cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single atom in free space as a quantum aperture

We calculate exact three-dimensional solutions of Maxwell equations corresponding to strongly focused light beams, and study their interaction with a single atom in free space. We show how the naive picture of the atom as an absorber with a size given by its radiative cross section $\ensuremath{\sigma}=3{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}/2\ensuremath{\pi}$ must be modified. The implications of these results for quantum-information-processing capabilities of trapped atoms are discussed.
Black-white color connotations and racial awareness in preschool children.

Racial groups are often designated by color names, with Negroes called “black” and Caucasians “white.” Previous research with adults had shown that the color name black has a negative (“bad”) evaluative connotation and white a positive (“good”) connotation. The present study, designed to measure the degree of awareness of black-white evaluative connotation in Caucasian children, demonstrated that the black-white color-meaning concept is developing during the preschool years—the period during which racial awareness was also shown to be developing. Possible origins of the black-white evaluative concept in young children were discussed, as was the possible role of the concept in the formation of racial attitudes of Caucasian children toward Negroes.
Near-Death Experiences and Antisuicidal Attitudes.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been reported to decrease fear of death and foster a “romanticized” view of death, yet also promote antisuicidal attitudes. This study was an empirical investigation of psychodynamic hypotheses suggested to explain that paradoxical effect, using a thirty-six-item questionnaire constructed for this purpose. One hundred-fifty near-death experiencers (NDErs) and forty-three individuals who had come close to death but not had NDEs (nonNDErs) rated as true or false twelve antisuicidal attitudes that have been hypothesized to result from NDEs. NDErs endorsed significantly more of the antisuicidal statements than nonNDErs, and among NDErs, number of statements endorsed was positively associated with depth of experience. Those antisuicidal attitudes that showed the greatest difference in endorsement rate between NDErs and nonNDErs related to transpersonal or transcendental beliefs. These data support prior naturalistic observations that NDEs foster antisuicidal attitudes by prom...
A note on the confinement problem

onfining a program during its execution so that it cannot transmit information to any other program except its caller. A set of examples attempts to stake out the boundaries of the problem. Necessary conditions for a solution are stated and informally justified.
Delayed manifestation of abdominal aortic stenosis in a child presenting 10 years after blunt abdominal trauma

We report the case of a 13-year-old boy who, at 3 years of age, was a rear seat–restrained passenger in a high-speed motor vehicle crash necessitating segmental small-bowel resection. The patient remained well for 10 years; then he began to have exercise-induced fatigue in his lower extremities. Routine physical examination revealed a bruit and thrill in the mid abdomen and diminished femoral pulses. Aortic stenosis was diagnosed and treated surgically. We discuss the pathophysiology of the lesion and review the literature. This is the first report of abdominal aortic stenosis 10 years after blunt abdominal trauma in a child.
Enhanced external counterpulsation therapy: significant clinical improvement without electrophysiologic remodeling.

Background: Enhanced external counterpulsation therapy (EECP), in addition to improving coronary flow and increasing the time to ischemia, noninvasively alters hemodynamics in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Other treatments that alter hemodynamics, for example, balloon valvuloplasty, left ventricular assist devices, and pharmacologic antagonism of the rennin–angiotensin system, promote electrophysiologic remodeling, as evidenced by alterations in the QT interval. Methods: We studied 28 patients who completed a 7-week, 35-hour session of EECP to assess whether such therapy would also result in electrophysiologic remodeling. Results: All patients had class II–III angina, imaging-proven ischemia, and severe, near-inoperable CAD. Of 28 patients, with a mean age 62 ± 13 years (mean ± SD), 78% were male, 46% diabetic, 82% hypertensive, 60% had undergone angioplasty, and 67% had undergone bypass surgery. The mean ejection fraction was 44% (range 25–60%). Following EECP, most patients (82%) had at least a one full class improvement in their anginal pattern. In most patients, there was substantial baseline conduction system disease present: a mean QRS of 105 ± 19 ms. It is to be noted that there was no significant change in heart rate (HR), PR, QRS, or QTc intervals before and after EECP in either clinical responders or nonresponders. When analyzed by response to EECP, ejection fraction, or history of revascularization, there were still no detectable changes in ECG parameters (all P = NS). Conclusions: While EECP remains an effective treatment for severe CAD, it does not prompt early electrical remodeling of the heart.
A Secure Group Communication Architecture for Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This paper investigates the application of a secure group communication architecture to a swarm of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A multicast secure group communication architecture for the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite environment is evaluated to determine if it can be effectively adapted to a swarm of UAVs and provide secure, scalable, and efficient communications. The performance of the proposed security architecture is evaluated with two other commonly used architectures using a discrete event computer simulation developed using MATLAB. Performance is evaluated in terms of the scalability and efficiency of the group key distribution and management scheme when the swarm size, swarm mobility, multicast group join and departure rates are varied. The metrics include the total keys distributed over the simulation period, the average number of times an individual UAV must rekey, the average bandwidth used to rekey the swarm, and the average percentage of battery consumed by a UAV to rekey over the simulation period. The proposed security architecture can successfully be applied to a swarm of autonomous UAVs using current technology. The proposed architecture is more efficient and scalable than the other tested and commonly used architectures. Over all the tested configurations, the proposed architecture distributes 55.2–94.8% fewer keys, rekeys 59.0–94.9% less often per UAV, uses 55.2–87.9% less bandwidth to rekey, and reduces the battery consumption by 16.9–85.4%. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed grammar, purist grammar, and language attitudes in modern Nahuatl

In Tlaxcala and Puebla, Mexico, Nahuatl is being replaced by Spanish. Economic and social factors, principally a shift from a peripheral agrarian integration in the Mexican economy to integration as a rural proletariat involved in migratory labor, has been accompanied by a shift in language attitudes which has led to a narrowing of the range of functions of Nahuatl to a function primarily as a “language of solidarity.” This narrowing of function and the accompanying development of ethnic self-consciousness and egalitarianism are expressed through the stigmatization of Spanish loan words, other ethnic boundary-marking usages, the narrowing of honorific usage, and the differentiation of Nahuatl from Spanish grammar in noun-number constructions. (Nahuatl, Spanish, language shift, ethnicity.)
Social Adaptability Index: application and outcomes in a dialysis population

Background. Patient groups associated with disparities in health care are usually defined on the basis of race, gender or geographic location. Social Adaptability Index (SAI), calculated based on education, marital status, income, employment and substance abuse, has been strongly associated with clinical outcome in other patient populations and may be used to identify individuals at risk. We used data from the United States Renal Data System to evaluate the role of SAI in survival of patients on dialysis. Methods. We used Cox model analyses to study the association between SAI and patient survival in patients with ESRD on dialysis, as well as in the subgroups based on age, race, sex, comorbidites and diabetic status. Results. We analyzed 3396 patients (age of ESRD onset 56.9 6 16.1 years, 54.2% males, 64.2% white, 30.3% African-American). Mean SAI of the entire population was 7.1 6 2.5 (range 0–12 points). SAI was higher in whites (7.4 6 2.4) than in African-Americans (6.5 6 2.5) (analysis of variance, P <0.001) and greater in men (7.4 6 2.4) than in women (6.7 6 2.5) (t-test, P <0.001). In a Cox model adjusted for potential confounders, SAI was associated with decreased mortality [hazards ratio of 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.95–0.99), P ¼ 0.006]. Subgroup analysis demonstrated an association of SAI with survival in most of the subgroups. Potential limitations of the study include reverse causality, possible misclassification and retrospective design. Conclusion. We demonstrated that SAI is significantly associated with mortality in dialysis patients. SAI could be used to identify individuals at risk for inferior clinical outcomes.
Parallel-Coupled Transmission-Line-Resonator Filters

This paper describes the synthesis of band-pass transmission-line filters consisting of series of half-wavelength resonant conductors such as strips. The design differs from the usual end-coupled strip configuration in that successive strips are parallel coupled along a distance of a quarter-wavelength. The resulting coupling between resonators is partly electric and partly magnetic. Several important advantages are gained by this arrangement: 1) the length of the filter is approximately half that of the end-coupled type; 2) the gaps are larger and therefore less critical; and 3) the insertion-Ioss curve is symmetrical on a frequency scale with the first spurious response occurring at three times the center frequency of the pass band. Formulas are derived for the parallel-coupled-resonator transmission-line filter that permit accurate design for Tchebycheff, maximally flat, or any other physically realizable response. The formulas are theoretically exact in the limit of zero bandwidth, but frequency-response calculations show them to give good results for band widths up to about 30 per cent. An experimental strip-line filter of this type has been constructed, and the data given in this paper show that excellent performance has been obtained.
Aquaporin Z of Escherichia coli: Reassessment of Its Regulation and Physiological Role

Transcription of an aqpZ-lac fusion in a single copy on the Escherichia coli chromosome increased as cells entered the stationary growth phase. This was true in a variety of media, and increased transcription in enriched medium required the RpoS sigma factor. Expression of the aqpZ-lac fusion was not affected by up- or downshifts in osmolality. Disruption of aqpZ had no detectable adverse effects.
TRPC6 immunoreactivity is colocalized with neuronal nitric oxide synthase in extrinsic fibers innervating guinea pig intrinsic cardiac ganglia

Tachykinins depolarize guinea pig intracardiac neurons by activating nonselective cationic channels. Recently, members of the transient receptor potential family of membrane channels (TRPC) have been implicated in the generation of G protein-coupled receptor-activated nonselective cationic currents. We have investigated whether guinea pig cardiac neurons exhibit immunoreactivity to TRPC. Our results showed that nerve fibers within guinea pig intrinsic cardiac ganglia exhibited immunoreactivity to TRPC6. After culture of cardiac ganglia whole-mount explants for 72 hours, the TRPC6-IR fiber networks were absent. Therefore, the TRPC6-IR fibers were derived from sources extrinsic to the heart. A small percentage (∼3%) of intracardiac neurons also exhibited TRPC6 immunoreactivity in control preparations, and the percentage of cells exhibiting TRPC6 immunoreactivity was not changed following explant culture for 72 hours. The few intrinsic TRPC6-IR neurons also exhibited nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunoreactivity, indicating that they were nitrergic as well. We compared the immunohistochemical staining patterns of TRPC6-IR fibers with the staining patterns of a number of other neurotransmitters or neurotransmitter synthetic enzymes that mark specific extrinsic inputs to the intrinsic cardiac ganglia. The TRPC6-IR fibers were not immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase, or substance P. However, the TRPC6-IR fibers exhibited immunoreactivity to neuronal NOS. Therefore, we propose that the TRPC6-IR fibers within the guinea pig intrinsic cardiac ganglia are vagal sensory fibers that also contain NOS. We found, in support of this conclusion, that TRPC6-IR cells were also present in sections of nodose ganglia. J. Comp. Neurol. 450:283–291, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sparse signal reconstruction from limited data using FOCUSS: a re-weighted minimum norm algorithm

We present a nonparametric algorithm for finding localized energy solutions from limited data. The problem we address is underdetermined, and no prior knowledge of the shape of the region on which the solution is nonzero is assumed. Termed the FOcal Underdetermined System Solver (FOCUSS), the algorithm has two integral parts: a low-resolution initial estimate of the real signal and the iteration process that refines the initial estimate to the final localized energy solution. The iterations are based on weighted norm minimization of the dependent variable with the weights being a function of the preceding iterative solutions. The algorithm is presented as a general estimation tool usable across different applications. A detailed analysis laying the theoretical foundation for the algorithm is given and includes proofs of global and local convergence and a derivation of the rate of convergence. A view of the algorithm as a novel optimization method which combines desirable characteristics of both classical optimization and learning-based algorithms is provided. Mathematical results on conditions for uniqueness of sparse solutions are also given. Applications of the algorithm are illustrated on problems in direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation and neuromagnetic imaging.
Fault-tolerant content addressable memory

We analyze the error behavior of content addressable memories and provide necessary and sufficient conditions to protect them. Single error tolerant designs are demonstrated for bit- and byte-organized content addressable memories. This level of protection is equivalent to that of the conventional ECC protection in memory subsystems. >
Sibling set configuration and family dysfunction.

The relationships between sex and birth order of the sibling set, number of parents in the primary family unit, and family dysfunction were assessed. The sample was restricted to two-child and three-child families, all of school age, and all living with one or both natural parents only, i.e., no one else was in the household. Chi-square analyses indicated that the likelihood of a family seeking treatment for one of their children was lowest with all girl sibling sets, intermediate with all boy sibling sets and with sibling sets in which all the girls were older than all the boys, and highest with sibling sets in which at least one boy was older than one girl. The patterns were stronger for two-parent than single-parent families. The results were interpreted in terms of two factors: (a) the relative commitment of boys and girls to supporting family norms, and (b) the relative stability of a family culture in same gender versus mixed gender sibling sets.
Multifunctional G-rich and RRM-containing domains of TbRGG2 perform separate yet essential functions in trypanosome RNA editing.

Efficient editing of Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial RNAs involves the actions of multiple accessory factors. T. brucei RGG2 (TbRGG2) is an essential protein crucial for initiation and 3′-to-5′ progression of editing. TbRGG2 comprises an N-terminal G-rich region containing GWG and RG repeats and a C-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM)-containing domain. Here, we perform in vitro and in vivo separation-of-function studies to interrogate the mechanism of TbRGG2 action in RNA editing. TbRGG2 preferentially binds preedited mRNA in vitro with high affinity attributable to its G-rich region. RNA-annealing and -melting activities are separable, carried out primarily by the G-rich and RRM domains, respectively. In vivo, the G-rich domain partially complements TbRGG2 knockdown, but the RRM domain is also required. Notably, TbRGG2's RNA-melting activity is dispensable for RNA editing in vivo. Interactions between TbRGG2 and MRB1 complex proteins are mediated by both G-rich and RRM-containing domains, depending on the binding partner. Overall, our results are consistent with a model in which the high-affinity RNA binding and RNA-annealing activities of the G-rich domain are essential for RNA editing in vivo. The RRM domain may have key functions involving interactions with the MRB1 complex and/or regulation of the activities of the G-rich domain.
Importance of Taylor dispersion in pharmacokinetic and multiple indicator dilution modelling

Mass transfer in tissues is typically studied by multiple indicator dilution (MID) studies. Several of these studies have shown that drug concentrations can be modelled by axially distributed models. In this paper, we determine the Taylor dispersion coefficient that describes the degree of axial mixing for the MID models, while accounting for the presence of red blood cells in the capillaries. The capillaries are treated as well mixed with no radial concentration gradients. The concentration in tissue is treated as position and time dependent and the partial differential equations for mass transport are averaged using the method of multiple timescales. The calculated values of the dispersion coefficient are in reasonable agreement with the values reported in literature, suggesting that Taylor dispersion is an important contributor to dispersion in tissues. We also show that the average equations for the barrier-limited drugs reduce to the commonly used Sangren-Sheppard model. In this case, Taylor dispersion is not significant in comparison to the dispersion caused by drug exchange between the capillary and the tissue. Additionally, we utilize the average equations for both flow-limited and barrier-limited drugs in pharmacokinetic models. These simulations show that neglecting the dispersion coefficient could cause significant effects in the dynamic drug concentration profiles and thus lead to incorrect estimation of parameters if the experimental data from MID studies are fitted to a model that neglects Taylor dispersion.
Nitrogen critical loads for alpine vegetation and soils in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Abstract We evaluated the ecological thresholds associated with vegetation and soil responses to nitrogen (N) deposition, by adding NH 4 NO 3 in solution at rates of 5, 10 and 30 kg N ha −1 yr −1 to plots in a species rich dry meadow alpine community in Rocky Mountain National Park receiving ambient N deposition of 4 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . To determine the levels of N input that elicited changes, we measured plant species composition annually, and performed one-time measurements of aboveground biomass and N concentrations, soil solution and resin bag inorganic N, soil pH, and soil extractable cations after 3 years of N additions. Our goal was to use these dose–response relationships to provide N critical loads for vegetation and soils for the alpine in Rocky Mountain National Park. Species richness and diversity did not change in response to the treatments, but one indicator species, Carex rupestris increased in cover from 34 to 125% in response to the treatments. Using the rate of change in cover for C. rupestris in the treatment and the ambient plots, and assuming the change in cover was due solely to N deposition, we estimated a N critical load for vegetation at 3 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . Inorganic N concentrations in soil solution increased above ambient levels at input rates between 9 kg N ha −1 yr −1 (resin bags) and 14 kg N ha −1 yr −1 (lysimeters), indicating biotic and abiotic sinks for N deposition are exhausted at these levels. No changes in soil pH or extractable cations occurred in the treatment plots, indicating acidification had not occurred after 3 years. We conclude that N critical loads under 10 kg ha −1 yr −1 are needed to prevent future acidification of soils and surface waters, and recommend N critical loads for vegetation at 3 kg N ha −1 yr −1 as important for protecting natural plant communities and ecosystem services in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Porous silicon based orientation independent, self-priming micro direct ethanol fuel cell

Abstract The design, fabrication and testing of an orientation independent, self-priming micro direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) is presented. The electrodes of the fuel cell are fabricated using macro-porous silicon technology. The capillary force generated by the pores has the ability of “wicking” the fuel towards the electrode irrespective of the orientation of the cell, resulting in a uniform and regulated supply of the fuel (ethanol/water mixture). The porous silicon structure also serves as a built-in fuel storage reservoir. The porous silicon substrate is platinized to create the electrodes and integrated with Nafion® 115 membrane to build the micro fuel cell stack. The cell performance tests indicate an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 260 mV and a maximum power density of 8.1 mW/cm2 at room temperature (23 °C), with a fuel supply of 5 μL, 8.5 M ethanol solution. Unlike most micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) DEFCs, changes in orientation of this cell have minimal effect on the output voltage/power thus eliminating the need for an active fuel pump.
Altered Peptide Ligand-Mediated TCR Antagonism Can Be Modulated by a Change in a Single Amino Acid Residue Within the CDR3β of an MHC Class I-Restricted TCR

The Ag receptor of cytotoxic CD8 + T lymphocytes recognizes peptides of 8–10 aa bound to MHC class I molecules. This Ag recognition event leads to the activation of the CD8 + lymphocyte and subsequent lysis of the target cell. Altered peptide ligands are analogues derived from the original antigenic peptide that commonly carry amino acid substitutions at TCR contact residues. TCR engagement by these altered peptide ligands usually impairs normal T cell function. Some of these altered peptide ligands (antagonists) are able to specifically antagonize and inhibit T cell activation induced by the wild-type antigenic peptide. Despite significant advances made in understanding TCR antagonism, the molecular interactions between the TCR and the MHC/peptide complex responsible for the inhibitory activity of antagonist peptides remain elusive. To approach this question, we have identified altered peptide ligands derived from the vesicular stomatitis virus peptide (RGYVYQGL) that specifically antagonize an H-2K b /vesicular stomatitis virus-specific TCR. Furthermore, by site-directed mutagenesis, we altered single amino acid residues of the complementarity-determining region 3 of the β-chain of this TCR and tested the effect of these point mutations on Ag recognition and TCR antagonism. Here we show that a single amino acid change on the TCR CDR3β loop can modulate the TCR-antagonistic properties of an altered peptide ligand. Our results highlight the role of the TCR complementarity-determining region 3 loops for controlling the nature of the T cell response to TCR/altered peptide ligand interactions, including those leading to TCR antagonism.
Flow Reaction Forces upon Blowdown of Safety Valves

The activation of safety valves causes the development of flow reaction forces that have to be transferred in an adequate way via the piping to the steel structure or via the connected vessel into the foundation. If the safety valve outlet piping is connected to a blowdown system or, in case of blowing off into the atmosphere, are equipped with a T-piece at the outlet, the stationary reaction forces are compensated completely. The transient opening process, however, develops flow reaction forces which culminate in peaks of short duration. In this article, a simple method will be proposed for the estimation of the resulting reaction forces as a function of the length of the pipe at the safety valve outlet. CFD calculations and blowdown tests executed with a full-lift safety valve have confirmed this method on principle. Special importance is attributed to the short duration of the effect of the reaction forces which seems to have only a negligible impact on the supporting steel structure.
Transforming Parameter Estimates to a Specified Coordinate System

All measurement systems have some arbitrariness to them. When length is measured, the size of the unit used is arbitrary. Length units can be chosen from feet, meters, miles, light years, etc. The origin of the length measurements is usually set at true 0 and measurements using different units are typically linear transformations of each other. A common exception is astronomical measurements of distance that are taken from some arbitrary origin such as the Sun or the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Although measurements of length are much easier to understand than the measurements that result from the applications of IRT models, some of the same concepts can be used for both types of measurements. For example, the concepts of invariance and indeterminacy that are often discussed in the IRT literature also apply to length measurement. The unit of the measurement for length is indeterminate but the length itself is invariant. The length being measured does not change because different units of measurement are used, but there is nothing in the measurement of length that indicates that one unit of measurement is more “correct” than any other unit of measurement. Some units might be more convenient than others such as using Angstroms when measuring things at the atomic level instead of miles, but that does not make them more correct.
U.S. State Election Reform and Turnout in Presidential Elections

We explore the effects of state-level election reforms on voter turnout in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 presidential elections. Using a cost-benefit model of political participation, we develop a framework for analyzing the burdens imposed by the following: universal mail voting, permanent no-excuse absentee voting, nonpermanent no-excuse absentee voting, early in-person voting, Election Day registration, and voter identification requirements. We analyze turnout data from the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Current Population Surveys and show that implementation by states of both forms of no-excuse absentee voting and Election Day registration has a positive and significant affect on turnout in each election. We find positive but less consistent effects on turnout for universal mail voting and voter identification requirements. Our results also show that early in-person voting has a negative and statistically significant correlation with turnout in all three elections.
Patients' health as a predictor of physician and patient behavior in medical visits. A synthesis of four studies.

OBJECTIVESAlthough some patient characteristics are known to be related to physician and patient communication in medical encounters, very little is known about the impact of patients' health status on communication processes. The authors assess relations of patients' physical and emotional health s
On the intersection of marketing history and marketing theory

Can historical research contribute to marketing theory? This essay argues ‘yes.’ The essay begins by reviewing the conventional view of marketing theory. Then, it discusses the nature of historical research, proposes how marketing history and theory intersect, and provides two examples of how historical method has been used to advance marketing theory.
Pre-bond testing of the silicon interposer in 2.5D ICs

In interposer-based 2.5D integrated circuits, the passive silicon interposer is the least expensive component in the chip. Thus, it is desirable to test the interposer before bonding to ensure that more expensive and defect-free dies are not stacked on a faulty interposer. We present an efficient method to locate defects in a passive interposer before stacking. The proposed test architecture uses e-fuses that can be programmed to connect or disconnect functional paths inside the interposer. The concept of die footprint is utilized for interconnect testing, and the overall assembly and test flow is described. In order to reduce test time, the concept of weighted critical area is defined and utilized. We present HSPICE simulation results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the pre-bond test solution. The benefit of using weighted critical area is demonstrated using a commercial interposer from GLOBALFOUNDRIES.
Effect of exogenous polyamines on polyamines and antioxidant system in rice seedlings under osmotic stress

To probe into the mechanism by which polyamines enhanced the tolerance of rice to drought,the effects of exogenous Put and MGBG on polyamines and antioxidant system in rice seedlings under osmotic stress were investigated.The results are as follow: Under osmotic stress,MDA and H2O2 level increased significantly in 'xianzaoxian 32' seedlings,while 'jiazao 935' showe a significant increase in Put,Spd,Spm and Vc level and activities of SOD,POD.Exogenous Put treatment which improve significantly Put,Spd,Spm and Vc level and activities of SOD,POD in seedlings of 'jiazao 935'.Exogenous MGBG treatment which inhibite markedly Put,Spd,Spm and Vc level and activities of SOD,POD,and promote significantly MDA and H2O2 level in seedlings of 'xianzaoxian 32'.Through correlation analysis,it showe positive correlation between Put,Spd,Spm and SOD,POD,Vc,meanwhile showe negative correlation between SOD,POD,Vc and H2O2.
Development of a biomimetic microfluidic oxygen transfer device

Blood oxygenators provide crucial life support for patients suffering from respiratory failure, but their use is severely limited by the complex nature of the blood circuit and by complications including bleeding and clotting. We have fabricated and tested a multilayer microfluidic blood oxygenation prototype designed to have a lower blood prime volume and improved blood circulation relative to current hollow fiber cartridge oxygenators. Here we address processes for scaling the device toward clinically relevant oxygen transfer rates while maintaining a low prime volume of blood in the device, which is required for clinical applications in cardiopulmonary support and ultimately for chronic use. Approaches for scaling the device toward clinically relevant gas transfer rates, both by expanding the active surface area of the network of blood microchannels in a planar layer and by increasing the number of microfluidic layers stacked together in a three-dimensional device are addressed. In addition to reducing prime volume and enhancing gas transfer efficiency, the geometric properties of the microchannel networks are designed to increase device safety by providing a biomimetic and physiologically realistic flow path for the blood. Safety and hemocompatibility are also influenced by blood-surface interactions within the device. In order to further enhance device safety and hemocompatibility, we have demonstrated successful coating of the blood flow pathways with human endothelial cells, in order to confer the ability of the endothelium to inhibit coagulation and thrombus formation. Blood testing results provide confirmation of fibrin clot formation in non-endothelialized devices, while negligible clot formation was documented in cell-coated devices. Gas transfer testing demonstrates that the endothelial lining does not reduce the transfer efficiency relative to acellular devices. This process of scaling the microfluidic architecture and utilizing autologous cells to line the channels and mitigate coagulation represents a promising avenue for therapy for patients suffering from a range of acute and chronic lung diseases.
A predictive control algorithm for layer-to-layer ink-jet 3D printing

Ink-jet 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process where-in parts are built by jetting material from nozzles layer by layer, with curing between successive layers of deposition. Typically, this additive process is operated in an open-loop manner, i.e., the number of layers and droplet patterns for each layer are determined in advance and are not modified based on measurements of current height profile during the printing process. As a result, the uncertainties in droplet sizes, heights and locations during printing can result in undesired part geometry, such as edge shrinking, unreliable dimensions and uneven surfaces. Naturally, incorporating feedback measurements into the control algorithm will improve performance if suitable models and cost functions are constructed. In this paper, we first propose a control-oriented layer to layer height evolution model for two-material Ink-jet 3D printing. Based on this model, a predictive control algorithm that uses measurements of the current height profile to generate control inputs for successive layers is designed. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by simulation studies.
Hierarchical modeling with tensor inputs

In many real applications, the input data are naturally expressed as tensors, such as virtual metrology in semiconductor manufacturing, face recognition and gait recognition in computer vision, etc. In this paper, we propose a general optimization framework for dealing with tensor inputs. Most existing methods for supervised tensor learning use only rank-one weight tensors in the linear model and cannot readily incorporate domain knowledge. In our framework, we obtain the weight tensor in a hierarchical way - we first approximate it by a low-rank tensor, and then estimate the low-rank approximation using the prior knowledge from various sources, e.g., different domain experts. This is motivated by wafer quality prediction in semiconductor manufacturing. Furthermore, we propose an effective algorithm named H-MOTE for solving this framework, which is guaranteed to converge. The time complexity of H-MOTE is linear with respect to the number of examples as well as the size of the weight tensor. Experimental results show the superiority of H-MOTE over state-of-the-art techniques on both synthetic and real data sets.
Transient RUNX1 Expression during Early Mesendodermal Differentiation of hESCs Promotes Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition through TGFB2 Signaling

The transition of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from pluripotency to lineage commitment is not fully understood, and a role for phenotypic transcription factors in the initial stages of hESC differentiation remains to be explored. From a screen of candidate factors, we found that RUNX1 is selectively and transiently upregulated early in hESC differentiation to mesendodermal lineages. Transcriptome profiling and functional analyses upon RUNX1 depletion established a role for RUNX1 in promoting cell motility. In parallel, we discovered a loss of repression for several epithelial genes, indicating that loss of RUNX1 impaired an epithelial to mesenchymal transition during differentiation. Cell biological and biochemical approaches revealed that RUNX1 depletion specifically compromised TGFB2 signaling. Both the decrease in motility and deregulated epithelial marker expression upon RUNX1 depletion were rescued by reintroduction of TGFB2, but not TGFB1. These findings identify roles for RUNX1-TGFB2 signaling in early events of mesendodermal lineage commitment.
Chronic Toxicology Studies of Basal Insulin Peglispro in Rats and Dogs: A Novel, PEGylated Insulin Lispro Analog with a Prolonged Duration of Action:

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) consists of insulin lispro with a 20-kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety covalently attached to lysine B28. Because chronic parenteral administration of PEGylated proteins to animals has sometimes resulted in PEG vacuolation of tissue macrophages, renal tubular cells, and choroid plexus ependymal cells, we investigated whether chronic subcutaneous (sc) injection of BIL in rats (52 weeks) and dogs (39 weeks) was associated with systemic toxicities or other changes, including vacuolation of tissue macrophages, renal tubular cells, and ependymal cells. Rats and dogs received daily sc injections of BIL (rats: 0.17, 0.45, or 1.15 mg/kg/d and dogs: 0.025, 0.10, or 0.20 mg/kg/d) and the reference compound, HUMULIN N® (neutral protamine Hagedorn [NPH] human insulin; rats: 0.15 mg/kg/d and dogs: 0.02-0.03 mg/kg/d). Animals were evaluated for standard end points including mortality, clinical signs, body weights, toxicokinetics, glucodynamics, clinical pathology, and morphological pathology. Nonadverse injection site lipohypertrophy occurred for all BIL and NPH doses but more frequently with BIL. No BIL-related hyperplasia or neoplasia was observed. There was no vacuolation of tissue macrophages, renal tubular cells, or ependymal cells attributable to PEG. These studies demonstrate BIL is not associated with tissue vacuolation attributable to PEG at 4- to 6-fold multiple of the median clinical exposure in patients with diabetes.
Do Restructurings Improve Operating Performance

Controversy over the desirability of corporate restructuring typically centers on the operational effectiveness of these events. The purpose of this study is to directly address this debate by providing evidence on the effect of restructurings on operating performance. This study incorporates a full set of research design enhancements to address the methodological limitations of prior studies. Using these design enhancements, our results do not reject a null hypothesis that restructuring firms have improved operating performance due to the restructuring in post-restructuring periods. In fact, the results are generally consistent with the conclusion that restructurings have a negative effect on firm operating performance in the years subsequent to the restructuring. This conclusion is based on the following empirical evidence. First, the mean and median industry-adjusted operating margin of restructuring firms is significantly negative for all five pre-restructure years, and remains significantly negative for all five post-restructure years. Second, the mean industry-adjusted return on equity is negative for four of the five post- restructure years reported, and the median is significantly negative in years 2 and 3. Third, the mean and median operating margin forecast errors for restrucuturing firms are significantly negative in years 3 through 5, and the mean and median return on equity forecast errors are also negative, though not significant, in years 3 through 5. Most importantly, empirical tests using a metric designed to control for firm and industry performance in the absence of a restructuring indicates that operating margin for restructuring firms is significantly negative in years 3through 5.
Lipid Sample Preparation for Biomedical Research

We describe here a step-by-step protocol for extraction of lipids from tissue/cell samples for biomedical research. The protocol described here works well for biological samples that contain lipids, which are less than 2% of weight compared to total wet weight of tissue or cells. The protocols described here are suitable and incremental modification of previously published protocols. These protocols have been developed based on our experience with different tissues and cells, and yield estimates determined using class-specific mass spectrometry either using direct infusion or after chromatographic separation.
Traffic‐related air pollution associations with cytokeratin‐18, a marker of hepatocellular apoptosis, in an overweight and obese paediatric population

SummaryIntroduction Traffic-related air pollution causes fatty liver, inflammation and fibrosis in animal models, but there have been few studies in humans. Objectives To test the hypothesis that traffic-related air pollution causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and increased markers for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); and that NAFLD increases liver susceptibility to increased NASH risk. Methods Data collected prospectively from 74 overweight or obese children were obtained from the Yale Pediatric Obesity Clinic. Traffic-related air pollution was characterized as vehicle traffic volume on major roads within a 1 km residential buffer, and as residential nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure. Outcomes were hepatic fat fraction (HFF) measured by magnetic resonance imaging, liver enzymes using standard assays and plasma cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) by immunosorbent assays. Results Significant non-linear relationships with air pollution and CK-18 were found. Plasma CK-18 at follow-up increased from approximately 150 U/L to almost 200 U/L as residential traffic volume increased from 220 000 vehicle-km to 330 000 vehicle-km, after adjustment for baseline CK-18, age and gender. Among patients with NAFLD at baseline, CK-18 increased from 140 U/L to 200 U/L (a 1.5 standard deviation increase in CK-18) as NO2 increased from 8 to 10 ppb. Conclusions Traffic-related air pollution was associated with CK-18. Effects were larger in children with pre-existing NAFLD at study entry.
Knowledge management: Role of the the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC)

The Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is an information analysis center that collects, archives, evaluates, synthesizes and distributes information, data and codes that are used in various nuclear technology applications. RSICC retains more than 2,000 software packages that have been provided by code developers from various federal and international agencies. RSICC’s customers (scientists, engineers, and students from around the world) obtain access to such computing codes (source and/or executable versions) and processed nuclear data files to promote on-going research, to ensure nuclear and radiological safety, and to advance nuclear technology. The role of such information analysis centers is critical for supporting and sustaining nuclear education and training programs both domestically and internationally, as the majority of RSICC’s customers are students attending U.S. universities. Additionally, RSICC operates a secure CLOUD computing system to provide access to sensitive export-controlled modeling and simulation (M&S) tools that support both domestic and international activities. This presentation will provide a general review of RSICC’s activities, services, and systems that support knowledge management and education and training in the nuclear field.
109 Understanding the role of the hotline/lir in providing safety, resources and emotional support to callers

Purpose The George Washington University is evaluating the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and loveisrespect (LIR), the helpline targeted towards young people. An aim of the evaluation is to determine whether those who call The Hotline/LIR receive the information and assistance they need or seek. Methods/Approach During a 5 week period in the summer of 2016, the research team monitored 504 anonymous calls made to The Hotline and LIR to assess the process and quality of the interactions between advocate and caller, and to examine details related to the provision of information and referrals to other service providers and resources. Using a scoring tool developed for this purpose, the research team evaluated and documented caller needs; information and resources provided to the caller; and the helpfulness of each call. Results The majority of the calls monitored were to The Hotline (n=459, 91.1%) and were from two caller types: victims/survivors (n=272; 60%) and family/friends of victims/survivors (n=71; 15%). Overall, advocates provided services at higher rates than those requested by callers. For example, among the two main caller types, 52% of callers requested emotional support, and received this support from advocates. Advocates also provided emotional support to an additional 30%, even though they did not request it explicitly. Likewise, 41% and 7% of callers asked for information on resources and on staying safe, respectively. Advocates provided resource information to 79% of callers and information on staying safe to 32% of callers. Conclusion The data demonstrate that advocates are providing important services to callers, including information and education, safety planning, and emotional support. Significance/Contribution The data can be used by domestic violence service providers, program developers, researchers and technical assistance providers to identify the breadth of resources provided by The Hotline/LIR, the services most frequently provided, and to whom the services are offered.
Bioengineered Noncoding RNAs Selectively Change Cellular miRNome Profiles for Cancer Therapy

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) produced in live cells may better reflect intracellular ncRNAs for research and therapy. Attempts were made to produce biologic ncRNAs, but at low yield or success rate. Here we first report a new ncRNA bioengineering technology using more stable ncRNA carrier (nCAR) containing a pre-miR-34a derivative identified by rational design and experimental validation. This approach offered a remarkable higher level expression (40%-80% of total RNAs) of recombinant ncRNAs in bacteria and gave an 80% success rate (33 of 42 ncRNAs). New FPLC and spin-column based methods were also developed for large- and small-scale purification of milligrams and micrograms of recombinant ncRNAs from half liter and milliliters of bacterial culture, respectively. We then used two bioengineered nCAR/miRNAs to demonstrate the selective release of target miRNAs into human cells, which were revealed to be Dicer dependent (miR-34a-5p) or independent (miR-124a-3p), and subsequent changes of miRNome and transcriptome profiles. miRNA enrichment analyses of altered transcriptome confirmed the specificity of nCAR/miRNAs in target gene regulation. Furthermore, nCAR assembled miR-34a-5p and miR-124-3p were active in suppressing human lung carcinoma cell proliferation through modulation of target gene expression (e.g., cMET and CDK6 for miR-34a-5p; STAT3 and ABCC4 for miR-124-3p). In addition, bioengineered miRNA molecules were effective in controlling metastatic lung xenograft progression, as demonstrated by live animal and ex vivo lung tissue bioluminescent imaging as well as histopathological examination. This novel ncRNA bioengineering platform can be easily adapted to produce various ncRNA molecules, and biologic ncRNAs hold the promise as new cancer therapeutics.