cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Actin Regulatory Protein HS1 Interacts with Arp2/3 and Mediates Efficient Neutrophil Chemotaxis

HS1 is an actin regulatory protein and cortactin homolog that is expressed in hematopoietic cells. Antigen receptor stimulation induces HS1 phosphorylation, and HS1 is essential for T cell activation. HS1 is also expressed in neutrophils; however, the function of HS1 in neutrophils is not known. Here we show that HS1 localizes to the neutrophil leading edge, and is phosphorylated in response to the chemoattractant formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) in adherent cells. Using live imaging in microchannels, we show that depletion of endogenous HS1 in the neutrophil-like PLB-985 cell line impairs chemotaxis. We also find that HS1 is necessary for chemoattractant-induced activation of Rac GTPase signaling and Vav1 phosphorylation, suggesting that HS1-mediated Rac activation is necessary for efficient neutrophil chemotaxis. We identify specific phosphorylation sites that mediate HS1-dependent neutrophil motility. Expression of HS1 Y378F, Y397F is sufficient to rescue migration of HS1-deficient neutrophils, however, a triple phospho-mutant Y222F, Y378F, Y397F did not rescue migration of HS1-deficient neutrophils. Moreover, HS1 phosphorylation on Y222, Y378, and Y397 regulates its interaction with Arp2/3. Collectively, our findings identify a novel role for HS1 and its phosphorylation during neutrophil directed migration.
A study to evaluate and understand the response of aluminum alloy 2026 subjected to tensile deformation

Abstract The strain concentration factors were determined for aluminum alloy 2026 in the T3511 temper using multi-hole structural coupon specimens. Samples of the alloy were evaluated for both the 6.25 mm (0.25 in.) thick and 10 mm (0.4 in.) thick specimens and having widths of 50 mm (2 in.) and 100 mm (4 in.), respectively. For the case of the specimens that were 50 mm in width the mechanical tests were conducted for both the open hole and filled hole conditions and the corresponding strain concentration value was determined. Threaded fasteners having collars were used for the case of the filled hole specimens. The fasteners posses a shank diameter that was slightly larger than the nominal hole size in order to provide for some interference. The strain concentration values were evaluated at both the failure strain (ef) and the strain at maximum load (emax). The average strain concentration value was then used to predict the results for the stack-up tests.
Cars temperature measurements in a droplet stream flame

Abstract This paper describes measurments of the local temperature field near a combusting stream of methanol droplets using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). Synchronizing the CARS measurements with the droplets in the stream allows correlations between the temperature field and the droplet position. These measurements describe the thermal structure of the droplet stream flame and can help validate detailed spray combustion models. The diameter of the droplets in the stream is 120 pm, which is comparable to the droplet size in a practical spray. The droplet spacing is approximately 1.0 mm (8 droplet diameters). The CARS measurements indicate a flame surrounding the droplet stream located I mm (8 droplet diameters) from the stream centerline. The temperature profile shows a local minimum temperature a the stream centerline. Moving radially outward from the centerline, the temperature rises at the flame (about 2000 K), and then falls gradually to room temperature. The local minimum temperature ...
A Design Tool for Aerodynamic Lens Systems

We report in this article the development of a tool to design and evaluate aerodynamic lens systems: the Aerodynamic Lens Calculator. This Calculator enables quick and convenient design of aerodynamic lens systems based on the parameterized knowledge gained from our detailed numerical simulations of flow and particle transport through aerodynamic lens systems. It designs the key dimensions of a lens system: pressure limiting orifice, relaxation chamber, focusing lenses, spacers and the accelerating nozzle. It also provides estimates of particle terminal axial velocities, particle beam width, and particle transmission efficiencies. This article describes in detail the information that is used in the design tool, including equations for pressure drop through orifices, contraction factors as a function of Reynolds, Mach and Stokes numbers, spacer length as a function of Reynolds number and estimations for the relaxation chamber dimensions. The article also evaluates the performance of the design tool by comp...
Syntheses of Naphthalenepolycarboxylic Acids by the Aqueous Sodium Bichromate Oxidation of Methylnaphthonitriles

It is reported that both methyl and cyano groups in the following methylnaphtonitriles were converted to carboxyl groups in aqueous sodium bichromate at 255275°C for 56 hr under autogeneous pressure, although the cyano group is converted rather to an amido group by alkaline hydrolysis ; 1-cyano-2-methyl-, 4-cyano-1- methyl, 1-cyano-2, 3-dimethyl-, 1-cyano-2, 4-dimethyl-, 1-cyano-2, 6-dimethyl-, 4-cyano-1, 6-dimethyl-, 4-cyano-1, 7-dimethyl-, 1, 4-dicyano-2, 3-dimethyl-, and 1, 5- dicyano-2, 6-dimethylnaphthalene.
Formation of Pinhole-Free Epitaxial Yttrium Silicide on Silicon(111)

We report the growth of structurally continuous, pinhole-free epitaxial YSi2−x films on Si(111) substrates as thin as 30A. This is accomplished by depositing both yttrium andsiicon in the appropriate stoichiometric ratio onto substrates held near room temperature, which is apparently below the activation energy for the nucleation of a reaction between a deposited Y film and a Si substrate. Diffusion of Si atoms from an evaporation source into a thin Y layer occurs below this barrier energy, allowing the layer by layer formation of YSi2−x without the removal of silicon from the substrate, maintaining a relatively low interface free energy between the growing silicide film and the Si(111) substrate. Samples have been annealed to 500–900°C to improve epitaxy without the creation of pinholes. Use of the template method allows for the growth of thicker films also free of pinholes.
Model filled polymers. IV, Preparation of conducting composite polymers beads

Polyphenylene vinylene (PPV) coated polystyrene (PS) beads which have moderate conductivity when doped were prepared by mixing monodisperse crosslinked PS beads, the surfaces of which had been sulfonated to render them anionic, with cationic PPV precursor polymers. Two different PPV precursor polymers, poly (p-xylylidene tetrathiophenium chloride) and poly (p-xylylene-α-dimethylsulphonium chloride), were employed. Monodisperse crosslinked PS beads were sulfonated in the gas phase using fuming sulfuric acid to yield the surface activated monodisperse polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) beads. Chemical doping with AsF5, of pellets prepared by pressing the coated beads resulted in conductivities as high as 10-1S/cm. The integrity of the polymer beads was determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and arsenic was found throughout the samples by examing fracture surfaces of the pressed coated pellets using EDXS.
Chylomicron remnant cholesteryl esters as the major constituent of very low density lipoproteins in plasma of cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Feeding rabbits 500 mg of cholesterol daily for 4 to 15 days greatly increased the concentration of esterified cholesterol in lipoproteins of d < 1.006 g/ml. The origin of hypercholesterolemic very low density lipoproteins was investigated by monitoring the degradation of labeled lymph chylomicrons administered to normal and choles- terol-fed rabbits. Chylomicrons were labeled in vivo by feeding either 1) (3H)cholesterol and (14C)oleic acid or 2) (14C)cholesterol and (3H)retinyl acetate. After intravenous injection of labeled chylomicrons to recipient rabbits, ("C) triglyceride hydrolysis was equally rapid in normal and cholesterol-fed animals. Normal rabbits rapidly re- moved from plasma both labeled cholesteryl and retinyl esters, whereas cholesterol-fed rabbits retained nearly 50% of doubly labeled remnants in plasma 25 min after chylo- micron injection. Ultracentrifugal separation of plasma into subfractions of very low density lipoproteins showed that chylomicron remnants in cholesterol-fed animals are found among all subclasses of very low density lipoproteins. Analysis of cholesteryl ester specific activity- time curves for the very low density lipoproteins subfraction from hypercholestero- lemic plasma showed that nearly all esterified cholesterol in large very low density lipoproteins and approximately 30% of esterified cholesterol in small very low density lipoproteins was derived from chylomicron degradation. Apparently, nearly two-thirds of the esterified cholesterol in total very low density lipoproteins from moderately hypercholesterolemic rabbits is of dietary origin.
Integrating Two Theoretical Models to Understand and Prevent Military and Veteran Suicide

Despite increasing prevention efforts, military suicide rates have surpassed those of the general population. This trend may reflect a deficit in our understanding of suicide, historically atheoretical and based on decreasing risk factors of suicide. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) provides a theoretical foundation to understand suicide but only assesses three risk factors of suicide and is primarily aimed at explaining who may die by suicide, but not when. The fluid vulnerability theory (FVT) provides a broad theoretical framework to understand and organize risk and protective factors of suicide in order to understand the process of suicide risk over time. Overlaying the IPTS's constructs of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and the acquired capability for suicide within the FVT framework provides a robust model to understand not only who is at risk for suicide but also when suicide risk is likely to emerge. Language: en
An Empirical Study on Higher Education Convergence of Three Economic Regions in Liaoning Province

Based on a comprehensive evaluation of higher education development of three economic regions in Liaoning Province,σconvergence,absoluteβconvergence and conditionalβconvergence of higher education development in each economic region were empirically examined with the panel data of 14 cities in Liaoning Province from 2005 to 2012.The results showed that although the higher education development improved greatly from 2005 and 2012,the development differences between regions did not display the characteristics ofσconvergence;and in Liaoning Province as a whole,the coastal economic zone and the north-west economic region,there existed the characteristics of absoluteβconvergence and conditionalβ convergence of higher education development. However,the conditional factors impacting convergence were varied in different regions.Consequently,different policies and measures should be adopted in accordance with the local conditions so as to promote a balanced development of higher education in different regions.
Relationships Between the First Four Moments

Best possible bounds on the third moment of a random variable are given in terms of the first, second, and fourth moments.
ISPSD 2015 Charitat Award

The ISPSD 2015 Charitat Award was given to Kosuki Uchida for the paper "The optimized design and characterization of 1200 V / 2.0 mΩ cm2 4H-SiC V-groove trench MOSFETs."
Uncertainty quantification in prediction of material properties during additive manufacturing

Abstract Based on our experience gained from uncertainty quantification (UQ) of traditional manufacturing, this paper discusses UQ for additive manufacturing with a focus on the prediction of material properties. Applications of UQ methods in traditional manufacturing are briefly summarized first. Based on that, we investigate how the state of the art UQ techniques can be applied to AM process to quantify the uncertainty in the material properties due to various sources of uncertainty. The UQ of ultimate tensile strength of a structure obtained from laser sintering of nanoparticles is used as an example to illustrate the proposed UQ framework.
Norovirus Regulation by Host and Microbe

Norovirus (NoV) infection is the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis globally, and can lead to detrimental chronic infection in immunocompromised hosts. Despite its prevalence as a cause of diarrheal illness, the study of human NoVs (HNoVs) has historically been limited by a paucity of models. The use of murine NoV (MNoV) to interrogate mechanisms of host control of viral infection has facilitated the exploration of different genetic mouse models, revealing roles for both innate and adaptive immunity in viral regulation. MNoV studies have also recently identified important interactions between the commensal microbiota and NoV with clear extensions to HNoVs. In this review, we discuss the most current understanding of how the host, the microbiome, and their interactions regulate NoV infections.
Human factors affecting bolted busbar reliability

Bolted busbar style connections on field installed power cords are common for high current electrical appliances mainly due to unique home appliance wiring which presents to the appliance either a three-wire or four-wire power outlet. This field installed situation creates an opportunity for significant variation which was the genesis for this study. A summary review of the applicable electrical joint theory related to the specific design adaptation of the bolted busbar under study is first reviewed. Then a wide inference space experimental investigation of human factors and variation sources is conducted to understand their effect on the junction tightness and contact resistance. Extrapolation of the findings in the study can be applied generally to any psychomechanical system where twist action tightness is accomplished through human haptic perception.
Love-wave propagation in three-dimensional structures using finite element techniques

abstract A finite element technique is used to study time-harmonic Love waves propagating in three-dimensional structures. As an illustration of the technique, the problem is solved for the restricted case of particle motion in one dimension. Two examples of Love waves in structures whose properties vary in the two dimensions perpendicular to the direction of propagation are presented for this restricted problem. It is shown that the velocities with which effects from a lateral boundary propagate appear to be of the magnitude of the P -wave velocity of the structures. It is also shown, for this restricted problem, that phase-velocity measurements made too close to a lateral boundary between two geologically distinct zones may produce values that are grossly incorrect.
Characterizing Literacy and Cognitive Function during Pregnancy and Postpartum.

Objective The objective of this study was to characterize health literacy and cognitive function in a diverse cohort of pregnant women. Methods Pregnant and postpartum women underwent in-depth assessments of health literacy/numeracy and the cognitive domains of verbal ability, working memory, long-term memory, processing speed, and inductive reasoning. Differences by demographic characteristics and gestational age were assessed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Results In this cohort of pregnant (N = 77) or postpartum (N = 24) women, 41.6% had limited health literacy/numeracy. Women were more likely to score in the lowest quartile for literacy and verbal ability if they were less educated, younger, nonwhite or had Medicaid. These factors were associated with low scores for long-term memory, processing speed, and inductive reasoning. Although there were no differences in literacy or cognitive function by parity or gestational age, postpartum women were more likely to score in the lowest quartile for processing speed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–10.93) and inductive reasoning (aOR: 4.07, 95% CI: 1.21–13.70). Conclusion Although postpartum status was associated with reduced inductive reasoning and processing speed, there were no differences in cognitive function across pregnancy. Practice Implications Postpartum maternal learning may require enhanced support. In addition, cognitive skills and health literacy may be a mediator of perinatal outcomes inequities.
Transductive local fisher discriminant analysis for gene expression profile-based cancer classification

Gene expression profiles provide hidden biological knowledge and key information that can be used to distinguish different types of cancer. Due to their high dimensionality and redundancy, gene expression data are often preprocessed by dimensionality reduction (DR) methods. Conventional supervised DR methods use only labeled samples to train the model, leading to a limited performance due to small number of labeled samples in the real world. This paper proposes a transductive local Fisher discriminant analysis (TLFDA) method that uses the available unlabeled data in the learning process. On the one hand, the label information is utilized to maximize the inter-class distance in the embedding space. On the other hand, the local structural information of all data samples is taken into consideration to maintain the smoothness property. In this way, the TLFDA provides more discriminative power than state-of-the-art supervised or semi-supervised DR methods, even when the number of labeled samples is very limited. Our experimental results on benchmark GCM and Acute Leukemia datasets show its promising performance on gene expression profile-based cancer classification.
RASSF4 controls SOCE and ER-PM junctions through regulation of PI(4,5)P2.

RAS association domain family 4 (RASSF4) is involved in tumorigenesis and regulation of the Hippo pathway. In this study, we identify new functional roles of RASSF4. First, we discovered that RASSF4 regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), a fundamental Ca2+ signaling mechanism, by affecting the translocation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) to ER–plasma membrane (PM) junctions. It was further revealed that RASSF4 regulates the formation of ER–PM junctions and the ER–PM tethering function of extended synaptotagmins E-Syt2 and E-Syt3. Moreover, steady-state PM phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI[4,5]P2) levels, important for localization of STIM1 and E-Syts at ER–PM junctions, were reduced in RASSF4-knockdown cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RASSF4 interacts with and regulates the activity of adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), a small G protein and upstream regulator of type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIP5Ks) and PM PI(4,5)P2 levels. Overall, our study suggests that RASSF4 controls SOCE and ER–PM junctions through ARF6-dependent regulation of PM PI(4,5)P2 levels, pivotal for a variety of physiological processes.
From Theory to Practice: A Critical Review of Positive Youth Development Program Frameworks

Many positive youth development (PYD) programs are based on a particular PYD framework as a method for describing the program’s intention and expected outcomes. This paper presents a critical review of eight select program frameworks that are commonly used to describe PYD programs. The review reveals considerable variation in the science supporting these frameworks, with corresponding variability in their programmatic application. To account for this variation, the frameworks were grouped into three categories based on the science and context in which they were developed. After a review of the historical and organizational context for the need and use of program frameworks, we present brief reviews of the frameworks, then close by discussing implications for practice, research, and policy.
Cultural Constructs in Teaching and Learning

In our 2 year study, we compared student narratives about their learning and experiences in collegiate learning environments with this model and eight cultural construct continua emerged. This chapter includes a visual, working model of eight cultural constructs as well as interpretations and illustrative student narratives of ways each construct manifests in web-based collegiate teaching and learning.
Natural Killer Cells in HIV Infection

Natural killer (NK) cells were originally defined functionally as a lymphocyte subpopulation that spontaneously lysed tumor cells, virally infected cells, and, in some instances, normal cells (Trinchieri, 1989, 1995). It is generally thought that NK cells represent a first line of defense against certain infectious agents and tumor growth. NK cells differ from T or B cells as they do not express known TCR or Ig receptor for antigen. Unlike T cells, NK cells kill target cells in a non-MHC-restricted fashion.
Prediction of adverse pathology after radical prostatectomy on MPMRI in the PIRADS v2 era.

121Background: As the use of MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) becomes more established, knowledge of its utility as a prognostic tool is needed to better counsel patients. Here, we aim to assess the ability of mpMRI to predict adverse pathologic factors, such as extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) or lymph node involvement (LNI) on final pathology after radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods: A prospectively maintained database was queried for all men who underwent mpMRI with current PI-RADS v2 scoring system, MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy (FBx), and RP at our institution (n = 112). Patient demographics, clinical data, imaging and pathology were recorded. Patients were stratified by presence of adverse pathology (AP), defined as EPE, SVI or LNI. Statistical analyses were used to identify mpMRI characteristics predictive of AP using STATA 13. Results: Patients with adverse pathology were middle aged, predominantly caucasian, and significantly higher PSA at baseline (Table 1). ...
Friedrich Schleiermacher: Pentecostal Friend or Foe?

Although it is rapidly growing worldwide, Pentecostalism is a relatively young Christian tradition and, in consequence, has not yet developed a thorough systematic theology. The most unifying aspects of Pentecostalism tend to be its emphasis on the Holy Spirit and its commitment to oppose what are deemed to be inappropriate and heretical theologies. While there are many theologies and theologians that Pentecostals resist, Friedrich D.E. Schleiermacher is almost universally opposed due to what Western Pentecostal theology views as his liberal, subjective, and academic theology. In this essay, I argue that these claims are misguided and that there is important common ground between Schleiermacher and Western Pentecostal theology, as seen through Schleiermacher’s theology on redemption, ecclesiology, and preaching. Thus Western Pentecostal theology can confidently adopt Schleiermacher as a theological ally, thereby allowing his theology to inform Pentecostal theology as it continues to develop.
3D Reconstruction of High Contrast Objects Using a Multi-scale Detection / Estimation Scheme

Reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) volume from a set of twodimensional X-ray projections raises theoretical, instrumental and computational difficulties. Focused on high contrast objects, solutions are proposed for the successive steps of a 3D reconstruction procedure, from the raw measurements on an image intensifier up to the reconstruction algorithm based on a multi-scale detection / estimation scheme.
Globalization Strategies and the Prospects of Increased Competition in the International Airline Industry

As governments debate open skies agreements, airlines are often left to find strategies that allow them to survive while waiting for a more liberal trading regime for international air travel. Airlines present an interesting theoretical case because they fail to conform to generally held notions about firm demands for protection or liberalization. The primary confounding factor in analyzing airline behavior is the pursuit of globalization strategies. This paper examines the potential impact of globalization strategies on competition in the international airline market. The conclusion from our initial analysis of four cases is that globalization strategies are reasonable for some airlines, but such strategies may actually lessen the chance for real competition in the market even if ongoing governmental negotiations are successful.
Prevention and Management of Severe Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (OASIs): a National Survey of Nurse- Midwives

There are no data on midwives’ knowledge and management of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) in the USA. We performed a cross-sectional national survey characterizing OASI practice by certified nurse midwives (CNMs), hypothesizing that few midwives personally repair OASIs and that there are gaps in CNM OASI training/education. We emailed a REDCap internet-based survey to 6909 American College of Nurse Midwives members (ACNM). We analyzed responses from active clinicians performing at least one delivery per month, asking about OASI risks, prevention, repair, and management. We summarized descriptive data then evaluated OASI knowledge by patient and provider characteristics. We received 1070 (15.5%) completed surveys, and 832 (77.8%) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Participants were similar to ACNM membership. Respondents most frequently identified prior OASI (87%) and nutrition (71%) as antepartum OASI risk factors and, less frequently, nulliparity (36%) and race (22%). Identified intrapartum risks included forceps delivery (94%) and midline episiotomy (88%). When obstetric laceration is suspected, 13.6% of respondents perform a rectal examination routinely. Only 15% of participants personally perform OASI repair. Overall, participants matched 64% of evidence-based answers. OASI education/training courses were attended by 30% of respondents, and 44% knew of OASI protocols within their group/institution. Of all factors evaluated, the percent of evidence-based responses was only different for respondent education/CME and protocols. Quality initiatives regarding OASI prevention and management may improve care. Our data suggest OASI training for midwives may improve delivery care in the US. Further studies of other obstetric providers are needed.
Combination of androgen receptor inhibitor and cisplatin, an effective treatment strategy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Abstract Purpose The role of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in bladder cancer (BCa) is not fully characterized. This study aimed to delineate the role of AR signaling in BCa and to determine whether the combination of AR inhibitor, Enzalutamide (Enz), and Cisplatin (Cis) efficiently inhibit the growth of BCa cells. Methods AR expression was determined in 89 human urothelial BCa specimens by immunohistochemistry. A panel of BCa cell lines was treated with Cis, Enz, or a combination of both (Enz + Cis). We determined the expression of AR, changes in apoptotic signaling, DNA damage, and analyzed effect on epithelial mesenchymal transformation markers. Result AR expression was detected in 61.4% of tumors from male BCa patients. Inhibition of AR signaling by Enz effectively inhibited the growth of AR+ BCa cells by inducing apoptosis (26%) in AR+ TCCSUP (P = 0.0201) and J82 (15%, P = 0.0386) cells. Interestingly, Enz + Cis synergistically inhibited the proliferation of BCa cells even at low concentrations by inducing proapoptotic signaling in AR+ BCa cells. Invasive and migratory potential of TCCSUP and J82 cells were reduced with Enz + Cis treatment, and associated with down-regulation of mesenchymal markers. Conclusions A high percentage of the bladder tumors from male patients in our cohort expressed AR. The combination of Enz and Cis synergistically inhibited growth of BCa cells more efficiently than single agent alone. This supports the rationale for future investigation of AR antagonists in combination with standard chemotherapy in MIBC.
How adolescents cope with food insecurity in Baltimore City: an exploratory study.

Objective To increase our understanding about food insecurity among urban adolescents, we conducted a qualitative study in Baltimore City with adolescents to: (i) explore how adolescents experience and cope with food insecurity; and (ii) identify community-based approaches or interventions for addressing food insecurity. Design A total of eight focus groups were conducted across six neighbourhoods. To gather sociodemographic characteristics and personal data on food insecurity, all consented adolescents completed a brief questionnaire. Setting Six purposively selected neighbourhoods in Baltimore City, USA. Participants A total of fifty-three adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 years participated in the study. Results Although half of our sample was classified as food insecure, everyone in the focus groups was aware of adolescents who engaged in risky behaviours to get money for food. Among girls, prostituting was the most commonly mentioned behaviour, whereas for boys, it was selling drugs or stealing to get money for food. Adolescents also described tremendous stigma associated with food insecurity and agreed that food insecurity has to be viewed within a broader set of economic challenges. Conclusions Addressing food insecurity among adolescents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods should be a high priority for policy makers and practitioners. Current feeding programmes are not addressing the needs of adolescents; as a result, adolescents are at risk for a variety of harmful behaviours and outcomes, with long-term negative health and social consequences.
Autologous Periurethral Fat Injections for the Creation of Bladder Outlet Obstruction

The enormous social, emotional, and financial impact of urinary incontinence in the United States is most apparent when one considers two major facts: 1) urinary incontinence is the primary reason many elderly Americans require institutional care, and 2) the total cost of incontinence to our society is estimated to exceed 10 billion dollars in 1987 (1). Over the years a number of surgical procedures were developed to provide an anatomic solution to this problem, and while they have enjoyed much success they are not applicable in every instance. Furthermore, there is controversy regarding the long term outcomes of continence surgery. For years urologists have searched for an ideal substance that could be endoscopically injected alongside the urethra to enhance outlet resistance and improve urinary incontinence. When one considers the cost of open surgical procedures with the resulting admission and/or loss of time from work, any effective endoscopic procedure would be a major advance.
Neck Swelling/Lumps: Torticollis

Torticollis is a condition characterized by a lateral head tilt (rotation of the head and neck to the affected side) and a chin rotation towards the opposite side of the tilt. This can be congenital or acquired and can be seen from infancy throughout adolescence. Depending on the age at presentation, the differential diagnosis varies. The incidence of congenital torticollis ranges from 0.3% to 2% of new-borns and it may occur slightly more frequently in males. For acquired torticollis, the incidence is depending on the underlying aetiology. This chapter will define the two types of torticollis and discuss the evaluation and management of both, including reasons for referral.
Total Internal Reflection Transient Absorption Microscopy: An Online Detection Method for Microfluidics.

Microreactors have garnered widespread attention for their tunability and precise control of synthetic parameters to efficiently produce target species. Despite associated advances, a lack of onlin...
AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM SHELL CONCEPT FOR COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND PLANNING

An integrated system shell called MetaDesigner, which deals with computer integrated product design and manufacturing planning, is developed by using various types of Al techniques. The object-oriented programming technique is applied to represent the information, including data and knowledge, and to implement various reasoning processes. A hierarchical structure is used to manage the processes of design ideation and manufacturing planning. Ultimately, it is the structure that the search process follows to find the instances of design and planning solutions. The system also provides interactive and system guided knowledge acquisition, classification, and retrieval to increase the intelligence of the hybrid expert systems developed in MetaDesigner.
Flavour and energy dependence of chemical freeze-out temperatures in relativistic heavy ion collisions from RHIC-BES to LHC energies

Abstract We present calculations of the chemical freeze-out temperature ( T ch ) based on particle yields from STAR and ALICE measured at collision energies ranging from s NN = 11.5 GeV to 5.02 TeV. Employing the Grand Canonical Ensemble approach using the Thermal-FIST Hadron Resonance Gas model package, we show evidence for a flavour-dependent chemical freeze-out in the crossover region of the QCD phase diagram. At a vanishing baryochemical potential, we calculate light and strange flavour freeze-out temperatures T L = 150.2 ± 2.6 MeV and T S = 165.1 ± 2.7 MeV, respectively.
Insights into the use of mesenchymal stem cells in COVID-19 mediated acute respiratory failure

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of 2019 in Hubei province China, is now the cause of a global pandemic present in over 150 countries. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with most subjects presenting with fever, cough and shortness of breath. In a subset of patients, COVID-19 progresses to hypoxic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), both of which are mediated by widespread inflammation and a dysregulated immune response. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent stromal cells that mediate immunomodulation and regeneration, could be of potential benefit to a subset of COVID-19 subjects with acute respiratory failure. In this review, we discuss key features of the current COVID-19 outbreak, and the rationale for MSC-based therapy in this setting, as well as the limitations associated with this therapeutic approach.
ACCELERATION OF ULTRA-HIGH-ENERGY COSMIC RAYS IN THE COLLIDING SHELLS OF BLAZARS AND GAMMA-RAY BURSTS: CONSTRAINTS FROM THE FERMI GAMMA-RAY SPACE TELESCOPE

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope measurements of spectra, variability timescales, and maximum photon energies give lower limits to the apparent jet powers and, through γγ opacity arguments, the bulk Lorentz factors of relativistic jets. The maximum cosmic-ray particle energy is limited by these two quantities in Fermi acceleration scenarios. Recent data are used to constrain the maximum energies of cosmic-ray protons and Fe nuclei accelerated in colliding shells of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and blazars. The Fermi results indicate that Fe rather than protons are more likely to be accelerated to ultra-high energies in active galactic nuclei (AGNs), whereas powerful GRBs can accelerate both protons and Fe to 1020 eV. Emissivity of nonthermal radiation from radio galaxies and blazars is estimated from the First Fermi AGN Catalog, and shown to favor BL Lac objects and FR1 radio galaxies over flat spectrum radio quasars, FR2 radio galaxies, and long-duration GRBs as the sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.
Autonomous Synthesis of α and β Hemoglobin Chains in Rabbit Erythroid Cells

Abstract Hemoglobin β-chain synthesis by rabbit erythroid cells was tested for dependence on availability of complementary α-chains. Reticulocytes and bone marrow cells were obtained from variant rabbits that have hemoglobin with isoleucine in α-chains but not in β-chains. This characteristic permits the use of l-o-methylthreonine, a specific isoleucine antagonist, to inhibit selectively the synthesis of hemoglobin α-chains without directly affecting that of β-chains. Study of hemoglobin synthesis by bone marrow cells presents two problems that require careful management: (A) the fragility of the globin-synthesizing apparatus and (B) the isolation of globin from the various proteins made by the mixture of nucleated cells. Disruption of synthetic activity was minimized by collecting the bone marrow in autologous plasma then removing fat and connective tissue while the cells were suspended in this medium. Purification involved gel filtration of hemoglobin and globin then CM-cellulose chromatography of globin chains. Absence of radioactive isoleucine in β-chains demonstrated the efficacy of this scheme in removing isoleucine-containing proteins that otherwise elute with β-chains on CM-cellulose columns. In reticulocytes, when synthesis of α-chains is inhibited by 30%–80%, that of β-chains is stimulated by 20%–60%, but in marrow cells, incorporation into β-chains stays at control level when α incorporation is inhibited. The data indicate that β-chain synthesis is independent of the availability of complementary α-chains.
Deep Pose Alignment

This paper proposes a new deep learning architecture that aligns human poses to be used in an exercise/rehabilitation assistant system. In short, the assistant system aims to provide users with visual feedback for their physical exercises. The feedback is generated by first extracting a user’s poses while they are performing an exercise through the video feed of the session. The extracted poses are then overlaid with the correct poses and display for the user to observe and fix their errors. This paper focuses on the task of aligning the user’s pose with the correct pose so that they can be overlaid on each other with minimal differences, including scales, locations, and perspectives. We design a new deep architecture to accomplish this task, and show that our methods can effectively reduce alignment errors by 70% on average.
Lid-driven Stokes slip flow in a rectangular cavity

Abstract Slip flow in a rectangular cavity is studied. Using slip eigenfunctions, an exact series solution is found for a lid sliding longitudinally. For a transversely sliding lid, the stream function for Stokes flow is determined by a new set of slip eigenfunctions and supplemented by point match on the boundary. It is found that slip has considerable effect on the flow properties. Analyses of the region very close to the corner of the velocity discontinuity show the stress singularity of no-slip flow can be eliminated by slip for both longitudinal flow and transverse flow, except when the latter corner is a right angle.
Fixed-dose prothrombin complex concentrate for emergent warfarin reversal among patients with intracranial hemorrhage.

Abstract Introduction Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4PCC) is the preferred reversal agent for warfarin reversal, although the ideal dose is unknown. Fixed-dose 4PCC offers simplified dosing compared to standard-dosing algorithms with potentially lower risks of thromboembolic complications given lower doses are typically utilized. Methods Retrospective, observational, multicentered, pre- post- study of patients who received 4PCC for warfarin reversal among four hospitals within the same regional health system. Standard-dose patients received variable doses ranging from 25 to 50 units/kg based on total body weight and initial INR and fixed-dose patients received 2000 units. The primary outcome was achievement of a target INR ≤ 1.4 on the first post-4PCC INR result. Results After exclusions, 48 and 42 patients were analyzed in the standard-dose and fixed-dose groups, respectively. There was no difference in the ability to achieve a target INR of ≤1.4 (82.6% vs 81.5%, p = 0.14). Both groups received the same median dose of 2000 units, although fixed-dose patients actually received a higher weight-based dose than standard-dose patients (27 units/kg vs 24.5 units/kg). Conclusion A fixed-dose 4PCC regimen of 2000 units among patients with ICH was as effective as standard-dose 4PCC for INR reversal among patients with ICH. However, fixed-doses of 2000 units at times exceeded standard 4PCC doses which may be contradictory to the goals of fixed-dose 4PCC for warfarin reversal.
Impact of viscosity ratio on falling two-layer viscous film flow inside a tube

A two-layer falling film consisting of two viscous fluids with identical density but different viscosity lining the interior of a vertical tube is studied using a long-wave asymptotic model. The impact of the viscosity ratio on the film linear stability and nonlinear dynamics are explored. It is shown that a less viscous outer layer can decrease the total film thickness required for plugs to form; the significance of this study for applications, including human airways, is briefly discussed.
Schrödinger's Killer App: Race to Build the World's First Quantum Computer

The Early Years-When Einstein Attacks! Certain Uncertainties All I'm Ever Going to be Is Incomplete Fairies, Gremlins, and Magic Dice The Inverted Earth Society The Cat in the App For Whom the Bell Tolls Clanking Contraptions and Cantankerous Codgers Freedom of Choice, French Finesse, and Loopholes I Never Metaphysics I Didn't Like The Quantum Codebreaker The Trouble with Thulium Turing Machines and a Deutsch Treat Your Pad or Mine? The People's Key The Bolt from the Blue You're in the Army Now The Great Quantum Diaspora The Notebook, the Spy, and the Workshop The Unlying Lands Interior Panel Siding Needle in a Haystack Quantum Computing in a Coffee Cup-When the Buzz Wears Off D-Wave, BOSS, D-Wave More Gadgets from the Quantum Spookhouse Blessed Are the Codemakers Quantum Repeaters and Earth-to-Space Quantum Cryptography Beam Me Up, Charlie The Tale of the True Timepiece From Quantum Computers to Quantum Sensors Light Blips Shrink Chips The Great Clock Synchronization Saga Hilbert Space-The Final Frontier Quantum Technology in a FLASH Qubits, Four Bits, Six Bits, a Dollar The Church of the Larger Hilbert Space To Go Where No Mad Scientist Has Gone Before Index
A Proof of Evans’ Convexity Conjecture

Given a sequence of degrees &#x1d538; = {a 1,…, a n } with 1 ≤ a 1 ≤ a 2 ≤ … ≤a n , an ideal L is called an &#x1d538; lex-plus-powers ideal if L minimally contains and is otherwise as lex as possible. Such ideals are conjectured by Eisenbud, Green, and Harris, to exhibit extremal Hilbert function growth (among all ideals also containing a regular sequence in degrees &#x1d538;), and by Charalambous and Evans to exhibit maximal graded Betti numbers (among all ideals containing a regular sequence in degrees &#x1d538; and attaining the same Hilbert function). Of course, given a sequence of degrees &#x1d538; and a Hilbert function ℋ, an &#x1d538; lex-plus-powers ideal with Hilbert function ℋ may or may not exist. Evans has conjectured that the existence of such ideals is governed by a certain convexity property: that is, given a Hilbert function ℋ and three sequences of degrees &#x1d538; ≤ &#x1d539; ≤ &#x1d543; where &#x1d543; gives the degrees of the pure powers in the lex ideal attaining ℋ, if there exists an &#x1d538; lex-plus-powers ideal attaining ℋ, then there exists a &#x1d539; lex-plus-powers ide...
Towards a systematic threat modeling approach for cyber-physical systems

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are systems with seamless integration of physical, computational and networking components. These systems can potentially have an impact on the physical components, hence it is critical to safeguard them against a wide range of attacks. In this paper, it is argued that an effective approach to achieve this goal is to systematically identify the potential threats at the design phase of building such systems, commonly achieved via threat modeling. In this context, a tool to perform systematic analysis of threat modeling for CPS is proposed. A real-world wireless railway temperature monitoring system is used as a case study to validate the proposed approach. The threats identified in the system are subsequently mitigated using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.
Introducción a "Repensar el desarrollo económico, el crecimiento y las instituciones"

This article is an introduction to the book “Rethinking economic development, growth, and institutions” (forthcoming in Oxford University Press, 2013). It presents a summary of the main theses and themes addressed by the book: the recent developments in the economics of growth and development, with particular attention to the ascent of the new institutional economics, the controversies on the fundamental determinants of development levels, the role of aggregate demand in the growth process and the progress of endogenous growth theory. Above all, it argues for reconsidering and incorporating in the mainstream of the discipline the insights of classical development theory, by which I mean the contribu tions of the pioneers of development economics in the 1950s, whose main characteristics come from considering heterogeneous economies, subject to technological and pecuniary externalities associated with increasing returns to scale and the existence of wide sectors with labor surpluses, in which growth is viewed as the transition from low level to high level equilibria, resulting from resource reallocation, structural change and the endogeneity of technological change and productivity advances
Actualités informatiques et technologiques en cancérologie

Malgre une conjoncture morose, les nouvelles technologies passent une etape importante en 2001 et 2002 : le deploiement. Un grand nombre de reseaux se sont constitues ou sont en passe de l’etre. L’integration et l’utilisation de ces technologies dans les systemes d’information depassent maintenant le cadre de la simple experimentation. Une revue de presse complete des principaux faits marquants en telemedecine et oncologie en 2002 est presentee ainsi qu’un etat des reseaux et des outils de formation, d’enseignements et de diagnostic.
Neuronal growth promoting sesquiterpene–neolignans; syntheses and biological studies

The use of small molecules that can promote neuronal growth represents a promising approach to regenerative science. Along these lines we have developed separate short or modular syntheses of the natural products caryolanemagnolol and clovanemagnolol, small molecules previously shown to promote neuronal growth and induce choline acetyltransferase activity. The postulated biosynthetic pathways, potentially leading to the assembly of these molecules in nature, have guided the laboratory syntheses, allowing the preparation of both natural products in as few as two steps. With synthetic access to the compounds as single enantiomers we have examined clovanemagnolol's ability to promote the growth of embryonic hippocampal and cortical neurons. Clovanemagnolol has been shown to be a potent neurotrophic agent, promoting neuronal growth at concentrations of 10 nM.
A new in-vivo model for the study of potential fibrinolytic agents. II. Screening of candidate biguanide analogues and other organic compounds

Abstract An in-vivo model recently developed in our laboratory was used to screen a large series of biguanide and other organic compounds for potential fibrinolytic activity. The model employs dogs with a fibrinolysin system depressed by insulin prior to administration of the candidate compounds. Of 31 compounds tested, eight were found to have significant fibrinolytic activity as measured by euglobulin clot lysis activity and an additional nine with moderate activity. Initial structure-activity relationships of the biguanide analogues are suggested. The model has been adapted to the rat to allow the rapid, inexpensive screening of candidate compounds.