cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Quantified Static Strength Design of Aircraft Structural Components

This paper presents a load transformation matrix based risk assessment process that can be used to efficiently design aircraft structural components in the presence of uncertainties. Load transformation matrix, obtained using only one stiffness matrix inversion, enables estimation of internal loads on components of the aircraft structure subject to various external load cases. Using this approach material strength, loading, and geometric variations can be efficiently modeled and propagated through the structural system. The efficiency of this process is achieved through a new risk assessment formulation that is no longer an iterative process like most other methods available in the literature. The advances demonstrated in this paper will enable implementation of a practical risk based optimization scheme for large-scale aircraft structures. A representative spar model will be used to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of this process to determine the component failure probability of a structural member subject to multiple failure modes.
Laphria gilva (Diptera: Asilidae), a Predator of Dendroctonus ponderosae in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Adults of Laphria gilva (L.) killed about 1% of the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus pondcrosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), adults during the 1967 emergence period in the Black Hills. L. gilva adults commonly rest on tree trunks in Dendroctonus-infested areas, and capture D. pondcrosae adults in flight. Males initiate mating from the resting position while females are hovering near the ground. Eggs arc laid in the forest litter near tree bases. The predatory and ovipositional behavior are discussed in relation to predation on D. Pondcrosae .
Changing physiological status predicts severe injury and need for specialized trauma center resources.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the association between changing physiological status (delta data) with severe injury (SI) or need for trauma center resources (TCR). METHODS Prehospital and emergency department arrival weighted RTS (RTSw) were computed for patients with complete records entered into the registry from 2002 to 2004 (n = 23,753). Physiological change was classified as unchanged, deteriorated, or improved (PreRTSw vs EDRTSw). Performance of delta data was evaluated using standard epidemiological approaches and multiple logistic regression. FINDINGS Deterioration status predicted SI (operating room [OR] = 1.38) and TCR (OR = 2.09). Improved status predicted TCR (OR = 1.27). CONCLUSIONS Delta data independently predicted both SI and TCR.
Analysis on the current operation conditions of biomass fuel-fired power plants

With the development of biomass fuel power generation technology, there are five biomass fuel-fired power plants in Henan Province reconstructed based on old coal-fired power units. Considering the current operation conditions, several problems were analyzed covering the fuel procurement, equipment operation and economic performance. In view of the economizer wearing and superheater tube bursting, the physical and chemical experiments were performed. The result shows that chorine embrittlement mainly contributes to the wearing and tube bursting, based on which several countermeasures were proposed to make great reference for the design and safe operation of boilers.
Correlation of postcoital evaluation with in vitro sperm cervical mucus determinations and ureaplasma cultures.

Fifteen trials were completed in 14 couples during an infertility evaluation. The postcoital test (PCT) was accomplished in a standardized manner. Also, standardized determinations of the sperm-cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT) with the addition of cross-testing (X-test) utilizing bovine cervical mucus (BCM) and normal donor semen (NDS) were done. Male and female samples were also cultured for Ureaplasma urealyticum using U9-B indicator broth and A - 7 agar. The PCT and SCMPT agreed in 87% (13/15) of the cases. Utilizing BCM and NDS, where possible, the causative factor was the cervical mucus in 54% (7/13); semen factor in 15% (2/13); both factors in 8% (1/13); and undetermined in 23% (3/13). U. urealyticum cultures were positive in 40% (6/15) of the cases. Analysis of the results revealed: (1) significant correlation betweeen PCT and SCMPT (P
Stimulation of Cl- secretion by extracellular ATP does not depend on increased cytosolic Ca2+ in HT-29.cl16E.

Extracellular ATP and elevated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) are major secretagogues for Cl- in the goblet cell-like clone cl.16E derived from colonic HT-29 cells. The involvement of [Ca2+]i as a messenger for the purinergically stimulated Cl- secretion was investigated using whole cell patch-clamp and Ussing chamber techniques, as well as [Ca2+]i measurements using fura 2-loaded cells. Under voltage-clamp conditions, the whole cell current at +50 mV was 3 +/- 1 pA/pF under unstimulated conditions. Stimulation of purinergic receptors with 200 microM extracellular ATP increased the current at +50 mV to 41 +/- 10 pA/pF, with a half-maximal effective dose (ED50) of approximately 3 microM. The current was transient, usually lasting 1-2 min, and the current-voltage relationship was approximately linear between -70 and +50 mV. Evidence that the ATP-stimulated current was carried by Cl- included 1) the reversal potential of the current closely followed the Cl- equilibrium potential, and 2) the stimulated current was absent when Cl- was removed from both bath and pipette solutions. Exposure to ATP also increased [Ca2+]i, with an ED50 of approximately 1 microM and maximal changes (at 200 microM) from baseline (71 +/- 3 nM) to 459 +/- 50 nM. The ATP-dependent Cl- conductance increase was not diminished when [Ca2+]i was clamped at 100 nM using a Ca(2+)-1,2-bis(2- aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or Ca(2+)-ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid buffering system. However, the ATP effect did require some basal level of Ca2+ because clamping [Ca2+]i at < 10 nM abolished activation of the Cl- conductance. The presence of the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 or the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosprine did not change the ATP-activated Cl-conductance. These data demonstrate that the ATP-stimulated increase in Cl- current does not require an increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting the involvement of either another signaling pathway or direct activation of Cl- channels by purinergic receptors.
Recent Advances in Experimental Modelling of Unsaturated Soil Behaviour over a Whole Range of Paths and Modes of Deformation

The last few decades have been an era of intensive and sustained experimental efforts that has defined the threshold of our understanding of unsaturated soil behavior. The adoption of matric suction, (ua – uw), and the excess of total stress over air pressure, that is, net normal stress, (σ – ua), as the relevant stress state variables, has facilitated the investigation of key features of unsaturated soil behavior via the axis-translation technique. It is the relative success of this technique that has prompted researchers in the discipline to devote countless hours to fine-tuning myriad details of existing and standardized soil testing devices, and hence keep the focus of their efforts on expanding their testing capabilities. The present Theme Lecturer’s paper summarizes some of the most recent advances in experimental modeling of unsaturated soil behavior, over a whole range of suction-controlled paths and modes of deformation, accomplished at the University of Texas at Arlington. Its main sections are devoted to describing the test protocols and analyzing the key results from a series of suction-controlled resonant column, bender elements, biaxial (plane strain), true triaxial (cubical), and ring shear (large displacement) testing programs successfully conducted on compacted samples of sandy soils.
Electrochemical Detection of Single Phospholipid Vesicle Collisions at a Pt Ultramicroelectrode.

We report the collision behavior of single unilamellar vesicles, composed of a bilayer lipid membrane (BLM), on a platinum (Pt) ultramicroelectrode (UME) by two electrochemical detection methods. In the first method, the blocking of a solution redox reaction, induced by the single vesicle adsorption on the Pt UME, can be observed in the amperometric i–t response as current steps during the electrochemical oxidation of ferrocyanide. In the second technique, the ferrocyanide redox probe is directly encapsulated inside vesicles and can be oxidized during the vesicle collision on the UME if the potential is poised positive enough for ferrocyanide oxidation to occur. In the amperometric i–t response for the latter experiment, a current spike is observed. Here, we report the vesicle blocking (VB) method as a relevant technique for determining the vesicle solution concentration from the collisional frequency and also for observing the vesicle adhesion on the Pt surface. In addition, vesicle reactor (VR) experime...
The p53 Family Coordinates Wnt and Nodal Inputs in Mesendodermal Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

In this study, we outline a regulatory network that involves the p53 tumor suppressor family and the Wnt pathway acting together with the TGF-β pathway in mesendodermal differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Knockout of all three members, p53, p63, and p73, shows that the p53 family is essential for mesendoderm specification during exit from pluripotency in embryos and in culture. Wnt3 and its receptor Fzd1 are direct p53 family target genes in this context, and induction of Wnt signaling by p53 is critical for activation of mesendodermal differentiation genes. Globally, Wnt3-activated Tcf3 and nodal-activated Smad2/3 transcription factors depend on each other for co-occupancy of target enhancers associated with key differentiation loci. Our results therefore highlight an unanticipated role for p53 family proteins in a regulatory network that integrates essential Wnt-Tcf and nodal-Smad inputs in a selective and interdependent way to drive mesendodermal differentiation of pluripotent cells.
Phototherapy in Vitiligo

Phototherapy is an important modality for the treatment of vitiligo. Phototherapy induces pigment production through multiple mechanisms of action. It also results in localized immunosuppression. Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) is now considered the gold standard of UV-based treatment for widespread vitiligo, with psoralen and UVA (PUVA) as a second option. For localized vitiligo, targeted phototherapy serves as an excellent option. The efficacies of phototherapy are further enhanced with the use of topical and systemic treatments.
Bringing Back "Innovation"

Attending conferences and other development opportunities offer many benefits. They spark creativity and challenge attendees to reconsider how they currently do things back at their library. But the experience also presents a leadership risk. Bringing back too many new ideas or changes that do not work out well can damage one's credibility in leading future changes.
Optical barcoding of PLGA for multispectral analysis of nanoparticle fate in vivo.

Abstract Understanding of the mechanisms by which systemically administered nanoparticles achieve delivery across biological barriers remains incomplete, due in part to the challenge of tracking nanoparticle fate in the body. Here, we develop a new approach for “barcoding” nanoparticles composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with bright, spectrally defined quantum dots (QDs) to enable direct, fluorescent detection of nanoparticle fate with subcellular resolution. We show that QD labeling does not affect major biophysical properties of nanoparticles or their interaction with cells and tissues. Live cell imaging enabled simultaneous visualization of the interaction of control and targeted nanoparticles with bEnd.3 cells in a flow chamber, providing direct evidence that surface modification of nanoparticles with the cell-penetrating peptide TAT increases their biophysical association with cell surfaces over very short time periods under convective current. We next developed this technique for quantitative biodistribution analysis in vivo . These studies demonstrate that nanoparticle surface modification with the cell penetrating peptide TAT facilitates brain-specific delivery that is restricted to brain vasculature. Although nanoparticle entry into the healthy brain parenchyma is minimal, with no evidence for movement of nanoparticles across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we observed that nanoparticles are able to enter to the central nervous system (CNS) through regions of altered BBB permeability – for example, into circumventricular organs in the brain or leaky vasculature of late-stage intracranial tumors. In sum, these data demonstrate a new, multispectral approach for barcoding PLGA, which enables simultaneous, quantitative analysis of the fate of multiple nanoparticle formulations in vivo .
Fine-grained financial news sentiment analysis

The 24-hour news cycle and barrage of online media is a constant drum beat. The flow of positive and negative news is always in flux, influencing our current perspective and reassessing our future outlook. Nowhere is this more true than in the capital markets where assets are priced and risk assessed based on future expectations. While many factors influence a trader's decision to buy or sell an asset it can be argued that the sentiment from the 24-hour news cycle greatly impacts their outlook on the future value of an asset. In this paper we propose new methods to predict the positive or negative sentiment of financial news. Our analysis has found that contemporary document level sentiment analysis methods break down at fine-grained levels. Fine-grained analysis methods are vitally important as the velocity and impact of small texts, such as tweets and news flashes, increase their influence over the decision process. Using Natural Language Processing methods we extract syntactic sentence patterns from financial news headlines. From these patterns we conduct experiments using both lexicon and machine learning sentiment analysis approaches to predict sentiment. We find that our sentiment prediction methods are able to consistently out perform lexicon methods. Our robust techniques give the financial practitioner a method to fold a fine-grained news sentiment factor into their pricing or risk prediction models.
Identification of NG, NG-dimethylarginine in a nuclear protein from the lower eukaryote physarum polycephalum homologous to the major proteins of mammalian 40S ribonucleoprotein particles.

A nuclear protein apparently homologous to the two major proteins of 40S heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles from mammalian cells has been isolated from the lower eukaryote Physarum polycephalum, purified, and found to contain a substantial amount of the unusual amino acid NG, NG-dimethylarginine. The apparent homology is based on similar molecular weights, basic isoelectric points and amino acid compositions including the dimethylarginine and a high content of glycine. The implications of the presence of this protein in Physarum polycephalum and the possible significance of the NG, NG-dimethylarginine are discussed.
A gene encoding maize caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase confers quantitative resistance to multiple pathogens

Alleles that confer multiple disease resistance (MDR) are valuable in crop improvement, although the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions remain largely unknown. A quantitative trait locus, qMdr9.02, associated with resistance to three important foliar maize diseases-southern leaf blight, gray leaf spot and northern leaf blight-has been identified on maize chromosome 9. Through fine-mapping, association analysis, expression analysis, insertional mutagenesis and transgenic validation, we demonstrate that ZmCCoAOMT2, which encodes a caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway and lignin production, is the gene within qMdr9.02 conferring quantitative resistance to both southern leaf blight and gray leaf spot. We suggest that resistance might be caused by allelic variation at the level of both gene expression and amino acid sequence, thus resulting in differences in levels of lignin and other metabolites of the phenylpropanoid pathway and regulation of programmed cell death.
On the semi-supervised learning of multi-layered perceptrons.

We present a novel approach for training a multi-layered perceptron (MLP) in a semi-supervised fashion. Our objective function, when optimized, balances training set accuracy with fidelity to a graph-based manifold over all points. Additionally, the objective favors smoothness via an entropy regularizer over classifier outputs as well as straightforward `2 regularization. Our approach also scales well enough to enable large-scale training. The results demonstrate significant improvement on several phone classification tasks over baseline MLPs.
Shields, Not Swords

If an anti-discrimination policy is needed in a certain context to protect citizens from mistreatment that hampers their full participation in civil society, such policies ought to be understood as shields, not swords. Any response to help citizens meet their needs must not unduly impede other people's basic rights, including the freedoms of speech, association, and religion. But sexual-orientation and gender-identity (SOGI) policies are now often being used as swords to "punish the wicked," as Tim Gill (their biggest financial backer) has put it. Policies intended to allow people who identify as LGBT to meet their needs are being used illiberally, to impose a new sexual orthodoxy on the nation. As Americans continue to disagree about sex and marriage, we must find ways to help citizens meet their needs without weaponizing the redefinitions of marriage, sex, and gender in ways that would prevent other citizens from exercising their rights and meeting their own needs. We shouldn't simply assume that the best policy for protecting LGBT individuals is to add the phrase "sexual orientation and gender identity" to existing laws crafted to respond to racism and sexism, as SOGI laws do. Rather, lawmakers must carefully specify what constitutes "discrimination" on the basis of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," so as to avoid punishing innocent actions and interactions. They should carefully consider which entities to regulate, so as to keep burdens to a minimum. And they should accommodate freedoms of speech, association, and religion. On each of these dimensions, our law has treated racial discrimination differently from sex-based discrimination, and with good reasons. Our laws have also drawn complex and sophisticated distinctions in protecting religious liberty. Thinking through these differences can help us draw some distinctions that will be useful to thinking about SOGI laws, and help us reverse and avoid some key mistakes. Anti-gay and anti-transgender bigotry exists and should be condemned. But support for marriage defined as the union of husband and wife isn't anti-gay. Nor is the conviction that sex is a biological reality anti-transgender. Just as we've combatted sexism without treating pro-life medicine as sexist, we should make sure that any public policy necessary to help people who identify as LGBT meet their needs is crafted in a way that respects the consciences of reasonable people acting on good-faith beliefs about marriage and gender identity. Not every disagreement is discrimination. And our law shouldn't suppose otherwise.
COMPUTERIZED ESTIMATION OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE RISK

ABSTRACT We have recently developed a computer program utilizing data on coronary heart disease risk factors compiled by the widely acclaimed Framingham Heart Study. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 When relevant personal information is provided as input, the program searches the Framingham data and produces an estimate of coronary heart disease risk for the given individual at his present age and when 5 and 10 years older. Suggestions for risk reduction are also provided. The program serves two primary functions, one in patient education and one in medical student teaching. A printout of relevant information provides the patient with an ever present reminder of his coronary heart disease risk. Likewise, assessing the coronary heart disease risk of their patients is an excellent teaching tool for medical students.
The importance of early intervention in the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease.

Antonio Pagliuca is Professor of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at King’s College London (UK) and medical director at King’s College Hospital where, until last year, he had been the transplant director for the past 24 years. He also has roles within NHS England as national clinical lead for regenerative medicine and is a trustee on both the Anthony Nolan trust (London, UK) and Leukemia UK (London, UK). Here he speaks to Commissioning Editor Jennifer Straiton and discusses the interim results of the DEFIFrance study, recently presented at the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (EBMT), which looked at the real-world use of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant severity grading criteria. The study investigates the use of defibrotide as a treatment of patients with post-transplant hepatic veno-occlusive disease and demonstrates how it can benefit from early intervention.
The impact of resident involvement on tonsillectomy outcomes and surgical time.

OBJECTIVE Posttonsillectomy hemorrhage can be life-threatening, so we investigated whether patients are at increased risk with an inexperienced surgeon. There is scant information on how surgical experience affects outcomes in pediatric tonsillectomy. We hypothesized that supervised residents would have longer operative times but no difference in complication rates compared to attending surgeons. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series of children who underwent tonsillectomy from July 2014 to April 2017 at a tertiary pediatric medical center. METHODS We assessed outcomes and operative times, based on the primary surgeon's level of training, for children (14 months to 22 years) who underwent tonsillectomy. RESULTS A total of 7,606 children were included (mean age 7.0 ± 4.1 years, 51% female) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 18.6 ± 5.48 kg/m2 ; 76% were white; and 13% were black. Residents assisted with tonsillectomy in 43% of cases. The readmission rate (5%-6%) was not different (P = 0.48) by level of experience. Similarly, return to the operating room for control of hemorrhage (3.3%-3.5%) did not differ by level of experience (P = 0.95). The median procedure time for adenotonsillectomy was shortest for attendings (9 minutes), followed by fellows (13 minutes), and residents (14 minutes, P < 0.0001). Among residents, time for adenotonsillectomy decreased significantly with each increasing year of training (P < 0.0001) from postgraduate year (PGY) 1 (17 minutes), to PGY2 (15 minutes), to PGY3 (14 minutes), and to PGY4 (12.5 minutes). CONCLUSION Attending surgeons completed tonsillectomy more quickly, and operative times decreased with increasing experience level. However, there was no difference in readmission or postoperative hemorrhage rates between residents and attending surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130:2481-2486, 2020.
Association Between State Policies Using Medicaid Exclusions to Sanction Noncompliance With Welfare Work Requirements and Medicaid Participation Among Low-Income Adults.

This cohort study examines the association of implementation of Medicaid sanctions in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program with Medicaid coverage rates among low-income adults.
Cardiac stem cell therapy among Clinics of Uncertain Regulatory Status (COURS): under-regulated, under-observed, incompletely understood

Although a large body of information exists relating to cellular therapies, much of this information is either anecdotal or has been obtained from relatively small clinical trials, so that the level of evidence available to direct adoption of therapeutic approaches is quite limited. Despite this, a large number of clinics offer various cellular treatments without having gone through the processes of FDA approval. Florida is considered a “hotspot” of such sites, with a large number of clinics relative to the population. To better understand the magnitude and scope of this issue with a specific focus on cardiovascular disease, we surveyed clinics in Florida advertising “cell therapy for heart failure”. We identified only 8 clinics that “treat cardiac conditions, including heart failure.” Data on administration route, cell type used, dose, success rate, cost, and training of persons performing procedures were collected when available, via email, telephone, or website information. A total of 20,135 patients were identified as treated: 2157 for cardiac conditions. All clinics reported administering cells intravenously, using either adipose- or umbilical-derived sources. Doses ranged from 30 to 150 million cells per treatment. The “success rate” ranged from 65 to 85%, with costs from $6000 to $20,700. Procedures were performed by PAs, MDs, and DOs. Large numbers of patients (> 10% of all 20,135 patients) have been and presumably are still are being treated for “cardiac conditions.” We conclude that implementation of uniform data collection with an outcome registry, as well as creation of a public database listing FDA-approved cell-based clinical trials, would be useful to patients and the cardiovascular field at large.
Accurate Hierarchical Traffic Measurement in Datacenters Through Differentiated Memory Allocation

A hierarchical flow model provides us the opportunity to monitor network traffic in datacenters, at once, from coarser (aggregate flows) to finer granularity (individual flows). Per-flow traffic measurement based on an idea of counter-sharing is memory-efficient by recording the sizes of all flows in a shared array of physical counters. Through this approach, flows at the same level record their sizes in uniformly sized virtual counter arrays constructed from the shared memory. However, flows at the same level have vastly different sizes. The virtual counter arrays for large flows must be big enough to uniformly distribute errors it contains. However, when large virtual counter arrays are used to record small flow sizes, the arrays accumulate more errors than the recorded flows’ sizes, thereby affecting the accuracy of the estimations. The paper introduces the concept of differentiated virtual counter arrays, where the number of virtual counters allocated to each flow is based on its historical size. We derive a mathematical formula for flow-size estimation when recording flow sizes with flexible number of virtual counters and develop a heuristic algorithm to calculate how many virtual counters are assigned to each flow. Through experiments, we demonstrate that our solution is more accurate by up to 75% for aggregate flows and by up to 100% for small base flows compared with the prior art.
Vancomycin-induced linear IgA bullous dermatosis

Adverse medication side effects are not uncommon in the inpatient setting, where polypharmacy is the norm. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) can be a cutaneous side effect of commonly used inpatient medications, such as vancomycin. Symptoms of LABD can be severe, and proper recognition of this drug-induced disease is important to ensuring proper treatment, including the removal of the inciting agent. This report describes a case of vancomycin-associated LABD in a 66-year-old man and the proper management of drug-induced LABD.
An Al-assisted GO/rGO Janus film: Fabrication and hygroscopic properties

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel method combining drop-casting GO dispersion with an Al-assisted partial reduction technique to fabricate a freestanding Janus GO/rGO film. The laminar structure of Janus film facilitates the diffusion pathway of water molecules efficiently. The asymmetrical oxygen content of the film promotes a significant gradient of moisture uptake in GO (hydrophilic) and rGO (hydrophobic) layers, resulting in a macroscopic deformation of the Janus film proportional to the change in relative humidity. The induced strain in the film changes the resistance of the rGO film, which systematically varies as a function of the strain amplitude or equivalently the change in relative humidity. In the range of relative humidity (5 to 100%), the resistance increases gradually with measurable change in response to a change in relative humidity (RH) as low as 1%, with the change being steeper at RH >85%. The results provide foundational knowledge for developing a relative humidity sensor with high sensitivity, excellent repeatability, and fast response-recovery without the complexity of the currently available interdigitated transducer-based humidity sensors.
Simultaneous Videofluoroscopy and Endoscopy for Dysphagia Evaluation in Preterm Infants—A Pilot Study

Introduction: The assessment of dysphagia in preterm infants has been limited to clinical bedside evaluation followed by videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) in selected patients. Recently, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is being described more in literature for preterm infants. However, it is unclear if one test has a better diagnostic utility than the other in this population. Furthermore, it is also unclear if performing FEES and VFSS simultaneously will increase the sensitivity and specificity of detecting dysphagia compared to either test performed independently. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of performing VFSS and FEES simultaneously in preterm infants. Our secondary objective is to determine whether simultaneously performed VFSS-FEES improves the diagnostic ability in detecting dysphagia in preterm infants compared to either test done separately. Methods: In this pilot study, we describe the process involved in performing simultaneous VFSS-FEES in five preterm infants (postmenstrual age ≥36 weeks) with dysphagia. A total of 26 linked VFSS-FEES swallows were analyzed, where the same bolus during the same swallow was compared using simultaneous fluoroscopy and endoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting penetration and aspiration were evaluated in simultaneous VFSS-FEES compared with each test done independently. Results: Our results demonstrated that performing simultaneous VFSS-FEES is feasible in preterm infants with dysphagia. All patients tolerated the procedures well without any complications. Our pilot study in these five symptomatic preterm infants demonstrated a low incidence of aspiration but a high incidence of penetration. Simultaneous VFSS-FEES (26 linked swallows) improved the ability to detect penetration compared to each test done separately. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of performing VFSS and FEES simultaneously in symptomatic preterm infants with dysphagia resulting in potentially higher diagnostic yield than either procedure done separately.
Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis Is Not Altered by Inflammation.

Fibrosis is characterized by progressive replacement of normal tissue by extracellular matrix. Diagnosis relies on biopsies as noninvasive methods for detection and quantification of fibrosis are still limited. This work aimed to address the ability of 2 molecular magnetic resonance (MR) probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, to identify fibrosis and fibrogenesis, respectively, independently of the presence of underlying inflammation in a mouse model of chronic liver disease caused by infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Methods Three groups of mice that develop either mild type 2 inflammation and fibrosis (wild type), severe fibrosis with exacerbated type 2 inflammation (Il10Il12bIl13ra2), or minimal fibrosis with marked type 1 inflammation (Il4ra) after infection with S. mansoni were imaged using both probes for determination of signal enhancement. Schistosoma mansoni-infected wild-type mice developed chronic liver fibrosis. Results The liver MR signal enhancement after either probe administration was significantly higher in S. mansoni-infected wild-type mice compared with naive animals. The S. mansoni-infected Il4ra mice presented with little liver signal enhancement after probe injection despite the presence of substantial inflammation. Schistosoma mansoni-infected Il10Il12bIl13ra2 mice presented with marked fibrosis, which correlated to increased signal enhancement after injection of either probe. Conclusions Both MR probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, were specific for fibrosis in this model of chronic liver disease regardless of the presence or severity of the underlying inflammation. These results, in addition to previous findings, show the potential application of both molecular MR probes for detection and quantification of fibrosis from various etiologies.
Decoding the Ways to Measure Sustainability and Life Cycle Thinking

This book focuses on measuring sustainable initiatives and environmental impacts. The concept of life cycle thinking is useful in considering the production and use of materials in distinct stages: extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, use, and end of life. The stage a product is in contributes to what sustainable impacts can be measured. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology for accounting for impacts over a product’s life. The assessment requires goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. As life cycle assessment becomes more broadly and consistently utilized across building materials and sectors, it may enable easier comparison between individual materials for their environmental impacts.
Draft Motion in Demand of a Sentencing Jury for an Arizona Defendant

This draft motion is intended for Arizona criminal defense attorneys whose clients have a prior felony conviction, making them eligible for an aggravated sentence. As I explain in a recent essay in Arizona Attorney, there is a strong argument to be made that the current Arizona non-capital sentencing system is unconstitutional in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Hurst v. Florida. Arizona attorneys are free to use this draft motion (or any part of this draft motion) to seek sentencing juries. In return, I ask that you please inform me if you file such a motion, and how the court rules.
The influence of microstructure and polymorphic conformer on the shock sensitivity of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane (HMX)

The influence on 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane (HMX) shock sensitivity resulting from damage due to phase transition versus that of the polymorphic conformer and crystal lattice change in...
In vivo evaluation of [18F]FECUMI101 as 5-HT1AR agonist PET ligand

1177 Objectives The 5-HT1AR plays a critical role in several major neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. We have recently synthesized several [11C]labeled agonist ligands, of which [11C]CUMI101 has been successfully developed as a PET ligand for imaging 5-HT1AR in human brain. In our efforts to develop a F-18 ligand to facilitate clinical application, we report the radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of [18F]FECUMI for the quantification of 5-HT1ARs in the high affinity state. Methods Radiolabeling of [18F]FECUMI101 was performed in 2 steps by treating purified [18F]FEOTs with 1-2 mg desmethyl-CUMI-101 in DMSO in the presence of potassium carbonate followed by RP-HPLC. PET studies using an ECAT EXACT HR+ camera in 3D mode were performed in anesthetized baboon after an i.v. bolus injection of [18F]FECUMI and dynamic imaging over 3 hrs. Metabolite analyses were performed using a RP-HPLC method. Results FECUMI101 is a selective 5-HT1AR agonist (Ki = 0.1 nM) ligand with an Emax of 80% in GTP-gammaS binding assays in CHO cell membranes stably expressing human 5-HT1AR. Radiosynthesis of [18F]FECUMI101 was achieved in 20-30% yield (EOS, 2 steps) with a specific activity of 1-2 Ci/micromol. PET studies in isofluorine anesthetized baboon showed good uptake and that [18F]FECUMI101 was retained in 5-HT1AR rich brain areas. The free fraction of [18F]FECUMI in baboon plasma was 37 ± 4% and radioactive metabolites were found to be polar. The specificity of the ligand uptake was determined by chase studies with the specific 5-HT1A antagonist WAY100635. Conclusions PET studies in baboon indicate that [18F]FECUMI101 selectively binds to 5-HT1AR rich brain regions. Moreover, favorable brain and plasma metabolism kinetics, measurable plasma free fraction, high selectivity and specificity suggest that [18F]FECUMI101 is a suitable candidate as an [18F]labeled agonist PET imaging agent for the in vivo quantification of high-affinity 5-HT1AR in human subjects. Research Support R21 MH08522
An Investigation of Underwriting Fees for Asset-Backed Securities

This paper uses a proprietary database of asset-backed securities (ABS) to make two contributions to the literature: A detailed descriptive analysis of the ABS market and an investigation of the factors that influence underwriting fees in the ABS market. Using methodology similar to that used in Livingston and Miller (2000), evidence is provided that that the relation between underwriter prestige and underwriter fees is positive. Further, evidence is provided that the relation between underwriter fees and loyalty is positive, indicating that the more an issuer uses the same underwriter, the higher the fees that the issuer is charged.
Low Pressure Abrasive Waterjet Use for Precision Drilling and Cutting of Rock

Construction of a second theater underground at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis required a quiet, non-intrusive means of rock removal, capable of cutting the vertical walls of the theater down to a depth of 4.5 meters, within a vertical accuracy of 2.5 cm. A low pressure (35 MPa) abrasive laden waterjet was developed for this; and, also modified as an abrasive waterjet drill to emplace 25 mm diameter resin-bonded rock bolts in the rock walls.
Structure of High-Speed Full-Cone Sprays

A better understanding and characterization of the formation and propagation of high-velocity sprays from single-hole cylindrical nozzles is of importance both fundamentally and practically. The steady and transient structure of these sprays is qualitatively similar to that of incompressible jets but the breakup of the liquid column into drops and the presence of drops introduce substantial quantitative differences. Measurements of the angle of the spray and of the size of the drops near the nozzle suggest that the breakup of the outer surface of the liquid jet is due to aerodynamic forces that lead to the rapid and selective growth of surface perturbations generated within the nozzle. The state and mechanism of disruption of the inner part of the liquid jet is less clear but sufficiently downstream only individual drops are present. Recent LDV drop velocity measurements and detailed multidimensional computations have shown that at distances of the order of hundreds of nozzle diameters so much ambient gas has been entrained by the spray that the subsequent structure of the jet is dominated by the entrained ambient gas and the fully developed incompressible jet structure and drop-gas equilibrium are approached.
Spontaneous Thrombosis and Subsequent Recanalization of a Developmental Venous Anomaly

Developmental venous anomalies (DVA) are among the most common congenital malformations of the cerebral angioarchitecture. Spontaneous thrombosis of this entity is rare, and our review of the literature found only 31 reported cases of symptomatic spontaneous thrombosis of developmental venous anomalies. Here, we report a unique case describing the spontaneous thrombosis of a DVA leading to venous infarction and subsequent recanalization. The patient was a previously healthy 21-year-old male who presented with an acute onset of partial seizures. Following negative hypercoagulability studies and along with CT (computed tomography) and MR (magnetic resonance) imaging, the patient was treated with anticoagulant therapy and demonstrated complete functional recovery. Knowledge from our literature review of similar cases combined with the experience gained from this patient’s treatment leads us to suggest that spontaneous DVA thrombosis and venous infarction generally has a good outcome despite initially devastating neurologic deficits. Additionally, the rarity of spontaneous DVA thromboses lends itself to the need to identify possible predisposing risk factors, chief amongst these being hypercoagulopathies.
Effects of Surface Roughness and Near Hole Obstructions on Film Cooling Effectiveness

For a film cooled turbine airfoil, significant degradation of adiabatic effectiveness can be caused by near-hole obstructions formed from deposition of contaminants. Since obstructions are a randomly occurring event, there are many variables to consider, namely shape, width, length, height, and position in relation to a film cooling hole. In addition to this, the level of overall surface roughness also must be considered. An investigation was conducted on obstruction characteristics for a single row of holes on the suction side of a simulated turbine vane. It was found that degradation due to near-hole obstructions only occurred when upstream obstructions were present. When directly upstream, degradation levels around 40% were observed and obstruction height was the dominating characteristic.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Antivirals—an increasingly healthy investment

Continued investment from big pharma and a slew of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action are fueling investor interest in the antiviral space.
Bilayered phospholipid micelles and capillary electrophoresis: A new additive for electrokinetic chromatography

Phospholipid micelles and bilayered micelles (bicelles) were investigated as a new media for electrokinetic chromatography. The benefit to using these additives for micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is the potential of a simple bilayer membrane model operated with fast analysis time, and low sample injection volumes. The system is used to separate peptides/protein and is tested with a series of beta-blockers. The results suggest that bicelle electrokinetic chromatography provides selectivity and holds potential as an alternative approach to modeling membrane phenomenon.
Adoption of sustainability initiatives in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio

Insights regarding planning for sustainable development have largely focused on cases that highlight communities making dramatic changes to promote the concept. Noticeably absent from the literature, however, has been an examination of what characteristics contribute to the adoption of sustainability-related activities by less celebrated communities. This study attempts to address that deficiency through a survey of planning directors across municipalities and counties in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. The survey, in conjunction with census data and a calculated sustainable activities index (SAI), serves as the foundation for comparative and regression analyses. Findings of the study indicate that the significant contributors to the SAI scores include community population size, familiarity with the concept of sustainability, discussion of the concept by planning staff, and having activities with sustainability as a goal. We offer recommendations based on our findings.
Strategies for Learning Through Writing

AbstractStudents of all ages struggle with the multiple processes involved with writing, including planning, practice, and drafting multiple revisions. This article describes four structured writing assignments in an introductory college course, as well as eight specific strategies for helping students enhance their writing abilities.
Narcissism empathy and social desirability

Abstract Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) factors were correlated with empathy and social desirability to clarify the unexpected findings of a previous investigation. Statistical controls for the complex nature of the NPI revealed the Exploitativeness/Entitlement (EE) dimention to predict less emotional and cognitive empathy, more interpersonal distress, less social responsibility and lower social desirability scores. In contrast, Leadership/Authority was associated with less interpersonal distress, as was the Superiority/Arrogance factor, and also greater social responsibility. EE therefore may operationalize a maladaptive trait characterized by a socially undesirable and irresponsible interpersonal insensitivity. Other NPI dimensions may record more adaptive self-functioning.
Comparison of Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor and Somatotropin: Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Dairy Cows

Lactating, primiparous Holstein cows were continuously infused for 63 d with either recombinant growth hormone-releasing factor or recombinant bST or were not infused (control). The releasing factor and bST treatments reduced fat synthesis from acetate and lipoprotein lipase activity in omental adipose tissue. Also, both treatments increased hormone-sensitive lipase activity per gram of adipose tissue and reduced fatty acid esterification per milligram of protein in adipose tissue. Protein concentration in adipose tissue with both treatments was greater than that of the control, although the protein concentration was less in adipose tissue from cows treated with the releasing factor than from those treated with bST. In mammary tissue, releasing factor increased fat synthesis from acetate more than did bST treatment, but percentages of fat or short-chain fatty acids in milk were not different between treatments, nor were differences significant between treatments and control for fatty acid esterification or lipoprotein lipase activity in mammary tissue or gluconeogenesis and fatty acid esterification in liver. We conclude that protein concentration was lower in omental adipose tissue of cows treated with releasing factor than that in tissue of cows treated with bST, although both treatments similarly suppressed synthesis of fat from acetate and activity of lipoprotein lipase.
REDUCED COTTONWOOD RECRUITMENT FOLLOWING EXTIRPATION OF WOLVES IN YELLOWSTONE'S NORTHERN RANGE

Cottonwoods (Populus spp.) represent an important tree component of riparian plant communities within the winter range of the northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) herd, yet young cottonwoods are highly palatable to ungulates. To assess potential herbivory impacts associated with wild ungulates following the removal of gray wolves (Canis lupus), long-term cottonwood recruitment and stand dynamics were studied. While results indicated that the establishment of young cottonwoods is an ongoing process in Yellowstone's northern range, their relatively small stature and hedged appearance were indicative of high browsing pressure by wild ungulates, principally elk. At five study sites, the diameter at breast height (dbh) of all cottonwood trees ≥5 cm was determined; increment cores were also obtained for developing tree age vs. dbh relationships. At the La Duke Spring and Devils Slide Sites, which represent refugia sites since elk have limited access (due to local terrain conditions and cultural developments), cottonwood recruitment has been occurring during the last half century, indicating that climatic factors have not prevented cottonwood recruitment during that time. However, over this same period cottonwood recruitment no longer occurred at sites within the Soda Butte and Lamar Valleys. The overall decline in cottonwood recruitment at these locations occurred following the extirpation of wolves from Yellowstone National Park in the 1920s. At the Buffalo Ranch Site, where ranching of buffalo [bison] (Bison bison) and activities associated with culling of elk were centered, cottonwood recruitment continued after the loss of wolves but stopped following the curtailment of ungulate management activities at these facilities in the late 1960s. Taken together, data from the five sites reported herein along with the results of other studies provide compelling evidence that the absence of wolves in the northern Yellowstone has had a major impact on the recruitment of cottonwood and other woody browse species.