cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Neurodegeneration after Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Rat Is Necrosis while Delayed Neuronal Death Is Apoptosis.

We used silver staining to demonstrate neuronal cell body, axonal, and terminal degeneration in brains from p7 rat pups recovered for 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 h, and 6 days following hypoxia-ischemia. We found that initial injury is evident in ipsilateral forebrain by 3 h following hypoxia-ischemia, while injury in ventral basal thalamus develops at 24 h. A secondary phase of injury occurs at 48 h in ipsilateral cortex, but not until 6 days in basal ganglia. Initial injury in striatum and cortex is necrosis, but in thalamus the neurodegeneration is primarily apoptosis. Degeneration also occurs in bilateral white matter tracts, and in synaptic terminal fields associated with apoptosis in regions remote from the primary injury. These results show that hypoxia-ischemia in the developing brain causes both early and delayed neurodegeneration in specific systems in which the morphology of neuronal death is determined by time, region, and potentially by patterns of neuronal connectivity.
Liquid-crystalline solvents as mechanistic probes. 23. norrish II reactions of 2- and -alkanones in the isotropic, smectic B, and crystallin

Abstract n -Alkanones with the carbonyl group at the 2 or central positions ( 1 and 2 , respectively) have been irradiated in the isotropic, smectic B, and two solid phases of n -butyl stearate ( BS ). The lengths of the ketones were varied from 11 to 31 carbons. The ratios of elimination/cyclization products and diastereomeric cyclobutanol products were measured for each as a function of temperature and BS phase. The effect of 1 and 2 on the phase transition temperatures of BS has been correlated with changes in the product ratios. The experiments demonstrate that a very sensitive cooperative relationship exists between the ease with which 1 and 2 fit into the ordered phases of BS and the degree to which the solvent matrices influence ketone photochemistry. The influence of solvent order on the product ratios is distinctly different for 1 and 2 , and for the two product ratios from one ketone.
The Exodus and Biblical Theology: A Rejoinder to John J. Collins:

In his critique of Jon Levenson's essay on "Exodus and Liberation" in Biblical Theology Bulletin 25:4, 152-60, John J. Collins, Levenson here argues, provides a number of misstatements about the essay and misinterpretations of the biblical materials. In drawing attention to the familial-national dimension of the exodus, Levenson neither affirms the Jews as its rightful beneficiaries nor denies the possibility of fruitful analogies with other groups. He insists, however, on the distinction between analogical application and anachronistic retrojection, the latter being a violation of historical-critical principle. Collins' raising the Christian problem of appropriation of the exodus without acceptance of the full "yoke of the Law" arises not from historical criticism, but from valid concerns of the sort he brands as "confessional" and "theological apartheid" in Levenson's work. Collins' identification of Levenson with Brevard Childs's canonical method is inaccurate and misunderstands Childs's concept of int...
Differentiation and classification of bacteria using vancomycin functionalized silver nanorods array based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

Twenty seven different bacteria isolates from 12 species were analyzed using intrinsic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra with recently developed vancomycin coated silver nanorod (VAN AgNR) substrates. The VAN AgNR substrates could generate reproducible SERS spectra of the bacteria with little to no interference from the environment or bacterial by-products as compared to the pristine substrates. By taking advantage of the structural composition of the cellular wall which varies from species to species, the differentiation of bacterial species is demonstrated by using chemometric analyses on those spectra. A second chemometric analysis step within the species cluster is able to differentiate serotypes and strains. The spectral features used for serotype differentiation arises from the surface proteins, while Raman peaks from adenine dominate the differentiation of strains. In addition, due to the intrinsic structural differences in the cell walls, the SERS spectra can distinguish Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity, as well as 100% accuracy on predicting test samples. Our results provide important insights for using SERS as a bacterial diagnostic tool and further guide the design of a SERS-based detection platform.
Personalization of search results using interaction behaviors in search sessions

Personalization of search results offers the potential for significant improvement in information retrieval performance. User interactions with the system and documents during information-seeking sessions provide a wealth of information about user preferences and their task goals. In this paper, we propose methods for analyzing and modeling user search behavior in search sessions to predict document usefulness and then using information to personalize search results. We generate prediction models of document usefulness from behavior data collected in a controlled lab experiment with 32 participants, each completing uncontrolled searching for 4 tasks in the Web. The generated models are then tested with another data set of user search sessions in radically different search tasks and constrains. The documents predicted useful and not useful by the models are used to modify the queries in each search session using a standard relevance feedback technique. The results show that application of the models led to consistently improved performance over a baseline that did not take account of user interaction information. These findings have implications for designing systems for personalized search and improving user search experience.
Indicators of development of practical theory in pre-service teacher education students

Abstract The possibility that changing understandings of Educational Purposes constitute an important component of teachers’ developing practical theories was explored by asking Respondents in a 5th year teacher credential program to view a recorded sequence of classroom teaching/learning and then to ‘Explain your understanding of what you saw.’ Transcripts of their explanations were submitted to a process of Constant Comparative Analysis which generated and verified categories and patterns of response. Both Principle Component Factor Analysis and then Analysis of Variance techniques were used to explore and verify patterns. Results indicate that respondents varied in the way they understood Educational Purposes and that their understandings changed over time and in relation to increased experience in teacher education.
A structural analysis of the characteristic equation of an output feedback system

Recent studies in pole placement have investigated the degree of flexibility available when feedback is constrained to constant gains on the output variables of a linear system. This paper uses pencil theory to provide a structural basis for determining the available degree of flexibility in choosing coefficients of the closed-loop characteristic equation of an output feedback system. Previous results are verified. Extensions are introduced to increase the lower bound on placeable poles and indicate under what conditions additional poles can be placed.
Bier Block Exsanguination: A Volumetric Comparison and Venous Pressure Study

Objectives: Intravenous regional anes- thesia (IVRA) is a useful ED anesthetic technique. However, venous pressure elevation during injection can cause anesthetic leakage and toxicity. This is minimized by preinjection limb exsanguination. Al- though standard, Esmarch exsanguination is intol- erable with limb trauma. Thus, the authors' objective was to study alternative methods. Methods: Volun- teers had upper limb exsanguination performed by Esmarch bandage, arm elevation/arterial compres- sion (AE/AC), and a pneumatic vinyl splint. Resultant volume changes, measured by volume displacement, were normalized, and expressed as percent decreases from baseline. Volume changes of all three methods were compared. The physiologic effectiveness of the AE/AC method was tested by measuring IV pressures during simulated IVRA. Attainment of maximum ve- nous pressure (MVP) indicated leakage under the tourniquet. Results: All methods reduced limb vol- ume compared with baseline (p 0.99), but neither method was as effective as Esmarch (p < 0.05). Gender differences were noted in absolute volumes exsanguinated, but there was no difference in percent exsanguination. The AE/AC method was the simplest procedure to perform. Peak IV pressure during simulated IVRA after AE/AC was 85 mm Hg (males), and 199 mm Hg (females) (p < 0.05). The MVP was not reached. Conclusions: While Esmarch was the most effective exsanguinating method, the two alternatives provided significant and equivalent decreases in limb volume. The AE/AC technique was physiologically effective in preventing attainment of MVP. Further studies are indicated to determine the clinical effectiveness of this technique in providing anesthesia for patients with limb trauma. Key words: anesthetic methods; blood; vol- ume; exsanguination; gender; Bier block. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2000; 7:105-113
Abstract CN05-01: Targeting Mdm2 in DNA repair and chromosome instability.

Mdm2, a direct inhibitor of the p53 tumor suppressor, is frequently overexpressed in many human malignancies. Increased levels of Mdm2 negatively impact genome stability, a common property of cancer cells. Recently, it has been appreciated that both p53-dependent and p53-independent functions of Mdm2 contribute to genome instability and tumorigenesis. Specifically, Mdm2 induces chromosome instability not only by inhibiting p53 activity, but also through inhibition of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 DNA repair complex. We have shown that Mdm2 binds Nbs1 and inhibits early DNA damage signaling, resulting in a delay in DNA break repair. This delay in DNA repair leads to increased chromosome breaks, altered ploidy, and enhanced cellular transformation potential. Elevated Mdm2 levels also increase the severity and frequency of chromosome abnormalities that arise during aging and that have been linked to cancer development. Therefore, Mdm2 negatively influences genome stability, which contributes to tumorigenesis. However, this effect of Mdm2 on the genome may be therapeutically exploitable for the treatment of malignancies. In pursuit of this goal, we have begun testing small molecule inhibitors of Mdm2:p53 interaction, such as Nutlin, for consequences on DNA break repair. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN05-01.
Modeling dependencies in stochastic simulation inputs

We discuss some basic techniques for modeling dependence between the random variables that are inputs to a simulation model, with the main emphasis being continuous bivariate distributions that have flexible marginal distributions and that are readily extended to higher dimensions. First we examine the bivariate normal distribution and its advantages and drawbacks for use in simulation studies. To achieve a greater variety of distributional shapes while accurately reflecting a desired dependency structure, we discuss bivariate Johnson distributions. Although space limitations preclude inclusion in this article, the oral presentation of this tutorial will also include discussions of how to use (a) bivariate B ezier distributions as a means for achieving even greater flexibility in modeling the marginal distributions, and (b) ARTA (AutoRegressive To Anything) processes as a means for generating an entire stochastic process with specied marginals and a desired covariance structure.
Survival of women diagnosed with malignant, mixed mullerian tumors of the ovary (OMMMT)

Abstract Objective . To analyze the survival of women with malignant, mixed mullerian tumors of the ovary (OMMMT) compared to women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods . Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program on 14025 women diagnosed with primary invasive ovarian cancer between 1988 and 1997 were used for this analysis (382 had OMMMT). Differences in distribution of prognostic variables by histological type were compared using a chi-square test. Multivariable survival models were fit using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to compare risk of death for OMMMT compared to EOC. Analyses were also performed using cases with OMMMT compared to high-grade EOC only. Results . Women with OMMMT were older at diagnosis and were more likely to have primary surgery compared to women with EOC. The majority of women in either histological group had advanced-stage disease at diagnosis. Women with OMMMT had a significant increased risk of death from any cause whether being compared to all women with EOC (HR = 1.69, 95% CI=1.50,1.90) or to women with high-grade EOC only (HR = 1.58, 95% CI=1.40,1.79). Women with advanced-stage OMMMT were at a 60% increased risk of death compared to women with advanced-stage, high-grade EOC, after adjustment for other variables of interest (adjusted HR=1.60, 95% CI=1.40,1.84). There was no difference in risk of death for these two groups of women with early-stage disease. Conclusion . OMMMT is a rare malignancy compared to EOC and had a significantly worse prognosis compared to EOC.
Expression of p21CIP1/WAF1 in Chondrocytes

During endochondral ossification, proliferative activity of chondrocytes is arrested and the cells undergo terminal hypertrophic differentiation. We examined the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21CIP1/WAF1 in permanent cartilage (xyphoid and articular cartilage) and in cartilage undergoing endochondral ossification (growth plate, epiphyseal ossification centers, and costochondral junctions) to determine if p21 is up-regulated in chondrocytes during hypertrophic differentiation. Northern blot analyses demonstrated expression of p21 in chondrocytes undergoing endochondral ossification and from sites of permanent cartilage. Quantitative analyses of Northern data showed an association between expression of the hypertrophic-specific marker, collagen type X, and the level of 21 expression. In situ hybridization of rodent femoropatellar joints and costochondral junctions localized p21 mRNA to chondrocytes within both the proliferative and hypertrophic zones of the growth plates, in chondrocytes involved in formation of the epiphyseal ossification centers, and in articular chondrocytes. Immunohistochemical analyses of p21 expression in the same tissues demonstrated comparatively higher levels of p21 protein in postmitotic chondrocytes. These data suggest that p21 is active in cell cycle regulation in chondrocytes, and that increased p21 expression is associated with hypertrophic differentiation.
Pediatric thoracic anesthesia

This article focuses on the intraoperative anesthetic care of infants and children undergoing noncardiovascular thoracic surgery. Surgical disorders afflicting infants and children are described, with an emphasis on features impacting anesthetic care. Techniques for performing singlelung ventilation in pediatric patients are summarized. Anesthetic management, including regional anesthetic techniques, are reviewed.
Sports medicine handbook

Eds Roger G Hackney, Angus Wallace BMJ Books, £75, pp 505 ISBN 0 7279 1031 0 Rating: ![Graphic][1] ![Graphic][2] ![Graphic][3] ![Graphic][4] It is welcome news that more and more people seem to be taking up sporting activities, both leisure and competitive. Recently, when cyclist Lance Armstrong won the gruelling Tour de France after having survived cancer, the amazing news received wide media coverage. With this increased interest in sport, sports health care has … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [4]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “To Drink or Not to Drink? That Is the Question”

We thank Dr Stranges and associates for their interest in our article.1 We agree that there are limitations in many articles in the literature on the subject of alcohol and heart disease, and we did describe some of these in our article, including our statement that, “When we reviewed the literature, it became very evident that definitions describing how much alcohol is in a drink may vary remarkably by article and country, and terms such as light, moderate, and heavy drinking are variably defined” (p 1306). We also stated, “Few studies were conducted to test whether a sex difference is associated with drinking alcohol and the …
Dose-dependent effect of caffeine on reducing leg muscle pain during cycling exercise is unrelated to systolic blood pressure.

Abstract This double-blind, within-subjects experiment examined the effects of ingesting two doses of caffeine on perceptions of leg muscle pain and blood pressure during moderate intensity cycling exercise. Low caffeine consuming college-aged males ( N =12) ingested one of two doses of caffeine (5 or 10 mg·kg −1 body weight) or placebo and 1 h later completed 30 min of moderate intensity cycling exercise (60% V O 2 peak ). The order of drug administration was counter-balanced. Resting blood pressure and heart rate were recorded immediately before and 1 h after drug administration. Perceptions of leg muscle pain as well as work rate, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen uptake ( V O 2 ) were recorded during exercise. Caffeine increased resting systolic pressure in a dose-dependent fashion but these blood pressure effects were not maintained during exercise. Caffeine had a significant linear effect on leg muscle pain ratings [ F (2,22)=14.06; P η 2 =0.56]. The mean (±SD) pain intensity scores during exercise after ingesting 10 mg·kg −1 body weight caffeine, 5 mg·kg −1 body weight caffeine, and placebo were 2.1±1.4, 2.6±1.5, and 3.5±1.7, respectively. The results support the conclusion that caffeine ingestion has a dose–response effect on reducing leg muscle pain during exercise and that these effects do not depend on caffeine-induced increases in systolic blood pressure during exercise.
MALONALDEHYDE CONCENTRATIONS IN FOOD ARE AFFECTED BY COOKING CONDITIONS

We studied the relationship between cooking methods and the production of malonaldehyde (MA), a putative carcinogen in mice. In hamburgers pan-fried at moderate temperatures, the MA content increased 41-55%; frying at higher temperatures (shorter cooking times) produced smaller increases. Microwave cooking increased MA concentrations by only 15%. In contrast, cooking chicken by microwave, conventional oven, deep-fat-frying, and boiling increased MA concentrations by 60-, 55-, 17-19-, and 22-fold, respectively; the broth contained half of the MA produced in boiled chicken. On an equal portion basis, fried chicken contained less MA than hamburger. Appreciable amounts of MA were also found in smoked trout (2.2-3.8 μg/g), canned chicken broth (2.3 μg/g), bouillon cubes (5.3 μg/g) and cheese (0.44-0.74 μg/g) depending on cooking conditions.
Weight gain in children treated with valproate.

Weight gain in children due to valproate is a major concern in the treatment of epilepsy. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results both as to how common this problem is in children and as to whether there are clinical predictors of weight gain. The authors perform a chart review of 94 pediatric patients treated with valproate to investigate weight gain and potential predictors. The slope of the regression line for the body mass index z scores for each patient at each available visit was calculated, (Δz-score). Relationships between Δz scores and predictors of interest were assessed via univariate analyses. Twenty-three of 94 patients had Δz score >0.25 SD/year. Twelve of 94 patients had Δz score >0.5 SD/year. Pediatric participants appear to be less prone to weight gain on valproate than adults. A negative correlation was found between duration on treatment and Δz score. No other significant correlations were found between potential clinical predictors and Δz score.
Personal information geographies

We need increasingly better tools to help us manage today's flood of information. This research explores the use of visual maps as workspaces which help us both to organize new material and to relocate past resources. In particular, visual workspaces can facilitate the process of sensemaking, the gradual evolution of an inquiry through our repeated interaction with information. This interaction can serve as an organizing structure for personally meaningful information geographies: map-like workspaces which accumulate 'trails' of our activity, which evolve over time but remain stable enough to provide the same fluency that we have with maps of physical places.
Functional Suppression of Sodium Channels by β1-Subunits as a Molecular Mechanism of Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation leading to sudden cardiac death can occur even in the absence of structural heart disease. One form of this so-called idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is characterized by ST segment elevation (STE) in the electrocardiogram. Recently we found that IVF with STE is linked to mutations of SCN5A, the gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel α -subunit. Two types of defects were identified: loss-of-function mutations that severely truncate channel proteins and missense mutations (e.g. a double mutation, R1232W and T1620M) that cause only minor changes in channel gating. Here we show that co-expression of the R1232W+T1620M missense mutant α -subunits in a mammalian cell line stably transfected with human sodium channel β1-subunits results in a phenotype similar to that of the truncation mutants. In the presence of β1subunits the expression of both ionic currents andα -subunit-specific, immunoreactive protein was markedly suppressed after transfection of mutant, but not wild-typeα -subunits when cells were incubated at physiological temperature. Expression was partially restored by incubation at reduced temperatures. Our results reconcile two classes of IVF mutations and support the notion that a reduction in the amplitude of voltage-gated sodium conductance is the primary cause of IVF.
Effects of acute and chronic angiotensin receptor blockade on myocardial vascular blood volume and perfusion in a pig model of coronary microembolization.

Abstract Based on the reduction of ischemic cardiac events in clinical trials and experimental observations, inhibition of the effects of angiotensin II on coronary microcirculatory function may afford myocardial protection after injury. The immediate effects of intracoronary AT 1 receptor blockade with irbesartan were examined in a pig model in the healthy myocardium and in acute ischemia induced by injection of 30-μm microspheres into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Electron-beam computed tomography was performed for in-vivo quantitative measurements of regional intramyocardial vascular blood volume (V B ) and perfusion (F M ), as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and muscle mass. Ratios of V B and F M in the anterior (LAD-supplied)/inferior (control) myocardium were generated. At baseline, 0.2 mg/kg irbesartan injected into the LAD increased V B and F M ratios significantly by 27 ± 8% and 51 ± 13%, respectively. After anterior coronary microembolization, V B and F M ratios were 0.60 ± 0.05 and 0.51 ± 0.05, respectively, and were significantly increased by irbesartan (by 24 ± 10% and by 36 ± 11%, respectively). After 4 weeks of treatment with oral irbesartan (n = 7) or placebo (n = 7), an improved LVEF (56 ± 4% v 44 ± 4%, P = .046) was observed in irbesartan-treated animals, but no difference in LV end-diastolic volumes or muscle mass. Resting V B (0.95 ± 0.06 v 0.76 ± 0.06; P = .047) and F M (0.84 ± 0.05 v 0.64 ± 0.04; P = .016) ratios were significantly greater in irbesartan-treated animals. Using adenosine, there was a trend for higher V B and F M ratios in irbesartan- v placebo-treated animals. Therefore, in a pig model of acute myocardial ischemia, AT 1 receptor blockade by irbesartan induced microvascular vasodilation and, ostensibly, conveyed myocardial protection. Long-term treatment with irbesartan resulted in moderate enhancements of resting V B and F M compared with placebo, suggesting a role for coronary microcirculatory effects of chronic AT 1 receptor blockade in preserving LVEF.
Standardization: A Logical Step in Sustained Space Exploration

As NASA pushes ahead with its initiative to create a sustainable campaign of space exploration, there is a growing recognition that a paradigm shift will have to occur in the space robotics industry. Specifically, robotic systems-of-systems must be realized through a renewed focus towards interoperability, modularity, and commonality. The practice of developing unique mission-specific robots operating independently and communicating through custom interfaces will have to give way to standardization.
The Charlson Comorbidity Index predicts survival in women with epithelial ovarian cancer independent of surgical debulking status

25 — Exhibit A doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.04.015 Session III: Integrative Oncology Moderator: Allison Axtell, MD, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group The Charlson Comorbidity Index predicts survival in women with epithelial ovarian cancer independent of surgical debulking status B. Erickson, T. Matin, J. Martin, M. Shah, C. Haygood, D. Pasko, L. Daily, J. Straughn Jr., C. Leath III, University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Birmingham, AL, USA, University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of OB/GYN, Birmingham, AL, USA Objectives: Our objective is to determine if patient comorbidities impact progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Eligible subjects for this retrospective cohort study included women diagnosed with EOC between 2004 and 2009 who received primary treatment and follow-up at our institution. After IRB approval, records were reviewed for demographics, tumor characteristics, recurrence, survival, and comorbidity as quantified using the Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI). The CCI is a validated predictor of hospital mortality and includes 19 separately weighted medical conditions. For our analysis, patients were separated into 3 0090-8258/$ – see front matter. Gynecologic Oncology 134 (2014) 428–437
Quality of Alternatives, Institutional Preference, and Institutional Commitment among First-Year College Students.

We tested the hypotheses derived from investment theory that quality of alternatives and institutional preference exert additive and interactive effects on institutional commitment in a sample of 1166 first‐year college students at a large state university, who were surveyed within two weeks of the start of their first semester. As predicted, a hierarchical regression analysis revealed: as quality of alternatives increased, institutional commitment decreased; as preference for the university increased, institutional commitment increased; and as institutional preference decreased, the inverse relation between quality of alternatives and institutional commitment increased. The findings of the present study suggest that first‐year college students who do not rank their university as one of their top three choices and who rate the quality of alternatives as high should be classified as at risk of dropping out and targeted for proactive advising.
Space Traffic Control: Technology Thoughts to Catalyze a Future Architecture

Space Situational Awareness, Space Debris, Space Tourism, Commercial ISS Supply, Earth Environmental Monitoring – all are activities that portend the need for space traffic control. This need includes and should address how space traffic is managed, monitored, and controlled. The architectures, protocols, processes, and technologies have yet to be determined. The international and commercial issues will also need attention. While some activity to date has observed or explored the need and direction of a future system, a comprehensive architecture focused on the Earth orbiting objects has not been established. Additional work across the international environment on a space traffic control architecture is warranted. The authors maintain that comprehensive efforts need to occur, and observe that a roadmap cannot achieve near-term success without fully exploring the technology options available to all space systems: commercial , academic, civil, and national security. The paper will postulate the qualitative benefits of an active space traffic control paradigm and illustrate technology contributions to be considered for future architectures. Policy and regulatory provisions are not addressed. Suggested initiatives include S&T investment opportunities for both government and industry as well as conference and workshop ideas.
Quantum source of entropy for black holes.

We associate to any quantum field propagating in the background metric of a black hole an effective density matrix whose statistical entropy can be interpreted as a contribution to the total entropy of the black hole. By evaluating this contribution in a simplified case, we show that in general it can be expected to be finite and proportional to the area of the black hole. As a by-product of our calculation we obtain a general expression for the entropy of any real Gaussian density matrix.
Microstenciling: a generic technology for microscale patterning of vapor deposited materials

The fabrication of microstencils for patterning on unconventional substrates was demonstrated. Stencil feature sizes ranging from 6 to 370 /spl mu/m with aspect ratios (stencil feature height :width) in the range of 0.5 : 1 to 15 : 1 were fabricated using ICP etching of silicon. The stenciling process was demonstrated for the deposition of metals (Ti/Au) and dielectrics (silicon dioxide) onto silicon, glass, and polymer based substrates for microfluidic system development. The results demonstrated some dependency of the deposition rate on the stencil feature size and aspect ratio. Results from adhesion studies showed excellent adhesion on all substrates with the exception of PMMA.
Abstract 19768: Does Frailty Predispose Patients to Increased Adverse Events after Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation for Destination Therapy?

Introduction: Frailty has recently been shown to be associated with increased risk of death after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation as destination therapy (DT), but no data exists specifically analyzing its association with specific early and late adverse events. Methods: Between February 2007 and May 2014, 251 patients (205 male) underwent primary implantation of CF-LVAD at our institution; 157 (63%) were implanted as DT and preoperative frailty assessment was available in 96 pt. Frailty was identified in 58/96 (60%) patients according to the deficit index (31 impairments, disabilities and comorbidities) and defined as > 25% deficits. Age (67 vs. 64 years, p=0.12), male sex (79% vs. 87%, 0.63), chronic kidney disease (64% vs. 63%, p=0.74), creatinine (1.7 vs. 1.5, p=0.1), hemoglobin (11.6 vs. 11.5, p=0.98), and albumin levels (3.7 vs. 3.8, p=0.53) were similar between frail and non-frail pt, while diabetes (59% vs. 13%, p<0.001), ischemic etiology (64% vs. 45%, p=0.04), and preop balloon pump (50% vs. 26%, p=0.01) were significantly different. Results: All patients underwent CF-LVAD implantation and cardiopulmonary bypass time was similar between groups (102 vs. 111 min., p=0.3). There were no significant differences in early adverse events between frail and non-frail pt, including inotrope duration (120 vs. 96 hr., p=0.11), right ventricular failure (19% vs. 13%, p=0.44), respiratory failure (26% vs. 18%, p=0.34), acute renal failure (16% vs. 13%, p=0.69), and hepatic dysfunction (16% vs. 13%, p=0.69). Median length of stay (20 vs. 16 days, p=0.25) and early mortality (12% vs. 8%, p=0.48) were also similar. During a median follow up of 2 years with 224 patient/years of support, any GI bleed (43% vs. 42%, p=0.79), any thromboembolic event (34% vs. 39%, p=0.74), and driveline infection (10% vs. 26%, p=0.052). Conclusions: In this select cohort of patients, frailty did not portend higher risk of adverse events after CF-LVAD implantation for DT despite prior observation that late survival is reduced in these patients. These findings are extremely important in patient selection and counseling of patients prior to LVAD implantation.
An assay for HIV RNA in infected cell lysates, and its use for the rapid evaluation of antiviral efficacy

A rapid, high-capacity assay for evaluating the potency of anti-HIV compounds was devised. This assay measures cell associated viral RNA levels 3 days after infection of susceptible T-cell lines grown in individual microtitre plate wells. Viral RNA was quantified by a sandwich hybridization assay, the first step of which was performed directly in crude infected cell lysates prepared in guanidinium isothio-cyanate. Levels of cell-associated viral RNA were shown to correlate with the yield of infectious virus and this correlation formed the basis of the test. Antiviral potencies of a large series of compounds tested in this RNA hybridization assay correlated closely with potency values determined by a sensitive but slower and more labour-intensive yield-reduction assay. Both laboratory strains and selected clinical isolates of HIV can be detected in this RNA hybridization assay.
A Better Way to Budget for Federal Lending Programs

Policy analysts have long debated how best to budget for student loans, mortgage guarantees, and other federal lending programs. Under official budget rules, these programs appear highly profitable; under an alternative, favored by many analysts, they appear to lose money. That discrepancy confuses policy deliberations. This brief proposes a new budgeting approach, known as expected returns, that would eliminate this confusion. Unlike existing approaches, expected returns accurately reports the fiscal effects of lending over time and provides a natural way to distinguish the fiscal gains from bearing financial risk from the subsidies given to borrowers.
Investigation of Separation Force for Bottom-Up Stereolithography Process From Mechanics Perspective

Relative to the free surface stereolithography (SLA) process, the bottom-up process has several advantages that include better vertical resolution, higher material filling rate, less production time, and less waste of photopolymer materials. However, one of the major concerns of the bottom-up SLA process is that the built-up part may break due to the resultant force generated during the pulling up process. This resultant force may become significant if the adhesive mechanism between the two contact surfaces (i.e., newly cured layer and the bottom of the resin vat) produces a strong bonding characteristic. In this work, the traction force is monitored using FlexiForce® force sensors. The experimental data are analyzed in order to obtain the initial guess for the fracture properties of the separation process. Then the separation process has been modelled based on the concept of Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) in order to study crack propagation behavior in the field of fracture mechanics. The classic bi-linear traction-separation law is adopted in the present work as the nominal constitutive law that relates the resultant traction stress and the separation distance between the two contact surfaces. The results from simulation are compared with experimental data, a good agreement for maximum traction force is found, and the discrepancy is discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
aura (mid1ip1l) regulates the cytoskeleton at the zebrafish egg-to-embryo transition.

Embryos from females homozygous for a recessive maternal-effect mutation in the gene aura exhibit defects including reduced cortical integrity, defective cortical granule (CG) release upon egg activation, failure to complete cytokinesis, and abnormal cell wound healing. Subcellular analysis shows that the cytokinesis defects observed in aura mutants are associated with aberrant cytoskeletal reorganization during furrow maturation, including abnormal F-actin enrichment and microtubule reorganization. Cortical F-actin prior to furrow formation fails to exhibit a normal transition into F-actin-rich arcs, and drug inhibition is consistent with aura function promoting F-actin polymerization and/or stabilization. In mutants, components of exocytic and endocytic vesicles, such as Vamp2, Clathrin and Dynamin, are sequestered in unreleased CGs, indicating a need for CG recycling in the normal redistribution of these factors. However, the exocytic targeting factor Rab11 is recruited to the furrow plane normally at the tip of bundling microtubules, suggesting an alternate anchoring mechanism independent of membrane recycling. A positional cloning approach indicates that the mutation in aura is associated with a truncation of Mid1 Interacting Protein 1L (Mid1ip1L), previously identified as an interactor of the X-linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome gene Mid1. A Cas9/CRISPR-induced mutant allele in mid1ip1L fails to complement the originally isolated aura maternal-effect mutation, confirming gene assignment. Mid1ip1L protein localizes to cortical F-actin aggregates, consistent with a direct role in cytoskeletal regulation. Our studies indicate that maternally provided aura/mid1ip1L acts during the reorganization of the cytoskeleton at the egg-to-embryo transition and highlight the importance of cytoskeletal dynamics and membrane recycling during this developmental period.
Setting the Agenda for a New Discipline: Population Health Science

The authors reflect on the development of a new field of study, population health science, and what this field should have as its focus. They state that population health science studies conditions that affect distributions of health across and within populations and bye mechanisms through which conditions manifest as an individual's health. They comment on how big data has helped in the field of targeted cancer therapies and helped develop precision and personalized medicine.
Kinetics and mechanism of HO2 uptake on solid NaCl

The interaction of HO2 radicals with solid NaCl has been investigated. The uptake coefficient γ was measured using a coaxial reactor with a movable central rod covered with NaCl. The radicals were detected at low concentrations (∼4 × 1010 molecule/cm3) by matrix isolation ESR and at high concentrations (∼5 × 1011 molecule/cm3) by titration with NO followed by gas-phase EPR detection. In the temperature range from 243 to 295 K, the apparent activation energy of γ does not depend on the HO2 concentration. The γ value measured on NaCl agrees well with our previous γ value for nonreactive uptake by NH4NO3 in this temperature range. Furthermore, in the temperature range from 331 to 335 K, the γ value decreases sharply at low HO2 concentrations. A combined Eley−Rideal and Langmuir−Hinshelwood mechanism with reasonable parameter values can explain the observations; such a mechanism is also consistent with the observation of an inhibition effect of water vapor on the uptake coefficient. The conclusion is that, in...
Proving a witness lemma in better-quasiordering theory: the method of `extensions'

We introduce a new method for proving ‘witness lemmas’ in BQO theory. As an application, we obtain witness-lemmas for arbitrary trees and for σ-scattered linear orderings. A positive answer to a question by Van Engelen, Miller and Steel follows.
Differential Habitat Use by Sexes of Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus)

Habitat partitioning between sexes of snowshoe hares ( Lepus americanus ) was examined in relation to seasonal dominance patterns and other factors that influence intraspecific competition (population density, habitat quality, and habitat heterogeneity). Significant differences in microhabitat use between males and females were detected in three of the 12 comparisons made; males were associated with sites that had more understory cover and greater overstory cover, and females were at sites having a greater abundance of forage. Seasonal dominance and population density did not influence habitat segregation. Differences in use of habitats by males and females may have been a response to their different roles in reproduction.
Synthesis and Characterization of the Hypoelectronic Ruthenaborane {(η5-C5Me5)Ru}2{η6-C6H6)Ru}B7H7}

The thermal conversion of commo-{1-(Cp*Ru)(μ-H)B4H9}2Ru, 1, into {(η5-C5Me5)Ru}2{η6-C6H6)Ru}B7H7}, 2, is described. Compound 2 is a single cage, hypoelectronic triruthenaborane in which the C6H6 ligand is derived from the reaction solvent. As an (n − 1) skeletal electron pair (sep) closed, deltahedral cluster, 2 constitutes a structural link between 10 fragment metallaboranes with (n + 1) and (n) sep as well as with one with (n − 2) sep. This series establishes a connection between decreasing average coordination number of the cluster boron atoms with decreasing sep thereby providing a useful 11B NMR chemical shift correlation.
Exact correlation functions in the cuprate pseudogap phase: Combined effects of charge order and pairing

There is a multiplicity of charge-ordered, pairing-based, or pair density wave theories of the cuprate pseudogap, albeit arising from different microscopic mechanisms. For mean-field schemes (of which there are many) we demonstrate here that they have precise implications for two-body physics in the same way that they are able to address the one-body physics of photoemission spectroscopy. This follows because the full vertex can be obtained exactly from the Ward-Takahashi identity. As an illustration, we present the spin response functions, finding that a recently proposed pair density wave (Amperean pairing) scheme is readily distinguishable from other related scenarios.
Field tests on pullout behavior of eccentric grillage foundation in aeolian sand

In MU US desert,full-scale in-site tests on the bearing capacity of eccentric grillage foundations subjected to the uplift and uplift combined with horizontal loading were carried out respectively.The load-displacement both of foundation top plane and ground surface,and the soil pressure acted on the footing slab were measured.The uplift mechanism of foundation was analyzed.The results show that under the uplift,uplift combined with horizontal loadings,the load-displacement of the eccentric grillage foundation presented two-staged behavior.Under uplift load only,the ultimate uplift resistance is assumed to be the sum of the dead weight of foundation and the soil mass contained above the bottom of the assembled slab base.The movement resulted by the eccentricity reduced the uplift bearing capacity of foundation.However,under uplift combined with horizontal loading,the ultimate uplift load increased 8.7 percent by comparison to the uplift load case.It indicate that the eccentric foundation structure is more suitable to the load case of uplift combined with horizontal loading in engineering.The angle δ,the consultant to the line from centroid of slab to top plane,is suggested to reflect the eccentricity and applied loads.According to the test results,the pullout capacity decrease rapidly with the increasing of angle δ.
Maine potato farms—Size and number

Two surveys, each including over 90 percent of Maine potato farm units, agree with the general trend in the United States of “fewer but larger farms”. The number of farm units in Maine reporting potatoes grown decreased from 1,479 in 1969 to 1,058 in 1976, or 28.5 percent. Average size of potato enterprise increased from 92 acres (37.1 hectares) to 104 acres (42.1 hectares). While a predominance of units were in the 50-to 79-acre (20.2-to 32.0-hectare) range in both survey years, the number of units reporting less than 100 acres (40.5 hectares) decreased by about one-third, and represented 64 percent of the total number of units in 1976. Sixty-two of the largest reporting potato farm units produced one-quarter of the State’s potato acreage of 1976 (27,500 acres or 11,130 hectares), whereas it required 84 to produce one-quarter of the total acreage (33,890 acres or 13,715 hectares) in 1969. There were about 1,450 farmers in Maine involved in growing one acre (4 hectare) or more of potatoes in 1976 as compared to an estimated 1,950 in 1969.
Epidemiological analysis of mumps in Xi'an City in 2011

[Objective] To analyze the epidemic data of mumps in Xi'an City in 2011,and master the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in the year with high incidence.[Methods]The 2010 6th national census data as the base,epidemic data were collected from Disease Surveillance and Management Subsystem of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System.After statistical process,descriptive epidemiological analysis was performed.[Results] The number of mumps cases was 11 045 in Xi'an City in 2011,with report incidence rate of 130.43/100 000 which increased by 275.01% of 5-year average incidence 34.78/100 000.Epidemic characteristics of mumps in 2011 were not similar to the years with sporadic case as major,the peak incidence moved from the end of spring and the beginning of summer to winter.The highest incidence appeared among pupils instead of pre-school children.The high risk age group of mumps was 14 years old group instead of 4-9 years group.[Conclusion]It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and con troll of mumps,especially on improving the coverage of mumps vaccinations to control the epidemic of mumps.
Post-term pregnancy.

Prospective gestational age assessment using clinical and technical based data avoids unnecessary patient and physician apprehension, iatrogenic risk and expense. Careful antepartum and intrapartum monitoring of fetal condition is required to avoid excessive morbidity and mortality in those patients whose unfavorable cervical condition disallows the safe induction of labor beyond 41 weeks of gestation.
A CINEMATOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF SPRINT RUNNING.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship of velocity of running to three factors which may influence this velocity. These factors were: (a) the angle to which the leg is raised in front of the body; (b) the length of two strides (a cycle); and (c) the angle that the leg makes with the ground at point of touchdown. Intercorrelations were computed between these variables. Data for this study were obtained by film analysis of 19 University of Maryland runners of varying degrees of skill. Statistically significant intercorrelations (P < .05) were observed between all variables except between mean angle of leg lift and mean angle of leg at touchdown.
Control of series connected resonant converter modules in constant current dc distribution power systems

Applications such as undersea power prefer constant current dc distribution in a series trunk cable connection over dc voltage distribution in order to provide robustness against cable impedance and faults. Power converter modules employed in these architectures are connected in series and have a constant current input. In this paper, steady state analysis and a control strategy are presented for series connected resonant converter modules in a constant current dc distributed power system. The control strategy is developed to achieve stable operation of the system with no communications required among modules. Hardware results are provided for a system consisting of two series connected 100 kHz 500 W SRCs with 1 A trunk current and regulated output current.
Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a major cause of disease and mortality among men, particularly in Western countries. In this chapter, we discuss the evidence surrounding specific lifestyle and dietary factors in the prevention of prostate cancer, with a focus on prevention of lethal disease. We provide global descriptive data around prostate cancer incidence and mortality, and summarize evidence for the following selected risk factors: genetics, obesity and weight change, physical activity, smoking, antioxidant intake, vitamin D and calcium, and statins.