cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adhesive curing cycle time optimization in wind turbine blade manufacturing

Abstract The curing of adhesives in wind turbine blades is a cost and time-intensive manufacturing step. Bondlines are critical to the structural integrity of the blade, but substantial variation in bondline thickness can result in different thermal histories and even degradation of the adhesive due to its exothermic reaction. Models to predict the thermal behavior of adhesive bondlines during the curing step, taking manufacturing conditions and variation in thickness into account, are needed to minimize cure times while avoiding excess temperature. In this study, a finite element model capable of tracing the thermal and conversion histories of the adhesive was developed. Standard heat transfer equations were coupled with cure kinetics in the model through user subroutines, and the cure kinetics were characterized and validated experimentally. A 2D cross-section model of a wind turbine blade was created to simulate the adhesive curing cycle in a manufacturing setting. This model was used to highlight critical aspects of the curing cycle and test methods to shorten the cycle time while maintaining the integrity of the bond. Several improvement methods and their potential cycle time savings were investigated, such as implementing individual heating and cooling zones for each adhesive area and additional spar cap heating/cooling.
Mesoportal bypass, interposition graft, and mesocaval shunt: Surgical strategies to overcome superior mesenteric vein involvement in pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Background In pancreatic cancer, extensive tumor involvement of the mesenteric venous system poses formidable challenges to operative resection. Such involvement can result from cavernous collateral veins leading to increased intraoperative blood loss or long-segment vascular defects of not only just the superior mesenteric vein but also even jejunal/ileal branches. Strategies to facilitate margin-free resection and safe vascular reconstruction in pancreatic surgery are important, particularly because systemic control of the tumor is improving with multi-agent chemotherapy regimens. Methods We describe a systematic, multidisciplinary assessment for patients with pancreatic cancer that involves the superior mesenteric vein, as well as the preoperative planning of those undergoing operative resection. In addition, detailed descriptions of operative approaches and technical strategies, which evolved with increasing experience at a high-volume center, are presented. Results For the preoperative evaluation of tumor-free, vascular locations for potential reconstruction and collateralization, computed tomographic imaging with high-resolution of vascular structures (used with 3-dimensional or cinematic rendering) allows a precise calibration of radiographic data with intraoperative findings. From an operative perspective, we identified 5 potential strategies to consider for resection: collateral preservation, mesoportal bypass (preresection), mesoportal interposition graft (postresection), mesocaval shunt, and various combinations of these strategies. Many of these techniques use interposition grafts, making it essential to assess autologous veins (preferred conduit for reconstruction) or to prepare cryopreserved vascular allografts (an alternative conduit, which must be thawed and should be matched for size and blood type). Conclusion Herein we share operative strategies to overcome involvement of the superior mesenteric vein in pancreatic cancer. Improvements in preoperative planning and operative technique can address common barriers to resection with curative intent.
Abstract IA40: Defining precursors in low-grade lymphomas that seed second lymphomas

Most patients with low-grade lymphoma will achieve a clinical remission (CR) with standard chemoimmunotherapy. Yet, relapse from minimal residual disease (MRD), either as low-grade or high-grade disease, remains the leading cause of death. Several studies have provided consistent evidence showing the strong prognostic value of measurable MRD using flow cytometry, PCR, next-generation sequencing, or other approaches. While MRD includes the malignant cells that remain in a patient who achieves CR, not all MRD cells may have the functional capability to proliferate into relapse. We recently introduced a nomenclature to more precisely distinguish cells included within MRD. In this nomenclature, M-REC (Minimal-RElapsable Cancer) denotes fully transformed cells capable of driving a relapse; MN-REC (Minimal Non-RElapsable Cancer) denotes fully-transformed cells incapable of driving a relapse; and MRP (Minimal Residual Precursors) denotes residual cells that harbor somatic and/or phenotypic alterations but are not fully malignant, such as those causing a dysplastic “field-effect” in cancers like those of the bladder, head and neck, or esophagus. Studies that defined the genetic phylogeny of lymphoma using diagnostic, relapsed, and transformed B-cell lymphomas from the same patients have identified examples where MRPs repeatedly evolve into clinical lymphomas. This conflicts with the traditional model of cancer evolution, in which “relapses” result from M-RECs that persist after therapy. There are two immediate implications to this paradigm-shifting concept: 1) Many “relapses” are actually second lymphomas, and 2) defining and targeting the vulnerabilities of MRPs may be essential for improving lymphoma-free survival among patients who achieve a CR. It is important to note that the vulnerabilities of MRD may differ within the bone marrow, blood, lymph node, and other sites, so sampling of each is essential. To make this possible, we have advanced two strategies. First, we have established xenografts of human follicular lymphoma explants within immunocompromised mice that capture both malignant and nonmalignant cellular components, as well as predictable transformation to large-cell lymphoma in vivo. Second, we have initiated rapid autopsies of patients with disseminated lymphoma to obtain specimens from multiple organs and thereby define the heterogeneity of environmental niches that support the persistence of MRD. Citation Format: Abner Louissaint, David Weinstock. Defining precursors in low-grade lymphomas that seed second lymphomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma; 2020 Aug 17-19. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2020;1(3_Suppl):Abstract nr IA40.
Bob Dylan, Charles Taylor, and Cultural Disintegration

What do we sacrifice when politics is in motion? The Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor argues that modern society has lost sight of what he calls "frameworks" or "horizons of significance", which help citizens "define the demands by which they judge their lives and measure, as it were, their fullness or emptiness." The economic and political consequences of an increasingly globalized, interconnected, and complex world erode to some extent these cultural guidelines. If Taylor represents a philosophical investigation of a society without a guiding framework, the recent albums of Bob Dylan are a phenomenological account of living in such a society. Critic Mikal Gilmore writes that Dylan's recent work depicts a "morally center less time" creating a "vista of mortal and cultural disintegration." This paper integrates Taylor's work, particularly that found in Sources of the Self and The Ethics of Authenticity, with Dylan's recent albums, Time Out of Mind, Love and Theft, Modern Times, and Tell Tale Signs. After outlining Taylor's philosophy, I conduct a thematic analysis of Dylan's lyrics as they relate to Taylor's ideas. I conclude by evaluating their perspectives: are Taylor and Dylan right to be pessimistic about modern society? The benefit of this coupling is twofold: 1) we get two distinct, yet very interrelated perspectives of the potential costs of our changing political world and 2) we can understand these costs from a macro, cultural level perspective as well as a micro, psychological one. Whereas Taylor tells us of a culture characterized by individualism and lacking a common view of the good life, Dylan describes a psyche full of loss, regret, emptiness, and morally ambiguous decisions.
Sleeve gastrectomy prior to liver transplantation is superior to medical weight loss in reducing posttransplant metabolic complications

Strategies to optimize the management of obesity-related metabolic complications after liver transplantation (LT) are needed. We examined the effect of pre-LT sleeve gastrectomy (SG), as compared to medical weight loss (MWL), on post-LT outcomes. This is a cohort study of adults (≥18 years) with medically complicated obesity who were eligible for pre-LT SG and underwent LT from January 1, 2006 to June 1, 2016. Logistic regression models evaluated the association of SG on post-LT diabetes and hypertension, defined as new-onset or progressive disease post-LT. Cox regression models evaluated the association of SG on recurrent and de novo nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Among 70 LT recipients who were eligible for pre-LT SG, 14 (20%) underwent SG and 56 (80%) underwent MWL only. Mean follow-up was 5.2 years post-LT. The SG cohort sustained higher % total body weight loss at 3 years post-LT (28.9% vs. 5.4%, p < .001). In multivariable analyses, SG was associated with significantly lower risk of post-LT diabetes (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.41, p = .01), hypertension (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04-0.67, p = .01), and recurrent and de novo NAFLD (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.91, p = .04). When compared to MWL, SG resulted in sustained weight loss and significantly lower risk of diabetes, hypertension, and recurrent and de novo NAFLD post-LT.
Recessive LOXHD1 variants cause a prelingual down-sloping hearing loss: genotype-phenotype correlation and three additional children with novel variants.

Abstract Background Biallelic mutations in LOXHD1 have been identified as the cause of DFNB77 (deafness, autosomal recessive 77). It is a new progressive, severe-to-profound, and late-onset nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL), and is highly heterogeneous genetically and phenotypically. This study aimed to provide an additional three cases of DFNB77. Methods We presented three unrelated children diagnosed with prelingual mild-to-severe NSHL, and their audiograms showed mild hearing loss at 250 Hz before downsloping to a moderate-to-severe degree. Trio whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to identify the pathogenic variants. Additionally, we reviewed the literature to further analyze the relationships between the genotype and audiology phenotype of LOXHD1. Results Six novel possible pathogenic LOXHD1 variants were identified, including three missense, one nonsense, and two splicing variants. The literature review showed that 68.5% of patients with DFNB77 onset before five years old; Most variants (62%) were associated with a down-sloping audiogram of mild-to-moderate hearing loss at low frequencies (200Hz, 500Hz), particularly variants in the protein domain of PLAT 9. We found that compared with homozygous LOXHD1 variants, individuals with heterozygous compound variants had a significantly milder phenotype, especially individuals carrying one missense and one splicing or bi-allelic missense variants (P Conclusions We report three children with prelingual NSHL carrying six novel LOXHD1 variants. Furthermore, our work indicates that DFNB77 may be milder than previously reported and recommends considering the genotype combination and mutation location of LOXHD1 and race-specificity in DFNB77 molecular diagnoses and management.
Discrepancies in Stroke Distribution and Dataset Origin in Machine Learning for Stroke

Abstract Background Machine learning algorithms depend on accurate and representative datasets for training in order to become valuable clinical tools that are widely generalizable to a varied population. We aim to conduct a review of machine learning uses in stroke literature to assess the geographic distribution of datasets and patient cohorts used to train these models and compare them to stroke distribution to evaluate for disparities. Aims 582 studies were identified on initial searching of the PubMed database. Of these studies, 106 full texts were assessed after title and abstract screening which resulted in 489 papers excluded. Of these 106 studies, 79 were excluded due to using cohorts from outside the United States or being review articles or editorials. 27 studies were thus included in this analysis. Summary of review Of the 27 studies included, 7 (25.9%) used patient data from California, 6 (22.2%) were multicenter, 3 (11.1%) were in Massachusetts, 2 (7.4%) each in Illinois, Missouri, and New York, and 1 (3.7%) each from South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 1 (3.7%) study used data from Utah and Texas. These were qualitatively compared to a CDC study showing the highest distribution of stroke in Mississippi (4.3%) followed by Oklahoma (3.4%), Washington D.C. (3.4%), Louisiana (3.3%), and Alabama (3.2%) while the prevalence in California was 2.6%. Conclusions It is clear that a strong disconnect exists between the datasets and patient cohorts used in training machine learning algorithms in clinical research and the stroke distribution in which clinical tools using these algorithms will be implemented. In order to ensure a lack of bias and increase generalizability and accuracy in future machine learning studies, datasets using a varied patient population that reflects the unequal distribution of stroke risk factors would greatly benefit the usability of these tools and ensure accuracy on a nationwide scale.
Autobiographical Memory Perspectives in Task and Suicide Attempt Recall: A Study of Young Adults With and Without Symptoms of Suicidality

Memories recalled from the field, or first person, perspective tend to be specific, more detail-oriented, and emotional. In contrast, memories from the observer, or third person, perspective, tend to be more general, less detail-oriented and emotional. Research suggests that individuals with a history of suicidality exhibit over-general autobiographical memories (i.e., lacking in detail). We propose that individuals with a history of suicidality may encode and recall memories more from the observer perspective, which is associated with recalling fewer details about events. This hypothesis was tested by examining the memory perspectives of 107 young adults with and without symptoms of suicidality during task and event recall. Compared to controls, suicide attempters recalled tasks and neutral events significantly less from the observer perspective and more from the field perspective; suicide ideators and controls were not significantly different on recall perspectives. No significant differences in negative event and suicide attempt recall were found across groups. Results indicated that suicide attempters exhibited a recall bias towards first person, internally focused memories. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Multiphoton Atomic and Molecular Coherent Excitations with Ultrashort Pulse Sequences

With the recent progress in short pulse generation, an increasing number of experiments involving energy exchange between light and matter occur in conditions of coherent interactions. The time scale of the experiment becomes shorter than any collision time between particles of the ensemble. The radiation is thus interacting directly with isolated atoms. The condition of coherent interactions can be defined easily in the Bohr atom picture. Let us consider a rotating frame of reference in which the ground state electron appears at rest. A periodic electric field at ω = ω1/n (n integer) can induce transitions (transition rate proportional to En) to a higher orbit (of energy hω1 above the ground state). In this rotating frame of reference, the periodic motion of the electron is an atomic clock that will remember the phase of the excitation. The electron returns to the original position where it was created at every cycle. Hence, if the atom is truly isolated, it can be returned to the ground state by applying the opposite excitation after an integer number of periods. In conditions of coherent resonant interaction, the transfer of energy between radiation and matter is reversible, but also pulse shape dependent.
Evaluation of cervical stiffness during pregnancy using semiquantitative ultrasound elastography

Objective To evaluate cervical stiffness during pregnancy using ultrasound-derived elastography, a method used to estimate the average tissue displacement (strain) within a defined region of interest when oscillatory compression is applied. Methods Strain was calculated in two regions of interest, the endocervical canal and the entire cervix, from three anatomical planes of the cervix: mid-sagittal in the plane used for cervical length measurement and in cross-sectional planes located at the internal and external cervical os. Associations between strain values, method of ascertainment and patient characteristics were assessed using linear mixed models to account for within-subject correlation. Inter-rater agreement in defining the degree of cervical stiffness was evaluated in 120 regions of interest acquired by two operators in 20 patients. Results A total of 1557 strain estimations were performed in 262 patients at 8–40 weeks of gestation. Adjusting for other sources of variation, (1) cervical tissue strain estimates obtained in the endocervical canal were on average 33% greater than those obtained in the entire cervix; (2) measurements obtained in the cross-sectional plane of the external cervical os and sagittal plane were 45% and 13% greater than those measured in the cross-sectional plane of the internal cervical os, respectively; (3) mean strain rates were 14% and 5% greater among parous women with and without a history of preterm delivery compared with those of nulliparous women, respectively, and were on average 13% greater among women with a cervical length of between 25 and 30 mm compared to those with a cervical length of > 30 mm; and (4) cervical tissue strain was more strongly associated with cervical length than with gestational age. Conclusion Semiquantitative elastography can be employed to evaluate changes in cervical stiffness during pregnancy.
New approaches for on-chip power switching noise reduction

The effect of power supply switching noise is gaining importance with increasing switching speeds and density of VLSI chips. Yet, today's design methodology does not adequately address this problem at chip level. This paper proposes two approaches for on-chip power switching noise reduction. The first approach aims at reducing Delta-I noise by inserting decoupling capacitors in an optimized manner. The second approach reduces the switching noise by wire-sizing power bus segments near each power pin. Both approaches are assessed by simulation of a circuit, in which power supply rails are modeled as lossy transmission lines. The results of the simulated example demonstrate the effectiveness of our approaches.
Same-Hospital Readmission Rates as a Measure of Pediatric Quality of Care.

Importance Health care systems, payers, and hospitals use hospital readmission rates as a measure of quality. Although hospitals can track readmissions back to themselves (hospital A to hospital A), they lack information when their patients are readmitted to different hospitals (hospital A to hospital B). Because hospitals lack different-hospital readmission (DHR) data, they may underestimate all-hospital readmission (AHR) rates (hospital A to hospital A or B). Objectives To determine the prevalence of 30-day pediatric DHRs; to assess the effect of DHR on readmission performance; and to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with DHR. Design, Setting, and Participants We analyzed all-payer inpatient claims for 701 263 pediatric discharges (patients aged 0-17 years) from 177 acute care hospitals in New York State from January 1, 2005, through November 30, 2009, to identify 30-day same-hospital readmissions (SHRs), DHRs, and AHRs. Data analysis was performed from March 12, 2013, through April 6, 2015. We compared excess readmission ratios (calculated per the Medicare formula) using SHRs and AHRs to determine what might happen if the federal formula were applied to a specific state and to evaluate how often hospitals might accurately anticipate—using data available to them—whether they would incur penalties (excess readmission ratio >1) for readmissions. Using multivariate logistic regression, we identified patient- and hospital-level predictors of DHR vs SHR. Main Outcomes and Measures The proportion of DHRs vs SHRs, AHR and SHR rates, and excess readmissions. Results Different-hospital readmissions constituted 13.9% of 31 325 AHRs. At the individual hospital level, the median (interquartile range) percentage of DHRs was 21.6% (12.8%-39.1%). The median (interquartile range) adjusted AHR rate was 3.4% (3.0%-4.1%), 38.9% higher than the median adjusted SHR rate of 2.5% (2.0%-3.4%) ( P 1 to ≤1 or vice versa) for 20 of the 177 hospitals (11.3%); all were nonchildren’s hospitals and 18 of 20 (90.0%) were nonteaching hospitals. Characteristics associated with higher odds ratios (ORs) (reported with 95% CIs) of DHR in multivariate analyses included being younger (compared with age P Conclusions and Relevance Different-hospital readmissions differentially affect hospitals’ pediatric readmission rates and anticipated performance, making SHRs an incomplete surrogate for AHRs—particularly for certain hospital types. Failing to incorporate DHRs into readmission measurement may impede quality assessment, anticipation of penalties, and quality improvement.
Effect of Retrograde Reaming for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis on Subtalar Joint Destruction: A Cadaveric Study

Recent published data have suggested successful union of subtalar and tibiotalar joints without formal debridement during tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion procedures. Although previous studies have reported on the importance of the proper guidewire starting point and trajectory to obtain appropriate hindfoot alignment for successful fusion, to our knowledge, no studies have quantified the amount of articular damage to the subtalar joint with retrograde reaming. We hypothesized that reaming would destroy >50% of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint. The bilateral lower extremities of 5 cadavers were obtained and the subtalar joints exposed. Retrograde TTC nail guidewires were inserted, and a 12-mm reamer was passed through the subtalar and ankle joints. Pre- and postreaming images of the subtalar joint were obtained to compare the amount of joint destruction after reaming. We found an average of 5.89% articular destruction of the talar posterior facet and an average of 4.01% articular destruction of the posterior facet of the calcaneus. No damage to the middle facets of the subtalar joint was observed. TTC nailing is a successful procedure for ankle and subtalar joint fusion. Published studies have reported successful subtalar union using TTC nailing without formal open debridement of the subtalar joint, preserving the soft tissue envelope. TTC nail insertion using a 12-mm reamer will destroy 5.89% and 4.01% of the respective talar and calcaneal posterior facets of the subtalar joint.
FMRI wada test: Prospects for presurgical mapping of language and memory

Since the inception of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the early 1990s, clinicians and researchers have been interested in the potential utility of this technology for replacement of the intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT or Wada test). The IAT is an invasive angiographic procedure that has traditionally been considered the conventional procedure for preoperative lateralization of language and memory in neurosurgical populations with lesions affecting brain regions critical for these functions. As fMRI is a repeatable, noninvasive procedure with no significant known health risks for most individuals, it would be advantageous to create validated paradigms to allow its use in place of the IAT. To date, the available literature strongly suggests that fMRI paradigms can be successfully used to replace the IAT in terms of language lateralization. While the status of appropriately reliable and valid memory assessment paradigms is not as advanced, significant progress has been made in this area as well. Despite the apparent advantages of fMRI in presurgical assessment, including more specific localization of task-related brain regions, which is not possible with IAT, there remain methodological challenges and issues of interpretation that have thus far prevented widespread use of fMRI in place of the IAT. This chapter discusses the background of the IAT and its risks and benefits compared to fMRI and reviews the body of literature examining the capacity of fMRI to lateralize and localize expressive and receptive language functions effectively, as well as more recent advances in utilizing fMRI findings to predict postsurgical outcome.
Teen Sexuality: Empowering Teens to Decide

Within the last decade, considerable attention has been given toward teen sexuality in the United States. Adolescent pregnancy and limited contraceptive use by teens are viewed as major health and social problems in the United States today. The purpose of this paper is to propose intervention strategies for delaying the onset of sexual behavior among teens and for increasing contraceptive use among teens who are sexually active.
Investigation of gas/particle heat transfer rates in solid rocket motors

The ability of the current Nusselt number prediction technique developed by Kavanau (1955) to accurately predict alumina particle heat transfer rates in solid rocket nozzles and plumes is investigated. For the solid rocket motors SRMS) analyzed, the transitional regime is the dominant regime for the majority of particles in the flowfield. The analytical approach to determine accuracy of the Kavanau correlation utilized the G2R Direct Simulation Monte Carlo code. With this method, both sphere drag, and heat transfer rates were predicted. The sphere drag prediction were compared to the Hermsen, and Henderson drag correlations, while the heat transfer results were compared to the current theory. Results have indicated, that the predicted drag coefficient is bounded by the drag correlations considered. However, the Nusselt number varies significantly from the extrapolated profile through all flowfield regimes.
Equations of state and structures of andalusite to 9.8 GPa and sillimanite to 8.5 GPa

The equations of state and structures of andalusite and sillimanite have been determined using high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation-of-state fit to 14 P - V data points measured between 1 bar and 9.8 GPa for andalusite yields values of K T0 = 144.2(7) GPa and K ′ = 6.8(2). A similar analysis for sillimanite involving a fit to 13 P - V data points between 1 bar and 8.5 GPa results in K T0 = 164(1) GPa and K ′ = 5.0(3). The axial compression of both structures is nonlinear and highly anisotropic (~60%) with the c -axis being the least compressible axis in both structures. The axial moduli determined with a parameterized form of the third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state are: K a = 163(1) GPa, K b = 113.1(7) GPa, and K c = 297(1) GPa with K ′a = 2.1(3), K ′b = 5.08(19), and K ′c = 11.1(4) for sillimanite, and K a = 99.6(7) GPa, K b = 152.2(9) GPa, and K c = 236(3) GPa with K ′a = 5.83(19), K ′b = 7.6(3), and K ′c = 5.5(9) for andalusite. The major compression mechanism in both structures involves shortening of bond lengths within the AlO6 octahedra with volume reductions of 7.4% and 5.1% in sillimanite and andalusite, respectively, over the pressure ranges studied. In andalusite there is also significant compression of the AlO5 polyhedra and, to a lesser degree, the SiO4 tetrahedra that display reductions of 5.0% and 3.1% in volume, respectively. In sillimanite there is no significant compression of either the AlO4 or SiO4 tetrahedra which behave as rigid, incompressible units.
NEW LOW-ENERGY THEOREM FOR COMPTON SCATTERING.

We derive a low-energy theorem for pion Compton scattering giving terms of second order in photon frequency. This is then used to derive the value of the low-energy parameters. The low-energy theorem is also converted into a sum rule and a resonance saturation is attempted.
Collagen I matrix contributes to determination of adult human stem cell lineage via differential, structural conformation-specific elicitation of cellular stress response.

Previously, we reported that the conformational transition of collagen I matrix plays, along with differentiation stimuli, a regulatory role in determination of differentiation lineage of bone marrow stromal sells via distinct signaling pathways specific for the structural state of the matrix. The present study addresses mechanisms underlying differential structural conformation-specific effects of collagen matrices on differentiation into diverse lineages. The results obtained suggest that the pivotal player in the observed matrix conformation-mediated regulation is a differential cellular stress response elicited by the exposure to native but not to denatured collagen I matrix. The stress causing such a response appears to be generated by matrix contraction and mediated by α2β1 integrins engaged on native but not on denatured collagen I matrix. The principal facet of the observed phenomenon is not the nature of a stress but general stress response: when cells on denatured collagen I matrix are subjected to thermal stress, osteogenic pathway shifts to that seen on native collagen I matrix. Importantly, cellular stress response might be commonly involved in determination of differentiation lineage. Indeed, distinct components of cellular stress response machinery appear to regulate differentiation into diverse lineages. Thus, augmentation of Hsp90 levels enables the operation of efficient α1β1/α2β1 integrin-driven ERK activation pathways hence facilitating osteogenesis and suppressing adipogenesis, whereas myogenesis of satellite stem cells appears to be promoted by native collagen I matrix-elicited activation and nuclear translocation of another stress response component, β-catenin, shown to be essential for skeletal myogenesis, and chondrogenesis may involve stress-mediated elevation of yet another stress response constituent, Hsp70, shown to be an interactive partner of the chondrogenic transcription factor SOX9. The proposed concept of the integral role of cellular stress response in tissue generation and maintenance suggests new therapeutic approaches and indicates novel tissue engineering strategies.
Combined exposure to sarin and pyridostigmine bromide increased levels of rat urinary 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, biomarkers of oxidative stress

In this study concentrations of markers of oxidative stress 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) were determined in rat urine following a single oral dose of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) 13 mg/kg and a single intramuscular dose of sarin 80 microg/kg alone or in combination. Urine samples were collected 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h following dosing. Control urine samples of five rats treated with normal saline were also collected at the same time intervals. A combined dose of PB and sarin significantly increased levels of 3-nitrotyrosine and (8-OhdG) starting 48 h after dosing. An increase in the concentration of these markers was not detected following a single dose of PB or sarin alone. Maximal increase in 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-OhdG was detected 48 h after administration of a combination PB and sarin. The results indicate that concurrent exposure to PB and sarin could generate free radical species that may cause oxidative stress in rats. The results may have significant impact if veterans were expose to sarin following an oral dose of PB.
Chemotherapy of advanced ovarian carcinoma: A prospective randomized comparison of phenylalanine mustard and high dose cyclophosphamide

Abstract Twenty-four fully staged, previously untreated patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma were prospectively randomized to either intensive intravenous cyclophosphamide or conventional oral Melphalan therapy. The median durations of initial remissions (5 and 6 mo) and the median durations of survival (15 and 14 mo) were similar for the two regimens but the toxicity of the intensive regimen was excessive. Followup indicates that long term disease free survivals are possible in those patients who achieve complete remissions on chemotherapy alone as three of the four patients achieving complete remission in the present study remain free of disease with a median survival in excess of 30 mo. High dose intensive alkylating agent therapy in the manner used in the present study fails to enhance the response to chemotherapy and produces unacceptable toxicity.
Characteristics of self-incompatibility in Schlumbergera truncata and S. x buckleyi (Cactaceae)

The influence of self-incompatibility (SI) on fruit set, seed set, and pollen tube growth was investigated in Schlumbergera truncata (Haworth) Moran and S.xbuckleyi (T. Moore) Tjaden. Four Schlumbergera clones were crossed in a complete diallel to verify the presence of SI. Fruit did not set when the clones were selfed or when two of the clones were crossed reciprocally, but all other outcrosses yielded fruit which contained ≈100–200 seeds each. Compatible outcrosses were characterized by large numbers of pollen tubes in the style and ovary cavity at 72 h after pollination. When pistils were selfed or incompatibly crossed, pollen tubes were inhibited in the upper third of the style and few pollen tubes reached the base of the style by 72 h after pollination. Schlumbergera exhibits several characteristics often associated with sporophytic SI systems (tricellular pollen and dry stigmas with elongate papillae), together with those commonly observed in gametophytic SI systems (stylar inhibition of incompatible pollen tubes and absence of reciprocal differences in outcrosses).
Crush stenting of bifurcational left subclavian-vertebral artery stenosis

Left internal mammary artery (LIMA) has the best long-term patency in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Stenosis of the proximal left subclavian artery (SA) may reduce flow to the LIMA, causing myocardial ischemia. We report a novel technique (crush stenting) for the treatment of a complex bifurcational left SA-vertebral artery (VA) stenosis in the presence of a patent LIMA bypass conduit. This technique limited plaque shifting, restored normal flow to all vessels, including the LIMA, and avoided devastating consequences of VA occlusion.
An in vitro assay to study induction of the regenerative state in sensory neurons.

After injury, peripheral neurons activate a pro-regenerative program that facilitates axon regeneration. While many regeneration-associated genes have been identified, the mechanism by which injury activates this program is less well understood. Furthermore, identifying pharmacological methods to induce a pro-regenerative state could lead to novel treatments to repair the injured nervous system. Therefore, we have developed an in vitro assay to study induction of the pro-regenerative state following injury or pharmacological treatment. First, we took advantage of the observation that dissociating and culturing sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglia activates a pro-regenerative program. We show that cultured neurons activate transcription factors and upregulate regeneration-associated genes common to the pro-regenerative program within the first hours after dissection. In a paradigm similar to pre-conditioning, neurons injured by dissociation display enhanced neurite outgrowth when replated as early as 12h after being removed from the animal. Furthermore, stimulation of the pro-regenerative state improves growth on inhibitory substrates and requires DLK/JNK signaling, both hallmarks of the pro-regeneration response in vivo. Finally, we modified this assay in order to identify new methods to activate the pro-regenerative state in an effort to mimic the pre-conditioning effect. We report that after several days in culture, neurons down-regulate many molecular hallmarks of injury and no longer display enhanced neurite outgrowth after replating. Hence, these neurons are functionally naive and are a useful tool for identifying methods to induce the pro-regenerative state. We show that both injury and pre-treatment with forskolin reactivate the pro-regenerative state in this paradigm. Hence, this assay is useful for identifying pharmacological agents that induce the pro-regenerative state in the absence of injury.
URINE CARNITINE EXCRETION IN SECONDARY CARNITINE DEFICIENCY

Low levels of plasma and tissue carnitine (carn.) occur in defects in acyl-CoA metabolism, e.g., isovaleric acidemia (IVA), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MC-ACD), propionic acidemia (PA), and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA). To see whether this secondary carn. deficiency is due to urinary wastage, we measured free (F), esterified (E), and total (T) carn. in plasma and urine in 4 patients with IVA, MC-ACD, PA, and MMA and in 6 control children on their usual diet. Plasma carn. (uM/1), urinary excretion rates (uM/gm creatinine), and (T) carn, fractional excretion (FE-T; % creat.clearance) were (m ± SEM):
Wear of Unidirectional Polymer Matrix Composites with Fiber Orientation in the Plane of Contact

In a previous paper, a simple model for failure and wear of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer composites was proposed. The model relates fiber stresses and sliding contact conditions to bulk wear rates for fiber orientation parallel to the sliding direction. In this work, the model has been extended to examine the case where the fibers are oriented transverse to the sliding direction, while still parallel to the plane of contact. When simulating the counterface contact with an ideal hemispherical asperity, the model overpredicts wear rates for the transverse fiber orientation. However, when the counter-face contact is simulated according to observed composite material transfer and corresponding surface topographical changes, indicating deviation from an ideal hemispherical asperity to a more general elongated or ellipsoidal form, the model correlation compares more favorably with existing friction and wear test data in the literature. Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois May 14–...
Cold atom laboratory mission system design

Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) is a multi-user facility that will provide the ability to study ultra-cold quantum gases in a microgravity environment. The laboratory is an internal payload that will operate on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016. Principal Investigators from various universities will trade off in designing experiment sequences that vary different parameters, such as magnetic field strength or timing. The primary science data consists of two images of the cold atoms captured successively at the end of each experiment.
Implementing Educational Language Policy in Arizona: Legal, Historical and Current Practices in SEI, by M. Beatriz Arias and Christian Faltis

Implementing Educational Language Policy in Arizona: Legal, Historical and Current Practices in SEI pays particular attention to issues that spawn from restrictive language policy and monolingual i...
Sequence stratigraphy, depositional history, and middle to late Quaternary sea levels of the Ventura shelf, California

Abstract High-resolution shallow seismic profiles from the Ventura shelf reveal two contrasting, structurally controlled styles of deposition. On the northern shelf, folded Plio-Pleistocene strata comprising the south limb of the Ventura Avenue anticline are unconformably overlain by undeformed late Quaternary strata. In contrast, a thicker section of undeformed, prograding deltaic sequences preserved on the subsiding southern shelf contains a detailed record of at least five middle and late Quaternary glacioeustatic sea-level oscillations. A transgressive surface at −140 m in upper Pleistocene Saugus deposits is overlain by transgressive and highstand systems tracts. A shelf-margin systems tract subsequently developed as the sea level lowered, marking the end of Saugus deposition. Thereafter, over 50 m of post-Saugus upper Pleistocene sediment accumulated during a period of smaller-scale sea-level oscillations, followed by the development of a pair of marine terraces, presently at −50 and −33 m, and a large fluvial channel, now buried at −113 m. Correlations of Saugus and terrace marker horizons with the middle to late Quaternary paleosea-level curve suggest development of the Saugus marker horizons during oxygen isotopic stages 7-5e and formation of the terraces during Wisconsinan high sea levels. Maximum rates of vertical separation on the Oak Ridge and Pitas Point faults are estimated to be 0.13 and 0.30 m/1000 yr, respectively.
Similar T-Cell Immune Responses Induced by Group M Consensus Env Immunogens with Wild-Type or Minimum Consensus Variable Regions

Abstract Consensus HIV-1 genes can decrease the genetic distances between candidate immunogens and field virus strains. To ensure the functionality and optimal presentation of immunologic epitopes, we generated two group-M consensus env genes that contain variable regions either from a wild-type B/C recombinant virus isolate (CON6) or minimal consensus elements (CON-S) in the V1, V2, V4, and V5 regions. C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were primed twice with CON6, CON-S, and subtype control (92UG37_A and HXB2/Bal_B) DNA and boosted with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV). Mean antibody titers against 92UG37_A, 89.6_B, 96ZM651_C, CON6, and CON-S Env protein were determined. Both CON6 and CON-S induced higher mean antibody titers against several of the proteins, as compared with the subtype controls. However, no significant differences were found in mean antibody titers in animals immunized with CON6 or CON-S. Cellular immune responses were measured by using five complete Env overlapping peptide sets: subtype A (92UG3...
The Use of Animals in Research

The Use of Laboratory Animals in Biomedical and Behavioral Research, the report of the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council (NAS-NRC) has now been released. 1 was on the committee that authored the report and fully concur with it as far as it went. It is no mean task to agree on reasonable and comprehensible standards for the humane treatment of animals in research. Nonetheless, in my view, there is something missing: the committee slighted what I believe is the most important practical aspect of the issue of “animal rights”—the political dimension. Biomedical research is now under serious political attack from a variety of organizations and individuals who, for ideological reasons, desire to stop or drastically reduce the use of animals in experimentation, and they are willing to use virtually any tactics to achieve this goal. They rarely state this aim, or pursue it directly, perhaps because this would lead to an open discussion of all the benefits and costs involved in biomedical rese...
Capital regulation, heterogeneous monitoring costs, and aggregate loan quality

Abstract This paper develops a banking-sector framework with heterogeneous loan monitoring costs. Banks are exposed to the moral hazard behavior of borrowers and endogenously choose whether to monitor their loans to eliminate this exposure. After analyzing an unregulated banking system, we examine several cases in which regulatory capital requirements bind the notional loan supplies of various subsets of banks. To gauge the impact of capital requirements, we define loan ‘quality’ in terms of either the ratio of monitored to total loans or the ratio of monitoring banks to total bank population. Under the assumption of a specific cross-sectional distribution of banks, our simulations show that the imposition of binding capital requirements on a previously unregulated banking system unambiguously increases the market loan rate and reduces aggregate lending, but has an ambiguous effect on loan ‘quality’. Nevertheless, once capital requirements are in place, the simulations indicate that regulators can contribute to higher overall loan ‘quality’ by toughening capital requirements.
Individual variation in affective responses to taste stimuli

Initial experiments on hedonic responses to the taste of sodium-chloride solutions showed that three Ss distinctly liked and five Ss distinctly disliked increasing concentrations. A paired-preference presentation of the same concentrations of sodium chloride resulted in almost identical conclusions for the same Ss, but not with solutions of monosodium glutamate. A second group of 29 Ss demonstrated three hedonic distributions to increasing concentrations of sodium chloride and of sucrose-increased dislike, increased liking, or an increase followed by a distinct reduction.
Simplified Reaction Mechanisms for the Oxidation of Hydrocarbon Fuels in Flames

Abstract Simplified reaction mechanisms for the oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels have been examined using a numerical laminar flame model. The types of mechanisms studied include one and two global reaction steps as well as quasi-global mechanisms. Reaction rate parameters were varied in order to provide the best agreement between computed and experimentally observed flame speeds in selected mixtures of fuel and air. The influences of the various reaction rate parameters on the laminar flame properties have been identified, and a simple procedure to determine the best values for the reaction rate parameters is demonstrated. Fuels studied include n-paraffins from methane to n-decane, some methyl-substituted n-paraffins, acetylene, and representative olefin, alcohol and aromatic hydrocarbons. Results show that the often-employed choice of simultaneous first order fuel and oxidizer dependence for global rate expressions cannot yield the correct dependence of flame speed on equivalence ratio or pressure and can...
Sequential Insertion Reactions of Carbon Monoxide and Ethylene into the Ni−C Bond of a Cationic Nickel(II) Alkyl Complex

The cationic nickel(II) neopentyl complex [(dtbpe)Ni(CH2tBu)][PF6] (1; dtbpe = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) sequentially inserts carbon monoxide and ethylene into the Ni−C bond to form is...
Comparison of the effect of asphyxia, hypoxia, and acidosis on intestinal blood flow and O2 uptake in newborn piglets.

Comparison of the Effect of Asphyxia, Hypoxia, and Acidosis on Intestinal Blood Flow and O 2 Uptake in Newborn Piglets