cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Connection and Coordination: The Interplay Between Architecture and Dynamics in Evolved Model Pattern Generators

We undertake a systematic study of the role of neural architecture in shaping the dynamics of evolved model pattern generators for a walking task. First, we consider the minimum number of connections necessary to achieve high performance on this task. Next, we identify architectural motifs associated with high fitness. We then examine how high-fitness architectures differ in their ability to evolve. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of distinct parameter subgroups in some architectures and show that these subgroups are characterized by differences in neuron excitabilities and connection signs.
A study of delayed capture mortality syndrome in skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (1).

This study was initiated to determine the cause(s) of delayed mortality in newly captured skipjack tuna, Kuuuwonus pelamis (L.), being held at the National Marine Fisheries Service Kewalo Research Facility. Sixty-four per cent of 244 skipjack tuna delivered to the facility died, usually on the second or third day after capture. The capture history, morphological data. serum chemistry (21 standard parameters), haematology, and histological samples of major organs, were obtained from 30 fish sampled at sea immediately after caprure, or after approximately 4,9,24,48or 500+ h in captivity. The cause(s) of death in these fish could not be attributed to anoxia, disseminated intravascular coagulation. lactic acidosis, capture myopathy or infection. Post-capture haemodilution is hypothesized as a major factor of delayed capture mortality syndrome in skipjack tuna.
TLR signaling prevents hyperoxia-induced lung injury by protecting the alveolar epithelium from oxidant-mediated death.

Mechanical ventilation using high oxygen tensions is often necessary to treat patients with respiratory failure. Recently, TLRs were identified as regulators of noninfectious oxidative lung injury. IRAK-M is an inhibitor of MyD88-dependent TLR signaling. Exposure of mice deficient in IRAK-M (IRAK-M−/−) to 95% oxygen resulted in reduced mortality compared with wild-type mice and occurred in association with decreased alveolar permeability and cell death. Using a bone marrow chimera model, we determined that IRAK-M’s effects were mediated by structural cells rather than bone marrow-derived cells. We confirmed the expression of IRAK-M in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) and showed that hyperoxia can induce the expression of this protein. In addition, IRAK-M−/− AECs exposed to hyperoxia experienced a decrease in cell death. IRAK-M may potentiate hyperoxic injury by suppression of key antioxidant pathways, because lungs and AECs isolated from IRAK-M−/− mice have increased expression/activity of heme oxygenase-1, a phase II antioxidant, and NF (erythroid-derived)-related factor-2, a transcription factor that initiates antioxidant generation. Treatment of IRAK-M−/− mice in vivo and IRAK-M−/− AECs in vitro with the heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin, substantially decreased survival and significantly reduced the number of live cells after hyperoxia exposure. Collectively, our data suggest that IRAK-M inhibits the induction of antioxidants essential for protecting the lungs against cell death, resulting in enhanced susceptibility to hyperoxic lung injury.
Stress-induced stimulation of choline transport in cultured choroid plexus epithelium exposed to low concentrations of cadmium

The choroid plexus epithelium forms the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and accumulates essential minerals and heavy metals. Choroid plexus is cited as being a “sink” for heavy metals and excess ...
Intractable epilepsy in patients treated for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia

Purpose: In the 1970s and 80s, standard treatment for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) included both intrathecal methotrexate and whole-brain irradiation. During acute treatment, seizures were not uncommon. The development of intractable epilepsy years after treatment, however, has not been well described in the literature. We describe five patients who were treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia as children, who later developed intractable epilepsy. Results: All of the patients were diagnosed with leukemia before age seven. Treatment included both whole-brain irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. All five received intrathecal methotrexate; in addition, two also received intrathecal cytosine arabinoside. The first seizure occurred at a mean of 7.5 years after diagnosis. Four patients have multiple seizure types, and all patients have been on multiple antiepileptic drugs. All five patients are cognitively impaired. Conclusions: Successful treatment for childhood leukemia may be followed by signs of late cerebral injury including intractable epilepsy. We propose that neurotoxicity resulting from exposure to intrathecal methotrexate and cranial irradiation may have contributed to the intractable epilepsy seen in our five patients.
12 Intraoral Soft Tissue Problems in Orthodontic Practice

The soft tissue problems of greatest interest to the orthodontist are the sequelae of surgical treatment, and medication that interferes, interrupts, or prevents the biomechanical management of a malocclusion.
An intravaginal ring for sustained and simultaneous delivery of 4 drugs

Human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1), discovered in the early 1980s, remains an incurable, yet manageable, disease. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the quality of life of HIV-1 infected patients has improved significantly and mortality rates due to AIDS have been declining since 2000. The risk of acquiring HIV1 increases significantly with prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs),suchasHerpessimplexvirus-2(HSV-2)andhumanpapillomavi
THERMAL MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE LED MARKET

High-brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs) are challenged with thermal management issues due to increased power and reduced surface area. This has led to the need for new materials with higher thermal conductivity that can quickly remove the heat from the active layer. LORD Corporation has developed two new thermal management materials, a “no pump-out” thermal grease and a low modulus die attach adhesive, as solutions to the heat dissipation problems facing LED manufacturers. These innovative technologies will help engineers solve complex fundamental thermal management problems. A new 4 W/mK silicone thermal grease has been developed with significant resistance to in-package bleed-out or pump-out eliminating the reliability problem most commonly encountered with traditional thermal greases. A new 10–20 W/mK thermal epoxy adhesive has also been developed creating a new class of flexible adhesives with high adhesion. This combination allows the new LORD die attach adhesive to not only effectively transfer...
The prison beauty pageant: documenting female prisoners in Miss Gulag and La Corona

This paper examines two documentary films, Miss Gulag (Maria Yatskova, dir. 2007) and La Corona (Amanda Micheli, and Isabel Vega, dirs. 2008), which chronicle the annual beauty pageants held at women's prisons in Novosibirsk, Russia and Bogota, Colombia. In comparing the two films, I argue that both illustrate the important role traditional gender norms inform women's prison experiences, even in such distinct and different countries as Colombia and Russia. Both films also challenge the viewer to assess the validity of a beauty pageant in these unlikely locations and to situate the female body within the broader constructs of social and national identity. In assessing how the films differ in their stylistic approaches, I argue that while Miss Gulag offers viewers an important glimpse into the lives of female prisoners, it ultimately perpetuates the regressive concepts of gender promoted by the prison system itself. I will look specifically at the problematic ‘truth’ promoted through the prisoners’ testimon...
The hydrogen attack of HSLA steels

Three high strength low alloy steels with low carbon contents and varying alloy contents were exposed to 21 MPa (3000 psi) hydrogen pressure in the temperature range 350 to 510°C. The resulting sample expansion rate was measured using a highly sensitive capacitance dilatometer. In all three HSLA steels, the early expansion rate was found to be independent of exposure time, but a function of exposure temperature and pressure. The temperature dependence of the sample expansion rate was similar for all three HSLA and the reference carbon steels, and corresponded roughly to an activation energy (Q) of 190 KJ/mole. The later accelerating expansion rate fitted aQ of 160 KJ/mole. Though the sample expansion rates exhibited the same temperature dependence, they varied by as much as two orders of magnitude among the three HSLA and the carbon steels. This marked variation in rate was proportional to the estimated carbon activity in each steel. Comparison between the Nelson curves published by the Americal Petro-leum Institute (API) for 1/2 pct Mo steel and the experimental curves constructed for HSLA steels indicated that these steels should provide comparable or better resistance to hydrogen attack than the 1/2 pct Mo steel.
The diagnostic value of hepatocyte paraffin antibody 1 in differentiating hepatocellular neoplasms from nonhepatic tumors: A review

Hepatocyte paraffin-1 (HepPar-1) is a recently developed monoclonal antibody that appears to identify an antigen unique to hepatocellular mitochondria. This article reviews the use of this new antibody in the differential diagnosis of primary hepatocellular neoplasms, cholangiocarcinomas, and carcinomas metastatic to the liver. Hepatocyte paraffin-1 appears to be the most sensitive and specific positive marker of hepatocellular differentiation, but like any immunohistochemical marker, should be interpreted only in the context of the overall clinicopathologic picture and as part of a panel of antibodies.
Medieval Climatic Anomaly and Punctuated Cultural Evolution in Coastal Southern California

Only in the last few years have high-resolution paleoclimatic data become available from coastal southern California. Recent research in the California Channel Islands, drawing on some of these data, attributes settlement disruptions, disease, and violence to maritime subsistence distress attendant to elevated sea temperatures in the period from A.D. 1150 to 1300. A broad range of paleoenvironmental, archaeological, and human osteological data suggest that these stress indicators are more convincingly correlated with severe late Holocene drought episodes during a portion of the medieval climatic anomaly (ca. A.D. 800 to 1400). Based on these data, cultural changes in coastal southern California, including violence, declining health, and emergent social complexity, are similar to events documented in the American Southwest. Cultural adaptations in both regions appear to have been responding to persistent drought conditions during the late Holocene.
Determination of Low–Molecular-Weight Heparin by Heptest on the Automated Coagulation Laboratory System

The manual Heptest for measuring low-molecular-weight heparin fractions was applied to a fully automated, coagulation-dedicated analyzer, the Automated Coagulation Laboratory 300 Plus. The clot-based assay mode of the instrument was used, which operates on the principle of light scattering. Undiluted plasmas and the original reagents of the Heptest kit were used. Also, the 2-minute incubation time of the manual procedure was maintained. Automation reduced plasma and reagent volumes by about one half. As a result of the high precision of the automated procedure, single determinations suffice, and 18 plasma samples can be analyzed in about 8 minutes. Coefficients of variation were 1.0% to 3.2% for within-run and 1.9% to 6.0% for inter-run analyses. Analytical recovery was 98% to 104%. Comparisons of 132 samples between the two procedures yielded an R value of 0.974 for activity expression in seconds and 0.945 for U/mL. Several low-molecular-weight heparin fractions were tested.
Quality of life of patients on in-center hemodialysis versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

This study compared chronic hemodialysis and CAPD patients on several quality of life variables: dietary adherence, self-esteem, hope, wellbeing, marital happiness, perceived control over life, mar...
Inhibition of prolactin secretion of rat placental extract.

AbstractIntact and gonadectomized male rats were injected for 4 days with aqueous extracts of midgestation rat placentae to study the effects of this treatment on pituitary secretory function. Experimental rats received daily doses of extract equivalent to one, two, or four placentae; controls were injected with liver extract. At autopsy, 24 hr after the last injection, serum and anterior pituitary glands were collected for radioimmunoassay of FSH, LH, and PRL. Placental extracts caused a dose-related reduction of serum PRL concentration in both intact and gonadectomized rats and depressed circulating LH levels of intact animals. Serum FSH concentration was not affected by this treatment. Pituitary levels of the three hormones were not significantly different between animals injected with placental extract and their liver-injected controls. We conclude that rat placental extract contains a substance, likely to be chorionic mammotropin (rCM), capable of modifying pituitary secretory function during pregnancy.
Revisiting Automatic First Arrival Picking for Large 3D Land Surveys

Summary The ever increasing number of traces in 3D land surveys has motivated us to revisit methods for automatically picking first arrivals for near surface model building. The time required to pick first arrivals using the interactive autopicking approach can consume many months for surveys consisting of hundreds of millions of traces. For this reason, first arrivals are typically picked only on a small percentage of the survey traces. As the size of surveys continues to increase, it will soon become impossible to use interactive auto-picking. Fully automatic first arrival picking and quality control in the production processing environment will be required. To achieve this goal, we must revisit existing auto-picking techniques, but with a new vision. We must turn the disadvantage of large data volumes into an advantage. The statistics available from large data sets, particularly for wide azimuth surveys, allows us to worry less about the quality of each auto-pick, and instead, rely on surface consistent quality control and the travel time inversion process to produce high quality near surface velocity model. We present examples of how a fully automatic technique has reduced the time for picking first arrivals and building the near surface model from months to days, and by utilizing all of the available data, has also resulted in higher quality final stacked images.
Isolated Nodal Failure after Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer: The Role for Salvage Mediastinal Radiotherapy

Abstract Introduction Isolated nodal failure (INF) without synchronous local or distant failure is an uncommon occurrence after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. Here we review the natural history and patterns of failure after post-SBRT INF with or without salvage mediastinal radiotherapy (SvRT). Methods Patients treated with SBRT for non–small cell lung cancer with definitive intent were identified. Patients who experienced hilar or mediastinal INF without synchronous distant, lobar, or local failure were included and grouped according to the use of SvRT. The rates of subsequent locoregional control, distant metastases, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival were assessed. Results Of 797 patients treated with definitive SBRT, 24 (3%) experienced INF and 15 (63%) received SvRT. The most common SvRT regimen (53%) was 45 Gy in 15 fractions. The median follow-up after INF was 11.3 months for survivors. There were no grade 3 or higher toxicities after SvRT. The 1-year Kaplan-Meier PFS and overall survival estimates were 33% and 56% for patients not receiving radiotherapy and 75% and 73% with SvRT. After SvRT, the rate of locoregional control at 1 year was 84.4%. Crude rates of distant failure were 20.0% with SvRT and 22.2% with no radiotherapy. Of the 13 deaths observed, five (38%) were related to distant progression of lung cancer, four (31%) to comorbidities, three (23%) to mediastinal progression, and one (8%) to an unknown cause. Conclusions INF is uncommon after SBRT. Despite the significant comorbidities of this population, intrathoracic progression remains a contributor to morbidity and mortality. SVRT for INF is well tolerated and may improve PFS.
[Study on the epidemiologic characteristic of Brucella melitensis isolated in Guizhou province in 2010-2012].

Objective To understand the genetic and epidemiologic characteristic of Brucella （B.） melitensis strains isolated in Guizhou province in 2010-2012. Methods B. genus specific BCSP31-PCR and species-specific AMOS-PCR were used to identify the bacteria strain,while the identified strains were analyzed under MLVA-16 and cluster analysis of B. melitensis strains. The strains were isolated from Guizhou and other provinces. Results Six B. melitensis strains were identified as B. melitensis using the BCSP31-PCR and AMOS-PCR. Data from the MLVA-16 analysis revealed the differences of repeated numbers at parts of the VNTR locus in the six strains isolated in Guizhou province. The six strains from Guizhou province and 105 B. melitensis strains from other province could be divided into 72 MLVA types（MT）. Strain ZY and ZA from Guizhou province were typed as MT63,and LL3,LL4 and LL11 were typed as MT67,while strain SQ was typed as MT72. Data from the clustering analysis showed that ZY,ZA,LL3,LL4 and LL9 were most closely clustered with B. melitensis isolates from Yunnan,Fujian and Guangdong provinces,but strain SQ was genetically remote from other strains. Conclusion PCR methods,combined with MLVA-16, identified the six B. melitensis strains isolated in Guizhou province in 2010-2012 as B. melitensis biovar 3,with the genetic diversity of the strains showed. Six strains were closely related to the B. melitensis strains from Yunnan,Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The results of this study provided scientific basis for the control and prevention of Brucellosis in Guizhou province. Key words: Brucella melitensis ; Molecular epidemiology
Arterial blood lactate measurements quickly identified risk for death from paracetamol-induced liver failure.

Source Citation Bernal W, Donaldson N, Wyncoll D, Wendon J. Blood lactate as an early predictor of outcome in paracetamol-induced acute liver failure: a cohort study. Lancet. 2002 Feb 16;359:558-63...
Electrode corrosion degradation in metallized polypropylene capacitors

One of the major failure mechanisms in metallized polypropylene capacitors is the loss of capacitance through a conversion of the aluminum electrode to an oxide (corrosion). This work examines the voltage endurance and corrosion growth characteristic in metallized polypropylene capacitors under different conditions of temperature, power frequency and applied voltage. The corrosion growth phenomena are studied both in full size 17 uf capacitors and in "stamp capacitors" consisting of a two parallel plate arrangement that allows real time observation of the corrosion growth. The effects of electrode thickness and impregnating fluid are investigated and optical and electron microscope observations are presented that quantify different corrosion characteristics. The experimental results indicate that the electrode corrosion process responsible for the loss of capacitance is not consistent with a partial discharge mechanism, but with an electrochemical corrosion involving ionic transport under alternating field conditions. Electron diffraction microscopy data suggests that at least some of the corroded aluminum electrode is converted to an insulating crystalline Al 2 O 3 of V form. The initiation and growth rate of the corrosion sites are shown to have a strong dependance on the frequency of the applied voltage and ambient temperature, with near zero growth under DC conditions, frequencies higher than ten KHz, and temperatures lower than −40°C.
Linear Discrimination and Some Further Results on Best Lower Dimensional Representations

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses low dimensional hyperplanes, which, in some sense, best represent the populations. However, the Fisher method is not unique in providing representations. When discriminating among k p-variate normal distributions with common covariance matrix, it is well known that the optimal discrimination procedure is based on the score functions. However, for many practical reasons, it proves useful to have one-dimensional two-dimensional or three-dimensional representations of the data. Plotting the transformed observations in these lower dimensional spaces can lead to a better understanding of the relationships between populations and the detection of outliers. Such a representation is especially helpful when p is large compared to k or when the means almost lie in a low dimensional hyperplane. The p-dimensional representations, including Fisher's between-within method, can be interpreted as based on orthogonal transformations of the standardized principal components. Each representation provides a decomposition of the scores as a sum of squares.
Categorical Abstract Algebraic Logic: Compatibility Operators and Correspondence Theorems

Very recently Albuquerque, Font and Jansana, based on preceding work of Czelakowski on compatibility operators, introduced coherent compatibility operators and used Galois connections, formed by these operators, to provide a unified framework for the study of the Leibniz, the Suszko and the Tarski operators of abstract algebraic logic. Based on this work, we present a unified treatment of the operator approach to the categorical abstract algebraic logic hierarchy of π-institutions. This approach encompasses previous work by the author in this area, started under Don Pigozzi’s guidance, and provides resources for new results on the semantic, i.e., operator-based, side of the hierarchy.
MPFL Reconstruction: The Adductor Sling Approach

Surgical treatment of patella instability has two approaches. One is that anatomic alignment is the most important factor(s) and all elements of “malalignment” must be corrected. The other viewpoint is a “softer” approach that recognizes the importance of a soft tissue restraint to lateral patella translation: to stabilize or recreate this restraint can be sufficient in many cases with bony (mal)alignment left “uncorrected.”
MEMS aerodynamic control surfaces for millimeter-scale rockets

This work describes the design, fabrication, and assembly of a MEMS aerodynamic control surface for use in millimeter-scale rockets and other miniature aerial vehicles (MAVs). Aerial vehicles of this scale require very small and light control surfaces to operate effectively. We designed MEMS aero-dynamic control surfaces using electrostatic inchworm motors and planar silicon pin-joints. These were fabricated in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. The fully assembled fin structure demonstrated maximum torque outputs of 1.6 μNm which is enough to maintain an aerodynamic lift force of 1.4 mN.
Finding the signal in the noise: Could social media be utilized for early hospital notification of multiple casualty events?

Author(s): Callcut, Rachael A; Moore, Sara; Wakam, Glenn; Hubbard, Alan E; Cohen, Mitchell J | Abstract: IntroductionDelayed notification and lack of early information hinder timely hospital based activations in large scale multiple casualty events. We hypothesized that Twitter real-time data would produce a unique and reproducible signal within minutes of multiple casualty events and we investigated the timing of the signal compared with other hospital disaster notification mechanisms.MethodsUsing disaster specific search terms, all relevant tweets from the event to 7 days post-event were analyzed for 5 recent US based multiple casualty events (Boston Bombing [BB], SF Plane Crash [SF], Napa Earthquake [NE], Sandy Hook [SH], and Marysville Shooting [MV]). Quantitative and qualitative analysis of tweet utilization were compared across events.ResultsOver 3.8 million tweets were analyzed (SH 1.8 m, BB 1.1m, SF 430k, MV 250k, NE 205k). Peak tweets per min ranged from 209-3326. The mean followers per tweeter ranged from 3382-9992 across events. Retweets were tweeted a mean of 82-564 times per event. Tweets occurred very rapidly for all events (l2 mins) and represented 1% of the total event specific tweets in a median of 13 minutes of the first 911 calls. A 200 tweets/min threshold was reached fastest with NE (2 min), BB (7 min), and SF (18 mins). If this threshold was utilized as a signaling mechanism to place local hospitals on standby for possible large scale events, in all case studies, this signal would have preceded patient arrival. Importantly, this threshold for signaling would also have preceded traditional disaster notification mechanisms in SF, NE, and simultaneous with BB and MV.ConclusionsSocial media data has demonstrated that this mechanism is a powerful, predictable, and potentially important resource for optimizing disaster response. Further investigated is warranted to assess the utility of prospective signally thresholds for hospital based activation.
Evaluating energy and power profiling techniques for HPC workloads

Advanced power measurement capabilities are becoming available on large scale High Performance Computing (HPC) deployments. There exist several approaches to providing power measurements today, primarily through in-band (e.g. RAPL) and out-of-band measurements (e.g. power meters). Both types of measurement can be augmented with application-level profiling, however it can be difficult to assess the type and detail of measurement needed to obtain insight from the application power profile. This paper presents a taxonomy for classifying power profiling techniques on modern HPC platforms. Three HPC mini-applications are analyzed across three production HPC systems to examine the level of detail, scope, and complexity of these power profiles. We demonstrate that a combination of out-of-band measurement with in-band application region profiling can provide an accurate, detailed view of power usage without introducing overhead. This work also provides a set of recommendations for how to best profile HPC workloads.
Abstract 340: Drug-Eluting Balloon Versus Everolimus-Eluting Stent for Restenosis in a Bare-Metal Stent: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background: In-stent restenosis accounts for major morbidity and mortality among patients treated with Bare-Metal Stents (BMS). Early efforts to treat BMS in-stent restenosis with plain balloon angioplasty and first generation drug eluting stents (DES) have been ineffective, leaving drug-eluting balloon (DEB) and second generation DES, such as everolimus eluting stents (EES), as the only remaining options. For BMS in-stent restenosis, studies performed so far have yielded conflicting results, while prior meta-analyses have been influenced by inclusion of observational studies. This is the first meta-analysis to compare EES versus DEB using results from only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A systematic search of PUBMED and EMBASE databases was conducted from first available date to August, 2016 for RCTs comparing DEB with EES. Two reviewers evaluated studies for eligibility and extracted data with binary restenosis rate as the main endpoint. We identified 901 unique citations. Odds ratios were pooled using random-effects modeling. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistic. All analysis were performed using Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, 2014). Results: Three RCTs met study eligibility criteria, with 684 patients and a mean follow-up of 9.5 months. There were 184 and 185 patients in the EES and DEB arms respectively. In pooled analyses, EES was not superior to DEB in binary restenosis rates (pooled odds ratio: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.25-2.32; P=0.14). Heterogeneity was minimal (I 2 = 49%), and the funnel plot did not suggest publication bias. Conclusion: In patients with BMS in-stent restenosis, there were no significant differences in binary restenosis rates between EES and DEB. Our results can enhance physician decision-making regarding choice of revascularization tool in this patient population.
Reinforcement of polymeric nanoassemblies for ultra-high drug loadings, modulation of stiffness and release kinetics, and sustained therapeutic efficacy

The optimization of current polymeric nanoparticle therapies is restricted by low drug loadings and limited tunability of core properties. To overcome these shortcomings, a novel self-association approach is utilized to fabricate a dual-loaded poly(1,2-glycerol carbonate)-graft-succinic acid-paclitaxel (PGC-PTX) conjugate nanoparticle (NP) in which the physical entrapment of free paclitaxel (PTX) affords unprecedented ultra-high drug loadings >100 wt%, modulation of mechanical stiffness, and tunable release kinetics. Despite high incorporation of free PTX (up to 50 wt%), the dual-loaded PGC-PTX nanocarriers (i.e., PGC-PTX + PTX NPs) exhibit controlled and sustained drug release over 15 days, without burst release effects. Importantly, optimization of drug/material efficiency concomitantly affords improved in vitro efficacy. In vivo, PGC-PTX + PTX NPs are safely administered at doses exceeding the median lethal dose of standard PTX, while a single high dose significantly extends survival relative to weekly PTX administrations in a murine model of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
DNA methylation regulates the neonatal CD4+ T-cell response to pneumonia in mice

Pediatric acute lung injury, usually because of pneumonia, has a mortality rate of more than 20% and an incidence that rivals that of all childhood cancers combined. CD4+ T-cells coordinate the immune response to pneumonia but fail to function robustly among the very young, who have poor outcomes from lung infection. We hypothesized that DNA methylation represses a mature CD4+ T-cell transcriptional program in neonates with pneumonia. Here, we found that neonatal mice (3–4 days old) aspirated with Escherichia coli bacteria had a higher mortality rate than juvenile mice (11–14 days old). Transcriptional profiling with an unsupervised RNA-Seq approach revealed that neonates displayed an attenuated lung CD4+ T-cell transcriptional response to pneumonia compared with juveniles. Unlike neonates, juveniles up-regulated a robust set of canonical T-cell immune response genes. DNA methylation profiling with modified reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed 44,119 differentially methylated CpGs, which preferentially clustered around transcriptional start sites and CpG islands. A methylation difference–filtering algorithm detected genes with a high likelihood of differential promoter methylation regulating their expression; these 731 loci encoded important immune response and tissue-protective T-cell pathway components. Disruption of DNA methylation with the hypomethylating agent decitabine induced plasticity in the lung CD4+ T-cell marker phenotype. Altogether, multidimensional profiling suggested that DNA methylation within the promoters of a core set of CD4+ T-cell pathway genes contributes to the hyporesponsive neonatal immune response to pneumonia. These findings also suggest that DNA methylation could serve as a mechanistic target for disease-modifying therapies in pediatric lung infection and injury.
Taguchi design-based seismic reliability analysis of geostructures

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the seismic reliability of geostructures in an optimal way. Taguchi design of experiments are adopted to find the most efficient and cost-effective com...
Modeling and seismic collapse resistance study of a steel SC-MRF

Abstract A self-centering (SC) moment resisting frame (MRF) is an alternative to a conventional steel special moment resisting frame (SMRF) with welded beam-to-column connections for seismic-resistant steel frame buildings. The beams in an SC-MRF are post-tensioned to the columns by high strength post-tensioning (PT) strands that are oriented parallel to the beams, providing restoring forces to control gap opening at the beam-column interface. Little is known about the collapse resistance of SC-MRFs under extreme seismic ground motions. Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDA) are performed to determine the collapse margin ratio of a 4-story low-rise steel building with perimeter SC-MRFs. The structural model for the SC-MRF for the IDA includes shell finite elements to enable important limit states, including local buckling in the beams, to be included in the analyses. The results from the IDA show that the collapse resistance of an SC-MRF system is comparable to that of a conventional steel SMRF.
A comparative analysis of methods used in preparation for occupational testing

Author — Donald Lee Cox Iowa State University Master of Science Degree Education May, 1991 " A comparative analysis of methods used in preparation for occupational testing 11 Acceptable and recognized methods utilized to develop compe­ tency and prepare for occupational testing are strongly con­ trolled by certifying agencies. Teachers, law enforcement offi­ cers, medical personnel and fire fighters, to name a few, operate under specific guidelines for training requirements to qualify for professional certification. Most certification examinations are competency based tests. What methods of preparation a certi­ fying agency recognizes may severely restrict an individual's option to develop competency. This research thesis specifically investigates fire fighter certification and methods of preparation to develop competency. Over five-hundred Iowa fire fighter candidates from 198? to 1991 were studied. Written examination scores were collected along with various demographic information. Specific hypotheses studied involved methods of preparation ; years of experience; volunteer vs. career fire fighters ; and gender of the candidates.
Waterbird use of dynamic sheetwater wetlands in Iowa's Prairie Pothole Region

Substantial landscape alteration has occurred from the westward expansion of European settlement starting in the 18 th Century in the form of conversion of large expanses of land to agricultural production. This agricultural expansion was facilitated by the development and installation of artificial subsurface drainage to convert previously saturated and unproductive soil in topographic depressions, also known as prairie potholes, into highly productive tillable land. Most are currently drained but persist ephemerally as sheetwater wetlands in agricultural fields and are valued by migratory waterbirds. Our objective was to document their extent in Iowa’s Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) using spatially replicated road-based surveys and to develop a model of sheetwater wetland size dynamics at this scale. We hypothesized that these wetlands were common across Iowa’s PPR and that they would be largely dependent on local precipitation regimes. Surveys conducted in spring 2011 and spring 2012 resulted in 8415 observations of 519 unique wetlands across ten townships in Iowa’s PPR. Wetlands were predominantly observed in a dry or absent state (7399 observations, 87.9%), and when they were observed in a wet state they were predominantly the smaller size classes with the smallest size class of 0-0.1 ha (769 observations) comprising 76.2% of all observations where wetlands contained water and 9.2% of the total (wet and dry) observations. We utilized the multi-state model in program MARK to predict the daily probability of state transition between recorded
Ethological Isolation and Variation in Allozymes and Dorsolateral Pattern between Parapatric Forms in the Desmognathus ochrophaeus Complex

Questions regarding the nature of species (here defined as genetically cohesive, reproductively isolated groups) are central to understanding the evolutionary history of a group of organisms. Insight into the processes responsible for creating and maintaining genetically cohesive units can be attained by examining areas where such units contact one another. Clearly, it seems most pertinent to examine the maintenance of a species upon secondary contact with related taxa, assessing the genetic structure and possible outcomes of these interactions. Research on secondary contact has focused on hybrid zones, usually those marked by sharp clines in particular characters. A hybrid zone is characterized as an area where genetically distinct groups meet, mate, and produce some offspring of mixed ancestry (Barton and Hewitt, 1985; Harrison, 1990,Harrison, 1993). Upon secondary contact, a number of outcomes are possible. Narrow zones may be maintained by a balance between dispersal and selection against hybrids (Barton and Hewitt, 1985). Alternatively, there can be fusion of the two taxa (Hewitt, 1988) or replacement of one taxon by another (Shapiro, 1998). Various degrees of introgression may occur (Arnold and Bennett, 1993) or a hybrid swarm may develop (Heiser, 1947).
Linking the information technology structure with organizational competitive strategy: a survey

In a study involving 52 large organizations in the computer components industry, the relationship between information technology structure and organizational competitive strategy was examined. The results indicate that the information technology structure, as measured by the locus of responsibilities for information systems, is strongly related to competitive strategy. For example, an organization with a conservative competitive strategy possesses a more centralized information systems function than an organization with an aggressive competitive strategy. This means that user departments in a conservative organization have less control over their information technology function than user departments in a aggressive organization. These findings provide additional support for the organizational fit concept - that the conformity between information technology structure and overall organizational context variables, including competitive strategy, is instrumental to the successful implementation of information technology systems.
Opioid utilization in minimally invasive versus open inguinal hernia repair

Abstract Background Open inguinal hernia repair is thought to cause worse postoperative pain than minimally invasive surgery, and thus patients are often prescribed more opioids at discharge. This study evaluates opioid use in inguinal hernia repair patients to optimize discharge prescribing practices for this common procedure. Methods Opioid-naive adults undergoing open or minimally invasive surgery inguinal hernia repair were identified prospectively from 3 centers to complete a 29-question telephone interview after discharge as part of a larger initiative. Opioid prescription and consumption data were converted into morphine milligram equivalents and compared between minimally invasive surgery and open inguinal hernia repair. Univariate χ2, Fisher exact test, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results Of 249 contacted patients, 195 (74%) completed the survey (n = 97 open, n = 98 minimally invasive surgery). Patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair were slightly older (71 vs 65 years, P Conclusion Postdischarge opioid utilization was clinically similar between patients undergoing open and minimally invasive surgery inguinal hernia repair and those requiring unilateral or bilateral repair. Given that more than one-third of patients required no opioids after discharge, 0 to 8 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone is sufficient for most opioid-naive patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.
Alkalinization of Chloroprocaine for Epidural Anesthesia

Increasing the pH of 2% chloroprocaine (CP) with sodium bicarbonate to pH 7.7 hastens the onset of epidural analgesia. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of pCO2 on the onset of epidural analgesia with CP buffered to a constant pH 7.7. Four groups consisting of ten patients each were studied: C, control, commercial CP (pH 4.35); B, CP buffered with sodium bicarbonate (pH 7.7); T, CP buffered with tromethamine (pH 7.7), and BT, CP buffered with sodium bicarbonate and tromethamine (pH 7.7). All epidural catheters were placed at the L2-3 or L3-4 interspace using a loss-of-resistance technique with air with each patient in a sitting position. The pH and pCO2 of each local anesthetic solution were measured as well as the onset and duration of analgesia. The study groups did not differ with respect to demography or entry characteristics. There were intergroup differences in the pCO2 values of the study solutions as follows: Group 1 (C), 11.8 ± 1.5 mmHg; 2 (B), 113.0 ± 1.4 mmHg; 3 (T), 3.0 ± 0.3 mmHg, and 4 (BT), 74.1 ± 1.0 mmHg, respectively. The time to the onset of analgesia was significantly faster in Group 2 (B; 2.7 ± 0.8 minute), while the onset of analgesia was significantly slower for Group 3 (T; 5.4 ± 0.4 minute) than either Group 1 (C; 4.2 ± 0.8 minute) or Group 4 (BT; 3.4 ± 0.3 minute). Regression analysis revealed that the onset times of the buffered solutions were significantly related to pCO2 ( r2 =0.81). The duration of analgesia of Group 3 (T; 55.7 ± 4.29 minute) and Group 4 (BT; 47.5 ± 5.1 minute) were significantly longer than either Group 1 (C; 27.0 ± 6.1 minute) or Group 2 (B; 26.2 ± 4.2 minute). The onset of buffered epidural CP was influenced by changes in pCO2, while the duration was affected by the choice of the alkalinizing agent.
Chiral β‐Iodoamines by Urea‐Catalyzed Iodocyclization of Trichloroacetimidates.

The resulting products are converted to a variety of polyfunctional amine-containing chiral building blocks.
Space-variant deconvolution of Cerenkov light images acquired from a curved surface

Purpose Cerenkov photons are generated by high-energy radiation used in external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). This study expands upon the Cerenkov light dosimetry formula previously developed to relate an image of Cerenkov photons to the primary beam fluence. Extension of this formulation allows for deconvolution to be performed on images acquired from curved geometries. Methods The integral equation, which represented the formation of Cerenkov photon image from an incident high-energy photon beam, was expanded to allow for space-variance of the convolution kernel called as the Cerenkov scatter function (CSF). The GAMOS (Geant4-based Architecture for Medicine-Oriented Simulations) Monte Carlo (MC) particle simulation software was used to obtain the CSF for different incident beam angles. The image of a curved surface was first projected to a flat plane by using a perspective correction method. Then, the planar image was partitioned into small segments (or blocks), where a CSF corresponding to a specific beam incident angle was applied for deconvolution. The block size and the margin around the block were optimized by studying the effects of those parameters on the deconvolution accuracy for a test image. We evaluated three deconvolution techniques: Richardson-Lucy, Blind, and Total Variation minimization (TV/L2) algorithms, to select the most accurate method for the current applications. Results Analysis of deconvolution algorithms showed that the TV/L2 method provided the most accurate solution to the deconvolution problem for Cerenkov imaging. Optimization of space-variant deconvolution parameters showed that including a margin that is at least 42.9% of the image width provided the most accurate product image. There was no optimal size for the deconvolution area and should be chosen based on the presence of unique CSF kernels within an image. Space-variant deconvolution improved measured field size in Cerenkov photon images by 7.37%, as compared with 1.74% by space-invariant deconvolution. Space-variant deconvolution improved measured penumbra by 99.3%, as compared with 76.7% by space-invariant deconvolution. Space-variant deconvolution introduced artifacts in flat regions of the beam. Artifacts were avoided through selective space-variant deconvolution in only the penumbra region. Conclusions Primary photon fluence distributions of a curved surface can be obtained by using space-variant deconvolution methods in Cerenkov light dosimetry. The TV/L2 algorithm is the best method for deconvolution of Cerenkov photon images from an open-field beam derived from either a flat or curved surface. The partition size chosen for space-variant deconvolution should be at least six times the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the corresponding scatter kernel used in deconvolution. Space-variant deconvolution is necessary if the incident beam angle difference is larger than 6 ∘ between regions of an image.
Racial Disparities in Cleft Palate Repair.

BACKGROUND Various factors can influence outcomes in cleft palate care. This study sought to determine the impact of race on admissions, hospital costs, and short-term complications in cleft palate repair. METHODS Cleft palate operations were identified in the Kids' Inpatient Database data, from 2000 to 2009. Data were combed for demographics, perioperatives, complications, and hospital characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed between races in total, primary, and revision cohorts. RESULTS There were 3464 white, 1428 Hispanic, 413 black, 398 Asian/Pacific-Islander, and 470 patients of other races captured. Black patients experienced more emergent admissions (p = 0.005) and increased length of stay (p = 0.029). Hospital charges were highest for black and Hispanic patients and lowest for white patients (p = 0.019). Black patients had more total complications than non-black patients (p = 0.039), including higher rates of postoperative fistula (p = 0.020) and nonspecific complications among revision repairs (p = 0.003). Asian/Pacific Islander in the primary cohort experienced higher rates of accidental puncture (p = 0.031) and fistula (p < 0.001). Other patients had the highest rates of wound disruption (p = 0.013). After controlling for race, diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, region, elective/nonelective, payer, and income quartile, length of stay (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.001) were associated with increases in both total complications and costs. CONCLUSIONS Race may play a significant role in cleft palate repair, as white patients had fewer complications, shorter length of stay, and lower costs following repair. Delayed age at treatment may predispose patients to adverse sequelae in minority populations, in terms of influencing length of stay and costs. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, II.
A Family of Bayesian Cramér-Rao Bounds, and Consequences for Log-Concave Priors

Under minimal regularity assumptions, we establish a family of information-theoretic Bayesian Cramer-Rao bounds, indexed by probability measures that satisfy a logarithmic Sobolev inequality. This family includes as a special case the known Bayesian Cramer-Rao bound (or van Trees inequality), and its less widely known entropic improvement due to Efroimovich. For the setting of a log-concave prior, we obtain a Bayesian Cramer-Rao bound which holds for any (possibly biased) estimator and, unlike the van Trees inequality, does not depend on the Fisher information of the prior.