cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of polyethylene glycol-fluorophore complex formation by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescent labelling and detection has become a powerful tool in many life sciences applications. Fluorescently-tagged molecules are reliably demarcated from their surroundings allowing for the interrogation of various structural or dynamic molecular or system properties. For reliable data acquisition or to harvest the potential of noncovalent labelling, it is important that there is a good understanding of potential interactions between the fluorophore and the environment. Here, for the first time we report a complexation between Atto fluorophores and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer. Atto fluorophores have long life times, high quantum yield and high sensitivity and are thus utilized in applications such as live cell imaging, spectroscopy and super resolution microscopy. PEG, on the other hand, is one of the most widely utilized polymers in many biomedical fields such as drug delivery and tissue engineering. Here, we used fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study the specificity and the mechanism of the complexation. We determined that it was specific to the fluorophore-polymer-solvent system studied and that it was caused by a hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl group of the Atto fluorophores and the ether oxygen of PEG.
Novel junctophilin-2 mutation A405S is associated with basal septal hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction.

Highlights •A JPH2 A405S mutation was found in a human HCM patient. •A novel echocardiographic imaging plane revealed septal hypertrophy in a mouse model bearing the human JPH2 mutation, thereby causally linking it to HCM pathogenesis. •This alpha helical JPH2 mutation resulted in decreased transverse tubule regularity and aberrant calcium handling in septal cardiomyocytes.
The Future of Life Writing: Body Stories

When it comes to prognostication, I agree with Yogi Berra: “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” I prefer to think of what follows as “informed speculation” about the futur...
Ciberial Muscle 9 (CM9) Electrophysiological Recordings in Adult Drosophila melanogaster

The complexity surrounding presynaptic recordings in mammals is a significant barrier to the study of presynaptic mechanisms during neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Here we describe an adult fly neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the ciberial muscle 9 (CM9) NMJ, which allows for the recording of both evoked (EPSPs) and spontaneous postsynaptic excitatory potentials (mEPSPs) at a mature glutamatergic synapse. Combined with CM9-specific genetic technologies, the CM9 NMJ provides a powerful experimental system to better understand the regulation of neurotransmitter release at a mature synapse.
First-trimester pancreatitis. Maternal and neonatal outcome.

Objective To determine the incidence and maternal-fetal outcome of first-trimester pancreatitis at one institution. Study design A retrospective study of pancreatitis presenting during the first trimester of pregnancy over a 10-year period at Magee Womens Hospital. Results There were 11 cases, for an incidence of 0.1/1,000 live births. There was no maternal mortality. Three patients elected voluntary termination, and eight pregnancies proceeded to term. All delivered at > or = 35 weeks. The mean gestational age was 38.9 +/- 2.1 weeks (mean +/- SD), and mean birth weight was 3,103 +/- 641 g. There were no adverse neonatal outcomes, although one patient had a fetus with severe intrauterine growth retardation. Maternal morbidity and complications were due mainly to gallstone pancreatitis, which was the most commonly identified cause of pancreatitis, and three patients underwent cholecystectomy during pregnancy or the puerperium. No first-trimester pregnancy terminations were performed for medical indications. Pancreatitis tended to recur during the examined pregnancy (mean number of admissions, 2.27 +/- 2.1). Conclusion Patients should be advised of the relapsing nature of pancreatitis that presents during the first trimester. However, there is a good prognosis for pregnancy outcome.
Service User Perception of and Satisfaction with Programs Having Higher Education and Employment Goals for People Diagnosed with Mental Illness

ABSTRACTThis study examined quantitative and qualitative outcomes of service users’ perceptions of and satisfaction with a program having higher education and employment goals. In a one-group post-...
A CASE OF ATRIAL ESOPHAGEAL FISTULA

Atrial-esophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. AEF remains a diagnostic challenge due to non-specific presentation such as chest pain, sepsis or neurological symptoms. A 73-year-old male with multiple
Design patterns for the industrial Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a vast collection of interconnected sensors, devices, and services that share data and information over the Internet with the objective of leveraging multiple information sources to optimize related systems. The technologies associated with the IoT have significantly improved the quality of many existing applications by reducing costs, improving functionality, increasing access to resources, and enhancing automation. The adoption of IoT by industries has led to the next industrial revolution: Industry 4.0. The rise of the Industrial IoT (IIoT) promises to enhance factory management, process optimization, worker safety, and more. However, the rollout of the IIoT is not without significant issues, and many of these act as major barriers that prevent fully achieving the vision of Industry 4.0. One major area of concern is the security and privacy of the massive datasets that are captured and stored, which may leak information about intellectual property, trade secrets, and other competitive knowledge. As a way forward toward solving security and privacy concerns, we aim in this paper to identify common input-output (I/O) design patterns that exist in applications of the IIoT. These design patterns enable constructing an abstract model representation of data flow semantics used by such applications, and therefore better understand how to secure the information related to IIoT operations. In this paper, we describe communication protocols and identify common I/O design patterns for IIoT applications with an emphasis on data flow in edge devices, which, in the industrial control system (ICS) setting, are most often involved in process control or monitoring.
Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Highway Mortality of Mule Deer on Newly Constructed Roads at Jordanelle Reservoir, Utah

In this paper we evaluated traffic characteristics and vegetation and topographic features associated with mule deer kills on 3 highways (US 40, SR 32, SR 248) in northeastern Utah. We also compared number, and sex and age composition of roadkills to that of the living population observed during spotlight counts. From 15 October 1991 to 14 October 1993 we documented 397 deer roadkills: 51.6% were does, 18.9% bucks, 21.7% fawns, and 7.8% could not be classified. Sixty-seven percent of adult kills were 2.5 yr of age. Kill composition compared closely to spotlight counts. Of 1515 spotlight deer, 65.2% were does, 8.9% bucks, and 25.9% fawns. Spotlight density and deer mortality were strongly correlated from summer 1992 through summer 1993 ( r = 0.94). Traffic conditions, topographic features, and vegetative characteristics contributed to mortality levels. Roadkills were highest along US 40 (68% year 1, 55% year 2) where traffic volume and speed were significantly higher along either state route. Large drainages intersected highways in 78% of designated kill zones. Roads adjacent to agricultural areas along all routes sustained the fewest highway mortalities. Percent cover was higher (40%) in kill zones than in other areas (29%).
A Bioethos for Bodies: Respecting a Priceless Resource

The value that willed body donors provide to medical education is priceless. Their precious gift helps to teach anatomy, spatial relationships between morphological structures, anatomical variation, and professionalism to medical students in a way that plastic models, podcasts, and lectures cannot. They are also an important resource for medical research and a wide variety of postgraduate training opportunities. While many body donation programs throughout the world are nonprofit organizations, there are body donation companies in the United States that sell donors for-profit. These "body brokers" have accumulated large profits from this business. It is incongruous that others would profit from such a priceless, freely donated gift. To prevent this incongruity, it is proposed that the international anatomical community develop a normative culture (a bioethos) for body donation programs. This would involve the conscious and systematic development of ethical principles for the day-to-day policies and practices of institutions that collect and use human bodies. With the development of this bioethos, a cultural shift in how donors are treated would occur and, over time, this would become the normal practice. These principles would become fundamental and foundational for the procurement and use of priceless human tissues.
America from the Ground Up: Estudio interdisciplinar, rodaje e interacción social

The fields of public history and public archaeology both deal with questions related to interactions between academics and the wider public. Over the last four decades, debate among researchers and practitioners has focused on just what is meant by “public history” and “public archaeology” The authors present a case for active engagement with the public by scholars and argue that film, and important mass communication media, can be effectively leveraged by academics to speak directly to a general audience. Moreover, using the example of their public television series America from the Ground Up, which over three seasons presents a comparative analysis of colonialism in America, we argue that film is a tool for public engagement that is also appropriate for the presentation of scholarly research, and that the use of one approach does not preclude the use of the other.
Straight-axis folded flexure hinges: In-plane elastic response

Abstract This research generalizes the serpentine hinge design and concept by studying the straight-axis folded flexure hinge as a large-displacement counterpart of shape-similar, solid notch hinges. A folded hinge is formed of several unit segments that repeat periodically along the axial direction and are inscribed in a region defined by various geometric envelope curves. The envelope curves are identical to the curves defining the outer profile of the parent solid flexure hinges. This concept increases the number of design parameters of a solid notch hinge by including the geometry and dimensions of the envelope curve, the number of unit segments, the distance between segments, and the geometric configuration of each segment. Two categories of folded hinges are studied here: one category is defined by a rectangular envelope with all unit segments being identical; the other category uses curved-line envelopes and the unit segments scale along the transverse direction. For both categories generic in-plane analytical compliance models are formulated. A particular design is analyzed from each category with the unit segment serially combining straight- and elliptic-line portions. The validity of the analytical compliance model is verified by means of experimental testing and finite element analysis of some simple translation stages that include either rectangular- or circular-envelope folded hinges. The analytical compliance model is subsequently utilized to assess the quasi-static response sensitivity of the folded hinges to the geometric parameters, and to compare the folded configurations with their parent, notch designs.
Closing the Gap: Where Do We Go from Here?

While preparing this book, we have thought about all of the times when we have felt our patients did not accept their diagnosis, and did not wish to follow our recommendations. It has happened often. We realized that what we have viewed as psychiatric nonadherence may actually have been lack of acceptance of the diagnosis. We have seen this over and over again in our clinical practices. Even when the diagnosis and treatment are accepted, when the symptoms are in remission, the patient may question whether they really needed to continue taking the medication. Often relapse of symptoms and re-hospitalization may be the result of this cycle of nonadherence. We then began to consider what other reasons contributed to nonadherence to treatment. We developed a preliminary list that included the most common reasons for treatment non-compliance we have witnessed over the past 30 years. This thinking led to the development of a “Psychiatric Patient Adherence Checklist” that we believe clinicians need to pay careful attention to. Although not a validated instrument, we think that this could become an important clinical tool to enhance adherence and guide the clinician. We propose that this may be yet another step toward solving the serious dilemma of psychiatric nonadherence to treatment.
Melorheostosis Causing Compression of Common Peroneal Nerve at Fibular Tunnel.

Background Melorheostosis is a bone hyperostosis disorder characterized by flowing bone thought to occur in a sclerodermal distribution. These bony lesions often arise in soft tissues adjacent to joints. Pain arises from joint limitations and impingements, but diffuse pain can also occur. Case Description We present a case of a patient with symptomatic compression of the common peroneal nerve by an extraosseous hyperostotic tissue island in a patient with melorheostosis. Conclusions Melorheostosis is a rare bone overgrowth syndrome that can lead to joint mobility limitations and pain. In specific locations, it can also lead to tethering and symptomatic compression of the peripheral nerves.
Compliant Bistable Gripper for Aerial Perching and Grasping

Small aerial robots usually face a common challenge: they can only fly for a short time due to their limited onboard energy supply. To tackle this issue, one promising solution is to endow flying robots with perching capability so that they can perch or land on walls, trees, or power lines to rest or recharge. Such perching capability is especially useful for monitoring-related tasks since the robot can maintain a desired height for monitoring without flying. One of the major challenges for perching is to design a light-weight and energy-efficient perching mechanism. In this paper, we present a 3D-printed compliant bistable gripper which is easy to close, stable to hold, and easy to adjust for a palm-size quadcopter to perch on cylindrical objects. If installed on the bottom of aerial robots, it can also be used for aerial grasping. The gripper can be directly activated by the impact force during contact to switch from open state to closed state. It can also hold the quadcopter safely since the required force to open the gripper is larger than the robot weight. We analyze the required forces for closing and opening to provide design guidelines for the mechanism. Experimental results show that the designed gripper can successful make the quadcopter perch on cylinders as well as grasp objects.
CHAPTER 17 – Dowker Spaces

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a Dowker space as a normal space whose Cartesian product with the ordinary closed unit interval I is not normal. Dowker's proof gave a useful combinatorial structure for spaces that are normal but not countably paracompact. Knowledge of the existence of Dowker spaces having additional properties, especially those having various cardinal functions countable, is often basic to the solution of other, sometimes apparently unrelated, problems. The chapter further presents a few theorems that indicate circumstances under which there are no Dowker spaces and presents a variety of examples of Dowker spaces constructed under a variety of set theoretic assumptions. It also discusses the Morita–Starbird theorem.
Better Service by Doing Less: Introducing De-implementation Research in HIV.

The course of HIV research has led to a multitude of interventions to prevent and treat HIV. With the arrival of more effective interventions comes the need to end, or de-implement, less effective interventions. To describe the state of de-implementation research in HIV and provide a rationale for expanded research in this area. Existing studies have identified a set of HIV-specific interventions appropriate for de-implementing and described the persistence of interventions that should be ended. However, to our knowledge, strategies to successfully promote appropriate de-implementation of HIV-specific interventions have not been examined. De-implementing interventions that are no longer needed is an opportunity to improve the quality and effectiveness of HIV services. Opportunities to expand this field of research abound.
IoTFinder: Efficient Large-Scale Identification of IoT Devices via Passive DNS Traffic Analysis

Being able to enumerate potentially vulnerable IoT devices across the Internet is important, because it allows for assessing global Internet risks and enables network operators to check the hygiene of their own networks. To this end, in this paper we propose IoTFinder, a system for efficient, large-scale passive identification of IoT devices. Specifically, we leverage distributed passive DNS data collection, and develop a machine learning-based system that aims to accurately identify a large variety of IoT devices based solely on their DNS fingerprints . Our system is independent of whether the devices reside behind a NAT or other middleboxes, or whether they are assigned an IPv4 or IPv6 address. We design IoTFinder as a multi-label classifier, and evaluate its accuracy in several different settings, including computing detection results over a third-party IoT traffic dataset and DNS traffic collected at a US-based ISP hosting more than 40 million clients. The experimental results show that our approach allows for accurately detecting many diverse IoT devices, even when they are hosted behind a NAT and their traffic is “mixed” with traffic generated by other IoT and non-IoT devices hosted in the same local network.
Managing a Non-Cooperative Supply Chain with Limited Capacity

We consider a two-stage serial supply chain with capacity limits, where each installation is operated by managers attempting to minimize their own costs. A multiple-period model is necessitated by the multiple stages, capacity limits, stochastic demand, and the explicit consideration of inventories. With appropriate salvage value functions, a Markov equilibrium policy is found. Intuitive profit dominance allows for existence of a unique equilibrium solution, which is shown to be a modified echelon base-stock policy. This equilibrium policy structure is sustained in the infinite horizon. A numerical study compares the behavior of the decentralized system with the first-best integrated capacitated system. The performance of this decentralized system relative to the integrated system across other parameters can be very good over a broad range of values. This implies that an acceptable system performance may be attained without the imposition of a contract or other coordinating mechanism, which themselves may encounter difficulties in implementation in the form of negotiation, execution, or enforcement of these agreements. We find instances where tighter capacities may actually enhance channel efficiency. We also examine the effect of capacity utilization on the system suboptimality.
A MULTI-PHYSICS COMPUTATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF DROPLET PATHOGEN TRANSPORT EMANATING FROM SYNTHETIC COUGHS AND BREATHING

In response to the global SARS-CoV-2 transmission pandemic, Sandia National Laboratories Rapid Lab-Directed Research and Development COVID-19 initiative has deployed a multi-physics, droplet-laden, turbulent low-Mach simulation tool to model pathogen-containing water droplets that emanate from synthetic human coughing and breathing. The low-Mach turbulent large-eddy simulation-based Eulerian/point-particle Lagrangian methodology directly couples mass, momentum, energy, and species to capture droplet evaporation physics that supports the ability to distinguish between droplets that deposit and those that persist in the environment. The cough mechanism is modeled as a pulsed spray with a prescribed log-normal droplet size distribution. Simulations demonstrate direct droplet deposition lengths in excess of three meters while the persistence of droplet nuclei entrained within a buoyant plume is noted. Including the effect of protective barriers demonstrates effective mitigation of large-droplet transport. For coughs into a protective barrier, jet impingement and large-scale recirculation can drive droplets vertically and back toward the subject while supporting persistence of droplet nuclei. Simulations in quiescent conditions demonstrate droplet preferential concentrations due to the coupling between vortex ring shedding and the subsequent advection of a series of three-dimensional rings that tilt and rise vertically due to a misalignment between the initial principle vortex trajectory and gravity. These resolved coughing simulations note vortex ring formation, roll-up and breakdown, while entraining droplet nuclei for large distances and time scales.
Early-Career Art Teacher Educators’ Professional Tensions as Catalysts for Growth

While research studies in art education broadly suggest some of the tensions that collegiate art teacher educators face on the job, research has not yet specifically explored how new art teacher educators experience their earliest years in the role, nor the specific tensions that accompany this transition. This multi-case study involving eight full-time art education faculty members with less than three years in these positions, responds to this issue, understanding that new knowledge-for-practice is often generated within spaces of creative tension such as career transition. Analysis of interview, questionnaire, and participant reflection data revealed that participants’ tensions were predominantly influenced by discrepancies between (1) their established occupational roles/identities and practices, and expectations placed upon them that they had not fully anticipated, and (2) their own, and others’ values about art and art education. Significantly, participants’ critical reflections on their tensions indicated gains in professional self-understanding and in strategic knowledge for teaching about teaching. The data suggest that more intentional preparation and support for this role prior to and during the early years would benefit art teacher educators’ adjustments into the academy and facilitate their building of role-specific pedagogical content knowledge.
Deep knowledge tracing

Knowledge tracing—where a machine models the knowledge of a student as they interact with coursework—is a well established problem in computer supported education. Though effectively modeling student knowledge would have high educational impact, the task has many inherent challenges. In this paper we explore the utility of using Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) to model student learning. The RNN family of models have important advantages over previous methods in that they do not require the explicit encoding of human domain knowledge, and can capture more complex representations of student knowledge. Using neural networks results in substantial improvements in prediction performance on a range of knowledge tracing datasets. Moreover the learned model can be used for intelligent curriculum design and allows straightforward interpretation and discovery of structure in student tasks. These results suggest a promising new line of research for knowledge tracing and an exemplary application task for RNNs.
Perceived irritation in online shopping

Perceived irritation has shown negative effects on various aspects of consumer shopping behavior. Despite the enormous proliferation of online shopping in recent years, very little research has explored perceived consumer irritation or its determinants in online shopping environments. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the effects of visual, navigational, and informational website design characteristics on consumers' perceived irritation in online shopping activities. The results of data collected from online shoppers showed that the three website design characteristics had significant negative effects on perceived irritation in online shopping context. These findings offer valuable implications for website designers and online retailers who wish to design and maintain attractive websites that can minimize perceptions of irritation among current and potential customers. Consumer irritation refers to the feelings of displeasure, discomfort and infuriation.The concept of consumer irritation is applied to online shopping contexts.Website design characteristics were examined as determinants of perceived irritation.Website design characteristics were divided into visual, navigational, and informational designs.The three website design characteristics negative effects on perceived irritation in online shopping context.
Recent Developments in Modeling and Analysis of Hybrid Dynamic Systems

Recent research in hybrid dynamic systems has brought together formalisms and techniques from computer science and control theory to address problems involving a mixture of discrete and continuous state variables. Computer scientists have extended standard models of finite-state systems to include continuous dynamics that determine when discrete state transitions can occur. Control theorists have introduced switching logic and discrete states to select continuous dynamic modes in models of controllers and physical systems. The interaction of discrete and continuous phenomena-and the interaction of computer scientists and control theorists-have led to new research problems and new research results. Three models illustrate different perspectives in the hybrid systems literature: block diagrams with discrete and continuous dynamic blocks; hybrid automata with continuous dynamics associated with each discrete state; and continuous Petri nets with continuous dynamics associated with each place. As illustrated by selected examples from the literature, each formalism offers intuitive features for modeling particular classes of hybrid dynamic systems. Computational tools have been developed to model, simulate, and analyze various classes of hybrid systems. To analyze hybrid systems, control theorists have introduced extensions to Lyapunov theory for stability analysis, and computer scientists have extended formal verification techniques to certain classes of hybrid systems. In the latter research, decidability results clearly distinguish tractable from intractable problems. This talk reviews the models, analytical results, and computational tools that have been developed recently for hybrid dynamic systems. The state of the research and prospects for future advances in the theory and applications will be assessed.
Physical activity is related to insulin sensitivity in children and adolescents, independent of adiposity: a review of the literature

In adults, there is evidence that physical activity effectively improves insulin sensitivity regardless of adiposity. Whether this is also the case in children and adolescents has been less clear. Whether this is also the case in children and adolescents is less clear. Clarifying this matter may help to identify the best outcomes to target in exercise programs for these age groups, where changes in adiposity may not always be desirable or realistic. A review of the literature was conducted on studies that examined the relationships of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and strength with insulin sensitivity independent of adiposity in children and adolescents. Experimental (intervention) and correlational (longitudinal and cross-sectional) studies on participants ages 18 and younger were identified. A total of 42 studies were included in this review. Sample sizes in the studies ranged from 14 to 4,955 participants, with individual ages ranging from 5 to 19 years. A significant relationship with SI existed in 78% of studies on physical activity, 69% of studies on cardiorespiratory fitness and 66% of studies on strength. In studies that examined both physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness concurrently, evidence suggests that they are both correlated with insulin sensitivity independent of adiposity, especially when physical activity is at higher intensities. However the strength of this relationship might be influenced by study design, measurement techniques and participant characteristics. This is the first review of its type to take research design into account, and to examine study outcomes according to participant ethnicity, gender, age, pubertal status and weight status.
Testing in the 'small'

Much of software testing is designed to verify and validate large software systems. White-box, black-box, unit, and integration testing [1,2,3] are established mechanisms for testing software also at a larger scale. In this paper, we present a methodology to introduce the CS1 student to testing small programs, hence, "testing in the 'small'".The technique involves gradually introducing CS1 students to the notion of program testing. We devised a three-phase approach where we progress from clear, concise testing instructions to more vague and less precise test case selection guidelines.The technique has been successfully implemented and provides CS1 educators a technique to manage program testing.
Dental Therapists in General Dental Practices: An Economic Evaluation

Dental access disparities are well documented and have been recognized as a national problem. Their major cause is the lack of reasonable Medicaid reimbursement rates for the underserved. Specifically, Medicaid reimbursement rates for children average 40 percent below market rates. In addition, most state Medicaid programs do not cover adults. To address these issues, advocates of better oral health for the underserved are considering support for a new allied provider--a dental therapist--capable of providing services at a lower cost per service and in low-income and rural areas. Using a standard economic analysis, this study estimated the potential cost, price, utilization, and dentist's income effects of dental therapists employed in general dental practices. The analysis is based on national general dental practice data and the broadest scope of responsibility for dental therapists that their advocates have advanced, including the ability to provide restorations and extractions to adults and children, training for three years, and minimum supervision. Assuming dental therapists provide restorative, extraction, and pulpal services to patients of all ages and dental hygienists continue to deliver all hygiene services, the mean reduction in a general practice costs ranges between 1.57 and 2.36 percent. For dental therapists treating children only, the range is 0.31 to 0.47 percent. The effects on price and utilization are even smaller. In addition, the effects on most dentists' gross income, hours of work, and net income are negative. The estimated economic impact of dental therapists in the United States on private dental practice is very limited; therefore, the demand for dental therapists by private practices also would probably be very limited.
A novel boundary extraction algorithm based on a vector image model

A novel idea of a vector image model has been proposed. This opens up the possibility of performing vector operations on an image. A Gaussian weighted image moment vector operator is derived and used to generate an edge vector field which in turn is used to drive a particle. The particle trajectory in a force field is simulated to obtain a close object boundary. Initial results indicate that the algorithm has considerable promise. The technique is also simple, robust, fast, and achieves subpixel accuracy.
Modeling material property heterogeneity in fiber-reinforced injection molded plastic parts

Fiber reinforced plastic parts manufactured by injection molding have heterogeneous stiffness and strength behavior due to the molding process influence on the fiber orientations. This paper presents a methodology for determining the process-dependent anisotropic and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of injection-molded parts using a thickness-wise layered homogenization technique. This technique produces an equivalent laminated meso-scale representation at any location in the part and enables point-wise application of the existing laminated plate and shell theories. The methodology is demonstrated by illustrating property variations in edge-gated and center-gated plaques. Spatial variations of elastic moduli, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio are modeled. The model can be conveniently embedded within finite element structural analyses accounting for the process-dependent material heterogeneities within the structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:98–113, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers
Water loss and oxygen consumption in tropical Sphaerodactylus

Rates of evaporative water loss and oxygen consumption were measured for the 0.37 g gekkonid lizard, Sphaerodactylus beattyi, and the results compared with those reported previously for a 0.45 g form, S. macrolepis, (Snyder, 1975). Water loss for S. beattyi was 37% lower than for S. macrolepis and the difference was accounted for by a lower rate of cutaneous water loss. Rates of respiratory water loss and oxygen consumption were comparable for the two species. The two species are parapatric on the island of St. Croix and the differences in rates of water loss are reflected in their ecologic distribution on the island.
Mathematical model of the thermal regeneration of a wall-flow monolith diesel particulate filter

Abstract A wall-flow monolith filter placed in the exhaust stream of a diesel engine can effectively limit the emission of diesel particles through the monolith. The accumulated particles can then be periodically combusted inside the monolith by directing hot gas from a fuel burner to the monolith while the normal engine exhaust is routed around the burner/monolith system. The resulting low flow rates through the monolith require consideration of gas dynamics through the channels as well as particle combustion to analyze this regeneration process. A mathematical model of the regeneration is formulated as a system of nonlinear partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum and energy. Numerical solutions are obtained by using a combination of finite element and finite difference techniques for the spatial discretization and using an implicit ordinary differential equation solver for the resulting time integration. A detailed discussion of the solution for a sample regeneration is given.
Predictive dentistry: A study in carbohydrate metabolism

The virtues of prediction in the so-called health sciences are well-known. There is still small but burgeoning interest in predictive medicine; little has been done in predictive dentistry. The evidence presented in this report suggests that carbohydrate metabolism may be utilized as a predictive instrument in dentistry. While the emphasis in this document rests on biochemical techniques, there are other avenues, physiologic ones, such as photomotogrammetry, which can also be used. It is hoped that these paradigms will catalyze interest in this fascinating subject and generate research by others along these lines.
Circular dichroism of human urinary Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein.

Human urinary Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, which contains 28% carbohydrate, has a monomeric molecular weight of about 80,000 but is isolated from urine in the form of intertwining helical suprastructures with molecular weights greater than 107. The native glycoprotein was dissociated and denatured with 6 M guanidinium chloride and was subsequently renatured by dialysis against a Tris-HCl buffer. Using sedimentation equilibrium, the renatured glycoprotein was characterized by a\(M_{w_{cell} } \) of 256,800 and a\(M_{z_{cell} } \) of 356,000. The ratio,Mz/Mw, of 1.39 indicates some polydispersity with regard to molecular size. There was no evidence of helical suprastructures in the renatured glycoprotein as judged by electron microscopy. Ca2+ concentrations of up to 50 mM failed to precipitate the renatured glycoprotein; in contrast, the native glycoprotein is precipitated by Ca2+ concentrations between 5–10 mM. The circular dichroic spectrum of renatured Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein was obtained, resolved, and tentative band assignments made. The spectrum, which is quite similar to that of native Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, exhibited negative extrema at 269 nm (due in large part to disulfides and tyrosines) and at 215 nm (due to proteinβ-structure and the N-acetylated hexosamines). Theα-helical content of the glycoprotein was estimated to be no more than 10% and the amount ofβ-structure to be about 33%; these values were not affected by the presence of Ca2+ (1 mM). A glycopeptide fraction (ca. 90% carbohydrate), prepared by extensive pronase digestion of the reduced, S-carboxymethylated glycoprotein, exhibited an ellipticity extremum at 212 nm of +4,750 deg · cm2/dmole, referred to the concentration of (N-acetylated) hexosamines and neuraminic acid.
Cloning and characterization of the murine pkd2 promoter.

Pkd2, the mouse homologue of PKD2, the gene responsible for the second form of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, is highly expressed in fetal and adult mouse tissues. The expression of Pkd2 is developmentally regulated. To begin to dissect out the regulatory mechanism of Pkd2 expression, we characterized the basic features of the gene structure and identified potential cis-regulatory elements of Pkd2 transcription. Pkd2 spans 42 kb with a transcription start site 165 bp upstream of the translation start codon. Exon 1 of Pkd2 is 755 bp long, and the full-length transcript is 5215 bp. The Pkd2 promoter region is GC-rich and lacks a consensus TATA or CCAAT box. Consensus binding sites for the transcription factors Sp-1, NF-1, and Ap-2 lie in the 5' upstream region of Pkd2. The Sp-1 binding site is conserved in 5' upstream sequences of both the mouse and the human genes. The CAT activity of a series of upstream segments from +178 to -2749 was assessed in MDCK, LLCPK1, COS-7, and HEK293 cells. Deletion analysis identified a 409-bp fragment from position -221 to +178 responsible for basal promoter activity. A 922-bp fragment from -744 to +178 showed the highest level of CAT activity in the cell lines tested. These data define a functional promoter candidate region for Pkd2.
Antisense Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Disease

Abstract Diseases resulting from defects in a single gene may be more amenable to treatment by conventional gene therapy strategies than idiopathic or polygenic disorders. We have attempted to reduce the expression in vivo of the Huntington's disease gene protein, Huntingtin, using an 18-mer fluoroscein-labeled phosphorothioroated antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) targeted against the start site of the first exon of the IT15 gene. Animals were given repeated intrastriatal infusions (5 μl of a 100 nmol/μl solution daily over 4 days) of the antisense ODN. The treatments ended on Day 5 and the tissue was processed for immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. The fluorescein-labeled ODN appeared to penetrate several cells and did not cause any obvious toxicity to the neurons. The average reduction in levels of Huntingtin (16.9 ± 7.2%) did not differ significantly between striatal tissue of antisense ODN-treated animals compared to those treated with a sense ODN or vehicle. Improved methods for molecular modifications of the IT15 gene may be needed for therapeutic initiatives.
Ubiquitous distribution of salts and proteins in spider glue enhances spider silk adhesion

Modern orb-weaving spiders use micron-sized glue droplets on their viscid silk to retain prey in webs. A combination of low molecular weight salts and proteins makes the glue viscoelastic and humidity responsive in a way not easily achieved by synthetic adhesives. Optically, the glue droplet shows a heterogeneous structure, but the spatial arrangement of its chemical components is poorly understood. Here, we use optical and confocal Raman microscopy to show that salts and proteins are present ubiquitously throughout the droplet. The distribution of adhesive proteins in the peripheral region explains the superior prey capture performance of orb webs as it enables the entire surface area of the glue droplet to act as a site for prey capture. The presence of salts throughout the droplet explains the recent Solid-State NMR results that show salts directly facilitate protein mobility. Understanding the function of individual glue components and the role of the droplet's macro-structure can help in designing better synthetic adhesives for humid environments.
Identification and characterization of optically active materials excited by sources in the chiral medium

Abstract Biological and chemical materials that possess chiral properties can be identified and characterized through their optical activity. Optical activity (Optical Rotation and Circular Dichroism) manifests itself through the measurement of select elements of the Mueller matrix that are proportional to the cross polarized reflection and transmission coefficients for waves that are incident in free space upon the optically active medium. Thus no polar decomposition is required to identify optical activity. Thus it is not necessary to measure all sixteen elements of the Mueller Matrix. We analyze here in detail the case when the exciting sources lie below the interface in the chiral material, which could be a fluid. Explicit expressions, to within first order of the chiral measure, are obtained for the corresponding reflection and transmission matrices for circularly and linearly polarized waves. These results are compared with the results for excitations above the interface in free space. Significant differences are found between the corresponding expressions for the reflection and transmission matrices, they are related to the Mueller matrix elements and the Differential Circular Reflection. These results have numerous biological, biochemical, and medical applications.
Quadratic coupled-cluster doubles: Implementation and assessment of perfect pairing optimized geometries

We present orbital amplitude and orbital gradient equations for the quadratic coupled-cluster doubles (QCCD) theory. These expressions are size extensive and can be solved in O(N 6 ) time with the use of O(N 4 ) intermediates, which are efficiently defined. The optimized orbital formalism is naturally suited for excitations in only a valence space to describe nondynamical correlation. This also minimizes the additional cost relative to conventional CCD. The resulting valence QCCD is used to study the effects of correlation on equilibrium geometries of a range of small molecules in the perfect pairing active space. This enables comparison with generalized valence bond perfect pairing calculations on the same systems. Additionally, the use of valence QCCD as a supplement to complete active space (CAS) methods is illustrated with calculations of the transition structure for addition of hydrogen to trans-diazene (N 2 H 2 ).
The Relationship Between Religion and Religious Coping: Religious Coping as a Moderator Between Religion and Adjustment

This study examined the relationship between and among religion, religious coping, and positive/negative psychological adjustment and investigated whether the four religious coping styles of Self-Directing, Deferring, Collaborative, and Turning to Religion would significantly moderate the relationship between religion and psychological adjustment. Each of the four religious coping measures were significant moderators between religion and positive and negative adjustment. However, the high self-directing and high religion group showed opposite results from the other three coping styles, in that they were the most maladjusted and least satisfied with life compared to the other three integration and religious coping groups. The participants high on religion and high deferring, high collaborative, and high turning to religion groups were less maladjusted and more satisfied than the other three groups in each of these religious coping styles.
Comparison of the effects of increased intracellular calcium and antidiuretic hormone on active sodium transport in frog skin. A study with the calcium ionophore A23187.

Abstract The addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (1 μM) to the inside solution of the frog skin resulted in an approx. 40% transient increase in the active influx of Na+ and ionic conductance, which decayed to an approx. 13% steady-state stimulation after 1–2 h. A23187 had no effect from the outside solution. A23187's stimulatory action is most likely the result of the ionophore's ability to increase intracellular Ca2+. This contention is supported by the following experimental results: (1) reintroduction of Ca2+ into a Ca2+-free inner solution stimulated Na+ transport only in the presence of A23187: (2) Mg2+ would not mimic these effects, and (3) EGTA in the inner solution would inhibit the A23187 response. The stimulation of active transport and ionic conductances elicited by A23187 were found to be very similar to those caused by antidiuretic hormone. Several lines of evidence suggest that A23187 may by-pass steps in the normal antidiuretic hormone stimulatory process: (1) A23187 and antidiuretic hormone are apparently non-additive; (2) A23187 acts three times faster than antidiuretic hormone; (3) A23187 stimulates antidiuretic hormone-insensitive frog skins, and (4) results from other laboratories indicate that A23187 does not increase cyclic AMP concentrations. It is speculated that an increase in free intracellular Ca2+ may be a step in the normal antidiuretic hormone stimulatory process. This increase in intracellular Ca2+ may in turn stimulate active sodium transport by increasing the Na+ permeability of the outer ‘rate-limiting’ membrane.
Concerns about identity and services among people with autism and Asperger's regarding DSM-5 changes.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed. [DSM–5]; American Psychiatric Association, 2012) now includes a new autism spectrum diagnosis (ASD) with previous separate diagnoses of autism removed. This study explores the concerns of people with Asperger's syndrome (AS) and autistic disorder (AD). Discussion forum data of people with AS and AD (N = 76) were analyzed using phenomenological, inductive-content analysis to gather qualitative data about the concerns of people with AS and AD regarding the changes in the DSM–5. People with AS and AD were concerned about identity, community, the cure movement, and services. They also discussed using advocacy and solidarity to address their concerns.
Ultrastructural findings in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Ultrastructural studies have made significant contributions in evaluating the pathology and pathogenesis of AIDS. Three distinct types of abnormal cytomembranous inclusions in tissue specimens or peripheral blood mononuclear cells from AIDS patients are described—vesicular rosettes (VR), tubuloreticular inclusions (TRI), and cylindrical confronting lamellae ICCL).
Finite Amplitude Vibrations of a Body Supported by Simple Shear Springs

Determination de la solution exacte du probleme des oscillations d'amplitude finie, non amorties d'une masse supportee par des attaches de cisaillement simples et eventuellement par une surface plane lisse ou par des roulements a bille. Le calcul est fait pour une classe de materiaux isotropes, hyperelastiques pour lesquels l'energie de la deformation est une fonction quadratique des premier et second invariants principaux et une fonction arbitraire du troisieme