cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a competitive PCR method for physical titration of recombinant EBV vector in a helper-dependent packaging system.

Abstract Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a γ-herpesvirus with B lymphotropism and a double-stranded DNA genome of 172 kb that is episomally maintained in permissive cells during latency. EBV-based vectors containing minimal cis elements for replication, amplification, and helper-dependent packaging in a producer cell line HH514 have been developed to deliver therapeutic/suicide transgenes as infectious viral particles (miniEBV) to EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cells or B lymphoma cells. A quantitative, competitive PCR-based assay was developed to determine the relative packaging efficiencies of miniEBV and helper P3HR1 coproduced in HH514 cells. This provides a rapid and accurate quantitation of the physical titer of the virus preparation, which helps preserve the biological titer of the virus preparation and increase the efficiency of transgene delivery by miniEBV infection. In addition, it provides a sensitive and accurate way to evaluate future development of a helper-free packaging system by detecting any possible helper virus contamination.
Fracture mechanics-based analysis for hybrid laser/waterjet (LWJ) machining of yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ)

Abstract Conventional machining of yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) is difficult and time consuming due to its high strength and fracture toughness. A non-traditional hybrid laser/waterjet process that combines CO2 laser and abrasive-free waterjet (LWJ) was investigated for cutting of Y-PSZ substrates. The hybrid system exploits the low thermal shock resistance of Y-PSZ for controlled crack propagation along cutting path through localized heating and rapid quenching by laser and waterjet, respectively. Analytical solutions for temperature and stress fields in the workpiece during laser heating and waterjet quenching were developed and were used to identify the processing parameters required for controlled separation of Y-PSZ substrates. Cutting experiments were performed for a number of different processing parameters and cut surfaces were analyzed to identify the mechanisms responsible for observed fracture. Experimental results were compared with theoretical predictions to validate the modeling assumptions underlying analytical models of the hybrid cutting process. The experimentally validated model of the cutting process relates processing parameters to the different modes of machining of the workpiece and can be effectively used for hybrid cutting of Y-PSZ substrates.
Synchrotron Speciation of Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Aged in a Kaolin Suspension

Assessments of the environmental fate and mobility of nanoparticles must consider the behavior of nanoparticles in relevant environmental systems that may result in speciation changes over time. Environmental conditions may act on nanoparticles to change their size, shape, and surface chemistry. Changing these basic characteristics of nanoparticles may result in a final reaction product that is significantly different than the initial nanomaterial. As such, basing long-term risk and toxicity on the initial properties of a nanomaterial may lead to erroneous conclusions if nanoparticles change upon release to the environment. The influence of aging on the speciation and chemical stability of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles in kaolin suspensions was examined in batch reactors for up to 18 months. Silver nanoparticles remained unchanged in sodium nitrate suspensions; however, silver chloride was identified with the metallic silver nanoparticles in sodium chloride suspensions and may be attributed to an in...
Lenalidomide, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (CRd) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Results from a phase 2 trial

The combination of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). Addition of alkylating agents to lenalidomide or thalidomide results in increased response rates and deeper responses. We designed this trial to study the combination of cyclophosphamide, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (CRd) as initial therapy for MM. Fifty-three patients with previously untreated symptomatic MM was enrolled. Patients received 4-week treatment cycles consisting of lenalidomide (25 mg daily for 3 weeks), dexamethasone (40 mg weekly), and cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m(2) weekly for 3 weeks). A partial response or better was seen in 85% of patients including 47% with a very good partial response or better. The toxicities were manageable with over 80% of planned doses delivered; six patients went off study for toxicity. The median progression free survival (PFS) for the entire group was 28 months (95% CI: 22.7-32.6) and the overall survival (OS) at 2 years was 87% (95% CI: 78-96). Importantly, 14 patients with high-risk MM had similar PFS and OS as the standard-risk patients (n = 39). CRd is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for upfront therapy of MM with high response rates and excellent 2-year OS, and is suitable for long-term therapy.
Effects of nonylphenol, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE), and pentachlorophenol on the adult female guinea pig reproductive tract☆

Abstract The guinea pig exhibits cyclic and luteal similarities to the human, a feature not present in other small experimental animals such as rats, mice, or rabbits. Studies were undertaken to investigate the in vivo effects of three persistent environmental xenobiotics (nonylphenol, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene [p,p′-DDE], and pentachlorophenol) on the microanatomy of the adult female guinea pig reproductive system. The effects brought about by these compounds (40 mg/kg/day) were compared to those caused by the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES; 50 μg/kg/day). Adult female guinea pigs, intact and castrated, were treated with 14 daily subcutaneous (s.c.) doses of one of these agents. The 50% decline in the weight of the tract that occurred following castration, was prevented by administration of nonylphenol, p,p′-DDE, and DES, but not of pentachlorophenol. Nonylphenol produced weak estrogenic stimulation of the tract of intact animals and maintained a relatively normal histologic appearance in castrated animals. Focal mucinous metaplasia of the endometrium, however, was observed in both groups. Treatment of intact and castrated animals with p,p′-DDE resulted in cystic hyperplasia and mucinous metaplasia of the endometrium, hyperplasia of the cervical epithelium, estrogenic stimulation of the vagina, and dilation of the rete ovarii. Treatment of intact or castrated animals with DES resulted in effects that were qualitatively similar to those caused by p,p′-DDE. The appearance of the vaginal epithelium, however, was abnormal and the rete ovarii were less dilated. Pentachlorophenol had minimal effect on the histology of the tract of castrated or intact animals. These data support our hypothesis that some environmental toxicants can substitute for estradiol in regulating the microanatomy of the female reproductive tract. They indicate the potential of these compounds to act as endocrine disrupting agents.
Compliance With Practice Guidelines and Risk of a First Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage in Patients With Cirrhosis

Background & Aims Esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) is a serious complication of cirrhosis, with 20% mortality per episode. The 2007 American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and American College of Gastroenterology practice guidelines regarding esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis recommend screening and intervention to prevent EVH. We assessed practice guideline compliance and its impact on the rate of first EVH. Methods An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was conducted on a random sample of adult patients newly evaluated for cirrhosis at the Cleveland Clinic from 2003 to 2006 (n = 179). Exclusion criteria were a previous diagnosis of esophageal varices or EVH and/or treatment with β-adrenergic antagonists. Patients were followed for 23 months (range, 9–38 months). Conformity with practice guidelines and subsequent bleeding rates were determined. Observed bleeding rates were compared to the North Italian Endoscopy Club (NIEC) model. Results Of the patients, 94% had a screening endoscopy, 80% within 6 months of the initial visit. Varices were present in 50% of the patients; 68% of all patients screened and 91% with large varices received a practice guideline-recommended treatment. Twelve patients (7%) had an episode of EVH; 82% of subjects without bleeding had their screening endoscopy within 6 months versus 50% of those with bleeding ( P = .016). Actuarial likelihood of bleeding at 2 years was 13% versus 27% predicted by the NIEC model ( P Conclusion Compliance with practice guideline recommendations is associated with reduction in first EVH in the first 2 years.
Observations on the BCC→FCO transformation in a beta titanium alloy

Abstract Selective dark field microscopy was used to account for all reflections in Figure 1. The extra spots at forbidden positions result from double diffraction and not from a long period superlattice. The x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results are complementary and show that aging of RMI (38-6-44) involves the precipitation of an (HCP) α phase from a (BCC) matrix. No evidence for an FCO phase has been observed.
Health, Fitness, and Quality of Life for Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities Barbara

(1997). Health, Fitness, and Quality of Life for Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities Barbara. Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 29-35.
Ultrasonic detection of an abnormal mass in a fetus later shown to have trisomy 18

Ultrasonic examination in a thirty-eight year old woman about to undergo midtrimester amniocentesis suggested an intra-abdominal fetal mass confirmed by amniography. The mass was a grossly distended urinary bladder. The patient aborted spontaneously before chromosome analysis demonstrated a 47,XY, + 18 karyotype.
Spectra of irradiated giant planets

As many as 101 extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) have been detected by radial-velocity techniques, but none has been detected directly by its own emission or by reflection of the light from its parent star. We review the current state-of-the-art in the theoretical modeling of the spectra of giant planets outside the solar system and the basic theory of EGP spectra and atmospheres. We are now entering a new era of planet discovery and measurement. This contribution is meant to communicate some of the excitement in the astronomical community as the hunt for these exotic and remarkable objects accelerates.
Nonlinear control of a dual-quadrotor assembly

In response to the need for accurate position sensing in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we propose a concept aircraft in the form of a mobile global vision system. The dual-quad prototype resembles a miniature quadrotor nesting within a larger quadrotor. Inspired by the gaze stabilization abilities of hunting birds, the inner quadrotor is used as an actively stabilized sensor deck, while the outer quadrotor is used as a position-control flight deck. The sensor deck is stabilized to impose motion constraints on the visual odometry problem. This reduces the computational expense of implementing a vision system on a UAV where resources are limited. We propose a combination of feedback linearization, nonlinear transformation, and backstepping control. Results for aggressive flight maneuvers are demonstrated in simulation.
[Reply to “Wasting public money?” by Judith Totman] Politically motivated request?

Judith Totman Parrish (Forum,Eos, 86(32), 9 August 2005, p. 294) asks Thomas Crowley to provide evidence that the U.S. Rep. Joe Barton's (R.-N.Y) request for information from me, and from my colleagues Michael Mann and Malcolm Hughes, was politically motivated. Among a host of items, here are some of the things Barton specifically asked for: “…all financial support you have received related to your research, including, but not limited to, all private, state, and federal assistance, grants, contracts (including subgrants or subcontracts), or other financial awards or honoraria…the location of all data archives relating to each published study for which you were an author or co-author… [a list of all] requests…you or your co-authors [have] received for data relating to the climate change studies, what was your response, and why?”
Threshold agent networks: an approach to modelling and simulation

Threshold agent networks (TANs), a discretized version of threshold or neural networks, are proposed as alternative platforms to sequential dynamical systems for modelling computer simulations. It is argued that each model has its own advantages and disadvantages compared to the other and the choice on each occasion should depend on the particular characteristics of the application at hand. Some results on the expressive power and the limitations of TANs are presented. Finally, equivalence classes of TANs that are introduced based on characteristics of their state spaces are studied in detail and upper bounds are given on their cardinalities.
Estrogen receptor-beta agonist diarylpropionitrile counteracts the estrogenic activity of estrogen receptor-alpha agonist propylpyrazole-triol in the mammary gland of ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats

Although estrogen can bind both types of estrogen receptors, estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) is dominant in mediating estrogenic activity in the mammary gland and uterus. Excessive estrogenic activity such as estrogen-based postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy increases the risk for breast and endometrial cancers. The adverse effect of estrogen on uterine endometrium can be opposed by progestins; however, estrogen-plus-progestin regimen imposes substantially greater risk for breast cancer than estrogen alone. In this study, we used ERα-selective agonist propylpyrazole-triol (PPT) and ERβ-selective agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) to activate ERα and estrogen receptor-beta (ERβ) separately in an ovariectomized rat model and determined whether PPT-activated ERα function in the mammary gland can be suppressed by DPN activated ERβ. Ovariectomized rats were randomly divided into six groups and treated with DMSO (control), DPN, PPT, PPT/DPN, PPT/Progesterone, and PPT/Progesterone/DPN, respectively. In the mammary gland, PPT but not DPN increased cell proliferation and amphiregulin gene expression; importantly, the stimulatory effect of PPT on mammary cell proliferation and amphiregulin gene expression can be suppressed by DPN. In the uterus, the effect of PPT on uterine weight and endometrial cell proliferation was not inhibited by DPN but can be inhibited by progesterone. These data provide in vivo evidence that PPT activated ERα activity in the mammary gland can be opposed by ERβ-selective agonist DPN, which may be explored for the development of better hormone replacement therapy regimen with less risk for breast cancer.
Dependence on solute concentration of the efficiency of scavenging of electrons in recombining geminate ion pairs

Abstract The fluorescence from solutions of hexafluorobenzene in cyclopentane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane and tetramethylsilane irradiated with β-particles has been studied as a function of the hexafluorobenzene concentration from c = 10 -3 −10 -1 M. The data are analyzed to permit extraction of geminate ion-pair scavenging probability p †. This is found to have a dependence on c entirely similar to what has previously been reported for p † extracted from quenching of solvent fluorescence by perfluorocarbon scavengers, i.e. p † = (α c ) 0.7 /[1 + (α c ) 0.7 ]. The difference between these results and that for p † obtained via measurement of chemical product formation is discussed.
A new scoring mechanism for vehicle crash imminent braking systems

As Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) systems have been introduced to the passenger vehicle market segment, there is an immediate need to develop a standardized performance scoring system which enables an objective comparison of similar CIB systems implemented across various vehicle platforms. It is desirable that this standard is adopted by the entire automotive industry to further advance CIB technologies. It is also a valuable reference for consumers to compare the safety of different vehicles. This paper describes an approach for the establishment of such a standard to evaluate and compare the performance of CIB systems. A set of testing scenarios is proposed for the performance evaluation of CIB systems. Subjective and arguable test scenarios are avoided as much as possible. The applicability of the proposed scoring system is demonstrated with the data collected from some proposed testing scenarios in the evaluation of a 2011 model-year passenger vehicle equipped with a CIB system.
BUILDING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TRAINING IN INDUSTRY

This paper reviews the steps, trials, and pitfalls in designing and delivering a Systems Engineering training course in a company the size (about 5,000 engineers) of Texas Instruments' Defense Systems and Electronics Group (DSEG). The paper is a case study of our efforts in TI DSEG to field and deliver a Systems Engineering Workshop, over a four year period, that is now considered successful. The training initiation, development, reviews, and delivery aspects are highlighted.
Conduction in carbon nanotubes through metastable resonant states

We report here on electrical measurements on individual multi-walled carbon nanotubes that show that the presence or movement of impurities or defects in the carbon nan- otube can radically change its low-temperature transport characteristics. The low-temperature conductance can either decrease monotonically with decreasing temperature, or show a sud- den increase at very low temperatures, sometimes in the same sample at different times. This unusual behavior of the temperature dependence of the conductance is correlated with large variations in the differential conductance as a function of the dc voltage across the wire. The effect is well described as arising from quantum interference of conduction channels correspond- ing to direct transmission through the nanotube and resonant transmission through a discrete electron state, the so-called Fano resonance.
The Relationship of Carbohydrates to Cold Acclimation of Hedera helix L. cv. Thorndale

While both the total sugar content and cold hardiness greatly increased during artificial cold acclimation, no direct parallelism was demonstrated. In fact, plants hardened in the dark exhibited an increase in hardiness during the period when the total sugar content declined, furthermore, while there was evidence for an accumulation of sugars (especially sucrose) incorporation of 14C indicated that all of the isolated fractions were in a dynamic state. Dehardening, paralleled by a large increase in the starch content, was more rapid in the light than in the dark. Furthermore, in stems the sugar content increased after 3 days of dehardening but declined after 7 days. This increase may represent the release of sugars from a previously unextractable form such as a glycoprotein complex. Starvation experiments indicate that photosynthates produced during the cold acclimation period are preferentially used during cold acclimation rather than reserve carbohydrates. This was also indicated by the smaller amount of starch hydrolysis in plants hardened in the light. Thus, while there appears to be a role for carbohydrates in the cold acclimation process, the lack of parallelism between sugar content and hardiness may be interpreted as indicating 1) cold acclimation is not merely an accumulation of sugars or an osmotic effect per se, and 2) under normal conditions, the level of carbohydrates is not limiting the rate or degree of cold acclimation.
Early hemispherectomy in catastrophic epilepsy: A neuro-cognitive and epileptic long-term follow-up

The authors report their experience about a neuro-cognitive and epileptic long-term follow-up of children with catastrophic epilepsy treated with hemispherectomy in the first 5 years of life. Nineteen children with resistant epilepsy that significantly interfered with their neuro-cognitive development underwent hemispherectomy within 5 years of life (mean: 2 years, 3 months; range: 5 months to 5 years). All patients were assessed before surgery and after, at least at the end of the follow-up (mean: 6 years and 6 months; range: 2-11 years and 2 months) with a full clinical examination including motor ability and functional status evaluation as well as behaviour observation, neuroimaging and an ictal/interictal prolonged scalp video-EEG. A seizure-free outcome was obtained in 73.7% of patients. Gross motility generally improved and cognitive competence did not worsen, with an evident progress in two cases. Consistently with previous reports, evolution was worse in cortical dysplasia than in progressive or acquired vascular cerebropathies. The excellent epileptic outcome and the lack of developmental deterioration in comparison with other more aged series seem to suggest a possible better evolution in earlier surgery treatment. To confirm this suggestion, however, further experience with larger series is needed.
Damage mechanics of solder joints - viscoplasticity, implementation, simulation, and verification

This paper presents a damage mechanics methodology and its successful implementation for the progressive damage of solder joints widely used for electronic packages, enabling robust design, virtual qualification, and predictive reliability of components and assembly processes of electronic products. A unified viscoplastic constitutive framework with damage evolution and failure criteria has been developed and implemented into a commercially available tool to model time-rate-temperature dependent nonlinear properties of solder materials. As primary failure mode of solder joints, cracks on a solder joint can be automatically initiated and propagated by damage evolution with failure criteria under various loading conditions. Dynamic failure processes of solder joints of an electronic component assembled on PCB have been demonstrated for real-world case study under mechanical and thermal cyclic loadings in three-dimensional cases. The characteristics of crack initiation and propagation have been well verified by microscopic analyses of the failed components collected from the field.
Single-breath vital capacity high concentration sevoflurane induction in children: with or without nitrous oxide?

Background Single-breath vital capacity inhalation induction with high concentration sevoflurane (SBVC-HC) is a rapid and ‘needleless' technique, preferred and well tolerated in the cooperative child. The addition of nitrous oxide may speed up induction by its second gas effects. Previous studies done in children looking at the effect of N2O on this technique lacked power and showed conflicting results. This study aims to investigate the effect of N2O on induction time for SBVC-HC sevoflurane induction in children. Methods Eighty unpremedicated, ASA I and II children, aged 5–15 yr having elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia, were recruited and randomized to: Group A: 8% sevoflurane in O2 6 litre min−1, and Group B: 8% sevoflurane in N2O 4 litre min−1 and O2 2 litre min−1. The primary outcome was the time to ‘loss of eyelash reflex'. The time to return of ‘regular respiration' and ‘conjugate gaze' were also noted. Results The difference in the ‘time to loss of eyelash reflex' was small but statistically significant. Group B: mean duration 53.6 s, standard deviation ( sd) 16.1, compared with Group A: 63.5 s, sd 16.1 (mean difference 9.9, 95% confidence interval 2.5–17.3, P=0.01). Differences in the time to return of ‘regular breathing' and ‘conjugate gaze' were not statistically significant. Patients receiving N2O had less excitatory movements (P=0.007), but incidence of other adverse events was low and did not differ significantly between both groups. More than 94% of children would choose this method of induction again in both groups. Conclusions We conclude that for SBVC-HC sevoflurane induction in children, the addition of N2O resulted in faster loss of consciousness and reduced excitatory movements.
Qualification Testing of Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules

The placement of photovoltaic modules in various applications, in climates and locations throughout the world, results in different degrees and combinations of environmental and electrical stress. Early detection of module reliability deficiencies via laboratory testing is necessary for achieving long, satisfactory field service. This overview paper describes qualification testing techniques being used in the US Department of Energy's flat-plate terrestrial photovoltaic development program in terms of their significance, rationale for specified levels and durations, and test results.
SLAM: Sleep-Wake Aware Local Monitoring in Sensor Networks

Sleep-wake protocols are critical in sensor networks to ensure long-lived operation. However, an open problem is how to develop efficient mechanisms that can be incorporated with sleep-wake protocols to ensure both long-lived operation and a high degree of security. Our contribution in this paper is to address this problem by using local monitoring, a powerful technique for detecting and mitigating control and data attacks in sensor networks. In local monitoring, each node oversees part of the traffic going in and out of its neighbors to determine if the behavior is suspicious, such as, unusually long delay in forwarding a packet. Here, we present a protocol called SLAM to make local monitoring parsimonious in its energy consumption and to integrate it with any extant sleep-wake protocol in the network. The challenge is to enable sleep-wake in a secure manner even in the face of nodes that may be adversarial and not wake up nodes responsible for monitoring its traffic. We prove analytically that the security coverage is not weakened by the protocol. We perform simulations in ns-2 to demonstrate that the performance of local monitoring is practically unchanged while listening energy saving of 30 to 129 times is achieved, depending on the network load.
Off Her Trolley? Frances Kamm and the Metaphysics of Morality

Frances Kamm's aptly titled Intricate Ethics is a tour de force of what Peter Unger calls the ‘preservationist’ approach to ethical theory. Here is some of what she says about her methodology: Consider as many case-based judgments of yours as prove necessary. Do not ignore some case-based judgments, assuming they are errors, just because they conflict with simple or intuitively plausible principles that account for some subset of your case-based judgments. Work on the assumption that a different principle can account for all of the judgments. Be prepared to be surprised at what this principle is . . . . I say, consider your case-based judgments, rather than a survey of everyone's judgments. This is because I believe that much more is accomplished when one person considers her judgments and then tries to analyze and justify their grounds than if we do mere surveys. (5)
Ligand-independent activation of steroid hormone receptors

In addition to the conventional hormone-dependent regulation of the activity of steroid/thyroid receptor family members, many studies have shown that there is substantial cross-talk between signal transduction pathways and steroid receptors. In a number of cases the modulation of kinase/phosphatase activity in cells leads to activation of steroid receptors in the absence of hormone. This novel mechanism may not be ubiquitous as the glucocorticoid receptor appears to be refractory to activation in the absence of hormone. However, estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, androgen receptors, retinoic acid receptors, retinoid X receptors, and vitamin D receptors all exhibit ligand-independent activation under appropriate conditions. Whether a steroid receptor responds to a signal by inducing transcription of a target gene in the absence of hormone depends upon the cell type, promoter, and activator. The mechanism(s) by which ligand-independent activation is induced is currently a subject of great interest. Because the signals that activate receptors induce protein phosphorylation, altered phosphorylation of the receptors, and/or proteins that associate with the receptors are likely to be key to ligand-independent activation. In the case of the estrogen receptor there is good evidence that altered receptor phosphorylation plays a role in ligand-independent activation. Other likely targets are proteins in the heat shock protein complexes, corepressors, and/or coactivators of steroid receptors.
A federated architecture for information management

An approach to the coordinated sharing and interchange of computerized information is described emphasizing partial, controlled sharing among autonomous databases. Office information systems provide a particularly appropriate context for this type of information sharing and exchange. A federated database architecture is described in which a collection of independent database systems are united into a loosely coupled federation in order to share and exchange information. A federation consists of components (of which there may be any number) and a single federal dictionary. The components represent individual users, applications, workstations, or other components in an office information system. The federal dictionary is a specialized component that maintains the topology of the federation and oversees the entry of new components. Each component in the federation controls its interactions with other components by means of an export schema and an import schema. The export schema specifies the information that a component will share with other components, while the import schema specifies the nonlocal information that a component wishes to manipulate. The federated architecture provides mechanisms for sharing data, for sharing transactions (via message types) for combining information from several components, and for coordinating activities among autonomous components (via negotiation). A prototype implementation of the federated database mechanism is currently operational on an experimental basis.
Neural Mechanisms of Interference Control Underlie the Relationship between Fluid Intelligence and Working Memory Span.

Fluid intelligence (gF) and working memory (WM) span predict success in demanding cognitive situations. Recent studies show that much of the variance in gF and WM span is shared, suggesting common neural mechanisms. This study provides a direct investigation of the degree to which shared variance in gF and WM span can be explained by neural mechanisms of interference control. The authors measured performance and functional magnetic resonance imaging activity in 102 participants during the n-back WM task, focusing on the selective activation effects associated with high-interference lure trials. Brain activity on these trials was correlated with gF, WM span, and task performance in core brain regions linked to WM and executive control, including bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (middle frontal gyrus; BA9) and parietal cortex (inferior parietal cortex; BA 40/7). Interference-related performance and interference-related activity accounted for a significant proportion of the shared variance in gF and WM span. Path analyses indicate that interference control activity may affect gF through a common set of processes that also influence WM span. These results suggest that individual differences in interference-control mechanisms are important for understanding the relationship between gF and WM span.
A Review of: “From Pablo to Osama: Trafficking and Terrorist Networks, Government Bureaucracies, and Competitive Advantage by Michael Kenney”

Wars on drugs and terror are won by searching out and destroying key leaders—or so it is commonly thought. If we simply remove drug kingpins and terrorist leaders we will eliminate these problems o...
Development of microsatellites from Fothergilla ×intermedia (Hamamelidaceae) and cross transfer to four other genera within Hamamelidaceae.

Premise of the study: We developed microsatellites from Fothergilla ×intermedia to establish loci capable of distinguishing species and cultivars, and to assess genetic diversity for use by ornamental breeders and to transfer within Hamamelidaceae. Methods and Results: We sequenced a small insert genomic library enriched for microsatellites to develop 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The number of alleles detected ranged from four to 15 across five genera within Hamamelidaceae. Shannon's information index ranged from 0.07 to 0.14. Conclusions: These microsatellite loci provide a set of markers to evaluate genetic diversity of natural and cultivated collections and assist ornamental plant breeders for genetic studies of five popular genera of woody ornamental plants.
Loss of Fuminosin B1 in Extruded and Baked Corn-Based Foods with Sugars

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of added sugars on fumonisin B1 (FB1) levels in baked corn muffins and extruded corn grits. Muffins containing added glucose had significantly lower FB1 levels than muffins with sucrose, fructose, or no added sugar. Extrusion cooking of the grits resulted in significant (p < 0.05) reductions of FB1 in all treatments relative to unextruded controls, but use of glucose resulted in greater reductions of FB1 (45.3 to 71%) than did the use of fructose (29.5 to 53%) or sucrose (19.2 to 39%). When extrusion conditions were optimized, 92.1% loss of FB1 was found when grits were extruded with glucose. Adding glucose to thermally processed food can result in a substantial reduction in FB1 levels.
Multiphoton microscopy for rapid histopathological evaluation of kidney tumours.

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) for rapid evaluation and triaging of ex vivo kidney tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fresh neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues from nephrectomy specimens (n = 40) were imaged with MPM and later submitted for routine histopathology. RESULTS On MPM, normal kidney architecture was evident and clearly distinguishable from tumour. Forty malignant tumours (20 clear-cell renal cell carcinomas [RCCs], 10 papillary RCCs, five chromophobe RCCs and five papillary urothelial carcinomas [UCs], as diagnosed by haematoxylin and eosin staining) were imaged and subtyped as non-papillary and papillary, based on their architecture. Non-papillary tumours were further classified based on their unique cytoplasmic signatures. Clear-cell RCCs had a predominant population of cells with fat droplets in cytoplasm. Chromophobe RCCs had cells with non-fatty/homogeneous cytoplasm and distinct intra-cytoplasmic granules. Papillary RCCs had single-cell-lined papillae with often abundant histiocytes in their core, whereas PUC had multi-layered urothelium-lined papillae. The diagnostic accuracy of tumour subtyping by two independent uropathologists was 95%. CONCLUSIONS We showed that MPM can reliably differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic kidney tissue and subtype kidney tumours in fresh, unprocessed tissue, MPM might therefore be useful as a rapid real-time diagnostic tool for the evaluation of kidney biopsies, and surgical margins in partial nephrectomies, to improve overall patient management.
Teaching critical reflexivity in short-term international field courses: practices and problems

This study critiques the use of critical reflexivity in short-term international field courses. Critical reflexivity’s benefits include preparing students for professional research, deepening their learning, and giving the chance to see how student perspectives on fieldwork sites are influenced by their own identity and positionality. I use an inter-disciplinary review of reflexivity to describe four challenges faculty must address if they wish to train students to use reflexive practices in the field. I then describe student observations from a short-term field course to Southeast Asia that incorporated reflexivity and argue that faculty should include reflexivity cautiously on short-term field courses.
Gender by onset age interaction may characterize distinct phenotypic subgroups in bipolar patients

Abstract Objective Although bipolar disorder (BD) is a common recurrent condition with highly heterogeneous illness course, data are limited regarding clinical implications of interactions between gender and onset age. We assessed relationships between onset age and demographic/illness characteristics among BD patients stratified by gender. Methods Demographic and unfavorable illness characteristics, descriptive traits, and clinical correlates were compared in 502 patients from Stanford University BD Clinic patients enrolled in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD between 2000 and 2011, stratified by gender, across pre-, peri-, and post-pubertal ( 17 years, respectively) onset-age subgroups. Results Among 502 BD patients, 58.2% were female, of whom 21.9% had pre-pubertal, 30.7% peri-pubertal, and 47.4% post-pubertal onset. Between genders, although demographics, descriptive characteristics, and most clinical correlates were statistically similar, there were distinctive onset-age related patterns of unfavorable illness characteristics. Among females, rates of 6/8 primary unfavorable illness characteristics were significantly higher in pre-pubertal and peri-pubertal compared to post-pubertal onset patients. However, among males, rates of only 3/8 unfavorable illness characteristics were significantly higher in only pre-pubertal versus post-pubertal onset patients, and none between peri-pubertal versus post-pubertal onset patients. Limitations Caucasian, insured, suburban, American specialty clinic-referred sample limits generalizability, onset age based on retrospective recall. Discussion We describe different phenotypic presentations across age at illness onset groups according to gender. Among females and males, peri-pubertal and post-pubertal onset age groups were more different and more similar, respectively. Further investigation is warranted to assess implications of gender-by-onset-age interactions to more accurately delineate distinctive BD phenotypes.
Scoping of Oil Shale Retorting with Nuclear Fusion Reactors

An engineering scoping study was conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy's request to see if a feasible concept could be developed for using nuclear fusion heat to improve in situ extraction by retorting of underground oil shale. It was found that a fusion heated, oxygen-free inert gas could be used for driving modified, in situ retorts at a higher yield, using lower grade shale and producing less environmental problems than present-day processes. It was also found to be economically attractive with return on investments of 20 to 30%. Fusion blanket technology required was found to be reasonable at hot gas delivery temperatures of about650/sup 0/C (920 K). The scale of a fusion reactor at 2.8 GW(thermal) producing 45 000 Mg/day (335 000 barrel/day) was also found to be reasonable.
Analytic Solution Shoreline at Jetty under Varying Wave Climate

Future shoreline changes on a sandy beach with a structure such as a jetty or groin can be predicted when wave climate is known. An existing solution for the linearized partial differential equation for shoreline change is presented for the situation where wave climate is not changing and when the angle of the shoreline is small with respect to the waves breaking at the shoreline. The novel solution provided in this paper allows the previous constant wave condition solution to be utilized to be extended to the case where wave climate (i.e. wave direction and wave height) is time varying. Example usage of the method presented shows that shorelines are of different final planform shape for time varying wave conditions even though the sediment transport is the same from time step to time step. Reversals of wave climate time series are shown to provide very different final shoreline shapes even though time series consist of the same wave conditions although in different ordered time.
Epidemic analysis of acute communicable disease outbreaks occurred in Guizhou Province between 2008 and 2011

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of acute communicable disease outbreaks occurred in Guizhou Province between 2008 and 2011, so to assess the prevalence and epidemic patterns of the diseases and to provide a scientific reference for the development of effective preventive strategies against the occurrence of similar outbreaks. METHODS 1 043 outbreaks of acute communicable diseases reported in Guizhou Province between 2008and 2011 were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS(1) Most of the outbreaks occurred in schools and on students(32 424patients), accounting for 63.49% of the surveyed populations.(2) 44.97%(469 cases) of the outbreaks were related to respiratory diseases and 45.16%(471 cases) of the outbreaks were intestinal diseases-related. CONCLUSION Reinforcing hygiene and health managements in schools shall be regarded as the primary measure to effectively prevent and control the relevant outbreaks.
Lighting Strike Identification and Its Effects on the Traveling Wave Fault Location

Lightning strike is one of the major factors that affect the precision of traveling wave fault location devices.Identification of lighting strike is key to mitigate the lighting strike influences on the transmission lines.In comparison with short circuit currents,lighting fault currents are more acute in gradients and the non-fault phase currents carry much more transient energy in their traveling waves.Based on this,a new wavelet transform method is proposed to identify lighting faults by extracting the gradients of fault currents and transient energy in the non-fault phase currents.Also,the corresponding criteria are proposed.EMTDC simulation and experimental results verify the correctness of the proposed method.
Adenocarcinoma of the liver without a detectable primary.

(1991). Adenocarcinoma of the Liver Without a Detectable Primary. Hospital Practice: Vol. 26, No. 12, pp. 61-80.
Abstract P98: Change in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Use of Inpatient Cardiovascular Surgeries in Postreform Massachusetts

BACKGROUND The 2006 Massachusetts (MA) health reform increased insurance coverage to near-universal levels, but its impact on access to care is not known. We examined post-reform change in racial/ethnic differences in use of two cardiovascular procedures - percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) - and two non-cardiovascular procedures (knee and hip replacements) documented to be underutilized by minorities. METHODS Using discharge data on all MA hospitalizations for 21 months preceding and following implementation of the reform, we identified all PTCA, CABG and joint (knee, hip) replacement procedures performed for patients aged >=40. Stratifying census population by race/ethnicity, we estimated pre- and post-reform population-based procedure rates, and their changes, for those aged 40-64, adjusting for secular changes unrelated to reform by capturing corresponding changes for those aged >= 65, whose coverage (Medicare) was unaffected by reform. RESULTS There was a secular decrease in use of PTCA and CABG for all groups (of 18% or more); use of joint replacement increased (>=20%). Post-reform, Black/White ratio of combined PTCA & CABG procedure rate improved from 0.77 to 0.82, with a smaller decrease for Blacks (18%) than Whites (24%). Difference in Hispanic/White PTCA & CABG procedure rate was not significant pre- and post-reform. Post-reform change associated with reform was not significant. Use of joint replacement increased for both minorities vs. Whites; change associated with reform was sizable for all groups (>=7%; significant for Whites only). CONCLUSIONS Use of inpatient PTCA and CABG shows a largely secular decrease, with little change associated with reform. While Black-White difference in PTCA and CABG rate decreased marginally, the rate among Blacks remained significantly lower than for Whites and Hispanics. Limitation: clinical appropriateness of the procedures could not be confirmed. View this table:
Dynamic Control of DNA Origami Nanostructures via Gold Nanoparticles

A major direction of research in DNA origami nanotechnology is the folding of DNA into complex 3D shapes with the inclusion of flexible regions to form dynamic nanostructures. These types of dynamic nanostructures are typically actuated via the addition DNA “fuel” strands that form new connections to reconfigure a structure, or via the selective removal of DNA components via strand displacement. The goal of this work is to enable novel actuation methods with distinct, and potentially faster, triggering mechanisms based on incorporating other nanomaterial components. While DNA origami has been used in combination with other nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles there has yet to be a demonstration of nanoparticles used for the precise control of nanostructure actuation. Using a DNA origami hinge mechanism we have included single-stranded DNA overhangs extending from the arms, which bind to a gold nanoparticle to latch the hinge closed. By varying where the nanoparticle is incorporated (distance from the hinge vertex) and the nanoparticle size we have shown that the angular distributions of the hinge are highly controllable. In addition, tuning the nanoparticle binding affinity of the bottom arm relative to the top arm allows for actuation of the hinge via DNA melting without releasing the nanoparticle entirely, thereby enabling reversible temperature-based actuation. Particle binding and hinge actuation were monitored via a two color fluorescence quenching setup to reveal that the kinetics of actuation occur on the minute timescale. Future work will explore light-based actuation mediated by local plasmonic heating of the nanoparticles. We have also polymerized hinges into dynamic assemblies, which in combination with nanoparticle based actuation schemes will establish a basis for rapidly reconfigurable materials with future applications in biosensing, plasmonics, and bioenergetics.
Gel-coated tubes extend above-freezing storage of honey bee (Apis mellifera) semen to 439 days with production of fertilised offspring.

Honey bees are an important agricultural species; however, relatively little work has been done to improve artificial reproductive technologies for this animal. The collection and distribution of germplasm for breeding and conservation is critical for improving managed honey bee populations and conserving threatened subspecies. The most efficient method of controlling breeding in honey bees is by artificial insemination. The collection of semen for insemination requires the use of antibiotics, which is especially critical if semen is to be stored for any length of time. The introduction of antibiotics is normally done through a balanced salt solution. In this study we compare, at two temperatures, the storage of undiluted semen in antibiotic–gel-coated capillary tubes with storage of semen diluted in a balanced salt solution containing antibiotics. Live–dead cell staining and artificial insemination of honey bee queens were performed at 45, 99 and 439 days after collection of the semen. In every case the antibiotic–gel-coated tube storage method at 14°C produced a higher percentage of fertilised offspring. This study demonstrates the longest period of time spermatozoa have been stored above freezing while maintaining fertilisation capacity.
Retrofit winglets for wind turbines

Poster project completed at the Wichita State University Department of Aerospace Engineering. Presented at the 15th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit, Topeka, KS, February 20, 2018.