTx required ECMO support. The age of LTx recipients was 44±5 years (mean±SD); seven patients were female and one was male. Indications for LTx were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in four patients, bronchiectasis in two, and pulmonary hypertension in two. There were three single LTx and five bilateral LTx. The interval from LTx to institution of ECMO was 5.6±3.2 h (range 0–10 h). Three patients were supported with veno-venous (v-v) ECMO and five had veno-arterial (v-a) ECMO. The duration of ECMO support was 7.3±4.8 days (range 3–15 days). activated glotting time (ACT) was maintained between 110 and 180 s with intermittent use of heparin. Seven patients (7/8=87%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and six patients (6/8=75%) were discharged home; they are currently alive after a follow-up of 17±10.1 months. One patient died on ECMO support for refractory DLD and another died 2 months after ECMO wean from multisystem organ failure. At 6 months follow-up, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) is 2.35±0.91 (75%±17.4% predicted) and mean forced vital capacity (FVC) is 2.53±0.81 (64%±14% predicted). We conclude that ECMO can be lifesaving when instituted early after primary severe DLD. The v-v ECMO support is preferred when the patient is hemodynamically stable and adequate long-term function of the allograft is anticipated.
INHIBITION OF PITUITARY TUMOR-TRANSFORMING GENE-1 IN THYROID CANCER CELLS BY DRUGS THAT DECREASE SPECIFICITY PROTEINS

Methyl 2-cyano-3,11-dioxo-18β-olean-1,12-dien-30-oate (CDODA-Me) and the corresponding 2-trifluoromethyl analog (CF(3)DODA-Me) are derived synthetically from the triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid, a major component of licorice. CDODA-Me and CF(3)DODA-Me inhibited growth of highly invasive ARO, DRO, K-18, and HTh-74 thyroid cancer cells and this was due, in part, to decreased expression of specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 that are overexpressed in these cells. CDODA-Me and CF(3)DODA-Me also decreased expression of Sp-dependent genes, such as survivin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and induced apoptosis. In addition, pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG-1) protein and mRNA levels were also decreased in thyroid cancer cells treated with CDODA-Me or CF(3)DODA-Me and this was accompanied by decreased expression of PTTG-1-dependent c-Myc and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) genes. RNA interference studies against Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 proteins showed that in thyroid cancer cells, PTTG-1 was an Sp-dependent gene. This study demonstrates for the first time that drugs, such as CDODA-Me and CF(3)DODA-Me, that decrease Sp protein expression also downregulate PTTG-1 in thyroid cancer cells and therefore have potential for clinical treatment of thyroid cancer and other endocrine neoplasias where PTTG-1 is a major pro-oncogenic factor.
Spatio-temporal oscillation monitoring in spatially distributed power system networks using energy functions

In this paper we consider continuum models of power system networks divided into clusters, and present a model reduction method to derive the analytical expressions for frequency waves propagating from one cluster to another depending on the network topology. Previous results have modeled such electromechanical waves mostly for two-area radial transfer paths, i.e., for two-node line graphs. Our results extend this approach to a network of areas connected by equivalent transfer paths by defining an equivalent Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue equation for the clustered network. We derive analytical expressions for the equivalent damping and power spectrum of this eigenvalue problem, as well for the spatio-temporal kinetic and potential energy functions that may used for transient stability assessment of the clustered network model following a disturbance.
Optimizationof neural network architecture using genetic programming improvesdetection and modeling of gene-gene interactions in studies of humandiseases

Appropriate definitionof neural network architecture prior to data analysis is crucialfor successful data mining. This can be challenging when the underlyingmodel of the data is unknown. The goal of this study was to determinewhether optimizing neural network architecture using genetic programmingas a machine learning strategy would improve the ability of neural networksto model and detect nonlinear interactions among genes in studiesof common human diseases. Using simulateddata, we show that a genetic programming optimized neural network approachis able to model gene-gene interactions as well as a traditionalback propagation neural network. Furthermore, the genetic programmingoptimized neural network is better than the traditional back propagationneural network approach in terms of predictive ability and powerto detect gene-gene interactions when non-functional polymorphismsare present. This study suggeststhat a machine learning strategy for optimizing neural network architecturemay be preferable to traditional trial-and-error approaches forthe identification and characterization of gene-gene interactionsin common, complex human diseases.