cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
12 – Nondestructive evaluation technologies for monitoring corrosion

Abstract Corrosion begins and increases over time, and in most cases, is hidden from view either inside a component such as a pipe or under a surface covering such as thermal insulation or concrete. Unfortunately, corrosion does not grow predictably. The present practice is to estimate a period of time over which corrosion will not cause a catastrophic failure and conduct an inspection to measure remaining wall thickness at specific intervals. This is usually done by marking certain areas on the component and attempting to collect data at the same location each time so that any changes in the component wall can be detected. This approach sounds like a logical one, but many times data are collected at specific spatial locations—for example, on 50-mm centers. There is no guarantee that the corrosion effect is occurring at one of the sites where data are collected. In fact, there can be a situation where a throughwall corrosion pit can grow next to a region that is being periodically inspected and the defect never detected. So, this type of process has uncertainties and can lead to unexpected failure.
Extensionismo tecnológico en Centroamérica, Panamá y República Dominicana

Centroamerica, Panama y Republica Dominicana presentan tasas de crecimiento economico positivas e importantes incrementos de sus exportaciones, pero el PIB sigue siendo relativamente bajo, y los indicadores de pobreza, productividad e innovacion reflejan importantes rezagos. Una alternativa que podria contribuir a aumentar la productividad y competitividad de las empresas, especialmente de las PYMES, es la incorporacion de conocimientos y tecnologia por medio de politicas de extension tecnologica consistentes en la adecuacion y adopcion de tecnologias ya desarrolladas. Implementarlas requiere de: (i) instituciones con capacidades de liderazgo y coordinacion; (ii) instrumentos acordes a las necesidades empresariales; (iii) capital humano para la ejecucion de proyectos; y (iv) capacidades para prestar servicios tecnologicos. Los paises analizados presentan diferentes fortalezas y debilidades para desarrollar e implementar programas de extension tecnologica, pero se sugiere realizarlos bajo una misma metodologia y plataforma de apoyo, lo que podria generar beneficios tecnicos y financieros.
Impoverishment, Criminalization, and the Culture of Poverty

This introduction summarizes major new themes raised by articles in this special issue on the archaeology of poverty and processes of impoverishment. First, definitions of poverty are discussed, progressing from simple dictionary definitions to the more complex considerations in articles analyzing the cultural construction of poverty through discourse on impoverishment as a relational process involving fluid power dynamics at the intersections of classes, races, ethnic groups, and genders. Impoverishment is a complex process involving the interaction of capitalism, patriarchy, and racism to produce structurally a set of economic, social, and political positions defined by terms with different meanings. Poverty is culturally constructed through ideological discourse as an individual failing and a stigmatized identity. The historical criminalization of poverty is traced as an important context for the articles. This introduction discusses key ideas brought out in these studies and also offers some historical perspective on the Western construction of poverty and its study by historical archaeologists.
General Glivenko–Cantelli theorems

A Glivenko–Cantelli theorem is a fundamental result in statistics. It says that an empirical distribution function uniformly approximates the true distribution function for a sufficiently large sample size. We prove general Glivenko–Cantelli theorems for three types of sequences of random variables: delayed regenerative, delayed stationary and delayed exchangeable. In particular, our results hold for irreducible Harris recurrent Markov chains that admit a stationary probability distribution but are not necessarily in the stationary state. We also do not assume any mixing conditions on the Markov chain. This is useful in the application of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. A key tool used is a generalized version of Polya's theorem on the convergence of distribution functions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overexpression of Thioredoxin1 enhances functional recovery in a mouse model of hind limb ischemia

Abstract Background There is keen interest in finding nonsurgical treatments for peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Previously, we demonstrated that selective activation of Thioredoxin1 (Trx1), a 12-kDa cytosolic protein, initiates redox-dependent signaling and promotes neovascularization after ischemic heart disease. Therefore, Trx1 might possess immense potential to not only treat murine hind limb ischemia (HLI) through effective angiogenesis but also provide PVD patients with nonsurgical therapy to enhance neovascularization and improve blood perfusion. Methods To determine whether activation of Trx1 increases blood perfusion in HLI, two different strategies were used—gene therapy and transgenic model system. In adenoviral-mediated gene therapy, 8- to 12-wk-old mice were divided into two groups: (1) control Adeno-LacZ (Ad-LacZ) and (2) Adeno-Thiroedoxin1 (Ad-Trx1). The mice underwent surgical intervention to induce right HLI followed by injection with Ad-LacZ or Ad-Trx1, respectively. In the second strategy, we used wild-type and transgenic mice overexpressing Trx1 (Trx1 Tg/+ ). All the animals underwent Doppler imaging for the assessment of limb perfusion followed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results Significant increases in perfusion ratio were observed in all the Trx1 overexpressed groups compared with their corresponding controls. Expressions of heme oxygenase-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors Flk-1 and Flt-1 were increased in Trx1 overexpressed mice compared with their respective controls. Blood perfusion in the ischemic limb gradually improved and significantly recovered in Trx1 Tg/+ and Ad-Trx1 groups compared with their corresponding controls. The capillary and arteriolar density in the ischemic zone were found to be higher in Trx1 Tg/+ group compared with wild type. Conclusions The overall outcomes of our study demonstrate that Trx1 enhances blood perfusion and increases angiogenic protein expression in a rodent HLI model. These results suggest that Trx1 is a potential target for clinical trials and drug therapy for the treatment of PVD.
Common Skin Conditions in Children: Skin Infections

Skin infections account for a significant subset of dermatologic conditions of childhood. Common cutaneous viral infections in children include warts, molluscum contagiosum, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and herpes simplex. Although viral infections are self-limited and often only mildly symptomatic, they can cause anxiety, embarrassment, and health care use. Recognition of their common and atypical presentations is necessary to differentiate them from other skin conditions of similar morphology. Impetigo, cellulitis, and abscess comprise the majority of childhood bacterial skin infections and are treated with topical or systemic antibiotics that cover group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Common fungal dermatologic infections in children are oral and genital candidiasis, tinea capitis, and tinea corporis. Management consists of topical and systemic antifungals, including nystatin, triazoles, terbinafine, griseofulvin, and imidazoles. Scabies is the most common parasitic skin infection among children and is managed with topical permethrin. Although serious illness is not common among children returning from international travel, patients presenting with fever and rash, especially petechial or hemorrhagic lesions, require thorough evaluation. Of the numerous reportable conditions that present with childhood rash, tick-borne illnesses, measles, rubella, and varicella are the most common.
Economics as Natural-History: Adorno and the Critique of Neoliberalism

This paper develops an analysis of neoliberal economics through Adorno’s concept of natural-history (Naturgeschichte), in order to articulate the formation of what I define as neoliberal “second na...
Spotlight on origami robots

Origami robots promise a future with increased customizability and adaptability in autonomous machines.
Circuits for Modulation of Auditory Function

This chapter discusses anatomical, physiological, and functional aspects of circuits associated with four major neuromodulators: acetylcholine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine. These neuromodulators occur in nearly all auditory structures from the cochlea of the inner ear to the cortex of the brain. A review of the anatomy is focused on the origins of modulatory inputs to auditory structures and the patterns of termination in those areas. Sources of the modulatory inputs include widely recognized cell groups in the basal forebrain and pontomesencephalic tegmentum (for acetylcholine), raphe nuclei (for serotonin), locus coeruleus (for noradrenaline), and ventral tegmental area (for dopamine), as well as smaller cell groups in the brainstem. In addition, there are numerous examples of cells within the auditory system that release one or more of these neuromodulators. Physiology and function are discussed from several perspectives, starting with a brief overview of methods used for assessing modulatory function. Neuromodulators are directly involved in regulating auditory processing according to both internal state and stimulus salience. Many mechanisms are likely involved. Neuromodulators can reconfigure auditory circuitry through multiple receptor types and in multiple auditory regions. Furthermore, multiple neuromodulators may converge at the level of single neuron types. This makes the effects of neuromodulators complex but confers the ability to produce a range of behaviorally appropriate outputs from auditory circuitry. In addition, neuromodulators facilitate long-term plasticity. Such plasticity plays a role in many adaptive responses, including numerous changes that may play a role in the auditory dysfunction that follows hearing loss.
Prehospital Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Identification in San Diego: A Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of a New Software Algorithm.

Abstract Background A significant increase in false positive ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) electrocardiogram interpretations was noted after replacement of all of the City of San Diego's 110 monitor-defibrillator units with a new brand. These concerns were brought to the manufacturer and a revised interpretive algorithm was implemented. Objectives This study evaluated the effects of a revised interpretation algorithm to identify STEMI when used by San Diego paramedics. Methods Data were reviewed 6 months before and 6 months after the introduction of a revised interpretation algorithm. True-positive and false-positive interpretations were identified. Factors contributing to an incorrect interpretation were assessed and patient demographics were collected. Results A total of 372 (234 preimplementation, 138 postimplementation) cases met inclusion criteria. There was a significant reduction in false positive STEMI (150 preimplementation, 40 postimplementation; p Conclusions This study shows that introducing a revised 12-lead interpretive algorithm resulted in a significant reduction in the number of false positive STEMI electrocardiogram interpretations in a large urban emergency medical services system. Rigorous testing and standardization of new interpretative software is recommended before introduction into a clinical setting to prevent issues resulting from inappropriate cardiac catheterization laboratory activations.
Improving Adoption of EHRs in Psychiatric Care.

Improving Adoption of EHRs in Psychiatric Care Electronic health records represent a key component of health care redesign. Their adoption in psychiatric care, however, lags far behind the rest of ...
Abatement Addiction: A Case Study on Jersey City's Municipal Tax Abatements, Urban Gentrification and the Politics of Rights

As New Jersey’s second largest city, Jersey City has experienced a surge in urban redevelopment and new development, particularly its downtown wards closest to New York City. Situated on the Hudson River directly across from downtown New York City, Jersey City is an ideal location for New Jersey developers and realtors to redevelop in order to attract New York City’s financial sector employees and individuals desiring more living space at lower rental or mortgage costs. In other words, downtown Jersey City exemplifies urban gentrification. In the last twenty years, several public policies helped spur waterfront development to attract potentially wealthier residents. In an effort to lure developers and investors, Jersey City officials relied heavily on municipal tax abatements to offset increasingly high property taxes. So after two decades, has Jersey City demonstrated that Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), tax abatements and other tax policy incentives are in fact feasible in terms of the following questions: What have been the implications of these policies? Who benefited from and who was marginalized from these policies? This paper examines the rising concerns surrounding tax abatements and other pro-development tax policies. By examining a medium sized city like Jersey City, this case study is especially useful in understanding the significant issues and shortcomings with urban redevelopment tax incentives. Too often these incentives benefit a political and financial elite at the economic expense and loss of political rights of long-term residents and renters.
One-and-a-Half Cheers for the New FTC Remedies Study

The Federal Trade Commission has released its study of its remedy orders between 2006 and 2012. Notice of this study was issued in early 2015,so the process has taken two full years to bring to completion. I think the FTC deserves much credit for undertaking this study. Agencies do not often review the effects and effectiveness of their past policies and practices. It takes time and resources from current activities,and then the results may not be favorable to the agency, posing risks of criticism and worse. So it is a sign of good government when an agency does this. Kudos to the FTC. This is the second such study done by the FTC. The first, in 1999, was widely recognized as a milestone and resulted in a number of significant changes in the Commission's divestiture policy.It has now been replicated in a number of other countries that have also assessed their remedies practices.This new FTC study has a number of notable features. It covers many more remedies than the earlier one, and obviously focuses on more recent experiences. The involvement of the Bureau of Economics undoubtedly strengthened the analytic foundations of the work. It forthrightly reports a less than perfect record for some of its remedies. And it uses its review to identify ways of improving remedy policy going forward. This, too, is all much to the credit of the agency.
Brownfields to Greenfields: Environmental Justice Versus Environmental Gentrification

Gentrification is a growing concern in many urban areas, due to the potential for displacement of lower-income and other vulnerable populations. This process can be accelerated when neighborhood “greening” projects are undertaken via governmental or private investor efforts, resulting in a phenomenon termed environmental or “green” gentrification. Vacant land in lower-income areas is often improved by the existing community through the creation of community gardens, but this contributes to these greening efforts and paradoxically may spur gentrification and subsequent displacement of the gardens’ stewards and neighbors. “Is proximity to community gardens in less affluent neighborhoods associated with an increased likelihood of gentrification?” Using Brooklyn, New York as a case study, we examined this question using Geographic Information Systems and two spatial methods: a census block group proximity analysis, and a hot spot analysis, to determine the potential impact of proximity to community gardens in lower-income areas. The results of the analyses suggest that proximity to community gardens is associated with significant increases in per capita income over the five years study period, which is indicative of areas undergoing gentrification. This has implications for environmental justice because existing lower-income residents are likely to be displaced after their community is improved environmentally.
Improved tritium retention modeling with reaction-diffusion code TMAP and bulk depth profiling capability

Abstract ITER-grade tungsten (W) specimens were exposed to similar deuterium (D) plasma condition (ion flux density of 6.0 × 1021 D m − 2s−1, D ion fluence of 5.0 × 1025 D m − 2) at the surface temperature of 623 K. Thermal desorption spectroscopy was used to measure total D retention in one W specimen after D plasma exposure. Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy was used to measure D depth profiling from the other W specimen exposed to the similar condition, and deep D trapping up to 25 μm was observed. When the normalized D depth profile was used with a reaction-diffusion code TMAP7 to model experimental D desorption behavior, an excellent agreement to experimental results was achieved. The modeling results suggested that the predominate mechanism of the deep D trapping might be D trapping in intrinsic intergranular cracks in ITER-grade W.
Boron-Metal Fluoride Reactive Composites: Preparation and Reactions Leading to Their Ignition

Composite powders combining boron with BiF3 and CoF2 were prepared using mechanical milling. As-received amorphous boron and boron initially washed with acetonitrile to remove the hydrated surface ...
Serotonin in development of cyclic reproductive function.

Drugs, hormones and photoperiods were used to investigate the effect of modified serotonin metabolism during ontogeny on reproductive function in the adult female rat. Testosterone (10 μg or 1.25 mg), which causes precocious vaginal opening and prevents cyclic pituitary gonadotropin secretion was injected into neonatal rats to determine if changes in pineal gland and/or hypothalamic serotonin were associated with effects on the reproductive system. Conversely, p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 70mg/kg on day 3 or 35mg/kg on days 3–12), a drug which blocks brain serotonin synthesis, and exposure to constant light (days 3–160), which abolishes pineal gland serotonin rhythms, were used to determine the effect of altered serotonin metabolism during development, on adult reproductive function.
Four Decades of Computing in Civil Engineering

This paper presents the author’s perspective on four decades of computing in civil engineering. Examples of research by the author and his associates published during the past four decades are briefly described. They include artificial intelligence and expert system technology, computer-aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE), computer animation, object-oriented technology, database management, solid modelling, parallel processing and supercomputing, distributed computing on a cluster of workstations, neural networks, evolutionary computing and genetic algorithms, case-based reasoning, machine learning, fractality and chaos theory, wavelet transform, and web-based computing. It is argued that the introduction of novel computing ideas into the oldest engineering field has made the field more exciting. It has helped create new technologies such as semi-active vibration control and health monitoring of large structures and intelligent freeways, and automate processes that were unthinkable otherwise.
EGFR-Mediated Re-Activation of MAPK Signaling Contributes to Insensitivity of BRAF Mutant Colorectal Cancers to RAF Inhibition

ABSTRACT BRAF mutations occur in 10–15% of colorectal cancers (CRCs) and confer adverse outcomes. Whereas RAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib (PLX4032) have shown effectiveness in melanoma patients with BRAF mutation, they are surprisingly ineffective in BRAF mutant CRCs, and the reason for this disparity remains unclear. Here, we identified a potential mechanism of de novo resistance in CRC tumors by utilizing biochemical and pathological analyses. Compared with BRAF mutant melanoma cells, BRAF mutant CRC cells were less sensitive to vemurafenib, and P-ERK suppression was not sustained in response to treatment. Although transient inhibition of phospho-ERK by vemurafenib was observed in CRC, rapid ERK re-activation occurred through EGFR-mediated activation of RAS and CRAF. BRAF mutant CRCs shown remarkably higher expression of phospho-EGFR compared with BRAF mutant melanomas, suggesting that CRCs are specifically poised for EGFR-mediated resistance. Combined RAF and EGFR inhibition blocked reactivation of MAPK signaling in BRAF mutant CRC cells and markedly improved efficacy in vitro and in vivo. These findings support to start a clinical trial of combined RAF and EGFR inhibition for the treatment of BRAF mutant CRC patients.
Factors Associated With Survival Following Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Children

Objectives:We examined a large single-institution experience in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in children having cardiac arrest refractory to conventional resuscitation measur...
Particle-Hole Symmetry and the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect in the Lowest Landau Level

We report on detailed experimental studies of a high-quality heterojunction insulated-gate field-effect transistor (HIGFET) to probe the particle-hole symmetry of the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) states about half-filling in the lowest Landau level. The HIGFET is specially designed to vary the density of a two-dimensional electronic system under constant magnetic fields. We find in our constant magnetic field, variable density measurements that the sequence of FQHE states at filling factors ν=1/3,2/5,3/7… and its particle-hole conjugate states at filling factors 1-ν=2/3,3/5,4/7… have a very similar energy gap. Moreover, a reflection symmetry can be established in the magnetoconductivities between the ν and 1-ν states about half-filling. Our results demonstrate that the FQHE states in the lowest Landau level are manifestly particle-hole symmetric.
Natural Resources and the Public Estate; Article I, Section 27

This is a detailed explanation of the history and cases decided under Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, also known as the Environmental Rights Amendment. It is the final pre-publication version of the chapter on the Amendment in The Pennsylvania Constitution: A Treatise on Rights and Liberties (Ken Gormley et al., eds.,Forthcoming 2020). The Amendment has two parts. The first part creates a right in “the people” to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of certain values. The second part articulates the right of “the people” to the state’s public natural resources, and establishes a right in “the people” to have those resources conserved and maintained for the benefit of present and future generations. The amendment is located in Article I of the Pennsylvania constitution (the subject of the treatise), which is Pennsylvania’s Declaration of Rights, analogous to the U.S. Bill of Rights. Pennsylvania is one of few states in the country to recognize the environmental rights of its citizens, and is perhaps the most prominent. This treatise chapter first explains the history of the Amendment. It then describes four ways that courts have applied it. The first and most obvious is as a basis for legally enforceable claims. For more than four decades, Pennsylvania courts avoided applying the text of the Amendment, using instead a judicially invented test as a substitute for the text and greatly weakening the Amendment’s effect. Beginning with a plurality opinion in 2013 in Robinson Township v. Commonwealth, and then a majority opinion in 2017 in Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation v. Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court used the text of the Amendment to hold legislation unconstitutional, and discarded the judicially invented test. This chapter also explains that Pennsylvania courts have applied the Amendment in three other ways—as confirmation and extension of the police power, as guidance in statutory interpretation, and as constitutional authority for laws whose constitutionality has been challenged on other grounds.
Probing sulphur clusters in a microfluidic electrochemical cell with synchrotron-based photoionization mass spectrometry

We present synchrotron-based mass spectrometry to probe products formed in a lithium sulphide electrolyte. In operando analysis was carried out at two different potentials in a vacuum compatible microfluidic electrochemical cell. Mass spectral observations show that the charged electrolyte formed sulphur clusters under dynamic conditions, demonstrating electrolyte electron shuttling.
Percutaneous catheter drainage of secondary abdominal compartment syndrome: A case report.

Abstract Abdominal compartment syndrome can be a lethal entity when not treated in a timely fashion. Current standard of care involves emergent decompressive laparotomy by the surgical team. In this case, a 52-year-old male who developed abdominal compartment syndrome secondary to hemoperitoneum underwent emergent drain placement as decompressive laparotomy was not an optimal option for management. Little literature exists on the utility of drain placement or paracentesis for decompression in overall patient morbidity and mortality. However, when necessary, drain placement shows similar outcomes when compared to the standard of care. Interventional radiologists are uniquely positioned to provide drainage guided management for abdominal compartment syndrome in emergent settings.
Can Individualized-Targeted Computerized Cognitive Training Benefit Adults with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder? The Training on Purpose Study (TOPS)

Half of people with HIV (PWH) have HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). This study examined whether cognition can be improved using a framework targeting impaired individual cognitive domains in PWH with HAND. In this two-group pre-post experimental design study, 88 adults with HAND were randomized to either: (1) a no-contact control group (n = 40) or (2) the Individualized-Targeted Cognitive Training group (n = 48). Baseline cognitive performance was assessed on eight cognitive domains. A theoretical framework was used to determine the two cognitive domains selected for training. With priority on speed of processing (SOP) and attention impairments, participants received SOP and/or attention training if such impairments were detected; if not, participants were assigned to cognitive training in one/two of the least impaired cognitive domains contributing to their HAND diagnosis. Global cognitive score was slightly improved following training (p = 0.256; d = − 0.21), but it was not significant. Significant improvements were observed on SOP following training in that domain (SOP; d = − 0.88; p = 0.011). SOP training also improved functioning in other cognitive domains. This individualized cognitive intervention did not change HAND status, but it did result in improved SOP, in turn yielding improvement in other cognitive domains.
Inclusion of the C-Terminal Domain in the β-Sheet Core of Heparin-Fibrillized Three-Repeat Tau Protein Revealed by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are characterized by pathological s-sheet filaments of the tau protein, which spread in a prion-like manner in patient brains. To date, high-resolution structures of tau filaments obtained from patient brains show that the s-sheet core only includes portions of the microtubule-binding repeat domains and excludes the C-terminal residues, indicating that the C-terminus is dynamically disordered. Here, we use solid-state NMR spectroscopy to identify the s-sheet core of full-length 0N3R tau fibrillized using heparin. Assignment of 13C and 15N chemical shifts of the rigid core of the protein revealed a single predominant s-sheet conformation, which spans not only the R3, R4, R' repeats but also the entire C-terminal domain (CT) of the protein. This massive s-sheet core qualitatively differs from all other tau fibril structures known to date. Using long-range correlation NMR experiments, we found that the R3 and R4 repeats form a s-arch, similar to that seen in some of the brain-derived tau fibrils, but the R1 and R3 domains additionally stack against the CT, reminiscent of previously reported transient interactions of the CT with the microtubule-binding repeats. This expanded s-sheet core structure suggests that the CT may have a protective effect against the formation of pathological tau fibrils by shielding the amyloidogenic R3 and R4 domains, preventing side-on nucleation. Truncation and post-translational modification of the CT in vivo may thus play an important role in the progression of tauopathies.
Designing HAYA! ABC: Utilizing Transmedia Storytelling to Teach English to K-12 Online Arab ELLs—A Framework for Encouraging Online and Offline L2 Participation

Learning English is valued across the globe and storytelling is an engaging and motivating tool educators can use to inspire language acquisition through the fun and amusing use of the English language (Kirsch, in Language Learning Journal 44(1): 33–51, 2016). In addition, though K-12 online learners are an understudied population, K-12 online learning has increased immensely all around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study focuses on the design of the online English language program, HAYA! ABC. In addition, through a review of the current literature, this study seeks to offer support for a new pedagogical method of engaging ELLs through the online and offline affordances granted to the learner via transmedia storytelling. The literature review for this design focuses on nations around the Arabian Peninsula who are utilizing the ancient tradition of storytelling to learn the English language. A method for choosing the sources for this review is presented and findings are discussed. Finally, examples of HAYA! ABC’s transmedia storyline and its participatory language affordances are explored as they relate to Paul Nation’s “four strands” and the three categories of language curriculum design (Nation & Macalister in Language curriculum design. Routledge, London, 2010). Future empirical studies will be conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the curriculum design proposed in this paper. The focus of this paper is on the research and design of this novel online curriculum.
Abstract WMP113: Coated-Platelet Levels are Elevated in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Inversely Associated with Mortality at 30 Days

Background: Coated-platelets are a subset of platelets with high procoagulant potential observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Coated-platelet levels are elevated in non...
HAMr: A Mechanical Impactor for Repeated Dynamic Loading of In vitro Neuronal Networks

A new tool for exploring the effects of repeated low-amplitude mechanical impacts onto in vitro neuronal networks is presented. The experimental setup, HAMr, is specifically designed to allow variability in impact conditions while ensuring a highly repeatable result. HAMr’s functionality to induce inflammation related to mild traumatic brain injuries has been validated by assessing its capability to induce elevated expression of the inflammatory protein IL-1 β in in vitro neuronal cell cultures. The two main results obtained for the inflammatory response in dissociated cortical networks, presented for a range of impact force amplitude and total number of impacts, can be summarized as follows. First, the results demonstrate a strong correlation between ensuing inflammation level and numbers of impact. Second, the results indicate a possible existence of a safe threshold of number of impacts that does not initiate an inflammatory response.
Perpetuities: A Perspective on Wait-and-See

Professor Dukeminier and I agree on most of the important points concerning perpetuity law and perpetuity reform. We agree that the Rule Against Perpetuities still serves a socially useful function of limiting dead hand control, and should not be abolished. We also agree that the common law Rule is needlessly harsh and should be softened. Finally, we agree on the type of reform that is most desirable-waitand-see. Our only disagreement -concerns the best method of marking off the wait-and-see perpetuity period-the period of time during which dispositions that would have been invalid under the common law Rule are to be given the chance to work themselves out. There are substantial parts of his argument on this latter point, set forth in Perpetuities: The Measuring Lives,' that I do not find convincing.
Effects of mutation at glutamic acid 247 on activity and kinetic parameters of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase.

4483 As a rate limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) is a target for potential therapeutic intervention against various cancers. In an effort to better understand the enzyme/substrate interactions at the active site of AdoMetDC, we have investigated the effects of several mutations of the amino acid glutamic acid at position 247 (E247). Crystal structures of AdoMetDC suggest that this residue interacts with the hydroxyl groups of the ribose moiety in the natural substrate S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). C-terminally his-tagged hAdoMetDC proteins with amino acids alanine (A), aspartic acid (D), or glutamine (Q) substituted at E247 were constructed and purified. Activity assays were then carried out with AdoMet substrate to determine the kinetic parameters of the mutant proteins relative to the wild-type hAdoMetDC. The results indicated that the E247Q mutation had no effect on Vmax, Km or kcat. However, both the E247A and E247D mutations significantly reduced the activity and caused a large increase in Km, as well as large decreases in Vmax and kcat. Since one of the goals of these studies is to design efficient inhibitors of AdoMetDC, we have investigated the ability of the classic inhibitor methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone)(MGBG) to inhibit the activity of the E247 mutant proteins. Preliminary results from determinations of Ki values indicate that although the E247Q mutation has little effect on activity, it significantly alters the interaction with MGBG at the active site as the Ki value is significantly increased over that of the wt-hAdoMetDC. Not surprisingly, the Ki values for MGBG with the E247A and E247D mutants were also significantly increased relative to the wild-type protein. Additional known AdoMetDC inhibitors are currently under investigation. These results strongly suggest that the E247 residue of the AdoMetDC protein is important to the enzyme/substrate interaction at the active site and that this interaction should be preserved and/or exploited in design of AdoMetDC inhibitors. This work was supported by NIH grant CA 094000.
Optimizing the Patient

It’s 4 a.m., and you assess your patient as having an “acute abdomen”—probably due to a perforated viscus. Clearly, your patient needs an emergency laparotomy; what is left to decide is what efforts, and how much time, should be invested in the patient’s optimization before the operation. Optimization is a double-edged sword: wasting time trying to “stabilize” an exsanguinating patient is an exercise in futility for the patient will die. Conversely, rushing to surgery with a hypovolemic patient suffering from intestinal obstruction is a recipe for disaster.
Loss of AMPKα1 in neuroinflammatory phenotype of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (HUM2P.335)

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common inherited neuroinflammatory demyelinating leukodystrophy. All X-ALD patients present with mutations in the ABCD1 gene, which encodes a peroxisomal adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter protein (ABCD1). X-ALD is a complex disease where the same mutation in the ALD gene (ABCD1) can lead to clinically very distinct phenotypes; a fatal neuroinflammatory childhood cerebral ALD (ALD) or the relatively benign disease of adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Further, no relationship could be established between genotype and severity of the disease as same mutation is known to give different phenotypes, even within a family. We recently documented a role for decreased AMP kinaseα1 (AMPKα1) levels in initiating severe inflammatory and demyelinating phenotype in the CNS of AMPKα1-knockout mice. Abundant data is also available that implicates loss of AMPK in generating spontaneous inflammatory response in several cell types including immune cells. Our data using healthy control, AMN and ALD patient-derived skin fibroblasts and lymphocytes documents, for the first time, loss of a metabolic gene- AMPKα1 in ALD patient-derived fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Consistent with this, the basal expression of inflammatory cytokines (iNOS and IL-6) were increased in ALD patient-derived lymphocytes. Together these observations suggest that AMPKα1 may be involved in the progression of benign AMN to neuroinflammatory ALD phenotype.
Inference Web in Action: Lightweight Use of the Proof Markup Language

The Inference Web infrastructure for web explanations together with its underlying Proof Markup Language (PML) for encoding justification and provenance information has been used in multiple projects varying from explaining the behavior of cognitive agents to explaining how knowledge is extracted from multiple sources of information in natural language. The PML specification has increased significantly since its inception in 2002 in order to accommodate a rich set of requirements derived from multiple projects, including the ones mentioned above. In this paper, we have a very different goal than the other PML documents: to demonstrate that PML may be effectively used by simple systems (as well as complex systems) and to describe lightweight use of language and its associated Inference Web tools. We show how an exemplar scientific application can use lightweight PML descriptions within the context of an NSF-funded cyberinfrastructure project. The scientific application is used throughout the paper as a use case for the lightweight use of PML and the Inference Web and is meant to be an operational prototype for a class of cyberinfrastructure applications.
Carbamate Protection of AChE Against Inhibition by Agricultural Chemicals

The carbamate pyridostigmine bromide has been used as a pretreatment to protect individuals from the nerve agent soman. Previous research showed that pyridostigmine significantly protected human muscle acetylcholinesterase in vitro from soman and bovine red blood cell acetylcholinesterase from some organophosphorous pesticides. Research presented here demonstrates that pretreatment with other carbamates also protects acetylcholinesterase from inhibition by the pesticides chlorpyrifos-oxon and diazinon-oxon, but not from malaoxon.
Root growth, secondary root formation and root gravitropism in carotenoid-deficient seedlings of Zea mays L.

The effect of ABA on root growth, secondary-root formation and root gravitropism in seedlings of Zea mays was investigated by using Fluridone-treated seedlings and a viviparous mutant, both of which lack carotenoids and ABA. Primary roots of seedlings grown in the presence of Fluridone grew significantly slower than those of control (i.e. untreated) roots. Elongation of Fluridone-treated roots was inhibited significantly by the exogenous application of 1 mM ABA. Exogenous application of 1 micromole and 1 nmole ABA had either no effect or only a slight stimulatory effect on root elongation, depending on the method of application. The absence of ABA in Fluridone-treated plants was not an important factor in secondary-root formation in seedlings less than 9-10 d old. However, ABA may suppress secondary-root formation in older seedlings, since 11-d-old control seedlings had significantly fewer secondary roots than Fluridone-treated seedlings. Roots of Fluridone-treated and control seedlings were graviresponsive. Similar data were obtained for vp-9 mutants of Z. mays, which are phenotypically identical to Fluridone-treated seedlings. These results indicate that ABA is necessary for neither secondary-root formation nor for positive gravitropism by primary roots.
Characterizing emissions and optical properties of particulate matter from PFI and GDI light-duty gasoline vehicles

Abstract Aerosol extinction coefficient ( β ext ) and black carbon (BC) were measured from three light-duty gasoline vehicles (LDGV), including two gasoline direct injection (spray-guided and wall-guided GDI, SG-GDI and WG-GDI, respectively) and a conventional port-fuel injection vehicle (PFI), over the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) and Supplemental FTP (US06) test cycles. Emission factors (EF) of BC and β ext in addition to aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) were determined for different phases or segments of the drive cycles. WG-GDI showed the highest EF BC (13 mg BC/kg fuel and 2.5 mg BC/kg fuel) and EF ext (0.1 m 2 /kg fuel and 0.018 m 2 /kg fuel) during both FTP and US06 cycles, respectively. EF BC and EF ext for the GDI vehicles during cold-start (P1) of the FTP cycle were 7–60 times higher than the PFI vehicle. EF BC and EF ext from GDI (PFI) vehicles were lower (higher) on the more aggressive US06 cycle compared to the FTP cycle. During the FTP cycle, a significantly lower SSA was observed for WG-GDI (0.2) while higher SSA values were observed for all vehicles during the US06 cycle (0.28–0.49).
"SUICIDE" AS SEEN IN POISON CONTROL CENTERS

Of 1,103 cases of poisoning, ages 6 to 18, admitted to 50 poison control centers during 1 year, 13% were considered unintentional, 13% "trips," 26% suicide attempts, and 48% suicide gestures or affect reactions. The youngest age group, 6 to 10, is 63% male, 40% Negro, and about one-half give a history of precipitating stress or current or prior referral for behavior problems. The abrupt increase in self-poisoning in girls at age 12 peaks at age 16, while male paisonings continue to increase with age. An admittedly immature concept of death was retained by 16% of the 17 to 18-year-olds. In the five deaths (mortality 1: 220 hospitalized self-poisonings), lethality of intent was presumed low with death the result of a toxicologic mishap. The estimate of about 115,000 self-poisonings annually in the United States, ages 6 to 18, defines a mental health problem of the first magnitude, but open to epidemiologic analysis by relatively simple techniques.
ANNOTATED CATALOGUE OF THE DILARIDAE (INSECTA: NEUROPTERA) OF THE WORLD

The neuropteran family Dilaridae, ‘pleasing lacewings’, is a small family presently composed of 67 valid recent species, with a combined distribution encompassing parts of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Dilarids form a distinct clade within the order Neuroptera, and are characterized by males with pectinate antennae, females with elongate ovipositors (a feature that they share with raphidiopterans and some mantispids), and distinctive details of the terminalia in both sexes. Dilarids are relatively rare both in the field and in collections and are of no known economic importance. Immatures are associated with soil or dead wood. No fossil dilarids are currently known. The purpose of the present work is to provide a concise bibliographic, nomenclatural and taxonomic foundation for the family that can serve the twin aims of providing an entry point into the scattered dilarid literature and a stimulus for further systematics study of the group.
Lake Erie Research: Recent Results, Remaining Gaps

Abstract Evidence that oxygen depletion rates in the central basin hypolimnion were increasing and would lead to increasingly severe late summer anoxia resulted in a large public investment in both the U.S. and Canada to construct sewage treatment plants in order to reduce the phosphorus load to Lake Erie. Improvements in the water quality indicators, phosphorus and chlorophyll, have been achieved in the decade since these measures went into effect. There is no clear evidence, however, for a corresponding “recovery” in hypolimnetic oxygen depletion. It is now recognized that physical processes, driven by winds and solar heating with strong interannual fluctuations, influence the timing and severity of late-summer anoxia, and make it difficult to detect long-term trends. As a result of the 1979 and 1980 intensive field experiments, many of the physical processes are better understood, better documented, and new possibilities exist for improved numerical hydrodynamical modeling. Systems modelers have exploited the voluminous Lake Erie data to generate convincing water quality models that account for the physical variability as well as simulating biochemical parameters. In some respects the modelers have pushed beyond the frontiers of established knowledge of biochemical processes and thus challenge process-oriented researchers to confirm or reject their findings. A consensus is forming among Lake Erie researchers that the key to understanding the lake's response to changing external loading lies in a detailed understanding of the sediment/water interaction. Study of sediment-water interactions calls for interdisciplinary efforts that will involve physicists, biologists, chemists, and modelers. An appendix to this paper lists specific research recommendations.
Dietary sterol utilization during development and reproduction of the corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella

Abstract 1. 1. Cholesterol was the major sterol in southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella , last instar larvae reared on corn plants or artificial diets containing predominantly sitosterol, and lesser amounts of other phytosterols. 2. 2. Cholesterol progressively increased in pupae and adults in relation to s sitosterol and other dietary sterols which suggested biosynthesis from phytosterol precursors. 3. 3. Total sterols decreased in adults after eclosion and oviposition. 4. 4. Eggs contained about 61% cholesterol and the remainder campesterol while the spent adults had only small amounts of cholesterol.
Mode of chemotherapy does not affect complications with an implantable venous access device

BACKGROUND Few reports have been made regarding the long term safety of implantable venous access devices used for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. The authors' goals were to determine the frequency of complications in patients receiving chemotherapy with these devices; to determine whether complications were associated with the mode of chemotherapy delivery (push/bolus or infusional regimens); and to evaluate the influence of other risk factors, including home-based versus hospital-based administration. METHODS A total of 152 oncology patients at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (ages 26-81 years; mean age, 62 years), who underwent surgical placement of an Infus-a-Port (Strato, Inc., Beverly, MA) between May 1, 1992 and May 31, 1994, were evaluated retrospectively for postplacement device complications, such as infection, thrombosis, and mechanical failure. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients experienced 1 complication each: 17 episodes of device-related sepsis, cellulitis, or fever of unknown origin; 8 episodes of thrombosis or catheter occlusion; 1 episode of drug extravasation; and 1 mechanical failure. Patient age, frequency of port accession, mode of chemotherapy delivery, tumor type, and neutropenia were evaluated as risk factors, but none was statistically significant. Complications were more frequent during the first 90 days after implantation, but they continued to occur throughout the observation period. CONCLUSIONS Complications attributable to an implantable venous access device were infrequent in this patient population. No differences in complications for patients receiving home-based versus hospital-based chemotherapy administration were noted, opening the possibility of significant time and cost savings with home treatment. Cancer 1997; 80:966-72. © 1997 American Cancer Society.