cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergence studies of D-shaped coil/bobbin interactions in a sweeper magnet system

For high field solenoids and beamline dipole magnets, structural reinforcement, while complicated, is relatively straight-forward due the high degree of symmetry. In high field, large gap dipoles there frequently is a lower order symmetry. Consequently, the stress state is likely to be more complicated and to require higher precision analysis than is frequently available. Results of a systematic parameter study of a large gap superconducting dipole being constructed by the NHMFL are presented. The magnet consists of two D-shaped NbTi coils and will provide a peak mid-plane field of 3.95 T in a 140 mm gap resulting in a 6.25 T peak field in the conductor and net forces on the coils legs of up to 1.45 MN each. Extensive model-based computer analyses have been applied for optimizing the shape of the coils and the stainless steel bobbin to reduce the strain to an acceptable level while maintaining overall field quality and a reasonable fraction of critical current. Results obtained by applying common engineering practices are compared with those obtained by introducing additional modeling details. Thus, the data presented provide a justified basis for evaluating the adequacy of the alternative modeling approaches for the sweeper magnet and similar magnet systems.
Planetary influences on electrical engineering

The author describes how Maxwell's equations are indebted to observations of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The electromagnetic relations were derived in terms of a medium with 'small but real density' and with the capability of yielding elastically, but the mechanical origin to which the curl and div equations trace back is a surprise to many engineering students. Maxwell developed his ability to deal with waves by starting his career with a four-year study of the rings of Saturn, which constitute a rare, elastic medium subject to internal inverse-square forces. Applying the laws of motion, Maxwell deduced that electricity and magnetism should combine to support what he called an electromagnetic wave, whose velocity in that medium he could calculate. Meanwhile, observations of Jupiter's satellites revealed that light has a finite velocity. Knowing this value, Maxwell was able to propose that light itself might be electromagnetic. These foundations of modern electrical engineering thus rest firmly on astronomical observation of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Astronomy has continued to contribute to many branches of electrical engineering. >
Targeted Immunotherapy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma—The Role of Monoclonal Antibodies

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review clinical trials evaluating anti-disialoganglioside (GD2) antibodies in treating high-risk neuroblastoma in children.DATA SOURCES:A literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (all searches 1990-August 2012) using the terms neuroblastoma, immunotherapy, 3F8, ch14.18, and hu14.18. Meeting abstracts presented between 1990 and 2012 from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Medical Oncology, the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Society of Surgical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology were also evaluated.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All completed and ongoing clinical trials of anti-GD2 antibodies in neuroblastoma were included. References from selected articles were also reviewed to identify additional citations.DATA SYNTHESIS:In 1999, the results of a Children's Cancer Group trial established that consolida...
Construct Validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), specifically the test's sensitivity for assessing age-related changes in motor skill and correlation with risk for developmental abnormality. Subjects. Subjects were 137 term and preterm infants stratified by postconceptional age, medical complications score on the Problem-Oriented Perinatal Risk Assessment System, and ethnicity and race (non-Latino Caucasian, African-American, and Latino). Methods. Subjects were tested on the TIMP at ages ranging from 32 weeks postconceptional age to 3.5 months past term-equivalent age. Scores (Rasch logit ability measures) were correlated with postconceptional age. A multiple regression analysis was used to assess the contributions of age, risk, and ethnicity to the variance in TIMP scores. Results. The correlation between postconceptional age and TIMP performance measures was .83. Risk and age together explained 72% of the variance in TIMP performance (R=.85, P<.00001). No differences related to ethnicity were found. Conclusion and Discussion. The TIMP has validity for assessing age-related development of functional motor skills in young infants and is sensitive to risk for poor developmental outcome.
Poly-3 bitline crack [DRAMs]

The increasing trend in cold temperature failures has reached a high level and the predominant fail label is LRAS:RMW. Electrical Failure Analysis (EFA) of Pre (T1) & Post (T2) burn-in ADSEL and XMC failures revealed a consistent pattern of bits that failed along a column. Through the understanding of the device layout, a poly-3 bitline twist crack fault model is proposed and confirmed subsequently through Physical Failure Analysis (PFA). As an extension to this finding, electrical characterization of LRAS:RMW C/T failures also showed the same failmode, though of lesser severity. An effective guardband test is developed at room temp to screen out this category of failure. This test achieved minimal impact to overall testtime and overkill. Process & design actions were initiated at Waferfab & Design to resolve the poly-3 crack issue, with preliminary evaluation data showing promising results. A short discussion of the lessons learnt is included, in particular the fanning out of waferfab & design changes to other device type using the same bitline twist architecture.
A-kinase anchoring protein 100 (AKAP100) is localized in multiple subcellular compartments in the adult rat heart.

Stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors activates type I and II cyclic AMP–dependent protein kinase A, resulting in phosphorylation of various proteins in the heart. It has been proposed that PKA II compartmentalization by A-kinase–anchoring proteins (AKAPs) regulates cyclic AMP–dependent signaling in the cell. We investigated the expression and localization of AKAP100 in adult hearts. By immunoblotting, we identified AKAP100 in adult rat and human hearts, and showed that type I and II regulatory (RI and II) subunits of PKA are present in the rat heart. By immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy of rat cardiac myocytes and cryostat sections of rat left ventricle papillary muscles, we localized AKAP100 to the nucleus, sarcolemma, intercalated disc, and at the level of the Z-line. After double immunostaining of transverse cross-sections of the papillary muscles with AKAP100 plus α-actinin–specific antibodies or AKAP100 plus ryanodine receptor–specific antibodies, confocal images showed AKAP100 localization at the region of the transverse tubule/junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum. RI is distributed differently from RII in the myocytes. RII, but not RI, was colocalized with AKAP100 in the rat heart. Our studies suggest that AKAP100 tethers PKA II to multiple subcellular compartments for phosphorylation of different pools of substrate proteins in the heart.
GM1 Delivery to the CSF Via the Olfactory Pathway

The objective of this study was to determine if monosialogan- glioside (GM1) can be delivered to the brain via the olfactory neural pathway (o.p.). GM1 solution was administered via the o.p. and i.v. route to rats, after which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected. Two other formulations of GM1, GM1-lipid nanospheres (GM1-LNS) and GM1-DOTAP (a positively charged lipid) complex, were also tested. The results showed that GM1 can be delivered to the brain via the o.p. However, GM1-LNS administered i.v. delivered the highest concentrations of GM1 to the CSF; this formulation may potentially be useful in treatment of spinal cord injury.
Curriculum-Based Assessment of Progress Toward Long-Term and Short-Term Goals

This meta-analysis explored how measuring student progress toward long-term vs. short-term goals affects achievement outcomes. Eighteen controlled studies were coded in terms of measurement method (toward long-term vs. short-term goals) and type of achievement outcome (probelike vs. global achievement test). Analogs to analysis of variance conducted on weighted unbiased effect sizes (UESs) indicated an interaction : When progress was measured toward long-term goals, UESs on global measures were higher than on probelike outcomes; when progress was measured toward series of short-term goals, the reverse was true. Implications for special education practice are discussed.
Subunit Interaction Determines IKs Participation in Cardiac Repolarization and Repolarization Reserve

Background— The role of I Ks , the slow delayed rectifier K + current, in cardiac ventricular repolarization has been a subject of debate. Methods and Results— We develop a detailed Markov model of I Ks and its α-subunit KCNQ1 and examine their kinetic properties during the cardiac ventricular action potential at different rates. We observe that interaction between KCNQ1 and KCNE1 (the β-subunit) confers kinetic properties on I Ks that make it suitable for participation in action potential repolarization and its adaptation to rate changes; in particular, the channel develops an available reserve of closed states near the open state that can open rapidly on demand. Conclusions— Because of its ability to form an available reserve, I Ks can function as a repolarization reserve when I Kr , the rapid delayed rectifier, is reduced by disease or drug and can prevent excessive action potential prolongation and development of arrhythmogenic early afterdepolarizations.
Alexia without agraphia in multiple sclerosis: case report with magnetic resonance imaging localization

The syndrome of alexia without agraphia occurs rarely in multiple sclerosis (MS). We report a patient with right homonymous hemianopsia and alexia without agraphia as his initial manifestations of relapsing-remitting MS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a hyperintense lesion in the left occipital subcortical white matter (WM) and an enhancing lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. The clinical presentation and MRI findings were consistent with disconnection of the functional right occipital visual cortex from structures responsible for language comprehension in the left hemisphere. The diagnosis of MS was confirmed by subsequent development of additional periventricular WM lesions.
Time and frequency distribution using satellites

I will discuss how time and frequency information can be distributed using satellites. I will focus on using the signals transmitted by the US global positioning system satellites, but I will also discuss other satellite-based systems such as the Russian GLONASS system, the proposed European Galileo System and two-way satellite time transfer, which uses active ground stations that communicate with each other through an active satellite.
Response to Zimmermann and Rahlfs

To be precise, number needed to treat (NNT) is defined as the answer to the question: ‘‘How many patients would I have to treat with treatment 1 (T1) to expect one more success than if I had treated them with treatment 2 (T2)?’’ Obviously, the answer depends on what outcome measure is used and how ‘‘success’’ is defined. In the original context in which NNT was proposed, for a binary outcome, one outcome was labeled ‘‘success,’’ the other ‘‘failure.’’ The expected number of successes among N subjects in T1 was Np1 and in T2 was Np2, where p1 and p2 are the success rates in the two treatments. Then NNT is the value of N such that Np1 Np21⁄4 1, that is, NNT1⁄4 1/(p1 p2), where the success rate difference is SRD1⁄4 p1 p2. (Note that negative NNT indicates that T2 is preferred to T1.) One can estimate NNT in a variety of ways, the simplest with binary outcome to estimate p1 and p2 by the proportion of successes observed in the T1 and T2 samples. Alternatively, as noted by Zimmermann and Rahlfs, one might base estimation on the Mann–Whitney U-statistic, or the area under the sample receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. It is well not to confuse the method used in estimation of a population parameter with the definition of that population parameter. NNT is not an effect size useful for statistical purposes because of its peculiar ‘‘wrap-around’’ scale. The NNT least favorable to T1 over T2 is NNT1⁄4 1. As NNT decreases from 1 to negative infinity, NNT becomes more favorable to T1. At negative infinity, NNT ‘‘jumps’’ to positive infinity, and then decreases to NNT1⁄4 1, the result most favorable to T1 over T2. However, the value of NNT is not its use in statistical analyses, but in the fact that it translates probability points (SRD) to number of patients (NNT), a translation often more clearly interpretable to clinicians, patients, and policy makers. However one generalizes NNT, that interpretability is crucial. To generalize NNT, consider pairwise comparisons of outcomes between patients. If one randomly samples one patient from the T1 population, and one from the T2 population, the T1 patient is a ‘‘success’’ if his/her outcome is preferable to that of the T2 patient, with half credit given to a tie, and conversely the T2 patient is a ‘‘success’’ if his/her outcome is preferable to that of the T1 patient, with half credit given to a tie. Thus, the success rate for T1 is P11⁄4Prob(T1>T2)þ.5Prob(T11⁄4T2) (where ‘‘>’’ is read as ‘‘clinically preferable to’’ and ‘‘1⁄4’’ means ‘‘clinically equivalent) and for T2 is P21⁄4Prob(T2>T1)þ.5Prob(T11⁄4T2), and again NNT is 1/(P1–P2). To estimate this generalized NNT in a sample, one might do all N1 N2 pairwise comparisons of the N1 subjects in the T1 sample and the N2 subjects in the T2 sample, and compare the proportion in which T1>T2 versus that in which T2>T1. The difference between these proportions estimates
Auditor Tenure and Going Concern Opinions for Bankrupt Clients: Additional Evidence

SUMMARY: Regulators and lawmakers in the U.S. periodically express concerns about a possible association between auditor tenure length and audit failure (SEC 1994; U.S. House of Representatives 2002). In this study, where we define audit failure as a bankrupt company not receiving a going concern modified audit opinion prior to bankruptcy (a Type II reporting error), we examine prior audit reports for a sample of 401 U.S. publicly held companies that filed for bankruptcy during the period 2002–2008. Using a quadratic model to control for potential nonlinearity in the relationship between auditor tenure and audit reporting, we find no significant association between auditor tenure and Type II errors for Big 4 audit firms. In contrast, for non-Big 4 audit firms we find evidence of a significant association that is nonlinear. Specifically, auditor tenure appears to adversely influence non-Big 4 firms' audit reporting for bankrupt clients in the initial years of an audit engagement and has no discernible eff...
A comparison of static thin layer and suspension cultures for the maintenance in vitro of Plasmodium falciparum

The growth and multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum was compared in static thin layer cultures and in suspension culture. Suspension cultures yielded approximately twice the amount of malaria parasites and there was no indication that this method is deleterious. It should therefore be easier to increase the amounts of malaria obtained from culture by using appropriate fermentation technology.
Race and Citizen Identity in the Classical Athenian Democracy: Trials of Citizen Identity: Policing and Producing the Racial Frontier

IDENTIFYING CITIZENS AND PROSECUTING FRAUDS In democratic Athens, citizen identity was not directly linked to physical appearance. Still, the Athenians were concerned to keep aliens out of the citizen body. This raises the question of whether and how they knew a citizen or a fraud when they saw one? One answer is performance and context. Although it might seem circular, free persons who participated in politics and in the cultic rites exclusive to citizens, and who did not pay the metic tax, could be and were presumptively regarded as citizens. In addition, Solon's law forbidding slaves from exercising in the gymnasia had the de facto effect of associating this practice with citizenship. By excluding slaves from the gymnasia, the law also created the conditions for establishing physical appearance, that is, signs of physical cultivation, as a marker of citizenship. It is likely, though, that this distinction was weak because not all citizens had the leisure time to engage in a regime of physical cultivation, and because, as Aristotle is embarrassed to report, some slaves had bodies resembling those of free men. Still, the Athenians could have, if they wished, manufactured a visible sign of citizenship. Such practices were not unknown in other poleis . But most citizens in Athens wore a standard clothing style that was not exclusive to citizens.
Differential expression of metallopanstimulin/S27 ribosomal protein in hepatic regeneration and neoplasia.

Abstract We have previously shown that human metallopanstimulin-1 (MPS-1) is a ubiquitous 9.4-kd multifunctional ribosomal S27/nuclear "zinc finger" protein that is expressed at high levels in a wide variety of actively proliferating cells and tumor tissues. In this study, we examined the expression of MPS-1 in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Tissue samples were obtained at the time of tumor resection, needle biopsy, or liver transplantation. MPS- 1 was studied by immunohistochemistry by use of specific antibodies to the N-terminus of MPS-1 in a biotin/streptavidin-amplified system. In chronic hepatitis, hepatocytes had very weak MPS-1 immunostaining. In contrast, hepatocytes in regenerating cirrhotic nodules stained strongly for MPS-1. In well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, MPS-1 presence was intense at the periphery of the malignant nodule. In poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, MPS-1 presence was notably intense in malignant hepatocytes invading the septal tissues, in close contact with neovascular structures. These results suggest that MPS-1 may be involved in both progression toward malignancy in regenerating cirrhotic nodules and in subsequent steps of hepatocarcinogenesis.
Solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equation of interest in shear flow transition

L'equation de Ginzburg-Landau peut etre utilisee pour decrire l'evolution bidimensionnelle faiblement non lineaire d'une perturbation dans un ecoulement de Poiseuille plan pour des nombres de Reynolds quasi critiques. On considere une classe de solutions quasistationnaires de cette equation dont la variation spatiale peut etre periodique, quasiperiodique ou du type onde solitaire
Finding the Research Generalist: The Solution may not be Black or White but it Isn't Green Either:

In the editorial, "Where is the Research Generalist?", Paul Green [1] suggests interposing another level of staff man-the research generalist-between the marketing manager and the researcher. His goal is worthy: getting appropriate marketing research done and used. Green's suggestion implies there is a dysfunction between managers and researchers that prevents this goal from being reached. He states that one reason for the dysfunction is the recent proliferation in research techniques. He also implies two other reasons:
Populations of Arboreal Spiders (Araneae) on Douglas-Firs and True Firs in the Interior Pacific Northwest

Population densities and relative abundances of spider families were estimated on Douglas-fir, Pseudotsugata menziessii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco and true firs, Abies spp., in three geographical provinces of the interior Pacific Northwest: the Southern Cascades, the Northern Cascades, and the Blue Mountains. Mean densities, estimated by sampling tree foliage on lower branches in June 1981, were 9.96, 5.21, and 6.03 spiders per square meter of branch area for the three areas, respectively. Eleven families were represented in the sample. Over half of all individuals were hunting spiders of the families Salticidae and Philodromidae, of which several species are believed to be important predators of defoliating insects. The rest were web-spinners, mostly of the families Dictynidae, Araneidae, Linyphiidae, and Theridiidae. The relative abundance of families had a consistent statistical pattern in which their frequencies were apportioned according to a log series distribution. This suggests that arboreal spider communities of interior Pacific Northwest fir stands have a similar familial structure, probably determined by the branch and foliage characteristics of their habitat.
On LEM/LES methodology for two-phase flows

A two-phase subgrid combustion model developed earlier has been evaluated for applicability in largeeddy simulations (LES). Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of two-phase isotropic turbulence in the presence of passive, momentum-coupled and vaporizing droplets has been extensively studied to form a base-line database. Current DNS results agree with earlier studies and show that the presence of droplets increase the kinetic energy and dissipation at the small scales. LES for these same cases were also carried out to investigate what modifications are needed to incorporate the small-scale turbulence modifications seen in DNS of two-phase flows. LES subgrid modeling for two-phase mixing within the context of the new subgrid combustion model is also addressed. INTRODUCTION Liquid fuel is used in many of the conventional engines (e.g., gas-turbine, internal combustion and diesel engines). Environmental concerns, government regulations and commercial viability makes it imperative to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. To achieve these desired features, there is a need to develop numerical methods which can accurately capture liquid fuel atomization process and fuel-air mixing downstream of the fuel injector. Steady-state methods are not suitable for studying highly unsteady fuel atomization and fuel-air mixing processes. On the other hand, although the unsteady mixing process can be studied quite accurately using direct numerical simulation (DNS) (e.g., Poinsot, 1996), the application of DNS is limited to low to moderate Reynolds numbers (Re) due to resolution requirements and t. Currently at Oak Ridge National Labs, Oak Ridge, TN. $. Professor, Senior Membk, AIAA * Copyright
The Importance of Race in Juvenile Commitment in the New Jersey Family Court

In this study, we examine how important juvenile race and other factors are in juvenile commitment classification in the New Jersey Family Court. Data from the Family Court in New Jersey for the year 2010 comprise the population. Given the class imbalance in the dependent variable, we employ balanced random forest (RF). Variable importance plots and an information gain summary are used to assess the role of the juvenile’s race and other variables for classes of the dependent variable. The results from balanced RF indicate that the juvenile’s delinquency history and the offense seriousness make the most important contributions to commitment to juvenile state incarceration. The juvenile’s race makes a very weak contribution to commitment; in fact, when the balanced RF was rerun with the juvenile’s race omitted, the estimated misclassification error slightly dropped for commitments. Balanced RF is an attractive procedure for handling dependent variables with highly imbalanced classes. The juvenile’s adjudica...
Effects of 11, 12-EET and ischemic preconditioning on phosphorylated ERK and p38 MAPK during ischemia and reperfusion in rat myocardium

AIM: In order to study the relationship between the ERK and p38 MAPK activation and the protection of 11, 12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11, 12-EET) and ischemia preconditioning (IP), the effects of 11, 12-EET and ischemic preconditioning on phosphorylated ERK and p38 MAPK during ischemia and reperfusion in rat myocardium were examined. METHODS: The rat heart was subjected to ischemia for 5 min by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion for 5 min (two times) to undergo ischemia preconditioning. The rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) control; (2) sham group; (3) ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, in which the rat heart suffered from 60 min ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion; (4) IP plus I/R group; (5) EET plus I/R group, in which 6.28×10 -8 mol/L 11, 12-EET was injected intravenously 20 min before I/R. The heart function was examined, and phosphorylated ERK and p38 MAPK were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: At 30 min reperfusion, +dp/dt max ,-dp/dt max and LVDP decreased significantly in I/R group compared with sham group, IP plus I/R group and EET plus I/R group; Phosphorylated ERK1/2 level was higher in I/R group than sham group, but was lower in I/R group than IP plus I/R group and EET plus I/R group; Phosphorylated p38 MAPK level was lower in control, sham, IP plus I/R and EET plus I/R group than I/R group. CONCLUSION: 11,12-EET protects rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury, the mechanism may be related to activation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of p38 MAPK. [
Ecological Influences on Informal Property Rights

This paper explores the possibility that informal property right systems evolve unique features as a function of the characteristics of the resources over which they are established. We develop a model to show how the emergent character of informal property rights in land varies with the distribution and renewability of resources. Simulations suggest that property will be most secure when resources are renewable and evenly distributed and least secure when resources are renewable but unevenly distributed. We test the predictions of the simulations in the laboratory with cash-motivated human subjects. The results confirm that informal property rights adapt to resource characteristics in a manner largely consistent with the model.
Ian McEwan: Atonement (2001)

Ian McEwan’s early fiction was almost totally absorbed with the tortuous workings of the inner self and showed virtually no interest in the world beyond. In his first novel, The Cement Garden (1978) the only reference to public affairs at the time comes in a casual reference to some overflowing dustbins (caused by the dustmen’s strike of 1975): “We thought there might have been a strike but we had heard nothing” (135). Otherwise the novel confines itself to an isolated house and garden and to the equally enclosed minds of the children living there after their parents’ deaths. The same concentration on the inner self is true of his first two collections of short stories, First Love, Last Rites (1975) and In Between the Sheets, and Other Stories (1978) and of his second novel, The Comfort of Strangers (1981). All four books gave clinically detached descriptions of the sexual and social aberrations of adolescent characters whose voices offered him at the time “a certain kind of rhetorical freedom” (Adolescence and After 526). Compare this early fiction to McEwan’s first two novels of the twenty first century. Atonement (2001) focuses on a crucial period of English history between 1935 and 1940 and ranges from an upper class household in prewar southern England to the retreat of the British army to Dunkirk and to a wartime London hospital, ending with a coda in 1999.
Kinematic Motion Analysis of the Sit-to-Stand Motion

健常女性11名を対象に，5条件の高さの異なる椅子からの立ち上がり動作を運動学的に分析し，身体各部位の移動軌跡と関節角度変化を求めた。その結果、椅子の高さが低くなることにより，動作開始時の足部位置は後方に接地し，また頭部および膝部の前方移動は増大した。同様に，関節角度変化では体幹前傾角度および下肢関節角度変化の増大を認めた。今回得られた結果は，運動障害を有する症例に対する運動療法において立ち上がり動作を誘導する際や，生活関連機器の導入，家屋改造の指導などに際して参考となると思われる。
In vivo detection of connectivity between cortical and white matter lesions in early MS

Background:The relationship between cortical lesions (CLs) and white matter lesions (WMLs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) is poorly understood. Pathological studies support a topographical association ...
Bone morphogenetic protein in adult spinal deformity surgery: a meta-analysis

Since its introduction BMP has been utilized in populations with higher rates of malunion, such as adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. Contradictory conclusions exist in spinal literature regarding the safety and efficacy of the use of BMP in this setting. Previous studies, however, did not distinguish deformity cases from spondylolisthesis or stenosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BMP use in spinal fusion surgery for ASD. 166 papers were screened after database search. 40 full texts were assessed for eligibility. Five studies were included for meta-analysis. Three were comparative studies between a BMP and non-BMP group, and the other was used to supplement dose-effect analysis. The current meta-analysis found increased odds of developing radiculitis or neurological complications (OR = 2.18, 95% CI, p = 0.02, i 2 = 0), but no other significant relationship between complications commonly attributed to BMP use (tumorigenesis, infections, seroma formation, or osteolysis) and BMP use. BMP patients had decreased rates of pseudarthrosis (OR = 0.23, 95% CI, p = 0.002, i 2 = 0). There was an average dose of 8.75 mg/level in the 417 patients studied, lower than the advised dosage of 12 mg/level. The current literature shows BMP to be a safe and effective grafting technique in the treatment of ASD. Spine surgeons may currently be using sub-optimal doses of BMP. The benefit of increasing the rate of fusion must be weighed against the increased risk of radiculitis and neurologic complications in this patient population.
Regulatory Role of G Protein-coupled Receptors in Pancreatic Cancer Development and Progression.

Background Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths with rising incidence and a high mortality rate. Smoking, psychological stress, diabetes, pancreatitis and alcohol abuse are known risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Objective Targeting G protein-coupled receptor signaling for the prevention and therapy of pancreatic cancer. Method Review of published literature. Results and conclusion All known risk factors for pancreatic cancer cause hyperactive cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling via cancer stimulating Gαs-coupled beta-adrenergic and prostaglandin E2 receptors and/or by suppressing signaling via inhibitory Gαi-coupled GABAB-receptors. Psychological stress in mice promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer xenografts via stress neurotransmitter-mediated increase in betaadrenergic signaling and suppression of GABA while stress reduction inhibits pancreatic cancer by reversing these effects. The activation of Gαi-coupled GABAB-receptor signaling by treatment with GABA, inhibition of beta-adrenergic signaling by a beta-blocker and/or suppression of Gαs-coupled PGE2 receptor signaling by a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor prevent the development and progression of pancreatic cancer induced in hamsters by carcinogenic nitrosamines and in transgenic mice. The re-purposing of cardiovascular therapeutics (beta-blockers, COX-2 inhibitors, Ca2+-channel blockers) that inhibit betaadrenergic and PGE2 signaling for pancreatic cancer intervention is problematic due to undesirable side effects under chronic treatment protocols. To avoid such side effects while effectively reducing excessive cAMP signaling, nutritional GABA supplementation or positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of Gαi-coupled receptors (GABAB-Rs) currently in clinical trials for the treatment of addiction should be explored for pancreatic cancer intervention.
Strain-dependent partial slip on rock fractures under seismic-frequency torsion

Measurements of nonlinear modulus and attenuation of fractures provide the opportunity to probe their mechanical state. We have adapted a low-frequency torsional apparatus to explore the seismic signature of fractures under low normal stress, simulating low effective stress environments such as shallow or high pore pressure reservoirs. We report strain-dependent modulus and attenuation for fractured samples of Duperow dolomite (a carbon sequestration target reservoir in Montana), Blue Canyon Dome rhyolite (a geothermal analog reservoir in New Mexico), and Montello granite (a deep basement disposal analog from Wisconsin). We use a simple single effective asperity partial slip model to fit our measured stress-strain curves and solve for the friction coefficient, contact radius, and full slip condition. These observations have the potential to develop into new field techniques for measuring differences in frictional properties during reservoir engineering manipulations and estimate the stress conditions where reservoir fractures and faults begin to fully slip.
Abdominal Circumference Alone versus Estimated Fetal Weight after 24 Weeks to Predict Small or Large for Gestational Age at Birth: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective We compared the sensitivity and specificity of abdominal circumference (AC) alone versus estimated fetal weight (EFW) to predict small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) at birth. Study Design We searched the literature for studies assessing an ultrasonographic AC or EFW after 24 weeks to predict SGA or LGA at birth. Case series or studies including anomalous fetuses or multiple gestations were excluded. We computed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of any AC or EFW cutoff analyzed by at least two studies. Results We identified 2,460 studies, of which 40 met inclusion criteria (n = 36,519). Four studies assessed AC alone to predict SGA (n = 5,119), and six assessed AC to predict LGA (n = 6,110). Sixteen assessed EFW to predict SGA (n = 13,825), and 22 evaluated EFW to predict LGA (n = 18,896). To predict SGA, AC and EFW 35 cm had better sensitivity. Conclusion After 24 weeks, AC is comparable to EFW to predict both SGA and LGA. In settings where serial EFWs are inaccessible, a simpler screening method with AC alone may suffice.
Low Gestational Age Is the Strongest Predictor for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity and Adverse Outcomes at Two-Year Follow-Up in a Low Incidence Setting

We aimed to determine the risk factors for type 1 ROP and outcomes at 2 years of corrected age among preterms born
Kinematics of Shear Zones in the Southern Superior Province

Deformation along the borders of the Archean Quetico subprovince and adjacent subprovinces of the Superior Province was not uniformly developed in space or time and involved localized shear on a wide range of scales. Fabrics and structures that indicate this inhomogeneity and the sense of shear include foliation of variable intensity and orientation, S-C structures, shear bands, foliation ‘fish’, and asymmetric folds. The earliest deformation occurred prior to lithification in the upper parts of the stratal sequence, and involved localized bedding-parallel shear and early nappe development. This deformation was followed by the main ductile strain and fabric-producing event, which involved oblique shortening (dextral transpression) across the region. The ductile deformation was followed by brittle deformation of similar kinematic nature to the earlier ductile phase.
A proposed ethical framework for interventional cognitive neuroscience: A consideration of deep brain stimulation in impaired consciousness

Advances in neuromodulation techniques offer the promise of new therapeutic interventions for patients with neuropsychiatric maladies. Several complex social, ethical and policy issues will attend developments in this area. In this paper an ethical framework for clinical research in interventional cognitive neuroscience is advanced. Deep brain stimulation in traumatic brain injury is considered as a paradigm case to examine ethical obligations in human subject research. These include balancing access to novel therapies versus protection of vulnerable study populations, rational evaluation of study design and research strategies, informed consent, and the importance of achieving societal consensus for this line of scientific inquiry.
Amyloid, immunopathology and aging.

Recent advances in our understanding of the biochemistry and pathogenesis of the amyloid diseases have begun to provide information regarding the age-related amyloidoses in humans. Monospecific antisera to fibril subunit proteins are being used for the immunohistological typing of different forms of amyloid. This review will summarize current information relating amyloid to aging, particularly in regard to the pathoanatomic triad of islet cell hyalinization of the pancreas (type II diabetes mellitus), senile cardiac amyloidosis, and plaques/congophilic angiopathy in brain (senile dementia/Alzheimers disease).
D-optimally Lack-of-Fit-Test-efficient Designs and Related Simple Designs

In practice it is often more popular to use a uniform than an optimal design for estimating the unknown parameters of a linear regression model. The reason is that the model can be checked by a uniform design but it cannot be checked by an optimal design in many cases. On the other hand, however, for important regression models a uniform design is not very efficient to estimate the unknown parameters. Therefore Bischoff and Miller proposed in a series of papers a compromise. It is suggested there to look for designs that are optimal with respect to a specific criterion in the class of designs that are efficient for lack-of-fit-tests. In this paper we consider the D-criterion and polynomial regression models. For polynomial regression models with degree larger than two D-optimally lack-of-fit-test-efficient designs are difficult to determine. Therefore, in this paper we determine easily to calculate and for estimating the parameters highly efficient designs that are additionally lack-of-fit-test–efficient.
Application of Scanning Acoustic Microscopy to Residual Stress Analysis: Theory vs. Experiment

In this project, a new technique for the nondestructive evaluation of residual stress in manufactured components is proposed. Where most approaches to residual stress analysis have been based on monitoring the stress induced changes in sound velocity these techniques are limited in their utility due to use of contact, shear transducers (effectively precluding scanning large areas), the inability to resolve the dependence of residual stresses on depth (important for surface treatments) and the difficulty in making accurate time delay measurements due to the very small acoustoelastic effect observed for most practical materials. Here, we propose to develop a nondestructive test technique suitable for scanning plate structures. An aspherically focused, immersion transducer is used in a scan mode to generate an axially symmetric pulse. We utilize interference phenomena between two shear waves polarized in the directions of the in-plane principal stress axes to increase resolution of the small differences in transit time between the two waves. This technique may become a powerful tool to study actual residual stress distributions in practical engineering materials.
Locoregional Anesthesia in Children

Worldwide pediatric regional anesthesia continues to evolve. In some countries, regional anesthesia forms part of the “anesthetic culture” and it is almost an anticipated to provide analgesia for children after surgery. In some institutions, the use of regional anesthesia in children remains limited because of the perception that the advantages of regional anesthesia over opiate analgesia [1,2] are not worth the potential risks. Although different, the incidence of risk associated with regional anesthesia is remarkably similar to opiate analgesia, i.e., approximately 1 per 1,000 of the population, based on recent multicenter surveys [3,4].
A Stress-Strain Perspective on Managerial Behavior

For over two decades, I have built upon a series of concepts and assumptions about organizational behavior that I encountered during my graduate studies at The Ohio State University (Drabek, 1969; Drabek and Haas, 1969, 1974; Haas and Drabek, 1973). This cluster of ideas--referred to as a stress-strain perspective--has proved useful in organizing and interpreting research results in a variety of settings, especially those following large-scale disasters (Drabek, 1985b, 1983; Drabek et al., 1981).
Nonlinearly Generated Second Harmonic Ultrasonic Backscatter for Determining Composition of Human Carotid Plaque

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is a leading cause of stroke. Current imaging approaches measure the extent of stenosis, while plaque composition is unavailable at the point of care outside of calcium burden provided by CT. The goal of this effort is to provide a robust non-invasive measure of plaque composition. The specific focus of this abstract is to determine if the nonlinearly generated second harmonic portion of the signal can aid data obtained from the fundamental portion of the backscatter to determine plaque composition. A pilot clinical study, obtained pulse inversion backscatter from 14 subjects prior to carotid endarterectomy. The corresponding plaque was obtained following surgery and histologically processed. The pulse inversion pairs were processed to obtain the harmonic and fundamental traces with 20dB bandwidths. Power spectrum for each ROI was obtained and normalized by data obtained from a uniform 0.5 dB/cm-MHz phantom and additional attenuation compensation. The results indicate that the harmonic parameters provide additional discriminatory information for plaque composition that is not contained within the fundamental data.
Submesoscale Vortical Wakes in the Lee of Topography

AbstractAn idealized framework of steady barotropic flow past an isolated seamount in a background of constant stratification (with frequency N) and rotation (with Coriolis parameter f) is used to ...
A streamlined approach to hybrid-chemistry modeling for a low cetane-number alternative jet fuel

Abstract The development of renewable, alternative jet fuels presents an exigent challenge to the aviation community. In this work, a streamlined methodology for building computationally efficient kinetic models of real fuels from shock tube experiments is developed and applied to a low cetane-number, broad-boiling alternative jet fuel (termed C-4). A multi-wavelength laser absorption spectroscopy technique was used to determine species time-histories during the high-temperature pyrolysis of C-4, and a batch gradient descent optimization routine built a hybrid-chemistry (HyChem) kinetic model from the measured data. The model was evaluated using combustor-relevant, high-pressure ignition delay time measurements with satisfactory agreement. The present model enables predictive simulations of C-4 in practical environments, while the underlying methodology described here can be readily extended to build kinetic models for a broad range of real fuels of interest.
Bifactor MIRT as an Appealing and Related Alternative to CDMs in the Presence of Skill Attribute Continuity

For virtually all tests analyzed using CDMs, low-dimensional compensatory item response theory (IRT) models with continuous abilities appear to provide an equivalent or better statistical fit, as noted in a recent commentary by von Davier and Haberman (Psychometrika, 79:340–346, 2014). We examine these issues using both simulation and real data analyses. We suggest that the results motivate consideration of bifactor MIRT models as an attractive alternative for diagnostic measurement, particular in cases where skill attribute continuity is suspected or can be confirmed. The potential usefulness of bifactor MIRT for diagnostic scoring is also based on other considerations. For example, bifactor MIRT reflects a tendency for items to measure primarily one of the required conjunctively interacting skill attributes (the most difficult of the required attributes), and also makes it possible to address the estimation limitations of MIRT models of high dimensionality (Cai L, Psychometrika, 75(4):581–612, 2010). Additionally, the bifactor MIRT model uses orthogonal statistical dimensions, making it easier to quantify the incremental contribution provided by attending to specific factors that can provide the foundation for diagnosis.
Prospect of vapor phase catalytic H2O2 production by oxidation of water

ABSTRACT Vapor phase catalytic hydrogen peroxide production by oxidation of water is possible by coupling the reaction with oxidation of an organic sacrificial reductant. It is potentially a safer process than direct synthesis from H2 and O2. Based on mechanistic information available mostly for liquid phase catalytic processes, feasible reaction mechanisms for such coupled reactions are proposed based on which desirable catalyst properties are identified. It is found that the surface-adsorbed oxygen bond is an important parameter for identifying desirable catalysts. Thermodynamics can be used to identify the types of organic oxidation reactions that can couple with water oxidation such that H2O2 formation becomes thermodynamically favorable. Reactions such as epoxidation of alkenes and selective oxidation of alkanes to alcohols cannot provide sufficient thermodynamic driving force, whereas oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and to acids can. Finally, further research is suggested to identify catalytic properties important for H2O2 decomposition and for coupling selective oxidation of organic compounds to oxidation of H2O in order to facilitate development of H2O2 production coupled with selective organic oxidation.
Reliability, responsiveness, and validity of handheld dynamometry for assessing quadriceps strength in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To determine the reliability, responsiveness, validity, and agreement of handheld dynamometry, relative to electromechanical dynamometry, for assessing quadriceps strength surrounding tota...
Impact of cathodic electron acceptor on microbial fuel cell internal resistance.

Abstract Ferricyanide is often used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to avoid oxygen intrusion that occurs with air cathodes. However, MFC internal resistances using ferricyanide can be larger than those with air cathodes even though ferricyanide results in higher power densities. Using a graphite fiber brush cathode and a ferricyanide catholyte (FC-B) the internal resistance was 62 ± 4 mΩ m2, with 84 ± 8 mΩ m2 obtained using ferricyanide and a flat carbon paper cathode (FC-F) and only 51 ± 1 mΩ m2 using a 70% porosity air cathode (A-70). The FC-B MFCs produced the highest maximum power density of all configurations examined: 2.46 ± 0.26 W/m2, compared to 1.33 ± 0.14 W/m2 for the A-70 MFCs. The electrode potential slope (EPS) analysis method showed that electrode resistances were similar for ferricyanide and air–cathode MFCs, and that higher power was due to the larger experimental working potential (500 ± 12 mV) of ferricyanide compared to the air cathode (233 ± 5 mV).
Oncogenic KIT modulates type I interferon-mediated antitumor immunity in GIST

Type I interferons (IFN) are implicated in tumor immunogenicity and response to systemic therapy, but their interaction with oncogene signaling is not well understood. Here, we studied oncogenic KIT, which drives gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common sarcoma. Using mouse models of GIST, we found that KIT inhibition reduced type I IFN production and signaling, which downregulated tumor MHC class I expression. Absence of type I IFN signaling increased tumor size, in part due to CD8+ T-cell impairment. Oncogenic KIT was required for GIST type I IFN signal transduction via STAT1. In human GIST cell lines and surgical specimens, type I IFN signaling contributed to HLA class I expression and correlated with tumor immunogenicity. Augmenting the type I IFN response partially compensated for the immunosuppressive effects of KIT inhibition. Thus, KIT signaling contributes to type I IFN signaling while KIT inhibition attenuates tumor immunogenicity and is party rescued by innate immune stimulation.