cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redundant Sensor Calibration and Estimation for Monitoring and Control of Nuclear Power Plants

Performance, reliability and safety of nuclear power plants depend upon validity and accuracy of sensor signals that measure plant conditions for information display, health monitoring and control [1]. Validity of measurements is important because a sensor failure can have serious consequences. Thus, it is essential to regularly ensure correct operation of sensors, in particular for those having great importance for operating safety, to locate and identify any possible degradations and faults. However, periodic maintenance strategies cause the unnecessary calibration of instruments that are operating correctly which can result in premature aging, damaged equipment, plant downtime, and improper calibration under non-service conditions. Recent studies have shown that less than 5% of process instrumentation being manually calibrated requires any correction at all. Therefore, plants are interested in monitoring sensor performance during operation and only manually calibrating the sensors that require correction [2]. Redundant sensors are often installed to generate spatially averaged time-dependent estimates of critical variables so that reliable monitoring and control of the plant are assured. For example, temperature, pressure, and flow sensors are installed with redundancy in nuclear power plants. Redundancy can be classified into two groups: direct redundant data and analytical redundant data (using mathematical models of the physical system). In practice, analytical measurements may be the only source of supplemental redundancy for detection of plant component and sensor failures. This paper presents a calibration and estimation filter for redundancy management of sensor data and analytical measurements. The filter is validated based on redundant sensor data of primary coolant temperature collected from simulator of IRIS (International Reactor Innovative and Secure) Nuclear Power Plant.
Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization of a Small Molecule Interaction with the Ras-Related Protein Cdc42

Deleterious Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) involving Ras-related proteins have been known to play significant roles in events leading to cellular proliferation, inhibition of cell death, and cell transformation. Therefore, it is important to characterize molecular features of Ras protein interactions that dictate their function as ‘timing switches’ in signal transduction pathways. This is a critical step towards targeting the inhibition of cell transformation as well as controlling abnormal signaling activity of tumor-causing Ras variants.
A Risk Management Approach for the Internationalization of Higher Education

This paper analyzes how higher education institutions can utilize a framework for assessing the risks associated with international expansion initiatives. It makes an argument for why borrowing risk assessment frameworks from other disciplines can also be beneficial to higher education institutions. The riskiest form of internationalization—establishing an international branch campus—is used as a benchmark for assessing risks. A risk management framework developed for managing risks associated with global megaprojects is used to analyze key decision points senior leaders at higher education institutions may want to consider when deciding to expend scarce institutional resources to pursue an international higher education project. This paper finds that risks management models borrowed from the business discipline are adaptable for a higher education context. With few risk management models available to assess the risks associated with internationalization opportunities, the authors argue that more research is needed on the topic of risk so that senior leaders can make well-informed decisions about taking on riskier international education opportunities.
Linking manufacturing complexity to choices in 'CIM' technologies

This paper develops a conceptual framework to analyse generic computer–integrated manufacturing (CIM) environments. The framework is based on two typologies: manufacturing structure typology and manufacturing information technologies typology. The former focuses on manufacturing complexity, and the latter on the information needs of productive units. By exploring the link between these two typologies, the paper provides a useful way to conceptualise generic CIM environments. It is argued that by focusing on information–processing needs of different generic CIM environments, it is possible for managers to begin to evaluate the architectural 'fit' between the alternative computer and communication technologies and the manufacturing structure of their productive units.
How do clinical competency committees use different sources of data to assess residents’ performance on the internal medicine milestones?A mixed methods pilot study

AbstractPurpose: This study examines how Clinical Competency Committees (CCCs) synthesize assessment data to make judgments about residents’ clinical performances.Methods: Between 2014 and 2015, after four six-month reporting periods to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), 7 of 16 CCC faculty at Rush University Medical Center completed questionnaires focused on their perspectives about rating residents on their achievement of the milestones and participated in a focus group. Qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory. Milestones ratings for two six-month ACGME reporting cycles (n = 100 categorical residents) were also analyzed.Results: CCC members weighted resident rotation ratings highest (weight = 37%), followed by faculty rotation comments (weight = 27%) and personal experience with residents (weight = 14%) for making judgments about learner’s milestone levels. Three assessment issues were identified from qualitative analyses: (1) “design issues” (e.g. problems wi...
Neonatal hyperglycemia alters the neurochemical profile, dendritic arborization and gene expression in the developing rat hippocampus.

Hyperglycemia (blood glucose concentration >150 mg/dL) is common in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs; birth at <28 week gestation). Hyperglycemia increases the risk of brain injury in the neonatal period. The long-term effects are not well understood. In adult rats, hyperglycemia alters hippocampal energy metabolism. The effects of hyperglycemia on the developing hippocampus were studied in rat pups. In Experiment 1, recurrent hyperglycemia of graded severity (moderate hyperglycemia (moderate-HG), mean blood glucose 214.6 ± 11.6 mg/dL; severe hyperglycemia (severe-HG), 338.9 ± 21.7 mg/dL; control, 137.7 ± 2.6 mg/dL) was induced from postnatal day (P) 3 to P12. On P30, the hippocampal neurochemical profile was determined using in vivo 1 H MR spectroscopy. Dendritic arborization in the hippocampal CA1 region was determined using microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-2 immunohistochemistry. In Experiment 2, continuous hyperglycemia (mean blood glucose 275.3 ± 25.8 mg/dL; control, 142.3 ± 2.6 mg/dL) was induced from P2 to P6 by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) on P2. The mRNA expression of glycogen synthase 1 (Gys1), lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh), glucose transporters 1 (Glut1) and 3 (Glut3) and monocarboxylate transporters 1 (Mct1), 2 (Mct2) and 4 (Mct4) in the hippocampus was determined on P6. In Experiment 1, MRS demonstrated lower lactate concentration and glutamate/glutamine (Glu/Gln) ratio in the severe-HG group, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Phosphocreatine/creatine ratio was higher in both hyperglycemia groups (p < 0.05). MAP-2 histochemistry demonstrated longer apical segment length, indicating abnormal synaptic efficacy in both hyperglycemia groups (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 showed lower Glut1, Gys1 and Mct4 expression and higher Mct1 expression in the hyperglycemia group, relative to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that hyperglycemia alters substrate transport, lactate homeostasis, dendritogenesis and Glu-Gln cycling in the developing hippocampus. Abnormal neurochemical profile and dendritic structure due to hyperglycemia may partially explain the long-term hippocampus-mediated cognitive deficits in human ELGANs.
Gastrocystoplasty: an alternative solution to the problem of urological reconstruction in the severely compromised patient.

AbstractAn isolated segment of stomach was used for bladder augmentation in 10 patients or construction of a continent urinary reservoir in 3. Diagnosis in these 13 patients included cloacal exstrophy (5), myelodysplasia (4), posterior urethral valves (2), radiation cystitis (1) and neurogenic bladder secondary to a rectal pull-through procedure (1). Indications for the use of stomach in bladder reconstruction were decreased renal function and acidosis (6 patients), insufficient large and small bowel (6) and decreased mucus production (1). Postoperative followup averaged 13 months (range 6 to 23 months). All patients have stable upper tracts radiographically and stable or improved renal function. Of 13 patients 10 require intermittent clean catheterization to empty and 11 are completely continent. Nine patients have remained free of infection, while 4 had asymptomatic bacteriuria. Mucus production is reduced relative to other intestinal segments and 10 patients require no bladder irrigations. Postoperativ...
Interaction of diet composition and a reduced nocturnal temperature regimen in weanling pigs.

A three-trial experiment using 3- to 4-wk-old newly weaned pigs was conducted to evaluate the possible interaction between a 16-h reduced nocturnal temperature regimen (RNT16) and a lowered nursery diet lysine regimen on weaned pig and subsequent growing-finishing performance. Nursery temperature treatments were 1) a control temperature (CT) regimen of 30 degrees C constant air temperature lowered 2 C degree/wk and 2) a regimen beginning 1 wk after weaning in which the temperature from 1600 to 0800 was lowered 6 C degree from CT. Within each temperature treatment, all pigs were offered a diet containing 1.20% lysine for the 1st wk after weaning followed by 1.20 or 1.10% lysine to 10.5 kg and 1.00 or .90% lysine to 20 kg. There was no interaction of temperature regimen and diet on overall nursery performance. The RNT16 pigs had improved (P = .1) ADG (.351 vs .342 kg/d) with no difference (P > .1) in ADFI (.693 vs .680 kg/d) or G:F (.508 vs .506) compared with CT. Pigs fed the lower lysine sequence had poorer (P .1) of RNT16 vs CT on subsequent performance to slaughter weight for ADG (.770 vs .755 kg/d) or G:F (.309 vs .311). There was also no effect (P > .1) of a lowered nursery lysine sequence compared to control on growing-finishing ADG (.768 vs .757 kg/d) or G:F (.312 vs .309).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Youth aspirations in Kakuma Refugee Camp: education as a means for social, spatial, and economic (im)mobility

This study documents the aspirations and apprehensions of youth as they complete secondary schooling in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Navigating contradictory discourses about the value of education, school...
Improving Strategic Management Education Through Student Non-profit Board Experience

We describe the impact of a specialized internship program which gives students the opportunity to sit on a non-profit board of directors and to participate in executive-level committee work for a full academic year. Program goals include exposing students to strategic-level decision making, facilitating the growth of students’ professional networks and building university-community relationships. The program has been in use at a small New England university for the past 3 years and 11 students have successfully finished the program. Preliminary results overwhelmingly indicate that program goals have been met and that the program has reaped many of the expected benefits of the experiential learning approach.
Full-System Linearization for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in OpenFAST

The wind engineering community relies on multiphysics engineering software to run nonlinear time-domain simulations (e.g., for design-standards-based loads analysis). Although most physics involved in wind energy are nonlinear, linearization of the underlying nonlinear system equations is often advantageous to understand the system properties and exploit well-established methods and tools for analyzing linear systems. This paper presents the development of the new linearization functionality of the open-source engineering tool OpenFAST for floating offshore wind turbines, as well as the concepts and mathematical background needed to understand and apply it.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
First-line diagnostic evaluation with MRI of children suspected of having acute appendicitis

Background Advances in abdominal MRI have enabled rapid, free-breathing imaging without the need for intravenous or oral contrast material. The use of MRI as the primary imaging modality for suspected appendicitis has not been previously studied. Purpose To determine the diagnostic performance of MRI as the initial imaging modality in children suspected of having acute appendicitis. Materials and Methods The study included consecutive patients 18 years of age and younger presenting with acute abdominal pain at a tertiary care institution from January 2013 through June 2016 who subsequently underwent an unenhanced MRI examination as the primary diagnostic imaging modality. Electronic medical records and radiology reports were retrospectively evaluated for the feasibility and diagnostic performance of MRI, with surgical pathology and follow-up electronic records as reference standards. Statistical analyses were performed by using simple binomial proportions to quantify sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, and exact 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained. Results After exclusions, 402 patients (median age: 13 years; interquartile range [IQR], 9-15 years; 235 female patients; 167 male patients) were included. Sedation for MRI was required in 13 of 402 patients (3.2%; 95% CI: 1.7%, 5.5%). The appendix was visualized in 349 of 402 patients (86.8%; 95% CI: 83.1%, 90%); for the remaining patients, a diagnosis was provided on the basis of secondary signs of appendicitis. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI as the primary diagnostic imaging modality for the evaluation of acute appendicitis were 97.9% (95 of 97; 95% CI: 92.8%, 99.8%), 99% (302 of 305; 95% CI: 97.2%, 99.8%), and 98.8% (397 of 402; 97.1%, 99.6%), respectively. Among patients with negative findings for appendicitis at MRI, an alternate diagnosis was provided in 113 of 304 patients (37.2%; 95% CI: 31.7%, 42.9%). Conclusion When performed as the initial imaging modality in children suspected of having acute appendicitis, MRI examinations had high diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and in providing alternative diagnoses. © RSNA, 2019 See also the editorial by Dillman and Trout in this issue.
PARADOXICAL SEPTIC EMBOLI FROM TRICUSPID VALVE INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS IN THE SETTING OF A PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital cardiac anomaly that has been associated with cryptogenic strokes, and may provide a conduit for paradoxical emboli, including septic emboli from tricuspid valve endocarditis (TVIE), to travel from the right to the left atrium. A 35 year old female
Tissue specific human fibroblast differential expression based on RNAsequencing analysis

Physical forces, such as mechanical stress, are essential for tissue homeostasis and influence gene expression of cells. In particular, the fibroblast has demonstrated sensitivity to extracellular matrices with assumed adaptation upon various mechanical loads. The purpose of this study was to compare the vocal fold fibroblast genotype, known for its unique mechanically stressful tissue environment, with cellular counterparts at various other anatomic locales to identify differences in functional gene expression profiles. By using RNA-seq technology, we identified differentially expressed gene programs (DEseq2) among seven normal human fibroblast primary cell lines from healthy cadavers, which included: vocal fold, trachea, lung, abdomen, scalp, upper gingiva, and soft palate. Unsupervised gene expression analysis yielded 6216 genes differentially expressed across all anatomic sites. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed grouping based on anatomic site origin rather than donor, suggesting global fibroblast phenotype heterogeneity. Sex and age-related effects were negligible. Functional enrichment analyses based on separate post-hoc 2-group comparisons revealed several functional themes within the vocal fold fibroblast related to transcription factors for signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells and extracellular matrix components such as cell signaling, migration, proliferation, and differentiation potential. Human fibroblasts display a phenomenon of global topographic differentiation, which is maintained in isolation via in vitro assays. Epigenetic mechanical influences on vocal fold tissue may play a role in uniquely modelling and maintaining the local environmental cellular niche during homeostasis with vocal fold fibroblasts distinctly specialized related to their anatomic positional and developmental origins established during embryogenesis.
Risk factors for venous thromboembolism in elderly patients with glioblastoma.

e13031 Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Physicians are reluctant to administer anticoagulants to GBM patients with VTE, particularly...
DYNAMIC TEAR TESTS OF 3-IN. THICK ALUMINUM ALLOYS

The Dynamic Tear (DT) test was developed for characterization of the fracture-resistance properties of metals over the entire range of strength and toughness. The fracture-extension-resistance curve (R curve), which is determined by DT test procedures, indicates the fracture state (elastic or plastic) and the level of resistance to crack extension in terms of the required energy per unit extension. R curves were determined for 4 aluminum alloys in 3-in. thicknesses. These materials have been tested by standard fracture-mechanics procedures. R curves for full thickness and for 1-in. and 0.625-in. section sizes are compared to results of K (Ic) tests. The R-curve data are also presented in terms of an equation involving specimen cross-section dimensions and a constant which is related to the R-curve slope. (Author)
Semi-automated high-throughput method for residual analysis of 302 pesticides and environmental contaminants in catfish by fast low-pressure GC-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS.

Abstract A fast, fit-for-purpose, high-throughput method was developed and validated for the analysis of 302 targeted contaminants in catfish muscle. Targeted contaminants included pesticides and metabolites with US regulatory levels, plus other lipophilic pesticides and environmental contaminants: PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs and other flame retardants. The sample preparation was based on QuEChERS extraction. The extract was split and analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS for 128 analytes after filtering and by low pressure (LP) GC–MS/MS for 219 analytes after an automated robotic micro-SPE cleanup. The method was validated at four spiking levels (5, 10, 20 and 40 ng/g) with 10 replicates per level, and satisfactory recoveries (70–120%) and RSDs (≤20%) were achieved for 80% of the analytes. The method was further validated with NIST SRMs 1946 and 1947 and applied for the analysis of 22 market fish samples. Six pesticides and one PAH were found in the market fish samples, all below US regulatory levels.
Synthesis of Bridged Azacycles and Propellanes via Nitrene/Alkyne Cascades.

A nitrene/alkyne cascade reaction terminating in C–H bond insertion to form functionalized bridged azacycles from carbonazidates is presented. Due to an initial Huisgen cyclization, all carbonazida...
Study on Synthesis Load Modeling for North China Power Grid

This paper mainly surveyed and classified all the 220kV substations of North China power grid, selected some typical substations for load characteristics investigation, and built the SLM (synthesis load modeling) of each class load using investigation on Component based method. At last, the SLM was popularized to the North China power grid. In addition, the impact of new load model to the security level of North China power grid was studied.
Chilblains in COVID-19 Infection.

COVID-19 has quickly become a worldwide pandemic and is well-known for its pulmonary complications. Dermatologic manifestations such as chilblain-like lesions have been recently described, but it is unclear if they are truly secondary to the infection or not. Here we describe a young patient who developed chilblain-like eruptions on his toes, likely secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We discuss the literature that supports the hypothesis that these are in fact secondary to the infection, as well as provide insight into the pathology of these lesions.
Altered IL-1 expression and compartmentalization in monocytes from patients with AIDS stimulated with Mycobacterium avium complex

The pathophysiologic basis for the exuberant intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in AIDS patients is unclear but may relate to altered expression of modulatory cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and TNF-α expression by monocytes from AIDS patients and healthy subjects (HS) stimulated with isogeneic MAC strains (SmT, smooth-transparent, virulent; SmD, smooth-domed, avirulent) was examined. Spontaneous cytokine production was not observed in patients with AIDS. MAC strains induced less IL-1α and IL-1β release in AIDS patients than HS (P < 0.05). The ratio of cell-associated to supernatant IL-1α also was increased in AIDS patients (P = 0.03). IL-1β mRNA expression paralleled protein release in either group of subjects. In both HS and AIDS patients, stimulation with SmD induced more IL-1 and TNF-α release by monocytes compared to SmT. In AIDS patients, SmD also induced greater IL-6 release than SmT (P < 0.01). Alterations in monocyte expression and compartmentalization of the regulatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 may enhance bacterial replication and contribute to the patho-genesis of MAC infection in AIDS.
A theory of multiformat communication: mechanisms, dynamics, and strategies

Extant communication theories predate the explosion of digital formats and technological advances such as virtual reality, which likely explains their predominant focus on traditional and format-level (e.g., face-to-face, email) rather than digital or characteristic-level (e.g., visual cues, synchronicity) design decisions. Firms thus lack insights into how to create and use emerging digital formats, individually or synergistically. To establish a holistic framework of bilateral multiformat communication for relationship marketing, this article reviews communication theory to establish a foundation for understanding multiformat communication and to identify any gaps (e.g., AI agents, simulated cues). The authors then review bilateral communication research in light of the identified theoretical gaps, to inform their framework. Finally, by decomposing these formats according to six fundamental characteristics, they predict how each characteristic might promote effective, efficient, and experiential communication goals, in light of distinct message, temporal, and dyadic factors. Ultimately, these combined insights reveal an overarching framework, with characteristic-level propositions grouped into five key themes, that can serve as a platform for academics and managers to develop multiformat communication theory and relationship strategies.
Harmonic Higgs Bundles and Coassociative ALE Fibrations

Inspired by a string duality, we construct a deformation family for $G_2$-orbifolds given as total spaces of coassociative fibrations by ADE singularities over a closed and oriented smooth three-manifold $Q$. The deformations are parametrized by sections of a fiber bundle on $Q$ that can be interpreted as spectral/cameral covers associated to certain Riemannian analogs of Higgs bundles. The spectral cover picture is a unifying framework for several different approaches to coassociative fibrations appearing in the literature. Our construction generalizes, to the context of $G_2$-geometry, a well-known family of ADE-fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds whose deformations are parametrized by spectral covers of holomorphic Higgs bundles on its base Riemann surface.
Food Insecurity in the Households of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities in the U.S.: Analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health Data 2016 - 2018

Abstract Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-occurring Intellectual Disabilities (ASD + ID) experience substantial challenges in accessing needed supports. This research aimed to understand the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among families of children with ASD + ID. Utilizing the National Survey of Children’s Health (2016-18) data, this paper illustrated that the households of children with ASD + ID were about two times more likely to be food insecure than the households of children without disabilities. Further, the households of children with ASD were 1.5 times more likely, and those with other disabilities were 1.3 times more likely to be food insecure than the households of children without disabilities. Implications of these findings in the context of the COVID19 pandemic are discussed. Lay Abstract Families of children with ASD are more likely to experience financial strain and resulting food insecurity due to additional cost of care, disparate access to needed services, and loss of income resulting from job loss. Utilizing nationally representative data, this analysis indicates that the families of children with ASD + ID are twice as likely to experience food insecurity than families of children without disabilities after adjusting for various factors. Several factors, ranging from state-level policies such as Medicaid expansion to individual-level factors such as higher utilization of emergency room services, were associated with the higher prevalence of food insecurity in families of children with ASD + ID. Implications of these findings on programs and policies supporting families in the COVID19 pandemic are discussed.
ANEW Project to Develop and Support Rural Primary Practice

South Dakota is one of the nation’s most rural and frontier states and has the highest proportion of rural dwellers in the Midwest. Many of the state’s counties suffer from provider shortages, with nurse practitioners increasingly being called upon to fill the role of the primary care provider in clinics and critical access hospitals. However, family nurse practitioner (FNP) education programs are not required to provide the training and skills necessary to meet the unique challenges of rural practice. An Upper Midwest land grant university prepares both masters and doctoral FNP students to fill primary care provider needs in South Dakota and the surrounding region. The purpose and scope of this two-year Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) project was to enhance an existing academic/practice partnership to prepare primary care advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students for practice in rural and/or underserved settings in the state and region. The ANEW project provided FNP students with a longitudinal primary care clinical traineeship experience in rural clinical settings. Trainees benefited from traineeship funds, learning advanced procedures and skill concepts through attendance at a series of educational workshops, and job placement efforts postgraduation. The ANEW project also provided for a comprehensive preceptor development collaborative designed to enhance competence and confidence for independent rural practice and facilitate job placement in rural communities after graduation. This project strengthened the quality of FNP education through an academic/practice partnership which resulted in a symbiotic, synergistic relationship to address rural work force supply and the identification of the knowledge and skills needed for current and future rural healthcare providers. Keywords: family nurse practitioner, education, preceptor, academic, practice partnership, rural primary healthcare, healthcare provider shortage DOI: https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v21i1.649
Risk of recurrence in patients with MELF (microcystic, elongated and fragmented) pattern of invasion based on lymph node evaluation status

Objectives: Background. Myometrial invasion with an infiltrative gland pattern has been recently associated with higher stage, lymphovascular invasion, and recurrence. Additionally, a readily recognizable pattern of myometrial invasion characterized by microcystic elongated and fragmented (MELF) glands surrounded by myxoid and inflamed stroma has been associated with lymphovascular invasion (LVSI) and lymph node metastases. Although it is known that MELF increases the risk of a patient having lymph node metastases as well as MELF being associated with LVSI, we sought to understand whether MELF without lymph node metastases or lymphadenctomy portends a worse oncologic prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy at a single institution between Jan 1, 2010 to Aug 1, 2020 with MELF pattern of invasion identified. Pathology was reviewed by a single reviewer (RM) with subspecialty training in gynecologic pathology. The electronic medical record was utilized to obtain preoperative, perioperative, and follow-up data. These patients were divided based on if they had not had a lymph node evaluation (Group A) or by the performance of lymph node evaluation (Group B). Results: Forty-one patients were identified as having MELF on their hysterectomy specimen. All patients had well-differentiated to moderately differentiated tumors. There was a similar proportion of patients how had LVSI in either group (Group A 80% vs Group B 92.3%). In this cohort, 63.4% underwent an evaluation of the retro-peritoneal lymph nodes, with 92.3% having a complete lymphadenectomy [Table 1]. As compared to Group B where only 7.7% had no adjuvant treatment, 53.3% in Group A were observed. No patients recurred in Group B, while 20% recurred in those without any lymph node evaluation. Looking specifically at the patients who had MELF without lymphadenectomy and recurred, all 3 patients had LVSI and were early stage, thus were at high risk for lymph node involvement. Download : Download high-res image (332KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: In our study, patients with MELF pattern of invasion without lymph node evaluation at the time of hysterectomy were more likely to have no adjuvant therapy and recur than those who underwent lymphadenectomy. Additional multi-institution study should be done to further elucidate the nuances associated with MELF with and without LVSI in patients with early stage endometrial cancer who have undergone lymphadenectomy as this uterine characteristic is not factored in to any of our phase III randomized data.
Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia and skeletal muscle capillary hemodynamics.

Abstract Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) is an accepted diagnostic tool for assessing peripheral macrovascular function. While conduit artery hemodynamics have been well defined, the impact of PORH on capillary hemodynamics remains unknown, despite the microvasculature being the dominant site of vascular control. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of 5 min of feed artery occlusion on capillary hemodynamics in skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that, upon release of arterial occlusion, there would be: 1) an increased red blood cell flux (fRBC) and red blood cell velocity (VRBC), and 2) a decreased proportion of capillaries supporting RBC flow compared to the pre-occlusion condition. Methods In female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6), the spinotrapezius muscle was exteriorized for evaluation of capillary hemodynamics pre-occlusion, 5 min of feed artery occlusion (Occ), and 5 min of reperfusion (Post-Occ). Results There were no differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or capillary diameter (Dc) between pre-occlusion and post-occlusion (P > 0.05). During 30 s of PORH, capillary fRBC was increased (pre: 59 ± 4 vs. 30 s-post: 77 ± 2 cells/s; P 0.05). Capillary hematocrit (Hctcap) was unchanged across the pre- to post-occlusion conditions (P > 0.05). Following occlusion, there was a 20–30% decrease in the number of capillaries supporting RBC flow at 30 s and 300 s-post occlusion (pre: 92 ± 2%; 30 s-post: 66 ± 3%; 300 s-post: 72 ± 6%; both P Conclusion Short-term feed artery occlusion (i.e. 5 min) resulted in a more heterogeneous capillary flow profile with the presence of capillary no-reflow, decreasing the percentage of capillaries supporting RBC flow. A complex interaction between myogenic and metabolic mechanisms at the arteriolar level may play a role in the capillary no-reflow with PORH. Measurements at the level of the conduit artery mask significant alterations in blood flow distribution in the microcirculation.
Future of Recreational Fisheries

Many good ideas to improve recreational fisheries have been presented over the past 20 years, especially in freshwater, but progress in evaluating or implementing new management concepts has been slow. Saltwater recreational fishing is increasing rapidly, and coordinated planning needs serious attention, and soon.
Systemic and subcutaneous microvascular Po2 dissociation during 4-h hemorrhagic shock in conscious hamsters

The relationship between systemic and microvascular Po2 in subcutaneous connective tissue and hemodynamics was investigated during 4-h hemorrhagic shock (40 mmHg) in conscious Syrian hamsters (n = 66) fitted with a dorsal skinfold window. Systemic blood gases, metabolic parameters, arteriolar, venular, and tissue Po2, microvascular red blood cell velocity, and blood flow were evaluated in survivors (S) and nonsurvivors (NS). Surviving animals were resuscitated with shed blood. Microvascular and tissue Po2 were measured by phosphorescence decay of Pd-meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (30 mg/kg body wt iv). Shock caused a significant dissociation between systemic arterial and microvascular arteriolar Po2 levels. Arterial Po2 increased from 59.7 +/- 12.0 to 110.8 +/- 19.7 mmHg (S) and from 64.0 +/- 13.7 to 128.5 +/- 10.1 mmHg (NS), whereas Po2 in large arterioles decreased from 56.9 +/- 5.5 (control) to 29.5 +/- 20.1 (S) and 6.0 +/- 5.7 mmHg (NS). Correspondingly, tissue Po2 fell from 24.1 +/- 6.8 (control) to 0.9 +/- 0.6 (S) and 0.4 +/- 0.3 mmHg (NS). Venous Po2 decreased from 28.8 +/- 3.7 to 20.4 +/- 4.1 (S) and from 28.0 +/- 2.9 to 16.3 +/- 0.5 mmHg (NS). Shock outcome and tissue oxygenation were predicted by arterial blood gases and metabolic and microcirculatory conditions but not by central venous Po2.
Atoms‐to‐Grains Corrosion Modeling for Magnesium Alloys

Development of new Mg-alloys needs greater efforts in systematic evaluation of corrosion protection methods under service environments. A deeper understanding of microscale and nanoscale metallurgy is needed to slow down corrosion. Results from our multiscale modeling effort will be presented to demonstrate the power of first-principle theories in predicting the composition-dependent kinetics of corrosion reactions. Our recent results show that the corrosion prevention properties of Mg-alloys can be significantly enhanced by doping rare-earth elements such as Cerium that protects the oxide layer from rapid hydrolysis. Furthermore, we are developing kinetic Monte Carlo and finite-element analysis (FEA) based models to extend the predictions from the atomic length scales to nano- and microscale models that will include grains and alloy microstructure. The potential for incorporating mechanical and corrosion performance in continuum length scale combined with the insights from first-principles based surface chemical models can have powerful impact on the development of Mg-alloys.
Perforated Tricuspid Valve Leaflet Resulting from Defibrillator Leads: A Review of the Literature

Tricuspid valve (TV) perforation is a rare complication after implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker implantation. In reported cases of lead-related TV perforations, patients' present with symptoms months to years postimplantation. We describe a case where a patient presented with signs of severe TV regurgitation secondary to traumatic perforation of the septal leaflet two weeks after ICD implantation and review of the literature associated with this complication.
A Parallel Solver for Extreme Eigenpairs

In this paper a parallel algorithm for finding a group of extreme eigenvalues is presented. The algorithm is based on the well known Davidson method for finding one eigenvalue of a matrix. Here we incorporate knowledge about the structure of the subspace through the use of an arrowhead solver which allows more parallelization in both the original Davidson and our new version. In our numerical results various preconditioners (diagonal, multigrid and ADI) are compared. The performance results presented are for the Paragon but our implementation is portable to machines which provide MPI and BLAS.
Agreement-Based Interactions for Experimental Science

Enabling quality of service (QoS) in the Grids requires not only resource management strategies but also the development of protocols enabling structured negotiation for the use of resources. Such protocols will allow the creation of policies dynamically and automatically broadening the scope of Grid applications. In this paper, we describe design, implementation and application of an agreement-based infrastructure. We then discuss its use in the virtual control room developed for the National Fusion Collaboratory.
No Molecule Is an Island: Molecular Evolution and the Study of Sequence Space

Our knowledge of nucleic acid and protein structure comes almost exclusively from biological sequences isolated from nature. The ability to synthesize arbitrary sequences of DNA, RNA, and protein in vitro gives us experimental access to the much larger space of sequence possibilities that have not been instantiated in the course of evolution. In principle, this technology promises to both broaden and deepen our understanding of macromolecules, their evolution, and our ability to engineer new and complex functionality. Yet, it has long been assumed that the large number of sequence possibilities and the complexity of the sequence-to-structure relationship preempts any systematic analysis of sequence space. Here, we review recent efforts demonstrating that, with judicious employment of both formal and empirical constraints, it is possible to exploit intrinsic symmetries and correlations in sequence space, enabling coordination, projection, and navigation of the sea of sequence possibilities. These constraints not only make it possible to map the distributions of evolved sequences in the context of sequence space, but they also permit properties intrinsic to sequence space to be mapped by sampling tractable numbers of randomly generated sequences. Such maps suggest entirely new ways of looking at evolution, define new classes of experiments using randomly generated sequences and hold deep implications for the origin and evolution of macromolecular systems. We call this promising new direction sequenomics—the systematic study of sequence space.
Filamin A phosphorylation by Akt promotes cell migration in response to arsenic

// Lingzhi Li 1 , Yongju Lu 1 , Paul M. Stemmer 1, 2 , Fei Chen 1 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA 2 The Proteomics Core and Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA Correspondence to: Fei Chen, e-mail: fchen@wayne.edu Keywords: arsenic, Akt, filamin A, migration, patient survival Received: February 12, 2015 Accepted: March 14, 2015 Published: April 03, 2015 ABSTRACT We had previously reported that trivalent arsenic (As 3+ ), a well-known environmental carcinogen, induces phosphorylation of several putative Akt substrates. In the present report, we characterized one of these substrates by immunoprecipitation and proteomics analysis. The results indicate that a cytoskeleton remodeling protein, filamin A, with a molecular weight around 280 kDa, is phosphorylated by Akt in HEK-293 cells treated with As 3+ , which was also confirmed in human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B cells. Additional biochemical and biological studies revealed that serine 2152 (S2152) of filamin A is phosphorylated by activated Akt in the cells treated with As 3+ . To further confirm the importance of Akt-dependent filamin A S2152 phosphorylation in As 3+ -induced cell migration, we over-expressed either wild type filamin A or the mutated filamin A in which the S2152 was substituted with alanine (S2152A). The capability of cell migration was reduced significantly in the cells expressing the mutated filamin A (S2152A). Clinically, we found that increased expression of filamin A predicts poorer overall survival of the lung cancer patients with adenocarcinoma. Thus, these data suggest that Akt dependent filamin A phosphorylation is one of the key events in mediating As 3+ -induced carcinogenesis. Antagonizing Akt signaling can ameliorate As 3+ -induced filamin A phosphorylation and cell migration, which may serve as a molecular targeting strategy for malignancies associated with environmental As 3+ exposure.
Differential sub-cellular processing of single-wall carbon nanotubes via interfacial modifications.

Strategies for cell-specific targeting and delivery of carbon nanotubes have made significant advancements over recent years. However, control of sub-cellular localization, an important criterion for many biomedical applications, remains largely unexplored. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate how different molecules that are used to non-covalently suspend hydrophobic SWCNTs in aqueous conditions also influence cellular processing and localization. We utilized complementary imaging modalities to show that SWCNTs dispersed using the membrane active tri-block copolymer Pluronic® F-127 (PF127) were endocytosed into cells by the millions but eventually escaped endosomes and altered F-actin structures. In contrast, SWCNTs dispersed with the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) were endocytosed into cells at similarly high levels but remained in the endosomal pathway, ultimately co-registering with endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles. Interestingly, cellular exposure to SWCNTs–BSA in the presence of the endosome disrupter, chloroquine, led to altered F-actin structures that were similar to the alterations induced by cellular exposure to SWCNTs–PF127. These results suggest that PF127 facilitated endosome escape and that SWCNTs might have an energetically favorable interaction with stiff, filamentous structures inside the cell. Thus, our results provide a design principle for non-covalent surface modifications of SWCNTs that do not degrade the desirable, intrinsic SWCNT properties but provide differential trafficking to intracellular compartments for sub-cellular biomedical applications.
Identification and characterization of hetA, a gene that acts early in the process of morphological differentiation of heterocysts.

Abstract Envelope polysaccharide is a major early diagnostic of differentiating heterocysts. The mutation in mutant EF116 of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 reduces the cohesiveness of this polysaccharide. A 3.5-kilobase fragment of DNA cloned from the wild type of this Anabaena sp. was previously shown to complement this mutation. We present the nucleotide sequence of a 2,555-base-pair portion of this fragment containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 601 amino acids. Complementation analysis using deletion derivatives of the 3.5-kilobase fragment showed that the gene mutated in EF116, which we designate hetA, lies within this ORF. Transcription of hetA was induced as a result of deprivation for nitrate and yielded a monocistronic mRNA that was present at greatest abundance 7 h after nitrogen stepdown. At that time, proheterocysts could not be distinguished by light microscopy; transcription of nifHD, structural genes of nitrogenase, peaked much later. Situated 3' to hetA are 4 identical repeats of the sequence 5'-TTCAAAA-3' and 12 repeats (10 identical) of the sequence 5'-CCCCAAT-3'. The 12 repeats, present within and near the 5' end of a second ORF, are almost identical to repeats that have been reported to be present in the region between the petC and petA genes of a related cyanobacterium.
P1-3-5ANGIOTENSIN II TYPE 1 RECEPTOR SIGNALING PROMOTES HEAD AND NECK CANCER CELLS INVASIVE BEHAVIOR BY FLJ10540/MCP-1 PATHWAY

Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the tumors of poor prognosis despite the therapeutic advances in the past few years. It has been reported that overexpression of AT1R occurs in many human carcinomas. However, the molecular mechanisms by which angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediate its invasive effects in HNSCC still unclear. Here, we found that AT1R was not only found in HNSCC specimens, but also significantly correlated with advanced TNM-stage and the poor 5-year survival rate. Thus indicated that AT1R was an independent factor for HNSCC development. Functionally, AT1R could promote tumor growth in nude mice. In addition, AT1R had the abilities to stimulate cell migration and invasion in oral cancer cells through increased FLJ10540 and MCP-1 expression by Transwell chambers. Conversely, depletion of AT1R expression by siRNAs suppressed FLJ10540 and MCP-1 protein expressions. Suppression MCP-1 could cause significant inhibition on cell migratory and invasive ability of AT1R-overexpressing head and neck cancer cells. Finally, immunohistochemical and Western blotting analysis of human aggressive HNSCC specimens showed a significant positively correlation among AT1R, FLJ10540 and MCP-1 expression. These findings suggest that AT1R is not only an important prognostic factor but also a new therapeutic target in the FLJ10540/MCP-1 pathway for HNSCC treatment.
First-principles study of illite–smectite and implications for clay mineral systems

Illite-smectite interstratified clay minerals are ubiquitous in sedimentary basins and they have been linked to the maturation, migration and trapping of hydrocarbons, rock cementation, evolution of porewater chemistry during diagenesis and the development of pore pressure. But, despite the importance of these clays, their structures are controversial. Two competing models exist, each with profoundly different consequences for the understanding of diagenetic processes: model A views such interstratified clays as a stacking of layers identical to endmember illite and smectite layers, implying discrete and independently formed units (fundamental particles), whereas model B views the clays as composed of crystallites with a unique structure that maintains coherency over much greater distances, in line with local charge balance about interlayers. Here we use first-principles density-functional theory to explore the energetics and structures of these two models for an illite-smectite interstratified clay mineral with a ratio of 1:1 and a Reichweite parameter of 1. We find that the total energy of model B is 2.3 kJ atom(-1) mol(-1) lower than that of model A, and that this energy difference can be traced to structural distortions in model A due to local charge imbalance. The greater stability of model B requires re-evaluation of the evolution of the smectite-to-illite sequence of clay minerals, including the nature of coexisting species, stability relations, growth mechanisms and the model of fundamental particles.