cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fundamental Investigations of Airframe Noise

An extensive numerical and experimental study of airframe noise mechanisms associated with a subsonic high-lift system has been performed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Investigations involving both steady and unsteady computations and experiments on a small-scale, part-span flap model are presented. Both surface (steady and unsteady pressure measurements, hot films, oil flows, pressure sensitive paint) and off-surface (5 hold-probe, particle-imaged velocimetry, laser velocimetry, laser light sheet measurements) were taken in the LaRC Quiet Flow Facility (QFF) and several hard-wall tunnels up to flight Reynolds number. Successful microphone array measurements were also taken providing both acoustic source maps on the model, and quantitative spectra. Critical directivity measurements were obtained in the QFF. NASA Langley unstructured and structured Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes codes modeled the flap geometries excellent comparisons with surface and off-surface experimental data were obtained. Subsequently, these meanflow calculations were utilized in both linear stability and direct numerical simulations of the flap-edge flow field to calculate unsteady surface pressures and farfield acoustic spectra. Accurate calculations were critical in obtaining not only noise source characteristics, but shear layer correction data as well. Techniques utilized in these investigations as well as brief overviews of results will be given.
Early Categorization of Animate/Inanimate Concepts in Young Children with Autism

Categorization and concept formation deficits along with other cognitive processing deficits have been suggested in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A compelling early cognitive deficit is the formation of coherent concepts for animates and inanimates. Development of such concepts is thought to be a crucial building block for young children’s emerging understanding that different object kinds possess different physical, psychological, biological, and motion-related properties [Rakison, D. H., and Poulin-Dubois, D. (2001). Psychol. Bull. 127(2): 209–228]. In this preliminary study, 11 preschoolers with ASD participated in two experiments that tested early concept formation. A visually-based habituation paradigm was used to test whether young children with ASD could detect correlations among static and dynamic cues and whether they were selective in the correlations to which they attend. A more interactive imitation task was used to test children’s knowledge of simple linear and nonlinear motions of animates and inanimates. Results suggest that the preschoolers with autism are delayed in the processes by which they form categories but nonetheless possess relevant knowledge about the motion properties of animates and inanimates. Implications of this preliminary study are discussed.
Effects of Injections of Acetylcholine and Ephedrine upon Components of the Hen’s Egg

Abstract THE physiological factors involved in the formation of the albumen, shell membranes and shell of the avian egg have been the subject of numerous researches and controversies. For reviews consult Burmester (1940), Romanoff and Romanoff (1949), Warren (1949), and Sturkie and Polin (1953). Soon after ovulation, the ovum is picked up by the infundibulum of the oviduct. Shortly thereafter, it is forced into the magnum or upper part of the oviduct, where all the protein of the albumen is formed. After the egg leaves the magnum, water is added to the albumen, so that by the time the egg is laid, the volume of albumen has been approximately doubled without added protein. Most observers believe that the albumen is secreted by two types of gland cells in the magnum. Histological studies indicate that the large goblet cells of the unicellular glands secrete mucin fibers, the constituent that makes the albumen …
Parameterization and applications of Catmull-Rom curves

The behavior of Catmull-Rom curves heavily depends on the choice of parameter values at the control points. We analyze a class of parameterizations ranging from uniform to chordal parameterization and show that, within this class, curves with centripetal parameterization contain properties that no other curves in this family possess. Researchers have previously indicated that centripetal parameterization produces visually favorable curves compared to uniform and chordal parameterizations. However, the mathematical reasons behind this behavior have been ambiguous. In this paper we prove that, for cubic Catmull-Rom curves, centripetal parameterization is the only parameterization in this family that guarantees that the curves do not form cusps or self-intersections within curve segments. Furthermore, we provide a formulation that bounds the distance of the curve to the control polygon and explain how globally intersection-free Catmull-Rom curves can be generated using these properties. Finally, we discuss two example applications of Catmull-Rom curves and show how the choice of parameterization makes a significant difference in each of these applications.
CELLULAR VOLUME AND TISSUE PARTITIONING IN CAPS OF PRIMARY ROOTS OF ZEA MAYS

Cellular and tissue volumes were measured in caps of primary roots of Zea mays. There is an 850% increase in cellular volume as cellular function changes from that of being meristematic (i.e., calyptrogen cells) to graviperception (i.e., columella cells), and a 22% increase in cellular volume during the functional transition from graviperception to the production and secretion of mucilage. Cellular volume does not change significantly after cells cease mucilage production and are sloughed from the cap. Root caps of Z. mays allocate 7.5% of their volume for regeneration, 14.9% for graviperception, 24.3% for the transition of function from graviperception to mucilage production and secretion, and 38.7% for the production and secretion of mucilage. The remaining 14.5% of the cap volume is comprised of cells being sloughed from the cap.
1970s Disco Daze: Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights and the Last Golden Age of Irresponsibility

Dans le contexte du retour critique sur les annees 1970, le film Boogie Nights de Paul Thomas Anderson est souvent cite comme le film qui represente le mieux la vacuite derriere la liberte apparente de la generation ME aux Etats-Unis. Selon l'A., si le film d'Anderson peut etre considere comme moraliste, il ne l'est pas tellement du point de vue des annees soixante-dix (et de son industrie pornographique). Son film insiste plus sur les ravages de la mentalite financiere et cupide des annees 1980, par rapport au prix du laxisme moral de la decennie precedente. En fait, a la fin du film, on a l'impression que Paul Thomas Anderson croit reellement que les seventies, la decennie du disco, etaient le dernier âge d'or de l'irresponsabilite.
Posttraumatic smell loss: Relationship of psychophysica tests and volumes of the olfactory bulbs and tracts and the temporal lobes

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to define the primary sites of injury in patients with posttraumatic anosmia and hyposmia with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to determine if these sites correlated with the results of psychophysical olfactory tests. Materials and Methods. Thirty-six patients with subjective loss in olfaction after head trauma underwent volumetric MR studies of the olfactory bulbs and tracts and temporal lobes. Pearson correlations were computed between olfactory bulb and tract and temporal lobe volumes and the patients' scores on tests of odor identification (including the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT]), detection, and memory. Analysis of variance was used to compare volumes of the control subjects and the posttraumatic patients. Results. The olfactory bulbs and tracts (32 [89%]of 36 patients), the subfrontal lobes (22 [61%] of 36 patients), and the temporal lobes (11 [31%] of 36 patients) showed the highest incidence of posttraumatic encephalomalacia. Left olfactory bulb and tract volumes showed a statistically significant correlation with left and total UPSIT scores. A statistically significant difference ( P Conclusion. Olfactory bulb and tract damage may correlate with deficits in odor identification. Olfactory bulb and tract and frontal lobe encephalomalacia coexist in many patients.
Quasi-rigid objects in contact

We investigate techniques for modeling contact between quasi-rigid objects - solids that undergo modest deformation in the vicinity of a contact, while the overall object still preserves its basic shape. The quasi-rigid model combines the benefits of rigid body models for dynamic simulation and the benefits of deformable models for resolving contacts and producing visible deformations. We argue that point cloud surface representations are advantageous for modeling rapidly varying, wide area contacts. Using multi-level computations based on point primitives, we obtain a scalable system that efficiently handles complex contact configurations, even for high-resolution models obtained from laser range scans. Our method computes consistent and realistic contact surfaces and traction distributions, which are useful in many applications.
Hyperspectral Imagery Visualization Using Double Layers

Displaying the abundant information contained in a hyperspectral image is a challenging problem. Almost any visualization approach reduces the information content. However, we want to maximize the amount of object or material information presented. A visualization approach that uses classification as an intermediate step may maximize the information transfer. In our research, we are particularly interested in the display of mixed-pixel classification results, since most pixels in a remotely sensed hyperspectral image are mixed pixels. In this paper, we propose a visualization technique that employs two layers to integrate the mixture information (i.e., endmembers and their abundances) in each pixel. Images can be displayed with any desired level of details.
Stress and puberty-related hormone reactivity, negative emotionality, and parent–adolescent relationships

Hormone reactivity to stressors and hormones that rapidly change at puberty are hypothesized to influence moods, which may in turn affect parent-child relationship quality. The present study investigated whether reactivity of testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol in a clinic setting (venipuncture paradigm) predicted negative emotionality and family problems at Time 1 (0 months), Time 2 (6 months), and Time 3 (12 months) in a sample of 56 boys (M = 12.72, SD = 1.32 years) and 52 girls (M = 11.99, SD = 1.55 years). Reactivity of each hormone, negative emotionality, and family problems were measured at each of three laboratory visits. Testosterone reactivity at the first assessment predicted family problems one year later. DHEA stress reactivity was related to concurrent negative emotionality at six and 12 months. Cortisol reactivity did not predict negative emotionality or family problems. Reactivity of different hormones that change at puberty may play an important role in adolescent moods and family processes during puberty.
Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on Beef Bologna and Cheddar Cheese Using Polyvinyl‐idene Chloride Films Containing Sorbic Acid

ABSTRACT: Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC, SaranR F-310) films containing sorbic acid (0%, 1.5%, and 3.0% w/v) were prepared with use of a solvent-casting method and were then placed between slices of commercially produced beef bologna that were previously surface-inoculated with L. monocytogenes at 103 or 105 CFU/g. In addition, cubes of commercial Cheddar cheese were surface-inoculated to contain 103 or 105Listeria monocytogenes colony-forming units (CFU) /g and then wrapped with the sorbic acid-containing films. Films containing 1.5% and 3.0% (w/ v) sorbic acid prevented growth of L. monocytogenes on bologna slices with populations as much as 7.1 logs lower after 28 d of storage at 4 °C compared with the sorbic acid-free controls. In contrast, numbers of Listeria remained relatively stable on Cheddar cheese with populations decreasing < 1.3 logs after 35 d of storage. With use of the sorbic acid-containing films, common spoilage organisms were also inhibited on both products. After 28 d of contact with bologna and Cheddar cheese, these films retained 7% and 60% of their original sorbic acid content, respectively, with the control film retaining 85% of its original sorbic acid content. Given these findings, sorbic acid-containing films may be useful in enhancing the safety and shelf-life of ready-to-eat delicatessen products.
Relationships between cellular superoxide dismutase and susceptibility to chemically induced cancer in the rat mammary gland

Increasing evidence suggests a role for reactive free radical oxygen species in the multi-stage events of chemical carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that variations in the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a major endogenous antioxidant enzyme, may account in part for variations in susceptibility to cancer induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The SOD activity of mammary epithelial cells from rats with varying susceptibility to dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer was assayed. Ageing, pregnancy and previous multiple pregnancies reduce susceptibility of Sprague--Dawley female rats to DMBA. These decreases in susceptibility were correlated with increased levels of SOD activity. Only minor differences in SOD activity was observed in mammary epithelium of genetic strains of rats with differences in susceptibility to DMBA. These data suggest that, in models where physiological differences may account for variations in effectiveness of PAH to induce mammary cancer, SOD activity is inversely correlated with breast cancer susceptibility and support the hypothesis that cancer susceptibility may be partially mediated through reactive free radical oxygen intermediates.
β-Lactoglobulin-κ-Casein Interaction in Various Salt Solutions

Abstract Mixtures of 2% each of β -lactoglobulin ABC and κ -casein AB were heated at 110C for 30min in solutions containing de-ionized water, .02M calcium, 5% α -lactose, .035% phosphorous, .2% citrate, .14% chlorine, synthetic ultra-filtrate, and milk dialysate. Differences in composition of interaction products were shown qualitatively by zone electrophoresis and quantitatively by preparative electrophoresis. A minimum interaction of 13.8% β -lactoglobulin with 17.1% κ -casein occurred in de-ionized water while a maximum of 76.6% β -lactoglobulin interacted with 83.3% κ -casein in milk dialysate. Rates of interactions for other reaction solutions varied between the two. Zonal electrophoresis of individual β -lactoglobulin and κ -casein treated similarly showed that some interaction products may ensue from the effect of neating on these proteins.
Texture Development in YBa2Cu3Ox by Hot Extrusion and Hot‐Pressing

Pronounced textures have been found in hot-extruded and hot-pressed YBa2Cu3Ox powders. The basal plane is preferentially oriented normal to the maximum compression axis in hot deformation. Thus, the extrusion texture of these ceramics should facilitate maximum current-Carrying capability: along the extrusion axis, suggesting hot extrusion or drawing as a favored method of producing superconducting wires.
Parallel algorithms for the finite element method

Abstract Existing finite element methods, algorithms and application programs have been developed in the milieu of the serial or single processor computer. Substantial efforts are currently being made to modify their computational aspects in order to take advantage of the power inherent in the newer generations of parallel multiprocessor computers. The parallelizing techniques being explored tend to be derived from or are closely related to serial concepts. Parallelism is difficult to achieve from this direction. The present work develops and implements a new class of parallel algorithms for the finite element method based upon the use of projections on finite-dimensional spaces. Projections provide a formal and general mechanism for decomposing or partitioning a problem into a col;ection of smaller related problems which can be treated in parallel. These algorithms can be programmed in a wholly asynchronous mode and have been implemented and studied on a shared memory multiprocessor computer with up to 24 processors. On large test problems they have been shown to produce almost perfect speedup and to be extremely efficient.
Time-monitoring observations of the ro-vibrational overtone CO bands in young stars

We present near-IR spectra of a sample of T Tauri, Herbig Ae/Be, and FU Ori objects. Using the FSPEC instrument on the Bok 90-inch telescope, we obtained K-band spectra with a resolution of � 3500. Here we present spectra of thev = 2-0 andv = 3-1 bandheads of ro-vibrational transitions of carbon monoxide. We observed these spectra over multiple epochs spaced by a few days and approximately one month. Several of our targets show CO emission or absorption features. However we see little evidence of variability in these features across multiple epochs. We compare our results with previous observations, and discuss the physical implications of non-variable CO emission across the sampled timescales.
Preventing Suicide Among Returning Combat Veterans: A Moral Imperative

Suicide is an epidemic in returning combat veterans who participated in the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The epidemic of suicidality in returning combat veterans places a moral imperative on us to try to understand this epidemic and prevent these tragedies. We can do this only by understanding the extent to which suicidal behavior in returning veterans is analogous to suicide as it occurs more generally in civilians. In the absence of national surveillance for suicide among veterans, information on suicidal behavior among returning combat veterans is limited to the fi ndings of special epidemiological studies and surveys. A recent study has demonstrated that suicide risk has increased for former active duty veterans who served in the Iraq or Afghanistan war zones (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.33; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 1.03‐1.69) and especially for veterans diagnosed with a
Effects of steroid ablation and progestin replacement on the transcriptome of the primate corpus luteum during simulated early pregnancy

Previous microarray analyses indicated that a portion of the transcriptome in the macaque corpus luteum (CL) of the menstrual cycle was regulated indirectly by luteinizing hormone via the local actions of steroid hormones, notably progesterone (P). The current study was designed to investigate this concept in the CL of early pregnancy by analyzing chorionic gonadotrophin (CG)-regulated genes that are dependent versus independent of local steroid action. Exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin treatment simulating early pregnancy (SEP) began on Day 9 of the luteal phase in female rhesus monkeys with and without concurrent administration of the 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane (TRL) with or without the synthetic progestin R5020. Compared with SEP treatment alone, TRL altered 50 mRNA transcripts on Day 10, rising to 95 on Day 15 (P < 0.05, ≥2-fold change in gene expression). Steroid-sensitive genes were validated; notably effects of steroid ablation and P replacement varied by day. Expression of some genes previously identified as P-regulated in the macaque CL during the menstrual cycle were not significantly altered by steroid ablation and P replacement during CG exposure in SEP. These data indicate that the majority of CG-regulated luteal transcripts are differentially expressed independently of local steroid actions. However, the steroid-regulated genes in the macaque CL may be essential during early pregnancy, based on previous reports that TRL treatment initiates premature structural regression of the CL during SEP. These data reinforce the concept that the structure, function and regulation of the rescued CL in early pregnancy differs from the CL of the menstrual cycle in primates.
On a Convolution-Evolution Equation in Aeroelasticity

Flutter is an instability endemic to aircraft wings that occurs at high enough airspeed in subsonic flight, and sets a bound (flutter boundary) on attainable airspeed in the subsonic regime. As is to be expected we need to make many simplifying assumptions before we can obtain a mathematically tractable model. Here we limit ourselves to a long, slender, “high-aspect-ratio” wing (see Figure.1)
Servant leadership, distributive justice and commitment to customer value in the salesforce

– The purpose of this research is to further understand salesperson distributive justice judgments by examining two controllable factors that may influence these perceptions: sales leadership (i.e. servant leadership) and salesforce control (i.e. quota). , – The sample included 279 business-to-business salespeople from across the USA. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. , – Servant leadership and salesperson participation in quota setting both positively impact distributive justice perceptions (i.e. fairness in reward allocation), which subsequently affect salespeople’s commitment to providing superior customer value. , – First study to empirically examine connections between servant leadership, distributive justice and commitment to customer value in the salesforce.
A Tunable Bandstop Filter Using Thin Film Barium-Strontium-Titanate Varactors

Ferroelectric barium-strontium-titanate (BST) varactors are becoming extremely important particularly for frequency-agile RF and microwave circuits. Tunable bandstop filters are desired to eliminate unwanted signals for several communication systems. In this paper, a compact tunable bandstop filter (BSF) based on a single hairpin resonator, using ferroelectric BST varactors, is also presented. The frequency response of proposed BSF can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the length, width, and space for the coupled line hairpin resonator. One pair of variable capacitors has been incorporated to the filter for tuning and miniaturization purposes. The notch frequency of BSF can be tuned from 705 MHz to 1.035 GHz with a tuning voltage of 6 Volts utilizing BST varactors.
Computed Effects of Rim Seal Clearance and Cavity Width on Thermal Distributions

Axisymmetric solutions of the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations were obtained for the complete momentum/thermal interaction at the interface between the turbine hot mainstream and rim seal flow regions. Specifically, the 2-D, axisymmetric, fully elliptic form of the equations was solved in order to obtain detailed insight concerning the effect of the rim seal clearance and cavity width on the disk temperature, gap recirculation zone GRZ and rotational drag. The mainstream and purge flow rates, pressures and temperatures were selected to match those of a typical commercial engine. The details of seven generic geometries, consisting of different seal clearance gaps and different cavity widths, for each of several cooling flow rates are analyzed.Of particular interest is the result that halving the engine nominal axial clearance of the generic rim seal is not sufficient for preventing the appearance of the GRZ. However, reducing this clearance to 25% of the nominal value does prevent its formation, and in that case the coolant flow continues outward along the disk surface through the rim seal region.In addition, the first-order characteristics of: (a) the heat transport in the rim seal region and (b) the disk temperature rise due to thermal transport via the rim seal (gap) recirculation zone and via disk frictional heating were illuminated. Further, it is concluded that smaller seal clearances are desirable for reducing rotational drag as well as purge flow rates.© 1993 ASME
Preparation and Characterization of Arctium lappa L. Oligosaccharide Liposome

Objective Two different methods were used to prepare Burdock oligosaccharide liposome,followed by an evaluation of their major characteristics,so as to develop a foundation for clinical application.Methods Liposomes were prepared by the rotary-film evaporation method and the reverse evaporation method.Multilamellar large vesicles(MLV) were obtained first,which then would be converted into small unilamellar vesicles(SUV)using a high pressure homogenizer.Then,the major characteristics of liposomes,such as morphology,entrapment efficiency,zeta potential,size distribution and stability,were also analyzed.Result About 45.55% of initial Arctium lappa L.oligosaccharide was entrapped into liposomes,and the result of transmission electron micrograph showed that the treated Arctium lappa L.oligosaccharide liposomes were evenly distributed small spherical vesicles,with a mean diameter of 75 nm after treating with high pressure homogenizer,and the liposome remained more stable at 4 ℃.Conclusion The rotary-film evaporation method is more suitable for the preparation of Burdock oligosaccharide liposomes.The obtained liposomes could be used in cell culture and animal experiments to further study their biological effects.
Remote sensing monitoring and spatial character analysis for water quality of Kuncheng lake

The article proposed an inversion model of water quality parameters based on the experiments results acquired in Kuncheng Lake of Xinzhuang town,Changshu city,Jiangsu province.The research analyzed the relationship of the concentration values of Chl-a and SS and the characteristics of water normalized reflectance spectrum and the first derivative reflectance spectrum,respectively.The relationship parameter R based on PEARSON method was applied to analyze the corresponding correlation of the four parameters separately,and optimizing sensitive bands for Chl-a and SS are determined.The water parameters were inversed quantitatively with the same temporal serial ETM images,and the spatial distribution of water pollution for the town region was analyzed.The results showed that the combination and processing for several maximum positive(negative)correlation values could improve the inversion accuracy,and the measured value and the inverted value had small relative errors.A fast,accurate and dynamic information acquisition and evaluation for the water pollution,and real-time monitor spatial and temporal change trend and characteristic of town region water could be achieved through the inversion of the water pollution parameters(Chl-a and SS).
Electrochemical Surface Interrogation of a MoS2 Hydrogen-Evolving Catalyst: In Situ Determination of the Surface Hydride Coverage and the Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on an electrodeposited a-MoS2 electrode was investigated by a surface-selective electrochemical titration technique by application of surface interrogation scanning electrochemical microscopy. In a mildly acidic (pH 4.6) environment, the saturated surface hydride coverage of MoS2 was determined to be 31%, much higher than that expected for a crystalline nanoparticle. The HER rate constant of a surface molybdenum atom was measured for the first time in situ to be 3.8 s–1 at a 600 mV overpotential. At high Mo–H coverages, a change in the nature of the active sites was observed upon consumption of Mo–H by HER.
Septoplasty: Basic and Advanced Techniques

Nasal septal deviation is a prevalent problem that can have significant quality of life ramifications. Septoplasty is commonly performed to provide qualitative and quantitative benefit to those with nasal obstruction owing to septal deviation. Although a standard, basic technique is often adequate for individuals with mild to moderate mid to posterior septal deviation, unique challenges arise with caudal septal deviation. Herein, multiple strategies that attempt to address anterior septal deviation are discussed. Anterior septal reconstruction has been shown to be a safe and effective means by which to address severe caudal septal deviation and long-term reduction in preoperative symptoms.
Changes in Community Integration From Pre- to Post-incarceration: The Influence of Psychological and Criminal Justice Factors.

Research on changes in community integration from pre- to post-incarceration has primarily focused on employment and is mixed, showing both deterioration and improvement. Research is needed to exam...
Verification of historical smooth sheet bathymetry for the Gulf of Alaska - Integrated Ecosystem Research Program

Abstract We verified the accuracy of interpolated bathymetric surfaces created from historic (1924–2003) National Ocean Service smooth sheet bathymetric soundings and shorelines with single-beam echosounder measurements of seafloor depth obtained in the spring and summer of 2013. Independent comparisons were made at ten inshore locations in the central and eastern Gulf of Alaska as an effort to groundtruth the fish habitat layers provided for NPRB's (North Pacific Research Board) sponsored Gulf of Alaska – Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (GOA-IERP). Ordinary least squares linear regressions determined that the GOA-IERP soundings could successfully predict interpolated smooth sheet bathymetry (gridded or raster surface) at all sites (best R2 = 1.0), although the oldest smooth sheets from 1924 (R2 = ~ 0.90) and 1925 (R2 = ~0.80) had the poorest fits. Standardized residuals were geographically clustered at all sites, with larger residuals often observed in areas of rapid depth transition, but ≥ 93% of residuals at all sites were within two standard deviations. Residual analysis indicates that the standardized residuals increase with depth, slope, distance to nearest smooth sheet sounding, and distance to nearest smooth sheet navigation station. This indicates that errors in navigation were greater farther offshore, interpolations were worse in areas of sparse soundings, and the consequences were more significant in steeper and deeper areas. Overall, we conclude that the smooth sheet bathymetry was successfully ground truthed and useful for fish habitat descriptions.
Teaching Public Management as a Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia

A Fulbright semester teaching MPA students at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur involved hospitable faculty colleagues, promising students, interesting intercultural experiences, the challen...
Viruses and Human Neoplasm

The recent progress in understanding of viral transformation of cells in vitro and in vivo offers new avenues in the search for the viral etiology of human cancer. A few brief comments on some areas that were not included in the program of the conference, but which may be of importance for the human disease, seem to be in order.
Feldstärke- und Feldverteilungsmessung

Die Messung der Feldstarke und deren Verteilung, welche im Zusammenhang mit Nahfeldmessungen an Antennen vorkam, hat weiter fur die Bestimmung der Eigenschaften von elektromagnetischen Hohlraumen und Mikrowellenleitungen Bedeutung. Aus der durch Messung festgestellten Feldverteilung, z.B. im Inneren von Hohlraumkreisen, kann man deren Gute wert berechnen. Aus der Feld Verteilung in Hohlleitern und in der Umgebung von Leitungen konnen deren Eigenschaften, z. B. die Dampfung, und die Anpassungseigenschaften angeschlossener Mikrowellenbauteile festgestellt werden. Die Messung fuhrt in Fallen komplizierter Hohlraum-, Hohlleiter- und Leitungsformen haufig schneller zu einem Resultat und ist in manchen Fallen genauer als die Rechnung.
Droop Control Methods for PV-Based Mini Grids with Different Line Resistances and Impedances

Different droop control methods for PV-based communal grid networks (minigrids and microgrids) with different line resistances (R) and impedances (X) are modelled and simulated in MATLAB to determine the most efficient control method for a given network. Results show that active power-frequency (P-f) droop control method is the most efficient for low voltage transmission networks with low X/R ratios while reactive power-voltage (Q-V) droop control method is the most efficient for systems with high X/R ratios. For systems with complex line resistances and impedances, i.e. near unity X/R ratios, P-f or Q-V droop methods cannot individually efficiently regulate line voltage and frequency. For such systems, P-Q-f droop control method, where both active and reactive power could be used to control PCC voltage via shunt-connected inverters, is determined to be the most efficient control method. Results also show that shunt-connection of inverters leads to improved power flow control of interconnected communal grids by allowing feeder voltage regulation, load reactive power support, reactive power management between feeders, and improved overall system performance against dynamic disturbances.
Multi-dimensional Coding by Basolateral Amygdala Neurons

Conditioned appetitive and aversive responses (CRs) are thought to result from the activation of specific subsets of valence-coding basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons. Under this model, the responses of BLA cells to conditioned stimuli (CSs) and the activity that drives CRs are closely related. We tested the strength of this correlation using a task where rats could emit different CRs in response to the same CSs. At odds with this model, the CS responses and CR-related activity of individual BLA cells were separable. Moreover, while the incidence of valence-coding cells did not exceed chance, at the population level there was similarity between valence coding for CSs and CRs. In fact, both lateral and basolateral neurons concurrently encoded multiple task features and behaviors. Thus, conditioned emotional behaviors may not depend on the recruitment of single cells that explicitly encode individual task variables but from multiplexed representations distributed across the BLA.
Substitution, Complementarity, and Stability

We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a non-empty core in many-to-one assignment games. When players on the “many” side (buyers) are substitutes with respect to any given player on the...
“Nothing is impossible”: characteristics of Hispanic females participating in an informal STEM setting

Factors that influence the underrepresentation of females in STEM careers begin early in childhood when gender biases and stereotypes emerge. Stereotypes have a psychosocial effect on females that can lead to low self-efficacy and less interest in learning and pursuing STEM careers. This study investigated the effect of a STEM summer camp on K-12 students learning in which upper elementary students explored STEM concepts through magnetic levitation (MagLev) train activities, middle school students built and programmed robots, and high school students explored STEM through both MagLev train and robotics activities. A mixed methods design was used to analyze pre/posttest scores of all students and interviews of randomly selected Hispanic female students. Data indicated that Hispanic, high school females were less likely to participate in the STEM summer camp as compared to their elementary or middle school counterparts. In addition, there were no gender differences in academic achievement at the elementary level, but Hispanic females reported significantly higher learning gains than Hispanic males. In high school, Hispanic females reported significantly lower pretest scores than males. We conclude that there is a change in the characteristics, attitudes, and academic achievement of Hispanic females from elementary to high school, but informal STEM opportunities can mitigate this change.
Expansion of the CD4+ effector T-cell repertoire characterizes peanut-allergic patients with heightened clinical sensitivity

Background Individuals with peanut allergy range in clinical sensitivity: some can consume grams of peanut before experiencing any symptoms, whereas others suffer systemic reactions to 10 mg or less. Current diagnostic testing only partially predicts this clinical heterogeneity. Objective We sought to identify characteristics of the peanut-specific CD4+ T-cell response in peanut-allergic patients that correlate with high clinical sensitivity. Methods We studied the T-cell receptor β-chain (TCRβ) usage and phenotypes of peanut-activated, CD154+ CD4+ memory T cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, TCRβ sequencing, and RNA-Seq, in reactive and hyporeactive patients who were stratified by clinical sensitivity. Results TCRβ analysis of the CD154+ and CD154− fractions revealed more than 6000 complementarity determining region 3 sequences and motifs that were significantly enriched in the activated cells and 17% of the sequences were shared between peanut-allergic individuals, suggesting strong convergent selection of peanut-specific clones. These clones were more numerous among the reactive patients, and this expansion was identified within effector, but not regulatory T-cell populations. The transcriptional profile of CD154+ T cells in the reactive group skewed toward a polarized TH2 effector phenotype, and expression of TH2 cytokines strongly correlated with peanut-specific IgE levels. There were, however, also non–TH2-related differences in phenotype. Furthermore, the ratio of peanut-specific clones in the effector versus regulatory T-cell compartment, which distinguished the clinical groups, was independent of specific IgE concentration. Conclusions Expansion of the peanut-specific effector T-cell repertoire is correlated with clinical sensitivity, and this observation may be useful to inform our assessment of disease phenotype and to monitor disease longitudinally.
The population and evolutionary dynamics of bacteriophage: Why be temperate revisited

Abstract Bacteriophages are deemed either lytic (virulent) or temperate, respectively depending on whether their genomes are transmitted solely horizontally, or both horizontally and vertically. To elucidate the ecological and evolutionary conditions under which natural selection will favor the evolution and maintenance of lytic or temperate modes of phage replication and transmission, we use a comprehensive mathematical model of the dynamics of temperate and virulent phage in populations of bacteria sensitive and resistant to these viruses. For our numerical analysis of the properties of this model, we use parameters estimated with the temperate bacteriophage Lambda, λ, it’s clear and virulent mutants, and E. coli sensitive and resistant - refractory to these phages. Using batch and serial transfer population dynamic and reconstruction experiments, we test the hypotheses generated from this theoretical analysis. Based on the results of this jointly theoretical and experimental study, we postulate the conditions under which natural selection will favor the evolution and maintenance of lytic and temperate modes of phage replication and transmission. A compelling and novel prediction this in silico, in vitro, and in plastico study makes is lysogenic bacteria from natural populations will be resistant-refractory to the phage for which they are lysogenic as well as lytic phage sharing the same receptors as these temperate viruses.
Abstract P418: Increased Pro-neurotensin/neuromedin N is Associated With Incident Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: The neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) has been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. Through measurement of its stable equimolar precursor, pro-neurotensin/neuromedin N (pr...
Racial/Ethnic Minority Children With Cancer Experience Higher Mortality on Admission to the ICU in the United States.

OBJECTIVE We investigated whether differences in survival exist between children of various racial/ethnic groups with cancer admitted to the PICU. DESIGN A retrospective multicenter analysis was conducted using Virtual Pediatric Systems data from reporting centers. Demographic information, Pediatric Risk for Mortality III score, and outcome variables were analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression modeling to assess for differences in mortality. SETTING One hundred thirty-five PICUs in the United States. PATIENTS Pediatric patients with cancer admitted to PICUs in the United States. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS This study details the analysis of 23,128 PICU admissions of 12,232 unique oncology patients representing 3% of all PICU admissions with 1,610 deaths (7.0% case fatality). African American (8.5%) and Hispanic children (8.1%) had significantly higher mortality (p < 0.05) compared with Caucasian children (6.3%). Regional analysis showed Hispanic patients to have higher mortality in the West in the United States, whereas African American patients in the South in the United States had higher mortality. A pulmonary disease diagnosis in Hispanics increased odds of mortality (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13-1.70), whereas a diagnosis of shock/sepsis increased risk for mortality in African Americans (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.11-2.20) compared with Caucasians. There were no differences between races/ethnic groups in the rates of limitations of care. After controlling for Pediatric Risk of Mortality III, PICU length of stay, stem cell transplant status, readmissions, cancer type (solid, brain, hematologic), mechanical ventilation days, and sex, Hispanic (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05-1.47) and African Americans (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.14-1.66) had significantly higher odds of mortality compared with Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS The results show that after controlling for severity and cancer type, a child's race, ethnicity, and region of presentation influence mortality in the PICU. This suggests that additional investigation is warranted along with a need to rethink our approach to the evaluation and treatment of critically ill African American and Hispanic children with cancer.
Molecular-dynamics simulated nerve agent-sorbent binding for interpretation of ATR spectra

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of nerve-agent-sorbent binding provide, in principle, interpretation of measured infrared (IR) spectra obtained using molecular binding spectroscopy. Comparison of IR absorption spectra for nerve-agent-sorbent binding obtained using MD and those measured experimentally, however, indicate inconsistencies with respect to interpretation of underlying molecular interactions. Accordingly, there is a need to examine physical assumptions underlying these MD simulations and potential functions representing the molecular dynamics. This study examines aspects of MD simulated nerve-agent-sorbent binding for more quantitative interpretation of ATR spectra associated with nerve-agent detection.
Abstract 5029: Targeting fatty acid oxidation to promote anoikis and inhibit ovarian cancer progression

Purpose: Epithelial-derived high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy and in the US accounts for over 14,000 deaths per year. Roughly 80% of patients are diagnosed with late-stage disease, which is defined by wide-spread cancer dissemination throughout the pelvic and peritoneal cavities. HGSOC dissemination is dependent on tumor cells acquiring the ability to resist anoikis (apoptosis triggered by the loss of attachment). Epithelial cell detachment from the underlying basement membrane or extracellular matrix leads to cellular stress, including nutrient-deprivation. Reports describe metabolic reprogramming that promotes fatty acid oxidation (FAO) potentially supports anoikis resistance. Experimental Design: Examination of a panel of HGSOC cell lines cultured in adherent and suspension conditions. Evaluated anoikis by caspase 3/7 activity, cleaved caspase 3 immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Using the Seahorse Bioanalyzer examined mitochondria activity in suspension. Tested the role of exogenous free fatty acids in anoikis resistance and metabolism. In a patient-derived xenograft model, administered an FAO inhibitor and/or platinum-based chemotherapy. Results: HGSOC cultured in suspension upregulated the FAO rate-limiting enzyme, Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A). CPT1A is overexpressed in HGSOC and correlates with poor overall survival. The knockdown of CPT1A promoted anoikis. HGSOC cells in suspension culture have decreased oxygen consumption that is rescued by exogenous fatty acids. In a patient-derived xenograft of HGSOC, a CPT1A inhibitor, etomoxir, significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced tumor distribution. Conclusions: Targeting FAO in HGSOC to promote anoikis and attenuate dissemination is a potential approach to promote a more durable anti-tumor response and improve patient outcomes. Citation Format: Benjamin Guy Bitler, Brandon Sawyer, Lubna Qamar, Jennifer K. Richer, Kian Behbakht, Isabel R. Schlaepfer. Targeting fatty acid oxidation to promote anoikis and inhibit ovarian cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 5029.
The Importance of Written Feedback on the Individual and Team Performance of Student Pharmacists.

Objective. To analyze the impact of written feedback provided using an online peer and self-evaluation tool on the individual and team performance of student pharmacists. Methods. Student pharmacists enrolled in two sections (section A=29 students; section B=32 students) of a required first-year pharmacy course were assigned to teams of six and given a project-based assignment in which they worked together to solve an authentic health care-related problem. Students used the Comprehensive Assessment of Team-Member Effectiveness (CATME) online peer and self-evaluation system to evaluate their peers at several points during the project. Students in section A were given both the survey ratings and written feedback from their peers, while students in section B were only given the survey ratings. Data from CATME as well as from student focus groups were used to assess students’ perceptions of the usefulness of peer assessments and the impact of written feedback. Results. For 14 of the 15 items on the survey, mean scores of students in section A were higher than those for students in section B, indicating that students in section A had generally higher agreement with and affirmation of positive statements related to peers giving and receiving feedback from one another. Quantitative and qualitative data indicated that students had an overall positive perception about the usefulness of the CATME tool for evaluating individual and team performance. More specifically, both the quantitative analysis and focus group feedback revealed notable differences in perceptions about peer feedback between students in the group that only received survey ratings and students in the group that received both survey ratings and written feedback. Conclusion. The survey results and focus group themes indicated that student pharmacists had positive perceptions about the CATME tool but that the ratings had a more meaningful impact when the written comments of their peers were also shared with them.