cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A functional outside-in signaling network of proteoglycans and matrix molecules regulating autophagy

Proteoglycans and selected extracellular matrix constituents are emerging as intrinsic and critical regulators of evolutionarily conversed, intracellular catabolic pathways. Often, these secreted molecules evoke sustained autophagy in a variety of cell types, tissues, and model systems. The unique properties of proteoglycans have ushered in a paradigmatic shift to broaden our understanding of matrix-mediated signaling cascades. The dynamic cellular pathway controlling autophagy is now linked to an equally dynamic and fluid signaling network embedded in a complex meshwork of matrix molecules. A rapidly emerging field of research encompasses multiple matrix-derived candidates, representing a menagerie of soluble matrix constituents including decorin, biglycan, endorepellin, endostatin, collagen VI and plasminogen kringle 5. These matrix constituents are pro-autophagic and simultaneously anti-angiogenic. In contrast, perlecan, laminin α2 chain, and lumican have anti-autophagic functions. Mechanistically, each matrix constituent linked to intracellular catabolic events engages a specific cell surface receptor that often converges on a common core of the autophagic machinery including AMPK, Peg3 and Beclin 1. We consider this matrix-evoked autophagy as non-canonical given that it occurs in an allosteric manner and is independent of nutrient availability or prevailing bioenergetics control. We propose that matrix-regulated autophagy is an important outside-in signaling mechanism for proper tissue homeostasis that could be therapeutically leveraged to combat a variety of diseases.
Ecological Opportunity from Innovation, not Islands, Drove the Anole Lizard Adaptive Radiation.

Islands are thought to facilitate adaptive radiation by providing release from competition and predation. Anole lizards are considered a classic example of this phenomenon: different ecological specialists ('ecomorphs') evolved in the Caribbean Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico), resulting in convergent assemblages that are not observed in mainland Latin America. Yet, the role of islands in facilitating adaptive radiation is more often implied than directly tested, leaving uncertain the role of biogeography in stimulating diversification. Here, we assess the proposed "island effect" on anole diversification using Bayesian phylogenetic comparative methods that explicitly incorporate rate heterogeneity across the tree and demonstrate two cases of would-be false positives. We discovered that rates of speciation and morphological evolution of island and mainland anoles are equivalent, implying that islands provide no special context for exceptionally rapid diversification. Likewise, rates of evolution were equivalent between island anoles that arose via in situ versus dispersal-based mechanisms, and we found no evidence for island-specific rates of speciation or morphological evolution. Nonetheless, the origin of Anolis is characterized by a speciation pulse that slowed over time - a classic signature of waning ecological opportunity. Our findings cast doubt on the notion that islands catalyzed the anole adaptive radiation and instead point to a key innovation, adhesive toe pads, which facilitated the exploitation of many arboreal niches sparsely utilized by other iguanian lizards. The selective pressures responsible for arboreal niche diversification differ between islands and the mainland, but the tempo of diversification driven by these discordant processes is indistinguishable.
A Content Analysis of Selected State Plans for Gifted and Talented Education

Programs for gifted and talented education should be guided by research-based practices, but states’ policies vary in their recommendations for programming, and in how they hold local education age...
Imprinting human capital values to survive 20 years post initial public offering

This paper examines how the values of a firm’s leadership team at the key event of going public can determine whether it will survive twenty years later. Relying on research on the impact of imprin...
Backward Stepwise Elimination: Approximation Guarantee, a Batched GPU Algorithm, and Empirical Investigation

Best subset selection is NP-hard and expensive to solve exactly for problems with a large number of features. Practitioners often employ heuristics to quickly obtain approximate solutions without any accuracy guarantees. We investigate solving the best subset selection problem with backward stepwise elimination (BSE). We prove an approximation guarantee for BSE that bounds its performance by applying the concept of approximate supermodularity. This guarantee provides conditions that suggest the backward stepwise elimination algorithm will return a near-optimal solution, or when another technique should be used. To improve computational performance of the algorithm, we develop a graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel BSE that averages up to 5x faster than an efficient CPU implementation on a collection of over 1.8 million problems; larger problems resulted in the largest speedups. Finally, we demonstrate the benefit of BSE with empirical results, comparing against several state-of-the-art feature selection approaches. For certain classes of problems, BSE generates solutions with lower relative test error than the lasso, the relaxed lasso, and forward stepwise selection. BSE thus deserves a place in the data modeling toolset along with these other more popular methods. All codes and data used for computations in this paper can be obtained from https://github.com/bsauk/BackwardStepwiseElimination .
Hemoglobin quantification in red blood cells via dry mass mapping based on UV absorption.

Significance: The morphological properties and hemoglobin (Hb) content of red blood cells (RBCs) are essential biomarkers to diagnose or monitor various types of hematological disorders. Label-free mass mapping approaches enable accurate Hb quantification from individual cells, serving as promising alternatives to conventional hematology analyzers. Deep ultraviolet (UV) microscopy is one such technique that allows high-resolution, molecular imaging, and absorption-based mass mapping. Aim: To compare UV absorption-based mass mapping at four UV wavelengths and understand variations across wavelengths and any assumptions necessary for accurate Hb quantification. Approach: Whole blood smears are imaged with a multispectral UV microscopy system, and the RBCs’ dry masses are computed. This approach is compared to quantitative phase imaging-based mass mapping using data from an interferometric UV imaging system. Results: Consistent Hb mass and mean corpuscular Hb values are obtained at all wavelengths, with the precision of the single-cell mass measurements being nearly identical at 220, 260, and 280 nm but slightly lower at 300 nm. Conclusions: A full hematological analysis (including white blood cell identification and characterization, and Hb quantification) may be achieved using a single UV illumination wavelength, thereby improving the speed and cost-effectiveness.
Intelligence and academic performance: Is it all in your head?

Abstract Academic performance relies, in part, on intelligence; however, intelligence quotient (IQ) is limited in predicting academic success. Furthermore, while the search for the biological seat of intelligence predates neuroscience itself, its findings remain conflicting. Here, we assess the interplay between IQ, academic performance, and brain connectivity with behavioral and functional MRI data collected from undergraduate students as they completed an active learning or lecture-based semester-long university physics course. IQ (i.e., full-scale WAIS scores) increased significantly pre-to post-instruction, were associated with physics knowledge and reasoning measures, but were unrelated to overall course grade. IQ was related to brain connectivity during physics-related cognition, but connectivity did not mediate IQ’s association with task performance. These relations depended on students’ sex and instructional environment, providing evidence that physics classroom environment and pedagogy may have a gendered influence on students’ performance. Discussion focuses on opportunities to improve physics reasoning skills for all students.
AN EXPLORATION OF HOW AND WHY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS EDUCATE INFANT CAREGIVERS ABOUT POSITIONING

AN EXPLORATION OF HOW AND WHY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS EDUCATE INFANT CAREGIVERS ABOUT POSITIONING By Amy Greenspon Choffin, OTR/L A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Major Director: Dr. Shelly J. Lane, PhD, OTR/L FAOTA Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy A review of the literature indicates that how infants are positioned is related to the risk of SIDS, the incidence and severity of plagiocephaly, torticollis, and developmental delays. A quantitative approach with survey methodology was used with 66 pediatric primary care providers responding to 26 questions. Overall, PCPs are educating caregivers about sleep positioning with a high frequency. There was a relationship between practice site, and the frequency of sleep positioning education is provided. While the participants provide education about awake positioning, and the use of positioning devices, it was with less frequency than they do about sleep positioning; there is limited education and awareness surrounding issues related to infants’ prolonged use positioning devices among PCPs in this study. This information indicates there is room for further study of the longterm effects upon child development of extensive supine positioning, as well as potential areas for occupational therapy intervention in the area of preventative education. .
Air Traffic Management Research at NASA Ames

The Aviation Systems Division at the NASA Ames Research Center conducts leading edge research in air traffic management concepts and technologies. This overview will present concepts and simulation results for research in traffic flow management, safe and efficient airport surface operations, super density terminal area operations, separation assurance and system wide modeling and simulation. A brief review of the ongoing air traffic management technology demonstration (ATD-1) will also be presented. A panel discussion, with Mr. Davis serving as a panelist, on air traffic research will follow the briefing.
The Structures of Elemental Sulfur

Publisher Summary Elemental sulphur is commonly known and widely used. Its properties are already described in the Old Testament and in Homer's Odyssey. It exists in several different forms. Thermodynamically stable sulphur forms deep yellow, nonodorous orthorhombic crystals with a space group Fddd-Dh224, containing 16 molecules— that is, 128 atoms in the unit cell. It has a density of 2.069 gm/cm3 and is well soluble in CS2. Its molecular unit is S8, cyclooctasulphur, a crown-shaped molecule with a, symmetry of D4d. The pale “flowers of sulphur,” prepared by alchemist by distillation, are insoluble in CS2, and the structure is not yet fully understood. Another form, plastic sulphur, is obtained by melting sulphur to about 180°C, where it forms as highly viscous syrup. To date, some forty-five different forms of sulphur have been described, and for twelve of these detailed structural data are available. These forms differ in intramolecular and intermolecular structure.
Evolving Mental Models of Electric Circuits

This is a case study of a 16 year old student, alias “Susan”, discussing her thinking with a tutor during hands-on investigations of electric circuits. Susan had not studied any physics. To facilitate complex learning, her experiments were designed to foster model building in a series of small steps. Each step revised only one of Susan’s alternative conceptions, so that most of her model was always available to support reasoning during an episode of conceptual change
Abstract 1807: Pre-clinical evaluation of Mcl-1 inhibition through maritoclax in acute myeloid leukemia

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA There is an urgent and unmet medical need for development of new therapeutics for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Mcl-1 plays a critical role in AML cell survival and chemoresistance. Mcl-1 is upregulated in relapsed AML and leukemic stem cells. Inhibition of Mcl-1 expression in AML cells by kinase inhibitors or gene targeting induces apoptosis and suppresses leukemogenesis. However, the impact of targeting Mcl-1 in AML therapy with selective pharmacological inhibitors remains to be assessed. Recently, we discovered a novel Mcl-1 inhibitor, maritoclax (marinopyrrole A), which antagonizes Mcl-1 by targeting Mcl-1 for proteasomal degradation. This unique mechanism of action is in contrast to BH3 mimetics that exert their inhibitory function through disruption of the interactions between pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. In a panel of AML cell lines, the potency of maritoclax positively correlated with Mcl-1 expression and inversely correlated with Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression. Maritoclax was efficacious as a single agent and markedly synergized with ABT-737 to induce apoptosis in Mcl-1 overexpressing ABT-737 and multidrug resistant AML cell lines. Moreover, maritoclax was able to overcome stroma-mediated resistance to apoptosis in AML cells. Importantly, maritoclax induced Mcl-1 degradation and apoptotic cell death selectively in clinical AML specimens with high levels of Mcl-1. To evaluate the anti-tumor activity of maritoclax in vivo, we established U937 tumor xenografts in nude mice. As a single agent, maritoclax significantly inhibited the growth of established xenografts at a dose of 20 mg/kg/d intraperitoneally. At this dosing level, no significant difference in body weight change and complete blood count was observed between maritoclax and vehicle treatment groups. Collectively, our studies demonstrated that maritoclax represents a novel class of Mcl-1 inhibitors and that the selective pharmacological inhibition of Mcl-1 may be a viable approach for the treatment of AML. Citation Format: Qiang Liu, Kenichiro Doi, Krishne Gowda, Brian M. Barth, David Claxton, Shantu Amin, Thomas P. Loughran, Hong-Gang Wang. Pre-clinical evaluation of Mcl-1 inhibition through maritoclax in acute myeloid leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1807. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1807
Young students' attitudes toward languages

23 Introduction 24 Theoretical Framework 26 Present Study 30 Method 31 Results 43 Discussion 54 Acknowledgments 58 References 59 Appendix 66
Deceased Donor Management

John Fung, Koji Hashimoto, Bijan Eghtesad, Daniel J Lebovitz, and Melissa Watson 1 Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic and Case Western University Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA 2 Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA 3 Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary/Liver Transplantation Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Critical Care, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH, USA; PICU, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; and LifeBanc, Cleveland, OH, USA 5 Abdominal Multiorgan Transplantation Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
Multi-target estimation of heart and respiration rates using ultra wideband sensors

Vital-signs monitoring devices continue to utilize invasive sensing methodologies, ranging from skin surface contact techniques such as the use of electrodes for measuring cardiac signals (ECG test), to more intrusive techniques such as the utilization of a facial mask for measuring gas exchange during respiration. In this paper, we present a wireless radar technique based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for non-invasive monitoring of heart and respiration rates. Our technique is based on the detection of chest-cavity motion through the measurement of UWB signal displacements due to this motion. We show that the technique provides accurate results even in the presence of multiple subjects. Specifically, we investigate the two techniques for estimating breathing and heart rates in the presence of multiple subjects: (1) the use of clustering algorithms to isolate the combined position and breathing/heart rate of multiple subjects and (2) the use of MUSIC to accurately estimate only the rates. Results are based on measurements from experiments with multiple subjects in a laboratory setting.
Effects of Partial Deuteration on the Properties of Human Hemoglobin

The cooperativity of oxygen binding by different subunits in human hemoglobin is greatly reduced by partial deuteration. The effect depends on the time of exposure: n in Hill's equation decreases from 2.8 to about 1.9 after the hemoglobin has been in D2O for 20 hours at 4°. Further incubation results in a gradual return to normal cooperativity: n≅ 2.8 after 240 hours. These effects could be explained if the rates of deuteration of certain parts of the α and β-chains differed. The normal alkaline Bohr effect is unchanged by deuteration. Molecules in which most of the exchangeable hydrogen has been replaced with deuterium are more resistant to denaturation by heat and to autoxidation.
Review of Compendium of Beet Diseases and Pests

This volume is a welcome addition to the excellent Compendium series of the American Phytopathological Society, edited and authored by scientists familiar with the diseases, pests, and other disord...
System Design and Evaluation Using Descrete Event Simulation with Artificial Intelligence

During system design and evaluation, development of optimal decision making rules required to simulate a teleological system can be very difficult. The Operational Evaluation Modeling (OpEM) inductive / adaptive expert system controller, integrated into the OpEM Simulation Tool Kit, can greatly facilitate this task. The decision rule development procedure optimizes system effectiveness by initial induction of the rule tree, using sample decision cases, followed by adaptive rule strength modification to optimize decision making. The rule specification language consists of all primitives needed to implement local and global decision making. These primitives include fuzzy facts to transform analog variables into discrete concepts and variable instantiation of facts to make context sensitive, global decisions. A single-track railroad system is evaluated as an example context sensitive system, and other methods of decision making are compared with OpEM.
Automating document classification for the Immune Epitope Database

The Immune Epitope Database contains information on immune epitopes curated manually from the scientific literature. Like similar projects in other knowledge domains, significant effort is spent on identifying which articles are relevant for this purpose. We here report our experience in automating this process using Naive Bayes classifiers trained on 20,910 abstracts classified by domain experts. Improvements on the basic classifier performance were made by a) utilizing information stored in PubMed beyond the abstract itself b) applying standard feature selection criteria and c) extracting domain specific feature patterns that e.g. identify peptides sequences. We have implemented the classifier into the curation process determining if abstracts are clearly relevant, clearly irrelevant, or if no certain classification can be made, in which case the abstracts are manually classified. Testing this classification scheme on an independent dataset, we achieve 95% sensitivity and specificity in the 51.1% of abstracts that were automatically classified. By implementing text classification, we have sped up the reference selection process without sacrificing sensitivity or specificity of the human expert classification. This study provides both practical recommendations for users of text classification tools, as well as a large dataset which can serve as a benchmark for tool developers.
Re-purposing of histological tissue sections for corroborative western blot analysis of hypothalamic metabolic neuropeptide expression following delineation of transactivated structures by Fos immuno-mapping

Fos immunocytochemistry is a valuable anatomical mapping tool for distinguishing cells within complex tissues that undergo genomic activation, but it is seldom paired with corroborative molecular analytical techniques. Due to preparatory requirements that include protein cross-linking for specimen sectioning, histological tissue sections are regarded as unsuitable for those methods. Our studies show that pharmacological activation of the hindbrain energy sensor AMPK by AICAR elicits estradiol (E)-dependent patterns of Fos immunolabeling of hypothalamic metabolic loci. Here, Western blotting was applied to hypothalamic tissue removed from histological sections of E- versus oil (O)-implanted ovariectomized (OVX) female rat brain to measure levels of metabolic transmitters associated with Fos-positive structures. In both E and O rats, AICAR treatment elicited alterations in pro-opiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y, SF-1, and orexin-A neuropeptide expression that coincided with patterns of Fos labeling of structures containing neurons that synthesize these neurotransmitters, e.g. arcuate and ventromedial nuclei and lateral hypothalamic area. O, but not E animals also exhibited parallel augmentation of tissue corticotropin-releasing hormone neuropeptide levels and paraventricular nucleus Fos staining. Data demonstrate the utility of immunoblot analysis as a follow-through technique to capitalize on Fos mapping of transactivation sites in the brain. Findings that induction of Fos immunoreactivity coincides with adjustments in hypothalamic metabolic neuropeptide expression affirms that this functional indicator reflects changes in neurotransmission in pathways governing metabolic outflow.
Enhancing Contact Graph Routing for Delay Tolerant Space Networking

When designing routing protocols for space-based networks, we must take into consideration the unique characteristics of such networks. Since space-based networks are inherently sparse with constrained resources, one needs to design smart routing algorithms that use the resources efficiently to maximize network performance. In Space Exploration Missions, the trajectories and orbits of spacecraft are predetermined, thus communication opportunities are predictable. This a-priori knowledge can be used to the advantage of scheduling and routing. In this paper, we focus on analyzing Contact Graph Routing (CGR) for space-based networks. CGR makes use of the predictable nature of the contacts to make routing decisions. Mars and Lunar mission-like scenarios were used in our simulations to gather statistics on routing protocol performance in terms of delay and buffer usage. We provide improvements to the underlying cost function of CGR to avoid routing loops and suggest applying Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm for path selection. The cost function change was incorporated into the latest Internet Draft posted for CGR. Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm was successfully implemented and tested in NASA's Interplanetary Overlay Network (ION) implementation of the DTN protocols.
Monitoring Stratospheric Winds with Concorde-Generated Infrasound

Abstract The relatively low frequency of the sonic boom generated by the Concorde SST permits propagation in the form of infrasound to long range with small attenuation. Signal characteristics at long range are a function of atmospheric propagation parameters. When the relationship of propagation to signal is understood, then propagation conditions can be determined by inversion with good accuracy. We show here how signal recorded at Palisades, New York, from the Dulles-bound SST reveals direction and speed of stratospheric wind variations diurnally and seasonally and also gives details of at least local circulation change at times of stratospheric warmings.
Topoisomerase I plays a critical role in suppressing genome instability at a highly transcribed G-quadruplex-forming sequence.

G-quadruplex or G4 DNA is a non-B secondary DNA structure that comprises a stacked array of guanine-quartets. Cellular processes such as transcription and replication can be hindered by unresolved DNA secondary structures potentially endangering genome maintenance. As G4-forming sequences are highly frequent throughout eukaryotic genomes, it is important to define what factors contribute to a G4 motif becoming a hotspot of genome instability. Using a genetic assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we previously demonstrated that a potential G4-forming sequence derived from a guanine-run containing immunoglobulin switch Mu (Sμ) region becomes highly unstable when actively transcribed. Here we describe assays designed to survey spontaneous genome rearrangements initiated at the Sμ sequence in the context of large genomic areas. We demonstrate that, in the absence of Top1, a G4 DNA-forming sequence becomes a strong hotspot of gross chromosomal rearrangements and loss of heterozygosity associated with mitotic recombination within the ∼20 kb or ∼100 kb regions of yeast chromosome V or III, respectively. Transcription confers a critical strand bias since genome rearrangements at the G4-forming Sμ are elevated only when the guanine-runs are located on the non-transcribed strand. The direction of replication and transcription, when in a head-on orientation, further contribute to the elevated genome instability at a potential G4 DNA-forming sequence. The implications of our identification of Top1 as a critical factor in suppression of instability associated with potential G4 DNA-forming sequences are discussed.
Generalized iterative methods for semidefinite linear systems

Abstract We consider iterative methods for semidefinite systems Ax = b based on splittings A = B − C , where B is not necessarily nonsingular. Necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence are obtained. These are then used to obtain convergence results for block SOR, block SSOR, and block JOR methods for matrices with semidefinite block diagonal.
Does earlier headache response equate to earlier return to functioning in patients suffering from migraine

This study explored the association between headache response and return to functioning, and identified migraine-associated symptoms related to functional status and acceptability of migraine treatment as reported by patients. Data from migraineurs enrolled in the active arms of a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, clinical trial were analysed. The relationships between headache response and functional response, and clinical factors and treatment acceptability were assessed using X2 tests of proportions and logistic regressions. A greater proportion of patients with headache response at 0.5 h were functioning at 0.5, 1 and 2 h compared with patients who did not attain a headache response at 0.5 h (P < 0.0001). These patients also were more likely to find their treatment acceptable (P < 0.05). The results suggest a direct temporal relationship among the key determinants of migraine resolution. Rapid headache response is associated with faster return to functioning; rapid headache...
A numerical investigation of the dependence of NMR signal from pulsatile blood flow in CINE pulse sequences.

The Bloch equations have been solved using numerical techniques for a uniform fluid undergoing periodic pulsatile flow in an NMR imaging experiment. The magnetization and NMR signal have been calculated for experimental parameters appropriate for a CINE sequence (TR=40 ms, TE=14 ms) applied to the study of pulsatile aortic or other arterial flows. The flow velocity profile is obtained by Fourier superposition of different harmonics and it is shown that the steady‐state NMR signal has reduced high‐frequency components. There is also a time delay between peak signal intensity and flow because the backflow effects that can be as much as 100 ms. The apparent pulsatility depends on the NMR sequence parameters. Some limitations of the phase contrast flow‐imaging method are also discussed for nonuniform flow. Key words: magnetic resonance imaging, Bloch equations, pulsatile flow
Intelligent multi-objective control for improved integration of microgrids to power systems involving highly nonlinear local loads

In this paper, a novel intelligent controller for grid connection of DC microgrids is presented. The proposed controller allows the bi-directional AC/DC converter, linking the DC microgrid to the main utility grid, to provide the main functionalities of an inverter. Such functions include bi-directional power flow control and independent control of both active power (P) and reactive power (Q). In addition, the developed controller acts as an intelligent active power filter (APF) to the main grid. This is because it autonomously detects any power quality problems, filters out load-created harmonics and compensates unbalances and/or DC offsets resulting from the local AC load connected at the point of common coupling (PCC). The objective of the controller is to force the AC grid currents at the PCC to be balanced three-phase currents with minor harmonics while maintaining its controllability of power flow regardless of the characteristics of the local AC load. The performance of the developed controller was examined under several extreme cases including: non-linear loads, distorted load currents, unbalanced and offset conditions. The results show that the developed controller succeeds to maintain bi-directional P/Q flow controllability, allows the inverter to provide ancillary services such as reactive power compensation or voltage control to the grid while simultaneously acting as an active power filter to assure improved power quality at the PCC under various loading conditions.
Langevin Particle: A Self-Adaptive Lagrangian Primitive for Flow Simulation Enhancement

We develop a new Lagrangian primitive, named Langevin particle, to incorporate turbulent flow details in fluid simulation. A group of the particles are distributed inside the simulation domain based on a turbulence energy model with turbulence viscosity. A particle in particular moves obeying the generalized Langevin equation, a well known stochastic differential equation that describes the particle’s motion as a random Markov process. The resultant particle trajectory shows self-adapted fluctuation in accordance to the turbulence energy, while following the global flow dynamics. We then feed back Langevin forces to the simulation based on the stochastic trajectory, which drive the flow with necessary turbulence. The new hybrid flow simulation method features nonrestricted particle evolution requiring minimal extra manipulation after initiation. The flow turbulence is easily controlled and the total computational overhead of enhancement is minimal based on typical fluid solvers.
Fear sensitivity and the psychological profile of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Abstract Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) remain a poorly understood phenomenon for both patients and their physicians. Recent work has begun to focus on the possible psychological underpinnings of this diagnosis, but few studies have focused on specific emotional pathologies. This study sought to investigate the impact of a specific emotional measure: self-reported fear sensitivity. Three patient groups (patients with PNES, patients with epilepsy, and healthy volunteers) were administered the Modified Fear Survey Schedule, along with other neuropsychological batteries. As expected, the PNES and epilepsy cohorts demonstrated elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and comorbid psychiatric conditions. The PNES group independently exhibited a statistically significant higher level of fear sensitivity compared with both patients with epilepsy and healthy volunteers. This fear-specific trait was independent of other comorbid psychological factors or psychiatric conditions. These results suggest that patients with PNES exhibit disproportionately elevated fear sensitivity on self-report measures when compared with patients with epilepsy. This finding may reflect an elevated internal “setpoint” for appraising the intensity of emotional settings.
Tuning Jammed Frictionless Disk Packings from Isostatic to Hyperstatic

We perform extensive computational studies of two-dimensional static bidisperse disk packings using two distinct packing-generation protocols. The first involves thermally quenching equilibrated liquid configurations to zero temperature over a range of thermal quench rates $r$ and initial packing fractions followed by compression and decompression in small steps to reach packing fractions ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{J}$ at jamming onset. For the second, we seed the system with initial configurations that promote micro- and macrophase-separated packings followed by compression and decompression to ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{J}$. Using these protocols, we generate more than ${10}^{4}$ static packings over a wide range of packing fraction, contact number, and compositional and positional order. We find that disordered, isostatic packings exist over a finite range of packing fractions in the large-system limit. In agreement with previous calculations, the most dilute mechanically stable packings with ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{\mathrm{min}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.84$ are obtained for $rg{r}^{*}$, where ${r}^{*}$ is the rate above which ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{J}$ is insensitive to rate. We further compare the structural and mechanical properties of isostatic versus hyperstatic packings. The structural characterizations include the contact number, several order parameters, and mixing ratios of the large and small particles. We find that the isostatic packings are positionally and compositionally disordered (with only small changes in a number of order parameters), whereas bond-orientational and compositional order increase strongly with contact number for hyperstatic packings. In addition, we calculate the static shear modulus and normal mode frequencies (in the harmonic approximation) of the static packings to understand the extent to which the mechanical properties of disordered, isostatic packings differ from partially ordered packings. We find that the mechanical properties of the packings change continuously as the contact number increases from isostatic to hyperstatic.
Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in surgical patients.

ABSTRACT •PRESSURE ULCERS, regardless of their origin, represent negative outcomes for patients, including pain, additional treatments and surgery, longer hospital stays, disfigurement or scarring, increased morbidity, and increased costs. •THE OR IS A HIGH-RISK environment for the development of pressure ulcers. Preoperative identification of patients at risk for pressure ulcer development is imperative if cost-effective, evidence-based preventive measures are to be implemented. •THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS a review of the literature pertaining to pressure ulcer development in surgical patients. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are provided. AORN J 81 (May 2005) 986–1006.
Tests of human olfactory function: principal components analysis suggests that most measure a common source of variance.

It is not known whether nominally different olfactory tests actually measure dissimilar perceptual attributes. In this study, we administered nine olfactory tests, including tests of odor identification, discrimination, detection, memory, and suprathreshold intensity and pleasantness perception, to 97 healthy subjects. Aprincipal components analysis performed on the intercorrelation matrix revealed four meaningful components. The first was comprised of strong primary loadings from most of the olfactory test measures, whereas the second was comprised of primary loadings from intensity ratings given to a set of suprathreshold odorant concentrations. The third and fourth components had primary loadings that reflected, respectively, mean suprathreshold pleasantness ratings and a response bias measure derived from a yes/no odor identification signal detection task. In an effort to adjust for potential confounding influences of age, gender, smoking, and years of schooling on the component structure, a matrix of residuals from a multiple regression analysis, which included these variables, was also analyzed. A similar component pattern emerged. Overall, these findings suggest, in healthy subjects spanning a wide age range, that (1) a number of nominally distinct tests of olfactory function are measuring a common source of variance, and (2) some suprathreshold odor intensity and pleasantness rating tests may be measuring sources of variance different from this common source.
Dynamics and control of ocean wave energy converters

Ocean wave technology is one of the most exciting areas due to vast but untapped energy potential worldwide. Technologies on ocean wave harvesting energy have been explored for centuries and are still undergoing with challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review on the progress of classical and modern control strategies, including latching control, declutch control, reactive control, model predictive control, state space control, etc. For three major types of ocean wave energy converters (OWECs), i.e. oscillating-body wave energy converter (including point absorber, attenuator and terminator), oscillating water column and overtopping device. It also introduces the nature of ocean waves, mathematical models of ocean wave energy and the hydrodynamics of the representative OWECs.
Effect of very small additions on the coercivity of Dy-free Nd–Fe–(Co)–B-sintered magnets

Abstract The effect of small substitutions on the coercivity of Nd–Fe–B and Nd–Fe–Co–B-sintered magnets has been investigated. Addition of 0.18 at% Ga was found to be the most effective for improving the coercivity in both Nd–Fe–B and Nd–Fe–Co–B without decreasing much the remanent magnetization. Scanning electron microscopy on Ga-free and Ga-added magnets did not reveal a noticeable difference in phase morphology. However, Fe and especially Co concentrations in the intergranular Nd-rich phase were found to be markedly increased after the small Ga addition. Combined addition of Co with a small amount of Cu did not increase the coercivity of the Dy-free magnets. However, none of the examined very small additives can yet be considered as an alternative to Dy for extending operating temperature range of the high-energy Nd–Fe–B magnets.
Retargeted matrix factorization for collaborative filtering

This paper introduces retargeted matrix factorization (R-MF); a novel approach for learning the user-wise ranking of items in the context of collaborative filtering. R-MF learns to rank by "retargeting" the item ratings of each user, searching for a monotonic transformation of the ratings that results in a better fit while preserving the ranked order of each user's ratings. The retargeting is combined with an underlying matrix factorization regression model that couples the user-wise rankings to exploit shared low dimensional structure. We show that R-MF recovers a unique solution under mild conditions, and propose a simple and efficient optimization scheme that alternates between retargeting the ratings subject to ordering constraints, and matrix factorization regression. The retargeting step is independent for each user, and is trivially parallelized. The ranking performance of retargeted matrix factorization is evaluated on benchmark movie recommendation datasets and results in superior ranking performance compared to collaborative filtering algorithms specifically designed to optimize ranking metrics.
Quenching of Photoluminescence from Porous Silicon by Aromatic Molecules

A systematic study of the efficiency of photoluminescence (PL) quenching of nanocrystalline porous Si by aromatic triplet energy acceptors was carried out. The effects of molecular triplet energy, ...
Effects of nutrient cues on formula intake in 5-week-old infants

This study was designed to test: (1) whether an increase in lipid density during the course of formula feeding would depress the infants' volume and caloric intake; and (2) whether the infants would exhibit differential adjustments in intake between high caloric lipid formula and isocaloric carbohydrate formula. Ten five-month-old infants were given a control (Enfamil 20) formula and two other experimental formulas with comparatively elevated concentrations in either lipids or carbohydrates. The infants were tested on five consecutives days using counter-balanced treatments combining two formulas each day. Changing lipid density in the course of a feeding did not prevent the infants from overconsumption of calories; but the high caloric lipid formula did suppress intakes of the heavier babies.
Lytic granules, adhesion molecules, and other recent insights.

Probably the most exciting of the insights into the mechanism of cell-mediated lysis reported at a recent workshop was the cytolytic activity detected in granule preparations from large granular lymphocytes with natural killer activity, tumor cells and cloned lines of cytotoxic lymphocytes (TC). For the first time, several labs agree on the existence of cell-free mediators with properties which make them attractive candidates for the lytic effector molecules employed by TC as well as NK cells. Such results were reported by Pierre Henkart (NIH, Bethesda), Eckhard Podack (New York Medical College, Valhalla), and john Ding-E Young (Rockefeller Univ., New York). At sufficient concentrations, these granule preparations can effect complete lysis of P815 or EL4 tumor cell populations within minutes.
Negative impact of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio on outcome after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background:The Milan criteria have been adopted by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to preoperatively assess outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who receive orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). These criteria rely solely on radiographic appearances of the tumor, providi
Stimulus control after intradimensional discrimination training.

4 rhesus monkeys received intradimensional discrimination training initially at distant and then at near points on a circle-ellipse continuum. The training did not necessarily produce good stimulus...
A Critical Analysis of the Thermoacoustic Microscope

A one-dimensional analysis of the inechani sms by which acoustic waves are generated in the thermoacoustic microscope is presented. Thermal waves and acoustic waves are treated as eigen-modes of the system, so that there is no acoustic wave generated by thermal waves in the bulk. It is then shown that there a re four channels by which the incident energy can be converted into acoustic energy which can produce an image. One is purely acoustic, and the others all involve mode-conversion of thermal waves to acoustic waves. An important consequence is that thermoacoustic microscope images can reflect different combinations of physical parameters than do images made with microscopes based on pure thermal wave scattering. scattering mechanisms to exhibit resolution which is much better than either the thermal or acoustic wave length. We comment on the ability of
Increase in dietary fiber dampens allergic responses in the lung

A new study in mice provides a link between dietary fiber intake, amounts of intestinal and systemic short-chain fatty acids, changes in the microbiome and allergic responses in the airways. The findings support the growing appreciation of a potential therapeutic role of diet in treating allergic diseases (pages 159–166).
The Effects of the Elimination of Gifted and Talented Programs On Participating Students and Their Parents

Interviews were conducted with 19 parents of students identified and served by a gifted program eliminated in 1990 to determine the effects of the elimipation of the program on participants. To tri...
Subunit composition of vitellin, and concentration profiles of vitellogenin, and vitellin in Phormia regina (Meig.) following a protein meal

1. 1. The vitellin (Vt) of Phormia regina eggs was isolated by extraction at low ionic strength and purified by TEAE-cellulose chromatography. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining with horseradish peroxidase-concanavalin A showed that the Vt contains four subunits of Mr 42,000, 43,000, 44,000 and 45,500, all of which are glycosylated. 2. 2. Murine polyclonal antibodies to the Vt, employed in conjunction with radioimmunoblotting, recognized all four subunits, and revealed that Vt and/or vitellogenin (Vg) are present exclusively in the hemolymph, fat bodies and ovaries of liver-fed females but not those fed sugar. 3. 3. Using these antibodies in an ELISA, concentrations of Vg in the hemolymph and Vt in the ovaries were determined periodically following liver feeding. At 28°C, the hemolyph Vg titer reaches a maximum 28 hr post-feeding and then decreases rapidly as ovaries begin to sequester Vt, whose concentration in that organ peaks about 48 hr post-feeding.
Effect of Protein Sources and Amino Acid Supplementation on Intestinal Microflora and Plasma Amino Acids of the Chick

Abstract IN RECENT years amino acid supplementation of purified and practical diets has received increased attention. This is particularly true in the case of arginine, which has been shown to be required by chicks in higher amounts in purified diets than in practical rations. Lysine has not only improved growth when added to diets limiting in this amino acid, but also has been shown to be involved in the chick’s requirement for arginine. Anderson and Dobson (1958) showed that the arginine requirement of chicks fed a casein diet, supplemented with amino acids, was 1.4 percent. However, when combinations of soybean and zein protein were fed, the arginine requirement was 1.0 percent. The authors concluded that the difference in the amino acid composition of the two diets appeared to be the main factor responsible for the different arginine requirement. In attempting to duplicate the results obtained on casein diets, Klain et al.…
Vestibular symptoms in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct anomaly

Summary Objective The objective of this study is to describe the vestibular symptoms in pediatric patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) anomaly. Methods Retrospective chart review of pediatric and adult patients with EVA anomaly who were treated at the University of Utah Hospital or Primary Children's Medical Center, between 1995 and 2005. Radiographs were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Comparisons were made between adult and pediatric patients. Results Thirty-two patients were included in the study, 17 females and 15 males. Twenty-one patients were under the age of 18 and 11 patients were age 18 or older. On initial audiometric evaluation at a tertiary hospital, the pure tone average in the right ear was 75.0 dB and the pure tone average in the left ear was 80.4 dB. The incidence of vestibular symptoms in adult patients was 45.5% and in pediatric patients was 48.0%. Fourteen patients underwent cochlear implantation. Four patients (28.6%) who previously denied vestibular symptoms experienced post-operative vertigo after cochlear implantation. Conclusions About half of the patients with EVA in our series experienced vestibular symptoms. Pediatric patients in our series experienced vertigo and vestibular symptoms with equal frequency when compared to adult patients. Some patients with EVA undergoing cochlear implantation experienced vestibular symptoms in the post-operative period.