cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s ethernet transport technologies and applications

The ever-evolving Ethernet and its transport technologies are reviewed while highlighting the unique layered architecture of Ethernet. The emerging SAN and WAN applications are driving second-generation 100 Gb/s Ethernet standardization.
High resolution X-ray structures of different metal-substituted forms of phosphotriesterase from Pseudomonas diminuta.

Phosphotriesterase, isolated from the soil-dwelling bacterium Pseudomonas diminuta, catalyzes the detoxification of organophosphate-based insecticides and chemical warfare agents. The enzyme has attracted significant research attention in light of its possible employment as a bioremediation tool. As naturally isolated, the enzyme is dimeric. Each subunit contains a binuclear zinc center that is situated at the C-terminal portion of a “TIM” barrel motif. The two zincs are separated by ∼3.4 A and coordinated to the protein via the side chains of His 55, His 57, His 201, His 230, Asp 301, and a carboxylated Lys 169. Both Lys 169 and a water molecule (or hydroxide ion) serve to bridge the two zinc ions together. Interestingly, these metals can be replaced with cadmium or manganese ions without loss of enzymatic activity. Here we describe the three-dimensional structures of the Zn2+/Zn2+-, Zn2+/Cd2+-, Cd2+/Cd2+-, and Mn2+/Mn2+-substituted forms of phosphotriesterase determined and refined to a nominal resoluti...
Effects of age and mode of ingestion on absorption of plutonium.

The effect of age on gastrointestinal absorption of plutonium was determined for rats over the range 1 to 84 days of age. Absorption for 1-day-old rats was 85 times that reported for the adult. This dropped to near adult levels in the 21-day-old weanlings. Plutonium distribution in the 7-day-old rat was essentially the same as that found for the adult. Absorption of plutonium applied directly to the tongue or fed in drinking water did not differ significantly from absorption following gavage feeding. It was concluded that the hazard of ingested plutonium is not increased when exposure of the oral cavity and exophagus is involved. (auth)
Myocardial Ischemia, Fluorodeoxyglucose, and Severity of Coronary Artery Stenosis: The Complexities of Metabolic Remodeling in Hibernating Myocardium

To the Editor: Myocardial imaging of perfusion (with either 13N-ammonia or 82Rb) and of metabolism with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a validated method for differentiating viable myocardium from necrosis or scar.1,2 Early in its clinical application, FDG was injected during exercise stress to intensify the difference between normal and ischemic myocardium. This approach was based on the following general principles of myocardial metabolism. (1) Normally perfused, nonischemic myocardium metabolizes primarily fatty acids. (2) Underperfused, ischemic myocardium metabolizes glucose. (3) Fasting suppresses glucose metabolism in normally perfused myocardium (but has no effect on anaerobic glucose metabolism in ischemic myocardium). (4) Catecholamines released during exercise stress further suppress exogenous glucose metabolism in normal myocardium but do not alter anaerobic glucose metabolism in ischemic myocardium.3–5 In principle, “hot-spot” imaging of myocardial ischemia would therefore identify “significant stenosis” of a coronary artery independently and separately from myocardial perfusion or anatomic stenosis severity. However, those of us who enthusiastically supported FDG imaging quickly abandoned this approach 17 years ago. Hot-spot imaging during exercise was deemed not reliable because heart metabolism was, in fact, more complex than the generalized concepts outlined above. The switching of metabolic substrates in the heart is a complex process and cannot be reliably assessed by FDG under fasting and exercise conditions. Consequently, FDG uptake in the heart under these conditions does not reliably differentiate between ischemic and nonischemic myocardium. Although FDG imaging did not prove diagnostically useful under exercise conditions, at rest it was able to differentiate between ischemic, viable myocardium and necrotic, scarred myocardium. Not surprisingly, this approach is used widely for deciding on revascularization procedures. The understanding of myocardial metabolism has now evolved with a better molecular and genetic understanding of these early and perhaps erroneous concepts. There is no question that imaging with the glucose …
Dynamic Nanomechanical Characterization Using Multiple-Frequency Method

Macroscopic behavior of materials, whether synthetic or biological, depends on the morphology and characteristics of their microscopic constituents. Improving the performance of engineered materials and understanding the design principles of biomaterials demand tools that can characterize material properties with nanoscale resolution. What is the spatial arrangement of the components of a heterogeneous material? Are the material properties of those components different from their respective bulk properties? How do material properties change near the interfaces? What is the influence of temperature, electric or magnetic fields, or solvents? Answering these questions is of critical importance to the rational design of advanced materials and to the analysis of biological materials. In this chapter, we focus on the recent advances in the measurement and characterization of dynamic nanomechanical properties with high spatial resolution using specially designed atomic force microscope cantilevers. We will first describe the basic operation principles of this method and present results to judge its performance on various material systems.
Noise-Adjusted Subspace Discriminant Analysis for Hyperspectral Imagery Classification

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is a popular approach for dimensionality reduction for pattern classification; however, its performance is often degraded when samples are too few, particularly when the dimensionality of the input feature space is excessively high. The classic solution to the small-sample-size problem is to implement LDA in a principal component (PC) subspace, i.e., a strategy known as subspace LDA. This latter approach is extended by coupling LDA and noise-adjusted HSI analysis in order to provide noise-robust feature extraction and classification of high-dimensional data. An extension of the proposed approach in a kernel-induced space is also studied. The resulting noise-adjusted subspace discriminant analysis is evaluated using hyperspectral imagery, with experimental results demonstrating that the proposed approach provides not only superior classification performance, as compared with traditional methods, but also effective dimensionality reduction for classification even in the presence of noise.
Effects of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors on EGF- and insulin-dependent mammary epithelial cell growth.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)- and insulin-dependent mammary epithelial cell mitogenesis is mediated by specific tyrosine kinase receptors. Receptor tyrosine kinase activity is highly regulated in normal cells, whereas amplification of intracel- lular protein tyrosine phosphorylation is associated with abnormal growth and/or neoplastic transformation. Since protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are involved in regulating receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, studies were conducted to determine the effects of the PTP inhibitors, vanadate and pervanadate, on mitogen-receptor signal transduction and cell growth. Mammary epithelial cells isolated from midpreg- nant BALB/c mice were grown within collagen gels and maintained on serum-free media. Treatment with 2-8 pM vanadate or pervanadate greatly increased intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation. However, in the presence of optimal mitogenic stimulation (10 ng/ml EGF and 10 pg/ml insulin), these treatments induced a slight, but significant decrease in cell growth. In contrast, these treatments significantly in- creased mammary epithelial cell growth, albeit less than optimally, under submito- genic culture conditions (500 pg/ml EGF and 10 pg/ml insulin). Neither vanadate nor pervanadate was found to mimic the mitogenic actions of EGF and/or insulin in these cells. The growth-stimulatory effects of PTP inhibitors in submitogenic conditions appear to result from enhanced receptor tyrosine kinase mitogenic signaling, whereas PTP inhibitor attenuation of optimal cell growth may be due to the suppression of PTP activity associated with cell cycle progression. In addition, treatment with PTP inhibi- tors was not found to stimulate anchorage-independent growth, as determined by the inability of single cells to form colonies in soft agarose. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that optimal mitogen-dependent mammary epithelial cell growth requires both receptor tyrosine kinase and PTP activity. Furthermore, PTP inhibitor-induced amplification of receptor tyrosine kinase mitogenic signaling is not in itself sufficient to induce enhanced cell growth or phenotypic expression of neoplastic transforma- tion. (P.S.E.B.M. 1998, Vol 2171 eceptor tyrosine kinase mitogenic signaling has be- come an area of intense investigation since many .oncogene products have been identified as variants of growth factor receptors that display constitutively high
P‐wave amplitudes in the United States: east–west variations and variability

Summary The variation of P-wave amplitudes between the eastern and western United States is examined by using data from many different amplitude studies. Consideration is given to the geological siting of three groups of stations: (1) all stations, (2) stations situated on hard bedrock, and (3) all stations, but with sediment amplification corrections applied to stations situated on soft sediments. The average estimates of the three cases for the east versus west amplitude variation in the United States range from 0.12 to 0.21 magnitude units. The amplitude variation within the eastern, western and the United States as a whole is expressed in terms of the standard deviation of the station amplitude distribution. For the various regions and station groups studied, σ ranges between 0.11 and 0.20 in magnitude units.
Remote Sensing of Wetlands: Case Studies Comparing Practical Techniques

KLEMAS, V., 2011. Remote sensing of wetlands: case studies comparing practical techniques. Journal of Coastal Research, 27(3), 418–427. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. To plan for wetland protection and sensible coastal development, scientists and managers need to monitor the changes in coastal wetlands as the sea level continues to rise and the coastal population keeps expanding. Advances in sensor design and data analysis techniques are making remote sensing systems practical and attractive for monitoring natural and man-induced wetland changes. The objective of this paper is to review and compare wetland remote sensing techniques that are cost-effective and practical and to illustrate their use through two case studies. The results of the case studies show that analysis of satellite and aircraft imagery, combined with on-the-ground observations, allows researchers to effectively determine long-term trends and short-term changes of wetland vegetation and hydrology.
The Rigid Ignition Model

We wish to analyze indepth the solid fuel ignition model (1.28-)(1.29) $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {{\theta _t} - \Delta \theta = \delta {e^\theta },{\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \left( {x,t} \right) \in \Omega {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \times {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \left( {0,T} \right)} \\ {\theta \left( {x,0} \right) = 0,{\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} x \in \Omega } \\ {\theta \left( {x,t} \right) = 0,{\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \left( {x,t} \right) \in \partial \Omega {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \times {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \left( {0,T} \right)} \end{array} $$ and its relationship to the steady-state model (1.30)-(1.31) $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} { - \Delta \psi = \delta {e^\psi },{\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} x \in \Omega } \\ {\psi (x) = 0,{\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} x \in \partial \Omega .} \end{array} $$
Sporothnx Whole Yeast Agglutination Test: Low-titer Reactions of Sera of Subjects Not Known to Have Sporotrichosis

The Sporothrix schenckii whole yeast agglutination test was performed on sera from presumably healthy persons, from patients with a clinically suspected fungal infection who were subsequently found not to have a fungal infection, from patients with mycotic infections other than sporotrichosis, and from patients who proved to have sporotrichosis. All patients with sporotrichosis had agglutination titers of 1:160 or higher. No agglutination was observed at these dilutions of sera obtained from healthy subjects or patients with fungal infections other than sporotrichosis. However, sera from a few persons without sporotrichosis exhibited agglutination at dilutions of 1:20 and 1:40. We conclude that a titer of 1:160 or greater is diagnostic and that a titer of 1:80 might be presumptive, but a titer of 1:40 or less should be considered to be only supportive evidence in the diagnosis of sporotrichosis.
Co-reference via Pointing and Haptics in Multi-Modal Dialogues

This paper describes our ongoing work on resolving third person pronouns and deictic words in a multi-modal corpus. We show that about two thirds of these referring expressions have antecedents that are introduced by pointing gestures or by haptic-ostensive actions (actions that involve manipulating an object). After describing our annotation scheme, we discuss the co-reference models we learn from multi-modal features. The usage of haptic-ostensive actions in a co-reference model is a novel contribution of our work.
Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirements in Metastatic Spinal Tumor Surgery: Evaluation of Influencing Factors

Metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) can be associated with significant blood loss. Previous studies did not provide comprehensive data on blood loss in MSTS. Thorough study elaborating the blood loss, transfusion requirement, and their influencing factors is required. This study aimed to investigate the estimated blood loss and transfusion requirements associated with various surgical approaches and surgically managed vertebral levels for spinal metastases from different primary tumors. The study retrospectively evaluated 243 patients who underwent surgery for metastatic spine tumors at the authors’ institution between 2005 and 2014. Estimated intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement were assessed for different primary tumors including lung, breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, renal, liver, thyroid, myeloma/lymphoma, and others; types of surgical procedure (cervical corpectomy ± stabilization, thoracolumbar posterior decompression ± instrumentation, thoracolumbar corpectomy, minimally invasive surgery); and levels of instrumentation and decompression. Multivariate linear regression was attempted to investigate the factors influencing blood loss and transfusion requirements. The mean blood loss was 870 ± 720 ml, and the average blood transfusion was 1.5 ± 1.9 U. The mean blood loss was 1103 ml for patients who received blood transfusion and 597 ml for those who did not. Multivariate analysis showed that the significant factors influencing blood loss were primary tumor, type of surgery, and prolonged operative time. The influencing factors for blood transfusion were primary tumor, type of surgery, preoperative hemoglobin, and prolonged operative time. Significant variations in blood loss and transfusion requirement were based on primary tumor of spinal metastases, surgical approaches, and operative time. These findings will help clinicians in preoperative planning to address the problem of blood loss during MSTS.
On-farm produced microbial soil inoculant effects on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) production

The use of microbial soil inoculants in agriculture is of increasing interest among growers and scientists. This study aimed to determine the effects of a commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) inoculant, an on-farm produced AMF inoculant, and an on-farm produced indigenous microbial inoculant on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) AMF colonization, biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake and recovery, and grain yield and protein in a containerized greenhouse experiment and two years of field trials conducted in Maine, USA. The inoculants were compared with respective controls (sterilized inoculants) and the levels of N, P and K were equalized across treatments. Both AMF inoculants enhanced AMF colonization in a greenhouse potting mix containing unsterilized field soil, but only the on-farm produced AMF increased aboveground biomass and phosphorus (P) uptake and recovery. No differences were observed among inoculants and their relative controls in the field. However, the indigenous microb...
Acquisitions Budgets: Planning and Control for Success

Planning and controlling are the essence of sound management of acquisitions funding. The goals are obtaining the desired funding and using whatever is received in the most effective manner. Succes...
The Genetics Analysis of Captive Giant Panda Reintroduction

The giant panda is a characteristic endangered species in our country.Owing to the influence of human activities,the wild giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitats were severely fragmented resulting in restricted gene interflow between the isolated small populations,which perhaps cannot be reinforced or long-term conserved.For protecting the endangered species such as the giant panda,reintroduction captive-bred is one of the effective measures which applied as guidance for reinforcing and establishing sustaining wild population.Such researches have been reported successfully in the past,which indicated that the restricted gene interflow lowered the survive ability in such small isolated populations owing to the effects of inbreeding and genetic drift.Therefore we should consider the genetic background of the current populations first,for the captive giant panda reintroduction aims to improve gene pool of the wild population.The microsatellite and mitochondrial molecular marker analysis show that the existing wild and captive panda populations are still moderate or moderate above genetic level.Populations have a larger evolution potential which provides genetics support for reintroduction.In addition,a relative lower gene diversity was observed in Daxiangling and Xiaoxiangling population.So it is the key to release individual in these populations primarily.Furthermore,Qinling population should be particularly managed and protected in the future.The rational choice concerning on coefficient of kinship,higher preference with genetic diversity,and adverse selection of deleterious gene were emphasized by the genetic matters of reintroduction.This genetic background plays a significant role in reintroduction decision-making of captive-bred.This paper discusses mainly on the genetic diversity and genetic structure within giant panda population in order to provide reference for the success of eventual reintroduction of giant panda into the wild.
Neural control of distal tubular bicarbonate and fluid transport

Although previous studies have shown that inhibition of proximal tubular reabsorption of bicarbonate and fluid partially accounts for bicarbonaturia and diuresis observed in the denervated kidney, ...
Lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst of parotid gland.

Abstract The case of a 30-year-old man with a lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst of the right parotid gland, together with a review of available data from sixteen of the twenty previously reported patients, is presented. Six patients were women and ten were men. Their ages ranged from 16 to 77 years. All but three were adults; seven were 41 to 50 years of age. All cysts were unilateral, and there was no predilection for either parotid. The lesion varied from 1.0 to 7.0 by 5.0 by 4.0 cm. in greatest dimensions. The preoperative diagnosis in most cases was neoplasm. The epithelial lining was exclusively squamous in almost all of the cysts. Lymphoepithelial cysts of the parotid gland appear to arise from an epithelial inclusion of the primordial parotid with mainly squamous tendency in an intraparotid lymph node and should be considered branchial (first arch) in origin.
The external ear canal contralateral lower limb reflex: a case report.

A tactile stimulus applied to the EEC can reflexly cause the contralateral hip-thigh to flex at the hip joint and the leg to extend. Various stimuli, e.g., pressure, thermal or nociceptive, may also initiate the above reflex. The conjectured reflex is considered to be mediated via afferent fibers to the spinal tract and nucleus of the fifth cranial nerve, synapsing with the brainstem reticular core in the medulla and/or pons. The reticulospinal motor system descending in the spinal cord relays the afferent fibers to the contra lower limb appropriate musculature. The overt reflex is indeed rare.
Tertiary Rodent Faunas of Other Continents

As in North America, the earliest rodents from Europe (Sparnacian) belonged to primitive Ischyromyidae (Godinot, 1981) (Table 25.1). These ischyromyids were likely immigrants. By the end of the early Eocene (Cuisian) there were also representatives of the hystricomorphous-sciuromorphous family Theri-domyidae and myomorphous Gliridae (Savage and Russell, 1983). The glirids were derived from a reithroparamyine ancestor (Microparamys) in Europe (Hartenberger, 1971) but the origin of theridomyids is uncertain (Hartenberger, 1969). This proportion of rodents, numerous ischyromyids and rare glirids and theridomyids, was maintained until the later Eocene (Robiacian) when theridomyids began to rapidly diversify, glirids increased in number, and ischyromyids were greatly reduced in diversity.
Sensitivity of gamma-ray source detection using 3D-position-sensitive semiconductor detectors

Three-dimensional-position-sensitive semiconductor detectors provide both the energy and the locations of each gamma-ray interaction. From these data, Compton-imaging methods can reconstruct the source distribution around the detector as a function of energy. Known isotopes are detected using the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT), and the performance is presented as a function of false-alarm probability for the cases of known and unknown background intensity. In addition, the localization performance is presented using two different algorithms as a function of measurement time for a point source in background using experimental data from a 20 mm × 20 mm × 15 mm CdZnTe detector. The effect of energy resolution on detection performance is also noted. Imaging information is hence used along with spectroscopic information to improve the search for a hidden source.
An Overview of the Innate Immune Response to Infectious and Noninfectious Stressors

The cells and molecules of the innate immune system survey the extracellular and intracellular space for danger signals that serve as indicators of infection and tissue damage, to initiate an immune response. This chapter briefly describes the main families of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs recognize the main danger signals, which are: (1) the pathogen-associated molecular patterns, derived from microorganisms and (2) the damage-associated molecular patterns, which are actively secreted by cells undergoing stress, or released by necrotic cells or damaged tissues, to alert for noninfectious stressors. Nonclassic danger signals include noninfectious stressors that are made of inorganic material and induce tissue damage, and the “homeostatic danger signals,” which are perturbations in the steady state of cells and tissues that alert the immune system for the occurrence of injury.
Polarimetry of Pinctada fucata nacre indicates myostracal layer interrupts nacre structure

The inner layer of many bivalve and gastropod molluscs consists of iridescent nacre, a material that is structured like a brick wall with bricks consisting of crystalline aragonite and mortar of or...
Abstract A12: Contribution of the transcription factor STAT2 in the promotion and progression of colorectal cancer

Accumulation of genetic lesions such as loss of, or mutations in the APC, KRAS, and TP53 genes play a pivotal role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer in the United States. Yet the effects deregulated signaling pathways, caused by these canonical alterations, may have on parallel signaling networks remain less clear. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-2 (STAT2) is a critical molecule in the interferon transduction pathway, best known for its role in antiviral and antitumor immunity. However, we recently discovered that the transcription factor STAT2 functions as a promoter of colorectal carcinogenesis when tested in a model of colitis-associated CRC. In our recent study, we have reproduced this finding in which deletion of Stat2 in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of sporadic CRC also decreased the incidence and number of colon adenomas. We next investigated the role of STAT2 in the progression of CRC under the setting of p53 inactivation by employing isogenic colon carcinoma cells that differed in their p53 expression (p53+/+ vs. p53-/-). Our studies show that STAT2 knockdown weakened the oncogenic effects of p53 deficiency by drastically reducing migration and invasion whereas STAT2 knockdown had no effect in tumor cells with intact p53. In vivo, STAT2 depleted/p53-/- colon carcinoma cells, when transplanted in mice, formed smaller tumors when compared to tumor cells with intact STAT2 expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate expression of STAT2 dictates the expression of E-cadherin, a key epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker, in the absence of p53. Additionally, evaluation of human CRC tissues revealed an increased STAT2 presence in the nucleus suggesting STAT2 is transcriptionally active in cancer; and genomic data mining of human CRC databases had led us to the identification of a putative STAT2 molecular signature upregulated in human CRC tumors. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that STAT2 has oncogenic properties thus positioning STAT2 as a major contributor to the pathophysiology of CRC. Citation Format: Kevin P. Kotredes, Ana M. Gamero. Contribution of the transcription factor STAT2 in the promotion and progression of colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Colorectal Cancer: From Initiation to Outcomes; 2016 Sep 17-20; Tampa, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A12.
Practical and theoretical implications of weight gain in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

Involuntary weight loss occurs frequently in individuals with many types of cancers and was shown to be associated with inferior survival almost 40 years ago (1). More recently, there is evidence that weight loss prior to initiation of systemic anti-cancer therapies is associated with increased treatment related side effects (2,3). The majority of these patients are suffering from the cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome. In 2011, a panel of cancer cachexia experts published a consensus statement which defined and classified cancer cachexia (4). This group pointed out that the predominant feature of this syndrome includes loss of skeletal muscle mass which cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional support and which may or may not be accompanied by loss of body fat. Their consensus for diagnostic criteria for cancer cachexia are weight loss greater than 5% in individuals with body mass index (BMI) of ≥20 during the preceding 6 months and 2% weight loss in individuals with BMI <20. They also defined stages of cachexia as pre cachexia (<5% weight loss), cachexia as defined above, and refractory cachexia which is usually associated with progressive cancer and poor performance status.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB): a strategy for improving results in surgical revascularization.

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed on patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB group) or without CPB (non-CPB group). A series of CABG patients, performed between January 1, 1995 and September 30, 1997 is included. Methods Data were collected and analyzed as determined by the New York State Department of Health. Preoperative comorbidity, postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared. There were 2869 patients in the CPB group and 505 patients in the non-CPB group. Results Demographics of the two groups were similar but preoperative risk factors were more common in patients undergoing CABG without CPB. Of the non-CPB patients, 31.9% had reoperations as compared to 8.5% in CPB patients (p = 0.00005). The presence of an extensively calcified aorta was more common in the non-CPB patients (5.9% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.0002). Immune deficiency was also more common in the non-CPB group (p = 0.001). Risk-adjusted mortality was similar in the two groups while major complications were much less common when CPB was not utilized. In CPB patients only 84.3% avoided major complications, while among non-CPB patients 90.1% were complication-free (p = 0.0008). Conclusions CABG without CPB is an attractive method of surgical revascularization. Increasing age and preoperative comorbidity in patients referred for CABG dictate changes in surgical strategy, of which avoidance of CPB appears most beneficial.
“Doing Good”: Affect, Neoliberalism, and Responsibilization Among Volunteers in China and the United States

This chapter eschews dominant analyses of volunteerism as resounding evidence of marketization, privatization, and the supplanting of the social by individuals and self-interest, and thus interpretations of it as a stark neoliberalism. Rather, based on a comparison of volunteering in China and the USA, we examine volunteerism as an assemblage of affective relations of care and compassion with neoliberal practices like responsibilization. Affective relations are not simply “co-opted” by “neoliberal ideologies”, but are critical to both volunteer and neoliberal practices, functioning to stabilize neoliberalism (albeit contingently) while also producing new and alternative ways of being outside it. Neoliberalism then does not need to be analyzed as in-opposition to the social, but as a part of generative assemblages of social relations.
Balance of Power Versus Collective Security: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

Although the debate between realism and neoliberalism offers deep insights and raises fundamental questions into the nature of international systems, it also offers the confusion that accompanies imprecisely formulated concepts and an imperfect application of subsidiary ideas. Using a noncooperative extensive-form game to model anarchic international systems, this essay seeks to resolve that debate by restating it in a more explicit and deductive context. Arguing that collective security corresponds to the system envisioned by neoliberals, we begin by differentiating between balance of power and collective security in terms of the strategies that characterize the foreign policies of countries. Next, we establish that both balance of power and collective security can correspond to equilibria in our game. Arguments about goals and institutions are then recast in terms of the different properties of these equilibria. In particular, a balance of power equilibrium does not guarantee every country’s security, so in it countries must be vigilant about their relative share of resources. A collective security equilibrium, on the other hand, ensures everyone’s sovereignty, and thereby allows absolute resource maximization. Unlike a balance of power equilibrium, however, a collective security equilibrium is not strong and it is not necessarily perfect, so the institutional structures facilitating the realization of mutual gains from the variety of cooperative “subgames” characterizing the world economy play a critical role in establishing the stability of that equilibrium.
Biophysics and biofluid dynamics of primary cilia: evidence for and against the flow-sensing function.

Primary cilia have been called “the forgotten organelle” for over 20 yr. As cilia now have their own journal and several books devoted to their study, perhaps it is time to reconsider the moniker “...
Transplant for the very sick: No limitations in donor quality?

When it comes to maximizing allograft function, the recipient is just as important as the liver graft itself. Whereas the “healthiest” of liver transplant candidates are likely to gain significant benefit from a liver graft of any quality, the sickest of candidates may still die despite transplantation with even an ideal liver. However, the very sick patients are precisely the ones who have the greatest need for liver transplantation—with any liver, regardless of quality—because they are most vulnerable to pretransplant death without one. How does one balance the urgent need for liver transplantation with optimization of the allograft’s function and utility for the very sick patient?
Management of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in pediatric oncology patients: A North American survey of pediatric hematology/oncology and pediatric infectious disease physicians.

Background Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is traditionally managed with hospital admission for parenteral antibiotics until neutropenia resolves. Recent studies have explored risk stratification and the safety of managing "low-risk" patients as outpatients. Few studies have directly assessed pediatric provider preferences for managing FN. Procedure We conducted a survey of practicing US and Canadian pediatric hematology/oncology (PHO) and pediatric infectious disease (PID) physicians to assess their FN management preferences using case scenarios with varying risk profiles. Results Twenty-one percent (n = 186) of PHO and 32% (n = 123) of PID physicians completed the survey. Overall, both groups of providers agreed regarding which patients with FN could be managed outpatient. For a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving maintenance chemotherapy with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 400 cells/μl, 35% (n = 66) of PHO and 49% (n = 60) of PID physicians would consider outpatient management (P = 0.02). Of those physicians selecting inpatient management, 41% (n = 49) of PHO and 52% (n = 33) of PID physicians would be willing to discharge the patient without an increase in ANC, if afebrile with a negative blood culture (P = 0.16). For a similar patient with an ANC of 100 cells/μl, only 23% (n = 35) of PHO and 42% (n = 39) of PID physicians would consider discharge without an increase in ANC (P = 0.002). Conclusions Despite the lack of established guidelines for low-risk pediatric FN, a significant proportion of North American physicians report willingness to modify traditional management. This reinforces the need for evidence-based low-risk criteria and outpatient management guidelines to optimize consistency of care for these patients.
Hyper Open-Shell States: The Lowest Excited Spin States of O Atom, Fe2+ Ion, and FeF2.

Excited spin states are important for reactivity, catalysis, and magnetic applications. This work examines the relative energies of the spin states of O atom, Fe2+ ion, and FeF2 and characterizes their excited spin states. Both single-configuration and multireference methods are used to establish the character of the lowest singlet excited state of all three systems and the lowest triplet excited state of Fe2+ and FeF2. We find that the conventional representation of the orbital occupancies is incorrect in that the states have more unpaired electrons than the minimum number required by their total electron spin quantum number. In particular, we find that, for a given spin state, an electronic configuration with more than 2S unpaired electrons is more stable than the configuration with 2S unpaired electrons (where S is the spin of the system). For instance, triplet FeF2 with four unpaired electrons is lower in energy than triplet FeF2 with two unpaired electrons. Such highly open-shell configurations are l...
Realising Value from Absorptive Capacity

To gain insight into how successful community banks are continuously “adaptive” to environmental challenges, we examined the role absorptive capacity (ACAP) plays in effecting improved performance. ACAP is the formal mechanism used for sensing and experimentation of knowledge — and as such is adopted to acquire, assimilate, transform and exploit knowledge so as to positively influence performance. Data obtained from a survey of 151 community bank CEOs confirmed that ACAP does indeed enhance performance. We also demonstrated the multi-dimensional structure of ACAP, the consequence of cultivating an active learning orientation and the relevance of potential cultural inhibitors on decision behaviour for innovative performance. Several directions for future studies utilising knowledge-based responses are proposed.
The Regulatory Process from Concept to Market

Abstract The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the regulatory oversight of a wide range of products, including cell-based products regulated by the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT) in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. This chapter focuses on several key issues relevant to the development of cell-based products, including early and late phase considerations for chemistry, manufacturing, and controls; pharmacology/toxicology; and clinical testing. This chapter introduces the following topics: the regulatory process, sponsor meetings with OTAT, the requirements for submitting an investigational new drug application (IND), and FDA review of an original IND submission. Also discussed are combination products, tissue-engineered/regenerative medicine products, medical devices, special regulatory considerations such as clinical research involving children, responsibilities of sponsors and investigators, and the use of standards. Knowledge and consideration of the topics discussed in this chapter may aid in the development of cell-based product.
Die Urfäserchen (Protofibrillen, Protofibrils, Miofilament)

Im Langsschnitt einer Muskelfibrille erkennt man die Urfaserchen in der Form einer Parallellangsstreifung der Fibrille. Der Abstand dieser Langsstreifen voneinander betragt etwa 250–300 Angstrom, und das kann man schatzungsweise, wenn auch nicht genau, als die Halfte oder 2/3 des Durchmessers einer Protofibrille ansehen. Bennet und Porter (1953) geben als Durchmesser der Protofibrillen beim Brustmuskel des Huhnes etwa 150 A an, Hodge (1955) beim Insektenmuskel etwa 120 A, im Saugetier- und Amphibienmuskel 100–130 A (Hodge, Huxley und Spiro, 1954). In den eigenen Untersuchungen fand ich durchschnittlich etwa folgende Mase fur die Protofibrillen des Herzens: 150 A im Herzen der Fledermaus (1954). Im Herzen des Meerschweinchens bis 200 A (1955). In der Vorhofmusku-latur des menschlichen Herzens etwa 150 A (siehe Abb. 7 und 18) und im menschlichen Musculus pectoralis ca. 250 A. Philpott (1954) gibt als Durchmesser der Protofibrillen der Flugmuskeln der Wespe 220 ± 15 A an, Chapmann (1954) beim gleichen Material 100 A. Manchmal, wenn das untersuchte Objekt nicht einwandfrei fixiert war und es zu Sprengungen des Gewebes kam, findet man in diesen ultramikroskopischen Zupfpraparaten die Fibrillen in Bundelchen von Urfaserchen zersprengt, und nur in der Gegend der Z-Bander sind diese Protofibrillenbundel zusammengehalten.
Eco-tariffs and Domestic Environmental Policy

Trade restrictions in form of eco-tariffs have so far not become part of environmental or trade policy. However, they have been deliberated by policy makers in the context of domestic pollution1: Policy proposals have been formulated to introduce tariffs to offset international differences in environmental policy stringency. Yet, current GATT/WTO rules do not sanction such eco-tariffs; neither does the work of the CTE indicate changes which would make eco-tariffs in the context of domestic environmental problems consistent with multilateral trade rules. However, if environmental policy is pursued by means of taxes, border tax adjustments might become possible for both product and PPM taxes.
Non-insulin Antidiabetic Medications in the Inpatient Setting

Oral and injectable non-insulin antidiabetic medications are important components of outpatient management of type 2 diabetes. They are effective and safe for plasma glucose. However, even when patients have good glycemic control at home on these medications, it is essential to evaluate their safety and utility for the management of inpatient hyperglycemia. Factors that govern glucose stability are variable for inpatients: diet and physical activity level, planned and unplanned procedures, acute/critical illness, and unexpected complications.
Summary and Afterthoughts on Session 3: Homing of Cells and Inductive Effects of Microenvironment and of Humoral Factors

This session was characterized by considerations of structural and fluid phase microenvironments in the antigen independent development and traffic patterns of T and B lymphocytes, as well as alterations in traffic and location of these cells following antigenic stimulation. Maria de Sousa introduced the session by reviewing concepts of the specific recognition between circulating lymphocytes and specialized endothelial cells (via post capillary venules in lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches; marginal sinuses in the spleen) which allows entry of these lymphocytes (but not other blood borne cells) into lymphoid tissue parenchyma. She demonstrated that the failure to observe positive lymphoid tissue entry in some experimental situations need not imply the lack of proper recognition between lymphocytes and specialized endothelium; rather, augmented trapping by nonlymphoid reticuloendothelial tissues may remove these cells from the available pool. She also reviewed the evidence that specific homing to T and B cell regions of lymphoid tissues occurs, and this implies a second discriminative recognition process. Later in the session ,Weissman reviewed work by Gutman and Friedberg in his lab that both T+ and Ig+ lymphocytes enter lymphoid tissues via these specialized vessels in a random fashion.
Replicating carbonaceous vug in synthetic porous media

Abstract This paper presents an alternative method of creating vuggy glass-bead core proxies, which can be used to investigate the effects of pore-scale features on carbonate petrophysical properties. Carbonates are complex rocks having a widespread variation in pore type, size, distribution, and porosity. With this method we can control vug shape, size, and position. Homogeneous glass bead core proxies are sintered using 1.0?mm diameter glass beads in a muffle furnace. Vugs are 3D–printed in plastic and used to make a mold in Play-Doh®; which is cast in gypsum cement and used as a placeholder during the sintering process. The gypsum vug dissolves during acid flood, leaving an empty space inside the glass matrix. Computed tomography (CT) scans are made of the acid washed vug space and compared to the 3D model.
Maestro endothelium conducts the neutrophils.

In this issue of Blood , Hind and colleagues leverage a custom microscale system to demonstrate that endothelial cells communicate with neutrophils via interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the presence of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa to enhance neutrophil transmigration. 1
Managing application parallelism via parallel efficiency regulation: poster

Modern multiprocessor systems contain a wealth of compute, memory, and communication network resources, such that multiple applications can often successfully execute on and compete for these resources. Unfortunately, good performance for individual applications in addition to achieving overall system efficiency proves a difficult task, especially for applications with low parallel efficiency (speedup per utilized computational core). Limitations to parallel efficiency arise out of factors such as algorithm design, excess synchronization, limitations in hardware resources, and sub-optimal task placement on CPUs. In this work, we introduce MAPPER, a Manager of Application Parallelism via Parallel Efficiency Regulation. MAPPER monitors and coordinates all participating applications by making two coupled decisions: how much parallelism to afford to each application, and which specific CPU cores to schedule applications on. While MAPPER can work for generic applications without modifying their parallel runtimes, we introduce a simple interface that can be used by parallel runtime systems for a tighter integration, resulting in better task granularity control. Using MAPPER can result in up to 3.3X speedup, with an average performance improvement of 20%.
A Novel Gate Driver for Active Voltage Balancing in 1.7kV Series Connected SiC MOSFETs

This paper addresses active voltage balancing method for series connected 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs. The series connection of 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs have potential to replace medium voltage IGBTs (4.5 kV) due to their high switching speed and improved reliability. Series connection of SiC MOSFET is challenging due to possibility of voltage mismatch, voltage spike and device current spike in leg configuration. A novel gating technique has been introduced to reduce the voltage mismatch and voltage spike due to di/dt. Experimental results have been performed with series connection of two SiC MOSFETs and validated with theoretical calculations.
Working Toward Greater Support of Fellows During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Parenthood.

Just as Hippocrates vowed his life to practicing the highest standards of medicine, cardiovascular disease fellowship program directors strive not only to provide comprehensive training for our fellows, but also to support them for long-term success in both professional and personal lives. Pregnancy
Online MOSFET Condition Monitoring for Inverter-Driven Electric Machines

Faults in electrical machines or their drives lead to degraded performance and, in some cases, unsafe operating conditions. MOSFET devices in an inverter-drive allow for higher switching frequencies. However, both power MOSFETs and Silicon Carbide MOSFETs experience degradation in the insulating gate oxide layer from excess voltage or temperature. Indicators of gate oxide degradation are measurable, but many require access to the leads of the device and additional voltage or current sensors. For an inverter-drive application, current sensors are commonly employed for controlling the machine. Detecting gate oxide degradation in the measured phase currents is noninvasive and can be performed online. In this work, degradation of gate oxide is performed in power MOSFETs and the corresponding changes in current transient waveforms are quantified.
NaNO3‐Promoted Mesoporous MgO for High‐Capacity CO2 Capture from Simulated Flue Gas with Isothermal Regeneration

NaNO3 -promoted MgO composite materials have been prepared and their ability to sorb CO2 at a concentration relevant to CO2 capture from flue gas is explored. The uptake kinetics and capacities of sorbents of different NaNO3 /MgO ratios are measured at intermediate temperatures of 230-300 °C. The sorbent with a NaNO3 /MgO ratio of 0.10 has the highest 12 h sorption capacity among sorbents with different NaNO3 loadings, and the highest sorption capacity of 11.2 mmol CO2 g-1 is observed at 260 °C. Intriguingly, an induction period is observed in the initial stage of CO2 sorption. In situ XRD analysis, in situ FTIR spectroscopy, and a comparison of the CO2 sorption behavior under simulated flue gas conditions in comparison to prior studies employing pure CO2 indicated that the sorption of CO2 occurred through nucleation of MgCO3 crystallites in the material. The data indicate that the concentration of CO2 within the molten medium of NaNO3 , which is affected by both the solubility of CO2 in molten NaNO3 and the partial pressure of CO2 in the surrounding atmosphere, has a critical impact on the length of the induction period. A partially desorbed sample after sorption of CO2 displays much-improved sorption kinetics in the next cycle and was able to sorb and desorb CO2 over multiple cycles at isothermal conditions by simply switching the feed gas from CO2 to inert gas.