cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Acute Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infection Leading to Fulminant Hepatitis and Subsequent Chronic Hepatitis C

A 22-year-old male Taiwanese was admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis B associated with fulminant hepatic failure. After receiving supportive treatment, the patient's clinical condition improved and the results of liver function tests (including prothrombin time) gradually improved. However, in spite of seroconversion from hepatitis B surface antigen to antibody, hepatitis relapsed and serum alanine aminotransferase levels were persistently abnormal during the 3-year follow-up period. Liver biopsy performed 2 years after the onset of illness revealed chronic hepatitis. A retrospective review of the patient's serological test results revealed hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and the development of antibodies to HCV during the acute phase of illness as well as the persistence of HCV RNA during follow-up. Thus, we serologically and virologically proved that our patient had simultaneous acute infections with hepatitis B and C viruses and that these infections led to fulminant hepatic failure, relapse of hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis C.
MELCOR sensitivity studies for a low-pressure, short-term station blackout at the Peach Bottom plant

Abstract This paper summarizes the results of analyses performed to assess the effect of a variety of design parameters and operational procedures on a station blackout severe accident at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. The severe-accident melcor code, version 1.8.1 was used in these analyses. The following sensitivity studies were completed: effect of the automatic depressurization system actuation timing on the accident progression; effect of fuel and cladding porosities on vessel failure and containment failure times; effect of several parameters on the amount of in-vessel steel ejected into the cavity after vessel failure; effect of different parameters on vessel penetration failure time; vessel failure timing; and lower plenum shroud and core shroud temperatures. These sensitivity studies provided valuable insights into the melcor code behavior and into the progression of this severe accident. The most significant results are: (a) the optimum steam cooling of the core is accomplished when the automatic depressurization system is actuated when the core water level is at one-third of the active core height, delaying vessel failure by minutes and containment failure by hours, (b) vessel failure is significantly delayed (by 2 h) when lower-plenum debris quenching is included in the model, and (c) the core shroud melts during this transient.
Acellular bi-layer silk fibroin scaffolds support functional tissue regeneration in a rat model of onlay esophagoplasty.

Surgical management of long-gap esophageal defects with autologous gastrointestinal tissues is frequently associated with adverse complications including organ dysmotility, dysphagia, and donor site morbidity. In order to develop alternative graft options, bi-layer silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds were investigated for their potential to support functional tissue regeneration in a rodent model of esophageal repair. Onlay esophagoplasty was performed with SF matrices (N = 40) in adult rats for up to 2 m of implantation. Parallel groups consisted of animals implanted with small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffolds (N = 22) or sham controls receiving esophagotomy alone (N = 20). Sham controls exhibited a 100% survival rate while rats implanted with SF and SIS scaffolds displayed respective survival rates of 93% and 91% prior to scheduled euthanasia. Animals in each experimental group were capable of solid food consumption following a 3 d post-op liquid diet and demonstrated similar degrees of weight gain throughout the study period. End-point μ-computed tomography at 2 m post-op revealed no evidence of contrast extravasation, fistulas, strictures, or diverticula in any of the implant groups. Ex vivo tissue bath studies demonstrated that reconstructed esophageal conduits supported by both SF and SIS scaffolds displayed contractile responses to carbachol, KCl and electrical field stimulation while isoproterenol produced tissue relaxation. Histological (Masson's trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluations demonstrated both implant groups produced de novo formation of skeletal and smooth muscle bundles positive for contractile protein expression [fast myosin heavy chain (MY32) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] within the graft site. However, SF matrices promoted a significant 4-fold increase in MY32+ skeletal muscle and a 2-fold gain in α-SMA+ smooth muscle in comparison to the SIS cohort as determined by histomorphometric analyses. A stratified squamous, keratinized epithelium expressing cytokeratin 5 and involucrin proteins was also present at 2 m post-op in all experimental groups. De novo innervation and vascularization were evident in all regenerated tissues indicated by the presence of synaptophysin (SYP38)+ boutons and vessels lined with CD31 expressing endothelial cells. In respect to SIS, the SF group supported a significant 4-fold increase in the density of SYP38+ boutons within the implant region. Evaluation of host tissue responses revealed that SIS matrices elicited chronic inflammatory reactions and severe fibrosis throughout the neotissues, in contrast to SF scaffolds. The results of this study demonstrate that bi-layer SF scaffolds represent promising biomaterials for onlay esophagoplasty, capable of producing superior regenerative outcomes in comparison to conventional SIS scaffolds.
Linear Viscoelastic Predictions of a Consistently Unconstrained Brownian Slip-Link Model

A consistently unconstrained Brownian slip-link (CUBS) model with constant chain friction is used to predict the linear rheological behavior of linear, entangled polymeric liquids. As in the previously proposed slip-link model without constraint release (J. Rheol. 2003, 47, 213), this model contains segment connectivity, contour-length fluctuations, and chain stretching in a self-consistent and natural way. Constraint release is considered in a mean-field way, but including fluctuations, both as a binary interaction between chains, and as a multichain interaction. Unlike previous mean-field works, constraint release is included on the level of chain dynamics instead of assuming that the relaxation modulation is a product of two moduli found by independent processes. These dynamics require no additional parameters. The model may also be used to make nonlinear flow predictions without any additional parameters. We find that inclusion of the additional physics of constraint release improves the linear viscoe...
Reviewing the Reference Reviews

Surely an article whose author is also part of its subject will seem at best odd to some and at worst self‐serving to others. Perhaps a bit of explanation of this article's genesis will moderate those reactions.
"Why can't I adjust my refrigerator's temperature?": or "What's wrong with my mental model?"

Have you ever had difficulty adjusting your refrigerator temperature, setting your VCR program, or transferring a call to another extension? The source of these difficulties is often a failed mapping between the designers' and the users' models of a system (Norman, 1988); in brief, user's have flawed mental models (or devices have flawed designs). This study examined how providing explicit models to users or allowing them to explore the system's functioning could serve as a bridge between designer and user device images. Using a simple device, the temperature controls in a refrigerator, we compared performance on temperature adjustment using an explicit model, an implicit model, and a no model condition. Exploration was introduced as an alternative to explicit presentation of a model; subjects could try out the simulated device before beginning a specific task. Although this type of exploration has gained increased popularity as a training strategy, there appear to be substantial individual differences in the utility of that approach. Some people enjoy the assimilation of information and focus on the question rather than on any specific resolution ("perceivers"), and these people are likely to enjoy exploration. Other people, in contrast, are focussed on answers and prefer closure ("judgers"); an exploratory environment is likely to be less useful for that group. We analyzed whether these general differences in cognitive style would influence the utility of exploration as a learning tool in our task.
Low-frequency emissions from deep levels in GaAs MESFETs

Low-frequency natural oscillations have been observed in ion-implanted GaAs test MESFETs based on undoped LEC grown semi-insulating substrates that originate from deep levels.
An interdisciplinary field robotics program for undergraduate computer science and engineering education

Santa Clara University's Robotic Systems Laboratory conducts an aggressive robotic development and operations program in which interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students build and deploy a wide range of robotic systems, ranging from underwater vehicles to spacecraft. These year-long projects expose students to the breadth of and interdependence among engineering disciplines, the span of processes in a system development lifecycle, and the challenges of managing a development process. Over the past five years, this program has provided more than 150 students with exposure to computer science and engineering topics, including software engineering, algorithm development, human-computer interface design, and artificial intelligence. This program provides exciting and compelling educational opportunities for students, offers real-world applications that naturally motivate the need for specific computing technologies, and serves a broader research and development program that utilizes the functional robotic systems to support externally-funded science and technology demonstration missions. The experience of the authors, as well as formal program assessment data, show that this program provides strong student motivation for learning, offers comprehensive and valuable educational experiences, and enhances student performance. This article reviews the Santa Clara robotics program, highlights the role of computer science and engineering in several projects, and presents the assessment data showing the positive results of this program.
Development and validation of the Lymphedema Symptom and Intensity Survey-Arm.

Purpose The purpose of this instrument development project was to create a self-report tool to evaluate arm lymphedema and associated symptoms in breast cancer survivors.
Quantum chemical modeling for 157 nm photolithography

Abstract In its continuing quest for smaller length scales, the electronics industry plans to introduce 157 nm as the next lithographic wavelength. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to develop photoresists that are more transparent, and pellicles that are both more transparent and more durable. With the advent and popularization of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), we now have a practical quantum chemical method for calculating excitation energies and transition moments in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) which can greatly assist in the scouting of highly transparent materials. We have performed TD-DFT calculations for a broad variety of fluorinated molecules and we will report calculated VUV photoabsorption spectra for a large family of model fluorohexanes. These calculations, which span a range from 1-fluorohexane to CH 3 CF 2 CF 2 CF 2 CF 2 CH 3 , illustrate some of the principles one may use to design low absorption polymeric materials.
Lobule repositioning in aesthetic otoplasty

Repositioning of the lobule in setback otoplasty is not usually achieved by creation of the antihelical fold alone. A Y-V axially-oriented advancement of the posterior skin of the lobule is a simple and effective technique to create a smooth, uninterrupted helical rim to the bottom of the ear. It may be used with any of the traditional setback otoplasty procedures.
Inflammation and Stroke Introduction

Inflammation is an all encompassing term for a complex process that entails multiple cellular, hormonal and biochemical alterations that are both systemic and organ-specific. A panalopy of acute and chronic infections as well as many exogenous and intrinsic sources of inflammation is associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. The molecular mediators of these processes are the focus of enormous research interest in both vascular and neurobiology and encompass investigatory areas including atherogenesis, vascular autoregulation, endothelial function, hemostasis, leukocyte and bone marrow activation and intrinsic neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Atherosclerosis affecting precerebral as well as intrinsic brain arteries and arterioles …
Technologies to probe functions and mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs

Thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered, but their functional characterization has been slowed by a limited set of research tools. Here we review emerging RNA-centric methods to interrogate the intrinsic structure of lncRNAs as well as their genomic localization and biochemical partners. Understanding these technologies, including their advantages and caveats, and developing them in the future will be essential to progress from description to comprehension of the myriad roles of lncRNAs.
Conformation of the AcrB Multidrug Efflux Pump in Mutants of the Putative Proton Relay Pathway

We previously reported the X-ray structures of wild-type Escherichia coli AcrB, a proton motive force-dependent multidrug efflux pump, and its N109A mutant. These structures presumably reflect the resting state of AcrB, which can bind drugs. After ligand binding, a proton may bind to an acidic residue(s) in the transmembrane domain, i.e., Asp407 or Asp408, within the putative network of electrostatically interacting residues, which also include Lys940 and Thr978, and this may initiate a series of conformational changes that result in drug expulsion. Herein we report the X-ray structures of four AcrB mutants, the D407A, D408A, K940A, and T978A mutants, in which the structure of this tight electrostatic network is expected to become disrupted. These mutant proteins revealed remarkably similar conformations, which show striking differences from the previously known conformations of the wild-type protein. For example, the loop containing Phe386 and Phe388, which play a major role in the initial binding of substrates in the central cavity, becomes prominently extended into the center of the cavity, such that binding of large substrate molecules may become difficult. We believe that this new conformation may mimic, at least partially, one of the transient conformations of the transporter during the transport cycle.
Singapore: The Fourth Way in Action?.

This article has two main objectives. It first outlines the first three waves of change termed by Hargreaves and Shirley (The Fourth Way: The inspiring future for educational change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2009) as the First, Second and Third Way that defined global educational policy and practice since the 1960s. It then introduces the main tenets of the Fourth Way, which is characterised by inspiring success stories of educational leadership and change that have led to remarkable leaps forward in student learning and achievement. The Fourth Way is distinguished by a paradigm shift in the change mindset of educational leaders of how they push educational frontiers to achieve a more sustainable future. It is defined not merely as a destination but a journey in itself. Second, it considers how Singapore presents an interesting case study of paving the Fourth Way through its many forward-looking educational initiatives and fidelity in the implementation of these reforms. In doing so, this article also sets the stage for the other articles in this volume which cover different aspects of the Singapore education story, from pre-primary to tertiary education, to teacher preparation, and leadership development to the internationalization of its teacher education programmes and how educational research translates into policy and practice in this unique nation.
Lipofuscin ("Wear and Tear Pigment") in Human Sweat Glands

Lipofuscin, sometimes known as "wear and tear pigment" and "age pigment" occurs in the skin within cells of the secretory tubules of eccrine (and apocrine) sweat glands. The youngest age at which lipofuscin was demonstrated in eccrine sweat gland in this study was 6 years and granules of the pigment increased steadily in number with the passage of years. Although there have been several recent reports of disease linked to the accumulation of lipofuscin in the nervous system and liver, no evidence was found to suggest that accumulation of lipofuscin in eccrine sweat gland cells had an adverse effect on the glands or on the person.
The Second Member of the Human and Murine “Bubblegum” Family Is a Testis- and Brainstem-specific Acyl-CoA Synthetase

Acyl-CoA synthetases that activate fatty acids to their CoA derivatives play a central role in fatty acid metabolism. ACSBG1, an acyl-CoA synthetase originally identified in the fruit fly mutant bubblegum, was hypothesized to contribute to the biochemical pathology of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. We looked for homologous proteins and identified ACSBG2 in humans, mice, and rats. Human ACSBG1 and ACSBG2 amino acid sequences are 50% identical. ACSBG2 expression was confined to the testis and brainstem. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization studies further localized ACSBG2 expression to testicular Sertoli cells and large motoneurons in the medulla oblongata and cervical spinal cord. Full-length cDNA encoding human and mouse ACSBG2 was cloned. In transfected COS-1 cells, both human and murine ACSBG2 were detected as 75- to 80-kDa proteins by Western blot. Cells overexpressing ACSBG2 had increased ability to activate oleic acid (C18:1ω9) and linoleic acid (C18:2ω6) but not other fatty acid substrates tested. Within a highly conserved motif known to be important for catalysis, human ACSBG2 contains a histidine residue where all other known acyl-CoA synthetases, including mouse and rat ACSBG2, contain an arginine. This substitution resulted in a shift of the human ACSBG2 pH optimum to a more acidic pH. Mutation of this histidine to arginine improved catalytic function at neutral pH by shifting the pH profile without affecting substrate specificity. Although the role of ACSBG2 in testicular and neuronal lipid metabolism remains unclear, the limited tissue expression pattern and limited substrate specificity rule out a likely role for this enzyme in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy pathology.
Reducing the Trauma of Voiding Cystourethrograms Without Sedation

Abstract During a voiding cystourethrogram pediatric patients can experience pain, embarrassment, and fear. Although much research exists on the use of sedation to minimize the risk of emotional and physical trauma during these exams, little documentation exists on the effectiveness of nonsedation techniques. Understanding of the possible stressors associated with this imaging study in combination with developmentally appropriate use of distraction, relaxation, medical play, and pre-procedure preparation can potentially reduce the negative emotional impact for many children without the risks and concerns associated with sedation.
The latest developments in the genetics of Fuchs corneal dystrophy

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common, familial trait. Several genes have been associated with the disease, including LOXHD1, SLC4A11, TCF4, ZEB-1 and COL8A2 which has been identified as a cause of an early-onset Fuchs-like disease. The evidence for these genetic associations will be reviewed and new data will be shared. To date, the most sensitive biomarker for FECD is an intronic TGC trinucleotide expansion in the TCF4 gene which is present in the majority of FECD cases and in a small proportion of normal control subjects. Within families, this tricnucleotide expansion tends to segregate with the disease phenotype. The biology of trinucleotide expansion diseases and possible mechanisms by which TGC expansion may conribute to FECD will be presented. A brief discussion of recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of FECD, such as the unfolded protein response and oxidative stress, will also be presented in order to highlight the challenges in linking the implicated causative genes with the biochemical pathways involved in the disease.
Hemoglobinemia in mice exposed to high altitude.

Male and female mice were exposed to a simulated altitude of 5,500m for 10, 30 or 90 days. After exposure to altitude for 90 days one group of each sex was then returned to sea level pressures for 10 days. In addition to the expected increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin, altitude exposure increased the 2,3-DPG content of red cells. Maximum values of 2,3-DPG (μmoles/g hemoglobin) occurred after 10 days at altitude and thereafter declined to values comparable to those in sea level mice despite continued exposure to hypoxia.
Phosphorylation and the N-terminal extension of the regulatory light chain help orient and align the myosin heads in Drosophila flight muscle

X-ray diffraction of the indirect flight muscle (IFM) in living Drosophila at rest and electron microscopy of intact and glycerinated IFM was used to compare the effects of mutations in the regulatory light chain (RLC) on sarcomeric structure. Truncation of the RLC N-terminal extension (Dmlc2(Delta2-46)) or disruption of the phosphorylation sites by substituting alanines (Dmlc2(S66A, S67A)) decreased the equatorial intensity ratio (I(20)/I(10)), indicating decreased myosin mass associated with the thin filaments. Phosphorylation site disruption (Dmlc2(S66A, S67A)), but not N-terminal extension truncation (Dmlc2(Delta2-46)), decreased the 14.5nm reflection intensity, indicating a spread of the axial distribution of the myosin heads. The arrangement of thick filaments and myosin heads in electron micrographs of the phosphorylation mutant (Dmlc2(S66A, S67A)) appeared normal in the relaxed and rigor states, but when calcium activated, fewer myosin heads formed cross-bridges. In transgenic flies with both alterations to the RLC (Dmlc2(Delta2-46; S66A, S67A)), the effects of the dual mutation were additive. The results suggest that the RLC N-terminal extension serves as a "tether" to help pre-position the myosin heads for attachment to actin, while phosphorylation of the RLC promotes head orientations that allow optimal interactions with the thin filament.
"Explaining why": a closer look at attributions in child abuse victims.

In summary, the empirical and conceptual articles in this special issue examine victims' attributions from multiple perspectives, including abuse-specific, abuse-related, and general attributions as well as attributions made by children and adults abused as children. The commentaries examine attributions in relation to treatment and in the context of a model of child abuse sequelae. Together, these articles examine some of the clinical/therapeutic, measurement, and scientific implications of this emerging topical area (e.g., what types of attributions merit evaluation and with what types of methods, how and when do we best modify maladaptive attributions, what assessment and treatment studies are needed to examine the role of attributions). We hope these articles will stimulate colleagues working with all forms maltreatment who are interested in research and treatment pertaining to attribution styles in childhood victims. Despite the complexities involved, the rewards for understanding which children are most at risk and for designing more effective treatments are many. Language: en
Extended electron energy loss fine structure analysis of amorphous Al2O3

Abstract Specimens of single-crystal α-Al2O3 in the [0001] orientation have been implanted at—185°C with either 4 × 1016 Alcm−2 and 6×1016O cm−2 or with 4×1016 Fe cm−2. In both cases, amorphous layers were produced which extended from the surface to a depth of approximately 170 nm. Investigation of the response of the amorphous material to post-implantation thermal treatments has revealed significant differences. When annealed for 1 h at 960°C in argon, the material made amorphous by implantation with a stoichiometric ratio of aluminium and oxygen recrystallized into a dual-phase microstructure consisting of γ-Al2O3, a cubic transitional form, and epitactical α-Al2O3. In contrast, when treated under similar conditions, the material made amorphous by implantation with iron recrystallized completely to epitactical α-Al2O3. These differences suggest that fundamental structural and chemical differences exist in the as-implanted state. The analysis of extended energy loss fine structure (EXELFS) in electron en...
An approximate Bayesian approach for quantitative trait loci estimation

Bayesian approaches have been widely used in quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis in experimental crosses, and have advantages in interpretability and in constructing parameter probability intervals. Most existing Bayesian linkage methods involve Monte Carlo sampling, which is computationally prohibitive for high-throughput applications such as eQTL analysis. In this paper, we present a Bayesian linkage model that offers directly interpretable posterior densities or Bayes factors for linkage. For our model, we employ the Laplace approximation for integration over nuisance parameters in backcross (BC) and F2 intercross designs. Our approach is highly accurate, and very fast compared with alternatives, including grid search integration, importance sampling, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). Our approach is thus suitable for high-throughput applications. Simulated and real datasets are used to demonstrate our proposed approach.
Controlled polymer monolayer synthesis by radical transfer to surface immobilized transfer agents

Radical chain transfer from solution-generated free radicals to thiol transfer agents bound to the surfaces of planar silicon and silica particles was investigated as a method to generate surface-bound polymer brushes. Both conventional radical and reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations created polymer films with molecular weights dependent on the details of the reaction. In the presence of high free radical concentrations or RAFT agent modifiers, the surface had minimal influence on the growth of grafted polymer chains following the initial radical transfer to the surface. Notably, excellent control of film thickness was achieved in the absence of surface-bound initiators or RAFT agents, thereby simplifying the synthesis of immobilized brush architectures. On the other hand, low concentrations of solution free radicals in conventional radical polymerization generated grafted polymers with lengths varying considerably from polymers in solution. Despite the simplicity and versatility of this technique for creating polymer-modified surfaces by surface initiated polymerization (SIP), it has been under-utilized; likely due to the absence of a framework for the rational design of the brush. The details of this investigation should allow surface modification by polymer films to become accessible to researchers without the need to create complex precursor surface chemistries.
Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies XVII. Animal response to n-nonane vapor.

The LC50 for groups of rats subjected to inhalation of n-nonane vapor for 4 hr and held for 14 days was 17 (14 to 21) mg/liter or 3200 (2700 to 4000) ppm. Rats tolerated 4.6 mg/liter (880 ppm) for 4 hr without visible discomfort. During 7 days of inhalation of vapor at a concentration of 8.1 mg/liter (1500 ppm) for 6 hr per day rats had mild tremors, slight coordination loss, and slight irritation of the eyes and extremities. Rats were subjected to inhalation of 8.4, 3.1, and 1.9 mg/liter (1600, 590, and 360 ppm) for 6 hr daily, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. Two deaths occurred on Day 1 in the 8.4-mg/liter group, and two late deaths at Days 46 and 52 resulted from suppurative bronchopneumonia in the 1.9-mg/liter concentration. Micropathological evaluation of tissues taken from surviving rats revealed no lesions attributable to inhalation of the vapor. No statistically significant deviations from the controls were found either at 3.1 or 1.9 mg/liter. However, the mean body weights or mean body weight gains of rats subjected to 8.4 mg/liter were statistically significantly lower than those of the controls throughout the 13-week inhalation regimen. Based upon the above, a concentration of 3.1 mg/liter (590 ppm) is the no-ill-effect level for rats.
Picric acid staining of serum paraproteins.

Abstract The picric acid stainability of globulins on paper electrophoretic strips was investigated in serum from 196 patients. In 5 of the 22 with multiple myeloma the globulins did not stain. But all of the 10 samples from patients with macroglobulinemia, 12 of the 40 from patients with liver disease, five of the 18 from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, three of the 11 from patients with lupus erythematosus, and 25 of the 95 from patients with miscellaneous diseases were strongly positive for globulin staining by picric acid. The degree of staining seemed to correlate with the concentration of γ-globulins more closely than with the type of disease.
Comparison of Dycal and formocresol pulpotomies in young permanent teeth in monkeys

This study compared Dycal and formocresol pulpotomies on young healthy permanent teeth with respect to continued dentinogenesis and root end development. Pulpotomy was performed on a total of forty permanent teeth with incompletely developed roots in three young stump-tailed monkeys (Macaca speciosa). Twenty teeth were treated with Dycal and twenty with formocresol. At the end of the experimental periods the animals were killed and the specimens were prepared and sectioned en bloc for histologic examination. The interval between treatment and death ranged between 7 and 797 days. Before each experimental procedure a Procion vital dye was administered as a marking agent for continued root development. Twelve of twenty teeth treated with Dycal and seventeen of twenty teeth treated with formocresol were judged to be successful as evidenced by continued root development, absence of periapical pathoses, and the presence of noninflamed or only mildly inflamed pulps. Brown and Brenn staining showed bacteria within the pulps of the teeth that failed. All but one of the teeth in this study showed evidence of continued root development as confirmed by Procion labeling.
Synthesis of 1α-Hydroxyvitamin D5 Using a Modified Two Wavelength Photolysis for Vitamin D Formation

1α-Hydroxyvitamin D5 (1) is a promising chemopreventive agent for breast cancer and is being developed as a drug. We report a synthesis for this vitamin D analogue which uses a photochemical method for the B-ring opening, leading to the conjugated triene system. The precursor 7-dehydrositosteryl acetate (4) obtained through a one-pot, five-step procedure, was completely free of the 4,6-diene isomer that usually forms in the 5,7-diene synthesis. The pre-vitamin isomer (11) was generated using a modified two-wavelength photolysis procedure that increases the yield for this step more than 3-fold compared to classically used photolysis. The 1α-hydroxylation step was performed on the 3-triethylsilyl-trans-vitamin D5 (17) obtained via the sulfur dioxide adduct of cis-vitamin D5, in an overall yield of 48%. Photoisomerization and deprotection completed the synthesis.
Computed Flammability Limits of Opposed-Jet H/O/CO Diffusion Flames at Low Pressure

A narrowband radiation model is coupled to the OPPDIF program to enable the study of one-dimensional hydrogen‐ oxygen diffusion e ame over the entire range of e ammable stretch rates. The e ame characteristics and the extinction limits at a low pressure of 1.013 kPa are sought, with the amount of carbon dioxide dilution level and stretch rate as parameters. The conditions studied are particularly relevant to Mars exploration. In addition, a e ammability map is presented using these two parameters as coordinates. Both the high-stretch blowoff and the low-stretch quenching limits are found. Theexistence of an absolute carbon dioxide dilution limit, above which the diffusion e ame is not possible, is demonstrated. Low-stretch diffusion e ames at low pressures are unusually thick, with e ame temperatures substantially below those of the adiabatic e ames. This large temperature drop results from the combined effect of e ame radiation and limited gas residence time in the e ame, and may be particular to the hydrogen‐ oxygen chemical kinetics. One of the novel features of the application of the narrowband radiation model is the inclusion of Doppler broadening, which is shown to be important in low-pressure e ames.
Nonlinear productivity control using a multi-staged cell population balance model

Abstract Cell growth processes are inherently nonlinear and as such are difficult to control. Moreover, due to the operation of the cell cycle, cell properties are distributed among the cells of a population. The only type of mathematical models that account for this heterogeneous nature of cell growth consists of the so-called cell population balance models. In this paper, we address the problem of controlling the productivity of a desired product using such a cell population balance model for the process description. It is assumed that cells grow in a continuous bioreactor, in two cell cycle stages. We further assume that the product is only being produced during the second stage of the cell cycle. We develop a cell population balance model consisting of a system of two partial differential equations, each describing the dynamics of cell growth during each of the two stages of the cell cycle, and two ordinary differential equations, describing the dynamics of the limiting substrate and product concentrations. The feed substrate concentration is considered as the manipulated input for achieving the control objective. Nonlinear and linear feedback laws that use measurements of the mass distributions of the two stages and the substrate and product concentrations, to induce a pre-specified output response are synthesized and are tested and compared through numerical simulations.
Control of LH and FSH secretion in the male: Evidence that aromatization of androgens to estradiol is not required for inhibition of gonadotropin secretion.

Abstract Recent data indicate that the hypothalamus is capable of aromatizing androgens to estrogens; it has been suggested that this aromatization is required for hormonal activity at the hypothalamic level. In this study dihydrotestosterone and testosterone were administered over a broad dose range to castrate male rats. Dihydrotestosterone, an A-ring reduced steroid which is not convertible to estrogen, was demonstrated to be more potent than testosterone in suppressing serum LH levels while equipotent to testosterone in suppressing FSH. We conclude that conversion of androgens to estrogens is not required for inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Does risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy leave behind residual tube?

Abstract Objective Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is an effective option for women with BRCA mutations however there is limited information as to how much tubal epithelium remains after RRSO. Methods Twenty hysterectomy specimens were prospectively evaluated after both tubes were fulgurated and transected at the uterine cornua in an attempt to remove the complete fallopian tube simulating the RRSO procedure. Unfixed specimens were processed by a single pathologist who took sequential 3 mm cross sections perpendicular to the long axis of each residual tube beginning at the tubal resection line (or uterine cornua if prior adnexectomy) proceeding toward the uterine cavity. The presence and length of residual tube was recorded and sections were examined for preserved tubal epithelium. For each case with residual tube, the surface area of residual epithelium was calculated. Results A tubal remnant was identified in 29 of 40 (73%) uterine cornual sites. The median length of residual tube was 6 mm (range 3–21 mm). Each tubal remnant had some preserved columnar epithelium. The median surface area of tubal remnant was 14 mm 2 (range 2–117 mm 2 ). Prior adnexectomy did not affect the frequency of having a tubal remnant or the length of remnant tube. Neither menopausal status, indication for hysterectomy nor type of hysterectomy correlated with presence of residual tube. Conclusion The majority of the uterine cornua had a tubal remnant which suggests that RRSO may leave behind residual tubal epithelium. The clinical significance of this tubal remnant is unclear given the current understanding of tubal carcinogenesis.
Magnetic-field-induced crossover to a nonuniversal regime in a Kondo dot.

We have measured the magnetic splitting ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}$ of a Kondo peak in the differential conductance of a single-electron transistor while tuning the Kondo temperature ${T}_{K}$ along two different paths in parameter space: varying the dot-lead coupling at a constant dot energy and vice versa. At a high magnetic field $B$, the changes of ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}$ with ${T}_{K}$ along the two paths have opposite signs, indicating that ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}$ is not a universal function of ${T}_{K}$. At low $B$, we observe a decrease in ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}$ with ${T}_{K}$ along both paths, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we find ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}/\ensuremath{\Delta}l1$ at low $B$ and ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{K}/\ensuremath{\Delta}g1$ at high $B$, where $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the Zeeman energy of the bare spin, in the same system.
Valence Electronic Structure and Charge Transfer in Tetrathiofulvalinium Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) from Photoemission Spectroscopy

Comparison of ultraviolet-photoemission, valence-orbital spectra (as well as high-resolution, x-ray photoemission, N-core-level spectra) of TTF-TCNQ, neutral TCNQ, and ${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$ ${(\mathrm{TCNQ})}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ indicates a large amount of charge transfer in TTF-TCNQ. The spectra for this complex show strong coupling between states near the Fermi energy and molecular vibrations due to localization of the mobile electrons on individual molecules, at least on the time scale of bond vibrations.
Oxazoline functionalized polystyrene as a compatibilizer for dispersion of organoclay in polyphenylene ether blends

Addition of external additives as compatibilizers is known to improve exfoliation of nanoclay in various polymeric matrices. This study found that oxazoline functionalized polystyrene (OPS) is an effective compatibilizer to improve the dispersion of organoclay (Cloisite 20A) in polyphenylene ether (PPE)-based blends. The main objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of OPS as a compatibilizer for dispersion of nanoclay in PPE-based blends and evaluate whether the master-batch of organoclay in OPS can be used to disperse nanoclay in various PPE-based blends irrespective of the type of the other polymer component in the blend. Although the addition of OPS to polystyrene (PS) alone resulted in mere intercalation of organoclay, its addition to PPE-based blends was found to result in mixed clay dispersion of intercalated, exfoliated, and to some extent collapsed phases. Addition of OPS-organoclay combination in master-batch mode showed similar results as direct mode addition. At least 15% of OPS was required for effective dispersion of Cloisite 20A in PPE-high impact polystyrene blend. The possible role of solubility of OPS in the matrix and high melt shear of PPE-based matrix was investigated to understand the exclusive action of OPS in PPE-based blends. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to study the organoclay dispersion. Further master batches of organoclay in neat OPS and OPS containing PPE-based blends were evaluated in other PPE-based commercial blends. Of the various blends studied, blend containing phosphite additive showed better dispersion of organoclay. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Fixed versus variable order Runge-Kutta

Popular codes for the numerical solution of nonstiff ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are based on a (fixed order) Runge-Kutta method, a variable order Adams method, or an extrapolation method. Extrapolation can be viewed as a variable order Runge-Kutta method. It is plausible that variation of order could lead to a much more efficient Runge-Kutta code, but numerical comparisons have been contradictory.We reconcile previous comparisons by exposing differences in testing methodology and incompatibilities of the implementations tested. An experimental Runge-Kutta code is compared to a state-of-the-art extrapolation code. With some qualifications, the extrapolation code shows no advantage. Extrapolation does not appear to be a particularly effective way to vary the order of Runge-Kutta methods. Although an acceptable way to solve nonstiff problems, our tests raise the question as to whether there is any point in pursuing it as a separate method.
Importance of initial conditions in seasonal predictions of Arctic sea ice extent

We present seasonal predictions of Arctic sea ice extent (SIE) over the 1982–2013 period using two suites of retrospective forecasts initialized from a fully coupled ocean-atmosphere-sea ice assimilation system. High skill scores are found in predicting year-to-year fluctuations of Arctic SIE, with significant correlations up to 7 month ahead for September detrended anomalies. Predictions over the recent era, which coincides with an improved observational coverage, outperform the earlier period for most target months. We find, however, a degradation of skill in September during the last decade, a period of sea ice thinning in observations. The two prediction models, Climate Model version 2.1 (CM2.1) and Forecast-oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR), share very similar ocean and ice component and initialization but differ by their atmospheric component. FLOR has improved climatological atmospheric circulation and sea ice mean state, but its skill is overall similar to CM2.1 for most seasons, which suggests a key role for initial conditions in predicting seasonal SIE fluctuations.
Local signal to noise ratio

We argue that the standard definition of signal to noise ratio may be misleading when the signal or noise are nonstationary. We introduce a new measure that we call local signal to noise ratio (LSNR) which is well suited to take into account nonstationary situations. The advantage of our measure is that it is a local property unlike the standard SNR which is a single number representing the total duration of the signal. We simulated a number of cases to show that our measure is more indicative of the noise and signal level for nonstationary situations.
The potential of cord blood stem cells for use in regenerative medicine.

It is estimated that up to 128 million individuals might benefit from regenerative medicine therapy, or almost 1 in 3 individuals in the US. If accurate, the need to relieve suffering and reduce healthcare costs is an enormous motivator to rapidly bring stem cell therapies to the clinic. Unfortunately, embryonic stem (ES) cell therapies are limited at present by ethical and political constraints and, most importantly, by significant biologic hurdles. Thus, for the foreseeable future, the march of regenerative medicine to the clinic will depend on the development of non-ES cell therapies. At present, non-ES cells easily available in large numbers can be found in the bone marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord blood (CB). Each of these stem cells is being used to treat a variety of diseases. This review shows that CB contains multiple populations of pluripotent stem cells, and can be considered the best alternative to ES cells. CB stem cells are capable of giving rise to hematopoietic, epithelial, endoth...
RFID Technology for Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management

An advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system capable of tracking and monitoring a wide range of materials and components—from fissionable stocks to radioactive wastes—has been developed. The system offers a number of advantages, including enhanced safety, security and safeguards, reduced personnel exposure to radiation, and improved inventory control and cost-effectiveness. Using sensors, RFID tags can monitor the state of health of the tracked items and trigger alarms instantly when the normal ranges are violated. Nonvolatile memories in the tags can store sensor data, event records, as well as a contents manifest. Gamma irradiation tests showed that the tag components possess significant radiation resistance. Long-life batteries and smart management circuitries permit the tags to operate for up to 10 years without battery replacement. The tags have a near universal form factor, i.e., they can fit different package types. The read range is up to >100 m with no line-of-sight required. With careful implementation, even a large-size processing or storage facility with a complex configuration can be monitored with a handful of readers in a network. In transportation, by incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite/cellular communication technology, and secure Internet, situation awareness is assured continuously. The RFID system, when integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, can promptly provide content- and event-specific information to first responders and emergency management teams in case of incidents. In stand-alone applications, the monitoring and tracking data are contained within the local computer. With a secure Internet, information can be shared within the complex or even globally in real time. As with the deployment of any new technology, overcoming the cultural resistance is part of the developmental process. With a strong institutional support and multiple successful live demonstrations, the cultural resistance has been mostly overcome. As a result, implementation of the RFID technology is taking place at several of U.S. Department of Energy sites and laboratories for processing, storage, and transportation applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME