cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlocal Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations as Models of Superfluidity

Condensate models for superfluid helium II with nonlocal potentials are considered. The potentials are chosen so that the models give a good fit to the Landau dispersion curve; i.e., the plot of quasi-particle energy E versus momentum p has the correct slope at the origin (giving the correct sound velocity) and the roton minimum is close to that experimentally observed. It is shown that for any such potential the condensate model has non-physical features, specifically the development of catastrophic singularities and unphysical mass concentrations. Two numerical examples are considered: the evolution of a radially symmetric mass disturbance and the flow around a solid sphere moving with constant velocity, both using the nonlocal Ginsburg–Pitaevskii model. During the evolution of the solution in time, mass concentrations develop at the origin in the radially symmetric case and along the axis of symmetry for the motion of the sphere.
Performance of PROMIS Global-10 compared with legacy instruments in patients with shoulder arthritis

Background The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global-10 measures physical and mental health and provides an estimated EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) score. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the PROMIS Global-10 and several gold-standard legacy measures to validate its overall performance and usefulness in patients with shoulder arthritis. Methods The study prospectively enrolled 161 patients with shoulder arthritis before treatment. Each patient completed the PROMIS, EQ-5D, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Assessment Form, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) Index. Spearman correlations were calculated, and Bland-Altman agreement tests were conducted between estimated EQ-5D scores from the PROMIS and actual EQ-5D scores. Ceiling and floor effects were determined. Results Correlation between the PROMIS and EQ-5D was excellent (0.72, P Conclusion PROMIS Global-10 physical scores show excellent correlation with the EQ-5D. However, the PROMIS Global-10 cannot replace actual EQ-5D scores for cost-effectiveness assessment in this population because of the large variance in agreement between actual and PROMIS Global-10–estimated EQ-5D scores. PROMIS Global-10 physical scores showed good correlation with the ASES score but poor correlation with other gold-standard patient-reported outcome instruments, suggesting that it is an inappropriate instrument for outcome measurement in populations with shoulder arthritis.
A Quick and Colorful Method to Measure Low-Level Contaminations of Paramagnetic Ni2+ in Protein Samples Purified by Immobilized Metal Ion Affinity Chromatography.

Abstract Isotopic labeling of recombinantly expressed proteins is generally required for investigation by modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. Purification strategies of the labeled proteins often include the use of a polyhistidine affinity tag (His-tag) and immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC). Described herein are rapid and inexpensive qualitative and quantitative assays to determine the concentration of paramagnetic Ni2+ in protein samples purified by IMAC. Both qualitative and quantitative colorimetric methods detect the amount of Ni2+ via the color change produced when a [Ni(PAR)n]2+ (PAR = 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol, n = 1, 2) complex is formed. The qualitative assay provides a rapid visual test for the presence of Ni2+ in the low micromolar range in a sample of interest. The usefulness of the spectroscopic quantitative assay is illustrated by: (i) detecting a 12 μM Ni2+ contamination in an NMR sample containing 950 μM of the 7.5 kDa α3W protein purified by a standard His-tag Ni2+/IMAC approach and (ii) showing that the 15N-HSQC spectrum of the α3W NMR sample, containing 1 paramagnetic Ni2+ ion per 80 protein molecules, displays clear line broadening of both water and protein spectral lines. We also (iii) measured Ni2+ release during the equilibration, wash, and elution steps of three commonly used Ni2+/IMAC resins when following manufacturer's protocols. The concentration of Ni2+ detected in elutes of the three resins ranged from 2 μM to nearly 1 mM.
The Association between Dust Storms and Mortality in the United States, 1995-2005

Extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, heat waves, and dust storms, are expected to increase in the frequency in the coming century. The health impacts of dust storms have been studied e...
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Associated With Infective Endocarditis.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a complication of infective endocarditis (IE) is a rarely reported entity. No clear guidelines exist with regards to the management of this medical emergency. We sought to systematically review the clinical presentation and management of this condition. We searched relevant articles on STEMI associated with IE and extracted data on demographic variables, key clinical characteristics upon presentation, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes. We identified 100 patients from 95 articles. The mean age at presentation was 53 ± 17 years with male preponderance (n = 63, 63%, p = 0.01). Most patients (63 of 100, 63%) presented with STEMI as their first manifestation of IE, with others occurring at 15 ± 17 days after diagnosis of IE. Findings that suggested possible septic emboli were not consistently present, including history of prosthetic valve placement (15%), presence of other embolic disease (27%), fever (42%) increased leukocyte count (80%), and presence of murmur (88%). Atherosclerotic disease was absent in 95% on cardiac catheterization. Eleven patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator fared poorly, with 9 major bleeds; balloon angioplasty was successful in 56% (9 of 16 cases), aspiration thombectomy in 68% (21 of 31 cases), and coronary stenting in 81% (14 of 16 cases). The 30-day mortality was 43%. In conclusion, patients with STEMI in the face of recent IE, new precordial murmur, fever, increased leukocyte count or other embolic events, septic emboli should be considered as a cause for STEMI. Best practices for management are not known, but thrombolytics appear to carry significant bleeding and embolic risks.
Analysis of the prevalence and onset of dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms in movement disorders at an academic medical center.

Abstract Voice and swallowing impairments are common in movement disorders, but their effect on patients’ quality of life is not well known. This study was conducted to determine the onset and prevalence of patient-reported dysphonia and dysphagia symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), dystonia, Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes (APS), and Essential Tremor (ET). Patients referred to a movement disorders clinic in a tertiary care academic medical center completed validated voice and swallowing specific Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaires: Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10). Patient demographics and clinical data were also collected. Two hundred and sixty-eight patients (males = 150, females = 118) completed the questionnaires (n was PD = 103, APS = 30, ET = 56, dystonia = 32, other = 47). Prevalence of patient-reported dysphagia symptoms was significantly higher in APS (63%) than PD (26%), ET (25%), and dystonia (31%). Prevalence of patient-reported dysphonia symptoms was significantly lower in ET (14%) compared to PD (34%) and APS (43%). Disease duration was shorter in PD and APS compared to ET and dystonia (p
Examples Using Tree-Based Analysis

In epidemiologic studies, one of the most frequently encountered issues is to evaluate the association between a set of putative risk factors and a disease outcome, controlling for another set of potential confounders. In this chapter, we illustrate how to apply the tree-based method in this regard. The discussion is mostly adopted from Zhang and Bracken (1996).
Migration of Melt

Abstract Magma erupted on the Earth's surface is generated by partial melting of rocks at depth. Melt, initially distributed along grain edges and in junctions, must segregate from the solid matrix. This segregation process has been modeled as two-phase or porous flow. The driving force for melt migration can be related to differences in interfacial energies, the buoyancy of melt relative to residual solids or to applied deviatoric stress. The rate of melt migration is controlled by the magnitude of the driving force, the permeability of the melt network, the viscosity of the melt, and the strength of the solid residuum. Modeling of the melt migration process is complicated by the interdependence of these physical parameters. Permeability is determined by melt network geometry and melt volume fraction. Melt distribution in the solid is affected by the deformation of the solid grains and any crystalline anisotropy that might develop as a result. Melt decreases the viscosity of the rock. Deviatoric stress and strain can result in a preferred alignment of the melt network in response, focusing melt into channels as strength contrasts within the partially molten region develop. Though not likely under mantle conditions, in crustal rocks, this melt preferred alignment in response to stress could lead to brittle failure of the solid matrix as the melt pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the rock. Chemical disequilibrium between melt and solid matrix could also lead to flow channelization through reaction-infiltration instability, further complicating melt migration models.
Trace contaminant studies of HSC adsorbent

The adsorption and desorption of fifteen trace contaminants on HSC (polyethylenimine coated acrylic ester) adsorbent were experimentally investigated with the following two objectives: to test the removal potential and the adsorption reversibility of the selected trace contaminants, and to test the effect a preadsorbed trace contaminant has on the CO2 adsorption capacity. The experimental method for acquiring the adsorption equilibrium data used is based on the volumetric (or displacement) concept of vacuum adsorption. From the experimental results, it was found that the HSC adsorbent has good adsorption potential for contaminants of alcohol compounds, esters, and benzene compounds; whereas, adsorption of ketone compounds, oxidizing and reducing agents are detrimental to the adsorbent. In addition, all liquid contaminants reduce the CO2 capacity of HSC adsorbent.
Word Embeddings (Also) Encode Human Personality Stereotypes.

Word representations trained on text reproduce human implicit bias related to gender, race and age. Methods have been developed to remove such bias. Here, we present results that show that human stereotypes exist even for much more nuanced judgments such as personality, for a variety of person identities beyond the typically legally protected attributes and that these are similarly captured in word representations. Specifically, we collected human judgments about a person’s Big Five personality traits formed solely from information about the occupation, nationality or a common noun description of a hypothetical person. Analysis of the data reveals a large number of statistically significant stereotypes in people. We then demonstrate the bias captured in lexical representations is statistically significantly correlated with the documented human bias. Our results, showing bias for a large set of person descriptors for such nuanced traits put in doubt the feasibility of broadly and fairly applying debiasing methods and call for the development of new methods for auditing language technology systems and resources.
Investigation of visible light emission from hydrogen-air research flames

Abstract Due to the urgency of reducing greenhouse gases in the combustion process, low-carbon renewable gaseous fuels are needed to replace the pipeline natural gas. Hydrogen is a competitive sustainable energy source, and also a promising energy carrier because of its zero-carbon property and low molecular weight. This study analyzed the flame characteristics of a cooktop burner operating on different natural gas/hydrogen mixtures. As hydrogen percentage increasing from 0% to 75% in the fuel mixture, more reddish color was observed in the flame, which is against the scientific fact that hydrogen flame color is usually pale blue color or even invisible under normal light condition. Therefore, combustion experiments and electron microscopy analysis are conducted to track the source of the abnormal color in the flame. The results suggest that the abnormal reddish flame color is from hydrogen embrittlement on the storage and transport facilities.
Intermembrane transport: Glycerophospholipid homeostasis of the Gram-negative cell envelope

This perspective addresses recent advances in lipid transport across the Gram-negative inner and outer membranes. While we include a summary of previously existing literature regarding this topic, we focus on the maintenance of lipid asymmetry (Mla) pathway. Discovered in 2009 by the Silhavy group [J. C. Malinverni, T. J. Silhavy, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106, 8009–8014 (2009)], Mla has become increasingly appreciated for its role in bacterial cell envelope physiology. Through the work of many, we have gained an increasingly mechanistic understanding of the function of Mla via genetic, biochemical, and structural methods. Despite this, there is a degree of controversy surrounding the directionality in which Mla transports lipids. While the initial discovery and subsequent studies have posited that it mediated retrograde lipid transport (removing glycerophospholipids from the outer membrane and returning them to the inner membrane), others have asserted the opposite. This Perspective aims to lay out the evidence in an unbiased, yet critical, manner for Mla-mediated transport in addition to postulation of mechanisms for anterograde lipid transport from the inner to outer membranes.
Stable and Highly Conductive Polycation–Polybenzimidazole Membrane Blends for Intermediate Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Intermediate-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (IT-PEMFCs), operating with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) doped polybenzimidazole (PBI), are severely limited by H3PO4 evaporation at high...
APEC Organizers, Vendors Take Virtual Route to Reveal Latest Trends in Power Technologies and Products: A Cancelled Conference Taps Alternate Methods to Disseminate Cutting-Edge Information

With the growing concerns of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the IEEE Power Electronics Society/Industrial Applications Society (PELS/IAS) and Power Supply Manufacturers Association-sponsored 2020 Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC 2020) in New Orleans, Louisiana, was cancelled for the safety of the attendees. While it was a difficult decision, the health, safety, and welfare of the community was paramount for the organizers and sponsors of the 15-19 March 2020 conference. Although this was the first such cancellation in APEC's 35-year history, the organizers were quick to offer a virtual conference to those registered. In addition, peerreviewed papers accepted by the conference committee were submitted to IEEE Xplore and are available to all.
Clinical Considerations for Return to Driving a Car following a Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Aim. The purpose of this study is to systematically review patient characteristics and clinical determinants that may influence return to driving status and time frames following a primary TKA or THA and provide an update of the current literature. Methods. This review was completed per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Final electronic database searches were completed in October 2019 in Medline/PubMed, Medline/OVID, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Cochrane Library using preselected search terms. Manuscripts of prospective and nonrandomized studies that examined the return to driving a car after a primary knee or hip arthroplasty patients were included. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies was used to measure study quality. Two authors selected studies and assessed their qualities. All disagreements were resolved through discussion and, as needed, a third reviewer. Data on study title, author(s), country, year, study design, sample size, inclusion and exclusion criteria, age, BMI, gender, statistical analyses, driving measure, follow-up time, surgical approach, laterality, and postoperative management were extracted from each study. Results. A total of 23 studies were eligible, including 12 TKA studies ( ) with mean ages between 43 and 82 years, 9 THA studies ( ) with mean ages between 34 and 85 years, and 2 combined TKA and THA (TKA, ; THA, ), yielded MINORS scores between 6 and 12. Most patients achieved or exceeded preoperative response times between 1 and 8 weeks following a TKA and 2 days to 8 weeks following a THA, and/or self-reported return to driving between 1 week and 6 months. Influences on return to driving time included laterality and pain, but gender was mixed. Discussion/Conclusions. Study results were consistent with previous systematic reviews in that return to driving a car after a primary TKA or THA is highly variable, and most commonly occurs around 4 weeks, but can range between 2 and 8 weeks. While various patient and clinical factors can influence return to driving for a TKA or THA, the most common contributing facts were pain and laterality. The heterogeneous nature of the studies prevented a meta-analysis for determining contributions of return to driving following a primary TKA or THA. Regardless, this study updates previous systematic reviews and presents insight on patient and clinical factors beyond generalized timeframes for return to driving a car. This information and results from future studies are essential to guide clinical recommendations and patient and clinician expectations for return to driving a car after a primary TKA or THA.
Endogenous Endophthalmitis: Recommendation for Empiric Dual Antibacterial and Antifungal Therapy:

Purpose:This work compares clinical presentation and course of bacterial and fungal causes of endogenous endophthalmitis (EE).Methods:A single-institutional study of consecutive patients diagnosed ...
Lupus mastitis with predominant kappa-restricted plasma cell infiltration: report of a rare case

Lupus mastitis (LM) is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The clinical presentations of LM may mimic breast malignancy, and biopsy or excision is usually performed. Histologically, LM is featured by lymphoplasmacytic inflammation involving breast ducts, lobules, blood vessels and adipose tissue. Characteristic hyaline fat necrosis can be noted in most cases. Here, we reported a case of LM in an elderly female patient who presented with bilateral breast lesions. Histologically, the breast lesions showed prominent hyaline fat necrosis and predominantly plasmacytic inflammation involving breast ducts, vessels and fat lobules. Fibrinoid necrosis of vessels was also noted. The infiltrated plasma cells were Kappa light chain-restricted, but did not show the immunophenotypes for a plasma cell neoplasm. In addition, the patient developed Kappa-restricted plasma cell myeloma 2 years later. The patient was followed up for 8 years, and her breast lesion did not show recurrence. The patient’s unique clinicopathological presentations indicated a potential correlation between her LM and subsequently developed myeloma. It also indicated that the immunophenotypical characterization of infiltrated plasma cells in LM patients with predominant plasma cell infiltration may be important to rule out potential plasma cell neoplasms.
Non-Profit Hospitals, Tax Exemption and Access for the Uninsured

I want to approach the topic of tax exemption for non-profit hospitals from the perspective of the 46 plus million Americans who have no health insurance and the significant additionalnumber whom we might characterize as underinsured. In essence, persons who are underinsured have some form of health coverage but they remain at serious risk for significant out-of-pocket expenditures when they become sick. From this perspective, the key question is what role, if any, do the non-profit health care sector and, more particularly, non-profit hospitals have to play in addressing the vexing problems posed by the large number of uninsured and underinsured. We tend to think of these problems primarily, although not exclusively, as problems of access.
Preventive Cardiovascular Care in Patients With HIV Infection in an Outpatient Clinic.

Background:People/patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to normal disease processes, antiretroviral medica...
Opinion & Special Articles: Maximizing Inclusiveness and Diversity Through Virtual Residency Applications and Interviews.

A diverse workforce is critical to providing high-quality, equitable neurologic care. Many neurologic conditions disproportionately affect Black and Latinx people, but these populations have limited access to neurologic care.1,2 Although healthcare disparities can be reduced with a diverse workforce,3-7 just 2.8% of neurologists are Black and 7.2% are Latinx, compared with the most recent US census with 12.8% of individuals identifying as Black and 18.4% as Latinx.8,9 The gap also exists at the trainee level; 4.4% of neurology residents are Black and 7.2% are Latinx.10 Recruitment of an inclusive residency class is paramount to addressing these inequities.3,5,7,11 A record of 42,508 medical students and physicians applied for residency positions in the United States in 2020–2021, as the application season moved to a virtual format because of the COVID-1912 pandemic. Future residency application seasons will likely be a hybrid of in-person and virtual recruitment. This change presents both unique opportunities and challenges for the recruitment of a diverse and inclusive residency class.13
Propagating Shocks

A survey of propagating interplanetary shocks reveals the following properties: (1) More shocks are observed around solar-activity maximum than minimum. (2) The maximum frequency of shock occurrence is between 2 and 5 AU. (3) Shocks slow down in the inner solar system, but in the outer solar system some may get a boost in speed when overtaken by a following shock. (4) The average shock strength (as measured by either the Mach number or the density ratio) also reaches peak values at distances of 2–5 AU. (5) Shocks are stronger at their noses than at their flanks. (6) At 1 AU, there are many more quasiperpendicular than quasiparallel shocks with the frequency of occurrence roughly constant with the cosine of the angle between the upstream field and the shock normal.
Fried Foods, Gut Microbiota, and Glucose Metabolism.

Hot oil–based frying is a popular cooking method that makes food more appealing in texture and aromatic, thus improving palatability. Fried foods are considered unhealthy because frying may increase the energy density of foods and therefore energy intakes as well as deteriorate oils through the process of oxidation and hydrogenation, leading to a loss of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids but increase in trans fatty acids, oil degradation, and advanced glycation end products (1,2). In epidemiological studies, high intakes of fried foods have been associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes including type 2 diabetes (T2D), although the results are not entirely consistent (3–6). The conflicting findings are partly due to the diverse types of oil used in frying foods. For instance, null associations between fried foods and T2D risk were reported in populations with fried foods prepared using mainly olive oil, which is more resistant to oxidation than other common oils used for frying such as corn oil (4). In addition, the varying compositions of the foods being fried and frying conditions (temperature, duration) may also trigger the heterogeneous results. An extra layer of complexity in the inconsistent observations is introduced by various confounding factors such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and lipidemia, which are correlated with both fried food consumption and T2D risk (1,7). The causality of fried foods in glucose dysregulation and the development of T2D could only be detected in investigations in which the cofounding was rigorously controlled, such as randomized clinical trials. In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the observed adverse associations between fried foods …
On Positive Periodic Solutions for Nonlinear Delayed Differential Equations

We prove the existence of positive ω-periodic solutions for the delayed differential equation $$x^{\prime}(t) = a(t)g(x(t))x(t) - \lambda b(t)f(x(t - \tau (t))),$$ where λ is a positive parameter, \({a,b,\tau \in C(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})}\) are ω-periodic functions with \({a,b\geq 0,a,b \not \equiv 0,f,g\in C([0,\infty ),[0,\infty ))}\), g does not need to be bounded above or bounded away from 0, and g(0) = 0 is allowed.
Laminin Expression in Adult and Developing Retinae: Evidence of Two Novel CNS Laminins

Components of the extracellular matrix exert myriad effects on tissues throughout the body. In particular, the laminins, a family of heterotrimeric extracellular glycoproteins, have been shown to affect tissue development and integrity in such diverse organs as the kidney, lung, skin, and nervous system. Of these, we have focused on the roles that laminins play in the differentiation and maintenance of the nervous system. Here, we examine the expression of all known laminin chains within one component of the CNS, the retina. We find seven laminin chains—α3, α4, α5, β2, β3, γ2, and γ3—outside the retinal basement membranes. Anatomically, these chains are coexpressed in one or both of two locations: the matrix surrounding photoreceptors and the first synaptic layer where photoreceptors synapse with retinal interneurons. Biochemically, four of these chains are coisolated from retinal extracts in two independent complexes, confirming that two novel heterotrimers—α4β2γ3 and α5β2γ3—are present in the retinal matrix. During development, all four of these chains, along with components of laminin 5 (the α3, β3, and γ2 chains) are also expressed at sites at which they could exert important effects on photoreceptor development. Together, these data suggest the existence of two novel laminin heterotrimers in the CNS, which we term here laminin 14 (composed of the α4, β2, and γ3 chains) and laminin 15 (composed of the α5, β2, and γ3 chains), and lead us to hypothesize that these laminins, along with laminin 5, may play roles in photoreceptor production, stability, and synaptic organization.
Ion beam modeling using ARGUS

Over the past several years, the ARGUS code has been used to simulate a variety of ion beam phenomena. ARGUS is a general purpose three-dimensional simulation code. It can handle fields-only electromagnetic and electrostatic simulations, as well as electrostatic (steady-state and time-dependent) and electromagnetic time-dependent particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. In the fields-only electromagnetic regime, ARGUS can be run in the time domain as well as the frequency domain (eigenmodes). The steady-state electrostatic PIC model is essentially a three-dimensional gun code. This paper will present results of using the steady-state PIC module in ARGUS to model two related ion beam devices that use electrostatic quadrupole fields to focus and accelerate an H− ion beam. The results of simulations of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory's (LBL) Constant-Current Variable-Voltage (CCW) H− accelerator will be presented first. For this device, ARGUS has been used to simulate electron trapping and H− stripping between the ion source and the CCW accelerator, acceleration and transport through the CCW modular electrostatic, discrete quadrupole sections. The second device is a helical electrostatic quadrupole used for low-energy beam transport in the SSC.
Generalized langevin equations: A useful tool for the perplexed modeller of nonequilibrium fluctuations?

The author identifies some subtle difficulties that one encounters within the framework of nonlinear generalized Langevin equations. These difficulties become even more pronounced when describing an open system that is in contact with more than one heat bath.
The development of self-directed learning strategies in problem-based learning

Students often leave school without the skills needed for lifelong learning. This is particularly problematic in technical fields such as medicine and engineering where the knowledge is continually changing and advancing [Eden, et al., 1996]. To prepare students for the lifelong learning required for success in such fields, students need to have experience in self-directed learning (SDL) while in school. An innovative approach to learning that explicitly does this is problem-based learning, an educational methodology that applies cognitive science theory to the real world setting of education by having students learn in the context of solving complex problems. Problem-based learning is being used at many medical schools and is increasingly being applied to other settings [Barrows, 1985; Williams, 1993]. Because the problems used are complex, students work in groups, where they pool their expertise and experience and together grapple with the complexities of the issues that must be considered. Facilitators guide student reflection on these experiences, facilitating learning of the cognitive skills needed for problem solving and SDL. Because students direct their learning, skills needed for life-long learning are also acquired, as they manage their learning goals while coping with the problems they are trying to solve [Barrows, 1985]. In this paper, we present a model of self-directed learning and the results of a study that examines components of this model in the context of medical education.
In Sup35p filaments (the [PSI+] prion), the globular C-terminal domains are widely offset from the amyloid fibril backbone

In yeast cells infected with the [PSI+] prion, Sup35p forms aggregates and its activity in translation termination is downregulated. Transfection experiments have shown that Sup35p filaments assembled in vitro are infectious, suggesting that they reproduce or closely resemble the prion. We have used several EM techniques to study the molecular architecture of filaments, seeking clues as to the mechanism of downregulation. Sup35p has an N-terminal 'prion' domain; a highly charged middle (M-)domain; and a C-terminal domain with the translation termination activity. By negative staining, cryo-EM and scanning transmission EM (STEM), filaments of full-length Sup35p show a thin backbone fibril surrounded by a diffuse 65-nm-wide cloud of globular C-domains. In diameter (∼8 nm) and appearance, the backbones resemble amyloid fibrils of N-domains alone. STEM mass-per-unit-length data yield ∼1 subunit per 0.47 nm for N-fibrils, NM-filaments and Sup35p filaments, further supporting the fibril backbone model. The 30 nm radial span of decorating C-domains indicates that the M-domains assume highly extended conformations, offering an explanation for the residual Sup35p activity in infected cells, whereby the C-domains remain free enough to interact with ribosomes.
Neural network based sensor validation for reusable rocket engines

This paper describes a new method of sensor failure detection, isolation, and accommodation using a neural network approach. The proposed technique utilizes dimensionality reduction to develop the neural network for sensor failure detection and data recovery. In this work, the sensor validation scheme is applied in closed loop for detection and recovery of sensor faults in a simulation of the Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) control. The performance of the sensor validation scheme is evaluated based on its ability to detect sensor faults and provide estimates of the actual signals for the SSME engine controller after the sensor faults have been detected. In the simulation, a group of eleven sensors with known analytical redundancy on the fuel side of the SSME is selected for the sensor validation algorithm. Four sensor outputs in this group are used by the controller to regulate the key performance parameters such as thrust and mixture ratio of the engine. The generation of the training data and the training techniques are discussed. The simulation results show that the proposed sensor validation scheme can adequately compensate up to three sensor failures without major deterioration in performance. The effect of the delay time in detecting sensor failures and the transition from the failed sensor values to the estimated values for the controller are discussed. Abilities and constraints of the neural network-based sensor validation scheme are also discussed.
NMR investigation of the binding of CO on supported Pd clusters.

The authors report an analysis of nuclear relaxation rates and Knight shifts of $^{13}\mathrm{CO}$ molecules adsorbed on supported Pd clusters. They find that the relaxation rates for on-top (linear) and bridge-bonded CO are proportional to the temperature, an indication of the mixing of molecular orbitals with conduction-band levels. They establish that the relaxation rate of the bridge-bonded CO arises from the Fermi contact interaction. The relaxation rate for the linear-bonded CO is determined, in addition to the Fermi contact interaction, by the interaction of nuclear spins with electron spins in non-s states and with the orbital moments of the electrons. These results indicate that at the Fermi surface bridge-bonded CO exhibits an antibonding combination of the 5\ensuremath{\sigma} orbital of CO with the metal d band, while linear-bonded CO presents admixture also with the CO 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ orbitals.
Quantifying bursting neuron activity from calcium signals using blind deconvolution.

Advances in calcium imaging have enabled studies of the dynamic activity of both individual neurons and neuronal assemblies. However, challenges, such as unknown nonlinearities in the spike–calcium relationship, noise, and the often relatively low temporal resolution of the calcium signal compared to the time-scale of spike generation, restrict the accurate estimation of action potentials from the calcium signal. Complex neuronal discharge, such as the activity demonstrated by bursting and rhythmically active neurons, represents an even greater challenge for reconstructing spike trains based on calcium signals. We propose a method using blind calcium signal deconvolution based on an information-theoretic approach. This model is meant to maximise the output entropy of a nonlinear filter where the nonlinearity is defined by the cumulative distribution function of the spike signal. We tested our maximum entropy (ME) algorithm using bursting olfactory receptor neurons (bORNs) of the lobster olfactory organ. The advantage of the ME algorithm is that the filter can be trained online based only on the statistics of the spike signal, without any assumptions regarding the unknown transfer function characterizing the relation between the spike and calcium signal. We show that the ME method is able to more accurately reconstruct the timing of the first and last spikes of a burst compared to other methods and that it improves the temporal precision fivefold compared to direct timing resolution of calcium signal.
Spin delocalization in nitrones and imines coordinated to metal acethylacetonates

Abstract Nitrone bi(2,4-pentanedionato) metal complexes of 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometry have been isolated and characterized. Spin desity in the nickel complexes is delocalized mainly in the nitrone π orbital. Nmr studies of both imine and nitrone complexes provide evidence for inhibition of spin density distribution due to twisting from colanarity of phenyl group in the π system.
Nav1.9 expression in magnocellular neurosecretory cells of supraoptic nucleus

Osmoregulation in mammals is tightly controlled by the release of vasopressin and oxytocin from magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MSC) of the supraoptic nucleus (SON). The release of vasopressin and oxytocin in the neurohypophysis by axons of MSC is regulated by bursting activity of these neurons, which is influenced by multiple sources, including intrinsic membrane properties, paracrine contributions of glial cells, and extrinsic synaptic inputs. Previous work has shown that bursting activity of MSC is tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive, and that TTX-S sodium channels Nav1.2, Nav1.6 and Nav1.7 are expressed by MSC and upregulated in response to osmotic challenge in rats. The TTX-resistant sodium channels, NaV1.8 and Nav1.9, are preferentially expressed, at relatively high levels, in peripheral neurons, where their properties are linked to repetitive firing and subthreshold electrogenesis, respectively, and are often referred to as "peripheral" sodium channels. Both sodium channels have been implicated in pain pathways, and are under study as potential therapeutic targets for pain medications which might be expected to have minimal CNS side effects. We show here, however, that Nav1.9 is expressed by vasopressin- and oxytocin-producing MSC of the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON). We also show that cultured MSC exhibit sodium currents that have characteristics of Nav1.9 channels. In contrast, Nav1.8 is not detectable in the SON. These results suggest that Nav1.9 may contribute to the firing pattern of MSC of the SON, and that careful assessment of hypothalamic function be performed as NaV1.9 blocking agents are studied as potential pain therapies.
Vertebral endplate fractures: an indicator of the abnormal forces generated in the spine after vertebroplasty.

Vertebroplasty alters spinal biomechanics and may lead to incident vertebral fractures. The endplate localization of prevalent and incident fractures was evaluated in 86 patients. In the absence of vertebroplasty, superior endplate fractures predominate. After the procedure, inferior endplate fractures are disproportionately common in adjacent vertebrae immediately above the treated level, potentially supporting a causative relationship between vertebroplasty and incident fractures. Introduction: To determine retrospectively whether new-onset fractures after vertebroplasty tend to cluster in the endplate immediately adjacent to the cemented vertebra. Materials and Methods: Institutional Review Board approval and patient consent for use the use of medical records were obtained for this study. We performed a retrospective review of patients with new (incident) vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty. The median age for these patients was 72.5 years, and 58 (67.4%) were women. Fractures were diagnosed on the basis of MRI or bone scan and were catalogued based on their location within the vertebral body (superior endplate, inferior endplate, or holo-vertebral). 2 and generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses were used to compare the distribution of fracture subtypes among pre-existing (prevalent) and incident fractures. Results: The patients had 313 prevalent osteoporotic vertebral fractures and were treated at 137 vertebral levels. Among prevalent fractures, superior endplate fractures predominated (57% superior, 11% inferior; p < 0.0001). After vertebroplasty, 186 incident fractures developed in these 86 patients. Seventy-seven (41%) of these incident fractures occurred adjacent to treated vertebrae. Nonadjacent, incident fractures, like prevalent fractures, occurred predominantly along superior endplate. Incident fractures immediately above treated levels, however, localized disproportionately to the inferior endplate (30% superior, 57% inferior; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: There are an increased number of inferior endplate fractures of the vertebral body immediately cephalad to the treated level.
Serpentine flux path for high torque MRF brakes in haptics applications

Abstract This research aimed to address two main goals in the development of a rotary magnetorheological fluid (MRF) brake: (1) design of a compact and powerful brake and (2) low friction sealing technique to reduce the off-state braking torque and prevent the fluid from leaking. Using magnetically conductive and non-conductive rings a serpentine flux path was developed to weave the magnetic flux through the MRF. Experimental results showed that, when compared to a commercial MRF brake, our 33% smaller prototype MRF brake could generate 2.7 times more torque (10.9 Nm). A ferro-fluidic sealing technique was developed that resulted in sealing in the fluid and decreased the off-state friction. Further reduction in the off-state torque was obtained by applying a reverse current pulse to collapse a residual magnetic field in the brake. A 1-DOF haptic interface employing the brake enabled crisp virtual wall collision and Coulomb friction simulations.
Losing Chinese as the First Language in Thailand

Much of the classical sociolinguistic literature on the issue of language maintenance amongst Sino-Siamese communities rely on language-use data on a sample of third-fifth generation Thais with Chinese ethnic roots, the majority of whose great grandparents immigrated to Thailand during the nineteenth and early decades of the twentieth century. As such, in this literature, are excluded the large sample of first-generation overseas Chinese and second-fifth generation ethnic Chinese immigrated to Thailand more roughly between 1970 and 2000. Thus, the linkage between factors governing language maintenance are to be interpreted with due caution in view of limitations in the samples discussed in the extant literature. The current study includes an assessment of the language-usage patterns and present perceptions of the vitality and sustainability of Chinese variants amongst not only the older generations, but also amongst those who have more recently immigrated, thereby rounding out a much fuller picture of the current sociolinguistic situation of those of Chinese descent domiciled in Thailand. Additionally, this study aims to examine the full range of sociological factors that contribute to the maintenance and extensive shift away from Chinese variants toward Thai and Mandarin. It accordingly complements the earlier research of Morita, but not lending support to the Skinnerian paradigm of assimilation. The sample gathered consisted of eight dialect groups. Three types of instruments of research-a questionnaire, observations, and semi-structured interviews-were utilized in collecting data. The data suggest that language-usage patterns, perceptions of vitality and sustainability of ethnic languages are strongly linked to generational changes in ethnic-linguistic identities and discursive practices governing social inclusion/exclusion, amongst other factors.
Injectable silicone and the foot: a 41-year clinical and histologic history.

Background. Since 1964, the author has investigated injectable liquid silicone as a soft tissue substitute for the loss of plantar fat. This form of fatty tissue depletion over the sole is closely linked to a common painful weight-bearing foot disorder, metatarsalgia, and to painless diabetic foot ulcers. Method. To present the history of injectable silicone, corporate interest, individuals who helped pursue approval, its misuses, and events that have delayed its availability. Materials and Methods. Dow Corning Corporation's 360 Medical Fluid of 350 centistoke was injected beneath corns and calluses in 1,585 patients. Diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers were injected after healing in an effort to prevent their recurrence. Surgical and postmortem specimens were gathered for histologic analysis. Results. There was no evidence of significant adverse response in long-term clinical follow-up. Silicone specimens studied by two departments of pathology found no inflammation, infection, allergy, or granulomas. Conclusions. Medical Fluid silicone appears to be safe, effective, and stable biomaterial for treating weight-bearing loss of plantar fat. Trademarked PodiSil (Richard-James Inc., Peabody, MA, USA), a 350-centistoke injectable silicone has been approved for marketing in Europe for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.
Mite and mite allergen removal during machine washing of laundry

Abstract Background: Few studies have investigated live house dust mite and mite allergen removal from clothing and bedding by washing machines. No studies have investigated the transfer of mites from infested to uninfested clothing and bedding during washing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to wash different types of clothing and bedding in residential washing machines to determine the live Dermatophagoides farinae mite and allergen removal and the mite transfer from mite-infested items to mite-free items. Methods: Clothing and bedding items were machine washed in 6- and 8-lb loads in warm (36°C-38°C) or cold (22°C-27°C) water with and without recommended concentrations of laundry detergent and sodium hypochlorite bleach. Live mites and allergen present in washed versus unwashed and washed mite-infested versus washed mite-free items were compared. Results: Washing clothing and bedding in water alone, detergent, or detergent plus bleach removed 60% to 83% of the live mites. Washing removed more mites from some items than from others. When mite-infested items were washed with identical sets of mite-free items, many live mites were transferred to the previously mite-free items. Overall, 84% of Der f 1 was removed from items washed in water alone or in detergent and 98% from items washed in detergent plus bleach. Conclusions: Washing clothing and bedding in cold or warm water with detergent or detergent plus bleach removed most allergen and a significant ( P
A misaligned double-stranded RNA, poly(I)•poly(C12,U), induces accumulation of 2',5'-oligoadenylates in mouse tissues

2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase was induced 3-2000-fold in spleen, liver, kidney and brain of NIH Swiss mice injected intravenously with 2-200 micrograms of the misaligned dsRNA, poly(I).poly(C12,U). Levels of 2',5'-oligoadenylates extracted from these tissues were also elevated, although the amount of 2',5'-oligoadenylates extracted did not correlate directly with the amount of enzyme present. These results suggest that double-stranded portions of the misaligned polymer survived intracellularly and activated the 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, and that the level of dsRNA may contribute to the control of 2',5'-oligoadenylate metabolism.
High-radix symbolic substitution and superposition techniques for optical matrix algebraic computations

This paper presents a new 3-D digit-plane optical architecture for massively parallel matrix computations. This architecture decomposes matrix-structured data into digit planes using high-radix number representation and performs fast arithmetic on digit planes, exploiting spatial parallelism. While arithmetic operations are carried out using symbolic substitution, data manipulation operations (permutation, rotation, and translations) are carried out in parallel by a data manipulator using freespace optical interconnections. A new symbolic superposition technique is proposed to implement logical and set-theoretic operations on matrix-structured data in optics. The potential ofthis architecture is demonstrated to support structured matrix algebraic computation. We derive the complexity of symbolic substitution and symbolic superposition rules for radix-r arithmetic. The representational efficiency and the projected speed gain of high-radix arithmetic are compared against binary electronic matrix arithmetic.