cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compliance Path and Impact of Ethanol Mandates on Retail Fuel Market in the Short Run

Past studies have examined the impact of ethanol mandates with a long‐run perspective and were thus able to assume away short‐run rigidities and some of the specifics of the biofuel mandates. These studies have been of limited use in informing current policy debates because the short‐ to medium‐run reality is one of strong regulatory and infrastructure rigidities that restrict how ethanol can be consumed in the United States. Our objectives in this paper are to provide a more coherent framework than currently exists to model and understand how compliance with ethanol mandates in the short run cannot be met with conventional gasoline blends, how compliance impacts fuel prices and consumer and producer welfare, and also to measure the size of the transfer that occurs between refineries and ethanol producers through the market's Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). In a model calibrated to 2015 data, we find that the effects of increasing ethanol mandates that are physically feasible are close to zero on the retail price of gasoline. This result is robust to different gasoline prices, supply elasticities, and export‐demand elasticities. Increased mandates can have a large negative effect on the price of high‐level ethanol gasoline blends such as E85 if the mandates are increased to approach consumption capacity.
New Inhaled Antimicrobial Formulations for Use in the Cystic Fibrosis Patient Population

Objective: To review the current literature on inhaled antibiotic therapies currently in clinical trials for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Data Sources: A literature search was performed using PubMed (1975 to September 2015), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to September 2015), and MEDLINE (1946 to September 2015) to identify studies for inclusion. The following search terms were used: cystic fibrosis, inhaled amikacin, inhaled liposomal amikacin, inhaled vancomycin, and/or inhaled levofloxacin. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language phase II to III studies evaluating efficacy and/or safety, case reports, and retrospective studies of inhaled amikacin, inhaled vancomycin, and inhaled levofloxacin in CF patients were included. Data Synthesis: Currently available inhaled antibiotics, tobramycin and aztreonam, have demonstrated improvement in respiratory function of CF patients. Newer agents have shown potentially similar efficacy, with improvement in ease of use. Limited data ...
Perfect cyclic quadrilaterals

Are there any quadrilaterals with integer sides having perimeter P equal to area A? A square of side length 4 might come to mind. Are there any more? More generally, what is the number N(k) of integer-sided quadrilaterals whose ratio of perimeter to area is a fixed value, say P/A = k? This question is interesting mainly for cyclic quadrilaterals (that is, those that can be inscribed in a circle) since there are, for example, an infinite number of parallelograms satisfying P = kA for a given positive number k (as the reader can check). In addition, the cyclic case generalizes the question for triangles, which has been treated successfully. In 1971, M. V. Subbarao [6] considered the problem of finding the number N(X) of triangles for which the sum of the integer sides a, b, and c is equal to A times the triangle's area, where X is a given positive real number. These are called perffiect triangles. He showed_hat N(X) is finite with N(X) = O for X > , X 7& 2X, and N(X) = 1 for X = 2A/3, the triangle being equilateral with edge 2. Although Subbarao
The Obsolete in Mathematics

(1917). The Obsolete in Mathematics. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 24, No. 10, pp. 453-456.
Muscarinic receptor activation inhibits AVP-induced water flow in rabbit cortical collecting ducts.

We examined the effect of carbachol, an acetylcholine analogue, on hydraulic conductivity (Lp) response to 10 microU/ml arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD). In CCDs in which water flow had been established with AVP, subsequent addition of carbachol caused Lp (X10(-7) cm.atm-1.s-1) to fall from 251 +/- 32 to 146 +/- 19. Carbachol washout resulted in recovery of Lp to 217 +/- 38. In CCDs in which water flow had been established using 10(-4) M 8-chlorophenylthioadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cAMP), addition of carbachol had no effect. These posttreatment studies suggest that carbachol's effects on modulating established water flow occur at a "pre-cAMP" step. With carbachol added first, AVP-induced Lp was reduced from 233 +/- 24 (controls) to 105 +/- 19 (carbachol-pretreated). Pretreatment with 10(-6) M atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, totally reversed the inhibitory effect of carbachol, consistent with a receptor-mediated effect of carbachol. Carbachol pretreatment also inhibited 8-CPT-cAMP-induced Lp, indicating that carbachol's effects also occur at a "post-cAMP" step. Pretreatment with 10(-7) M staurosporine, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, reversed inhibitory effect of carbachol on AVP-induced Lp (193 +/- 26), suggesting that carbachol's effects are mediated by PKC. Intracellular calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) was measured in fura-2-loaded CCDs. Carbachol also increased [Ca2+]i from 229 +/- 120 to 389 +/- 160 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A phase contrast imaging–interferometer system for detection of multiscale electron density fluctuations on DIII-D

Heterodyne interferometry and phase contrast imaging (PCI) are robust, mature techniques for measuring low-k and high-k electron density fluctuations, respectively. This work describes the first-ever implementation of a combined PCI–interferometer. The combined system uses a single 10.6 μm probe beam, two interference schemes, and two detectors to measure electron density fluctuations at large spatiotemporal bandwidth (10 kHz <f < 5 MHz and 0 cm-1 ≤k ≤ 20 cm-1), allowing simultaneous measurement of ion- and electron-scale instabilities. Further, correlating our interferometer’s measurements with those from DIII-D’s pre-existing, toroidally separated interferometer allows core-localized, low-n MHD studies that may otherwise be inaccessible via external magnetic measurements. The combined diagnostic’s small port requirements and minimal access restrictions make it well-suited to the harsh neutron environments and limited port space expected in next-step devices.
Spatiotemporal dissociation of brain activity underlying threat and reward in social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) involves abnormalities in social motivation, which may be independent of well-documented differences in fear and arousal systems. Yet, the neurobiology underlying motivational difficulties in SAD is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to spatiotemporally dissociate reward circuitry dysfunction from alterations in fear and arousal-related neural activity during anticipation and notification of social and non-social reward and punishment. During fMRI acquisition, non-depressed adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD; N = 21) and age-, sex- and IQ-matched control subjects (N = 22) completed eight runs of an incentive delay task, alternating between social and monetary outcomes and interleaved in alternating order between gain and loss outcomes. Adults with SAD demonstrated significantly reduced neural activity in ventral striatum during the anticipation of positive but not negative social outcomes. No differences between the SAD and control groups were observed during anticipation of monetary gain or loss outcomes or during anticipation of negative social images. However, consistent with previous work, the SAD group demonstrated amygdala hyper-activity upon notification of negative social outcomes. Degraded anticipatory processing in bilateral ventral striatum in SAD was constrained exclusively to anticipation of positive social information and dissociable from the effects of negative social outcomes previously observed in the amygdala. Alterations in anticipation-related neural signals may represent a promising target for treatment that is not addressed by available evidence-based interventions, which focus primarily on fear extinction and habituation processes.
The Protective Role of the Pericellular Matrix in Chondrocyte Apoptosis

Introduction: This study was designed to quantify the role of the pericellular matrix (PCM) in chondrocyte apoptosis using chondrons, which are a cartilage functional unit including a chondrocyte and its associated PCM. Methods: Chondrocytes and chondrons were enzymatically isolated from human articular cartilage and exposed to monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) and staurosporine for apoptosis induction. Chondrons were defined by the presence of type VI collagen, a basic component of the PCM. Apoptosis of chondrocytes and chondrons was measured with annexin V binding by flow cytometry and verified with terminal dUTP nick end-labeling staining. In a separate experiment, isolated chondrocytes were treated with soluble type VI collagen, before or after apoptosis induction with MIA, and cell death was measured by the activity of LDH and terminal dUTP nick end-labeling staining. Results: Chondrocytes treated with MIA incurred 27% cell death, compared with 12% in chondrons. On treating with MIA, 9% of chondrocytes un...
On context-equivalence of algebras

The notion of context-equivalent algebras introduced by Muller generalizes Morita-equivalence. It is a coarser equivalence in the class of algebras but it still preserves many ring-theoretic properties. It also gives a new equivalence in the class of commutative algebras. We present a version of this equivalence which includes nonunital algebras. In particular, it allows one to relate properties of an algebra and its ideals. We give a criterion for context-equivalent algebras in terms of finite-rank and adjointable operators. Further, we find a better criterion for equivalence for commutative algebras in terms of ideals.
Chapter 40 – The Glaciation of Pennsylvania, USA

Four early to late Pleistocene glaciers entered Pennsylvania. Large proglacial lakes were dammed in north trending valleys. Preglacial northerly drainage has been turned to the south. Periglacial colluvium mantles Pennsylvania outside the glacial limit. Early Pleistocene deposits on karst produce pseudo-moraine topography. Late Pleistocene till knobs form “beaded valleys”.
An Elastic Porous Molecule Model for the Molecular Dynamics of Polymer Liquids

The polymer molecule is modeled as a porous elastic solid surrounded by a Newtonian fluid which is allowed to flow through the solid. There is a body-force type interaction between solid and fluid. The solid deforms elastically and rotates with the fluid vorticity. This model represents an extension of the Debye–Brinkman theory where the solid is assumed to be rigid. The linearized equations are solved for a steady homogeneous flow at infinity and a cylindrical body. Explicit formulas for the viscometric functions are obtained which show shear thinning. The elongational viscosity is constant in this linearized theory.
Approximating fluid schedules in packet-switched networks

We consider a problem motivated by the desire to provide flexible, rate-based, quality of service guarantees for packets sent over switches and switch networks. Our focus is solving a type of on-line, traffic scheduling problem, whose input at each time step is a set of desired traffic rates through the switch network. These traffic rates in general cannot be exactly achieved since they treat the incoming data as fluid, that is, they assume arbitrarily small fractions of packets can be transmitted at each time step. The goal of the traffic scheduling problem is to closely approximate the given sequence of traffic rates by a sequence of switch uses throughout the network in which only whole packets are sent. We prove worst-case bounds on the additional delay and buffer use that result from using such an approximation. These bounds depend on the network topology, the resources available to the scheduler, and the types of fluid policy allowed. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Effect of Overlayer Thickness on the Nanoindentation of SiO2 /Si

The capability of the atomic force microscope to quantitatively measure nanoscale mechanical properties is shown for Si single crystals with different overlayer thicknesses. The experimental data is correlated with modeling results of the indentation process using finite element analysis.
The Strength of Glass

The search for new high strength materials has always been one of the more active areas in the materials sciences, and while glass is not normally catagorized with high strength metallic alloys and crystalline ceramics, it does have particular properties which will warrant, or necessitate, its use in many new applications.
Targeting MHC-linked wild type p53 with TCR mimic single chain diabody for cancer immunotherapy.

2524Background: Increased tumor suppressor protein p53 expression is observed in a wide range of human cancers. As a result there is intense interest in targeting p53 for cancer therapy. Intracellu...
Simple minimally-invasive automatic antidote delivery device (A2D2) towards closed-loop reversal of opioid overdose.

With approximately 48,000 attributed deaths in 2017, the opioid overdose is now the leading cause of death amongst Americans under the age of 50. The overdose process can be interrupted by the administration of naloxone, a safe and effective opiate antagonist that can reverse the effects of overdose and minimizing the delay in administering the antidote is critical in preventing permanent damage to patients. A closed-loop implantable drug delivery system is an ideal solution to minimize the response time, however, they often feature complex designs that are expensive to fabricate and require a more invasive surgical implantation. Here we propose a simple, low-cost, minimally-invasive automatic antidote delivery device (A2D2) that can administer a large dose of naloxone upon detection of overdose-induced respiratory failure. The subcutaneously placed device can be activated using an externally applied time varying magnetic field from a wearable device. Using a custom magnetic field generator, we were able to release the drug within 10 s. Our bench-top evaluation showed that A2D2 can release 1.9 mg of powdered drug within 60 s and up to 8.8 mg in 600 s. We also performed in vivo evaluation to demonstrate rapid drug releasing capability in the subcutaneous space of mice. However, we saw a small amount of leakage (1.75% of payload) over the course of 1000 h of simulated implantation. Thus, additional research is needed to verify the long term stability of our device and to demonstrate the closed-loop release mechanism to revive overdosed animals. Nevertheless, our preliminary results show the potential of using a simple, low-cost, subcutaneous device for emergency drug delivery application.
Characteristics of Rapid Response Calls in the United States: An Analysis of the First 402,023 Adult Cases From the Get With the Guidelines Resuscitation-Medical Emergency Team Registry.

Objectives To characterize the rapid response team activations, and the patients receiving them, in the American Heart Association-sponsored Get With The Guidelines Resuscitation-Medical Emergency Team cohort between 2005 and 2015. Design Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Setting Three hundred sixty U.S. hospitals. Patients Consecutive adult patients experiencing rapid response team activation. Interventions Rapid response team activation. Measurements and main results The cohort included 402,023 rapid response team activations from 347,401 unique healthcare encounters. Respiratory triggers (38.0%) and cardiac triggers (37.4%) were most common. The most frequent interventions-pulse oximetry (66.5%), other monitoring (59.6%), and supplemental oxygen (62.0%)-were noninvasive. Fluids were the most common medication ordered (19.3%), but new antibiotic orders were rare (1.2%). More than 10% of rapid response teams resulted in code status changes. Hospital mortality was over 14% and increased with subsequent rapid response activations. Conclusions Although patients requiring rapid response team activation have high inpatient mortality, most rapid response team activations involve relatively few interventions, which may limit these teams' ability to improve patient outcomes.
Direct evidence of native ant displacement by the Argentine ant in island ecosystems

Ecological impacts associated with ant introductions have received considerable attention, but most studies that report on these impacts contrast species assemblages between invaded and uninvaded sites. Given the low inferential power of this type of space-for-time comparison, alternative approaches are needed to evaluate claims that ant invasions drive native species loss. Here, we use long-term data sets from two different Argentine ant eradication programs on the California Channel Islands to examine how the richness and composition of native ant assemblages change before and after invasion (but prior to the initiation of treatments). At four different sites on two different islands, pre-invasion native ant assemblages closely resembled those at uninvaded (control) sites in terms of species richness, species composition, and the presence of multiple indicator species. Invader arrival coincided with large (> 75%) and rapid (within 1 year) declines in species richness, shifts in species composition, and the loss of indicator species. These impacts will hopefully be reversed by the recolonization of formerly invaded areas by native ant species following Argentine ant treatment, and long-term studies of native ant recovery at these sites are ongoing. Unchecked spread of the Argentine ant on other islands in this archipelago, however, poses a grave threat to native ants, which include a number of endemic taxa.
Mercury concentrations in fish and invertebrates of the Finger Lakes in central New York, USA

Deleterious health effects in humans and wildlife are associated with the consumption of fish contaminated by mercury (Hg). This study was conducted to assess Hg concentrations in biota of the Finger Lakes (New York, USA), a region where fisheries are important for the economy but where no assessment of the drivers of food web Hg dynamics exists to date. Additionally, this region is of interest for the study of Hg bioaccumulation because of the importance of agricultural land cover, which can affect lake trophic status and thus the bioavailability of methyl Hg (MeHg). The study objectives were to (1) assess if fish Hg concentrations were of concern to humans and wildlife, (2) determine if differences in biota Hg concentrations exist among lakes, and (3) assess models developed for New York State as predictors of present day Finger Lakes fish Hg concentrations. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to assess predictors of fish Hg concentrations using lower trophic level MeHg concentrations, water quality, and lake and land cover characteristics. Fish concentrations were above the EPA criterion (300 ng/g wet weight, ww) in 24% of fish, but only Walleye (Sander vitreus) from Owasco Lake exceeded New York State Department of Health consumption guidelines (1000 ng/g ww). The threshold indicating biological changes within fish (500 ng/g ww) was exceeded in 11% of the individuals sampled. Significant differences were found among lakes for all fish species except Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Notably, Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) had significantly lower Hg concentrations in Cayuga Lake compared to other Finger Lakes. This trend was not mirrored in the lower food web, as benthic invertebrates had higher MeHg concentrations in Cayuga Lake. Using models developed for New York State in 2003–2005, observed concentrations in 90% of fish were different (±200 ng/g ww) than expected. Findings from this study suggest Hg dynamics in the Finger Lakes require consideration of fish age, growth rates, and food web structure to accurately predict fish Hg concentrations among lakes.
Neuroscience: Reevaluating the Role of Orbitofrontal Cortex

Summary A new optogenetic lesion study shows that the orbitofrontal cortex is essential for integrating information about recent rewards — which may either increase or decrease demand for more — with learned preferences to drive behavior.
Simulation Analysis of Seismic Performance of UHV High-Resistance Loops Connected by Hard Tubular Busbars

In order to study the impact of hard tubular busbars on the seismic performance of interconnected electrical equipment, a finite element model of UHV loop composed of arresters and mutual inductors was established to conduct the numerical simulation analysis. The connecting hardware fittings of hard tubular busbars can slide in two directions. The friction energy dissipation analysis model of the sliding hardware fittings was obtained by the test. The impact of energy dissipation of sliding hardware fittings and sliding displacement on the seismic performance of equipment was analyzed in the numerical simulation. The seismic response law of the interconnected equipment connected by hard tubular busbars was obtained to provide the reference for the seismic design of the electrical equipment loops in the substations.
VERTICAL STRUCTURE AND CORONAL POWER OF ACCRETION DISKS POWERED BY MAGNETOROTATIONAL-INSTABILITY TURBULENCE

In this paper, we consider two outstanding intertwined problems in modern high-energy astrophysics: (1) the vertical-thermal structure of an optically thick accretion disk heated by the dissipation of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI), and (2) determining the fraction of the accretion power released in the corona above the disk. For simplicity, we consider a gas-pressure-dominated disk and assume a constant opacity. We argue that the local turbulent dissipation rate due to the disruption of the MRI channel flows by secondary parasitic instabilities should be uniform across most of the disk, almost up to the disk photosphere. We then obtain a self-consistent analytical solution for the vertical thermal structure of the disk, governed by the balance between the heating by MRI turbulence and the cooling by radiative diffusion. Next, we argue that the coronal power fraction is determined by the competition between the Parker instability, viewed as a parasitic instability feeding off of MRI channel flows, and other parasitic instabilities. We show that the Parker instability inevitably becomes important near the disk surface, leading to a certain lower limit on the coronal power. While most of the analysis in this paper focuses on the case of a disk threaded by an externally imposed vertical magnetic field, we also discuss the zero net flux case, in which the magnetic field is produced by the MRI dynamo itself, and show that most of our arguments and conclusions should be valid in this case as well.
Confinement Reinforcement for Under-Reinforced UHPC Beams under Flexure

Ultrahigh-performance Concrete (UHPC) flexural members with high compression strengths need large amounts of steel confinement to meet the current code confinement requirements. This study investigated the impact of different steel confinement amounts on the flexural behavior of longitudinally reinforced UHPC beams. Four small beam specimens with different steel confinement reinforcement amounts and grades were tested under monotonic three-point loading until failure. Steel confinement reinforcement grades varied from Grade 60 to Grade 120. The confinement volumetric ratios of the four specimens were 50%, 110%, 30%, and 50% of the minimum requirement of ACI 318-14. All specimens were under-reinforced longitudinally. The specimen with the least amount of confinement failed due to excessive shear cracking. The other specimens failed under flexure in the form of longitudinal reinforcement fracture, and exhibited similar flexural strength and ductility levels regardless of the confinement amount. These results indicated the need for re-evaluating ACI 318-14 requirements on the confinement for UHPC flexural members, especially when the longitudinal reinforcement ratios are low. A numerical analysis based on section equilibrium was conducted and evaluated using the test results. The constitutive tensile model of UHPC was obtained through material tests. Several unconfined and confined concrete compression models in the literature were examined. Compared to the compression models developed for normal concrete, the existing models for fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete significantly improved the predictions of flexural moment strength and failure mode for UHPC.
SearcHPV: a novel approach to identify and assemble human papillomavirus-host genomic integration events in cancer

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-established driver of malignant transformation in a number of sites including head and neck, cervical, vulvar, anorectal and penile squamous cell carcinomas; however, the impact of HPV integration into the host human genome on this process remains largely unresolved. This is due to the technical challenge of identifying HPV integration sites, which includes limitations of existing informatics approaches to discover viral-host breakpoints from low read coverage sequencing data. Methods: To overcome this limitation, we developed a new HPV detection pipeline called SearcHPV based on targeted capture technology and applied the algorithm to targeted capture data. We performed an integrated analysis of SearcHPV-defined breakpoints with genome-wide linked read sequencing to identify potential HPV-related structural variations. Results: Through analysis of HPV+ models, we show that SearcHPV detects HPV-host integration sites with a higher sensitivity and specificity than two other commonly used HPV detection callers. SearcHPV uncovered HPV integration sites adjacent to known cancer-related genes including TP63 and MYC, as well as near regions of large structural variation. We further validated the junction contig assembly feature of SearcHPV, which helped to accurately identify viral-host junction breakpoint sequences. We found that viral integration occurred through a variety of DNA repair mechanisms including non-homologous end joining, alternative end joining and microhomology mediated repair. Conclusions: In summary, we show that SearcHPV is a new optimized tool for the accurate detection of HPV-human integration sites from targeted capture DNA sequencing data.
Single Lung Transplant Remains a Viable Alternative to Double Lung Transplantation for the Patients with Severe Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension

Purpose Whereas double lung transplantation (LTx) is a preferred surgical option for the patients with secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (SPH: defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) above 25 mmHg), our institutional experiences have demonstrated the unique values of single LTx for SPH. Here, we review our experiences prioritizing single LTx for SPH in an attempt to optimize their opportunities and decrease mortality while waiting. Methods A retrospective review of the LTx database was used to identify patients who underwent single LTx. SPH patients were stratified into mild SPH (mPAP: 25-40 mmHg) and severe SPH (mPAP > 40 mmHg). Recipients without PH transplanted over the same time period were used as controls. Data are reported as severe SPH vs. mild SPH vs. controls. Results Three hundred eighteen patients received single LTx between January 2017 and December 2019. There were 217 patients with mild SPH (mPAP of 32 mmHg), 59 patients with severe SPH (mPAP of 46 mmHg) and 42 patients without PH (controls). There were no significant differences among the groups in their patients’ characteristics except higher pulmonary vascular resistance noted in severe SPH group and morbid obesity noted in mild and severe SPH groups. While severe SPH group required more intraoperative cardiopulmonary support (37.3% vs. 11.1% vs. 5.0%, p Conclusion Our experience supports the option of single LTx for the patients with even severe SPH by utilizing appropriate mechanical circulatory support intraoperatively. In light of the ongoing donor lung shortage, this strategy should be considered for optimizing organ utilization and decreasing waitlist mortality.
Defending, Improving, Expanding, and Applying a Moral-Metaphysical Proceduralism for Secular Clinical Ethics.

A paradox has always lingered at the heart of secular clinical ethics: How are ethicists to provide moral guidance in a pluralistic society? I want to thank all the commentary authors for being suc...
The Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for Minorities (DREAM) Scholars program: career development for underrepresented health equity researchers

Diversity remains low among US colleges faculty, with only 3% identifying as Black or Hispanic. Moreover, underrepresented racial minority faculty often face unique challenges and are less likely than their white counterparts to earn higher academic rank, tenure, and funding, especially those who study health equity. We developed a novel program for health-equity focused pre-docs and junior faculty. The Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for Minorities (DREAM) Scholars is a 24-month career development program led by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) that provides pilot and travel funding, career development seminars, mentoring, and writing retreats. We report the outcomes of the first Scholar cohort (N = 10), pre-docs n = 6; assistant professors, n = 4; seven were Black, one Hispanic, two White, one who identified as non-binary. At the end of the program, Scholars coauthored 34 manuscripts, 9 abstracts and 8 grants. Semi-structured interviews revealed seven major program strengths: funding, support and sense of community, accountability, exposure to translational science, network expansion, and exposure to multidisciplinary peers. Scholars provided feedback useful for subsequent cohorts. The DREAM program provided accountability and fostered a sense of community, expanded professional networks and enhanced scholarly productivity. The program serves as a model for implementation throughout the CCTSs.
HIATAL HERNIA AND GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX IN CHILDREN

Gastroesophageal reflux, usually with associated hiatal hernia, is recognized as a cause of disabling esophageal and respiratory complications in all age groups; but, until recently, it has been thought to be an unusual problem in infants and children. Respiratory complications, now appreciated with increased frequency in the adult population, may also occur in the pediatric age group. Thirty patients under 20 years of age with gastroesophageal reflux are presented. Eighteen patients underwent surgical repair. Respiratory complications alone occurred in 3 patients, 2 had only esophageal complications, and 13 had both respiratory and esophageal complications or symptoms as indication for surgery. Symptoms and signs of both respiratory and esophageal complications are tabulated. Results of medical and surgical therapy are summarized. Surgical patients all represented failure of at least 1 year of medical treatment. Fourteen patients were asymptomatic (excellent result) 6 months to 6 years after surgery. One was considered a good result, one was considered a fair result, and two were considered poor results or failures of surgical treatment. Results of surgical treatment depends principally on appropriate patient selection. The diagnostic approach particularly in patients with respiratory complications of gastroesophageal reflux is outlined. The data indicates that many severe recurrent respiratory problems of unexplained etiology in infants and children are due to gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration.
Unique and cell-type-specific tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression.

Publisher Summary AP1 is an important element for TH gene regulation. Cis-acting elements for tissuekell-type-specific TH gene expression are identified to be localized within a 9.1-kb upstream sequence. Some data suggest that the TH gene is not regulated in a uniform fashion in every cell type, but is regulated in a cell-type-specific manner. This chapter demonstrates data that show unique and cell- type-specific TH gene regulation. Cotransfection of PC12 cells with TH2400CAT plasmid and the expression vector pCMV-ICER-Ib demonstrated that ICER efficiently represses transcriptional activity of the TH gene promoter. In addition, protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated transcriptional activity of the promoter was effectively suppressed by ICER. These results suggest that ICER can modulate cAMP-stimulated transcription of the TH gene and provide a model accounting for rapid reversal of increased TH transcription following elevations in cAMP. It was demonstrated in the past that TH expression appears permanently within cells destined to be CA-secreting during adult life, and transiently in several cell types that will not express TH in adulthood. The first β-gal expression in the embryonic brain appeared within distinct regions, such as the ventral prosencephalon, the ventral and dorsolateral mesencephalon, and the rostra1 and caudal rhombencephalon. The 9.1 kb upstream region is not sufficient to express in all CA cells in the peripheral nervous system. More studies are necessary to identify proper DNA segment(s) to express in all CA cell types in rat tissues.
When is a Dollar Not Worth a Dollar? The 'Trapped' Cash Controversy

During 2013 the concept of "trapped cash" garnered heightened attention as reports of Dell, Apple and other firms holding massive cash levels outside the US surfaced. So called "trapped cash" refers to cash and liquid investments held by subsidiaries located outside the United States. Firms with overseas subsidiaries located in jurisdictions where the tax rate is lower than the rates in the US can reduce taxes by attributing profits to foreign locales. But bringing the cash back to the US subjects the funds to the US corporate tax rate, less credit for foreign income taxes paid. The House Ways and Means Committee held hearings in June 2013 to examine corporate profit shifting by multinationals. This followed hearings held by The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in May 2013 which focused on tax strategies at Apple and earlier hearings in September 2012 which focused on Microsoft and Hewlett Packard. Some have accused global firms of acting to avoid taxes leading to perhaps several billions of dollars of lost tax revenues. Others note that the real culprit is a US tax code with the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world. As the debate has raged, the Internal Revenue Service has sought to prohibit strategies related to intangible assets that the IRS claims firms have exploited to repatriate profits without tax implications. While the topic impacts all firms with liquid investments held outside of the US, this issue has been particularly important recently in the technology sector since over the past few years tech firms have amassed high cash levels from overseas operations as earnings strengthened and shrinking growth rates provided fewer investment opportunities.Here we use the technology sector as a case study to: examine the magnitude of the issue, consider firm options for "trapped" cash and assess the valuation investors should place on trapped cash.
Complexity in Information Theory

The means and ends of information theory and computational complexity have grown significantly closer over the past decade. Common analytic tools, such as combinatorial mathematics and information flow arguments, have been the cornerstone of VLSl complexity and cooperative computation. The basic assumption of limited computing resources is the premise for cryptography, where the distinction is made between available information and accessible information. Numerous other examples of common goals and tools between the two disciplines have shaped a new research category of 'information and complexity theory'. This volume is intended to expose to the research community some of the recent significant topics along this theme. The contributions selected here are all very basic, presently active, fairly well-established, and stimulating for substantial follow-ups. This is not an encyclopedia on the subject, it is concerned only with timely contributions of sufficient coherence and promise. The styles of the six chapters cover a wide spectrum from specific mathematical results to surveys of large areas. It is hoped that the technical content and theme of this volume will help establish this general research area. I would like to thank the authors of the chapters for contributing to this volume. I also would like to thank Ed Posner for his initiative to address this subject systematically, and Andy Fyfe and Ruth Erlanson for proofreading some of the chapters.
Wearable Sensor System to Measure Velocity Adaptive Variability for Continuous Human Mobility Monitoring

Variability of human mobility has become an important identifier for the assessment of human motor performance. For example, abnormally increased variability during movement has shown to correlate with higher falling risk. Various gait parameters, such as step length, stride time, and joint angle velocity have been studied to reveal the link between variability and movement impairment under the hospital or laboratory environments. Although the accuracy of the measurements with the laboratory equipment is relatively high and reliable, spatiotemporal limitation and lack of representativeness of ordinary mobility characteristics of a subject have been major challenges of previous approaches. This study proposes the velocity adaptive variability parameter to overcome the listed limitations. Among several major factors that affect level of variability, such as kinematic, pathological, and physiological changes, the parameter specifically absorbs the impact of varied walking speeds to get an instinct variability signature from the same subject regardless of walking speed. Since we utilize a single inertial sensor to measure variability of the subject, the approach will enable us to continuously monitor mobility-related problems in a free-living environment. The proof of concept experiment has shown practical advantages of our approach, and we also expect that the adaptive variability can be applied to future continuous mobility monitoring research.
Blood cyst of the mitral valve: a rare cause of stroke.

Intracardiac blood cysts are thin-walled cysts, lined by flattened, cobblestone-shaped epithelium, and filled with nonorganized blood. During autopsy, they are found on cardiac valves in approximately 50% of infants below the age of 2 months and are rarely found after the age of 2 years. We report a rare case of blood cyst attached to the mitral valve and a possible cause of an embolic stroke. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, July 2009)
Young Adult Female Cancer Survivors' Decision Regret About Fertility Preservation

This study evaluated fertility-related experiences of young adult female cancer survivors (18-39 years). Data were from a retrospective, cross-sectional survey. Women were more likely to undergo pre-treatment fertility preservation (FP) if they received fertility counseling (by a fertility nurse specialist, reproductive endocrinologist, or gynecologist). Compared with women who underwent FP, those who did not had greater decision regret (DR) after treatment (p < 0.001). Multiple reasons for not pursuing FP were reported; lack of time and distress related to more DR and not wanting children in the future related to less DR (p < 0.05). Decision regret may lead to psychosocial morbidity in survivorship.
Mass transfer studies of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on rotating disk electrodes

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has received significant attention recently as a method to measure electrochemical parameters of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms. Here, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to demonstrate the effect of mass transfer processes on electron transfer by G. sulfurreducens biofilms grown in situ on an electrode that was subsequently rotated. By rotating the biofilms up to 530 rpm, we could control the microscale gradients formed inside G. sulfurreducens biofilms. A 24% increase above a baseline of 82 µA could be achieved with a rotation rate of 530 rpm. By comparison, we observed a 340% increase using a soluble redox mediator (ferrocyanide) limited by mass transfer. Control of mass transfer processes was also used to quantify the change in biofilm impedance during the transition from turnover to non-turnover. We found that only one element of the biofilm impedance, the interfacial resistance, changed significantly from 900 to 4,200 Ω under turnover and non-turnover conditions, respectively. We ascribed this change to the electron transfer resistance overcome by the biofilm metabolism and estimate this value as 3,300 Ω. Additionally, under non-turnover, the biofilm impedance developed pseudocapacitive behavior indicative of bound redox mediators. Pseudocapacitance of the biofilm was estimated at 740 µF and was unresponsive to rotation of the electrode. The increase in electron transfer resistance and pseudocapacitive behavior under non-turnover could be used as indicators of acetate limitations inside G. sulfurreducens biofilms. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 285–294. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of Hydrogen Emissions in Partially Premixed Diesel Combustion

Partially premixed combustion strategies offer many advantages for compression ignition engines. One such advantage for engines operating on diesel fuels is the simultaneous reduction of soot and NOX achievable over a wide range of equivalence ratios. Though often not measured in engine experiments, gaseous H2 is a byproduct of incomplete combustion and can be useful for the regeneration of aftertreatment devices. Correlations for the exhaust concentration of H2 , mostly derived from experiments with homogeneous spark ignition engines, indicate that it is emitted either in proportion to CO directly or as a function of a pseudo-water gas shift equilibrium constant. In this work, H2 is measured over a range of equivalence ratios in a multi-cylinder diesel engine operating in a partially premixed low temperature combustion (LTC) mode using both low sulfur diesel fuel and soy-based biodiesel. Biodiesel was found to have the same bulk gas emissions of major species including H2 over the range of equivalence ratio in LTC for a constant load and combustion phasing. It also was found that the experimental H2 concentration was near the value predicted by the equilibrium constant for equivalence ratios greater that 0.9 but was increasingly lower for leaner points.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Destination unknown: the ventricular assist device and the advance of technology.

Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) are a true feat of modern bioengineering. These devices suck blood from the left ventricle and force it into the aorta at a pressure high enough to sustain life. First approved by the FDA in 1994, these devices have enjoyed a recent surge in use due to advances in the technology. Initially, LVADs were pulsatile, with a pumping mechanism that attempted to mimic the pulse pressure of the native heart. Today, these pulsatile devices have largely been replaced by the continuous flow LVADs which are smaller and have fewer moving parts.(1) LVADs are implanted either to bridge patients to transplant (or to candidacy for transplant) or as “Destination Therapy” (DT). To many, DT LVADs provide an attractive solution to fill the void between the large number of patients needing a transplant and the small number of patients receiving them.(2) The results of the early randomized trials of the pulsatile LVADs were not impressive. Even though they were associated with a 48% relative risk reduction in all cause mortality compared to patients on maximal medical management, the two-year survival statistics were dismal at 23% in the pulsatile LVAD arm and 8% in the medical-therapy arm with 25% of the patients in the LVAD arm dying of severe sepsis.(3) A more recent trial comparing continuous flow LVADs to pulsatile LVADs demonstrated a 58% vs. 24% two-year survival favoring the continuous flow devices.(4) Additionally, the continuous flow devices had fewer complications and significant improvements in functional capacity and quality-of-life.(4) As a result, there has been a rapid growth over the past few years in the overall use of LVADs with 712 being implanted in 2009 and 614 in the first half of 2010; 97% of these were the new continuous flow devices.(1)
Absence of antimycobacterial synergism between garlic extract and antituberculosis drugs

Garlic extract inhibited the growth of four strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, three strains of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, and three strains of Mycobacterium kansasii in concentrations ranging from 0.98 mg/ml to 2.94 mg/ml. Synergism could not be demonstrated when garlic extract was added to various concentrations of four commonly used antituberculous drugs.
Accuracy of detection of trichomonas vaginalis organisms on a liquid-based papanicolaou smear

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of the liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) smear in the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis organisms in women. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred three consecutive patients who had the liquid-based Pap smear also underwent a culture for T vaginalis. A wet mount was performed if symptomatic. Results were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (21.6%) had a positive culture. On the liquid-based Pap smear, 28 patients (13.8%) were positive for T vaginalis, showing a sensitivity of 61.4%, a specificity of 99.4%, a positive predictive value of 96.4%, and a negative predictive value of 90.8%. When wet mount and culture were compared, a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 77%, and a negative predictive value of 80% were obtained. CONCLUSION: The presence of T vaginalis organisms, as stated by the liquid-based Pap smear pathology report, is accurate and warrants treatment without further testing.
Sedimentary Basins and the Blockage of Lg Wave Propagation in the Continents

— The phenomenon of “Lg blockage,” where Lg is strongly attenuated by crustal heterogeneities, poses a serious problem to CTBT monitoring because Lg is an important seismic phase for discrimination. This paper examines blockage in three continental regions where the Lg blockages may be caused by large, enclosed sedimentary basins along the propagation path. The Barents Sea Basin blocks Lg propagation across the Barents Sea from the Russian nuclear test sites at Novaya Zemlya to Scandinavian stations. Also, “early Lg” waves are observed in Sn codas on NORSAR, NORESS, and ARCESS recordings of Novaya Zemlya explosions where direct Lg is blocked. Early Lg waves may have resulted from Sn-to-Lg mode conversion at the contact between the Barents Basin and the Kola Peninsula. The Northern and Southern Caspian Sea Basins also block Lg waves from PNEs and earthquakes, perhaps due to thick, low-velocity, low-Q sediments replacing the granitic layer rocks in the crust. Lg blockage has also been observed in the Western Mediterranean/Levantine Basin due to low-Q sediments and crustal thinning. A “basin capture” model is proposed to explain Lg blockage in sedimentary basins. In this model, shear waves that reverberate in the crust and constitute the Lg wave train are captured, delayed, and attenuated by thick, low-velocity sediments that replace the “granitic” layer rocks of the upper crust along part of the propagation path. Sn waves, which propagate below the basin, would not be blocked and in fact, the blocked Lg waves may be diverted downward into Sn waves by the low velocity sediments in the basin.
Substrate specificity of the fatty acid oxidase in the heart

Abstract The long-chain fatty acid oxidase system of myocardial homogenates and mitochondria has been studied and substrate competition between linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids has been demonstrated. Linoleic acid was oxidized at the most rapid rate whereas palmitic acid oxidation took place at the slowest rate. The role of phospholipids in fatty acid oxidation is discussed.