cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract TMP60: Association Between Pregnancy and Cervical Artery Dissection

Background and Purpose: Pregnancy is a risk factor for stroke. The mechanisms of stroke in pregnancy have not been well established. Cervical artery dissection may be one such mechanism, but it is ...
Use of a CPD Plan Template with SMART Goals as Part of a Diabetes Pharmacotherapy Module.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan template used in Fall of 2017 on quality of SMART goal development and student quiz scores. Innovation: The gap in time from when pharmacology is taught and when it is applied has contributed to poor student retention and performance in the diabetes pharmacotherapy course. To address this gap, the diabetes pharmacotherapy learning sequence was redesigned and included a self-assessment (pre-test), and the completion of a “CPD plan template”, which involved writing 1-3 SMART goals for each question missed on the pre-test. Following sequence completion, students took an identical post-quiz. Pre- and post- quiz scores were compared. Quality of CPD plan SMART goals was evaluated. Key Findings: The CPD plan template was completed by 98% of students. The majority, 62.5% of students, wrote SMART goals at the intermediate or good level, while 37.5% were evaluated as needs improvement. The average pre-quiz score was 7.4 points and average post-quiz score was 17.1 points with an average improvement of 9.8 points (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant improvement for top 25% post-quiz scoring students who wrote “good” SMART goals compared to those who wrote goals needing improvement (p= 0.002). For students scoring in the lowest 25%, students with goals needing improvement scored higher than those with intermediate quality goals (p< 0.04). Next Steps: It may be beneficial to introduce CPD to students sooner, as well as teach students more intentionally how to create and use SMART goals to improve learning. Finally, instructor follow up with students regarding use of their plan during a learning sequence may have additional benefit. Article Type: Note
Exogenous siRNAs against chitin synthase gene suppress the growth of the pathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina, causative agent of the charcoal rot disease, impacts over 500 plant species, causing devastating crop failures worldwide. Due to the lack of effective management approach, charcoal rot can result in serious loss, especially during years with hot and dry summers. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism to suppress the growth of M. phaseolina, through exogenous application of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting one of the chitin synthase (MpCHS) genes in the M. phaseolina genome. Since chitin is one of the main components in the fungal cell wall, we hypothesize that suppressing the expression of MpCHS through RNAi will negatively affect the growth of the fungus, which may result in reduced virulence toward the host. Of the seven candidate MpCHS genes assessed, MpCHS6 showed consistent expression in plate-grown fungus and in infected plant tissue and was chosen as the target for RNAi knockdown. Two siRNAs were designed to target MpCHS6 and tested through in vitro application in M. phaseolina culture. Both siRNAs suppressed growth of the fungus at multiple time points and under varied environmental conditions. More importantly, the growth suppression was well correlated with down-regulation of the MpCHS6 gene. These results indicate that exogenous siRNAs can suppress gene expression in M. phaseolina even when applied in vitro. In addition, targeting a MpCHS gene may provide an effective way to control the fungal growth. Our study provides firsthand knowledge on RNAi in M. phaseolina, which benefits not only basic research that focuses on understanding gene function in this species but also application of RNAi-based technology in disease control in the future.
Prediction of Failure Path Current for Synchronous Reluctance and Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines Accounting for Saturation

This paper proposes a model for obtaining the failure path current and torque waveforms in synchronous reluctance and interior permanent magnet synchronous machines under inter-turn short circuits (ISC). The variations of the magneto motive force (MMF) due to an ISC can lead to considerable changes in the inductances, which could lead to errors when modeling motors with ISC. A dynamic model is introduced, which uses rotor reference frame variables and parameters as inputs. Saturation is included by incorporating a look-up table, thus accounting for the MMF variations due to an ISC. Finally, the proposed model is compared with finite element analysis showing good agreement.
Metal–Organic Framework Nodes as a Supporting Platform for Tailoring the Activity of Metal Catalysts

Catalysis is a ubiquitous element of the modern economy, representing a cornerstone of many sectors including energy, materials, and pharmaceuticals. Within this realm, 80% of reactions are carried...
Antenna Model from Total Gain and Polarization Characteristics

This paper describes a practical application of a recently developed and validated high-fidelity antenna model. The paper first derives a method of populating the high-fidelity antenna model’s parameters to achieve a specific total gain and polarization in a single spatial direction. The paper then demonstrates the method’s validity with a successful application to a realistic example problem.
Overestimating the Importance of the Given Information in Multiattribute Consumer Judgment

Consumer judgment often is based on incomplete or limited knowledge of the relevant attributes. We performed 3 experiments to investigate why these judgments are often insensitive to set size and why evaluations based on limited information tend to be stronger (more extreme and confident) than is warranted. The findings indicate that the importance of the given or known attributes is often overestimated, leading to evaluations that are overly extreme. The experiments also revealed important factors moderating this insensitivity to limited information. The overweighing of the given evidence was attenuated when participants were knowledgeable of the target domain. Overweighing and the formation of extreme judgments based on limited information was also diminished when participants considered their judgmental criteria prior to evaluating a target or when a comparison target described by different attributes was present.
A Protocol for Housing Mice in an Enriched Environment.

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a housing environment for mice that boosts mental and physical health compared to standard laboratory housing. Our recent studies demonstrate that environmental enrichment decreases adiposity, increases energy expenditure, resists diet induced obesity, and causes cancer remission and inhibition in mice. EE typically consists of larger living space, a variety of ‘toys’ to interact with, running wheels, and can include a number of other novel environmental changes. All of this fosters a more complex social engagement, cognitive and physical stimulations. Importantly, the toy location and type of toy is changed regularly, which encourages the mice to adapt to a frequently changing and novel environment. Many variables can be manipulated in EE to promote health effects in mice. Thus these approaches are difficult to control and must be properly managed to successfully replicate the associated phenotypes. Therefore, the goal of this video is to demonstrate how EE is properly set up and maintained to assure a complex, challenging, and controlled environment so that other researchers can easily reproduce the protective effects of EE against obesity and cancer.
Perception and Knowledge: A Phenomenological Account

Acknowledgements Preface 1. Content 2. Experiential conceptualism 3. Conceptualism and knowledge 4. Against experiential conceptualism 5. Conceptual and nonconceptual content 6. The contents of perception 7. To the things themselves Bibliography.
A multilayered packaging architecture for spatial power combined arrays

The explosion of interest in high data rate communications places great demands on antenna designs. Antennas used for transmitting signals can require high gain with high radiated power. An efficient means to accomplish these goals is the free space combining of many amplifiers via elements in an antenna array. Combining the output power of the MMIC amplifiers in space obviates the circuit losses associated with connecting many amplifiers in parallel and results in potentially more efficient transmitting antennas. However, the implementation of arrays with many MMIC amplifiers and antenna elements requires a compact, multilayered packaging architecture to achieve the density of circuits with desired performance. This problem is discussed.
Metabolism of resistant mutants of Streptococcus faecalis. IV. Use of a biophotometer in growth-curve studies.

Coultas, M. Katharine (Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Rye, N.Y.) and Dorris J. Hutchison. Metabolism of resistant mutants of Streptococcus faecalis. IV. Use of a biophotometer in growth-curve studies. J. Bacteriol. 84:393-401. 1962. - Analysis of data obtained using the Bonet-Maury and Jouan biophotometer has shown it to be an accurate, automatic device for recording an entire bacterial growth curve, from which quantitative measurements of growth rate can be calculated. Growth rate values obtained in this manner agree with those obtained by conventional methods. The instrument is described in detail and reference is given to other uses of this type of photometer. The growth curves of Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 8043 and three mutants resistant to purine analogues were compared in media with and without a purine. Differences in these growth curves were evident. In the purine-deficient medium SF/AZAG, the 8-azaguanine-resistant mutant had the shortest doubling time, 61 min, followed by the two 6-mercaptopurine-resistant mutants (SF/MPcc, 72 min; SF/MP, 91 min), and finally the wild strain with a doubling time of 135 min. In the medium supplemented with xanthine, the respective doubling times were 52, 61, 68, and 68 min.
Rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in an infant: Surgical correction∗

Abstract A newborn infant with rupture of an aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva had clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of this condition at birth. Only a diastolic murmur was present, and incorrect timing of this murmur, correlated with suggestive angiocardiographic findings, led to an erroneous diagnosis of severe congenital aortic stenosis. Surgical exploration revealed the true nature of the anomaly, and successful surgical correction was accomplished when the infant was 6 weeks of age. During subsequent follow-up, it was obvious that the patient had physical stigmata of Marfan's syndrome and aortic insufficiency frequently described in association with this syndrome.
Serum- and Polypeptide Growth Factor-Inducible Gene Expression in Mouse Fibroblasts

Complex cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are regulated in part by extracellular signaling molecules: for example, polypeptide growth factors, cytokines, and peptide hormones. Many polypeptide growth factors exert their mitogenic effects by binding to specific cell surface receptor protein tyrosine kinases. This interaction triggers numerous biochemical responses, including changes in phospholipid metabolism, the activation of a protein phosphorylation cascade, and the enhanced expression of specific immediate-early, delayed-early, or late response genes. In this review, I summarize the major findings obtained from studies investigating the effects of serum or individual polypeptide growth factors on gene expression in murine fibroblasts. Several experimental approaches, including differential hybridization screening of cDNA libraries and differential display, have been employed to identify mRNA species that are expressed at elevated levels in serum-or polypeptide growth factor-stimulated cells. These studies have demonstrated that serum- and growth factor-inducible genes encode a diverse family of proteins, including DNA-binding transcription factors, cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins, metabolic enzymes, secreted chemoldnes, and serine-threonine kinases. Some of these gene products act as effectors of specific cell cycle functions (e.g., enzymes involved in nucleotide and DNA synthesis), others are required to successfully convert a metabolically inactive cell to a metabolically active cell that will eventually increase in size and then divide (e.g., glucose-metabolizing enzymes), and some actually function as positive or negative regulators of cell cycle progression. In conclusion, research conducted during the past 15 years on serum- and growth factor-regulated gene expression in murine fibroblasts has provided significant insight into mitogenic signal transduction and cell growth control. © 1998 Academic Press
Heat-stable alkaline phosphatase as an index of placental function

Abstract In spite of the fact that amniocentesis is of value in Rh isoimmunization and urinary estriol excretion is of value in some complicated pregnancies, a great need still exists for a simple, inexpensive means of assessing placental function. The placenta is the source of most of an isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase which is heat stable and therefore easily identified in the laboratory. Determination of this fraction has been carried out 500 times in 120 pregnant women in an attempt to correlate values with placental function. Beyond 34 weeks' gestation a value below 3.0 King-Armstrong units or a progressive fall of serial values are ominous signs for the fetus. There is good but not perfect correlation of this test with urinary estriol excretion.
Syntheses and structures of Group 1 mellitate compounds, K6[C6(COO)6] · 8H2O and Cs5[C6(COO)6H] · 7H2O

Abstract Two Group 1 complexes of mellitic acid, K 6 [C 6 (COO) 6 ] · 8H 2 O ( 1 ) and Cs 5 [C 6 (COO) 6 H] · 7H 2 O ( 2 ), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Potassium mellitate ( 1 ) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca , with unit cell dimensions of a =18.091(4), b =12.634(3), c =22.151(4) A, β =90°, V =5062.9(19) A 3 and Z =8. In contrast, cesium mellitate ( 2 ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c , with unit cell dimensions of a =13.836(3), b =20.818(4), c =9.539(2) A, β =103.52(3)°, V =2671.5(10) A 3 and Z =4. Both structures are comprised of a 3D network of mellitate ion stacks, metal ions and water molecules which are linked by hydrogen bonds. In the case of potassium mellitate ( 1 ), two K + ions (K(1) and K(4)) are located between the mellitate ions in the stacks. The remaining K + ions occupy positions between the mellitate stacks. In cesium mellitate ( 2 ), the Cs + ions are all located between the mellitate stacks. Two new coordination modes of the carboxylate groups are reported. Potassium mellitate ( 1 ) exhibits a tridentate binding mode in which two potassium ions are coordinated to three carboxylates on one mellitate ion. Cesium mellitate displays a similar mode but with an additional cesium ion coordinated to two of the three carboxylate groups. These new modes are attributed to the larger number of cations in these compounds as compared with mellitate compounds containing +2 and +3 cations.
Three Graceful Operations

A graph of size n is said to be graceful when is possible toassign distinct integers from {0, 1, . . . , n} to its verticesand {|f(u)−f(v)| : uv ∈ E(G)} consists of n integers. Inthis paper we present broader families of graceful graphs; these families are obtained via three different operations: the third power of a caterpillar, the symmetric product of G and K2 , and the disjoint union of G and Pm, where G is a special type of graceful graph named - graph. Moreover, the majority of the graceful labelings obtained here correspond to the most restrictive kind, they are -labelings. These labelings are in the core of this research area due to the fact that they can be used to create other types of graph labelings, almost independently of the nature of these labelings.
The design and performance of MedJava: a distributed electronic medical imaging system developed with java applets and web tools

The Java programming language has gained substantial popularity in the past two years. Java's networking features, along with the growing number of Web browsers that execute Java applets, facilitate Internet programming. Despite the popularity of Java, however, there are many concerns about its efficiency. In particular, networking and computation performance are key concerns when considering the use of Java to develop performance-sensitive distributed applications. This paper makes three contributions to the study of Java for performance-sensitive distributed applications. First, we describe an architecture using Java and the Web to develop Med-Java, which is a distributed electronic medical imaging system with stringent networking and computation requirements. Second, we present benchmarks of MedJava image processing and compare the results to the performance of xv, which is an equivalent image processing application written in C. Finally, we present performance benchmarks using Java as a transport interface to exchange large medical images over high-speed ATM networks. For computationally intensive algorithms, such as image filters, hand-optimized Java code, coupled with use of a JIT compiler, can sometimes compensate for the lack of compile-time optimization and yield performance commensurate with identical compiled C code. With rigorous compile-time optimizations employed, C compilers still tend to generate more efficient code. However, with the advent of highly optimizing Java compilers, it should be feasible to use Java for the performance-sensitive distributed applications where C and C++ are currently used.
Identification, expansion, and disambiguation of acronyms in biomedical texts

With the ever growing amount of biomedical literature there is an increasing desire to use sophisticated language processing algorithms to mine these texts. In order to use these algorithms we must first deal with acronyms, abbreviations, and misspellings.In this paper we look at identifying, expanding, and disambiguating acronyms in biomedical texts. We break the task up into three modular steps: Identification, Expansion, and Disambiguation. For Identification we use a hybrid approach that is composed of a naive Bayesian classifier and a couple of handcrafted rules. We are able to achieve results of 99.96% accuracy with a small training set. We break the expansion up into two categories, local and global expansion. For local expansion we use windowing and longest common subsequence to generate the possible expansions. Global expansion requires an acronym database. To disambiguate the different candidate expansions we use WordNet and semantic similarity. Overall we obtain a recall and precision of over 91%.
Lattice considerations for a tau-charm factory

The magnet lattice appropriate for a tau-charm factory had been studied extensively. Here we discuss two possible simplifying features which make the design, construction, and operation of the machine simpler without sacrificing performance. These two features may be characterized and identified as (a) luminosity optimization in the "monochromatic" mode, and (b) chromaticity correction with sextupoles only in the arcs.
Nonlinear Guided Waves

Since its inception in the 1960s, nonlinear optics has led to a rich variety of wave-mixing interactions that have applications to basic materials research [1–2], to the generation of new frequencies [1], and most recently to all-optical signal processing [3]. In general, nonlinear optical interactions occur whenever the optical fields associated with one or more laser beams propagating in a material are large enough to produce polarization fields proportional to the product of two or more of the incident fields. These nonlinear polarization fields radiate electric fields at the nonlinear frequency. For some interactions, the generated fields grow linearly with propagation distance under optimum conditions of phase-matching. Typically, the efficiency of any nonlinear optical interaction depends on (1) the product of the power densities of the input and output waves, raised to some power, and (2) the interaction distance raised to some power greater than or equal to unity. Since power density is power per unit area, the efficiency of any nonlinear interaction can be enhanced by reducing the cross-sectional area of the interacting beams. For plane waves this can be achieved by focusing with a lens. There is a tradeoff, of course, because the high power density can be maintained only over the depth of focus of the lens, which limits the effective interaction length.
Impact of a change in reporting systems in the Maryland blue crab fishery

Reported landings of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay nearly doubled starting in 1981, coincident with a change from a self-reporting system for harvesters to an interview program with a randomized selection process. A peak in relative abundance as measured by a trapping survey in the Calvert Cliffs region also occurred in 1981 and persisted for several years. We developed time series models for the effects of abundance only (here referred to as transfer function models), the effects of the reporting requirement change (intervention models), and for both factors combined, on blue crab landings. Simple transfer models with consideration only of changes in abundance could not adequately account for changes in reported landings. Intervention models accounting for the change in reporting systems resulted in a considerable improvement in model performance relative to the simple transfer function model. A substantial improvement in fit was obtained with a model that included both transfer and intervention components. We conclude that the change in reporting methodology resulted in a major change in reported landings while changes in abundance account for a smaller but significant fraction of the fluctuations around the shift due to the change in statistical systems. The methods employed here provide an objective way of quantifying the effect of the reporting requirement change.
Fixed and floating point analysis of linear predictors for physiological hand tremor in microsurgery

This paper presents the fixed and floating point implementations for field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) of third-order hand tremor predictors using recursive-least square (RLS) and a proposed Kalman adaptation algorithms. The proposed algorithm outperforms RLS in convergence speed and mean square error (MSE). It also shows better numerical convergence than the RLS as the number of bits in fixed-point precision is reduced. Both fixed and floating point realizations are implemented and the hardware tradeoffs are discussed. A modified binary floating point format is proposed that takes advantage of the 18-bit hard macro multiplier within the Xilinx Virtex 5 Architecture in order to gain precision while preserving speed. The increased precision overcomes the prior known issues of explosive divergence and the stalling effect associated with the fixed point implementation of such adaptive algorithms, proving the feasibility of an FPGA based physiological hand tremor predictor.
Indecision about corticosteroids for bacterial keratitis: an evidence-based update

Abstract Purpose To quantify the effect of topical corticosteroids on bacterial keratitis. Clinical relevance Bacterial keratitis is an economically important infection affecting 1 in 10,000 Americans annually. The predisposing factors, prior ocular health, infecting microorganisms, inflammatory severity, and therapeutic choices can affect the course and outcome. Antibacterial treatment is often curative but does not guarantee good vision. Because many treated patients develop a sight-limiting corneal problem, antiinflammatory therapy has sometimes been recommended. Literature reviewed Publications from 1950 to 2000 that evaluated the effect of corticosteroids on bacterial keratitis in animal experiments, case reports and series, case-comparison and cohort studies, and clinical trials were systematically identified by electronic and manual search strategies. Results The use of a topical corticosteroid before the diagnosis of bacterial keratitis significantly predisposed to ulcerative keratitis in eyes with preexisting corneal disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% confidence limits [CL], 1.41, 4.91). Once microbial keratitis occurred, prior corticosteroid use significantly increased the odds of antibiotic treatment failure or other infectious complications (OR, 3.75; 95% CL, 2.52, 5.58). However, the effect of a topical corticosteroid with antibiotics after the onset of bacterial keratitis was unclear. Experimental models suggested likely advantages, but clinical studies did not show a significant effect of topical corticosteroid therapy on the outcome of bacterial keratitis (OR, 0.62; 95% CL, 0.25, 1.54). Conclusions Topical corticosteroids increase the risk of infectious complications affecting the cornea but may or may not have an effect during antibacterial therapy. The unproven role of corticosteroids in the adjunctive treatment of bacterial keratitis highlights the need to collect prospective information that would guide appropriate management for this common eye disease.
Meta-analysis in epidemiology, with special reference to studies of the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer: A critique

Meta-analysis, a set of statistical tools for combining and integrating the results of independent studies of a given scientific issue, can be useful when the stringent conditions under which such integration is valid are met. In this report we point out the difficulties in obtaining sound meta-analyses of either controlled clinical trials or epidemiological studies. We demonstrate that hastily or improperly designed meta-analyses can lead to results that may not be scientifically valid. We note that much care is typically taken when meta-analysis is applied to the results of clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration, for example, requires strict adherence to the principles we discuss in this paper before it allows a drug's sponsor to use a meta-analysis of separate clinical studies in support of a New Drug Application. Such care does not always carry over to epidemiological studies, as demonstrated by the 1986 report of the National Research Council concerning the purported association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and the risk of lung cancer. On the basis of a meta-analysis of 13 studies, 10 of which were retrospective and the remaining 3 prospective in nature, the Council concluded that non-smokers who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at greater risk of acquiring lung cancer than non-smokers not so exposed. In our opinion, this conclusion in unwarranted given the poor quality of the studies on which it is based.
An Interior Design Experience Program, Part I: Defining The Need

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the need for an apprentice or interior design experience program and, if supported, to propose such a program. RESEARCH DESIGN: The study investigated entry level work experience and related requirements impacting the career path of professional interior designers. Requirements established by educational accreditation, professional examination, and legal recognition/licensing, as well as professional apprenticeships in other fields were investigated. ANALYSIS: A qualitative analysis of existing materials found that a monitored and structured experience program could do three things for the interior design profession: (a) bridge the gap between formal education and competent professional practice, (b) link the process of educational accreditation by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) with that of professional examination by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), and (c) address the need for quality experience required of NCIDQ candidates. KEY FINDINGS: The findings supported the need for a structured work experience program for entry level interior designers. CONCLUSION: Such a program could provide a critical link between the education and examination processes and fill a void in the career path of professional interior designers.
Pavement Condition States before and after Treatment

When a pavement section is subjected to preservation or rehabilitation treatment, its surface condition is transformed from one set of condition states—those before treatment—to another set—those after treatment. This transformation is a function of the pavement condition before treatment, the type and timing of treatment, the project boundaries, and the quality of construction. For most pavement sections, the surface condition before and after treatment varies substantially along the section and over time. This study sponsored by FHWA analyzed the distribution of pavement surface condition and distress before and after treatment along several flexible pavement projects in the state of Louisiana. The study showed that current practices regarding the selection of pavement treatment type, treatment time, and project boundaries were independent of pavement surface condition and distress before treatment. For all pavement projects that received certain types of treatment in the past, knowledge of the relation...
A mechanism emerges for the critical period hypothesis for estrogen treatment

During the past few decades, a significant body of literature has emerged from the basic science community demonstrating neuroprotective effects and synaptic enhancements induced by estrogen in brain regions that mediate memory and cognition, such as the hippocampus (1). A parallel but less consistent literature emerged from clinical studies suggesting that estrogen treatment (ET) is protective against cognitive decline in surgically and naturally menopausal women (2, 3). However, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies published in 2003 not only failed to support such positive effects, but, in contrast, reported an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia with hormone therapy (HT) (4, 5). Although the WHI results generated great concern in the clinical research and basic science communities, they also galvanized both groups to address conflicting reports on benefits vs. risks of HT and inconsistencies between the preclinical and clinical findings (6). Recent analyses of the clinical literature (2, 3, 7) have supported a hypothesis that was initially proposed by Gibbs based on animal studies (8); ET or HT has to be administered soon after estrogen depletion as a result of a “window of opportunity” during which estrogen could exert positive effects. Currently, there is strong support in both the basic science and clinical research communities for what is now referred to as the critical period hypothesis, which posits that ET or HT must be administered relatively soon after ovarian estrogen is depleted to be neuroprotective and exert positive effects on brain circuitry and cognitive function (7). Although there are extensive data supporting the critical period hypothesis, the cellular mechanism(s) underlying the decreased response to estrogen with time are poorly understood. The report by Brann and colleagues in PNAS (9) offers compelling evidence for a mechanism underlying the critical period that centers on sustaining sufficient levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-α. In addition, Brann and colleagues link the same mechanism to underlying events that occur with natural aging, which further extends the translational relevance of their findings (9).
Optimization of a transition calibration body for wind tunnel flow quality assessment

Freestream disturbance levels have a significant impact on flow transition. Wind tunnel flow quality must thus be carefully characterized when comparing conditions with flight. Current techniques do not fully capture the relevant flow physics. The design of a device that engages transition physics is presented here. The focus is flow quality in the National Transonic Facility, a cryogenic wind tunnel capable of high Reynolds numbers. Characterization is based on transition location on a two-dimensional swept body. We integrate three codes to develop and characterize the transition body. MSES is used to calculate pressure distributions and inversely design a body shape. Swept wing boundary layer profiles are computed using Wingbl2. Finally LASTRAC is used to perform linear parabolic stability calculations to determine disturbance growth rates. The body is designed to delay transition to a substantial fraction of chord so that the growth of traveling and stationary disturbances can be determined. In the final design, we successfully balance T-S, stationary, and traveling crossflow transition to 60% chord for a Mach number of 0.4 and a Reynolds number of 60 million. We can also deduce flow characteristics by observing the dominant transition mechanism. Transition location is highly sensitive to angle of attack and stationary crossflow becomes dominant at lower (more negative) angle of attack.
Temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy of chemically derived graphene

Reduced graphite oxide (GO) has shown promise as a scalable alternative to mechanically exfoliated specimens. Although many measurements show that reduced GO has properties approaching those of pristine graphene, it has been difficult to quantify the extent to which the graphitic network is restored upon reduction. Raman spectroscopy is widely used for the characterization of mechanically exfoliated graphene, but has not been fully explored for reduced GO. In this work, hydrazine suspensions of reduced GO are deposited on micro-hot-plates and examined over a range of temperatures by Raman spectroscopy. The work highlights the benefits of solution processing.
The dynamics of Stretchable rods in the inertial case

Nonlinear amplitude equations for the near-threshold behavior of twisted extensible elastic rods under tension with inertial and dissipative dynamics are derived. In the inertial case localized solutions to the amplitude equations are derived and a linear stability criterion for the pulse solutions is obtained using the Hamiltonian formulation of the problem.
Catalog vs Non-catalog Shoppers of Apparel: Perceived Risks, Shopping Orientations, Demographics, and Motivations:

The major objective of the study was to investigate how catalog and non-catalog shoppers perceived the risks involved in purchasing apparel from catalogs. The study also investigated catalog and non-catalog shoppers' shopping orientations and their demographic characteristics. The principal components analysis of the data collected from 131 female subjects revealed four types of perceived risks-financial risk, social risk, functional risk, and time risk—plus a Shopping Orientation factor. The results of multivariate and univariate analyses of variance indicated that non-catalog shoppers showed higher levels of risk perceptions of financial, social, functional, and time risks than did the catalog shoppers. However, there was no group difference on shopping orientation. Demographic variables also resulted in no group differences except in marital status. Sixty percent of the catalog shoppers were married, while only 47% of the non-catalog shoppers were married The authors recommend strategies, based on the ...
Continuing Controversies Over State and Local Foreign Policy Sanctions in the United States

Recent state and local government sanctions on business with Burma and certain Swiss banks renews a debate over foreign policy powers in federal systems that operate in an integrated global economy. International business promotion has become an accepted function of state and local governments. More controversial is the imposition offoreign policy sanctions, where economic involvement becomes a lever to pursue political goals rather than an objective in itself. When compared with past cases, including South Africa and the Arab boycott, recent state and local initiatives demonstrate both continuity and fresh departures in federalism's evolving adjustment to the global economy. These developments can be used to examine theoretical concepts such as constituent and multilayered diplomacy. They also argue for improved practical cooperation among the multiple and diverse actors engaged in foreign policy issues.
Effect of Substitution of Zr and Pr on magnetic properties of R2Co17(R=Er, Yb)☆

Abstract Magnetic properties (saturation magnetizations, Curie temperatures and anisotropy fields) have been measured for the ternary systems Er 2 Co 17- x Zr x and Yb 2 Co 17- x Zr x and for the quaternary system Er 2- y Pr y Co 16.4 Zr 0.6 . Introduction of Zr expands the lattice and diminishes the Curie temperature, both indicating Zr replaces Co. Saturation magnetization is diminished, when Zr replaces Co, more rapidly than simple dilution, suggesting Co d-band filling by electron transfer from Zr. The anisotropy field ( H A ) is sharply increased when Co replaces Zr, indicating that both preferential substitution and band structure effects are involved. Replacement of Er by Pr enhances H A , presumably because of preferential replacement of Er at the 2d site. H A of 42 kOe (at 295 K) was achieved for Er 1.6 Pr 0.4 Co 16.4 Zr 0.6 .
Abstract 4480: New approaches to changing an enzyme into a cytotoxic agent: A novel way to stimulate DNA cleavage by topoisomerase II.

Topoisomerase poisons are important anti-cancer drugs, and include agents such as etoposide and doxorubicin that target eukaryotic topoisomerase II. Most topoisomerase II poisons act as interstitial inhibitors. This mode of inhibition depends on the coordination of the enzyme and DNA substrate to form a drug binding site. While recent structural studies have localized topoisomerase II poisons to the drug/DNA interface, our understanding of the mechanism of enzyme inhibition remains incomplete. We have combined genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches to identify regions of topoisomerase II that are important for drug action and identified sites near the active site tyrosine that contribute to drug sensitivity. Interestingly, we also identified amino acids near the C-terminal dimerization domain that also control DNA cleavage. Mutations in the C-terminal dimerization domain exhibit several unique characteristics. Importantly, we identified two mutants in the dimerization domain of yeast Top2 that could not be viably expressed in yeast mutants defective in double strand break repair. Expression of these mutants in repair proficient strains led to elevated rates of homologous recombination, suggesting that these mutant proteins are able to generate DNA damage even in the absence of topoisomerase II targeting agents. We purified the mutant proteins and demonstrated that they possess elevated levels of drug independent DNA cleavage, compared to wild type proteins. Elevated cleavage was only seen in the presence of ATP, indicating that the mutant proteins are likely defective in DNA religation at a specific step in the catalytic cycle, and that the C-terminal dimerization and DNA religation occurs by a coordinated process. Finally, we have also shown that homologous mutations in human topoisomerase II alpha generate effects similar to those described for the yeast protein. Taken together, these results suggest that it may be possible to identify potent allosteric inhibitors of topoisomerase II directed against the C-terminal catalytic domain of the protein. These hypothetical inhibitors may have unique therapeutic potential, especially because they represent an approach for isoform specific topoisomerase poisons. Citation Format: Anna Rogojina, Karin C. Nitiss, John L. Nitiss. New approaches to changing an enzyme into a cytotoxic agent: A novel way to stimulate DNA cleavage by topoisomerase II. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4480. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4480
Medullary thyroid cancer: therapeutic targets and molecular markers.

Purpose of reviewThe present review will provide an update of important studies in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) with an emphasis on targeted preclinical and translational research studies published over the past 2 years.Recent findingsRecent advances in the biology of MTC, particularly in RET prot
The Global Emergence/Resurgence of Arboviral Diseases As Public Health Problems

During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic resurgence or emergence of epidemic arboviral diseases affecting both humans and domestic animals. These epidemics have been caused primarily by viruses thought to be under control such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis, or viruses that have expanded their geographic distribution such as West Nile and Rift Valley fever. Several of these viruses are presented as case studies to illustrate the changing epidemiology. The factors responsible for the dramatic resurgence of arboviral diseases in the waning years of the 20th century are discussed, as is the need for rebuilding the public health infrastructure to deal with epidemic vector-borne diseases in the 21st century.
Some management lessons from technological innovation research

Abstract This paper presents some research conclusions as a number of “propositions” about technological innovation which are intended mainly for managers of business and government institutions. The author claims that western nations are foregoing great opportunities by taking a short term view. In particular, he believes that screening is done at too early stage, administrators and managers fail to realise the long time span of the innovative process, and there is a widespread assumption that government agencies must only support “sure-winners”.
Design, Manufacturing and Test of a High Lift Secondary Flight Control Surface With SMAPBP (Shape Memory Alloy Post-Buckled Precompressed) Actuators

This paper discusses the design, manufacturing and test of a new kind of adaptive airfoil with Shape Memory Alloy actuation. An antagonistic arrangement of SMA wires is used in a Post-buckled Precompressed (PBP) kind of actuator that is being employed in an adaptive flap system. SMA actuators are typically used either antagonistically and/or arranged to move structural components with linearly varying resistance levels, like springs. This generally means that large percentages of strain energy are spent doing work on passive structure (rather than performing the task at hand, like moving a flight control surface or resisting air loads etc.). Post-Buckled Precompressed (PBP) actuators on the other hand are arranged so that the active elements do not waste energy fighting passive structural stiffnesses. Most (if not all) of the PBP actuators of the past have used piezoceramic elements and are highly prone to tensile failure on convex faces. Because SMA actuators are far more tolerant of tensile stresses than piezoceramics, a switch of actuator type is a natural progression of technology. With the Post-buckled Precompressed mechanism, the power consumption to hold deflections is reduced by one if not two orders of magnitude. Because aircraft often require flight control surfaces to be held in a given position for extremely long times to trim the vehicle, conventional SMA’s are essentially non-starters for many classes of aircraft. For the reason that PBP actuators balance out air and structural loads, the steady-state load on the SMAs is essentially negligible, when properly designed. Experiments showed that the SMAPBP actuator shows tip rotations on the order of 45° which is nearly triple the levels achieved by piezoelectric PBP actuators. The paper opens with a short survey on the history of flap systems actuated by adaptive materials and delves into actuation theory. In the following the author gives a detailed explanation of the design concept and the manufacturing of the airfoil. A NACA0012 airfoil with a chord length of 150 mm was used to prove the concept of the adaptive flap system. The paper continues with a description of the test setup, the CFD model assumptions and the results of wind tunnel tests. The architecture and the employment of a closed loop position feedback system to overcome the nonlinear behavior of the SMA material and the PBP mechanism is also discussed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Optimal α - β Filters for Systems with Modeling Inaccuracies

A first order α - β tracking filter is evaluated on the basis of steady state tracking error when the target model is known to be in error. Simple recursive relationships for implementing the filter are derived and shown to be equivalent to a Kalman filter. An example illustrates the improvement in steady state response that is achieved.
Strain energy minimum and vibrational properties of single-walled aluminosilicate nanotubes

We study the origin of the strain energy minimum in a single-walled aluminosilicate nanotube via a harmonic force-constant model and molecular dynamics simulations. The model is based on a circular crosssection geometry of the nanotube composed of semirigid AlO6 octahedra and SiO4 tetrahedra. The monodispersity in the nanotube diameter is explained in terms of a minimum in the strain energy due to differences in bond energies on the inner and outer surfaces. The model also reproduces the diameter dependence of the radial breathing mode RBM frequency and is in accord with midinfrared spectroscopic characterization.
Volatiles associated with preferred and nonpreferred hosts of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana.

Ovipositing female Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana, prefer loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., to slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm. except during the first spring following planting of seedlings. Host discrimination by R. frustrana increases as seedlings develop, suggesting that changes in the chemical composition of seedlings may mediate the moth's host preferences. Volatile compounds from slash and loblolly pine seedlings were collected using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) during the first year following planting. Four collection periods coincided with adult emergence and oviposition during each of four annual generations of R. frustrana in the Georgia Coastal Plain. Infestation of slash pine peaked during the second tip moth generation and was similar to the loblolly pine infestation level. By the fourth tip moth generation, slash pine infestation levels had declined and diverged considerably from those of loblolly pine. Significant differences in relative quantities of β-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene, β-phellandrene, bornyl acetate, β-caryophyllene, and an unidentified sesquiterpene occurred between slash and loblolly pine during the fourth generation. However, no strong correlation was observed between any individual compound and host damage that could readily explain the temporal changes in R. frustrana host preference. Gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD) analyses of standards identified 19 different seedling- associated compounds that elicited antennal responses from R. frustrana females, indicating that a blend of terpenoids may mediate host discrimination.