cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who Speaks for Me? Addressing Variability in Informed Consent Practices for Minimal Risk Research Involving Foster Youth.

Background Youth in protective custody (e.g.. foster care) are at higher risk for poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared with those who are not in custody. These differences may be due in part to the lack of research on the population to create evidence-based recommendations for health care delivery. A potential contributor to this lack of research is difficulties in obtaining informed consent for empirical studies in this population. The objective of this study was to describe the approaches to obtaining informed consent in minimal risk studies of foster youth and provide recommendations for future requirements. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature to characterize the informed consent approaches in published minimal risk research involving youth in foster care. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, ERIC, Scopus, and EBMR. Inclusion criteria were: studies conducted in the United States, included current foster youth, minimal risk, peer reviewed, and published in English. Full text was reviewed, and individuals required to consent and assent were extracted. Results Forty-nine publications from 33 studies were identified. Studies required 0 to 3 individuals to consent. Individuals required to give consent included case workers (16, 48%), foster caregivers (12, 36%), biological parents (7, 21%), judges (5, 15%), and guardian ad litems (2, 6%). Twenty-nine (88%) studies required the youth's assent. The studies used 14 different combinations of individuals. One (3%) study utilized a waiver of consent. Conclusions There is no consistent approach for obtaining informed consent for foster youth to participate in minimal risk research. Consent should ideally involve individuals with legal authority and knowledge of the individual youth's interests and should not be burdensome. Consensus regarding consent requirements may facilitate research involving foster youth.
Abstract B32: Translational potential of a small-molecule silibinin in colorectal cancer: Targeting cancer stem cells and their inflammatory niche

The inflammatory milieu of colon cancer stem cell (CSC) niche is also an important growth regulator for both CSC and progenitor cell population. Inflammatory signals, e.g., cytokines arising in CSC niche, due to inflammatory cells in microenvironment, also network with other regulatory pathways to influence the expansion of both cell types. With this background, we aimed to assess whether silibinin, a nontoxic, naturally occurring chemopreventive agent with established preclinical efficacy against growth and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), has the potential to target colon CSC and associated inflammatory niche during CRC inhibition. Our results found that silibinin strongly decreases the percentage of colonosphere formation (a stem cell characteristic) of CRC cells, and that this effect on colon CSC is mediated via blocking IL-4/6 signaling in CRC cell lines. Silibinin also strongly decreased IL-4/6 induced activation of STAT-3 and NF-kB transcriptional activity, which is associated with decreased mRNA levels of various CSC regulatory molecules, and CSC-associated markers. In other studies, silibinin significantly reduced the booster signals of macrophages towards colon CSC, resulting in decreased colonosphere numbers under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we used a colitis-related AOM/DSS-induced colon tumorigenesis model to assess the role of inflammatory conditions on colon CSC generation and expansion, and their modulation by silibinin. Our data indicated the protective effect of oral silibinin feeding in this model in terms of an absence of large macroadenomas (>2-3 mm) in the colon. This effect was accompanied by minimal colonic inflammation (decrease in recruitment of inflammatory cells); tissue analysis indicated a decrease in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and associated transcription factors: STAT-3 and NF-kB in the colonic tissues from silibinin group. A decrease in transformed stem cell population (for CSC pool expansion) was also identified by dual staining for BMI-1 and CD44 in the colonic tissues. Together, these results highlight silibinin9s potential to interfere with CSC pool expansion by targeting both colon CSC and their inflammatory niche, as well as associated signals involved with the survival and multiplication of colon CSC pool. These findings further support the translational potential and clinical usefulness of silibinin in CRC intervention and therapy. (Supported by R01 CA112304.) Citation Format: Rajesh Agarwal, Chapla Agarwal. Translational potential of a small-molecule silibinin in colorectal cancer: Targeting cancer stem cells and their inflammatory niche [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference held in cooperation with the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) on Translational Cancer Medicine; May 4-6, 2017; Sao Paulo, Brazil. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(1_Suppl):Abstract nr B32.
QTLs identification for nitrogen and phosphorus uptake-related traits using ultra-high density SNP linkage.

Abstract To understand the genetic basis of nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in the cultivated rice, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for 7 nitrogen and phosphorus uptake-related traits including above-ground biomass (AGB), leaf colour value (SPAD) in heading stage, grain nitrogen concentration (GNC), grain nitrogen content of the plant, total nitrogen content (TNC), grain phosphorus concentration, total phosphorus content (TPC) were conducted using SNP markers in a F2 population derived from a cross between GH128 and W6827. A total of 21 QTLs for nitrogen and phosphorus uptake-related traits distributed in 16 regions along 6 chromosomes were detected using a high density genetic map consisting of 1582 bin markers, with QTLs maximum explaining 8.19% of the phenotypic variation. Nine QTLs (42.9% of total QTLs) were detected on chromosome 2. Among them, two QTL clusters including AGB, TNC, TPC and GNC were also detected in the region bin 140 and bin 146 on the chromosome 2. The distance between the two clusters was only 4.1 cM. The presence of QTL clusters has important significance and could be useful in molecular marker assisted breeding. These genomic regions might be deployed for the simultaneous improving the use efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in rice breeding.
Efficient Evaluations of Periodic Green’s Functions Through Imaginary Wavenumber Cancellations

We report an interesting and newly invented technique to efficiently evaluate periodic Green’s functions that are widely used for analyzing periodic structure scattering using integral equations. The Green’s function at an arbitrary wavenumber is evaluated through subtracting out the Green’s function evaluated at a specified imaginary wavenumber and then adding back the same component. The extracted terms are effectively evaluated in terms of spatial series which decay exponentially at imaginary wavenumbers. On the other hand, the terms being added back are represented in spectral series, which not only cancel out the singularity of the periodic Green’s function, but also significantly improve the spectral convergence rate of the Green’s function. Such a technique constitutes a self-consistent methodology to effectively evaluate periodic Green’s functions using ordinary representations without involving complicated integral transformations or transcendental functions. The technique is widely applicable to periodic Green’s functions that share the same dimensionality between the problem space and periodicity, which occur frequently in metamaterials, photonic crystals, phononic crystals, and atomic structures. It is also applicable to periodic Green’s function where the dimensionality of periodicity is less than the problem space, well representative of gratings and metasurfaces. In the former case, the new representation of the Green’s function has very simple wavenumber dependences in a rational multiplicative factor, so it is especially effective to evaluate the Green’s function over a broadband of wavenumbers. In the latter case, computing the Green’s function when both the field point and source point are located in a plane parallel to the lattice vectors is deemed difficult. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique using two-dimensional problems with both two-dimensional and one-dimensional periodicities.
Enabling Power at Sea: Opportunities for Expanded Ocean Observations through Marine Renewable Energy Integration

The blue economy is a dynamic and rapidly growing movement that captures the interplay between economic, social, and ecological sustainability of the ocean and encompasses numerous maritime sectors and activities (e.g., commerce and trade; living resources; renewable energy; minerals, materials, and freshwater; and ocean health and data). The demand for ocean data to inform scientific, risk reduction, and national security needs is leading to a large increase in the number of deployed ocean observation and monitoring systems, most of which require increased power. Because ocean observation systems are often placed in remote locations, they primarily rely on energy storage (or in some cases in situ energy generation) to power instruments and equipment, which imposes limits on sampling rates, deployment times, and spatiotemporal resolution of data. The U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office is exploring the potential for marine renewable energy (MRE) devices (largely wave and tidal energy converters) to provide power to support multiple blue economy opportunities. A portion of these opportunities focus on power at sea markets for providing power in off-grid and offshore locations to support a variety of ocean-based activities, including ocean observation and navigation, underwater vehicle charging, marine aquaculture, marine algae farming, and seawater mining. Initially, research has focused on better understanding how and where MRE can provide a consistent source of reliable power to extend ocean observing missions, including operation of autonomous underwater vehicles. Online surveys as well as phone and in-person interviews were conducted with experts in the field of ocean observing systems and observatories to gather end-user requirements, determine energy needs, identify opportunities for codevelopment, and pinpoint constraints for MRE to meet those needs. The surveys and interviews provided feedback on the potential for powering devices and vehicles using MRE, including identifying common themes and challenges that will inform foundational research and development steps needed to advance the integration of MRE with ocean observing systems. In most cases, additional power generation on the order of watts was identified as significantly beneficial to enhancing ocean observations capabilities.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Clostridioides Difficile Infection in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Background Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a well-established therapeutic option for patients with antibiotic resistant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). However, the efficacy of FMT in patients with chronic liver disease remains elusive. Aims We studied the effect of FMT on chronic liver disease (CLD) patients with CDI at our tertiary medical center. Methods A cohort of all patients who received FMT from December 2012 to May 2014 for refractory or recurrent CDI was identified. Patients were monitored for a year after FMT. Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare the effect of FMT in patients with and without CLD. Results A total of 201 patients with CDI received FMT, 14 of which had a history of CLD. Nine of these patients exhibited cirrhosis of the liver with a mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh score of 8. CDI development in these patients was associated with recent exposure to antibiotics and was observed to be significantly different between both groups (17% of CLD patients vs. 58% in the general cohort, p = 0.01). Four patients with CLD received >1 FMT, of which 2 did not respond to treatment. There was no significant difference between patients with liver disease and the rest of the cohort with regard to FMT response (12/14 (87%) vs. 164/187 (88%), p = 0.01). Four patients with CLD received >1 FMT, of which 2 did not respond to treatment. There was no significant difference between patients with liver disease and the rest of the cohort with regard to FMT response (12/14 (87%) vs. 164/187 (88%). Conclusion FMT is a safe and effective therapy against CDI for patients with CLD and cirrhosis.
Increased expression of interferon regulated and antiviral response genes in CD31+/CD102+ lung microvascular endothelial cells from systemic sclerosis patients with end-stage interstitial lung disease.

Objectives Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by severe fibroproliferative vasculopathy, fibrosis in skin and multiple internal organs, and humoral, cellular and innate immunity abnormalities. Vascular alterations are the earliest and most severe SSc manifestations, however, the mechanisms responsible have remained elusive. To investigate the molecular abnormalities involved in SSc-vasculopathy we examined global gene expression differences between highly purified lung microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) from patients with SSc-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and normal lung MVECs. Methods MVECs were isolated from fresh transplanted lungs from patients with SSc-ILD. Sequential CD31 and CD102 immunopurification was performed to obtain highly purified CD31+/CD102+ lung MVECs. Global gene expression analysis was successfully performed in CD31+/CD102+ MVEC from two SSc-ILD patients and from two normal lungs. RT-PCR, Western blots, and indirect immunofluorescence validated the gene expression results. Results Numerous interferon-regulated genes (IRGs) including IFI44, IFI44L, IFI6, IFIH1, IFIT1, ISG-15, BST-2/Tetherin, and RSAD2/Viperin, genes encoding innate immunity antiviral responses (OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, OASL) and antiviral MX1 and MX2 proteins, and mesenchymal cell-specific genes were significantly overexpressed in CD31+/CD102+ SSc-ILD lung MVECs. Conclusions Highly purified CD31+/CD102+ MVECs from lungs from SSc patients with end stage SSc-ILD displayed remarkable overexpression of numerous IRGs and of genes encoding antiviral innate immune response and antiviral proteins. These observations suggest that interferon-induced and antiviral response proteins may participate in the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy and SSc-ILD. The CD31+/CD102+ lung MVECs from SSc-ILD also showed elevated expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes confirming the presence of endothelial to mesenchymal transition in SSc-ILD.
Redlining, Lending Bias, and Breast Cancer Mortality-Reply.

We thank Gabriel and colleagues for their appreciation of our investigation of redlining and lending bias as important contributors to breast cancer mortality ([1][1]). In their letter, Gabriel and colleagues raised questions regarding the role of redlining and lending bias on specific factors
Phylogenomics reveals ancient and contemporary gene flow contributing to the evolutionary history of sea ducks (Tribe Mergini).

Abstract Insight into complex evolutionary histories continues to build through broad comparative phylogenomic and population genomic studies. In particular, there is a need to understand the extent and scale that gene flow contributes to standing genomic diversity and the role introgression has played in evolutionary processes such as hybrid speciation. Here, we investigate the evolutionary history of the Mergini tribe (sea ducks) by coupling multi-species comparisons with phylogenomic analyses of thousands of nuclear ddRAD-seq loci, including Z-sex chromosome and autosomal linked loci, and the mitogenome assayed across all extant sea duck species in North America. All sea duck species are strongly structured across all sampled marker types (pair-wise species ΦST > 0.2), with clear genetic assignments of individuals to their respective species, and phylogenetic relationships recapitulate known relationships. Despite strong species integrity, we identify at least 18 putative hybrids; with all but one being late generational backcrosses. Most interesting, we provide the first evidence that an ancestral gene flow event between long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and true Eiders (Somateria spp.) not only moved genetic material into the former species, but likely generated a novel species — the Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) — via hybrid speciation. Despite generally low contemporary levels of gene flow, we conclude that hybridization has and continues to be an important process that shifts novel genetic variation between species within the tribe Mergini. Finally, we outline methods that permit researchers to contrast genomic patterns of contemporary versus ancestral gene flow when attempting to reconstruct potentially complex evolutionary histories.
CSH RNA Interference Reduces Global Nutrient Uptake and Umbilical Blood Flow Resulting in Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Deficiency of the placental hormone chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) can lead to the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). To gain insight into the physiological consequences of CSH RNA interference (RNAi), the trophectoderm of hatched blastocysts (nine days of gestational age; dGA) was infected with a lentivirus expressing either a scrambled control or CSH-specific shRNA, prior to transfer into synchronized recipient sheep. At 90 dGA, umbilical hemodynamics and fetal measurements were assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. At 120 dGA, pregnancies were fitted with vascular catheters to undergo steady-state metabolic studies with the 3H2O transplacental diffusion technique at 130 dGA. Nutrient uptake rates were determined and tissues were subsequently harvested at necropsy. CSH RNAi reduced (p ≤ 0.05) both fetal and uterine weights as well as umbilical blood flow (mL/min). This ultimately resulted in reduced (p ≤ 0.01) umbilical IGF1 concentrations, as well as reduced umbilical nutrient uptakes (p ≤ 0.05) in CSH RNAi pregnancies. CSH RNAi also reduced (p ≤ 0.05) uterine nutrient uptakes as well as uteroplacental glucose utilization. These data suggest that CSH is necessary to facilitate adequate blood flow for the uptake of oxygen, oxidative substrates, and hormones essential to support fetal and uterine growth.
Mastering Manufacturing: Exploring the Influence of Engineering Designers’ Prior Experience When Using Design for Additive Manufacturing

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) processes present designers with unique capabilities while imposing several process limitations. Designers must leverage the capabilities of AM — through opportunistic design for AM (DfAM) — and accommodate AM limitations — through restrictive DfAM — to successfully employ AM in engineering design. These opportunistic and restrictive DfAM techniques starkly contrast the traditional, limitation-based design for manufacturing techniques — the current standard for design for manufacturing (DfM). Therefore, designers must transition from a restrictive DfM mindset towards a ‘dual’ design mindset — using opportunistic and restrictive DfAM concepts. Designers’ prior experience, especially with a partial set of DfM and DfAM techniques could inhibit their ability to transition towards a dual DfAM approach. On the other hand, experienced designers’ auxiliary skills (e.g., with computer-aided design) could help them successfully use DfAM in their solutions. Researchers have investigated the influence of prior experience on designers’ use of DfAM tools in design; however, a majority of this work focuses on early-stage ideation. Little research has studied the influence of prior experience on designers’ DfAM use in the later design stages, especially in formal DfAM educational interventions, and we aim to explore this research gap. From our results, we see that experienced designers report higher baseline self-efficacy with restrictive DfAM but not with opportunistic DfAM. We also see that experienced designers demonstrate a greater use of certain DfAM concepts (e.g., part and assembly complexity) in their designs. These findings suggest that introducing designers to opportunistic DfAM early could help develop a dual design mindset; however, having more engineering experience might be necessary for them to implement this knowledge into their designs.
Late Wisconsin Glacial History of the Northern Alaska Peninsula, Southwestern Alaska, U.S.A.

The late Wisconsin Brooks Lake glaciation of the Alaska Peninsula includes five previously recognized stades, indicating considerable climate variability during the last glaciation. During the early phase of the Brooks Lake glaciation, an outlet lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet advanced westward across a low topographic divide into the Iliamna valley where it merged with ice from local mountain sources. During the earliest (Kvichak) stade, which commenced sometime after 26,150 ? 300 14C yr BP, ice filled the Iliamna valley and deposited the type Kvichak moraine. Following retreat into the Iliamna Lake basin, the outlet glacier readvanced to the Iliamna-stade moraine. Subsequently, and sometime prior to 12,600 14C yr BP, ice retreated from Iliamna valley. This two-fold sequence of moraines deposited during the early phase of the Brooks Lake glaciation is not present in the Naknek valley, 80 km south of Iliamna valley, where high mountains diverted the ice sheet while supporting a confluent system of local-mountain glaciers. These glaciers deposited the moraine enclosing Naknek Lake, which marks the outer limit of late Wisconsin ice in the valley. Apparently, differing ice sources and glacier configurations caused the two glacial systems to respond differently to climate change or glacier-bed dynamics, or to be influenced by different climate changes. During the late phase of the Brooks Lake glaciation, valley glaciers derived from local-mountain sources terminated well behind the mountain fronts and deposited the Newhalen, Iliuk, and Ukak moraines. Equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) over the Naknek valley was lowered 250-650 m below the present during the Iliuk stade. Full-glacial ELA was probably just a few tens of meters lower, but generated extensive advance over broad, relatively flat troughs. Slope angles measured on the Kvichak and Iliamna moraines, and the correlative Naknek moraine are less steep (- 11-15') than those of younger moraines (- 18-20'), suggesting that a substantial length of time separated the Iliamna and Newhalen stades. This interstadial may correlate with an interval of restricted ice extent separating early and late phases of the late Wisconsin recognized elsewhere in Alaska around 14,000 yr BP
Technological Thinking in Science

Technological thinking has played a role in science throughout history. During the ancient period mechanical devices served as ways to investigate mathematical and scientific ideas. In the medieval period the mechanical clock provided scientists with a new way to conceive of time. By the period of the Scientific Revolution the clock came to play an important role in the development of the mechanical philosophy and new devices, like the air pump served as the basis for the experimental philosophy. During that period technology also came to provide a new ideology for science. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the emergence of the engineering sciences played an important role in scientific thinking with thermodynamics serving as a new way to understand all scientific processes. Engineering concepts such as strain, elasticity, and vortex motion provided a way to think about electromagnetism and theories of the aether. The scientification of technology during the second half of the nineteenth century led to science-based industries which in turn led to industry-based science emerging from the industrial research laboratories. By the twentieth century the military-industrial-academic complex and the emergence of big science combined to create technoscience in which the distinctions between science and technology became blurred. The role of technological thinking in science culminated in the computer replacing the heat engine, and the clock before that, as a new model to understand scientific phenomena.
Parallel and Sequential Block Kalman Filtering

Two sets of block Kalman filtering equations are derived that differ in the manner of generating the initial and updated estimates. Parallel and sequential schemes for generating these estimates are adopted. It is shown that the parallel implementation inherently leads to a block Kalman estimator which provides filtered estimates at the vector (block) level and fixed lag smoothed estimates at the sample level. The sequential implementation scheme, on the other hand, generates the estimates of each sample recursively, leading naturally to a scalar (filter) estimator. These scalar estimates are arranged in a vector form, resulting in a block estimator which solely generates filtered estimates both at the vector and sample levels. Simulation results on a speech signal are also presented which indicate the advantages of the sequential block Kalman filter.
Testing Backlash: The Influence of Political Institutions on Public Attitudes Toward Gay Rights

Recent litigation contesting marriage equality has been controversial in part because the claim is sometimes made that public opinion sways against those who obtain rights through courts. That is, the fear of backlash has been used to discourage litigation over equality. We provide the first rigorous assessment of backlash. We begin with an experiment designed to induce backlash in response to policy that promotes the interests of gays and lesbians. We test the degree to which backlash occurs on the general population using Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) program to recruit subjects into an online survey with an embedded experiment. We then determine who is most sensitive to the stimuli and whether backlash is triggered solely by policy or whether it can also be triggered by a perception of activism by, or increased societal acceptance of, gays and lesbians. We validate these results using data from national public opinion polls conducted over time. We demonstrate which citizens are most likely to experience backlash, identify how backlash manifests (whether through changed issue position, increased issue intensity, or both) and identify which institutions (courts or legislatures) are most likely to trigger backlash. We also take advantage of the DOMA and Prop 8 oral arguments to conduct a natural experiment. We show that gays and lesbians should not hesitate to litigate as backlash is modest and no different whether success is obtained through courts or legislatures.
The Sound Shape of Language

"Reading this volume transported me back to Harvard and MIT lecture halls of the 1960s, where weekly Roman Jakobson would spellbind his audience (this reviewer included), developing his vision of language through impassioned exposition, deft and devastating allusions to critical literature, anecdotes with the force of parables, metaphors of mythic imagery, and above all else overriding verbal artistry: truly in his own phrase, 'In the poetry of grammar'. The Sound Shape of Language, his collaboration with Linda R. Waugh, a scholar who has devoted considerable attention to an exposition and elaboration of Jakobsonian views, fortunately has preserved in print the authoritative lectorial voice." Michael Silverstein in Journal of Communication
Morphological differences in the mirror neuron system in Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition characterized by an overly gregarious personality, including high empathetic concern for others. Although seemingly disparate from the profile of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), both are associated with deficits in social communication/cognition. Notably, the mirror neuron system (MNS) has been implicated in social dysfunction for ASD; yet, the integrity of this network and its association with social functioning in WS remains unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods were used to examine the structural integrity of the MNS of adults with WS versus typically developing (TD) individuals. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a tool typically used to screen for social features of ASD, was also employed to assess the relationships between social functioning with the MNS morphology in WS participants. WS individuals showed reduced cortical surface area of MNS substrates yet relatively preserved cortical thickness as compared to TD adults. Increased cortical thickness of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) was associated with increased deficits in social communication, social awareness, social cognition, and autistic mannerisms. However, social motivation was not related to anatomical features of the MNS. Our findings indicate that social deficits typical to both ASD and WS may be attributed to an aberrant MNS, whereas the unusual social drive marked in WS is subserved by substrates distinct from this network.
3D printing for the hla laboratory

Aim Additive manufacturing commonly referred to as 3D printing has become accessible due to consumer grade equipment and new materials. Next generation sequencing (NGS) required the development of multiple automation accessories. These items would previously have been made using computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing for design, prototyping, and fabrication of NGS automation accessories. Method An FDM 3D printer was evaluated using two types of materials (Polylactic acid (PLA), XT-Copolyester). The design, prototyping, and fabrication process was compared to CNC machining. Case 1: Adhesive foil is used to seal plates. The pierced foil binds to the tips and lifts the plate off the deck. An accessory was created to hold the plate down. Case 2: A silicon film is attached to the lid underside, preventing well to well contamination during shaking. Deck stands were developed to place the lid. Results PLA was too brittle and broke under stress. XT-Copolyester is a high strength, FDA food contact compliant material, which withstood disinfecting chemicals. 3D printing was superior to CNC machining for rapid prototyping, complex structures, entry cost, and operational safety. The 3D printer can be run unattended. CNC machining has more material choices and results in tighter tolerances. Both techniques required comparable amounts of on-instrument time. Conclusion FDM 3D printing is useful for development and rapid iterative prototyping. CNC machining is better for items requiring tight manufacturing tolerances with known material characteristics. 3D printing is a low cost alternative and produced quality parts for NGS automation. Download : Download full-size image Download : Download full-size image
Recurrent acute pancreatitis and progression to chronic pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common clinical condition with a significant morbidity and mortality. AP has many causes and can be multifactorial. The role of genetic factors appears to be complex and is expanding as genetic mutations and their interactions with environmental influences undergo further investigation. If not corrected, any factor responsible for pancreatitis is capable of producing relapsing pancreatitis and hence it is important to carefully evaluate the patient and address the underlying issue.
Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography of the corticospinal tract in the presence of enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We report a patient with abnormal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography of the corticospinal tract caused by mass effect from adjacent enlarged Virchow–Robin spaces. METHODS DTI was performed using 25 noncollinear directions. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps were generated. Region-of-interest measurements of the corticospinal tracts were organized in histograms, and comparisons were made between sides. Statistical analysis consisted of a Wilcoxon rank-sum nonparametric test and a two-sample test of proportions to compare the relative percentage of voxels >.8. RESULTS The patient had no signs or symptoms of motor weakness. The corticospinal tract adjacent to the enlarged Virchow–Robin spaces showed significant changes in the proportion of FA > .8, distribution of FA and distribution of MD (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Diffusion tensor changes may be caused by enlarged Virchow–Robin spaces in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms. We hypothesize that the DTI changes are due to alterations in the extravascular extracellular space. Tensor changes should be interpreted with caution in patients with space occupying mass lesions such as brain tumors.
Phospholipid Alterations During Growth of Escherichia coli

As cultures of Escherichia coli progressed from the exponential growth phase to the stationary growth phase, the phospholipid composition of the cell was altered. Unsaturated fatty acids were converted to cyclopropane fatty acids, and phosphatidyl glycerol appears to have been converted to cardiolipin. With dual isotope label experiments, the kinetics of synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acid for each of the phospholipids was examined in vivo. The amount of cyclopropane fatty acid per phospholipid molecule began to increase in phosphatidyl ethanolamine at a cell density below the density at which this increase was observed in phosphatidyl glycerol or cardiolipin. The rate of this increase in phosphatidyl glycerol or in cardiolipin was faster than the rate of increase in phosphatidyl ethanolamine. After a few hours of stationary-phase growth, all the phospholipids were equally rich in cyclopropane fatty acids. It is suggested that the phospholipid alterations observed are a mechanism to protect against phospholipid degradation during stationary phase growth. Cyclopropane fatty acid synthetase activity was assayed in cultures at various stages of growth. Cultures from all growth stages examined had the same specific activity in crude extracts.
Effects of glycosaminoglycans and proteinase inhibitors on astroglia-induced detachment of cultured rat cerebellar neurons.

Abstract Neurons in mixed primary embryonic CNS cultures degenerate secondary to their detachment from the substratum. The present study demonstrates that in primary cultures of postnatal cerebellum, detachment of neurons can be prevented by antiproliferative drugs which inhibit the growth of astroglia. Several types of proteinase inhibitors did not affect the process of detachment. However, among several types of glycosaminoglycans, heparan sulfate and to a lesser degree heparin, could reversibly inhibit neuron detachment without causing morphological changes of astroglia. The enzymes heparitinase and heparinase caused neuron detachment but only within the first 24–48 hr after plating and not in older cultures. We conclude: (1) cerebellar interneurons in culture are not dependent on astroglia for their survival (2) astroglia are most probably responsible for neuron detachment via a membrane associated activity and (3) heparan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycans are important in neuronsubstratum attachment.
Emergence of refractive surgery.

A major story of the last 2 decades of the 20th century has been the emergence of refractive surgery. Initially extremely controversial, with modest predictability and debatable safety and long-term stability, 1 surgical modification of corneal curvature has come to be well accepted by the profession and the public. The number of these procedures that will be performed in 2000 may exceed 1.5 million. These procedures will continue to be refined over time, and new procedures designed to treat extreme refractive errors (eg, phakic intraocular lenses) or other problems not currently treatable (eg, presbyopia) will fuel growth in this area. Ultimately, the genetic and environmental influences that result in excessive axial elongation and myopia will be identified, and the progression of myopia in school-aged children will be arrested. The benefit to society of eliminating myopia and other refractive errors in the next century will be enormous, allowing the reallocation of enormous resources away from corrective lenses and toward research into treatments for blinding diseases.
Recent Reference Works on the U.S. Congress and Presidency

Bacon, Donald C., Roger H. Davidson, and Morton Keller. The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress. New York: Simon and Schuster. Pp. Iviii, 2359 (4 volumes). $355.00 hardbound. Congressional Quarterly. Guide to U.S. Elections, 3rd ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1994. Pp. xii, 1543. $229.00 hardbound. Congressional Quarterly. National Party Conventions, 1831-1992. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1995. Pp. vii, 301. $28.95 softbound. Congressional Quarterly. Presidential Elections, 1789-1992. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1995. Pp. viii, 274. $28.95 softbound. Goehlert, Robert U. and Fenton S. Martin. The United States Congress: An Annotated Bibliography. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1995. Pp. xxix, 640. $185.00 hardbound. Makinson, Larry and Joshua F. Goldstein. Open Secrets: The Encyclopedia of Congressional Money and Politics, 3rd ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1994. Pp. xi, 1362. $169.95 hardbound. Makinson, Larry and Joshua F. Goldstein. The Cash Constituents of Congress, 2nd ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1994. ...
Modeling of Queue Dissipation for Signal Control

Simulation analysis of alternative signal control strategies requires a realistic queue dissipation model. Past efforts in modeling queue dissipation focus on queue discharge headways and neglect other aspects of queue dissipation. This results in models that produce misleading information for certain applications. To address this problem, this paper presents a simulation model that can realistically reproduce queue dissipation characteristics. The building block of this simulation model is a derived car-following model. Field data are used to illustrate the calibration and the application of the simulation model.
Steady-state stimulated Raman scattering by a multimode laser

The development of the Stokes spectrum and the dependence of Raman gain upon pump laser bandwidth in a narrow linewidth Raman medium are analyzed in terms of a closed set of multimode equations. The analysis predicts that the Stokes gain coefficient takes on its maximum value, which is independent of bandwidth, when the Stokes spectrum replicates the pump spectrum. It is also shown that in the absence of dispersion the spectrum of a weak Stokes wave is driven to duplicate the pump spectrum, and that for noise input the average power generated in the Stokes wave is independent of the pump bandwidth.
A numerical and experimental study of counterflow syngas flames at different pressures

Abstract Synthesis gas or “Syngas” is being recognized as a viable energy source worldwide, particularly for stationary power generation due to its wide availability as a product of bio and fossil fuel gasification. There are, however, gaps in the fundamental understanding of syngas combustion and emissions characteristics, especially at elevated pressures that are relevant to practical combustors. This paper presents a numerical and experimental investigation of the combustion and NO x characteristics of syngas fuel with varying composition, pressure and strain rate. Experiments were performed at atmospheric conditions, while the simulations considered different pressures. Both experiments and simulations indicate that stable non-premixed and partially premixed counterflow flames (PPFs) can be established for a wide range of syngas compositions and strain rates. Three chemical kinetic models, GRI 3.0, Davis et al., and Mueller et al. are examined. The Davis et al. mechanism is found to agree best with the experimental data, and hence used to simulate the PPF structure at different pressure and fuel composition. For the pressure range investigated, results indicate a typical double flame structure with a rich premixed reaction zone (RPZ) on the fuel side and a non-premixed reaction zone (NPZ) on the oxidizer side, with RPZ characterized by H 2 oxidation, and NPZ by both H 2 and CO oxidation. While thermal NO is found to be the dominant route for NO production, a reburn route, which consumes NO through NO + O + M→ NO 2 + M and H + NO + M → HNO + M reactions, becomes increasingly important at high pressures. The amount of NO formed in syngas PPFs first increases rapidly with pressure, but then levels off at higher pressures. At a given pressure, the peak NO mole fraction exhibits a non-monotonic variation with syngas composition, first decreasing to a minimum value, and then increasing as the amount of CO in syngas is increased. This implies the existence of an optimum syngas composition that yields the lowest amount of NO production in syngas PPFs, and can be attributed to the combined effects of thermal and reburn mechanisms.
ABA Triblock Copolymer Gels Modified with an A-Compatible Semicrystalline Homopolymer

In the presence of a midblock-selective solvent, ABA triblock copolymers form physical gels in which bridged and entangled B-chains establish a swollen network stabilized by A-microdomains. Here, we seek to improve the properties of an ABA gel through the addition of an A-compatible, high-molecular-weight semicrystalline homopolymer (shA). Dynamic rheology indicates that the elastic modulus increases substantially, and far beyond that achievable with an inert filler, with increasing shA content at constant solvent concentration. Transmission electron micrographs reveal the existence of nanoscale shA filaments and sheets dispersed in a micelle-stabilized gel network. The shape of the nanoscale shA objects, which are partially crystalline according to differential scanning calorimetry, and their apparent interaction with the A-rich micelles enhance network development and are responsible for the pronounced modulus increase.
Parametric estimating for new business ventures

Abstract Current initiatives affecting government procurement practices have further stressed an already fragile world-wide estimating capability. Accuracy, flexibility, method-proven credibility and competition dictate reformation in the estimating process, especially for new business ventures. Parametric estimating methods for planning and strategizing new business cost issues is a critical element in the reformation of traditional bottoms-up approaches. This paper discusses the need for parametric modeling in the new business development process. The arguments are based on experience gained through the use of parametric estimating in this environment. The role of parametric modeling is examined along with the presentation of a process where parametrics and conventional cost estimating are complementary. Organizational conditions leading to effective use of parametrics are also considered. The questions of job responsibilities, management interface, and functional structures are treated from the practitioners view-point. Finally, the issue of credibility includes perspectives from the using and auditing organizations, with emphasis on the use of testable data bases.
ELECTROPRODUCTION OF HADRONS FROM NUCLEI

We have measured the electroproduction of hadrons from nuclei and compare it to the electroproduction from deuterium. We find an attenuation of the forward component which increases with $A$. The attenuation is less for lower hadronic momenta, but is not a strong function of the other electroproduction variables.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) reduces norepinephrine concentrations in the olfactory bulbs of male mice.

Abstract Male retired breeder C57/Bl and CD-1 mice were treated with either MPTP or its vehicle. At 7–10 days post-treatment, catecholamine concentrations within the olfactory bulbs (OB) and hypothalamus were determined. Norepinephrine concentrations within the OB were significantly decreased in MPTP-treated mice. These effects were more pronounced in the CD-1 (50% reduction) compared to the C57/Bl (20% reduction) strain. No effects of MPTP were observed on norepinephrine concentrations within the hypothalamus. Dopamine concentrations in the OB and hypothalamus did not differ between MPTP- and vehicle-treated mice in either strain. Overall, catecholamine concentrations within the OB, but not the hypothalamus, were significantly greater in C57/Bl compared to CD-1 mice. The reduction in OB norepinephrine concentration in the MPTP-treated animals may be related to the olfactory deficits which accompany Parkinson's disease.
EYE-COLOR, SEX AND PERSONALITY: A CASE OF NEGATIVE FINDINGS FOR WORTHY'S SOCIABILITY HYPOTHESIS

Summary.-A test of M. Worthy's hypothesis that eye-color is related to sociability and impulsivity was carried out using several standard personality measures with a sample of light- and dark-eyed male and female college students (ns = 84 and 36, respectively). Although there were several significant findings for sex, there was none for eye color. The feasibility of using selfreport measures in studies of eye-color was discussed. Nearly a decade ago, Worthy (1974) summarized his earlier observations of the relationship of eye color and behavior by proposing that for both humans and nonhumans alike, "dark-eyed animals . . . specialize in behaviors that require sensitivity, speed, and reactive responses; light-eyed animals . . . specialize in behaviors that require hesitation, inhibition and self-paced responses" (p. 11). This conceptual link between the biological trait of eye-color and observable behavior was made possible by hypothesizing that organisms differ with regard to their characteristic level of activation. Thus, the dark-eyed organism is seen as having a more highly activated nervous system than the light-eyed organism. This more aroused system preconditions the organism to a more reactive adaptation in nature by means of an increased sensitivity or responsiveness to environmental stimuli. To date, much of the research on Worthy's eye-color hypothesis has concerned comparisons of the behavior of light- and dark-eyed infrahumans (Worthy, 1974, 1978), racial differences in reactive and self-paced sports activities (Worthy & Markle. 1970), and human eye-color groups on perceptual (Mahoney & Hartnett, 1976; Markle, 1976; Whissell, 1979) and reaction time (~edford. Hill, & Hensley. 1978) tasks. With the possible exception of the Whissell study, the findings from these studies have been suppottive of Worthy's general hypothesis. Attempts have also been made at linking differences in eye-color to differential performance on cognitive and personality measures. Gary and Glover (1975. 1976), for example, reported finding that light- and dark-eyed individuals manifest reliable differences in the nature and form of their develop
Apolipoprotein E genotype in diverse neurodegenerative disorders.

While the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon 4 allele is a recognized risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), an association of epsilon 4 with other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) has not been extensively explored. We examined 51 cases of neuropathologically confirmed ND. After eliminating 18 cases exhibiting pathology sufficient to warrant an additional diagnosis of AD, three disorders characterized by tau-related cytoskeletal pathology, i.e., Pick's disease, corticobasal degeneration, and progressive supra-nuclear palsy, showed increased epsilon 4 frequencies. Since the number of cases within each category was small, these increased epsilon 4 frequencies were not statistically significant. beta-Amyloid (beta A4) immunoreactive diffuse plaques were observed in many of these cases. While we cannot eliminate the possibility that these patients were destined to develop AD, these changes may merely reflect an independent association of epsilon 4 with amyloid deposition. These preliminary data affirm the need for further study of well-characterized cases to explore the relationship of ApoE to cytoskeletal pathology and ND.