cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of five dry particle deposition parameterizations for incorporation into atmospheric transport models

Despite considerable effort to develop mechanistic dry particle deposition parameterizations for atmospheric transport models, current knowledge has been inadequate to propose quantitative measures of the relative performance of available parameterizations. In this study, we evaluated the performance of five dry particle deposition parameterizations developed by Zhang et al. (2001) ( Z01 ), Petroff and Zhang (2010) ( PZ10 ), Kouznetsov and Sofiev (2012) ( KS12 ), Zhang and He (2014) ( ZH14 ), and Zhang and Sao (2014) ( ZS14 ), respectively. The evaluation was performed in three dimensions: model ability to reproduce observed deposition velocities, V d (accuracy), the influence of imprecision in input parameter values on the modeled V d (uncertainty), and identification of the most influential parameter(s) (sensitivity). The accuracy of the modeled V d was evaluated using observations obtained from five land use categories (LUCs): grass, coniferous and deciduous forests, natural water, and ice/snow. To ascertain the uncertainty in modeled V d , and quantify the influence of imprecision in key model input parameters, a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis was performed. The Sobol' sensitivity analysis was conducted with the objective to determine the parameter ranking, from the most to the least influential. Comparing the normalized mean bias factors (indicator of accuracy), we find that the ZH14 parameterization is the most accurate for all LUCs except for coniferous forest, for which it is second most accurate (B NMBF = −2.31). From Monte Carlo simulations, the estimated mean normalized uncertainties in the modeled Vd obtained for seven particle sizes (ranging from 0.005 to 2.5 μm) for the five LUCs are 17 %, 12 %, 13 %, 16 %, and 27 % for the Z01 , PZ10 , KS12 , ZH14 , and ZS14 parameterizations, respectively. From the Sobol' sensitivity results, we suggest that the parameter rankings vary by particle size and LUC for a given parameterization. Overall, for d p = 0.001 to 1.0 μm, friction velocity was one of the three most influential parameters in all parameterizations. For giant particles ( d p = 10 μm), relative humidity was the most influential parameter. Because it is the least complex of the five parameterizations, and it has the greatest accuracy and least uncertainty, we propose that the ZH14 parameterization is currently superior for incorporation into atmospheric transport models.
Pasta Production: Complexity in Defining Processing Conditions for Reference Trials and Quality Assessment Methods

Pasta is a simple food made from water and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) semolina. As pasta increased in popularity, studies endeavored to analyze the attributes that contribute to high-quality pasta. Despite being a simple food, the laboratory-scale analysis of pasta quality is a complex process. Spaghetti is the most commonly studied form of pasta because its long, uniform shape lends itself well to analysis. Pasta production at a laboratory scale is not standardized, leading to large amounts of variation owing to differing equipment and protocols. Pasta production protocols vary in their target moisture content, mixing profile, extrusion die material, and spaghetti diameter. Once pasta is extruded, the equipment and protocols used to dry the pasta at the laboratory scale are far from consistent. Measurement of pasta quality parameters is also lacking in updated standardized methods, making it difficult to compare pasta quality data among laboratories. AACC International is actively worki...
Infrared ion spectroscopy inside a mass-selective cryogenic 2D linear ion trap

We demonstrate operation of the first cryogenic 2D linear ion trap (LIT) with mass-selective capabilities. This trap presents a number of advantages for infrared ion "action" spectroscopy studies, particularly those employing the "tagging/messenger" spectroscopy approach. The high trapping efficiencies, trapping capacities, and low detection limits make 2D LITs a highly suitable choice for low-concentration analytes from scarce biological samples. In our trap, ions can be cooled down to cryogenic temperatures to achieve higher-resolution infrared spectra, and individual ions can be mass selected prior to irradiation for a background-free photodissociation scheme. Conveniently, multiple tagged analyte ions can be mass isolated and efficiently irradiated in the same experiment, allowing their infrared spectra to be recorded in parallel. This multiplexed approach is critical in terms of increasing the duty cycle of infrared ion spectroscopy, which is currently a key weakness of the technique. The compact design of this instrument, coupled with powerful mass selection capabilities, set the stage for making cryogenic infrared ion spectroscopy viable as a bioanalytical tool in small molecule identification.
Analyzing overdiagnosis risk in cancer screening: A case of screening mammography for breast cancer

ABSTRACTOverdiagnosis is defined as the diagnosis of an asymptotic cancer that would not have presented clinically in a patient's lifetime in the absence of screening. Quantifying overdiagnosis is difficult, since it is impossible to distinguish between a cancer that would cause symptoms in the patient lifetime and the ones that would not. In this study, a mathematical framework is developed to estimate the lifetime overdiagnosis and cancer mortality risks associated with cancer screening policies. We also develop an optimization model to extract screening policies with minimum overdiagnosis and lifetime breast cancer mortality risk. The proposed optimization model is highly nonlinear with complex structure. Therefore, we linearize the optimization model by introducing new decision variables and restructuring the equations to solve it optimally. We utilize existing data on breast cancer for average-risk women and evaluated mammography screening policies in terms of their associated lifetime overdiagnosis ...
Mechanisms of Active Intestinal Inflammation and Potential Down-Regulation Via Lipoxins

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine (i.e. Crohn’s and chronic ulcerative colitis-collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease [IBDI) are a very significant public health problem in the United States and other industrialized nations. Thus, effort has been made toward understanding the biological mechanisms that regulate such inflammation. Largely, these efforts have focused on identifying the mechanisms that mediate activation of inflammation and have succeeded in identifying a variety of signaling pathways by which a wide range of agonists can activate a mucosal immune inflammatory response. Playing a central role in many of these pathways is the intestinal epithelium, which serves as a barrier to, and interfaces with the outside world. However, recent studies have shown that not only can some agonists activate pro-inflammatory signals in intestinal epithelial cells, but other agonists can activate “anti-inflammatory” signals in these cells that dampen the responses to pro-inflammatory agonists. One such anti-inflammatory agonist is the eicosanoid lipoxin A4 (LXA4). Specifically, LXA4its epimer 15-LXA4and their analogs potently down-regulate defining and causative events of intestinal inflammation in an in vitro model. These compounds are now being tested for their ability to down-regulate inflammation in mouse models of colitis and may ultimately prove to be of significant benefit to individuals suffering from debilitating chronic inflammatory intestinal disorders.
Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Infections After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives Healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery. Design Retrospective, single-center observational study. Setting PICU at a tertiary children's hospital. Patients Consecutive pediatric patients less than or equal to 18 years old admitted to the PICU after cardiac surgery, between January 2013 and December 2015. Interventions None. Measurements and main results All the data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of patients. We assessed the first surgery during a single PICU stay and identified four common healthcare-associated infections, including bloodstream infection, surgical site infection, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection, according to the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Healthcare Safety Network. We assessed the pre-, intra-, and early postoperative potential risk factors for these healthcare-associated infections via multivariable analysis. In total, 526 cardiac surgeries (394 patients) were included. We identified 81 cases of healthcare-associated infections, including, bloodstream infections (n = 30), surgical site infections (n = 30), urinary tract infections (n = 13), and pneumonia (n = 8). In the case of 71 of the surgeries (13.5%), at least one healthcare-associated infection was reported. Multivariable analysis indicated the following risk factors for postoperative healthcare-associated infections: mechanical ventilation greater than or equal to 3 days (odds ratio, 4.81; 95% CI, 1.89-12.8), dopamine use (odds ratio, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.53-10.3), genetic abnormality (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.17-5.45), and delayed sternal closure (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.16-12.8). Conclusions Mechanical ventilation greater than or equal to 3 days, dopamine use, genetic abnormality, and delayed sternal closure were associated with healthcare-associated infections after pediatric cardiac surgery. Since the use of dopamine is an easily modifiable risk factor, and may serve as a potential target to reduce healthcare-associated infections, further studies are needed to establish whether dopamine negatively impacts the development of healthcare-associated infections.
Temporal creatine kinase curves in acute myocardial infarction. Implications of a good empiric fit with the log-normal function.

To maximize the information one can obtain from the temporal curves of creatine kinase (CK) after acute myocardial infarct (AMI), the authors tested how well the curves were fit by three functions: the log-normal function, the gamma function, and the function of Schwerdt and associates (Cardiovasc Res 1990;24:328-334). The log-normal function fit best. Using time course curves of the isoenzyme CK-MB in 16 patients with AMI, the authors found that the integrated area under the fitted log-normal function correlated closely with the postinfarct effection fraction
Combining virtualization and containerization to support interactive games and simulations on the cloud

Abstract Interactive training through the use of game-based and virtual software simulators pose challenges on traditional networks of computing assets. A variety of organizations and domains, including the entertainment industry, energy and financial sectors, military, and video gaming, have turned to high performance computing (HPC) as a powerful enough platform to run these interactive simulations. This work explores the feasibility of extending a traditional HPC environment into a cloud-based service that is capable of supporting multiple simultaneous interactive simulations, while continuing to solve compute-intensive tasks. The goal of this work is to extend the scope of software that can be applied to an HPC environment while preserving performance efficacy. To accomplish the proposed HPC goal, this work investigates four HPC load-balancing techniques through virtualization, software containers, and clustering to simultaneously and optimally analyze, schedule, and execute game-based simulation applications. Our experimentation compares these different techniques for performance and to determine the feasibility of extending HPC capability. The selection of which deployment technique to employ should depend on the availability of cluster resources, the number of competing software jobs, and the type of software to be scheduled.
Hierarchically hydrogen-bonded graphene/polymer interfaces with drastically enhanced interfacial thermal conductance

Interfacial thermal transport is a critical physical process determining the performance of many material systems with small-scale features. Recently, self-assembled monolayers and polymer brushes have been widely used to engineer material interfaces presenting unprecedented properties. Here, we demonstrate that poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) monolayers with hierarchically arranged hydrogen bonds drastically enhance interfacial thermal conductance by a factor of 6.22 across the interface between graphene and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The enhancement is tunable by varying the number of grafted chains and the density of hydrogen bonds in the unique hierarchical hydrogen bond network. The extraordinary enhancement results from a synergy of hydrogen bonds and other structural and thermal factors including molecular morphology, chain orientation, interfacial vibrational coupling and heat exchange. Two types of hydrogen bonds, i.e. PVA–PMMA hydrogen bonds and PVA–PVA hydrogen bonds, are analyzed and their effects on various structural and thermal properties are systematically investigated. These results are expected to provide new physical insights for interface engineering to achieve tunable thermal management and energy efficiency in a wide variety of systems involving polymers and biomaterials.
Reversible Complexation of Alkynes by a Germylene

The diarylgermylene Ge(ArMe6)2 (ArMe6 = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Me3)2) is shown to react reversibly with the four unstrained alkynes 3-hexyne, diphenylacetylene, trimethylsilylacetylene, and phenylacetylene at ambient temperature in toluene. The germirene products (ArMe6)2GeC(R)═C(R′) (R, R′ = Et, Et (1a), Ph, Ph (1b), H, SiMe3 (1c), H, Ph (1d) were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography in the case of 1a and 1d. The thermodynamic parameters of the reactions were determined by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the experimental Gibbs free energies indicated their near-thermoneutrality and relatively weak alkyne coordination.
What Can I Do? How to Use Social Media to Improve Democratic Society

Debate abounds about the implications of social media use for democratic societies. Do social media help us connect with people we don’t know or do they exacerbate existing divisions between indivi...
Metabolic graphs, LIFE method and the modeling of drug action on Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This paper serves as a framework for designing advanced models for drug action on metabolism. Drug treatment may affect metabolism by either enhancing or inhibiting metabolic reactions comprising a metabolic network. We introduce the concept of \textit{metabolic graphs}, a generalization of hypergraphs having specialized features common to metabolic networks. Linear-in-flux-expression (briefly LIFE) is a methodology for analyzing metabolic networks and simulating virtual patients. We extend LIFE dynamics to be compatible with metabolic graphs, including the more complex interactions of enhancer and inhibitor molecules that affect biochemical reactions. We discuss results considering network structure required for existence and uniqueness of equilibria on metabolic graphs and show simulations of drug action on \textit{Mycobacterium tuberculosis} (briefly MTB)
Cardiac resynchronization therapy and device-based cardiac contractility modulation

Abstract Heart Failure (HF) is a global epidemic characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) are two device-based therapies currently available for HF patients. CRT enables favorable remodeling and improves quality of life (QOL) and mortality in HF patients with systolic dysfunction and ventricular dyssynchrony. A significant minority of patients does not benefit from CRT, and considerable research efforts are dedicated to improving CRT response. CCM is an emerging technology which improves left ventricular energy dynamics and remodeling by delivering non-excitatory electrical signals during the absolute refractory period. Initial studies of CCM have shown improvements in QOL and functional capacity in HF patients with systolic dysfunction and intact ventricular synchrony. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required before CCM is adopted into routine practice. This chapter will review current applications of CRT and CCM as well as describe future directions and challenges.
Privacy-first health research with federated learning

Abstract Privacy protection is paramount in conducting health research. However, studies often rely on data stored in a centralized repository, where analysis is done with full access to the sensitive underlying content. Recent advances in federated learning enable building complex machine-learned models that are trained in a distributed fashion. These techniques facilitate the calculation of research study endpoints such that private data never leaves a given device or healthcare system. We show on a diverse set of health studies that federated models can achieve the same level of accuracy, precision, and generalizability, and result in the same interpretation as standard centralized statistical models whilst achieving significantly stronger privacy protections. This work is the first to apply modern and general federated learning methods to clinical and epidemiological research -- across a spectrum of units of federation and model architectures. As a result, it enables health research participants to remain in control of their data and still contribute to advancing science -- aspects that used to be at odds with each other.
Metabolic Characterization of Meat, Fish, and Soda Intake in Males: Secondary Results from a Randomized Inpatient Pilot Study.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether a 12-week, weight-maintaining, macronutrient-stable dietary intervention that varies only by meat, fish, or soda consumption alters 24-hour energy expenditure (24hrEE) and substrate oxidation. Methods Healthy males were recruited to participate in a 12-week inpatient study and were randomized to a weight-maintaining dietary intervention that contained varying combinations of meat (0% or 19%), fish (0% or 6%), or soda (0% or 14%) in a factorial design. Macronutrient composition across dietary intervention groups was as follows: 50% of energy from carbohydrates, 30% of energy from fat, and 20% of energy from protein. Whole-room indirect calorimetry at baseline and week 12 were used to measure 24hrEE and substrate oxidation. Results Twenty-six males (mean [SEM], age: 46.6 [10.4] years; BMI: 26.9 [4.1] kg/m2 ) completed all measurements. Fish consumption resulted in higher 24hrEE by 126 (55) kcal/d compared with no fish consumption (P = 0.03), whereas 24hrEE for soda consumption was 132 (56) kcal/d (P = 0.03) lower. Approximately 80% of the decrease in 24hrEE with soda consumption was due to lower awake-inactive energy expenditure (EE; P = 0.001). No specific EE component accounted for the differences observed with fish consumption. Conclusions The data indicate that dietary sources of protein and carbohydrates appear to influence 24hrEE and inactive EE.
The Impact of the U.S. Census Disclosure Avoidance System on Redistricting and Voting Rights Analysis.

The US Census Bureau plans to protect the privacy of 2020 Census respondents through its Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS), which attempts to achieve differential privacy guarantees by adding noise to the Census microdata. By applying redistricting simulation and analysis methods to DAS-protected 2010 Census data, we find that the protected data are not of sufficient quality for redistricting purposes. We demonstrate that the injected noise makes it impossible for states to accurately comply with the One Person, One Vote principle. Our analysis finds that the DAS-protected data are biased against certain areas, depending on voter turnout and partisan and racial composition, and that these biases lead to large and unpredictable errors in the analysis of partisan and racial gerrymanders. Finally, we show that the DAS algorithm does not universally protect respondent privacy. Based on the names and addresses of registered voters, we are able to predict their race as accurately using the DAS-protected data as when using the 2010 Census data. Despite this, the DAS-protected data can still inaccurately estimate the number of majority-minority districts. We conclude with recommendations for how the Census Bureau should proceed with privacy protection for the 2020 Census.
Finding the Right Fit: Activism and the Director Labor Market

I provide evidence that activist investors improve the operation of the director labor market and profit from its imperfections. It is proposed that effective activists can match directors to targeted firms where they can improve performance because of their experience. I show that long-term returns are significantly higher when a director is appointed to the target, especially when they have prior experience that makes them a good fit. Understanding that complex turnaround campaigns are only launched when a matched director is available provides insights into the collective action problem of disengaged investors, inherent in the regular director nomination process.
Fluid–Structure Interaction with Kelvin–Voigt Damping: Analyticity, Spectral Analysis, Exponential Decay

We consider a fluid–structure interaction model defined on a doughnut-like domain. It consists of the dynamic Stokes equations evolving on the exterior sub-domain, coupled with an elastic structure occupying the interior sub-domain. A key factor—a novelty over past literature—is that the structure equation includes a strong (viscoelastic) damping term of Kelvin–Voigt type at the interior. This affects the boundary conditions at the interface between the two media and accounts for a highly unbounded “perturbation”. Results include: (i) analyticity of s.c semigroup of contractions defining the overall coupled system, (ii) its (uniform) exponential decay, along with (iii) sharp spectral properties of its generator. Some results are geometry-dependant.
Factors Associated With Decreased Accuracy of Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarct Scoring Among Neurointerventionalists During Thrombectomy

Background and Purpose: The modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarct (mTICI) score is used to grade angiographic outcome after endovascular thrombectomy. We sought to identify factors that decreas...
Recent advances in non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of hydrophobic metabolites in biofluids

Abstract This review focuses on recent advances in non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensors for detection of hydrophobic metabolites. Electrochemical approaches have been widely applied in many established and emerging technologies and a large range of electrochemical biosensors have been used for detection of various hydrophobic metabolites. Despite the progress made in this field, some problems still exist, specifically, electrochemical detection of hydrophobic biomarkers can be challenging in complex biological fluids. In this review, we have highlighted some of the most representative surface modification technologies that have been employed in electrochemical biosensors to counter the problems of poor sensitivity and selectivity towards hydrophobic metabolites. The hydrophobic metabolites discussed in this review include uric acid, epinephrine, cortisol, cholesterol, tyrosine, adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. This is followed by discussion on future research directions for electrochemical sensing of hydrophobic biomarkers.
Comparison of Maintenance Energy Expenditures and Growth Yields Among Several Rumen Bacteria Grown on Continuous Culture

Maintenance energy expenditures were mesured for five rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bacteroides ruminicola, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Streptococcus bovis, by using a complex medium with glucose as the carbon source. Large differences (as high as 8.5-fold) in maintenance energy expenditures were seen among these bacteria. The suggestion is made that maintenance requirements could be a significant determinant of bacterial competition in the rumen. Theoretical maximum growth yields, calculated from double reciprocal plots of yield versus dilution rate, were compared to theoretical YATPmax values in order to estimate minimum molar adenosine 5′-triphosphate yields from glucose for each bacterium. Results showed that relative yield among the bacteria was growth rate dependent. At high dilution rates, both S. ruminantium and S. bovis produced lactate as their principal fermentation product. At lower dilution rates very little lactate was formed and growth yields increased. Acetate and ethanol were the predominant fermentation products of S. bovis at low dilution rates. Other workers have shown that S. ruminantium produces acetate and propionate at low growth rates.
Risk factors for concurrent use of benzodiazepines and opioids among individuals under community corrections supervision.

Abstract Background The use of heroin and prescription opioids has increased over the past decade. The concurrent use of opioids with other depressants such as benzodiazepines increases the risk of overdose death compared with use of either drug alone. This study examined factors associated with concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines in a criminal justice sample in the state of Alabama. Methods The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and urine drug screen results from 28,570 individuals who were under community corrections supervision from 2002–2012 were examined for independent or concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between socio-demographic characteristics and drug use. Results Concurrent use was detected in 11.5% of the sample. Concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines or use of either drug alone was associated with being White, female, married, prescribed psychiatric medications, having seen a physician in the past two years, cannabis use, and having a drug-related offense. Concurrent users were more likely to be unemployed or disabled and have received counseling, and less likely to have completed college, live with relatives or friends, have a history of hallucinations, or have an offense against a person relative to nonusers. Discussion While significant overlap of risk factors exists between individuals with concurrent use versus sole use of opioids or benzodiazepines, individuals with concurrent use generally have more social dysfunction than individuals who tested for either substance alone. Concurrent users may need more psychosocial resources and intensive treatments to promote recovery.
Bipolar and Multipolar Coordinates

Bipolar or multipolar coordinates offer useful insights and advantages over Cartesian coordinates in certain geometrical problems. In bipolar coordinates (r 1, r 2) the “simplest” curves are the conics, ovals of Cassini, Cartesian ovals, and their special cases, which are characterized by linear or hyperbolic relations in the (r 1, r 2) plane. As a natural extension of these classical examples, we consider the full range of curves characterized by conic (r 1, r 2) loci. A further useful generalization involves the extension of the curve equations to (redundant) multipolar coordinates (r 1,…, r n), taking the n—th roots of unity as “canonical” poles. We survey two key applications of these methods, in geometrical optics and the Minkowski geometric algebra of complex sets, and explore the formulation of geometric design schemes using planar and spatial bipolar or multipolar coordinates.
Does source-to-drain tunneling limit the ultimate scaling of MOSFETs?

By using the non-equilibrium Green's function approach, we report a comprehensive and rigorous study of source-to-drain tunneling in MOSFETs at the scaling limit. The dependence of source-to-drain tunneling on channel length, electrostatics, ambient temperature and scattering is examined, and the effects of source-to-drain tunneling on device characteristics and design issues are explored as well. The results show that source-to-drain tunneling does set an ultimate scaling limit but that this limit is well below 10 nm.
Bertrand Competition Without Completely Certain Production

Janssen and Rasmusen (2002) show that a Bertrand model with an uncertain number of firms has only one symmetric equilibrium, and profits in that equilibrium fit the empirical data in Bresnahan and Reiss (1991). However, unless its equilibrium is unique, Janssen and Rasmusen's model cannot be said to predict that data. This paper establishes uniqueness in their most general model. It also shows that as each firm's probability of being active approaches 1, the model converges to Bertrand except that the percentage effect of merger on profits (and also, at least in the linear case, on prices) grows without bound.
Preventive Medicine for the Elderly

This chapter will explore the importance of prevention as a health care issue for the elderly. This subject has a special impact because of the increasing number of elderly who are living much longer today. In the past, diseases that occurred in the aged were often considered to be natural consequences of the aging process and so prevention was infrequently considered. In fact, disease prevention and an understanding of the impact of diet, exercise, drug use, and environment for people of all ages has received more emphasis only in recent years.
An empirical study of methods and techniques used in the interface between universities and industry in a research consortium

Summary form only given, as follows. The author describes an empirical study which explored the usage of the techniques and methods in the interface between universities and industry in a research consortium environment. The study identifies the techniques universities use to interact with industrial advisory boards, composed of corporate representatives. The study also explores the frequency of use and the effectiveness/success of the use of such methods and techniques. The empirical study relies on both archival and survey data in a sample of 20 industry-university cooperative research centers. Some methodological issues are described, and the implications for the management of research consortia are discussed. The results show that there are similarities in the type of techniques and frequency of usage of these techniques by universities which are successful in maintaining their consortia members. >
Expression of a synapsin IIb site 1 phosphorylation mutant in 3T3-L1 adipocytes inhibits basal intracellular retention of Glut4

Glut4 exocytosis in adipocytes uses protein machinery that is shared with other regulated secretory processes. Synapsins are phosphoproteins that regulate a ;reserve pool' of vesicles clustered behind the active zone in neurons. We found that adipocytes (primary cells and the 3T3-L1 cell line) express synapsin IIb mRNA and protein. Synapsin IIb co-localizes with Glut4 in perinuclear vesicle clusters. To test whether synapsin plays a role in Glut4 traffic, a site 1 phosphorylation mutant (S10A synapsin) was expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, expression of S10A synapsin increased basal cell surface Glut4 almost fourfold (50% maximal insulin effect). Insulin caused a further twofold translocation of Glut4 in these cells. Expression of the N-terminus of S10A synapsin (amino acids 1-118) was sufficient to inhibit basal Glut4 retention. Neither wild-type nor S10D synapsin redistributed Glut4. S10A synapsin did not elevate surface levels of the transferrin receptor in adipocytes or Glut4 in fibroblasts. Therefore, S10A synapsin is inhibiting the specialized process of basal intracellular retention of Glut4 in adipocytes, without affecting general endocytic cycling. While mutant forms of many proteins inhibit Glut4 exocytosis in response to insulin, S10A synapsin is one of only a few that specifically inhibits Glut4 retention in basal adipocytes. These data indicate that the synapsins are important regulators of membrane traffic in many cell types.
The effects of sulfides on the passivity of carbon steel in organic solutions

Abstract Corrosion is known to initiate at sulfide inclusion in aqueous solutions. The effects of sulfides on the passivity and the breakdown of passivity of 99.999% iron and 1018 carbon steel was investigated in two aprotic nonaqueous solvents: 1. (1) propylene carbonate (PC) with LiClO4 or LiAsF6 as supporting electrolytes and 2. (2) dimethoxyethane (DME) with LiAsF6 electrolyte. Carbon steel was also examined in PC-DME/LiAsF6 mixtures. Sulfides do not appear to interfere with passivation when it is provided by solvent adsorption in either nonaqueous solvent. Sulfides may lower the solvent oxidation potential and decrease the anodic potential at which breakdown initially occurs in either pure solvent. Sulfides also influence the kinetics of repassivation above the solvent oxidation potential of either solvent when passivation is provided by salt film formation or electropolymerization. The bleeding of sulfur or sulfide from inclusion sites where electro-polymerization has occurred in PC/DME mixtures undermines attempts at passivation and promotes instability leading to anodic current increases with time and further corrosion of carbon steel.
All-Organic Electrochromic Spandex

Herein we describe the preparation and characterization of reflective-type electrochromic devices using stretchable, conductive fabric electrodes. Two fabrics were used in this study: woven stainless steel mesh and Lycra spandex impregnated with a conducting polymer (poly[3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene]-poly[styrene sulfonate], PEDOT-PSS). Electrochromic polymers were prepared on the surface of these fabric electrodes and devices were assembled. The time taken for the electrochromic polymer to switch between colored states in devices prepared with stainless steel electrodes (conductivity ca. 9,800 S/cm) was ca. 0.3 s, whereas that using PEDOT-PSS loaded Lycra (conductivity ca. 0.1 S/cm) was a few seconds. The iris effect was evaluated for each of the device architectures, showing no effect for steel mesh/steel mesh devices and a propagating front for spandex-based devices. The electrochromic spandex functioned in solution while being stretched. In addition, stenciled devices were built. Such fabric electrochr...
Effect of nerve stimulation on rat skeletal muscle. A study of plasma membrane.

The gastrocnemius muscle of the rat showed no morphological, histometric or plasma membrane changes, after sciatic nerve stimulation with a 5 mA current for 30 to 60 min, 10 mA for 30 min and 15 mA for 5 min. However, 10 mA for 60 and 200 min gave rise to mitochondrial and plasma membrane abnormalities. These changes were absent after a rest period. The results indicated the sciatic nerve stimulation at 10 mA for 60 and 200 min caused reversible changes in the rat skeletal muscle mitochondria and plasma membrane.
Co-adapted foraging traits in a guild of orb-weaving spiders

From a previous two-species comparison, specific suites of morphological and web design traits are predicted to characterize foraging specializations in old-field orb-weaving spiders. Species with stout legs, large fangs, open mesh webs, high webs, and retreats should specialize on innocuous, rapidly escaping prey types. Species with long legs, small fangs, dense mesh webs, and low webs that rest in the hub should specialize on dangerous, clumsy prey that escape from webs slowly. Factor and discriminant analyses are used to test for these association patterns in eight co-occurring species of old-field orb-weavers. The association between most of the characters is supported, but the appearance of a new combination suggests that another dimension needs to be added to the model. Habitat use and diet predicted by the model are tested for species where data are available.
Thermal inactivation rates of four plant viruses

Thermal inactivations of tobacco-necrosis virus, tobacco-mosaic virus, alfalfa-mosaic virus and tobacco-ringspot virus were found to follow the course of a first order reaction. The rates of inactivation at a number of different temperatures were calculated for each of the 4 viruses. The energy of activation, orE value, for each was calculated from inactivation rates at different temperatures. TheE values, in calories per mole, were as follows: for tobacco-necrosis virus at 70–95° C., 37300; for tobacco-mosaic virus in undiluted juice at 68–84° C. and 84–95° C., 55300 and 195000, respectively; in juice diluted 1∶20 at 68–83° C. and 83–91° C., 92000 and 176000, respectively; in dried leaf material at 70–150° C., 24100; for alfalfa-mosaic virus at 50–62,5° C., 75000; and for tobacco-ringspot virus at 45–56,5° C. and 56,5–65° C., 78800 and 27600, respectively.
Constraining a spatially dependent rotation of the cosmic microwave background polarization

Following Kamionkowski (2008), a quadratic estimator of the rotation of the plane of polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) is constructed. This statistic can estimate a spatially varying rotation angle $\ensuremath{\alpha}(n)$. We use this estimator to quantify the prospects of detecting such a rotation field with forthcoming experiments. For PLANCK and CMBPol experiments, we find that the estimator containing the product of the $E$ and $B$ components of the polarization field is the most sensitive. The variance of this $EB$ estimator $N(L)$ is roughly independent of the multipole $L$ and is only weakly dependent on the instrumental beam. For FWHM of the beam size ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{\mathrm{fwhm}}\ensuremath{\sim}{5}^{\ensuremath{'}}--{50}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and instrument noise ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{p}\ensuremath{\sim}5--50\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{arcmin}$, the scaling of variance $N(L)$ can be fitted by a power law $N(L)=3.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{p}^{2}{\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{\mathrm{fwhm}}^{1.3}\text{ }\text{ }{deg﻿}^{2}$. For small instrumental noise ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{p}\ensuremath{\le}5\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{arcmin}$, the lensing $B$ modes become important, saturating the variance to $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}\text{ }\text{ }{deg﻿}^{2}$ even for an ideal experiment. Upcoming experiments like PLANCK will be able to detect a power spectrum of the rotation angle, ${C}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha}}(L)$, as small as $0.01\text{ }\text{ }{deg﻿}^{2}$, while futuristic experiments like CMBPol will be able to detect rotation angle power spectrum as small as $2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\text{ }\text{ }{deg﻿}^{2}$. We discuss the implications of such constraints, both for the various physical effects that can rotate the polarization as photons travel from the last scattering surface as well as for constraints on instrumental systematics that can also lead to a spurious rotation signal. Rotation of the CMB polarization generates $B$ modes which will act as contamination for the primordial $B$-mode detection. We discuss an application of our estimator to derotate the CMB to increase the sensitivity for the primordial $B$ modes.
Effects of double bond configuration on lecithin synthesis

Stearyl-CoA, oleyl-CoA and elaidyl-CoA were prepared and tested as substances in synthesizing lecithin from 1- and 2-acyglycerol-3-phosphorylcholine. The rates of acyltransfer were followed by a continuous spectrophotometric assay. The enzyme(s) used to catalyze esterification at the 2-position did not discriminate appreciably between thecis andtrans isomers of octadecenoate and transferred them more rapidly than the saturated acid, octadecanoate. However, the enzyme(s) which acted at the 1-position discriminated markedly between the geometric isomers and rapidly transferred totrans- octadecenoate and octadecanoate.
OUTFLOWS AND YOUNG STARS IN ORION'S LARGE COMETARY CLOUDS L1622 AND L1634

New observations of protostellar outflows associated with young stars in two of Orion's outlying cometary clouds, L1622 and L1634, are presented. The H? surface brightness of the bright rims are used to argue that both clouds are located at a distance of about 400?pc in the interior of the Orion superbubble where they are illuminated by Orion's massive stars. Spitzer IRAC and MIPS images reveal 28 candidate young stellar objects (YSOs). Combined with the 14 spectroscopically confirmed T Tauri stars, there are at least 34 YSOs in L1622. Narrow-band images have led to the identification of about a dozen shock complexes in L1622. At least six belong to a highly collimated externally irradiated, bipolar jet, HH?963, that is powered by a low-luminosity Class II YSO located outside the projected edge of the L1622 dark cloud. However, the sources of most shocks remain unclear. The Spitzer/IRAC images reveal a compact, highly obscured, S-symmetric outflow brightest in the 4.5 ?m images. A faint [S?II] counter part, HH?962, is associated with the western end of this flow which appears to be powered by an obscured source in the L1622 cloud interior. The currently identified sample of YSOs implies a star formation efficiency of about 4% for L1622. The L1634 cloud contains nine YSOs and three outflows, including the well known HH?240/241 system. A new flow, HH?979, is powered by the embedded YSO IRS7 in L1634 and crosses the eastern lobe of the HH?240 outflow. Spitzer/IRAC images show 4.5 ?m emission indicating molecular shocks from the Herbig-Haro objects closest to IRS 7. A YSO embedded in a condensation located 5' north of HH?240/241 is identified in the Spitzer images. This source drives an irradiated outflow, HH?980, whose lobes emerge into the ionized environment of the Orion-Eridanus superbubble interior. The star formation efficiency of L1634 is estimated to be about 3%.
Changes in implicit theories of ability in biology and dropout from STEM majors: A latent growth curve approach

This longitudinal study was designed to investigate the associations between changes in implicit theories of ability in biology and college students’ dropout from STEM majors. We modeled the one-year growth patterns of entity and incremental beliefs about ability in biology with 4 time points of self-reported data and two covariates—biology domain knowledge and inference making and gateway course grade, and predicted STEM dropout with the growth trajectories of implicit theories. Results indicated that students’ entity beliefs increased, while incremental beliefs decreased over time, which provides support for the changeability of implicit beliefs over a short period of time. The growth of incremental beliefs was directly associated with STEM dropout above and beyond biology course grade and biology domain knowledge and inference making. Low intercept and negative slope of incremental beliefs predicted leaving STEM majors; however, the decline of entity beliefs did not have significant effects on dropout. Interestingly, the effect of biology domain knowledge and inference making on STEM dropout was mediated by biology course grade and incremental beliefs. The findings imply the importance of monitoring changes in students’ implicit beliefs and gateway course achievement in order to better understand and promote STEM retention.
Structure and Position of the N-Terminal Membrane-Binding Domain of pp60src at the Membrane Interface†

Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the acylated N-terminal end of Src and lipid bilayers are responsible for the attachment of this nonreceptor tyrosine kinase to the membrane−solut...
A method for demonstrating violation of local realism with a two-photon downconverter without use of Bell inequalities

We show that the recent proposal by Hardy and Jordan for a test of local realism without the use of Bell inequalities can be implemented in two-photon coincidence measurements with linear polarizers, when the photon pairs are produced by parametric downconversion. If the probabilities measured with real detectors are proportional to the corresponding probabilities determined with ideal detectors, this method does not depend on the use of detectors with high or even known quantum efficiencies.
Effects of Various Steroids on Nidation and Fetal Survival in Ovariectomized Rats

The number of implantation sites in ovariectomized rats, following a period of delayed implantation, was used as a measure of the blastocyst-maintaining ability of various test compounds administered to animals during the delay period. Groups of 8–15 rats were ovariectomized on day 3 postcoitus, injected daily with progesterone or other steroid compounds from days 3 to 8, and injected daily with 4000 μg progesterone and 1 μg estrone from days 9 to 24 postcoitus. Progesterone was used as the standard. The relative potencies of 17α-ethyl-19-nortestosterone and 17α-acetoxy-21-fluoro-6αa-methylprogesterone were estimated as 6.35 and 47.5 times progesterone, respectively, in their ability to maintain the viability of blastocysts during the period of retardation of development. Other compounds with known relative potencies in the Clauberg assay, ranging from 0.05 to 2 times progesterone, were tested for maintenance of blastocyst viability, using daily doses of 1000 and 4000 μg. Testosterone propionate, 17α-ethy...
Direct numerical simulation of Open Von Kármán Swirling Flow

Direct numerical simulations are used to investigate the Open Von Karman Swirling Flow, a new type of unsteady three-dimensional flow that is formed between two counter-rotating coaxial disks with an axial extraction enclosed by a cylinder chamber. Solution verification shows that monotonic convergence is achieved on three systematically refined grids for average pressure at the disk periphery with a small grid uncertainty at 3.5%. Effects of the rotational speeds and flow rates on the flow field are examined. When the disks are rotating at the lowest speed, ±100 RPM, only circular vortices are formed regardless of the flow rates. When the disks are rotating at ±300 RPM and ±500 RPM, negative spiral vortex network is formed. The radial counterflow concept for such spiral vortex network is verified by examining various horizontal cuts and radial velocity component, which show radial outflows in two bands near the two disks and radial inflow in one band between them. Overall, the flow is similar to the Stewartson type flow but with significant differences for all three velocity components due to the axial suction at the upper disk center and gap between the disk periphery and chamber wall.
Pathology of rituximab-induced Kaposi sarcoma flare

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) flare may occur following therapy with corticosteroids, as part of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome seen with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and after rituximab therapy. The exact mechanism responsible for iatrogenic KS flare is unclear. A case of AIDS-associated cutaneous KS flare following rituximab therapy was compared to similar controls by means of immunohistochemistry using vascular makers (CD34, CD31), monoclonal antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) gene products (LNA-1, K5), as well as B-lymphocyte (CD20) and T-lymphocyte (CD3, CD4, CD8) markers. CD20+ B-cell depletion with rituximab in KS flare occurred concomitantly with activation of the HHV8 immediate early gene protein K5. KS flare in this patient was successfully treated with liposomal doxorubicin and valganciclovir. Rituximab-induced KS flare appears to be related to HHV8 activation. Effective management of iatrogenic KS flare therefore depends upon the control of HHV8 viremia in conjunction with specific chemotherapy for KS.