cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3352: The medulloblastoma oncogene Otx2 enhances migration and permits ectopic proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells of the cerebellum and brainstem

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Despite a thorough understanding of the genetic underpinnings of this tumor, the pathogenesis of some variants of medulloblastoma, in particular the non-Shh/non-Wnt subtypes, is poorly understood. One of the most common genetic aberrations in non-Shh/non-Wnt medulloblastomas is copy number gain of the homeobox transcription factor OTX2. Here we have characterized mice engineered to ectopically express Otx2 in the hindbrain to identify the functional consequences of this subtype-specific genetic insult. Otx2 expression induced accumulation of proliferative hyperplasias in the cerebellar white matter and dorsal brainstem that were reminiscent of preneoplastic cells identified in other animal models of medulloblastoma. These hyperplasias were comprised of neuronal progenitor cells that had migrated away from their mitogenic niches. As animals reached adulthood, ectopic cells exited the cell cycle and differentiated, indicating that factors limiting proliferative lifespan prevented full transformation by Otx2. Comparison of the effect of Otx2 with activation of the Shh or Wnt pathways, which occur in distinct subtypes of medulloblastoma, revealed overlap of responsive cell types but distinct developmental processes involved. While activation of the Shh or Wnt pathways give rise to sustained proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells at their mitogenic niches, we found that Otx2 permitted or enhanced migration of these cells away from these niches and induced ectopic proliferation. These findings identify a role for Otx2 overexpression in altering spatiotemporal control of neuronal progenitor cell proliferation and implicate a relationship between the cells of origin of non-Shh/non-Wnt medulloblastomas and those of other medulloblastoma subtypes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3352. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3352
Intersubband population inversion in quantum wire structures

When the spacing between subbands in a quantum wire is equal to the optic phonon energy a situation occurs under longitudinal field conditions where the upper subband population is enhanced with respect to the lower subband. We focus our investigation on the case where a third, intermediate subband is located slightly below the upper subband. We use a Monte Carlo simulation and obtain a population inversion between the upper and intermediate subbands. Intersubband optical transitions with the possibility of far‐infrared stimulated emission seem to be significant.
Sexually selected infanticide by adult male barn swallows

Since 1980, we have documented three definite and five suspected instances of sexually selected infanticide by unmated males in the monogamous barn swallow, Hirundo rustica. This is the first report of this type of infanticide by males in any bird species, or by either sex in any monogamous species. In our population, infanticide appears to be an adaptation serving two functions. It speeds the reproductive cycle of victimized females so that males can breed with them sooner than if they had been permitted to raise their young. In addition, it may enable unmated males to acquire females by causing them to desert their mates.
Correlation of change in visual analog scale with pain relief in the ED.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the validity of change in visual analog Scale (VAS) as a measure of pain relief using a verbal descriptor Scale (VDS) of change in pain. Methods A prospective observational study of emergency department patients measured pain with VAS and recorded verbal report of change in pain. Results One thousand four hundred ninety patients yielded 1999 comparisons between change in VAS and VDS. Correlation of change in VAS and VDS of change in pain was ρ = 0.667 ( P Conclusions Change in VAS is moderately correlated with a VDS of change in pain. Wide variability in change in VAS and discordance with a VDS demonstrate that change in VAS is not a valid indicator of pain relief for individual patients.
Development of an Inundative, Aerial Release Technique for the Arundo Wasp 1 , Biological Control Agent of the Invasive Arundo donax L.

Abstract. A box aerial-release system has been developed for the mass release of the arundo wasp, Tetramesa romana Walker, a biological control agent of giant reed, Arundo donax L., an invasive weed of waterways and riparian areas in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Because A. donax infests lengthy stretches of remote areas inaccessible by vehicle, an aerial release system may be the best way to disseminate biological control agents. The release system involves a paper box that can be easily loaded with chilled, immobile insects. The box opens upon contact with blades installed on a chute in the floor of an airplane. Preliminary tests in the field demonstrated the effectiveness of this system. All boxes recovered after test releases were successfully opened by the release chutes. Post-release emergence rates of insects were great and insect mortality rates were low, especially at moderate ambient temperatures (20–25°C). The box aerial-release system proves to be an appropriate method for release, especia...
Modeling Drug-Carrier Interaction in the Drug Release from Nanocarriers

Numerous nanocarriers of various compositions and geometries have been developed for the delivery and release of therapeutic and imaging agents. Due to the high specific surface areas of nanocarriers, different mechanisms such as ion pairing and hydrophobic interaction need to be explored for achieving sustained release. Recently, we developed a three-parameter model that considers reversible drug-carrier interaction and first-order drug release from liposomes. A closed-form analytical solution was obtained. Here, we further explore the ability of the model to capture the release of bioactive molecules such as drugs and growth factors from various nanocarriers. A parameter study demonstrates that the model is capable of resembling major categories of drug release kinetics. We further fit the model to 60 sets of experimental data from various drug release systems, including nanoparticles, hollow particles, fibers, and hollow fibers. Additionally, bootstrapping is used to evaluate the accuracy of parameter determination and validate the model in selected cases. The simplicity and universality of the model and the clear physical meanings of each model parameter render the model useful for the design and development of new drug delivery systems.
Ecological and geographic modes of species divergence in wild tomatoes

Understanding the role of geography and ecology in species divergence is central to the study of evolutionary diversifi cation. We used climatic, geographic, and biological data from nine wild Andean tomato species to describe each species ’ ecological niche and to evaluate the likely ecological and geographical modes of speciation in this clade. Using data from > 1000 wild accessions and publicly available data derived from geographic information systems for various environmental variables, we found most species pairs were signifi cantly differentiated for one or more environmental variables. By comparing species ’ predicted niches generated by species distribution modeling (SDM), we found signifi cant niche differentiation among three of four sisterspecies pairs, suggesting ecological divergence is consistently associated with recent divergence. In comparison, based on agerange correlation (ARC) analysis, there was no evidence for a predominant geographical (allopatric vs. sympatric) context for speciation in this group. Overall, our results suggest an important role for environmentally mediated differentiation, rather than simply geographical isolation, in species divergence.
Stable isotopic composition of water vapor in the tropics

[1] Water vapor samples collected during tropical field experiments at Puerto Escondido, Mexico, near Kwajalein (KWAJEX), and near Key West, Florida (CAMEX 4), were analyzed for their stable isotope contents, 1H218O:1H216O and 2H1H16O:1H216O. Highest δ18O values approached isotopic equilibrium with seawater during quiescent weather or in regions of isolated or disorganized convection. Lowest δ18O values occurred in or downwind from regions of organized mesoscale weather disturbances and ranged as low as 15‰ below isotopic equilibrium with seawater. The mean δ18O value of vapor over the sea surface therefore decreases as storm activity and organization increases.
Muscle Wasting in Kidney Disease: Let's Get Physical

For maintenance dialysis patients, physical performance matters. The extension of Medicare coverage to ESRD services in 1972 indeed was predicated on the assumption that the dialysis population would be fully rehabilitated and active in the workforce. In addition, considerable data exist that as a
Particle Swarm Optimization Based Parameter Identification Applied to PMSM

High performance application of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) is increasing. PMSM models with accurate parameters are significant for precise control system designs. Acquisition of these parameters during motor operations is a challenging task due to the inherent nonlinearity of motor dynamics. This paper proposes an intelligent model parameter identification method using particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach. As an intelligent computational method based on stochastic search, PSO is shown to be a versatile and efficient tool for this complicated engineering problem. Through both simulation and experiment, this paper verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method in identification of PMSM model parameters. Specifically, stator resistance and load torque disturbance are identified in this PMSM application. Though PMSM is discussed, the method is generally applicable to other types of electrical motors, and as well as other dynamic systems with nonlinear model structure.
A Fuzzy Approach for Variation Aware Buffer Insertion and Driver Sizing

In nanometer regime, the effects of process variations are dominating circuit performance, power and reliability of circuits. Hence, it is important to properly manage variation effects at the design stage to avoid excessive performance and power penalties. Buffer insertion and driver sizing (BIDS) techniques are widely used in design flow due to their simplicity and effectiveness in improving metrics such as power, performance and noise. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy optimization technique to perform variation aware Buffer insertion and driver sizing at the network level. Previous variation aware techniques for buffer insertion, processes individual nets in a critical first fashion, which can result in severe over-buffering. Hence, we formulate the variation aware BIDS problem as a fuzzy piece-wise linear program to maximize variation resistance in the presence of delay, power and noise constraints. The uncertainty due to process variations in circuit delay is modeled using fuzzy numbers and the fuzzy approach performs pre-processing deterministic optimizations with the worst and average case values to convert the uncertain problem into a crisp problem. The proposed approach evaluated on ITCpsila99 benchmarks shows a 45% reduction in resource (buffer, driver) cost compared to deterministic worst case approach.
In-Situ Optimized PWAS Phased Arrays for Lamb Wave Structural Health Monitoring

The use of piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) phased arrays for Lamb wave damage detection in thin-wall structures is presented. The PWAS capability to tune into specific Lamb-wave modes (which is an enabling factor for our approach) is first reviewed. Then, a generic beamforming formulation that does not require the conventional parallel-ray approximation is developed for PWAS phased arrays in connection with the delay-and-sum beamforming principles. This generic formulation is applied to a 1-D linear PWAS phased array. Particularly, 1-D PWAS array beamforming reduces to the simplified parallel ray algorithm when the parallel ray approximation is invoked. The embedded ultrasonic structural radar (EUSR) algorithm is presented. A couple of simple experiments are used to show that the linear EUSR PWAS phased array system can successfully detect cracks in large aluminum thin plates. To improve the EUSR image quality, advanced signal processing is studied for possible integration into the EUSR system. The approaches include Hilbert transform for envelope detection, thresholding techniques for removing background noise, discrete wavelet transform for denoising, continuous wavelet transform for single frequency component extraction, and cross-correlation for time-of-flight detection. The optimization of linear PWAS arrays is studied next. First we consider the effect of several parameters affecting the phased-array beamforming: (1) number of elements M; (2) elementary spacing d; (3) steering angle 0; (4) location of the target r. Second, we examine the so-called nonuniform PWAS arrays which are generated by assigning different excitation weights to each of the array elements. The design of two nonuniform linear PWAS arrays, the binomial array and the Dolph‐Chebyshev array, is presented. Significant improvement of the EUSR image is observed when using these nonuniform arrays.
High-spatial-resolution sub-surface imaging using a laser-based acoustic microscopy technique

Scanning acoustic microscopy techniques operating at frequencies in the gigahertz range are suitable for the elastic characterization and interior imaging of solid media with micrometer-scale spatial resolution. Acoustic wave propagation at these frequencies is strongly limited by energy losses, particularly from attenuation in the coupling media used to transmit ultrasound to a specimen, leading to a decrease in the depth in a specimen that can be interrogated. In this work, a laser-based acoustic microscopy technique is presented that uses a pulsed laser source for the generation of broadband acoustic waves and an optical interferometer for detection. The use of a 900-ps microchip pulsed laser facilitates the generation of acoustic waves with frequencies extending up to 1 GHz which allows for the resolution of micrometer-scale features in a specimen. Furthermore, the combination of optical generation and detection approaches eliminates the use of an ultrasonic coupling medium, and allows for elastic characterization and interior imaging at penetration depths on the order of several hundred micrometers. Experimental results illustrating the use of the laser-based acoustic microscopy technique for imaging micrometer-scale subsurface geometrical features in a 70-μm-thick single-crystal silicon wafer with a (100) orientation are presented.
The Prose Laboratory and Special German Sections at Carleton College

Author's summary.— Discouraging features of composition work—pleasant translation versus composition drudgery—the prestige of language departments involved—prose composition by homeopathic method—the prose laboratory as a solution of some of the difficulties—encouraging results of experiments for a period of three years.)
Gesture's Neural Language.

When people talk to each other, they often make arm and hand movements that accompany what they say. These manual movements, called “co-speech gestures,” can convey meaning by way of their interaction with the oral message. Another class of manual gestures, called “emblematic gestures” or “emblems,” also conveys meaning, but in contrast to co-speech gestures, they can do so directly and independent of speech. There is currently significant interest in the behavioral and biological relationships between action and language. Since co-speech gestures are actions that rely on spoken language, and emblems convey meaning to the effect that they can sometimes substitute for speech, these actions may be important, and potentially informative, examples of language–motor interactions. Researchers have recently been examining how the brain processes these actions. The current results of this work do not yet give a clear understanding of gesture processing at the neural level. For the most part, however, it seems that two complimentary sets of brain areas respond when people see gestures, reflecting their role in disambiguating meaning. These include areas thought to be important for understanding actions and areas ordinarily related to processing language. The shared and distinct responses across these two sets of areas during communication are just beginning to emerge. In this review, we talk about the ways that the brain responds when people see gestures, how these responses relate to brain activity when people process language, and how these might relate in normal, everyday communication.
Who Spanks Infants and Toddlers? Evidence from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study

Abstract We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study (FFCW), a birth cohort study of children in 18 medium to large U.S. cities, to examine the prevalence and determinants of spanking among infants and toddlers (at mean age 14 months). Taking advantage of the large and diverse sample in FFCW, we conduct separate analyses for children of African American (N = 1710), Hispanic (N = 853), and white non-Hispanic (N = 812) mothers. Overall, about 15% of children are spanked at 12 months, with this share rising to 40% by 18 months and nearly 50% for children age 20 months or older. We find that there are marked differences in the use of spanking across the three racial/ethnic groups, with children of African American mothers more likely to be spanked and at a younger age. Moreover, while some predictors of spanking are seen across all three groups, others vary. Mothers who are young, who report more parental stress, or report their child has a more difficult temperament are more likely to spank across all three groups. However, being a boy increases the risk of spanking only within African American families. First-born children are at elevated risk of spanking to at least some extent in all groups, but much more so within Hispanic families. In addition, maternal employment is associated with a greater likelihood of spanking in Hispanic families. Although spanking at these young ages is not necessarily indicative of maltreatment, it may be a marker for families who are at elevated risk of maltreatment. As such, our findings, by highlighting some risk factors that are common across groups as well as some that are more important for particular groups, may have implications for child abuse prevention.
Cultural Stereotypes as Gatekeepers: Increasing Girls’ Interest in Computer Science and Engineering by Diversifying Stereotypes

Despite having made significant inroads into many traditionally male-dominated fields (e.g., biology, chemistry), women continue to be underrepresented in computer science and engineering. We propose that students’ stereotypes about the culture of these fields—including the kind of people, the work involved, and the values of the field—steer girls away from choosing to enter these fields. Computer science and engineering are stereotyped in modern American culture as male-oriented fields that involve social isolation, an intense focus on machinery, and inborn brilliance. These stereotypes are more compatible with qualities that are typically valued in men than women. As a result, when computer science and engineering stereotypes are salient, girls report less interest in these fields than their male peers. However, altering these stereotypes—by broadening the representation of the people who do this work, the work itself, and the environments in which it occurs—significantly increases girls’ sense of belonging and interest in the field. Academic stereotypes thus serve as gatekeepers, driving girls away from certain fields and constraining their learning opportunities and career aspirations.
Spatial color indexing and applications

We suggest the use of the color correlogram as a generic indexing tool to tackle various computer vision problems. Correlograms were shown to be very effective for content-based image retrieval. We adapt the correlogram to handle the problems of image subregion querying, object localization, object tracking, and cut detection. Experimental results suggest that the color correlogram is much more effective than the histogram for these applications, with insignificant additional computational, storage, or processing cost. We also provide a technique to cut down the storage requirement of correlograms so that it is the same as that of histograms, with only negligible performance penalty compared to the original correlogram.
Combined distal aortic perfusion and balloon occlusion to facilitate the repair of complex thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

We investigated a unique method utilising a Heartport bifurcated arterial cannula and an aortic occlusion balloon to provide both distal perfusion and bloodless, distal arterial exposure during repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic pathology. Between February 2002 and September 2008, 21 patients underwent thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic repair with this method. Because of an inability or potential difficulty in achieving distal aortic control secondary to anatomic or technical challenges, a compliant balloon was passed through the accessory arterial channel using fluoroscopic guidance. Adjunctive cerebrospinal drainage was used in all cases. Ballon deployment and satisfactory occlusion was attained in all cases. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 4.75% (1 of 21 patients). Renal failure occurred in one patient (4.75%) and heart failure occurred in two patients (9.5%). Six patients (29%) had pulmonary complications. Transient encephalopathy occurred in two patients (9.5%). Spinal cord neurologic deficit and stroke were avoided in all patients. We recommend the application of this simple method to obtain a bloodless anastomotic field and maintain ongoing distal aortic perfusion in instances where distal control with a clamp is challenging, not feasible or presents the potential for catastrophic intra-operative bleeding.
Measuring stem water content in four deciduous hardwoods with a time-domain reflectometer

New technologies in time-domain reflectometry offer a reliable means of measuring soil water content. Whether these same technologies can be used or adapted to estimate the water content of other porous media, such as the woody tissue of forest trees, has not been thoroughly addressed. Therefore, curves relating the apparent dielectric constant (K a ) to volumetric water content (g cm −3 ) were constructed for large-diameter stems of red maple (Acer rubrum L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), chestnut oak (Q. prinus L.), and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.). This information was combined with previously published data and a proposed “universal” calibration equation for wood was derived. Stainless-steel rods (15-cm wave guides) were inserted into 160 trees (30 to 49 per species) growing in an upland oak-hickory forest and stem water contents estimated monthly during 1994 and 1995 with a time-domain reflectometer (TDR). Volumetric water contents in April ranged from 0.28 g cm −3 for red maple to 0.43 g cm −3 for black gum, with no evidence that water content changed as a function of stem diameter. Stem water contents estimated during 1994 (a wet year) increased from May to July, reached a maximum in midsummer (0.41 to 0.50 g cm −3 ), and then decreased in November. During 1995 (a dry year), stem water contents for red maple and black gum (two diffuse-porous species) decreased from May to August, reached a minimum in September (0.29 to 0.37 g cm −3 ), slightly increased in October and November, and then decreased in December. A different trend was observed during 1995 for white oak and chestnut oak (two ring-porous species), with water contents remaining fairly stable from May to August, but decreasing abruptly in September and again in December. Stem water contents estimated with a TDR broadly agreed with gravimetric analyses of excised stem segments and increment cores, although there was evidence that overestimation of water content was possible with TDR as a result of wounding following wave guide installation. Nonetheless our results hold promise for the application of TDR to the study of stem water content and to the study of whole-plant water storage.
Structure of RapA, a Swi2/Snf2 Protein that Recycles RNA Polymerase During Transcription

Summary RapA, as abundant as σ 70 in the cell, is an RNA polymerase (RNAP)-associated Swi2/Snf2 protein with ATPase activity. It stimulates RNAP recycling during transcription. We report a structure of RapA that is also a full-length structure for the entire Swi2/Snf2 family. RapA contains seven domains, two of which exhibit novel protein folds. Our model of RapA in complex with ATP and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) suggests that RapA may bind to and translocate on dsDNA. Our kinetic template-switching assay shows that RapA facilitates the release of sequestered RNAP from a posttranscrption/posttermination complex for transcription reinitiation. Our in vitro competition experiment indicates that RapA binds to core RNAP only but is readily displaceable by σ 70 . RapA is likely another general transcription factor, the structure of which provides a framework for future studies of this bacterial Swi2/Snf2 protein and its important roles in RNAP recycling during transcription.
Anti-transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta antibodies inhibit breast cancer cell tumorigenicity and increase mouse spleen natural killer cell activity. Implications for a possible role of tumor cell/host TGF-beta interactions in human breast cancer progression.

Abstract TGF-beta effects on angiogenesis, stroma formation, and immune function suggest its possible involvement in tumor progression. This hypothesis was tested using the 2G7 IgG2b, which neutralizes TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3, and the MDA-231 human breast cancer cell line. Inoculation of these cells in athymic mice decreases mouse spleen natural killer (NK) cell activity. Intraperitoneal injections of 2G7 starting 1 d after intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells suppressed intraabdominal tumor and lung metastases, whereas the nonneutralizing anti-TGF-beta 12H5 IgG2a had no effect. 2G7 transiently inhibited growth of established MDA-231 subcutaneous tumors. Histologically, both 2G7-treated and control tumors were identical. Intraperitoneal administration of 2G7 resulted in a marked increase in mouse spleen NK cell activity. 2G7 did not inhibit MDA-231 primary tumor or metastases formation, nor did it stimulate NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in beige NK-deficient nude mice. Finally, serum-free conditioned medium from MDA-231 cells inhibited the NK cell activity of human blood lymphocytes. This inhibition was blocked by the neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 2G7 antibody but not by a nonspecific IgG2. These data support a possible role for tumor cell TGF-beta in the progression of mammary carcinomas by suppressing host immune surveillance.
Evidence-Based Practice: A Framework for Twenty-First-Century Scientist-Practitioner Training

A consensus has long existed that the scientist-practitioner model has failed to reflect what was envisioned by the Boulder Conference participants and endorsed by counseling psychology at the Grey...
In Defense of Realism: A Commentary on Just and Unjust Wars

A significant portion of Walzer's Just and Unjust Wars is an argument “against realism.” While Hendrickson applauds Walzer for his examination of the just war tradition, he nevertheless asserts that Walzer has characterized the tradition of political realism in a misleading way. Not simply the moral atheism it is portrayed to be, realism recognizes the moral reality of war while emphasizing state security and independence as the most important factors for the protection of citizens and the continuity of the political community. Indeed, Hendrickson identifies many realist aspects of Walzer's own moral arguments. He takes issue, however, with Walzer's treatment of intervention, self-determination, and the legitimate aims of war, stating that Walzer's framework is exceedingly permissive and ambiguous in these areas. Hendrickson concludes that the use of such a just war theory may lead to significant problems in the post-Cold War world.
Regional mapping of phyllic- and argillic-altered rocks in the Zagros magmatic arc, Iran, using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data and logical operator algorithms

Geosphere, May 2006, v. 2, p. 161-186, doi: 10.1130/GES00044.1. Plate 1 - Orthorectified Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) band 7 of the Zagros magmatic arc, Iran, with phyllic and argillic alteration units compiled from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer (ASTER) data. Numbers indicate potential porphyry copper deposits determined from alteration spectral units (*mine at location). File size is 133 MB.
Mind the Gap: why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior?

Numerous theoretical frameworks have been developed to explain the gap between the possession of environmental knowledge and environmental awareness, and displaying pro-environmental behavior. Although many hundreds of studies have been undertaken, no definitive explanation has yet been found. Our article describes a few of the most influential and commonly used analytical frameworks: early US linear progression models; altruism, empathy and prosocial behavior models; and finally, sociological models. All of the models we discuss (and many of the ones we do not such as economic models, psychological models that look at behavior in general, social marketing models and that have become known as deliberative and inclusionary processes or procedures (DIPS)) have some validity in certain circumstances. This indicates that the question of what shapes pro-environmental behavior is such a complex one that it cannot be visualized through one single framework or diagram. We then analyze the factors that have been f...
312: Perinatal outcomes in term pregnancies: Do they differ by week of gestation?

GESTATION? YVONNE CHENG, JAMES NICHOLSON, SANAE NAKAGAWA, EUGENE WASHINGTON, AARON CAUGHEY, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California OBJECTIVE: To examine maternal and neonatal outcomes in term pregnancy by gestational age. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with term, singleton pregnancies delivered in 2003 in the U.S. Gestational age was subgrouped into 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 weeks. Statistical comparison was performed using multivariable logistic regression controlling for confounders (parity, maternal age, ethnicity, gestational weight gain, and tobacco use), with 39 weeks gestation as the reference group. RESULTS: Compared to delivery at 39 weeks, women delivered at 38 weeks had lower odds of febrile morbidity but higher odds of cesarean while delivery at 40 weeks and beyond was associated with higher odds of maternal morbidity (see Table). For neonates, delivery at 38 weeks had lower odds of birthweight 4500gm and meconium aspiration while the odds of hyaline membrane disease was lowest with delivery at 40 weeks (see Table).
New Evidence for a Binding Principle Specific for Folates as a Normal Constituent of Human Serum

The binding of folate by human serum was investigated by incubating serum with [3H]pteroylglutamic acid followed by charcoal separation of free and bound fractions. Sera from all of 99 normal volunteers and 9 16 patients exhibited some degree of folate binding, ranging from less than 0.1 to greater than 8 ng/ml. This binding phenomenon was found, by competitive inhibition, to be specific for folate derivatives when we used pooled serum as well as 10 individual sera representative of the entire range of folate binding as encountered in the total of 1015 sera. Studies of the association and dissociation reactions of folate and serum indicated that the binding reaction is of the reversible type. Hence, a mass-action equilibrium must also exist in vivo between bound and free folate fractions. The binding principle appears to be protein in nature. The implications of the interference of this binder in competitive binding assays of serum folates are discussed.
A Fatigue Resistant Polychloroprene Compound for High Temperature Dynamic Applications

Abstract A polychloroprene material has been developed which can replace the natural rubber materials traditionally used in dynamic, fatigue-producing applications, when these applications require high temperature stability. An optimized compound based on a mercaptan modified polychloroprene with large particle high structure carbon black, silica filler and rapeseed oil has superior compression set, improved heat aged fatigue life and comparable dynamic properties to current NR compounds. This CR compound was designed to have good fatigue life while keeping compression set to a minimum. A positive correlation between tear resistance and fatigue life has been demonstrated for a series of CR compounds.
Earning the Right to be Retributive: Execution Methods, Culpability Theory, and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause

In this article, I argue that basic principles of tort and criminal doctrine compel the conclusion that botched executions performed under current execution protocols violate the Eight Amendment. Traditionally, Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause analysis of execution methods has focused on a detailed factual recitation of evidence about their effect on the condemned. After canvassing this research, I focus instead on a more complicated theoretical problem - the question of how to assess the state's culpability for a concededly bad outcome that it caused but (arguably) did not specifically intend. In particular, I draw and expand on the growing body of scholarship dealing with the complex relationship between actions and mental states, and between probabilistic outcomes and moral culpability. By acknowledging and directly addressing this vexing problem, I provide a more analytically rigorous Eighth Amendment framework than has previously been applied in the death penalty context, challenge traditional defenses of painful executions at a theoretical rather than visceral level, and leave little room to argue that painful executions are immunized from Eighth Amendment review. I conclude by proposing a remedial structure for responding to this ongoing string of constitutional violations. While acknowledging that few courts are likely to enjoin most modern execution methods, I suggest that a liability rule may present a more realistic alternative. Within the practical political confines of contemporary criminal justice, it offers perhaps the best chance for the right to a non-cruel execution to be vindicated by the formal legal ritual of constitutional challenge and social contrition.
International Trade Agreements

Abstract In this chapter I survey the recent theoretical and empirical advances in the economics of international trade agreements, focusing on three main topics: the motives for trade agreements; the design of rules and institutions for trade policy; and regional trade agreements.
Support Organizations and Remediating the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Case Study of St. Louis

Entrepreneurship support organizations, such as accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces, and networking groups play a vital role by providing information, mentorship, networking opportunities, and other valuable resources for entrepreneurs throughout the venture creation and growth process. Within this context, we have observed emerging practices to include a diverse set of entrepreneurs (e.g. women and minorities) by support organizations in St. Louis, and at the same time, identified more demands from entrepreneurs for this purpose. Based on more than 80 interviews and observations, we provide voice to entrepreneurs who utilize these resources and discuss how support organizations can more effectively respond to these demands, expand their scope and reach, and bolster their own role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Robotic versus laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy of liver

A few studies have reported only short-term outcomes of various robotic and laparoscopic liver resection types; however, published data in left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) have been limited. The aim of this study was to compare the long- and short-term outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic LLS. We retrospectively compared demographic and perioperative data as well as postoperative outcomes of robotic (n = 12) and laparoscopic (n = 31) LLS performed between May 2007 and July 2013. Resection indications included malignant tumors (n = 31) and benign lesions (n = 12) including intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones (n = 9). There were no significant differences in perioperative outcomes of estimated blood loss, major complications, or lengths of stay, but operating time was longer in robotic than in laparoscopic LLS (391 vs. 196 min, respectively) and the operation time for IHD stones did not differ between groups (435 vs. 405 min, respectively; p = 0.190). Disease-free (p = 0.463) and overall (p = 0.484) survival of patients with malignancy did not differ between groups. The 2- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 63.2 and 36.5 %, respectively. However, robotic LLS costs were significantly higher than laparoscopic LLS costs ($8183 vs. $5190, respectively; p = 0.009). Robotic LLS was comparable to laparoscopic LLS in surgical outcomes and oncologic integrity during the learning curve. Although robotic LLS was more expensive and time intensive, it might be a good option for difficult indications such as IHD stones.
Conformational Flexibility Enables the Function of a BECN1 Region Essential for Starvation-Mediated Autophagy.

BECN1 is essential for autophagy, a critical eukaryotic cellular homeostasis pathway. Here we delineate a highly conserved BECN1 domain located between previously characterized BH3 and coiled-coil domains and elucidate its structure and role in autophagy. The 2.0 A sulfur-single-wavelength anomalous dispersion X-ray crystal structure of this domain demonstrates that its N-terminal half is unstructured while its C-terminal half is helical; hence, we name it the flexible helical domain (FHD). Circular dichroism spectroscopy, double electron–electron resonance–electron paramagnetic resonance, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses confirm that the FHD is partially disordered, even in the context of adjacent BECN1 domains. Molecular dynamic simulations fitted to SAXS data indicate that the FHD transiently samples more helical conformations. FHD helicity increases in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, suggesting it may become more helical upon binding. Lastly, cellular studies show that conserved FHD residues a...
A contact mechanics based model for partially-closed randomly distributed surface microcracks and their effect on acoustic nonlinearity in Rayleigh surface waves

This research investigates the modeling of randomly distributed surface-breaking microcracks and the dependency of higher harmonic generation in Rayleigh surface waves on microcrack density. The microcrack model is based on micromechanical considerations of rough surface contact. An effective stress-strain relationship is derived to describe the nonlinear behavior of a single microcrack and implemented into a finite-element model via a hyperelastic constitutive law. Finite-element simulations of nonlinear wave propagation in a solid with distributed surface microcracks are performed for a range of microcrack densities. The evolution of fundamental and second harmonic amplitudes along the propagation distance is studied and the acoustic nonlinearity parameter is calculated. The results show that the nonlinearity parameter increases with crack density. While, for small crack densities (dilute concentration of microcracks) a proportionality between crack density and acoustic nonlinearity is observed, this is not valid for higher crack densities, as the microcracks start to interact.
AIDS Surveillance Status and Epidemic Trend in Wuhu City

Objective To explore the characteristics of AIDS epidemic situation and provide basic data for prevention and control of AIDS in Wuhu city.Methods Surveillance data of various sub-groups was collected through AIDS monitoring and epidemiological survey in Wuhu city since 1995.Results 29 HIV infections or AIDS patients detected from FPD(former commercial blood and plasma donors),patients of STI,IDUs(injection drug users),MSM(men who have sex with men),CSWs(commercial sex workers) and recipients of blood or blood products.Conclusion The epidemic situation of AIDS in Wuhu was sporadic as a whole and low-epidemic in some high risk populations,indicating that the situation of prevention and control of AIDS was not optimistic.
Effect Assessment of Case Teaching in Higher Vocational Physics Based on the Third-party Evaluation

In order to improve the effect of physics teaching in higher vocations, this paper discusses the role and significance of the third-party evaluation, summarizes its implementation by means of analytic hierarchy process. And the author also proposes the basic principles and the evaluation index system based on third-party evaluation of physics teaching effect in higher vocations.
33 PROMOTING SUN SAFETY IN TORRINGTON, WYOMING.

Purpose Torrington, Wyoming has a significantly high incidence of skin cancers, due partly to an average of 319 days per year of sunshine combined with the popularity of outdoor activities among community members. This community-centered project was designed to gather information and educate members of all age groups about skin damage related to the sun. Methods Outdoor summer activities were observed and information was gathered from the community about the prevalence of sunburn and the use of sunscreen and other prevention methods. Research was conducted to create an educational brochure using recent data from professional literature, as well as national and state informational Web sites. Results Risk factors for sunburn and methods of protection were identified as key areas for community education. A brochure was designed and made available throughout the community to raise awareness about sunburn and the risks of skin cancer along with sun protection methods and safe practices. In addition, a public service announcement was recorded and broadcast on a local television station. Summary Current research regarding sunburn and methods of sun protection was made available by brochure and television to educate the community. This brochure will be redistributed every spring to inform the people of Torrington about the risks of sun exposure and to promote skin safety during outdoor activities.
Multiscale coupling of molecular dynamics and peridynamics

We propose a multiscale computational model to couple molecular dynamics and peridynamics. The multiscale coupling model is based on a previously developed multiscale micromorphic molecular dynamics (MMMD) theory, which has three dynamics equations at three different scales, namely, microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale. In the proposed multiscale coupling approach, we divide the simulation domain into atomistic region and macroscale region. Molecular dynamics is used to simulate atom motions in atomistic region, and peridynamics is used to simulate macroscale material point motions in macroscale region, and both methods are nonlocal particle methods. A transition zone is introduced as a messenger to pass the information between the two regions or scales. We employ the “supercell” developed in the MMMD theory as the transition element, which is named as the adaptive multiscale element due to its ability of passing information from different scales, because the adaptive multiscale element can realize both top-down and bottom-up communications. We introduce the Cauchy–Born rule based stress evaluation into state-based peridynamics formulation to formulate atomistic-enriched constitutive relations. To mitigate the issue of wave reflection on the interface, a filter is constructed by switching on and off the MMMD dynamic equations at different scales. Benchmark tests of one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) wave propagations from atomistic region to macro region are presented. The mechanical wave can transit through the interface smoothly without spurious wave deflections, and the filtering process is proven to be efficient.
Black hole mass function from gravitational wave measurements

We examine how future gravitational-wave measurements from merging black holes (BHs) can be used to infer the shape of the black-hole mass function, with important implications for the study of star formation and evolution and the properties of binary BHs. We model the mass function as a power law, inherited from the stellar initial mass function, and introduce lower and upper mass cutoff parametrizations in order to probe the minimum and maximum BH masses allowed by stellar evolution, respectively. We initially focus on the heavier BH in each binary, to minimize model dependence. Taking into account the experimental noise, the mass measurement errors and the uncertainty in the redshift dependence of the merger rate, we show that the mass function parameters, as well as the total rate of merger events, can be measured to $l10%$ accuracy within a few years of advanced LIGO observations at its design sensitivity. This can be used to address important open questions such as the upper limit on the stellar mass which allows for BH formation and to confirm or refute the currently observed mass gap between neutron stars and BHs. In order to glean information on the progenitors of the merging BH binaries, we then advocate the study of the two-dimensional mass distribution to constrain parameters that describe the two-body system, such as the mass ratio between the two BHs, in addition to the merger rate and mass function parameters. We argue that several years of data collection can efficiently probe models of binary formation, and show, as an example, that the hypothesis that some gravitational-wave events may involve primordial black holes can be tested. Finally, we point out that in order to maximize the constraining power of the data, it may be worthwhile to lower the signal-to-noise threshold imposed on each candidate event and amass a larger statistical ensemble of BH mergers.
Prospect of rindopepimut in the treatment of glioblastoma.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Rindopepimut (CDX-110) is a peptide vaccine that targets epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), a tumor-specific epitope expressed in the most common and lethal primary malignant neoplasm of the brain – glioblastoma (GBM).Areas covered: The EGFRvIII mutation introduces an 801 base pair in-frame deletion of the extracellular domain of the transmembrane tyrosine kinase, resulting in constitutive kinase activity, amplification of cell growth, and inhibition of apoptosis. Rindopepimut contains a 14mer amino acid peptide spanning the EGFRvIII mutation site that is conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The EGFRvIII neoantigen is exclusively present on GBM cells, providing rindopepimut tumor-specific activity. The authors review rindopepimut’s clinical efficacy, administration, safety, and prospects in the treatment of GBM.Expert opinion: Rindopepimut showed clinical benefit and significant efficacy in phase II clinical trials, including as part of a multi-immunot...