cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast neutron radiation therapy. Results of phase III randomized trials in head and neck, lung, and prostate cancers.

The results of phase III trials comparing neutrons to photons for head and neck squamous cell cancers, non-small cell lung cancers, and prostate adenocarcinomas are reviewed, with emphasis given to the most recent U.S. National Cancer Institute sponsored randomized clinical studies in which fast neutrons were delivered using modern, hospital-based, high-energy, isocentric-capable cyclotrons. In locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancers, neutrons showed no convincing advantage over photons. Fast neutron radiotherapy may have provided a therapeutic benefit in selected patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancers. For locally advanced prostate adenocarcinomas, neutron therapy resulted in significantly superior clinical and histological loco-regional tumor control, which may translate to improved survival with additional follow-up. In general, severe late complications were more frequent with neutrons, especially in patients treated on older physics laboratory-based equipment. Even with mod...
Inlet Fogging of Gas Turbine Engines Detailed Climatic Analysis of Gas Turbine Evaporation Cooling Potential in the USA

Inlet fogging of gas turbine engines has attained considerable popularity due to the ease of installation and the relatively low first cost compared to other inlet cooling methods. With increasing demand for power and with shortage envisioned especially during the peak load times during the summers, there is a need to boost gas turbine power. There is a sizable evaporative cooling potential throughout the world when the climatic data is evaluated based on an analysis of coincident wet bulb and dry bulk information. These data are not readily available to plant users. In this paper a detailed climatic analysis is made of 122 locations in the U.S. to provide the hours of cooling that can be obtained by direct evaporative cooling. These data will allow gas turbine operators to easily make an assessment of the economics of evaporative cooling. The paper also covers an introduction to direct evaporative cooling and the methodology and data analysis used to derive the cooling potential in different regions of the U.S. Simulation runs have been made for gas turbine simple cycles using a reference plant based on a GE Frame 7111EA gas turbine at the 122 locations studied in the U.S. to provide a feel for the sensitivity of operation with inlet fogging.
Education programs for reducing American black bear–human conflict: indicators of success?

Abstract Education programs designed to reduce conflicts between American black bears (Ursus americanus) and humans are often implemented by diverse groups of wildlife practitioners who may devote significant resources to these programs, yet little has been done to characterize the content, structure, and effectiveness of these programs. We review 6 education programs in North America. We build on a common performance indicator used in 5 of 6 programs—a reduction in the number of bear–related complaints to wildlife authorities—and suggest that practitioners incorporate other explanatory variables such as human dimensions, weather, natural food, or number of bears harvested. Some of these explanatory variables draw on potentially existing databases; others require new databases. If education programs are to remain an integral part of bear conservation and management, evaluation is essential to understand the ability of such programs to reduce conflict and encourage coexistence between people and bears.
Robust Estimation for Average Treatment Effects

We study the probability tail properties of the Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) estimators of the Average Treatment Effect T when there is limited overlap in the covariate distribution. Our main contribution is a new robust estimator that performs substantially better than existing IPW estimators. In the literature either the propensity score is assumed bounded away from 0 and 1, or a fixed or shrinking sample portion of the random variable Z that identifies the average treatment effect by E[Z] = T is trimmed when covariate values are large. In a general setting we propose an asymptotically normal estimator that negligibly trims Z adaptively by its large values which sidesteps dimensionality, bias and poor correspondence properties associated with trimming by the covariates, and provides a simple solution to the typically ad hoc choice of trimming threshold. The estimator is asymptotically normal and unbiased whether there is limited overlap or not. In the event there is only one covariate, we also propose an improved robust IPW estimator that trims when the covariate is large. We then work within a latent variable model of the treatment assignment and characterize the probability tail decay of Z. We show when Z exhibits power law tail decay due to limited overlap, and when it has an infinite variance in which case existing estimators do not necessarily have a Gaussian distribution limit. We demonstrate the tail decay property of Z, and study the tail-trimmed estimators by Monte Carlo experiments. We show that our estimator has lower bias and mean-squared-error, and is closer to normal than an existing robust IPW estimator in its suggested form, and in the improved form we propose here.
K̅pp and K̅K̅p Clusters

The three-body kaonic K pp and K K p clusters are studied using the method of hyperspherical harmonics (HH) in momentum representation and differential Faddeev equations (DFE). We use different NN and K N interactions. Results obtained by the methods of HH and DFE are in reasonable agreement. The binding energy and the width show very strong dependence on the K N potential. We have two different classes of results: the results based on phenomenological strong K N potential, and the results obtained with much weaker chiral SU(3)-based K N potential.
A curve-fitting method for analyzing dispersion characteristics of guided elastic waves

Summary I n an elastic waveguide such as fluid-filled borehole with a logging tool, the frequency dispersion of a guided wave mode is characterized by a monotonically varying dispersion curve. The proposed method simulates the multiparameter dispersion curve using a simple analytical function that has only a few parameters. By adjusting the parameters to fit the actual wave dispersion data with the simple function, the wave’s dispersion characteristics can be satisfactorily determined. The result of this simplistic approach leads to several important applications in acoustic logging: 1) correcting dispersion effect in the shear-wave velocity from wireline dipole logging, 2) P-wave velocity from the dispersive leaky-compressional wave data from either wireline or logging while drilling (LWD) measurement, and 3), determining shear-wave velocity from LWD quadrupole shear-wave logging.
Interscan reproducibility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion reserve index in women with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction and no obstructive coronary artery disease

Background Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) has recently shown promise for detecting coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Prior CMR studies in CAD populations and in healthy volunteers have shown good intra and interobserver reproducibility for MPRI. However, interscan reproducibility is more variable. If MPRI is to be considered useful for the detection of CMD in women, the interscan reproducibility in this population must also be understood, such that proposed MPRI cut-off thresholds can be appropriately adjusted. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the interscan reproducibility of MPRI in women with suspected CMD.
Abstract C186: SNS-062 is a potent noncovalent BTK inhibitor with comparable activity against wild type BTK and BTK with an acquired resistance mutation

Background and purpose: BTK mediates B-cell receptor signaling and was validated as a target by the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib in several B-cell malignancies, including mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, patients may have or acquire resistance. Resistance mechanisms include mutation of the cysteine in the BTK active site that ibrutinib requires for covalent binding (C481). We identified and characterized SNS-062, a potent, noncovalent BTK inhibitor with activity towards BTK harboring resistance mutations that also inhibits ITK and may provide enhanced anti-tumor immune responses. SNS-062 shows restricted kinase selectivity and nonclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicology profiles distinct from ibrutinib and merits clinical investigation. Methods and Results: In in vitro kinase binding assays, SNS-062 bound to 9 kinases with Kd Citation Format: Minke E. Binnerts, Kevin L. Otipoby, Brian T. Hopkins, Tonika Bohnert, Stig Hansen, Gene Jamieson, Pamela A. Howland, Eric H. Bjerkholt, Deborah A. Thomas, Judith A. Fox, Adam R. Craig. SNS-062 is a potent noncovalent BTK inhibitor with comparable activity against wild type BTK and BTK with an acquired resistance mutation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C186.
Linguistic convergence/divergence or degree of bilingualism?

In their article, Mougeon, Hallion, Bigot, and Papen attempt to explain the similarities and differences among four varieties of Canadian French spoken outside Quebec (and New Brunswick) in the use of the restriction forms rien que, juste, seulement (que), and ne . . . que. Mougeon and colleagues focused on the French varieties spoken in Welland (Ontario), Saint-Boniface (Manitoba), Saint-Laurent (i.e., Mitchif French, Manitoba) and Bonnyville (Alberta) (see also Nadasdi & Keppie 2004). Using a variationist sociolinguistic framework, they examined the effect of linguistic and extralinguistic factors on speakers’ use of the aforementioned restriction forms, and compared their results to those reported in previous studies of the French varieties spoken in Montreal (Quebec) (Massicotte 1984, 1986; Thibault & Daveluy 1989) and in Hawkesbury, Cornwall, Northbay, and Pembroke (Ontario) (Rehner & Mougeon 1998). Based on their results, Mougeon and colleagues made hypotheses regarding linguistic convergence/divergence and raise relevant questions for future research. In this commentary, I briefly assess some of the contributions made by this research from a psycholinguistic perspective. In doing so, I raise additional questions concerning the source of the effects reported in the study.
Hospital pharmacy indexes: a tool for assessing purchasing and inventory control performance

The development and use of price and value indexes that differentiate between the effects of price and volume changes on a hospital's cost of drug products and related supplies are discussed. To construct a price index it is necessary to (1) compile a general list of drug products representative of a major portion of the institution's annual drug expenditure, (2) assign appropriate weights (quantity determinants) to these listed products, (3) select a base period that reflects normal hospital operations, and (4) select a suitable equation, the authors' choice being a fixed-weight aggregates method. The value index, which measures the combined effects of acquisition cost changes and volume changes, can be calculated when the acquisition cost change for the period is known. Information derived from the indexes can be used in (1) cost analysis and operational forecasts, (2) measurement and assessment of purchasing and inventory control, and (3) simplification of procurement and inventory processes.
A Legal Discussion Evoked by Two Cases on College Students Administration

On the basis of analysis on two disputes happened between college students and school authorities,this paper shows that the only way for college student administration to get out of the difficult situation is to follow up the student-oriented principle,rule the university by law,absorb humanistic elements and filter illegal content in formulation of school rules and integrate rights,responsibility and value in school rules.
Relationship between 24 h pulse pressure and urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients

Objective To explore the relationship between 24 h pulse pressure(PP)and urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. Methods A total of 137 hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups based on the pulse pressure:PP≤60 mmHg and PP60 mmHg.The level of urinary microalbumin was compared between two groups. Results The urinary microalbumin in patients with PP60 mmHg was higher than that in patients with PP≤60 mmHg[(21.08±3.97)μg/min vs (11.14±3.32)μg/min,P0.01]. Conclusion The 24 h pulse pressure is closely related with urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients.
A urethral lengthening procedure for epispadias and exstrophy.

AbstractA procedure to lengthen the urethra is described, which involves the tubularization of the top layer of the foreskin, maintains a good vascular supply and requires only 1 anastomosis. The short natural urethra, with whatever functional capability it may have, also is tubularized and dropped back to form the proximal urethral segment. This technique has worked well and gives a satisfactory cosmetic result.
Speculating the Subject of Money: Georg Simmel on Human Value

This article initiates an inquiry into the sources and frameworks of value used to denote human subjects in modernity. In particular, I consider the conflation of monetary, legal, and theological registers employed to demarcate human worth. Drawing on Simmel’s speculative genealogy of the money equivalent of human values, I consider the spectrum of ascriptions from specifically quantified to infinite human value. I suggest that predications of infinite human value require and imply quantified—and specifically monetary-economic—human value. Cost and worth, economically and legally defined, provide a foundation for subsequent eternal projections in a theological imaginary. This calls into question the interventionist potential of claims to infinite or unquantifiable human value as resistance to the contemporary financialization of human life and society.
Abstract SY15-03: Drugging “undruggable” transcription factor drivers in cancer

Dysregulation of gene expression is a hallmark of all cancers. It is critical for conferring stem cell like properties, such as self-renewal and chemo-resistance, on these cancer cells. Such properties contribute to the inability to completely eradicate cancer cells, thereby leading to relapse. The specific gene expression program that confers these properties derives from aberrant activity of specific transcription factors which are drivers of disease. There are numerous examples of such transcription factor drivers in cancer (ERG in prostate cancer, ETV1 in prostate cancer and GIST, RUNX1-ETO and CBFβ-SMMHC in acute myeloid leukemia, etc.). Clearly, the most direct and effective approach to alter this gene expression program is to target the activity of these transcription factors which are drivers of disease. While the paradigm is shifting significantly, transcription factors have traditionally been viewed as “undruggable”. This results from the challenges associated with targeting either the protein-DNA or protein-protein interactions that typically mediate their function. Recent successes in this area are clearly breaking down this paradigm. Targeting of transcription factors is a very different approach to current approaches to targeted therapy which have heavily focused on kinase inhibitors. Targeting transcription factor drivers will likely alter the stem cell like properties of the cancer cell such as self-renewal, the DNA repair alterations which lead to enhanced rates of mutagenesis, and the chemo-resistance which limits effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. It is also likely that agents targeting transcription factors will show synergy with appropriately targeted kinase inhibitors. We have developed a specific, potent, and effective protein-protein interaction inhibitor for the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion protein which is a driver in inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia (Illendula et al. Science 347: 779-784 (2015)). The efficacy of this inhibitor of a critical protein-protein interaction of the CBFβ-SMMHC transcription factor fusion protein clearly demonstrates the utility of directly targeting transcription factor drivers in cancer. Based on this success, we are targeting other transcription factor drivers in leukemia as well as in other cancers. Two examples of our efforts in this area will be presented. Citation Format: John Bushweller. Drugging “undruggable” transcription factor drivers in cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr SY15-03.
Patrick Geddes in India: Anti-colonial nationalism and the historical time of ‘Cities in Evolution’

Abstract This article presses the case for planning theory to recognize the historicity of historical time, i.e. the argument that ideas about how the past, present, and future relate to each other are specific to particular life-worlds and cannot be treated as universal axioms. This argument emerges from a close analysis of Patrick Geddes’ stint as a town planner and public intellectual in the Indian subcontinent between 1915 and 1922. Geddes regarded both city and society as products of an evolutionary process led by citizens themselves, and his work has been praised for his deep respect for Indian traditions and sensitivity to the needs of the poor. Scholarly writing on Geddes’ work in India therefore reinforces the hagiographical depiction of Geddes as a tragically misunderstood visionary, rather than critically examining the limits of the theory of praxis contained in Geddes’ contributions to planning. In this revisionist account, I demonstrate the link between Geddes’ insistence on the continuity of historical time and his preference for “civics” (the realm of cooperative social action) over the conflict and contention inherent in “conventional politics”. In contrast, nationalist elites in India operated on a discontinuous conception of time because of the deep schisms in the public sphere constituted under colonial rule. As a result, the interpenetration of “civics” and “politics” was necessarily an important part of attempts by nationalist elites to improve the living conditions of the urban poor.
Fibrosis and Fibrotic Gene Expression in Pediatric and Adult Patients With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Although fibrosis seems to be prognostic for adverse outcomes in adults with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), little is known about the prevalence and development of fibrosis in pediatric IDC hearts. We hypothesized that there is less activation of fibrosis at a molecular level in pediatric IDC hearts than in failing adult hearts. Methods and Results Pediatric hearts were analyzed histologically to determine the prevalence of fibrosis. Left ventricular tissue from adult and pediatric IDC hearts and adult and pediatric nonfailing (NF) hearts were subjected to quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to study the expression of important mRNAs that affect fibrosis. We found age-specific differences between IDC and NF hearts in the regulation of noncoding galectin-3, Corin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 2, and TIMP-3. We also found markers that were similarly altered in both adult and pediatric IDC hearts (interleukin-1 receptor–like 1 receptor, TIMP-1, and TIMP-4). Finally, microRNAs 29a–c were significantly decreased in the pediatric IDC patients. Conclusions Pediatric IDC patients demonstrate age-specific differences in the molecular pathways implicated in fibrosis in the adult heart. At the ultrastructural level the unique gene expression pattern appears to limit fibrosis in the failing pediatric heart.
Relationships Among Powered Flight, Metabolic Rate, Body Mass, Genome Size, and the Retrotransposon Complement of Volant Birds

Avian genomes are of interest because the rapid metabolic rate associated with powered flight requires small cells which constrain genome size. Consequently, flying birds tend to have small genomes relative to other vertebrates such as mammals. It thus stands to reason that flying birds should have smaller genomes than ground-dwelling birds with lower metabolic rates. Small genomes could be condensed but uncompromised in a number of ways, including smaller intergenic intervals, shorter introns, and/or a reduced transposable element (TE) complement. We evaluated genome size in light of the orthologous TE complement among 41 flying (FY) and seven ground-dwelling (GD) bird species to determine if a preponderance of deletions in orthologous TEs might explain the compact genomes of flying birds with high metabolic rates. We measured, across multiple loci in all 48 species, the lengths of 50 contemporary orthologous chicken repeat 1 (CR1, a non-LTR retrotransposon) copies relative to inferred ancestral CR1 sequences. We found genome sizes in GD birds were not different than those in FY birds, but the mean lengths of orthologous CR1 loci were significantly shorter in FY birds than in GD birds. Moreover, we observed a negative correlation between basal metabolic rate and length of orthologous CR1 loci. Finally, we observed positive correlations between body mass and both genome sizes as well as length of orthologous CR1 loci, which we expected given that body mass correlates negatively with metabolic rates. Our results support the contention that metabolism helps shape the avian TE complement and thus indirectly contributes to the compact genomes of birds.
Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Products from Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Have Increased Frequency of Regulatory T Cells (CD4+FoxP3+ Treg).

Increased numbers of regulatory T cells (Treg) with immune suppressive function have been observed in patients with hematological malignancies. Many of these patients will undergo stem cell mobilization with high dose cyclophosphamide and G-CSF to prepare for autologous stem cell transplantation. Although infusion of low dose cyclophosphamide (Cy) seems to reduce the number of circulating Tregs, mobilization with high dose Cy and G-CSF was shown to increase the frequency of immunosuppresive Treg in stem cell autografts of myeloma patients. Treg populations have been defined by different phenotypic criteria, including CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+ CD127 lo . In this study, we compare the impact of donor types and stem cell mobilization regimens on CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+ CD127 lo Treg frequencies in 63 apheresis products. Methods: Apheresis products from 23 healthy donors (17 donors received G-CSF and 6 had no stem cell mobilization) and 40 patients with hematological malignancies (1 AML, 2 HD, 25 NHL, 10 MM, 2 neuroblastoma) were evaluated. Patients with malignancies were mobilized with chemotherapy (5 RICE, 25 Cy, 1 Ara-c+Etoposide) + G-CSF (N=31), AMD3100 + G-CSF (N=5), or G-CSF alone (N=2). Samples from each product were incubated with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against cell surface makers, CD45, CD4, CD14, CD127, and CD25, followed by intracellular staining with anti-FoxP3 antibody. Six-color flow cytometry and sequential gating was performed for each sample to determine the frequency of CD4 + Foxp3 + and CD4 + CD25 + CD127 lo Treg population. Results: A strong correlation was found between CD4 + Foxp3 + and CD4 + CD25 + CD127 lo Treg subsets (r=0.67, p + CD25 + CD127 lo Treg subset did not demonstrate any statistical significance. Conclusions: Although correlation was observed between CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4 + CD25 + CD127 lo subsets, CD4+FoxP3+ is a more sensitive marker for the Treg population in stem cell products. Higher CD4+FoxP3+ Treg frequency was observed in grafts from patients with hematological malignancies compared to healthy donors. The addition of a novel mobilization agent, AMD3100, to Cy mobilization may further increase the Treg content of autologous stem cell products.
Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation and voltage mapping for symptomatic atrial fibrillation 9 months after Watchman device implantation.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) is frequently performed as a nonpharmacologic, second-line therapy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)1, 2 and contraindications to long-term anticoagulation. Although combined catheter pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and Watchman procedures may be performed successfully for patients with symptomatic AF, a simultaneous approach is not always feasible or in some cases PVI may not be clinically indicated at the time of Watchman implantation. Staged radiofrequency PVI and left atrial (LA) catheter ablation following Watchman device placement has been shown to be feasible3, 4, 5; however, other modalities for PVI have not been reported in the postimplant population.
Rethinking Congestion Control for Cellular Networks

We propose Accel-Brake Control (ABC), a protocol that integrates a simple and deployable signaling scheme at cellular base stations with an endpoint mechanism to respond to these signals. The key idea is for the base station to enable each sender to achieve a computed target rate by marking each packet with an "accelerate" or "brake" notification, which causes the sender to either slightly increase or slightly reduce its congestion window. ABC is designed to rapidly acquire any capacity that opens up, a common occurrence in cellular networks, while responding promptly to congestion. It is also incrementally deployable using existing ECN infrastructure and can co-exist with legacy ECN routers. Preliminary results obtained over cellular network traces show that ABC outperforms prior approaches significantly.
Quantification of colloidal filtration of polystyrene micro-particles on glass substrate using a microfluidic device.

Abstract A microfluidic device was designed to investigate filtration of particles in an electrolyte in the presence of liquid flow. Polystyrene spheres in potassium chloride solution at concentrations of 3–100 mM were allowed to settle and adhere to a glass substrate. A particle free solution at the same concentration was then flushed through the microfluidic channel at 0.03–4.0 mL/h. As the hydrodynamic drag on the adhered particles exceeded the intersurface interaction with the substrate, “pull-off” occurred and the particles detached. Filtration efficiency, α, was shown to a function of both ionic concentration of the liquid medium and flow speed, consistent with a phenomenological model based on the classical DLVO theory. The results elucidates the underlying physics of filtration.
Networks with String Transitions

Chapter 2 discussed network models with batch or concurrent movements of units under reversibility assumptions. Are there comparable models of Whittle networks with batch movements? More generally, are there tractable network models in which a transition may involve a series of simultaneous single- or multiple-unit changes? This chapter describes networks with such characteristics called networks with string transitions, or string-nets for short. In a string-net, a transition consists of a string of instantaneous subtractions or additions of units at the nodes, where the string is randomly selected from a family of variable-length strings. Invariant measures for string-nets resemble those of Whittle networks, but now key parameters in the measures are obtained as solutions to more complicated nonlinear traffic equations.
A20--an omnipotent protein in the liver: prometheus myth resolved?

Contribution of NF-κB inhibitory and ubiquitin-editing A20 (tnfaip3) to the liver’s protective response to injury, particularly to its anti-inflammatory armamentarium, is exemplified by the dramatic phenotype of A20 knockout mice that die prematurely of unfettered inflammation predominantly in the liver. A number of additional studies originating from our laboratory and others clearly demonstrate that A20 is part of the liver response to injury and resection. Upregulation of A20 in hepatocytes serves a broad hepatoprotective goal through combined anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and pro-regenerative functions. The molecular basis for A20’s hepatoprotective functions were partially resolved and include blockade of NF-κB activation in support of its anti-inflammatory function, inhibition of pro-caspase 8 cleavage in support of its anti-apoptotic function, increasing Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor α (PPARα) expression in support of its anti-oxidant function, and decreasing Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 while boosting IL-6/STAT3 proliferative signals as part of its pro-regenerative function. In experimental animal models, overexpression of A20 in the liver protects from radical acute fulminant toxic hepatitis, lethal hepatectomy, and severe liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), and allows successful engraftment of marginal liver grafts. Conversely, partial loss of A20, as in A20 heterozygote mice, significantly impairs liver regeneration and damage, which confers high lethality to an otherwise safe procedure i.e., 2/3 partial hepatectomy. This is the ultimate proof of the physiologic role of A20 in liver regeneration and repair. In recent work, A20’s functions in the liver have expanded to encompass regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, unlocking a whole new set of metabolic diseases that could be affected by A20. In this chapter we review all available data regarding A20’s physiologic role in the liver, and reflect on the clinical implication of these findings with regard to A20-based therapies in the context of liver transplantation, resection of large liver tumors, liver fibrosis, and metabolic liver diseases.
Multisulfur Metal Sites in Enzymes, Complexes, Clusters, and Solids: Possible Relevance for Nitrogenase

This volume deals with biological nitrogen fixation and chemical systems which may offer analogy with or insight into the biological process. This chapter deals with certain biochemical and chemical systems which have not been studied specifically in the context of the nitrogen fixation problem. Rather, recent results in the areas non-nitrogenase Mo enzymes and the coordination and solid state chemistry of molybdenum are discussed. This chemistry reveals some of the structural, spectroscopic and mechanistic possibilities which present themselves when multisulfur metal sites are present.
Decomposition of Complex Molecules Using Silent Discharge Plasma Processing

Silent Discharge Plasma (SDP) refers to a discharge occurring in an open space between two insulated electrodes connected to a source of high voltage alternating current. The discharge is often termed a ‘glow’ discharge because it does appear to be a continuous and uniformly glowing plasma region. This is not, in fact, the case and the discharge instead consists of a large number of microdischarges of short lifetime but high instantaneous currents. These are readily seen as spikes near the peaks of the current waveform when the current through the system is determined by a suitably fast response system. The average discharge lifetime has been estimated variously to be on the order of microseconds to nanoseconds with electron energies of 6–20 eV [Horvath et al. 1985; Kogelschatz et al. 1988].
Assessment of Environmental Insults on Lymphoid Cells as Detected by Computer Assisted Morphometric Techniques

Analysis of the texture and distribution of chromatin in cell nuclei has resulted in the recognition and differentiation of: (i) different types of normal cells, (ii) cells in different stages of the cell cycle, (iii) neoplastic cells in various stages of differentiation, and (iv) cells altered by irradiation, chemicals and biological treatment [1–14]. The differentiation may be made by an analysis of chromatin stained in stoechiometric process with the Schiff stain using the Feulgen procedure. The information resides in the condensation, granularity and general spatial arrangement of the stained chromatin [15–16]. Small, gradual changes in the organization of the chromatin reflect changes in the normal physiology, maturity and differentiation of the cells [15–18].
The Importance of Rigor in Usability Studies

Well-designed and conducted usability efforts – “big U Usability including the entire user-centered design process, from requirements gathering through prototype creation and evaluation, through system usability testing, through delivery/cut-live, and to field testing and beyond, and even fundamental usability research – are vital to the creation of human-information systems that actual people can use to carry out their intended tasks. Done poorly, such efforts can be worse than nothing. We have crafted this conference session, “Usability Studies: Rigor or Rigor Mortis?,” to highlight good examples of rigor applied to usability studies, and to illustrate how important a rigorous approach is.
Effect of Dexamethasone on Triethyl Tin Induced Brain Edema and the Early Edema in Cerebral Ischemia

The effects of dexamethasone were investigated in experimental brain edema induced by triethyl tin intoxication and cerebral microembolism. Large doses of steroid (1.25 mg/kg/day) significandy reduced brain water and sodium in triethyl tin poisoned rats. However, in experimental microembolism, steroids had no effect on mortality, severity of edema, brain electrolyte changes, or cerebral isotope spaces.
Computations: Two Servers

Much of the calculations are the same here as in the one server case, so let us only discuss what is new for two servers. The crisp transition matrix is different and is shown in Table 8.1. In this table q(i∣s) denotes the probability that i customers leave the system during time period δ, given that s servers were busy at the start of the time period.
Plötzlicher Herztod bei Myokardsarkoidose

Bei autoptisch untersuchten Fallen von Sarkoidose wurde eine Beteiligung des Myokards in bis zu 20% gefunden. Klinisch sind jedoch bisher lebensbedrohliche kardiale Komplikationen selten beschrieben worden. In 3 klinischen Untersuchungen wurden bisher 72 Patienten mit Myokardsarkoidose beschrieben, von denen 49% an plotzlichem Herztod starben. Bei einigen Patienten wurde Myokardsarkoidose klinisch angenommen, konnte jedoch nicht bioptisch oder autoptisch bewiesen werden.
Development of a Fatigue Design Load for High-Mast Lighting Towers

AbstractFatigue cracking has caused a number of high-mast lighting tower (HMLT) failures throughout the United States. Both buffeting and vortex shedding have been shown to contribute to the failur...
Slamming the brakes on lupus with CAR T cells

Sustained depletion of B cells with CAR T cells induces disease remission in lupus-prone mice.
Origami-Inspired Fabrication: Self-Folding or Self-Unfolding of Cross-Linked-Polyimide Objects in Extremely Hot Ambience

A methodology that integrates a folding step into the conventional poly(amic acid)/polyimide film fabrication scheme is developed. It enables fabricating cross-linked polyimide (XCP2) films into a ...
Fluid flow rate dictates the efficacy of low-intensity anti-vascular ultrasound therapy in a microfluidic model.

Objective Low-intensity anti-vascular ultrasound therapy is an effective means of disrupting the blood supply in the tumor microenvironment. Its diminished effect on the surrounding vasculature is thought to be due to higher blood flow rates outside the tumor that decreases the interaction time between the endothelial lining and the microbubbles, which transduce acoustic energy to thermal heat. However, investigating the effect of circulation rate on the response to low-intensity ultrasound is complicated by the heterogeneity of the in vivo vascular microenvironment. Here, a 3D microfluidic model is used to directly interrogate the dynamics of ultrasound stimulation. Methods A 3D in vitro vessel consisting of LifeACT transfected endothelial cells facilitate real-time analysis of actin dynamics during ultrasound treatment. Using an integrated testing platform, both the flow rate of microbubbles within the vessel and the magnitude of insonation can be varied. Results Morphological measurements and dextran transport assays indicate that lower flow rates exacerbate the effect of low-intensity ultrasound on vessel integrity. Additionally, immunostaining for VE-cadherin and transmission electron microscopy provide further insight into structural changes in cell-cell junctions following insonation. Conclusions Overall, these results reveal that blood flow rate is an important parameter to consider during the refinement of anti-vascular low-intensity ultrasound therapies.
Dynamic hydroelastic response of a surface-piercing strut in waves and ventilated flows

Abstract The objective of this work is to study the effects of waves and ventilation on the dynamic hydroelastic response of a surface-piercing strut via towing tank studies. The experimental studies are especially designed to test the hypothesis that flow conditions affect the modal response and hence structural dynamics, which in turn affect the hydrodynamic response through fluid–structure interaction, particularly near regions of mode localization such as frequency coalescence. The results showed that the modal frequencies decrease with increasing submergence, and are higher in fully ventilated flow compared to fully wetted flow. Regular, non-breaking waves lead to simple harmonic oscillations about the mean values at the encountered wave frequency for the slowly varying component of the hydrodynamic loads and tip deformations. The spectral response of the fast fluctuating component of the hydrodynamic loads and tip deformations showed peaks at the modal frequencies and vortex shedding frequencies (off the blunt trailing edge of the strut). Significant dynamic load amplifications and flow-induced vibrations were observed when the second and third modal frequencies coalesced at a submerged aspect ratio of two in fully wetted flow. In fully ventilated flow, the second and third modes separated enough to result in drastically reduced dynamic load fluctuations and flow-induced vibrations. When the submergence decreased, the separation between the modal frequencies increased, which avoided frequency coalescence in both fully wetted and fully ventilated flows. The results suggest that for cases where the wave encountered frequency is well separated from the modal frequencies, the spectral response of the fast fluctuating component of the hydrodynamic loads and tip deformations are governed by the structural response, and not by wave conditions.
Knot Complement, ADO Invariants and their Deformations for Torus Knots

A relation between the two-variable series knot invariant and the Akutus-Deguchi-Ohtsuki(ADO)-invariant was conjectured recently. We reinforce the conjecture by presenting explicit formulas and/or an algorithm for certain ADO-invariants of torus knots obtained from the series invariant of complement of a knot. Furthermore, one parameter deformation of ADO_3-polynomial of torus knots is provided.
Identification of bioprivileged molecules: expansion of a computational approach to broader molecular space

As interest in biobased chemicals grows, and their application space expands, computational tools to navigate molecule space as a complement to experimental approaches are imperative. This work expands upon previous work that identified candidate bioprivileged molecules from the C6HxOy (C6) subspace. It refines the framework that was developed previously to better refine the molecules according to their biological origin and applies it to three new subspaces of chemical structure: C4HxOy (C4), C5HxOy (C5), and C7HxOy (C7). For C5 and C7, roughly the top 100 bioprivileged candidates were identified, and the enhanced framework was applied to recast slightly the previous list of the top 100 C6 molecules. In addition, all top candidates were analyzed for their key functional moieties using a random forest model, and this algorithm was applied to compare the functional group space occupied by bioprivileged molecules of various databases of molecules with a focus on evaluating how closely the molecules were aligned with those known to biology. Furthermore, with the present work's focus on automation and data science principles, the framework can be easily expanded to include other chemical formulae to screen for bioprivileged candidates. This in turn facilitates the retrosynthesis process inherent in the framework to identify those bioprivileged intermediates in other subspaces that lead to target molecules.
Under the Radar: A Case Report of a Missed Aortoenteric Fistula.

Author(s): Briggs, Blake; Manthey, David | Abstract: Introduction: An aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is an abnormal connection between the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract that develops due to a pathologic cause. It is a rare, but life-threatening, cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Although no single imaging modality exists that definitively diagnoses AEF, computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdomen and pelvis is the preferred initial test due to widespread availability and efficiency.n Case Report: Many deaths occur before the diagnosis is made or prior to surgical intervention. We describe a case of a patient with a history of aortic graft repair who presented with active GI bleeding.Conclusion: Although CTA can make the diagnosis of AEF, it cannot adequately rule it out. In patients with significant GI bleeding and prior history of aortic surgery, vascular surgery should be consulted early on, even if CTA is equivocal.
Color-Based Image Similarity

Color plays an important role in content-based image retrieval. In this chapter we define color features in an appropriate, perceptually uniform color space, where color distributions describe the contents of entire images. Summarizing these distributions by color signatures and using the Earth Mover’s Distance leads to a powerful color-based retrieval paradigm. Combining the color information of the pixels, with their positions in the image leads to a distance measure where not only the color contents matters but also the layout of the color in the image.
Plasma and cellular contributions to fibrin network formation, structure and stability

Growing evidence suggests that fibrin network structure and stability are important determinants of haemostasis and thrombosis, with alterations in fibrin structure implicated as a causative mechanism in various haemostatic and thrombotic disorders. In haemophilia, for example, deficiency of factor VIII or IX reduces the rate and peak of thrombin generation and produces coarse fibrin clots that show increased susceptibility to fibrinolysis. More recently, studies have shown significant effects of cellular activity and integrin composition on fibrin network and stability. Platelets support the formation of a dense, stable fibrin network via interactions between the alphaIIbbeta3 integrin and the fibrin network, whereas tissue factor-bearing cells regulate fibrin structure and stability predominantly via procoagulant activity. Highly procoagulant extravascular cells (e.g. fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells) support the formation of dense fibrin networks that resist fibrinolysis, whereas unstimulated intravascular cells (e.g. endothelial cells) produce coarser networks that are susceptible to fibrinolysis. Moreover, cellular contributions produce heterogeneous clots in which fibrin network density and stability decrease with increasing distance from the cell surface. Together, these findings suggest that specific plasma and cellular mechanisms link thrombin generation, clot stability and haemostatic or thrombotic outcome. Understanding these mechanisms may provide new therapeutic targets in the management of bleeding and thrombotic disorders.
Design of reliable control systems by using multiple similar controllers

This paper presents a methodology for the design of reliable control systems by using multiple similar controllers. The resulting control systems are reliable in that they provide guaranteed stability and H/sub /spl infin// performance not only when all controllers are operational, but also in case of some controller failures.
Effect of Silk Protein Processing on Drug Delivery from Silk Films

Sericin removal from the core fibroin protein of silkworm silk is a critical first step in the use of silk for biomaterial-related applications, but degumming can affect silk biomaterial properties, including molecular weight, viscosity, diffusivity and degradation behavior. Increasing the degumming time (10, 30, 60 and 90 min) decreases the average molecular weight of silk protein in solution, silk solution viscosity, and silk film glass transition temperature, and increases the rate of degradation of silk film by protease. Model compounds spanning a range of physical-chemical properties generally showed an inverse relationship between degumming time and release rate through a varied degumming time silk coating. Degumming provides a useful control point to manipulate silk’s material properties.
The Influence of boundary layer properties on grease lubricated high-speed ball bearing performance

Understanding the tribological basics is essential to extending the service life of machine elements and lubricants. For this purpose, it is necessary to study the micro-/nanotribological interactions between the lubricant and the macro-structure's surface [1], [2], [3]. This paper deals with the influence of lubricating grease composition, in particular the presence of antioxidants, on the grease service life and the tribological performance characteristics of boundary layers in high-speed ball bearings. First of all, the experimental set-up including the bearing test rig, the test parameters and the six model greases will be presented. Thereafter, the equipment for measuring the nanomechanical properties of the boundary layers and the metal surfaces will be described. Experimental results from tribophysical tests like nanohardness measurements and nanoscratch tests include information about the structure of the boundary layers. Finally, these results will be correlated with grease and boundary layer chemical composition as well as with grease service life.
Weather display symbology affects pilot behavior and decision-making

Abstract Objective To examine the basic discriminability of weather display symbols and to assess the effects of weather display symbology on pilot behavior and decision-making. Method During a cockpit simulation, 24 instrument-rated general aviation (GA) pilots were randomly allocated to one of three simulation groups. Pilots flew a Cessna 172 single-engine GA aircraft under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) while avoiding hazardous weather. We manipulated the weather display so that each pilot group used a different weather symbology (i.e., symbols and colors). We measured dependent variables for weather avoidance, communication, weather display usage, and cognitive engagement (i.e., oxygenation from Functional Near-Infrared [fNIR] measures). During a change-detection experiment, 20 naive participants performed a detection task of changes in Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs), precipitation, Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), lightning, and time-stamp images. Results The simulation outcome showed credible pilot group differences in weather deviations, cognitive engagement, and weather display usage. The change-detection experiment revealed credible differences in discriminability of METAR, SIGMET, and lightning symbols. Conclusion Symbol and color variations in weather displays contribute to perceptual asymmetries which affect pilot behavior and decision-making. We recommend the development of cockpit applications that use weather data to automatically track hazardous conditions and alert the pilot of potential weather conflicts or weather changes.