cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preperitoneal insufflation pressure of the abdominal wall in a porcine model

Most complications and adverse events during laparoscopic surgery occur during initial entry into the peritoneal cavity. Among them, preperitoneal insufflation occurs when the insufflation needle is incorrectly placed, and the abdominal wall is insufflated. The objective of this study was to find a range for static pressure which is low enough to allow placement of a Veress needle into the peritoneal space without causing preperitoneal insufflation, yet high enough to separate abdominal viscera from the parietal peritoneum. A pressure test was performed on twelve fresh porcine carcasses to determine the minimum preperitoneal insufflation pressure and the minimum initial peritoneal cavity insufflation pressure. Each porcine model had five needle placement categories. One category tested the initial peritoneal cavity insufflation pressure beneath the umbilicus. The four remaining categories tested the preperitoneal insufflation pressure at four different anatomical locations on the abdomen that can be used for initial entry. The minimum initial insufflation pressures from each carcass were then compared to the preperitoneal insufflation pressures to obtain an optimal range for initial insufflation. Increasing the insufflation pressure increased the probability of preperitoneal insufflation. Also, there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the initial peritoneal cavity insufflation pressures (8.83 ± 4.19 mmHg) and the lowest preperitoneal pressures (32.54 ± 7.84 mmHg) (mean ± SD). Pressures greater than 10 mmHg resulted in initial cavity insufflation and pressures greater than 20 mmHg resulted in preperitoneal insufflation in porcine models. By knowing the minimum pressure required to separate the layers of the abdominal wall, the risk of preperitoneal insufflation can be mitigated while obtaining safe and efficient entry into the peritoneal cavity. The findings in this research are not a guideline for trocar or Veress needle placement, but instead reveal preliminary data which may lead to more studies, technology, etc.
Epilepsy, dissociative seizures, and mixed: Associations with time to video-EEG

Abstract Purpose Video-electroencephalographic monitoring (VEM) is a core component to the diagnosis and evaluation of epilepsy and dissociative seizures (DS)—also known as functional or psychogenic seizures—but VEM evaluation often occurs later than recommended. To understand why delays occur, we compared how patient-reported clinical factors were associated with time from first seizure to VEM (TVEM) in patients with epilepsy, DS or mixed. Methods We acquired data from 1245 consecutive patients with epilepsy, VEM-documented DS or mixed epilepsy and DS. We used multivariate log-normal regression with recursive feature elimination (RFE) to evaluate which of 76 clinical factors interacting with patients’ diagnoses were associated with TVEM. Results The mean and median TVEM were 14.6 years and 10 years, respectively (IQR 3–23 years). In the multivariate RFE model, the factors associated with longer TVEM in all patients included unemployment and not student status, more antiseizure medications (current and past), concussion, and ictal behavior suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy. Average TVEM was shorter for DS than epilepsy, particularly for patients with depression, anxiety, migraines, and eye closure. Average TVEM was longer specifically for patients with DS taking more medications, more seizure types, non-metastatic cancer, and with other psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusions In all patients with seizures, trials of numerous antiseizure medications, unemployment and non-student status was associated with longer TVEM. These associations highlight a disconnect between International League Against Epilepsy practice parameters and observed referral patterns in epilepsy. In patients with dissociative seizures, some but not all factors classically associated with DS reduced TVEM.
Cascading effects of composts and cover crops on soil chemistry, bacterial communities and the survival of foodborne pathogens

Author(s): Devarajan, N; McGarvey, JA; Scow, K; Jones, MS; Lee, S; Samaddar, S; Schmidt, R; Tran, TD; Karp, DS | Abstract: AimsRecent foodborne disease outbreaks have caused farmers to re-evaluate their practices. In particular, concern that soil amendments could introduce foodborne pathogens onto farms and promote their survival in soils has led farmers to reduce or eliminate the application of animal-based composts. However, organic amendments (such as composts and cover crops) could bolster food safety by increasing soil microbial diversity and activity, which can act as competitors or antagonists and reduce pathogen survival.Methods and resultsLeveraging a study of a 27-year experiment comparing organic and conventional soil management, we evaluate the impacts of composted poultry litter and cover crops on soil chemistry, bacterial communities and survival of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. We found that bacterial community composition strongly affected pathogen survival in soils. Specifically, organic soils managed with cover crops and composts hosted more macronutrients and bacterial communities that were better able to suppress Salmonella and Listeria. For example, after incubating soils for 10ndays at 20°C, soils without composts retained fourfold to fivefold more Salmonella compared to compost-amended soils. However, treatment effects dissipated as bacterial communities converged over the growing season.ConclusionsOur results suggest that composts and cover crops may be used to build healthy soils without increasing foodborne pathogen survival.Significance and impact of the studyOur work suggests that animal-based composts do not promote pathogen survival and may even promote bacterial communities that suppress pathogens. Critically, proper composting techniques are known to reduce pathogen populations in biological soil amendments of animal origin, which can reduce the risks of introducing pathogens to farm fields in soil amendments. Thus, animal-based composts and cover crops may be a safe alternative to conventional fertilizers, both because of the known benefits of composts for soil health and because it may be possible to apply amendments in such a way that food-safety risks are mitigated rather than exacerbated.
Suicide Outside the Frame of Mental Illness: Exploring Suicidal Behaviors in Global and Cultural Contexts

Close to one million people worldwide die by suicide each year which accounts for more than all armed-conflict, war, and other forms of interpersonal violence combined (World Health Organization. Suicide data. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/, 2019, Nock MK, Borges G, Ono Y. Global perspectives on suicidal behavior. In: Nock M, Nock MK, Borges G, Ono Y, editors. Suicide: global perspectives from the WHO world mental health surveys. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012a). This means that one is more likely to die by their own hand than someone else’s (Nock MK, Borges G, Ono Y. Global perspectives on suicidal behavior. In: Nock M, Nock MK, Borges G, Ono Y, editors. Suicide: global perspectives from the WHO world mental health surveys. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012a). While suicidal behaviors are typically thought of as a combination of a mental illness plus a stressful life event, not all mental disorders present with suicidal ideation and not all stressful life events lead to suicidal thoughts. This chapter will explore the various human motivations towards suicidal behaviors that do not necessarily fit into the frame of mental illness in global society both historically and currently and the ethical implications. There are numerous motivations for suicidal behaviors across cultures including but not limited to honor, shame, humiliation, preservation of dignity, political motivations, protest, and more. Genuine curiosity and nonjudgmental inquiry about how suicide serves as an escape from an unbearable affliction, regardless of our objective judgment of the affliction, will improve our ability as clinicians to assess risk, explore other avenues of action, and mobilize hope.
Conserved modules required for Drosophila TRP function in vivo .

TRP channels are broadly required in animals for sensory physiology. To provide insights into regulatory mechanisms, the structures of many TRPs have been solved. This has led to new models, some of which have been tested in vitro Here, using the classical TRP required for Drosophila visual transduction, we uncovered structural requirements for channel function in photoreceptor cells. Using a combination of molecular genetics, field recordings, protein expression analysis, and molecular modeling, we interrogated roles for the S4-S5 linker and the TRP domain, and revealed mutations in the S4-S5 linker that impair channel opening or closing. We also uncovered differential requirements for the two highly conserved motifs in the TRP domain for activation and protein stability. By performing genetic complementation, we found an intra-subunit interaction between the S4-S5 linker and the S5 segment that contributes to activation. This analysis highlights key structural requirements for TRP channel opening, closing, folding and for intra-subunit interactions in a native context-Drosophila photoreceptor cells.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:The importance of TRP channels for sensory biology and human health has motivated tremendous effort in trying to understand the roles of the structural motifs essential for their activation, inactivation and protein folding. In the current work, we have exploited the unique advantages of the Drosophila visual system to reveal mechanistic insights into TRP channel function in a native system-photoreceptor cells. Using a combination of electrophysiology (field recordings), cell biology and molecular modeling, we have revealed roles of key motifs for activation, inactivation and protein folding of TRP in vivo.
Reviving the “Schottky” Barrier for Flexible Polymer Dielectrics with a Superior 2D Nanoassembly Coating

The organic insulator-metal interface is the most important junction in flexible electronics. The strong band offset of organic insulators over the Fermi level of electrodes should theoretically impart a sufficient impediment for charge injection known as the Schottky barrier. However, defect formation through Anderson localization due to topological disorder in polymers leads to reduced barriers and hence cumbersome devices. A facile nanocoating comprising hundreds of highly oriented organic/inorganic alternating nanolayers is self-coassembled on the surface of polymer films to revive the Schottky barrier. Carrier injection over the enhanced barrier is further shunted by anisotropic 2D conduction. This new interface engineering strategy allows a significant elevation of the operating field for organic insulators by 45% and a 7× improvement in discharge efficiency for Kapton at 150 °C. This superior 2D nanocoating thus provides a defect-tolerant approach for effective reviving of the Schottky barrier, one century after its discovery, broadly applicable for flexible electronics.
Chapter 79 Differential regulation of striatal dopamine D1 and D2 receptor systems in Parkinson's disease and effects of adrenal medullary transplant

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the differential regulation of striatal dopamine Dl and D2 receptor systems in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the effects of adrenal medullary transplant. The subtypes of the DA receptor are differentially affected in PD. Moreover, subgroups defined on the basis of a progressive dementia, whether related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology or not, show alterations in one subtype of the DA receptor that is different from relatively pure motor cases of PD. The akinetic state associated with late stage PD has been associated with an elevated level of D1 receptors that could be partially reversed with an adrenal medullary graft. The case presented in the chapter did not show significant reversal of the akinesia nor reversal of the D1/D2 ratio in the motor part of the striatum. It would be important to know whether reversal of symptoms is correlated with changes in the ratio of D1/D2 receptors in that region.
An analysis of the doctrine of the priesthood of Jesus Christ in the functional Christology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Christian George approaches Charles Spurgeon’s sermons in terms of a preached Christology , that is, a Christology not confined to dogmatics but operative in preaching. If we want to know what a model of Christology might look like preached, here in Spurgeon’s sermons we find it. This is because, as George notes, for Spurgeon, true Christianity involved ‘personally living with a personal Saviour, personally trusting a personal Redeemer, personally crying out to a personal Intercessor.’ For those who preach, Spurgeon’s sermons constitute a challenge – to proclaim, for example, the High Priesthood of Christ, the nature of His mediation, the range and depth of His intercession – and, at the same time, offer a model of how this might be done.
Removal of Plutonium and Americium from Hydrochloric Acid Waste Streams Using Extraction Chomatography

Extraction chromatography is under development as a method to lower actinide activity levels in hydrochloric acid (HCl) effluent steams. Successful application of this technique for radioactive liquid waste treatment would provide a low activity feedstream for HCl recycle, reduce the loss of radioactivity to the environment in aqueous effluents, and lower the quantity and improve the form of solid waste generated.
Airbreathing Engines for Space Shuttle

The requirements imposed on the airbreathing engines by the shuttle mission and some results from engine design studies are discussed. In particular, some of the engine system weight study results are presented, potential problem areas and required engine modifications are identified, and testing requirements for a development and qualification program are discussed. The engines of interest for the shuttle are engines that are currently being developed for other applications. The potential problems, engine modifications, and testing requirements result primarily from the new environments associated with launch, space residence, and reentry.
Building a Better Toilet

The purpose of this article is to identify and describe projects with the goal of providing a solution to the consequences of poor sanitation by providing access, for all, to safe and hygienic toilets. Projects discussed are varied in their approach. The microbial fuel cell latrine produces electricity, makes compost, and protects the groundwater. The Clean Team, which is part of the Uniloo project, provides stand-alone cartridge-type toilets with emptying service two times a week. Waste will be processed to make the project sustainable. The Reinvent the Toilet Challenge by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is presented, along with information about the 2012 Challenge winners and descriptions of the winning prototypes. A fecal sludge resource recovery project is discussed as a solution to filled Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines (VIPLs). The projects represent varied approaches to toilet innovation, each utilizing different materials with different outcomes. Yet all of these innovations are similar in that they have the common goal of improving the living conditions of the more than 40% of people worldwide who lack access to toilets. Keywords: Sanitation, toilets, latrines, fecal sludge resource recovery
Conservation of Topology, But Not Conformation, of the Proteolipid Proteins of the Myelin Sheath

The proteolipid protein gene products DM-20 and PLP are adhesive intrinsic membrane proteins that make up ≥50% of the protein in myelin and serve to stabilize compact myelin sheaths at the extracellular surfaces of apposed membrane lamellae. To identify which domains of DM-20 and PLP are positioned topologically in the extracellular space to participate in adhesion, we engineered N-glycosylation consensus sites into the hydrophilic segments and determined the extent of glycosylation. In addition, we assessed the presence of two translocation stop-transfer signals and, finally, mapped the extracellular and cytoplasmic dispositions of four antibody epitopes. We find that the topologies of DM-20 and PLP are identical, with both proteins possessing four transmembrane domains and N and C termini exposed to the cytoplasm. Consistent with this notion, DM-20 and PLP contain within their N- and C-terminal halves independent stop-transfer signals for insertion into the bilayer of the rough endoplasmic reticulum during de novo synthesis. Surprisingly, the conformation (as opposed to topology) of DM-20 and PLP may differ, which has been inferred from the divergent effects that many missense mutations have on the intracellular trafficking of these two isoforms. The 35 amino acid cytoplasmic peptide in PLP, which distinguishes this protein from DM-20, imparts a sensitivity to mutations in extracellular domains. This peptide may normally function during myelinogenesis to detect conformational changes originating across the bilayer from extracellular PLP interactions in trans and trigger intracellular events such as membrane compaction in the cytoplasmic compartment.
The Indiana Bill of Rights

The first Bill of Rights for Indiana was created when the constitutional convention of the Territory of Indiana met at the Harrison County Court House at Corydon on June 10, 1816. The convention had met for the purpose of drafting a constitution for a state government, a necessary condition to becoming admitted into the Union as a state. There was apparently no question but that a bill of rights should constitute a part of this constitution. Since there seemed to be a general desire to achieve statehood by fall election time, the delegates wasted no time in accomplishing the purpose for which they had come. The convention itself was in session just twenty days, including two Sundays, finishing its labors on Saturday,, June 29. The Bill of Rights was handled with like speed and dispatch. On Wednesday afternoon, June 12, the convention president, Jonathan Jennings, who was shortly thereafter to become the first governor of the state, appointed the committee on the preamble and bill of rights. Two days later, the chairman of the committee, John Badollet, reported to the convention a proposed bill of rights consisting of twenty four sections. Although no record of the debates of this convention was kept, it would appear from the convention journal that these sections received little discussion, and were approved by the convention with only slight changes being made., A glance at the members of the committee on the bill of rights might explain to some extent why the proposed bill of rights passed with so little change. They were for the
Comparison of the relative endurance and critical occluding tension levels of men and women.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare directly the relative endurance of men and women and to assess their critical occluding tension levels. College-age physical education majors volunteered as subjects for this study (N = 36). The percentages of maximal grip strength used for the relative endurance tests were 45%, 60%, and 75%, with local circulation to the muscles intact and artifically occluded by a pressure cuff. Analysis of the data revealed that the critical occluding tension level was higher in women than in men. The relative endurance performance of women was superior to that of men only at submaximal tension levels below their critical occluding tension level of 60% maximal, voluntary, contractile strength (MVC).
Mechanical properties of monocrystalline C11b MoSi2 with small aluminum additions

Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi{sub 2}) is a promising material for high temperature structural applications due to its high oxidation resistance, low density compared to nickel superalloys and high specific stiffness. These advantages are hindered by its poor low temperature fracture toughness, which in polycrystals deteriorates with increasing temperature due to the presence of glassy silica in the grain boundaries that produces intergranular fracture. Given that the effects of small Al additions on the mechanical properties of single crystals have not yet been explored, a study of the Vickers hardness for different crystallographic planes and directions has been carried out in monocrystalline Mo(Si,Al){sub 2} with the tetragonal Cl1{sub b} structure at room temperature and the results compared to measurements carried out in pure MoSi{sub 2} single crystals.
The Chemical Kinetics of CO2 Atmospheres

Abstract This review examines laboratory observations of the ultraviolet absorption and dissociation processes of CO2 and the reactions of the dissociation products. The following conclusions about photolytic formation of CO and O atoms are reached. In the pressure and temperature conditions found in planetary atmospheres, CO2 is dissociated at the rate implied by the absorption measurements made at higher pressure in the laboratory. Although most of the O atoms produced in the λ < 1650 A dissociation process are initially formed in the O(1D) state, these atoms are quenched to ground state O atoms after a few collisions with CO2. There is no persuasive laboratory evidence to support the hypothesis that a metastable CO3 species is formed in the O(1D)-CO2 quenching process. The possible fates of the CO and O atoms after they are formed in the photolysis process are examined to see if known reactions can account for the observations of low O atom concentrations in the upper atmosphere and low overall mixing ...
Monodromy Preserving Deformation of Linear Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations

A survey of the theory of monodromy preserving deformation of linear ordinary and partial differential equations and the associated nonlinear deformation equations is presented.
What Nurses Need To Know Regarding Nutritional and Immunobiological Properties of Human Milk

In this article, we discuss the nutritional and immunobiological components of human milk that nurses need to know to offer optimal care and education to their patients and families. We describe the major macronutrients and micronutrients in human milk that are essential to the growth and development of the newborn infant, and we discuss the immunobiological components of human milk that supplement and boost the newborn's immune system.
Action Learning in Business Education: Goals, Impact, and Global Perspectives

Conference Report for "Action Learning in Business Education: Goals, Impact, and Global Perspectives" at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan from June 3-5, 2015. This academic conference brought together business-school educators to discuss best practices, learning outcomes, student reflection, and new opportunities in this important space.
State policy action on Medicaid telemedicine reimbursement laws

Abstract Objective The spread of Medicaid telemedicine is limited due to the lack of comprehensive provider reimbursement laws. As federal legislation for insurance coverage lags behind its demand, states have taken the lead by passing tele-Medicaid reimbursement policy; yet, states vary on levels of comprehensiveness to cover all Medicaid providers, telemedicine technology, and service sites. This lack of uniformity creates a fragmented tele-Medicaid environment. The objective of this study is to explore state factors that predict policy adoption of comprehensive tele-Medicaid insurance reimbursement laws. Methods We use multivariate regression analysis and state-level data and control for political, socioeconomic, and demand factors. Results Ordered logistic regression analysis shows that states with greater household Internet access rate and a greater number of rural health clinics are more likely to pass comprehensive Medicaid telemedicine reimbursement laws. States with a greater history of adopting health insurance reform policies (not requiring technology for support) are not as likely to pass tele-Medicaid reimbursement laws that require technology. Conclusion Comprehensive tele-Medicaid reimbursement laws are more likely to be adopted in states with a greater Internet technology capacity, and greater rural clinic infrastructure. States who have previously passed innovative health insurance policies are not adopting the tele-Medicaid insurance laws.
Sensor placement for on-orbit modal identification of large space structure via a genetic algorithm

A variant of the genetic algorithm is used to place sensors optimally on a large space structure for the purpose of modal identification. The selection and reproduction schemes of the genetic algorithm are modified and a new operator called forced mutation is introduced. These changes are shown to improve the convergence of the algorithm and to lead to near-optimal sensor locations. Simulated results are also compared with previous results obtained by the effective independent method. The genetic algorithm based sensor configuration estimates the target mode response more accurately. >
Derivation of Minimal Test Sets for Monotonic Logic Circuits

It is shown that the number of maximal false vertices and minimal true vertices is the minimum number of tests required to detect all s-a-1 and s-a-0 faults in any irredundant two-level realization of a 2-monotonic function.
Design of a six-axis micro-scale nanopositioner—μHexFlex

Abstract This paper presents the design of a small-scale nanopositioner, the μHexFlex, which is comprised of a six-axis compliant mechanism and three pairs of two-axis thermo-mechanical micro-actuators. In this paper, we cover the modeling, design and fabrication of the μHexFlex. Specific attention is given to: (1) the use of constraint-based design in generating the compliant mechanism design, (2) the modeling of the actuators, and (3) the system model which links the actuator input and mechanism response. The measured, quasi-static performance of a 3 mm diameter prototype shows a maximum range of 8.4 μm × 12.8 μm × 8.8 μm and 19.2 mrad × 17.5 mrad × 33.2 mrad (1.1° × 1.0° × 1.9°). Experimental results indicate that a constant mechanical/electrical material property system model may be used to predict the position and orientation over a range of 3.0 μm × 4.4 μm × 3.0 μm and 6.3 mrad × 6.3 mrad × 8.7 mrad (0.36° × 0.36° × 0.5°). The dynamic characteristics of the device were investigated experimentally. Experimental results show a lowest natural frequency of 4 kHz. The resolution characteristics of the device have been measured at 1 A/mV. The device was created using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). Bulk fabrication costs are estimated at less than $ 2 per device.
Effect of Methionine on Copper-Induced Growth Depression and Gizzard Erosion

Abstract Erosion of the gizzard lining of chicks fed a practical diet supplemented with high levels of copper (250, 500, or 750 ppm) was not prevented by including more methionine in the diet (.4%). Proventriculi of chicks fed high levels of copper were enlarged and abnormal in appearance, and methionine supplementation also failed to prevent this condition. A significant growth depression and reduced feed efficiency caused by 500 ppm copper was completely counteracted by including an additional .4% D,L-methionine in the ration. Adding the same level of methionine to a diet with 750 ppm copper did not significantly counteract the toxicity as measured by growth and feed efficiency.
Unprecedented Syndioselectivity and Syndiotactic Polyolefin Melting Temperature: Polypropylene and Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) from a Highly Active, Sterically Expanded η1-Fluorenyl−η1-Amido Zirconium Complex

The structurally unique, sterically expanded η1-fluorenyl−η1-amido single-site precatalyst, Me2Si(η1-N-tBu)(η1-C29H36)ZrCl2·OEt2 (3), upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), is remarkably active and constitutes the most syndioselective α-olefin polymerization catalyst system yet reported. 3/MAO affords as-prepared syndiotactic polypropylene with [rrrr] > 99% and unprecedented melting temperatures for the unannealed (165 °C) and annealed (174 °C) polymers. The activity of this system is 4 times that of the prototypical syndioselective catalyst Me2C(η5-C5H4)(η5-C13H8)ZrCl2/MAO. The high activity and syndioselectivity of 3/MAO can be extended to the production of syndiotactic poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) with a record melting temperature of 215 °C and [rrrr] = 97%.
Bioactivity profiling with parallel mass spectrometry reveals an assemblage of green tea metabolites affording protection against human huntingtin and α-synuclein toxicity

Aberrant protein aggregation and misfolding are key pathological features of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Compounds that offer protection from toxicity associated with aggregation-prone neurodegenerative proteins may have applications for the treatment of a multitude of disorders. A high-throughput bioassay system with parallel electrospray ionization mass spectrometry screening has been designed for critical evaluation of milligram quantities of natural product extracts, including dietary substances, for compounds of pharmacological relevance to the treatment of human neurodegenerative diseases. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains engineered to express mutant human huntingtin and alpha-synuclein, we are able to identify extracts and compounds that protect cells from toxicity associated with these proteins. Applying this screening paradigm, we determined that a bioactive green tea extract contains an assemblage of catechins that were individually characterized for their respective protective effects against huntingtin and alpha-synuclein toxicity.
Nanospheres formulated from L-tyrosine polyphosphate as a potential intracellular delivery device.

Current delivery devices for drugs and genes such as films and microspheres are usually formulated from polymers that degrade over a period of months. In general, these delivery systems are designed to achieve an extracellular release of their encapsulated drugs. For drugs that require interaction with cellular machinery, the efficacies of both macroscopic and microscopic delivery systems are normally low. In contrast, nano-sized drug delivery vehicles could achieve high delivery efficiencies, but they must degrade quickly, and the delivery system itself should be nontoxic to cells. In this aspect, biodegradable nanospheres formulated from l-tyrosine polyphosphate (LTP) have been produced from an emulsion of oil and water for the potential use as an intracellular delivery device. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS) show that LTP nanospheres possess a diameter range between 100 and 600 nm. SEM reveals nanospheres formulated from LTP are spherical and smooth. Additionally, DLS studies demonstrate that nanospheres degrade hydrolytically in 7 days. Confocal microscopy reveals LTP nanospheres are internalized within human fibroblasts. Finally, the cell viability after exposure to LTP nanospheres and determined with a LIVE/DEAD® Cell Viability Assay is comparable to a buffer control. In conclusion, our nanospheres have been shown to be nontoxic to human cells, possess the appropriate size for endocytosis by human cells, and degrade within 7 days. Therefore LTP nanospheres can be used for a sustained intracellular delivery device.
Resistance to apoptosis caused by PIG-A gene mutations in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder resulting from mutations in an X-linked gene, PIG-A, that encodes an enzyme required for the first step in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. PIG-A mutations result in absent or decreased cell surface expression of all GPI-anchored proteins. Although many of the clinical manifestations (e.g., hemolytic anemia) of the disease can be explained by a deficiency of GPI-anchored complement regulatory proteins such as CD59 and CD55, it is unclear why the PNH clone dominates hematopoiesis and why it is prone to evolve into acute leukemia. We found that PIG-A mutations confer a survival advantage by making cells relatively resistant to apoptotic death. When placed in serum-free medium, granulocytes and affected CD34(+) (CD59(-)) cells from PNH patients survived longer than their normal counterparts. PNH cells were also relatively resistant to apoptosis induced by ionizing irradiation. Replacement of the normal PIG-A gene in PNH cell lines reversed the cellular resistance to apoptosis. Inhibited apoptosis resulting from PIG-A mutations appears to be the principle mechanism by which PNH cells maintain a growth advantage over normal progenitors and could play a role in the propensity of this disease to transform into more aggressive hematologic disorders. These data also suggest that GPI anchors are important in regulating apoptosis.
Ionic mechanisms of electrical rhythmicity in gastrointestinal smooth muscles.

Bozler recorded electrical slow waves from the surface of the stomach with extracellular electrodes and attributed the contractile activity of the stomach to these events (10). Bozler deduced the waveform of slow waves by integrating the extracellular records, and he discovered that these events were om­ nipresent, occurring even when there was litle or no detectable motor activity. He also realized that regulation of the force of contractions was primarily accomplished by modulating the plateau phase of slow waves. These concepts were amplified and refined by a large volume of work performed primarily in the laboratories of Christensen, Daniel, Prosser, Szurszewski, and Tomita during the 1960s and 1970s. These investigators and their co-workers assem­ bled an important body of information that described the pharmacology and ionic dependence of electrical slow waves in a variety of organs and species. The findings and concepts that grew from this work have been reviewed previously (54, 59). Tomita addressed the mechanism of slow waves (59), which had been difficult to ascertain because of the problems of voltage-clamping syncytial,
Calmodulin activation and inhibition of skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor)

The calmodulin-binding properties of the rabbit skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) and the channel's regulation by calmodulin were determined at
Management of diabetes mellitus from a public health perspective

This article details the scope and the impact of diabetes in the United States including the prevalence, demographics, morbidity and mortality, and costs. The current status of medical care for diabetes is used to illustrate why diabetes should be approached from a proactive public health perspective, rather than a reactive, traditional medical perspective. The importance of early diagnosis and secondary intervention programs for prevention and early detection of diabetes complications are emphasized. The specialty-based intensive management model, the primary care-based co-management model, the systems management model, and the mini-clinic models are presented as potential paradigms for approaching diabetes care from a public health perspective. Requirements for implementing a public health approach to diabetes care including long-term planning, targeting patients for improved care, and goal setting for outcomes of care, are discussed.
Response of a maize synthetic to selection for components of partial resistance to Exserohilum turcicum

A synthetic population of maize (Zea mays) was created from five inbred lines of varying levels of partial resistance to northern leaf blight (NLB). This synthetic was subjected to three cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection with pollen control for either increased latent period or decreased lesion length. A selection intensity of ca. 10% was used in each selection cycle. The original synthetic and three advanced selection cycles for each of the two components of partial resistance were evaluated in field trials in the summers of 1999 and 2001, and in greenhouse trials. Selection for increased latent period was more effective in improving resistance to NLB (20 to 27% gain/cycle) (as measured by area under the disease progress curve [AUDPC]) than was selection for decreased lesion length (14 to 18% gain/cycle). Responses in AUDPC to selection for either component of resistance were linear in the 1999 field trial, but were quadratic (decreased response in advanced cycles) in the 2001 trial. Selection for increased latent period in the field resulted in a 0.6-day increase in latent period per selection cycle when measured in the greenhouse and a 2-day increase per selection cycle when measured in the field. Selection for decreased lesion length in the field did not significantly alter latent period in the greenhouse. These results support using selection for increased latent period as an effective means of improving partial resistance to NLB in maize populations. Decreased lesion length was more difficult to measure and selection based on this criterion was less effective in improving partial resistance.
Thermal analysis technique applied to a conformal phased array antenna

Development of an advanced interceptor vehicle instrumentation system required the thermal analysis of a conformal phased array antenna subjected to hypersonic flight velocities. Thermal, structural, and electrical considerations mandated that three-dimensional temperature fields in a charring, ablating medium be developed. The approach taken to solve the problem was to develop boundary conditions via multiple onedimensional charring ablation analyses and impose these on a three-dimensional temperature analysis model, using a graphics-orien ted preprocessing routine. A time-temperatu re boundary condition was imposed on the three-dimensional model at a depth below the preflight external surface. The in-depth temperature fields that were developed were then used with a structural analysis routine to estimate material stress levels during flight. The computer codes used in this analysis were all well established in their respective areas of application.
Selective excitation via the continuum and suppression of ionization.

Two laser pulses that overlap in time have been successfully used for coherent excitation of a molecule or atom to a desired state. An intermediate state that is at or near resonance with the laser frequencies has been used in past experiments and calculations. Here we replace this intermediate state by a continuum of intermediate states. An analytic solution of a simple model suggests that the continuum can be used in such an excitation scheme, provided that the laser pulses are arranged in the so-called counterintuitive order. We use a special case of this solution to relate this work to ionization suppression and coherent population trapping.
Solvent Accessibility of the Phycocyanobilin Chromophore in the α Subunit of C-Phycocyanin: Implications for a Molecular Mechanism for Inertial Protein-Matrix Solvation Dynamics

The solvent environment of the phycocyanobilin chromophore bound by the α subunit of C-phycocyanin was probed in buffered binary solvent systems consisting of water and methanol, acetonitrile, or acetone. The focus of the work was on determining whether the inertial phase of the solvent response observed previously in the α subunit from femtosecond transient hole-burning spectroscopy [Riter et al. (1996) J. Phys. Chem. 100, 14198−14205] involves solvent dipoles in the bulk. Continuous absorption and fluorescence spectra at room temperature show that addition of the nonaqueous solvent results in a change in the tertiary structure of the protein so that the phycocyanobilin chromophore is unclamped and allowed to assume a cyclic conformation. At low concentrations of nonaqueous solvent, we observe a conformational equilibrium characterized by a cooperative binding of nonaqueous solvent. The phycocyanobilin chromophore exhibits a nonshifted absorption and fluorescence spectrum characteristic of its native, ex...
Periodic postpartum separation from the offspring results in long-lasting changes in anxiety-related behaviors and sensitivity to morphine in Long-Evans mother rats.

Rationale: According to recent studies daily, 3-h separations from the dam on postnatal days 2–14 produce long-lasting changes in responses to stressors and sensitivity to morphine in Long-Evans offspring. It has not been investigated whether daily dam–litter separations can have long-lasting effects also on the mother beyond weaning of the pups. Objective: We tested whether dams that were separated from their litter for 3 h daily (LS) on postpartum days 2–14, like their offspring, exhibit altered anxiety-like behaviors and sensitivity to morphine, compared to dams that experienced only brief (15-min) separations (BS) from the litter or that were left undisturbed (NH) during the same period. Methods: Four to six weeks after weaning, subjects were tested on the elevated plus-maze, in a novel locomotor activity arena, or were exposed to loud auditory stimuli. Sensitivity to morphine was assessed using hot-plate and tail-flick tests. Results: LS dams spent significantly more time in the open arms of the plus-maze and in the center of the locomotor activity arena, and were more likely to emit ultrasonic vocalizations in response to auditory startle stimuli compared to NH dams. Furthermore, LS dams were less sensitive to morphine, primarily in the tail-flick test. Dams that experienced brief litter separations (BS), like LS dams, exhibited altered performance on the plus-maze and elevated ultrasonic vocalizations. However, BS dams were similar to NH controls in locomotor activity and sensitivity to morphine. Conclusions: Multiple postpartum separations from the offspring alter the behavior of Long-Evans dams in novel/aversive environments and affect their sensitivity to the antinociceptive effects of morphine.
Improved FF in P-Si heterojunction solar cells due to optimized ITO/emitter contact

In this paper, we focused on the effect of deposition parameters of a-Si:H (n) emitter layer and its influence on fill factor (FF) of p-type silicon hetero-junction solar cell. a-Si:H (n) films deposited by PECVD at different temperatures and DC plasma current were characterized and incorporated into SHJ solar cells. The optical and structural characterization results have shown that temperature has significantly more effect on a-Si:H properties than the other deposition parameters such as doping gas flow and deposition power. JV measurements have shown that n-a-Si:H emitters deposited at 250 °C lead to significantly higher FF due to reduced contact resistance between a-Si:H (n) emitter layer and ITO on the front side of SHJ. Test structures fabricated to evaluate the ITO/a-Si(n) contact indicate that n-layers deposited at 200 °C or below have non-ohmic blocking contacts with ITO while those deposited at 250 °C have low resistance ohmic contacts. This suggests that the commonly observed ‘S-curves’ can be partially due to the ITO/a-Si heterocontact. The n-layers deposited at 250 °C on double side polished p c-Si resulted in an FF of 76.3% with an open-circuit voltage (V oc ) of 603 mV, a short-circuit current (J sc ) of 30.7 mA/cm2 with efficiency 14.1% without an a-Si:H layer for the surface passivation.
Microwave synthesis of ETS-4 and ETS-4 thin films

Abstract Engelhard titanosilicate (ETS-4) was successfully synthesized by microwave heating at 235 °C within 50 min. ETS-4 was synthesized using titanium(IV) butoxide as the titanium source. Microwave irradiation shortened the synthesis time considerably as compared to conventional heating which resulted in the rapid synthesis of ETS-4 in less than 1 h compared to 36–48 h for the traditional synthesis. Pulsed laser deposition and microwave treatment was also studied for the preparation of ETS-4 films on alumina.
Limiting distribution for monotone median regression

Abstract Suppose that observations (x1,y1),…,(xn,yn) are sampled from a regression model y=f(t)+e, where f is a nondecreasing function. Denote by f n the estimate which is a nondecreasing function and minimizes ∑ i=1 n |y i −f(t i )| over all nondecreasing functions f. This paper derives the limiting distribution of f n at a given point.
AZTEC-PERIOD POLITICAL ORGANIZATION IN THE TEOTIHUACAN VALLEY: Otumba as a city-state

The Aztec period city-state of Otumba in the upper Teotihuacan Valley was integrated into the Acolhua domain from the early 1430s to about 1515. It then became independent, demonstrating the fragility of city-state organization as a means of regional political integration. A close look at Otumba and other city-states in the Teotihuacan Valley reveals that Acolhua strategies of social engineering welded together the potentially-autonomous city-states into an elaborate political system with impressive structural strengthening and improved flow of services and materials through it.
Xpress: crowdsourcing native speakers to learn colloquial expressions in a second language

Many second language (SL) learners want to speak fluently to native speakers. However, formal language education and existing tools are insufficient for learning language for use in daily life. We propose Xpress, a mobile Q&A-based system that crowdsources native speakers to provide everyday expressions to SL learners. To enable native speakers to understand SL learners' questions, Xpress allows SL learners to compose "context-embedded" questions with the help of multimedia. In addition, Xpress allows SL learners to explore expressions broadly and search for topic-specific expressions. Finally, Xpress provides several facilities to help effective learning of expressions. The results of our study confirm the above design idea and show Xpress' potential to help SL learners effectively learn colloquial expressions.
Hypersonic shock-induced combustion in a hydrogen-air system

A numerical study was carried out to investigate the shock-induced combustion in premixed hydrogen-air mixture. The calculations have been carried out for Mach 5.11 and 6.46. The Mach 5.11 case was found to be unsteady with periodic oscillations. The frequency of oscillations was calculated and was found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed frequency. The Mach 6.46 case was found to be of a very high frequency and very low-amplitude phenomena. Thus it can be considered as macroscopically stable. This supports the existing view that it is possible to stabilize the shock-induced combustion phenomena with sufficient level of overdrive. 16 refs.
The Virgin Knight: Spenser’s Embodiment of Duality in Elizabethan England

Edmund Spenser’s poetry notoriously battles itself, contorting the surface of his poetical works into an ambiguous representation of how he perceived Elizabethan England in terms of theology, sexuality, nobility, and ideology. Written as what he termed “an historicall fiction,” Spenser allowed his imagination to capture and epitomize the perspectives of Elizabethan society—but in a twisted fashion. The primary focus of appearance versus reality consumed him and became an encompassing factor of his work. In fact, he allowed one of his protagonists to become the embodiment of his struggle: Britmart, the virgin knight, assumes a life of chastity and tribadism; ferocity and delicacy; the penetrator and the penetrated. Her conflicting roles as a chaste woman who exceeds the boundaries of what was expected for her gender encompasses her identity as an androgynous woman who refuses to abide by her expected gender performativity. When she confronts Malecasta at the House of Ioue, she becomes exposed to her conflicting, tense nature that fuels her essence as a penetrating virgin, allowing Spenser to indirectly expose Elizabethan England to restrictions on gender roles and sexuality due to his wordplays with language, means of representation, and repeated notions of dualism. Britomart, the virgin knight, embraces her character while serving as a canvas for Spenser to echo or defy common ideologies in Elizabethan England in terms of sexuality, chivalry, and identity.