cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of eggs on plasma lipoproteins in healthy populations

Extensive research has not clearly established a link between egg consumption and risk for coronary heart disease. This lack of connection can be explained by two major reasons: First, eggs are a good source of numerous nutrients including lutein and zeaxanthin, potent antioxidants, which may exert a protective effect against lipoprotein oxidation. Second, it has been well established that dietary cholesterol increases the concentrations of both circulating LDL and HDL cholesterol in those individuals who experience a higher increase in plasma cholesterol following egg consumption (hyper-responders). It is also important to note that 75% of the population experiences a mild increase or no alterations in plasma cholesterol concentrations when challenged with high amounts of dietary cholesterol (normal responders and hypo-responders). Egg intake has been shown to promote the formation of large LDL and HDL subclasses in addition to shifting individuals from the LDL pattern B to pattern A, which is less atherogenic. For these reasons, dietary recommendations aimed at restricting egg consumption should be taken with caution and not include all individuals. We need to acknowledge that diverse healthy populations experience no risk in developing coronary heart disease by increasing their intake of cholesterol but in contrast, they may have multiple beneficial effects by the inclusion of eggs in their regular diet.
Dependence of NdSc 3 (BO 3 ) 4 random laser parameters on particle size

We have studied the threshold, slope efficiency, and emission kinetics in the NdSc3(BO3)4 random laser as a function of powder particle size. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of diffusion theory. It is shown that under a certain set of assumptions, the diffusion model can qualitatively explain major features in random laser behavior, such as the minimum of the threshold pumping energy at intermediate particle sizes. However, we could not describe with this model functional relationships between various system parameters measured in the experiment.
Effect of spatial reference and verb inflection on the usability of sign language animations

Computer-generated animations of American Sign Language (ASL) can improve the accessibility of information, communication, and services for the significant number of deaf adults in the US with difficulty in reading English text. Unfortunately, there are several linguistic aspects of ASL that current automatic generation or translation systems cannot produce (or are time-consuming for human animators to create). To determine how important such phenomena are to user satisfaction and the comprehension of ASL animations, studies were conducted in which native ASL signers evaluated ASL animations with and without: establishment of spatial reference points around the virtual human signer representing entities under discussion, pointing pronoun signs, contrastive role shift, and spatial inflection of ASL verbs. It was found that adding these phenomena to ASL animations led to a significant improvement in user comprehension of the animations, thereby motivating future research on automating the generation of these animations.
Peer Influences on Adolescent Drinking

Questionnaires on drinking behavior and attitudes were completed by 1,410 white male seniors from 30 urban and rural high schools in the eastern and Piedmont sections of North Carolina. In these re...
Replication-Competent Influenza A and B Viruses Expressing a Fluorescent Dynamic Timer Protein for In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Influenza A and B viruses (IAV and IBV, respectively) cause annual seasonal human respiratory disease epidemics. In addition, IAVs have been implicated in occasional pandemics with inordinate health and economic consequences. Studying influenza viruses in vitro or in vivo requires the use of laborious secondary methodologies to identify infected cells. To circumvent this requirement, replication-competent infectious influenza viruses expressing an easily traceable fluorescent reporter protein can be used. Timer is a fluorescent protein that undergoes a time-dependent color emission conversion from green to red. The rate of spectral change is independent of Timer protein concentration and can be used to chronologically measure the duration of its expression. Here, we describe the generation of replication-competent IAV and IBV where the viral non-structural protein 1 (NS1) was fused to the fluorescent dynamic Timer protein. Timer-expressing IAV and IBV displayed similar plaque phenotypes and growth kinetics to wild-type viruses in tissue culture. Within infected cells, Timer's spectral shift can be used to measure the rate and cell-to-cell spread of infection using fluorescent microscopy, plate readers, or flow cytometry. The progression of Timer-expressing IAV infection was also evaluated in a mouse model, demonstrating the feasibility to characterize IAV cell-to-cell infections in vivo. By providing the ability to chronologically track viral spread, Timer-expressing influenza viruses are an excellent option to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo dynamics of viral infection.
LLC Charging Orders: A Jurisdictional and Governing Law Quagmire

Is an LLC a necessary party to a charging order action brought by a judgment creditor against a member (but not the LLC itself)? If yes, and if the LLC was formed in another state, which state law controls the limits of the charging order remedy?
Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia: From Prediction to Prevention

Early suspicion and diagnosis of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia remain essential for effective therapy; however, knowledge of the identity of the offending platelet antibody is not necessary before providing successful treatment. This review focuses on the prediction, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, patient management, and prevention of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. We also present data collected from experience with the treatment of neonates affected with this disease.
Multivariate Analyses of Physical Education Student Personality Profiles

Previously (2, 4, 5 ) the author examined specific personality trait differences on the 16 PF (1) between various norms as appropriate and male and female, graduate and undergraduate physical education students. Also, secondstranun traits of these groups were compared with general population norms ( 3 ) . In the present analysis, the seven subject groups were: two of male graduate students, two of female graduates, two of male undergraduates, and one of female undergraduates. A multivariate analysis, coefficient of profile similarity rp (2 ) , between each group and the appropriate general population norm as well as between each group and every other group was conducted following age-correction to the average age of the normative group. The fp statistic may be thought of as similar to the correlation coefficient. Similarity between the compared groups is indicated when the result is positive and p .O1 at an rQ of .450. In the present case, very high coefficients were found between each subject group and the normative profile used (.540--.820). Also, very high coefficients were found between the subject groups themselves (.588-,922). In spite of the statistically significant differences previously reported when specific and second-stratum traits were explored, the subject group profiles do not differ in any meaningful way from general population profiles nor from one another. These physical education student groups are very similar in over-all personality structure to adults generally.
Acoustic shaping - Application to space based construction

Previous work has shown” the formation 6f solid particles into thin walls of specified shape using a resonant acoustic field in microgravity. Here these results are summarized, and extended to study the qualitative effects of liquid addition and melting/ solidification in the acoustic field. Pure liquid forms into sheets, even in the 1 -g environment, due to the static pressure differences in the resonant chamber; however these sheets exhibit instabilities, and shatter into droplets. Stable thin walls are formed from liquid with suspended powder in l-g. With some adjustment of the frequency, the use of processes involving heating, cooling and phase changes are seen to be feasible. The implications of these findings to non-contact manufacturing and construction in space are discussed. INTRODUCTION The focus of this effort is on constructing complex shapes from raw materials using an acoustic field. A long-term goal is to develop construction technology, where materials obtained from lowgravity environments such as the moon or‘asteroids are used to provide the bulk of construction material for space operations. Non-contact, flexible fabrication of components, in this context, would provide an enabling technology for the human exploration and habitation in space. Today the cost of launching payloads into low Earth orbit ranges from $6000 to $25000 per kilogram. Even if this cost comes down to $4000 per kilogram, as projected today, most concepts for developing industry in Space remain infeasible. Space-based manufacturing techniques, using materials derived from low-gravity environments and supplying space-based markets, would provide a long-term solution to this problem. Acoustic shaping deals with the issue of manufacturing components in microgravity with minimal requirements for heavy machinery. Experiments to-date by our group have demonstrated that stable walls of specified shape can be formed, along or parallel to nodal surfaces of a resonant acoustic field, in micro-gravity. Results from flight tests and ground tests show that Copyright 01999 by the authors. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. with permission. the concept of acoustic shaping can be applied to various types of materials, including solid spheres, low-density foam particles, porous organic particles, micron-scale powder, hollow aluminum spheres, and hollow aluminum oxide spheres. Most recently, experiments mixing liquids into the process have shown encouraging results.
The “Religion” of Secular Humanism

In 1958 Harper & Row published this writer's book, Creeds in Competition. Its thesis, briefly stated, was that religious groups, avowedly or not, seek to translate their own particular hierarchy of social values into categorical imperatives for the community at large, including those members of the community outside their own respective folds. Laws forbidding business on Sundays was an example of primarily Protestant efforts, a ban on abortion, that of Catholic, and elimination of prayer in public schools, that of Jews. The book also considered a fourth contestant, secular humanism. A footnote on page 29 of the book reads: "The term 'secular humanism' is used in this book not to mean a consciously non theistic movement, but merely the influence of those unaffiliated with organized religion and concerned with human values." The book did not seek to define the term "religion." An effort to do this is found in the Supreme Court's decision in the 1890 case of Davis v. Beason.1 In it the Court said: "The term 'religion' has reference to one's views of his relations to his Creator, and to the obligations they impose of reverence for his being and character, and of obedience to his will."2 This would seem to have been a fairly workable definition for the time when it was formulated; but in the same case the Court said that to call the Mormons' advocacy of polygamy "a tenet of religion is to offend the common sense of mankind." Yet there is hardly any doubt that the Mormons' advocacy of polygamy expressed the believer's "views of his relations to his Creator, and to the obligations they impose." The Court's definition is obviously inconsistent with its more recent decisions. Since 1890, the Court has abandoned the concept that the First Amendment's guaranty of the free exercise of religion is
Phenomenological analysis of going home in Caribbean-American international travelers.

Background In travel health risk assessments visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel status is often used as an indicator for high-risk travel behavior. VFR travelers have been associated with increased risk of travel-associated illnesses due to poor adherence to travel guidelines and lack of pre-travel health consultations. For travelers to dengue endemic regions, guidelines include compliance with mosquito avoidance practices (MAP). The goal of this study is to understand the meaning of travel experiences to the home country for immigrant and first generation American VFR travelers in the United States (US).
A Study on the Extra EPI Vaccine Covered by Social Medical Insurance in Shenzhen

Objectives This study was designed to provide decision-making information for promoting the health strategy that the extra EPI vaccine covered by social medical insurance.Methods Questionnaire survey,group discussion,DELPHI and fund risk measure were conducted to research the specific and operational policy that the extra EPI vaccine covered by social medical insurance in Shenzhen.Results There were 90% of community residents agreed that the extra EPI vaccine needed to be covered by social medical insurance;medical staffs supported that vaccinate be covered by social medical insurance.That the extra EPI vaccine covered by social medical insurance had remarkable economic benefit;and the fund risk was controllable.Conclusions The extra EPI vaccine need to be covered by society medical insurance in Shenzhen,however,limitations and challenges in terms of implementation and technical operation still exist.
Fractal Prediction Model for Tangential Contact Stiffness of Joint Surface Considering Friction Factors and Its Simulation Analysis

To establish a more complete and accurate model of tangential contact stiffness of joint surface,the fractal prediction model considering friction factors for tangential contact stiffness of joint surface was established from microcosmic angle.This model was based on fractal theory and principles of tribology.The influences of contact load,fractal dimension,friction coefficient,contact area and other factors on tangential contact stiffness of joint surface were studied by the way of numerical simulation analysis.The results show that tangential contact stiffness of joint surface increased with the increase of normal load and fractal dimension.It decreased as a result of the increase of fractal scale parameters.Friction coefficient had a greater impact on tangential contact stiffness of joint surface.Tangential stiffness had larger difference under different real contact area.The effect of friction coefficient on tangential contact stiffness of joint surface decreased when the fractal dimension was small.These researches were of great significance to the further study on the dynamic performance of the joint surface.
Cytomorphology, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic findings in follicular dendritic cell sarcoma: a case report.

Background Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare low-to-intermediate grade malignant dendritic cell neoplasm that often has an indolent clinical course. FDC sarcomas are often misdiagnosed on aspiration cytology. Case A 26-year-old woman presented with a solid, slowly growing, painless mass in her right neck for 3 months. Computed tomography revealed a 3.6-cm, well-defined homogenous solid mass located posterior to the mandible and submandibular glands. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed many large, spindle to ovoid epithelioid cells in singles, small clusters, and syncytial sheets with moderate to abundant cytoplasm, indistinct cell borders, irregular nuclear membrane, fine to vesicular chromatin, and conspicuous nucleoli. The background contained many small mature lymphocytes intimately mixed with large epithelioid tumor cells. Tumor cells were strongly positive for CD21, CD35, CD23, and fascin. Diagnosis of FDC sarcoma was rendered; follow-up surgical resection and ultrastructural study confirmed the diagnosis. The cytogenetic study showed a normal female karyotype 46,XX. Conclusion Although the cytomorphology of FDC sarcoma is characteristic, a preoperative diagnosis of FDC sarcoma based on fine needle aspiration cytology is very challenging, if not impossible. Immunohistochemistry is always necessary for rendering and/or confirming the diagnosis, and ultrastructural studies are helpful.
Inspiring Online Collaborative STEM Learning

Educators are advocating a variety of 21st century technologies to increase student engagement and prepare them for the modern workplace. As part of this effort this paper describes the development of several introductory laboratory activities which enhance online collaborative skills in the context of group collaborations. The experiments mostly deal with measurement and error in the context of mathematical modeling. They inculcate online collaborative skills including group writing, collection of experimental data, student feedback, and assessment using forms, spreadsheets with data pooling, real-time graphing/computations, and discussions using chat. These are all available in Google Drive, a free cloud-based application. We have also introduced student collaborative-pair computational spreadsheet assignments, and results of two projects in general chemistry are presented. Building formative assessment into these activities allows for immediate adjustment to instruction. This approach could be used from middle school through the undergraduate level. It can be implemented both in informal education or formal classroom settings by enhancing interactions with remote partners. Student evaluations have been very positive for the variety of activities, as well as from workshop feedback from high school teachers.
THYROID GROWTH FACTORS, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS, AND ONCOGENES

Recent advances in molecular and cell biology have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer. This article reviews the factors that influence thyroid cell growth, the cellular signal transduction pathways through which these growthfactors work, and the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that contribute to the pathogenesisof thyroid cancer by affecting these signal transduction pathways.
Delivery systems for the care of persons with HIV infection and AIDS

HIV infection and AIDS are pathologic conditions that more than any other disease require the concerted, cooperative efforts of the health care profession and the community. This article discusses the development of delivery systems for the care of persons with HIV infection and AIDS, highlights what systems have been successful, and indicates the areas in which further research and development are needed. Topics discussed include the costs of care; identifying and meeting the specific health care needs of the HIV-infected population; and long-term, community-based, hospice, and hospital care.
Decoding information about dynamically occluded objects in visual cortex

Abstract During dynamic occlusion, an object passes behind an occluding surface and then later reappears. Even when completely occluded from view, such objects are experienced as continuing to exist or persist behind the occluder even though they are no longer visible. The contents and neural basis of this persistent representation remain poorly understood. Questions remain as to whether there is information maintained about the object itself (i.e. its shape or identity) or non-object-specific information such as its position or velocity as it is tracked behind an occluder, as well as which areas of visual cortex represent such information. Recent studies have found that early visual cortex is activated by “invisible” objects during visual imagery and by unstimulated regions along the path of apparent motion, suggesting that some properties of dynamically occluded objects may also be neurally represented in early visual cortex. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging in human subjects to examine representations within visual cortex during dynamic occlusion. For gradually occluded, but not for instantly disappearing objects, there was an increase in activity in early visual cortex (V1, V2, and V3). This activity was spatially-specific, corresponding to the occluded location in the visual field. However, the activity did not encode enough information about object identity to discriminate between different kinds of occluded objects (circles vs. stars) using MVPA. In contrast, object identity could be decoded in spatially-specific subregions of higher-order, topographically organized areas such as ventral, lateral, and temporal occipital areas (VO, LO, and TO) as well as the functionally defined LOC and hMT+. These results suggest that early visual cortex may only represent the dynamically occluded object's position or motion path, while later visual areas represent object-specific information.
Graphene metamaterial modulator for free-space thermal radiation

We proposed and demonstrated a new metamaterial architecture capable of high speed modulation of free-space space thermal infrared radiation using graphene. Our design completely eliminates channel resistance, thereby maximizing the electrostatic modulation speed, while at the same time effectively modulating infrared radiation. Experiment results verify that our device with area of 100 × 120 µm2 can achieve a modulation speed as high as 2.6 GHz. We further highlight the utility of our graphene metamaterial modulator by reconstructing a fast infrared signal using an equivalent time sampling technique. The graphene metamaterial modulator demonstrated here is not only limited to the thermal infrared, but may be scaled to longer infrared and terahertz wavelengths. Our work provides a path forward for realization of frequency selective and all-electronic high speed devices for infrared applications.
Computation and learning in the context of neural network capacity

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on a simple mathematical model for a neural element and computational structures comprised of interconnected networks of these formal elements. The key elements of the neural model are a linear accumulation of information; a non-linear decision rule that operates on the comparison between the accumulated information and a threshold; and a discrete time scale of operation. There are two types of neurons, namely, a linear neuron and a sigmoid neuron. The sigmoid neurons have nonlinear characteristics. Linear neurons with their linear characteristic are limited in their computational capability. The chapter describes a neural network. The neural network is a collection of neurons interconnected by having the output of each neuron function as input to any sub-collection of neurons. A set of neural inputs and outputs are identified as the network inputs and network outputs, respectively. The network state is the collection of individual neural states. The network operation is synchronous if all the neurons operate on the same time scale and asynchronous if the neurons operate on different time scales.
Realizing the Distinctive University, : by Mark William Roach, Notre Dame, IN: Notre Dame Press, 2017, 275 pp., $75 (hardback), $25 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-268-10146-6.

Mark Roach draws on his experience at two quite different institutions—Ohio State and Notre Dame—to offer both a memoir about his own academic administrative career, particularly as dean for 11 yea...
Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit in throwing athletes: current perspectives

Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) is an adaptive process in which the throwing shoulder experiences a loss of internal rotation (IR). GIRD has most commonly been defined by a loss of >20° of IR compared to the contralateral shoulder. Total rotational motion of the shoulder is the sum of internal and external rotation and may be more important than the absolute value of IR loss. Pathologic GIRD has been defined as a loss of IR combined with a loss of total rotational motion. The leading pathologic process in GIRD is posterior capsular and rotator-cuff tightness, due to the repetitive cocking that occurs with the overhead throwing motion. GIRD has been associated with numerous pathologic conditions, including posterior superior labral tears, partial articular-sided rotator-cuff tears, and superior labral anterior-to-posterior tears. The mainstay of treatment for patients with GIRD is posterior capsular stretching and strengthening to improve scapular mechanics. In patients who fail nonoperative therapy, shoulder arthroscopy can be performed. Arthroscopic surgery in the high-level throwing athlete should be to restore them to their functional baseline with the minimum amount of intervention possible.
Conflictos de poder y guerras tribales en Araucanía y las Pampas: la batalla de Tromen (1774)

By the end of the eigtheenth century the tribal society of Araucania and the Pampas was shocked by intense actional wars, which immersed its inhabitants in an environment of violence, depredation and death. The civil warfare, a true counterpart of the raids, and frontier trade that characterised Mapuche society during those years, impregnated their daily life, forcing them to remain a state of constant military alert. Historical evidence allows to refer to three types of conflicts: those derived from mutual accusations of sorcery, those that evolved from the ambitions of their leaders to gain power, and those caused by economic clashes between different social segments, Apparently, the traditional systems of mediator and peace-making developed by the mapuche carne to a sudden and costly crisis. Why was there such an epidemic of internal wars events underhed the development of social relationships in Araucania and the Pampas that obliged to resolve disputes through the use of violence? In what way did these internal breakdowns influence the evolution of the Spanish-Mapuche frontier both in Chile and the River Piate? In this article, we have centered our attention in the Battle of Tromen, an event hither to ignored by fellow historians, which shows the intensity and complexity that acquired tribal conflicts during the second half of the eighteenth century; fought in the trail of Toqui Ayllapangui's rise to tribal power, it constitutes one of the bloodiest confrontations ever recorded in Mapuche History.
Effect of Compaction Pressure and Magnesium Weight Fraction on Hardness of Recycled-Polystyrene Matrix Composite

Magnesium (Mg) reinforced recycled-polystyrene (PS) matrix composites were fabricated through solution blending followed by compaction under different pressures (i.e., 6 MPa, 10 MPa, 60 MPa, and 100 MPa). The hardness of the composites initially increased and then decreased with the increase of the Mg weight fraction from 0 wt.% to 83.3 wt.%. The composite with 80 wt.% Mg exhibited the maximum hardness, which increased by 150% compared with that of PS. For each Mg weight fraction, there was an optimal compaction pressure that led to the highest hardness. Theoretical predictions of the hardness agreed with the experimental values through adjusting the reinforcement efficiency.
Bridge Repair Methods — U.S./Canadian Practice

Nearly half of the highway bridges in the United States have been classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The question of functional obsolescence will not be dealt with. Reasons for the structural deficiencies are numerous, as a number of the bridges are over fifty years old and have not been properly maintained. Over a period of time, environmental corrosion has accumulated. In addition, increases in the number of trucks using the highways as well as the rise in allowable truck weights has led to increasing amounts of fatigue cracking. Many structures have welded details that have been identified as susceptible to fatigue cracking only after they were built. Rules used to design some structures often oversimplify member interactions and connection behavior, resulting in distortion-induced fatigue cracking in a large number of different types of bridge structures.
Dose-Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients with Germ Cell Tumours: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Experience

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses dose-intensive chemotherapy in patients with germ cell tumors (GCT). Approximately 70–80% of patients with disseminated GCT achieve a complete response (CR) to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Cyclophosphamide was selected for use in combination with carboplatin and etoposide based on its demonstrated antitumor activity against GCT as a single agent, the in-vitro synergism of cyclophosphamide with etoposide and cisplatin, a relative lack of nonhematological toxicity, and prior experience in combination with etoposide in dose-intensive therapy for GCT patients. The most frequent nonhematological toxicity was hepatic, and there were two (7%) treatment-related deaths. Evidence that the addition of an oxazophosphorine (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide) to carboplatin and etoposide adds efficacy has been suggested by two recent reviews. As the major toxicities of high-dose chemotherapy are cumulative, early intervention in patients predicted to be cisplatin-resistant warrants investigation. Patients with mediastinal GCT and those with absolute refractory GCT should be considered for novel investigational treatment programmes. Phase II trials to identify new active agents remain a priority and may be more successful if entry restrictions requiring extensive pretreatment be eliminated.
A Ritual Whisper': The Memphis Group's Cultural Revolution

The Memphis group was a collective of approximately 25 Post-Modern architects, furniture designers, industrial designers, and graphic designers that was founded by Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi in Milan in 1981. The group embraced bright colors, geometric and asymmetrical shapes, marble, waves, and zig-zag patterns, and unusual materials including plastic laminate, aluminum, fiberglass and sheet metal. Although many critics did not appreciate Memphis in its time, today it has been regularly likened to Punk rock for how it shook up the design world in the same manner that Punk shook up the music world. Although Sottsass left Memphis in 1985, and the group officially disbanded in 1988, the Memphis group aesthetic has continued to hold favor with many influential artists and fashion designers such as J.W. Anderson, Angela Missoni, Miuccia Prada, Karl Lagerfeld, Nicholas Ghesquiere of Louis Vuitton, Peter Pilotto, Donatella Versace, Sergio Rossi and Phoebe Philo.
Impaired oxygenation of gastric mucosa in portal hypertension. The basis for increased susceptibility to injury.

Increased susceptibility to mucosal damage is a prominent feature of portal hypertensive gastropathy. Since the portal hypertensive gastric mucosa has extensive microvascular changes, we postulated that the increased sensitivity to mucosal damage could have an ischemic basis. We measured distribution of gastric serosal and mucosal oxygenation in a group of portal hypertensive and sham-operated rats, and then studied the effects of intragastric aspirin. In the basal state, gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rats had significantly reduced oxygenation compared to controls (24±5 vs 45±7 mm Hg PO2,P < 0.02), while serosal oxygenation was similar between the two groups. Intragastric aspirin produced significantly greater mucosal damage to portal hypertensive rats and mucosal oxygenation was almost one third that of sham-operated controls. Systemic arterial pressures and oxygenation were similar between the two groups. We conclude that there is impairment of gastric mucosal oxygenation and increased mucosal damage by aspirin in portal hypertensive rats compared with sham-operated controls. These results support our hypothesis that the increased sensitivity of the portal hypertensive mucosa to damage is a consequence of impaired mucosal oxygenation.
An in-situ study of stress evolution and fracture growth during compression of concrete

Abstract We experimentally correlate fracture nucleation with the evolution of aggregate stress tensors during the compression of concrete. The concrete sample, made with portland cement and single-crystal quartz aggregates, was compressed to failure in eight strain increments. X-ray computed tomography was used to determine the extent of fractures and their proximity to aggregates at each strain increment. Three-dimensional X-ray diffraction was simultaneously used to evaluate the full stress tensor in 30 to 40 individual aggregates at each strain increment. We found that a recently-developed mean-field model provides a good prediction of average aggregate stress tensors throughout the sample but does not predict the significant stress heterogeneity observed in individual aggregates, which are likely caused by aggregate interactions and may be responsible for fracture nucleation. Stress variations in aggregates after the nucleation of particular fractures suggest that fractures divided the sample into distinct load paths that experienced either an increase or decrease in compressive stress with further strain. We discuss extensions of the experimental measurements for quantifying specific failure processes in concrete, such as the fracture of the interfacial transition zone. We also discuss the applicability of the measurements to a broad range of other composite materials, and use of the measurements for developing and calibrating theoretical and computational models for composite strength.
Optimal Packings for Filled Rings of Circles

General circle packings are arrangements of circles on a given surface such that no two circles overlap except at tangent points. In this paper, we examine the optimal arrangement of circles centered on concentric annuli, in what we term rings. Our motivation for this is two-fold: first, certain industrial applications of circle packing naturally allow for filled rings of circles; second, any packing of circles within a circle admits a ring structure if one allows for irregular spacing of circles along each ring. As a result, the optimization problem discussed herein will be extended in a subsequent paper to a more general setting. With this framework in mind, we present properties of concentric rings that have common points of tangency, the exact solution for the optimal arrangement of filled rings along with its symmetry group, and applications to construction of aluminum-conductor steel reinforced cables.
The risk of sudden cardiac arrest and ventricular arrhythmia with rosiglitazone versus pioglitazone: real-world evidence on thiazolidinedione safety

The low cost of thiazolidinediones makes them a potentially valuable therapeutic option for the > 300 million economically disadvantaged persons worldwide with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Differential selectivity of thiazolidinediones for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the myocardium may lead to disparate arrhythmogenic effects. We examined real-world effects of thiazolidinediones on outpatient-originating sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and ventricular arrhythmia (VA). We conducted population-based high-dimensional propensity score-matched cohort studies in five Medicaid programs (California, Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania | 1999–2012) and a commercial health insurance plan (Optum Clinformatics | 2000–2016). We defined exposure based on incident rosiglitazone or pioglitazone dispensings; the latter served as an active comparator. We controlled for confounding by matching exposure groups on propensity score, informed by baseline covariates identified via a data adaptive approach. We ascertained SCA/VA outcomes precipitating hospital presentation using a validated, diagnosis-based algorithm. We generated marginal hazard ratios (HRs) via Cox proportional hazards regression that accounted for clustering within matched pairs. We prespecified Medicaid and Optum findings as primary and secondary, respectively; the latter served as a conceptual replication dataset. The adjusted HR for SCA/VA among rosiglitazone (vs. pioglitazone) users was 0.91 (0.75–1.10) in Medicaid and 0.88 (0.61–1.28) in Optum. Among Medicaid but not Optum enrollees, we found treatment effect heterogeneity by sex (adjusted HRs = 0.71 [0.54–0.93] and 1.16 [0.89–1.52] in men and women respectively, interaction term p-value = 0.01). Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone appear to be associated with similar risks of SCA/VA.
Deep Equatorial Pacific Ocean Oxygenation and Atmospheric CO2 Over The Last Ice Age.

Ventilation of carbon stored in the deep ocean is thought to play an important role in atmospheric CO2 increases associated with Pleistocene deglaciations. The presence of this respired carbon has been recorded by an array of paleoceanographic proxies from various locations across the global ocean. Here we present a new sediment core from the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) Ocean spanning the last 180,000 years and reconstruct high-resolution 230Th-derived fluxes of 232Th and excess barium, along with redox-sensitive uranium concentrations to examine past variations in dust delivery, export productivity, and bottom-water oxygenation, respectively. Our bottom-water oxygenation record is compared to other similar high-resolution records from across the Pacific and in the Southern Ocean. We suggest that the deep Pacific is a site of respired carbon storage associated with periods of decreased global atmospheric CO2 concentration during the LGM, confirming the conclusions from a wealth of previous studies. However, our study is the first to show a similar relationship beyond the last glacial, extending to at least 70,000 years.
Using georeferenced photo-elicitation projects to understand survivor resources: a method for trauma-informed practice in higher education.

This research examined the use of georeferenced photo-elicitation projects in conducting “assets inventories” of on-campus resources for students who have been the victims of violence. Participants...
Abstract 15422: Distribution of 10- and 30-year Predicted Risks for Heart Failure in the United States: NHANES 2015 to 2018

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) poses a significant health burden with prevalence projected to increase by 46% by 2030 in the United States. Targeted implementation and dissemination of clinical a...
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) Assisted Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty (PBMV): Refining the Technique

Percutaneous transvenous mitral valve commissurotomy (PTMC) is an American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Class I recommended treatment for rheumatic mitral stenosis with appropri...
Synthesis and Labeling of Potential PET Radioligands for Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 1

1106 Objectives: Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) crucially regulates upstream necroptosis by signaling innate immune receptor [1]. RIPK1 is recognized as a key driver of inflammation and tissue damage involving death receptors [2]. Although significant effort has been made to regulate necrotic cell death by inhibiting RIPK1 [3], no RIPK1 PET radioligands have yet been developed for the potential study of inflammation. Here we report our progress in developing such PET radioligands. Methods: Molecular docking was used to estimate the binding energy of compounds to RIPK1 as a guide to synthesis efforts. IC50 values were determined with a kinase ADP-glow assay using recombinant human RIPK1. Cyclotron-produced [18F]fluoride ion was dried in the presence of kryptofix 2.2.2 (K 2.2.2) and base (K2CO3). Aryl(mesityl)iodonium salts were prepared from corresponding iodo-compounds in the GSK’963 series and treated with K.2.2.2-K+-18F- complex in the presence of (MeCN)4CuOTf in DMF for 20 min at 130 °C. Tri-n-butyltin labeling precursors were synthesized by treating iodo-precursors with hexabutylditin and Pd(PPh3)4, and then treated with copper(II)triflate, pyridine, and K.2.2.2-K+-18F- in DMA at 140 °C for 20 min. Crude radioactive products were analyzed with reversed phase radio-HPLC. Radiochemical yields (RCYs) were calculated from analytical HPLC radio-chromatograms. Results: Molecular docking provided binding energies for more than 15 new ligands to RIPK1 (Figure 1). Several compounds in the GSK’963, RIPA-9, and RIPA-56 series were synthesized (Scheme 1, typically in 3 to 5 steps). Assays showed that both the RIPA-9 and RIPA-56 analogs were significantly less potent (IC50 > 50 nM) than racemic GSK’963 analogs (IC50 values of < 30 nM). Single enantiomers of potent GSK’963 analogs, separated by chiral-HPLC, showed yet greater potency (IC50 ~ 10 nM). p-18F-labeled compounds were obtained in fair RCYs (~ 45%) from aryl(mesityl) iodonium tosylates. m-18F-labeled compounds were obtained in much lower RCYs (~ 6%) from iodonium salts but RCY improved markedly when tri-n-butylstannyl precursor was used (e.g., 60% from 1; Scheme 2). Conclusions: Several potent RIPK1 inhibitors of recombinant human RIPK1 were identified from molecular docking and a kinase ADP-glow assay after synthesis. Radiolabeling precursors were synthesized and several inhibitors successfully labeled with fluorine-18 in acceptable RCY. Evaluation of radioligand candidates with PET imaging in animal models can now be pursued. Acknowledgements: The NIH Intramural Research Program (NIMH). References: [1] Berger et al. Cell Death Discovery2015, 1, 15009. [2] Ren et al. J. Med. Chem. 2017, 60, 972. [3] Yoshikawa et al. J. Med. Chem. 2018, 61, 2384.
Nested Parametric Image Reconstruction using Time-of-Flight PET Histoimages

Due to limited counts in voxel-wise time activity curves, the indirect methods that generate kinetic parametric image from dynamic PET reconstructions often have poor image quality. The TOF PET data can be naturally and efficiently stored in histoimage, and 4D tracer distribution can be efficiently reconstructed using the DIRECT (Direct Image REConstruction for Tof) approaches. We aim to develop efficient dynamic/parametric reconstruction with improved quantitative quality from time-of-flight PET data by taking advantage of its intrinsic kinetic models in our DIRECT frameworks. We have implemented volume of interest (VOI) based and voxel-wise parametric fitting using the linearized Patlak model. We further modified DIRECT reconstructions to support 4D nested reconstruction approach with interleaving tomographic reconstruction and parametric fitting at each iteration. To evaluate proposed dynamic reconstruction approaches, we generate 4D dynamic data sets using the synthetic lesion embedding technique. First, a human subject injected with FDG was scanned on the PennPET Explorer scanner configured with 70 cm axial FOV. Then lung and liver lesions were synthetically embedded using pre-scanned sphere data sets with predetermined time-activity curves. We showed that VOI based method can accurately estimate the Patlak parameters from the frame based reconstructions after corrections. The 4D nested DIRECT reconstruction with Patlak fitting can substantially reduce noise in the reconstructed image frames and provide efficient and feasible tool for direct reconstruction of kinetic parametric image.
Chapter 19 Cardiac Calcium Channels: Pore Size and Symmetry of Energy Profile

Publisher Summary This article discusses the studies on L-type Ca channels in heart cells, which are probably the most extensively characterized of the many voltage-dependent Ca channels that have been distinguished in recent years. The two major aims were estimating the radial dimensions of the pore and looking for possible asymmetry of the energy profile along the length of the pore. Calcium channels are among the most interesting examples of the intrinsic membrane proteins that control transmembrane ion flow and cellular function. Present in the surface membranes of all known excitable cells, they open in response to membrane depolarization and allow Ca2+ to move down a steep electrochemical gradient into the cell. The flow of depolarizing charge may help generate action potentials, pacemaker activity, or bursting patterns. The Ca2+ influx may also act as a chemical signal when decoded by calcium-receptor proteins inside the cell. Rises in cytosolic Ca2+ can initiate diverse cellular responses—such as contraction, secretion, activation, and inactivation of ion channels—and can also initiate changes in metabolism and gene expression.
Comparative and Evolutionary Aspects of the Control of Phosphorylase

The complex nature of the enzymatic control of glycogen breakdown makes this system ideally suited for studies concerned with the evolution of a regulatory mechanism. First, the anaerobic pathway of carbohydrate metabolism must have evolved very early since it is generally assumed that life on Earth emerged under reducing conditions. Indeed, glycolysis is essentially ubiquitous to all forms of life and is found in every species from unicellular organisms to the complex tissues of higher plants and animals. Second, phosphorylase (E.C. 2.4.1.1), which is directly involved in glycogen breakdown, is regulated by both covalent and noncovalent modification, if not also by protein-protein interaction. Covalent control of muscle phosphorylase involves several activating enzymes acting successively on one another, various nucleotides and divalent metal ions, and is closely integrated with other physiological processes since glycolysis is initiated both by hormone release and the nervous stimulation which triggers contraction. As a consequence, the enzyme must contain a variety of sites to account for these multiple interactions. It was therefore surmised that a study of phosphorylase in earlier species might indicate how control of its activity originally arose and evolved with time.
Symmetries and realization and nonlinear systems

Realizations of nonlinear systems with symmetries are studied. It is shown that, under standard assumptions, a nonlinear system with local (or global) symmetries has a local (or global) realization which has lower dimension and can easily be constructed. To illustrate the results, the example of the effect of drugs on the transfer of some dissolved matter in the human body is considered. >
Discovering Dynamic Dependencies in Enterprise Environments for Problem Determination

In order to reduce mean time to recovery (MTTR) in heterogeneous enterprise environments it should be possible to easily and quickly determine the root cause of a problem detected at a higher level, e.g. through response time violation of a transaction category, and resolve it. Many problem determination applications use a component dependency graph to pinpoint the root cause. However, such graphs are often manually constructed. This paper introduces a simple non-intrusive technique based on mining of existing runtime monitored data, to construct a dynamic dependency graph between the components of an enterprise environment. The graph is traversed to identify nodes that are the cause of response time related problems.
Exception Handling during Asynchronous Method Invocation

Exception handling mechanisms provided by sequential programming languages rely upon the call stack for the propagation of exceptions. Unfortunately, this is inadequate for handling exceptions thrown from asynchronously invoked methods. For instance, the invoking method may no longer be executing when the asynchronously invoked method throws an exception. We address this problem by requiring the specification of handlers for exceptions thrown from asynchronously invoked methods. Our solution also supports handling exceptions thrown after an early reply from a method and handling exceptions after forwarding the responsibility to reply. The JR programming language supports the exception handling model discussed in this paper.