cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentration dependence of ethanol metabolism in vivo in rats and man.

The metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde has been widely considered to be almost independent of concentration (i.e., “pseudolinear”) except when blood ethanol was near the Km (0.5–1.0 m/M) of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). On the contrary, we report the concentration dependency of ethanol metabolism, in rats and man, at blood ethanol levels several fold the Km of ADH. After intravenous loading, blood ethanol disappearance in 10 rats at blood levels between 38 and 17 m/M ethanol exceeded that between 17 and 4 m/M (14.09 ± 1.38 versus 8.80 ± 0.86 mmoles/liter blood water/hr ± SEM;p < 0.001). Similarly, in 12 men, blood ethanol disappeared faster at 30–17 m/M ethanol compared to 17–4 m/M (5.96 ± 0.33 versus 4.96 7plusmn; 0.28 mmole/liter blood water/hr ± SEM; p < 0.001). When ethanol was maintained at either the 30–60 m/M or 3–19 m/M ethanol range in the blood of 14 fasted rats by constant intravenous infusion, ethanol oxidation was 25% greater at the higher concentration (9.08 ± 0.50 versus 7.23 ± 0.41 mmole/liter blood water/hr ± SEM;p < 0.02). Faster ethanol oxidation at high ethanol concentration could be due to the presence of the microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS), which would only be fully engaged, because of its Km (8.5 m/M), at ethanol levels exceeding those necessary to saturate ADH. The concentration dependency of ethanol metabolism casts doubt on the validity of the common medicolegal practice of calculating prior blood ethanol levels by linear extrapolation of subsequent ones, on the false assumption that metabolism is unaffected by concentration.
Systematic analysis of the Hmga2 3′ UTR identifies many independent regulatory sequences and a novel interaction between distal sites

The 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of mRNAs regulate transcripts by serving as binding sites for regulatory factors, including microRNAs and RNA binding proteins. Binding of such trans-acting factors can control the rates of mRNA translation, decay, and other aspects of mRNA biology. To better understand the role of 3' UTRs in gene regulation, we performed a detailed analysis of a model mammalian 3' UTR, that of Hmga2, with the principal goals of identifying the complete set of regulatory elements within a single 3' UTR, and determining the extent to which elements interact with and affect one another. Hmga2 is an oncogene whose overexpression in cancers often stems from mutations that remove 3'-UTR regulatory sequences. We used reporter assays in cultured cells to generate maps of cis-regulatory information across the Hmga2 3' UTR at different resolutions, ranging from 50 to 400 nt. We found many previously unidentified regulatory sites, a large number of which were up-regulating. Importantly, the overall location and impact of regulatory sites was conserved between different species (mouse, human, and chicken). By systematically comparing the regulatory impact of 3'-UTR segments of different sizes we were able to determine that the majority of regulatory sequences function independently; only a very small number of segments showed evidence of any interactions. However, we discovered a novel interaction whereby terminal 3'-UTR sequences induced internal up-regulating elements to convert to repressive elements. By fully characterizing one 3' UTR, we hope to better understand the principles of 3'-UTR-mediated gene regulation.
Effects of Enflurane and Isoflurane on Hepatic and Renal Circulations in Chronically Instrumented Dogs

Seven dogs were chronically instrumented for measurements of mean aortic blood pressure and cardiac output and for simultaneous measurements of hepatic, portal, and renal blood flows. Each animal was studied on two separate occasions, awake and during 1.2, 1.4, 1.75, and 2.0 MAC isoflurane and enflurane. Both anesthetics induced tachycardia; to a greater degree than isoflurane, enflurane lowered mean aortic blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (-37, -45, -48, and -62% vs. -19, -25, -41, and -44%, respectively) and cardiac output (-20, -26, -41, and -48% vs. -3, -5, -11, and -15%, respectively). With isoflurane, cardiac output decreased only at 1.75 and 2.0 MAC, and portal blood flow did not change significantly, whereas hepatic arterial blood flow increased at 1.75 and 2 MAC (by 28 and 33%, respectively). With enflurane, no significant changes were recorded in hepatic arterial blood flow, whereas portal blood flow decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Except at 2 MAC, hepatic circulation did not differ between anesthetics. Likewise, neither anesthetic significantly changed renal blood flow, except for enflurane at 2.0 MAC, which was associated with a 35% reduction. Both anesthetics led to similar systemic, hepatic, and renal vasodilations. Our data suggest that high concentrations of enflurane are associated with decreases in portal, total hepatic, and renal blood flows, most likely as a result of an anesthetic-induced cardiac depression.
Chibby suppresses growth of human SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of β-catenin signaling

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Activating mutations in the Wnt pathway are frequently associated with the pathogenesis of various types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Upon Wnt stimulation, β-catenin plays a central role as a coactivator through direct interaction with Tcf/Lef transcription factors to stimulate target gene expression. We have previously shown that the evolutionarily conserved protein Chibby (Cby) physically binds to β-catenin to repress β-catenin-dependent gene activation by 1) competing with Tcf/Lef factors for binding to β-catenin and 2) facilitating nuclear export of β-catenin via interaction with 14-3-3 proteins. In this study, we employed human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells with high levels of endogenous β-catenin to address a potential tumor suppressor role of Cby. In SW480 stable cells expressing wild-type Cby (CbyWT), but not 14-3-3-binding- defective Cby mutant CbyS20A, a significant fraction of endogenous β-catenin was detected in the cytoplasm. Consistent with this, CbyWT-expressing cells showed low levels of β-catenin signaling activity, leading to reduced growth. Our results suggest that Cby, in collaboration with 14-3-3 proteins, can counteract oncogenic β-catenin signaling in colon cancer cells.
Response alternation in children under different schedules of reinforcement

A group of 7 to 9 yr. old children were tested in a two-choice situation under 100%, 67% alternating, 50% alternating or 50% random schedules of reward regardless of the choice they made. Continuous reward resulted in significantly more alternating responses than any of the partial reward conditions. The ratio of reward to nonreward or the regularity of the schedule had no effect on frequency of alternation. Significantly more alternating responses were made on trials following nonreward.
Computational fluid dynamics — A personal view

This paper provides a personal view of computational fluid dynamics. The main theme is divided into two categories — one dealing with algorithms and engineering applications and the other with scientific investigations. The former category may be termed computational aerodynamics with the objective of providing reliable aerodynamic or engineering predictions. The latter category is essentially basic research where the algorithmic tools are used to unravel and elucidate fluid dynamic phenomena hard to obtain in a laboratory. While dealing with the algorithms, only the underlying principles are discussed and the engineering applications are omitted. A personal critique of the numerical solution techniques for both compressible and incompressible flows is included. The discussion on scientific investigations deals in particular with transition and turbulence. In conclusion, some challenges to computational fluid dynamics are mentioned, the grand challenge being turbulence and reacting flows.
Detection of Chromosomal Alterations in the Circulation of Cancer Patients with Whole-Genome Sequencing

Clinical management of cancer patients could be improved through the development of noninvasive approaches for the detection of incipient, residual, and recurrent tumors. We describe an approach to directly identify tumor-derived chromosomal alterations through analysis of circulating cell-free DNA from cancer patients. Whole-genome analyses of DNA from the plasma of 10 colorectal and breast cancer patients and 10 healthy individuals with massively parallel sequencing identified, in all patients, structural alterations that were not present in plasma DNA from healthy subjects. Detected alterations comprised chromosomal copy number changes and rearrangements, including amplification of cancer driver genes such as ERBB2 and CDK6. The level of circulating tumor DNA in the cancer patients ranged from 1.4 to 47.9%. The sensitivity and specificity of this approach are dependent on the amount of sequence data obtained and are derived from the fact that most cancers harbor multiple chromosomal alterations, each of which is unlikely to be present in normal cells. Given that chromosomal abnormalities are present in nearly all human cancers, this approach represents a useful method for the noninvasive detection of human tumors that is not dependent on the availability of tumor biopsies.
Induction of Proinflammatory Cytokines from Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells after Stimulation by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) causes repeated respiratory infections in patients with chronic lung diseases. These infections are characterized by a brisk inflammatory response which results in the accumulation of polymorphonucleated cells in the lungs and is dependent on the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that multiple NTHi molecules, including lipooligosaccharide (LOS), mediate cellular interactions with respiratory epithelial cells, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines. To address this hypothesis, we exposed 9HTEo− human tracheal epithelial cells to NTHi and compared the resulting profiles of cytokine gene expression and secretion using multiprobe RNase protection assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), respectively. Dose-response experiments demonstrated a maximum stimulation of most cytokines tested, using a ratio of 100 NTHi bacterial cells to 1 9HTEo− tracheal epithelial cell. Compared with purified LOS, NTHi bacterial cells stimulated 3.6- and 4.5-fold increases in epithelial cell expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-6 genes, respectively. Similar results were seen with epithelial cell macrophage chemotactic protein 1, IL-1α, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha expression. Polymyxin B completely inhibited LOS stimulation but only partially reduced NTHi whole cell stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that multiple bacterial molecules including LOS contribute to the NTHi stimulation of respiratory epithelial cell cytokine production. Moreover, no correlation was seen between NTHi adherence to epithelial cells mediated by hemagglutinating pili, Hia, HMW1, HMW2, and Hap and epithelial cytokine secretion. These data suggest that bacterial molecules beyond previously described NTHi cell surface adhesins and LOS play a role in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines from respiratory epithelial cells.
Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDALS) for Children With Cerebral Palsy Using Stationary Cycling: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Effective interventions to improve and maintain strength (force-generating capacity) and endurance are needed for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Objective This study was performed to examine the effects of a stationary cycling intervention on muscle strength, locomotor endurance, preferred walking speed, and gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP. Design This was a phase I randomized controlled trial with single blinding. Setting The interventions were performed in community-based outpatient physical therapy clinics. Outcome assessments were performed in university laboratories. Participants Sixty-two ambulatory children aged 7 to 18 years with spastic diplegic CP and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III participated in this study. Intervention and Measurements Participants were randomly assigned to cycling or control (no-intervention) groups. Thirty intervention sessions occurred over 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were peak knee extensor and flexor moments, the 600-Yard Walk-Run Test, the Thirty-Second Walk Test, and the Gross Motor Function Measure sections D and E (GMFM-66). Results Significant baseline-postintervention improvements were found for the 600-Yard Walk-Run Test, the GMFM-66, peak knee extensor moments at 120°/s, and peak knee flexor moments at 30°/s for the cycling group. Improved peak knee flexor moments at 120°/s were found for the control group only, although not all participants could complete this speed of testing. Significant differences between the cycling and control groups based on change scores were not found for any outcomes. Limitations Heterogeneity of the patient population and intrasubject variability were limitations of the study. Conclusions Significant improvements in locomotor endurance, gross motor function, and some measures of strength were found for the cycling group but not the control group, providing preliminary support for this intervention. As statistical differences were not found in baseline-postintervention change scores between the 2 groups; the results did not demonstrate that stationary cycling was more effective than no intervention. The results of this phase I study provide guidance for future research.
Rapid mapping of genomic P1 clones: the mouse L-isoaspartyl/D-aspartyl methyltransferase gene.

We report the mapping of the gene for the murine protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase (EC 2.11.77) from a 129 mouse strain. This gene encodes an enzyme present in all tissues that can catalyze the first step of a repair reaction in which age-damaged proteins containing abnormal L-isoaspartyl (or D-aspartyl) residues can be converted to forms containing normal L-aspartyl residues. We first mapped the restriction sites from a genomic P1 clone using a rapid method generally applicable to all bacteriophage P1 clones containing large DNA inserts. We show that a single pulsed-field electrophoresis blot can be used to map an entire 89-kb P1 clone insert for eight restriction endonucleases with an error of no more than 2% of the length of the fragment, or 1 kb at the middle of the insert. After size separation by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and blotting, the fragments are detected by Southern hybridization with probes to the vector. This method is potentially useful for restriction mapping other large DNA clones such as artificial chromosomes. When then determined the positions of the exons of the methyltransferase gene be restriction mapping of long PCR fragments. The previously unidentified exon 8, which encodes the -DEL C-terminus of the more acidicmore » isozyme II, was sequenced and mapped 5.3 kb from the exon of exon 7. 44 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.« less
PERSPECTIVES ON ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING DISABLED STUDENTS

Current critical issues in assessment of learning disabled students are described with special emphasis on logical fallacies in the assessment process. New directions in assessment are specified and discussed in the context of current contextual constraints.
Properties of Slime-Mould Amoebae of Significance for Aggregation

1. When all available food has been consumed, the amoebae of Dictyostelium and Polysphondylium aggregate towards collecting centres ; this movement involves chemotaxis. 2. Just after they have finished feeding, the amoebae adhere little or not at all to one another if they come in contact; they do not secrete the chemotactic agent acrasin, and cannot orient in an acrasin gradient. 3.Later they become able to respond to an acrasin gradient, if this is great enough. In the absence of one, they may be sufficiently adhesive to form loose amorphous associations, or, depending on the species and the environment, still be quite separate. Amoebae with similar properties may be released by the spontaneous break-up of aggregated masses. In some species, amoebae that are unaggregated may lose their sensitivity to acrasin after a few hours. 4.The elongated amoebae attracted to a source of acrasin may condense into streams. Stream amoebae move at varying speeds; they adhere strongly to others of the same species and to a variable extent to those of different species. They secrete the acrasin characteristic of their own species. Along a stream, there is often no continuous centrifugal decrement in secretion, as far as can be detected. The amoebae in it can be guided by the direction in which their adherent neighbours are flowing, though if they are exposed to an adequate acrasin gradient they will respond to it. Commonly, an adjacent stream or a centre planted beside them is not strong enough to attract them, unless they are freed to some extent from the influence of their neighbours, especially those ahead of them. 5. Except for their being effectively non-motile and more nearly isodiametric, the amoebae in a centre are similar to those in a stream and may secrete acrasin at much the same concentrations as these do. With both types, there may be short-term fluctuations in secretion, and in at least one species a long-lasting decrease. 6. The dimensions and gross appearance of an aggregation at the population densities used are partly determined by the time intervals over which the amoebae become acrasin-sensitive and centres are initiated, and by the relationship between these.
The Development and Use of School Profiles

School profiles, report cards, performance reports, and accountability reports are all common labels for reports used to inform the public about the status of schools. (In this chapter, “school profiles” is used in place of the litany of labels that are used across settings.) Contained in the school profiles are indicators of school performance, which include such quantitative information as student attendance rates, pupil/teacher ratio, and grade-level achievement scores. In some profiles, qualitative indicators about school performance provide information about school and community partnerships and awards received by the school. Potential audiences for school-level profiles include parents, real estate agents, principals, teachers, superintendents, and school board members. Although also potential consumers of school report card information, less than a third of the general public and about 50% of educators report having seen a school profile (Olson, 1999).1
Complement 1 Inhibitor Is a Regulator of the Alternative Complement Pathway

We studied complement 1 inhibitor (C1-INH) as an inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway. C1-INH prevented lysis, induced by the alternative complement pathway, of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) erythrocytes in human serum. It inhibited the binding of both factors B and C3 to PNH and rabbit erythrocytes and blocked the ability of factor B to restore alternative-pathway function in factor B–depleted serum. C1-INH did not bind to factors B or D but did bind to immobilized C3b and cobra venom factor (CVF), a C3b analogue. C1-INH prevented factor B from binding to CVF-coated beads and dissociated bound factor B from such beads. Factor B and C1-INH showed cross competition in binding to CVF-coated beads. Factor D cleaved factor B into Bb and Ba in the presence of C3b. Cleavage was markedly inhibited when C3b was preincubated with C1-INH. C1-INH inhibited the formation of CVFBb and decreased the C3 cleavage. Removal of C1-INH from serum, in the presence of Mg-EGTA with an anti–C1-INH immunoabsorbant, markedly increased alternative-pathway lysis. C1-INH interacts with C3b to inhibit binding of factor B to C3b. At physiologic concentrations, it is a downregulator of the alternative pathway convertase.
Humanism, authenticity, and humor: Being, being real, and being funny

Abstract Authenticity is an important construct in humanistic psychology; it consists of discrepancies between the true self, the noticed self, and the expressed self. Humor may be conceptualized as having two axes: benign or disparaging, and improving the self or improving relationships with others. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between facets of authenticity and humor styles among a large sample of U.S. college students (N = 813). It was found that lower incongruences between the three stages of authentic experience (i.e., higher authenticity) were associated with benign humor styles. Larger discrepancies in the self as well as the impact of external influences were associated with disparaging humor styles. These results suggest that there is a relationship between individuals' experience of the self and their style of humor.
The Elusive Nature of Truth

In this essay, I present a new argument for the imposszbility of defining truth by specifying the underlying structural property all and only true propositions have in common. The set of considerations. I use to support this claim take as their inspiration Alston's recent argument that it is impossible to define truth epistemically—in terms of justification or warrant. According to what Alston calls the "intensional argument", epistemic definitions are inconsistent with the T-schema or the principle that it is true that p if, and only if, p. Since the T-schema has great intuitive appeal, this is a powerful indictment of epistemic theories. But the basic argument that Alston employs, and the constellation of considerations which prosecute that argument, work against a much broader range of views than he considers. While this implies that a traditional conceptual analysis of truth rnay be impossible, it opens the door to a pluralist approach to truth.
J. K. Stille

This article is not intended to give a detailed account or a review of the polymer research in which I have been involved. Rather, it has been written to present a more humanistic story, as nearly as I can recall, of the people involved in the research and the development of the ideas in the polymer synthesis and the mechanisms of the polymerization reactions. The details of the conglomerate of polymer chemistry have been left in the scientific publications cited herein.
A Zebrafish Model for Studies on Esophageal Epithelial Biology

Mammalian esophagus exhibits a remarkable change in epithelial structure during the transition from embryo to adult. However, the molecular mechanisms of esophageal epithelial development are not well understood. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), a common model organism for vertebrate development and gene function, has not previously been characterized as a model system for esophageal epithelial development. In this study, we characterized a piece of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium similar to human esophageal epithelium in the upper digestive tract of developing zebrafish. Under the microscope, this piece was detectable at 5dpf and became stratified at 7dpf. Expression of esophageal epithelial marker genes (Krt5, P63, Sox2 and Pax9) was detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Knockdown of P63, a gene known to be critical for esophageal epithelium, disrupted the development of this epithelium. With this model system, we found that Pax9 knockdown resulted in loss or disorganization of the squamous epithelium, as well as down-regulation of the differentiation markers Krt4 and Krt5. In summary, we characterized a region of stratified squamous epithelium in the zebrafish upper digestive tract which can be used for functional studies of candidate genes involved in esophageal epithelial biology.
Matrix Algebra Approach to Photorefractive Beam Coupling

Applications of photorefractive holography often entail optical beams that are modulated in both space and time. We present a matrix approach applicable to photorefractive problems for which the grating(s) attain a stationary state. A stationary state can arise, for example, when the beams are rapidly modulated in time compared with the photorefractive response time. The matrix approach treats a variety of apparently different problems in a uniform way, thus often effectively simplifying a problem. We present an analytical solution for complex-valued coupling coefficient for beams that vary temporally but not spatially. We believe that this solution has not previously appeared in the literature. The general case of temporally and spatially modulated beams has no analytical solution; nevertheless we show the spatial evolution of the beams within the medium is always such to maximize a single quantity. We also show that the evolution performs a binary sorting function. Numerical integration of the matrix equations is always straightforward so a numerical solution to any given problem can be had. Contrary to what one might expect from an abstract treatment, the matrix approach offers a great deal of physical insight into the nature of two-beam coupling, which we cast in geometrical terms.
The significance of intraluminal prostatic crystalloids in benign needle biopsies

Intraluminal prostatic crystalloids (IPC) are more common in prostate cancer acini than in benign acini. This study was undertaken to evaluate the hypothesis that crystalloids seen in a benign biopsy may indicate an increased risk of a concomitant prostatic carcinoma. A total of 600 patients underwent more than one prostate biopsy. For 394 patients the results of the biopsy were either negative or positive for prostate cancer. After exclusion of patients whose biopsy results were considered negative but coded as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or were suspicious for cancer or whose slides were unavailable for review, 331 patients remained. Biopsy results for these patients were evaluated for the presence of IPC. Also, 18 completely-embedded benign prostates from cystoprostatectomy specimens from patients with bladder cancer were evaluated for the presence of IPC. Seven hundred twenty-five biopsy specimens were reviewed; 51 (7%) contained crystalloids. Thirty-two of 634 (5%) benign biopsy specimens and 19 of 91 (21%) prostatic carcinoma biopsy specimens contained crystalloids. Sixteen of 331 patients (5%) had crystalloids in the initial benign biopsy specimen; 6 patients subsequently were determined to have carcinoma (38%), and 10 continued to have negative results (62%). Three hundred fifteen initial benign biopsies did not show crystalloids; 83 (26%) patients were subsequently diagnosed as having prostatic carcinoma (p = 0.238, Fisher's Exact Test, chi-square test). The IPC were found in 5 of 18 cystoprostatectomy prostates (28%). In this study, the presence of IPC on the initial biopsy specimens was not a significant risk factor for a subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer. The IPC were not uncommon in prostates without cancer.
Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Comb-like Anionic Polybenzoxazines

Fully atomistic molecular dynamic simulations were performed to address the self-assembly of amphiphilic and comb-like polybenzoxazines (iBnXz) in water, with i = 3 (trimer), i = 4 (tetramer); i = 6 (hexamer), i = 8 (octamer), and i = 10 (decamer). Spontaneous aggregation of these comb-like polybenzoxazine molecules into a single micelle occurs in the simulations. The simulations show that molecular size and concentration play important roles in micellar morphology. At an iBnXz concentration of 50 mM, the 3BnXz and 4BnXz molecules aggregate into spherical micelles, whereas the 6BnXz, 8BnXz, and 10BnXz molecules aggregate into cylindrical micelles. The micellar morphology is spherical at low concentrations, but undergoes a transition to cylindrical shape as concentration increases. The transition point depends on the molecular size-both the true size as indicated by molecular weight, as well as an additional effective size dependent on molecular flexibility.
Analysis on the status and countermeasures for tuberculosis prevention and control in Wuxi

Objective To approach the strategies against tuberculosis by understanding the situation for Tuberculosis prevention and control in Wuxi.Methods Supervision records and data on 'China information system for diseases control and prevention'were analyzed.Results During 2007-2011,13 080 cases of active tuberculosis patients were discovered in Wuxi.The system management rate increased gradually with 4.13% uprising.The cure rate of new smear positive TB patients showed a declining trend year by year with 3.06% decreasing.The accuracy rate and the timely rate of medical record entry were 83.33% and 93.33%.Conclusion More efforts should be given to build the 'Trinity' system for tuberculosis prevention and control,so as to strengthen the close cooperation relations with different levels of CDC and medical institutions.
The Collocation of the Color Words in Chinese Idioms

Chinese idioms is the crystallization of history and culture,in which color words show rich cultural connotation.There are usually two color words in an idiom and the collocation of the colors accords with the theories of single color blend,similar color blend and contrast color blend.The collo-cation of the three groups of the contrast colors,for example,black and white,yellow and purple,red and green,shows that Chinese idioms not only lay stress on the visual shock of the colors but also pay attention to the cultural metaphors of the colors.In short,the harmony of the colors in Chinese idioms reflects the aesthetic psychology of ancient Chinese people.
Current Design Criteria for MMOD Impact of Metallic Pressurized Tanks

Most spacecraft have at least one pressurized vessel on board. For robotic spacecraft, it is usually a liquid propellant tank or battery. For human spacecraft, there are also pressurized living quarters and life-support systems. One of the design considerations of such spacecraft is the possible damage that might occur in the event of an on-orbit impact by a micrometeoroid or orbital debris (MMOD) particle. While considerable energy and effort has been expended in the study of the response of nonpressurized spacecraft components to these kinds of impacts, relatively few studies have been conducted on the pressurized elements of such spacecraft. In addition, the design criteria currently used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for pressurized tanks operating in the MMOD environment have not been tested or scrutinized since they were first proposed nearly 45 years ago. This paper reviews current NASA design criteria for pressurized vessels and offers suggestions for next steps in their further development.
Heart failure and the holidays.

Studies suggest increased cardiac morbidity and heart failure exacerbations during winter months with a peak around the holiday season. Major sporting events and intense encounters in sports have been shown to affect cardiovascular outcomes amongst its fans. All patients admitted to Einstein Medical Center between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2013 with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure were included in the study. They were included on the basis of the presence of an ICD-9CM code representing congestive heart failure as the primary diagnosis. Comparisons were made between the rates of heart failure admissions on the holiday, 4 days following the holiday and the rest of the month for 5 specific days: Christmas day, New Year’s day, Independence day, Thanksgiving day and Super Bowl Sunday. Our study included 22,727 heart failure admissions at an average of 5.65 admissions per day. The mean patient age was 68 ± 15 years. There was a significant increase in daily heart failure admissions following Independence day (5.65 vs. 5; p = 0.027) and Christmas day (6.5 vs. 5.5; p = 0.046) when compared to the rest of the month. A history of alcohol abuse or dependence did not correlate with the reported+ rise in heart failure admissions immediately following the holidays. The mean number of daily admissions on the holidays were significantly lower for all holidays compared to the following 4 days. All holidays apart from Super Bowl Sunday demonstrated lower admission rates on the holiday compared to the rest of the month. Christmas and Independence day were associated with increased heart failure admissions immediately following the holidays. The holidays themselves saw lower admission rates. Overeating on holidays, associated emotional stressors, lesser exercise and postponing medical around holidays may be among the factors responsible for the findings.
A New Perspective on Alfred Binet: Dramatist of Le Théatre De L’Horreur

This paper discusses the major avocation of Alfred Binet. This avocation for which Binet was passione was the theater—in all its aspects, and especially in his collaboration in writing psychological dramas “of horror and terror” which were produced in Parisian theaters. Binet is first introduced as the very versatile and original psychologist that he was, the first experimental psychologist in France, concerned significantly with cognitive problems in which human memory led him to recognize subtleties that made the theory of associationism insufficient to penetrate the conditions of human cognition. Parallels with present current viewpoints are indicated. Binet’s collaborated dramas deal with psychotics and are hair-raising. The author has translated and summarized several of them and includes insights—from Binet’s writings—of his own emotional pressures. The dramas also reveal some medical problems of his day.
HLA Antigen Expression in Cardiac Transplant Biopsies: Association with Rejection and Propagation of Infiltrating Alloreactive Lymphocytes

The expression of class I and class II HLA antigens in situ was studied in serial endomyocardial biopsies of human cardiac allografts. The presence and intensity of this expression were assessed in relation to other parameters of cellular rejection: histological evidence of cellular infiltration, the IL2 facilitated growth of lymphocytes from the biopsy tissue, and donor alloreactivity of biopsy-grown cells.
Pancreas Transplantation: Does it Have a Future?

Clinical pancreas transplantation, began at Minnesota in 1966, now encompasses a third of a century. Transplantation of endocrine tissue (pancreatic islet beta cells) is the only treatment that can induce insulin independence for Type I diabetic patients. To date, transplantation of islets within an immediately vascularized graft (pancreas) has been much more successful than as a free cellular graft.
A Tutorial on Expository Discourse: Structure, Development, and Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Purpose With the adoption of the Common Core State Standards, expository texts gain prominence at all grade levels and for all disciplines. Although the linguistic and cognitive complexities of exp...
Impact of longitudinal cardiac rotation on mitral and tricuspid atrioventricular annular diastolic motion.

Background— It is unknown whether longitudinal rotation (LR), often seen in cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates, may affect mitral annular early diastolic (E′) velocities and tricuspid annular motion. We assessed whether (1) LR affects the amplitude and timing of septal and lateral mitral annular E′ velocities and tricuspid annular systolic and E′ velocities and (2) if systolic strain heterogeneity seen in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients with LR extends into diastole. Methods and Results— Ninety-nine cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates with suitable baseline echocardiograms were identified. Early diastolic (E′) and systolic myocardial velocities of the tricuspid annulus and E′ velocities of the septal and lateral part of the mitral annulus were analyzed from tissue Doppler images. Longitudinal rotation and basal systolic and diastolic strain rates were analyzed by speckle-tracking. LR correlated with lateral mitral annular E′ ( r =0.45, P 0.1) strain rates increased. Conclusions— LR direction and magnitude correlates with the amplitude of, and relative differences between, diastolic velocities of tricuspid, lateral mitral, and septal mitral annulus, which are a cornerstone of diastolic function assessment. LR is associated with systolic but not with diastolic regional heterogeneity.
Abstract 4074: Cancer stem cells in tobacco-induced carcinogenesis and subsequent effect of ATRA-based chemoprevention

Introduction Chemoprevention is potentially the most effective method to lower the prevalence of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), the sixth most common type of malignancy worldwide. The chemopreventive effects of retinoids against HNSCC have been previously reported. Retinoids however; relapse following cessation of medication is a critical problem that prevents its clinical use. The objective of this study was to determine the possible mechanism of retinoid resistance by exploring cancer stem cell mediated pathways. Experimental Procedures. In vitro cell line models of normal (NOK) and dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOK) are being exposed to tobacco to assess the process of carcinogenic progression. The progression in the DOK and HOK cell lines will be assessed by proliferation, migration and invasion assays. The expression of stem cell markers/pathways (CD44/Hyaluronan, Wnt, Notch1, ALDH1A1) during the process of progression will be evaluated using QPCR and FACS. These cell lines will then be treated with ATRA and the subsequent effects on transformation and CSC-specific pathways further evaluated. Summary To this end, immunostaining of normal oral mucosa, potentially malignant lesions (n = 93) and malignant lesions (n = 48) for the stem cell marker CD44 was performed. CD44+ cells were found at a density of 58.57/hpf in normal mucosa, 61.56/hpf in mild dysplasia, 119.44/hpf in moderate dysplasia, and 107.6/hpf in severe dysplasia. The density of CD44+ cells in WDSCC, MDSCC and PDSCC were 183.4, 105 and 160/hpf respectively, indicates CSC cells may represent a marker of malignant progression The cell lines are currently under exposure to tobacco and the transformational changes being documented. Apart from the studies on the changes specific to CSCs, high throughput secretome and proteomic studies are also being planned to evaluate the global changes effected due to tobacco as well as due to subsequent treatment with ATRA. Conclusion This study hence attempts to provide novel insight into tobacco-induced carcinogenesis and mechanism of resistance to retinoid-based chemoprevention. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Subin Surendran, Christina Mimikos, Amritha Suresh, Wesley L. Hicks, Mukund Seshadri, Moni A. Kuriakose. Cancer stem cells in tobacco-induced carcinogenesis and subsequent effect of ATRA-based chemoprevention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4074. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4074
Decreasing Risk by Adding Inside Noise: A Theory of Transfers of Risk

I present a theory of financial contracts that transfer risk from one party to another. Risk reduction is equivalent to adding inside noise to payoffs; this addition shifts probability weight away from the tails of a payoff's distribution. Adding outside noise is the inverse operation and it increases risk, while noise in the sense of a mean-preserving spread is a special case of outside noise. These concepts provide intuitive and graphic descriptions of the use of financial hedges and insurance contracts, describe the sharing of risk in equilibrium models of financial markets, and characterize stochastic dominance.
Cost-effectiveness in managing skeletal related events in breast cancer: a strategy of less-intense dosing schedule of bone modifying agents

The introduction of bone-modifying agents (BMA) or skeletal protective agents in the mid 1990’s into oncology armamentarium has revolutionized the management of skeletal related events (SREs) in cancer patients with established bone metastases. The health and financial burden of SREs are significantly reduced with the use of adjuvant BMAs.
Revolutionary Politics in Twentieth-Century China: A Review of Radicalism, Revolution, and Reform in Modern China: Essays in Honor of Maurice Meisner

Maurice Meisner was an important scholar of twentieth-century Chinese history, whose work focused on the ideological and bureaucratic dimensions of the People’s Republic and its origins in the upheavals of the first half of the century. This review considers a Festschrift including contributions from eight former students of Meisner, with articles on a wide array of topics across the period from the 1920s to the early twenty-first century. Strengths and limitations of Meisner’s work and his legacy are presented in conjunction with reflections on the underlying issues of the nature of contemporary China and its role in the world, and some related recent scholarly debates on the Left.
Insights into SAR signatures for target acceleration maneuvers

This paper examines the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery morphology of signatures induced by surface targets that are accelerating from a lower to higher speed during the collection interval. Recent studies have revealed that such moving target smears are not constrained to have the simple shapes of mere parabolas but instead can display a rich variety of two-dimensional (2D) shapes, including self-crossing signatures. The present analysis provides new insights into the nature of such complicated SAR target smears via comparison with the asymptotic parabolic signatures resulting from the initial and final segments of approximately constant-velocity target motion.
What Makes Indoor Air Dangerous?: Its Dangerous Character Long Known

(1911). What Makes Indoor Air Dangerous? American Physical Education Review: Vol. 16, No. 9, pp. 573-578.
Glutathione transport in immortalized HLE cells and expression of transport in HLE cell poly(A)+ RNA-injected Xenopus laevis oocytes.

PURPOSE. To determine reduced glutathione (GSH) transport in cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLE-B3) and plasma membrane vesicles and to study the expression of GSH transport in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with poly(A) + RNA from HLE-B3 cells. METHODS. Confluent HLE-B3 cells pretreated with 10 mM DL-buthionine sulfoximine and 0.5 mM acivicin were used in GSH uptake studies. The uptake of 35 S-GSH was performed for 30 minutes in either NaCI medium (Na + -containing) or choline chloride medium (Na + -free) at 37°C and 4°C. The molecular form of 35 S uptake was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. GSH uptake kinetics were studied in acivicin and buthionine sulfoximine-treated HLE-B3 cells in NaCI medium in the concentration range 0.01 μM to 50 mM. The transport of GSH and the effect of Na + on uptake also were determined in mixed plasma membrane vesicles from HLE-B3 cells. In oocyte expression studies, HLE-B3 poly(A) + RNA was injected into X. laevis oocytes and GSH uptake experiments were performed 3 days after injection. The uptake of 35 S-GSH and GSH efflux rates were determined in HLE-B3 poly(A) + RNA-injected oocytes. RESULTS. No significant difference was found in the uptake of 1 mM GSH ± acivicin (17.7 ± 4.3 versus 15.7 ± 1.4 picomoles/min -1 per 10 6 cells). However, GSH uptake was significantly lower in Na + -free medium compared with Na + -containing medium (10.3 ± 0.7 versus 16.8 ± 0.9 picomoles/min -1 per 10 6 cells; P < 0.01). GSH uptake in NaCI medium was carrier mediated. GSH uptake showed partial sodium dependency from 5 μM to 5 mM GSH in mixed plasma membrane vesicles from HLE-B3 cells. Oocytes injected with HLE-B3 poly(A) + RNA expressed uptake and efflux of GSH. Uptake showed partial Na + dependency at various GSH concentrations. The efflux rates were approximately 30-fold higher than those in water-injected oocytes (0.48 ± 0.03 versus 0.016 ± 0.005 (nanomoles per hour -1 per oocyte, respectively). The molecular form of uptake in cultured cells and in oocyte studies was predominantly as intact GSH. CONCLUSIONS. HLE-B3 cells and plasma membrane vesicles transported GSH by a carrier-mediated process. HLE-B3 poly(A) + RNA injected X. laevis oocytes expressed GSH transport. GSH uptake was partially Na + dependent in all systems. HLE-B3 cells offer a useful model for characterizing GSH transport and for studying its regulatory role in the etiology of cataracts.
Fertility and mortality trends in the developing world.

In 1960 developing countries had a total fertility rate (TFR) of 6 or more and a life expectancy of 40-60 years. TFR has fallen by 40% by the late 1980s and mortality has also declined resulting in an unchanged growth rate of 2%. Yet in Africa the rate increased from 2.5% in the 1960s to 3% in the 1980s. In Latin American birth rates dropped before death rates and the reversal of these figures has occurred. TFR is also declining in sub-Saharan Africa: by 2 children in Botswana and Zimbabwe with 30% contraceptive prevalence. In Kenya 20% contraceptive use also resulted in TFR decline in the 1980s. 12% of children died by the age of 5 in developing countries; the risk in Latin America (8%) is half that. After rapid decline TFR has stabilized around 4 children in Chile Costa Rica Korea and Sri Lanka above the replacement level of 2.2. Primary health care with family planning programs expanded in the 1970s and 1980s producing a 40% fertility decline between 1965 and 1975 in 68 countries. During 1980=85 FP programs were associated with the reduction of TFR by 1.1-2.3 births in 78 countries: without them TFR would have been 5.4 instead of 4.2. The 1977 Matlab area FP experiment showed that contraceptive prevalence increased to 45% in treatment villages by 1985 while it went up to 16% in control villages in 1984. TFR was 1.5 lower in the treatment area. Although population growth has not changed in the last 30 years the UN estimates that it will drop to 1.7% by 2000-2005 and to 1.1% by 2020-2025. Although AIDS could reduce growth by 1% in the most endemic areas its impact will be modest.
Seasonal Variation in Lyme Arthritis Evaluated in a Northeastern State with a Single Pediatric Emergency Department

Purpose The differential diagnosis of acute knee pain and effusion in children includes trauma, septic arthritis, transient synovitis, osteomyelitis, adjacent soft tissue infection, infectious bursitis, Lyme arthritis, or rheumatologic conditions. The gold standard for diagnosis is arthrocentesis and analysis of synovial fluid. The purpose of this study was to assess the seasonal variation in the incidence of Lyme arthritis in children presenting to the only tertiary care pediatric emergency department in a …
Poster Abstract: Gait Health Monitoring Through Footstep-Induced Floor Vibrations

Gait health monitoring is critical for condition diagnosis and fall prediction in elderly populations. Existing methods for gait health monitoring (e.g. direct observation and sensing) are not suitable for non-clinical environments due to qualitative assessments or operational limitations. Our method utilizes footstep-induced floor vibration sensing to provide a passive gait health monitoring platform that can be used in non-clinical environments (e.g. home settings) to provide gait health information in a timely manner. We decompose vibration responses to obtain signal peaks that correspond to temporal gait information and leverage foot dominance to learn a signal amplitude-footstep ground reaction force transfer function. Preliminary results show that temporal gait parameters can be estimated with up to 99% accuracy and gait balance symmetry can be estimated with as low as 10.4% error.