cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invaginating Structures in Mammalian Synapses

Invaginating structures at chemical synapses in the mammalian nervous system exist in presynaptic axon terminals, postsynaptic spines or dendrites, and glial processes. These invaginating structures can be divided into three categories. The first category includes slender protrusions invaginating into axonal terminals, postsynaptic spines, or glial processes. Best known examples of this category are spinules extending from postsynaptic spines into presynaptic terminals in forebrain synapses. Another example of this category are protrusions from inhibitory presynaptic terminals invaginating into postsynaptic neuronal somas. Regardless of the direction and location, the invaginating structures of the first category do not have synaptic active zones within the invagination. The second category includes postsynaptic spines invaginating into presynaptic terminals, whereas the third category includes presynaptic terminals invaginating into postsynaptic spines or dendrites. Unlike the first category, the second and third categories have active zones within the invagination. An example of the second category are mossy terminal synapses of the hippocampal CA3 region, in which enlarged spine-like structures invaginate partly or entirely into mossy terminals. An example of the third category is the neuromuscular junction where substantial invaginations of the presynaptic terminals invaginate into the muscle fibers. In the retina, rod and cone synapses have invaginating processes from horizontal and bipolar cells. Because horizontal cells act both as post and presynaptic structures, their invaginating processes represent both the second and third category. These invaginating structures likely play broad yet specialized roles in modulating neuronal cell signaling.
Comprehensive Validation of an Intermittency Transport Model for Transitional Low-Pressure Turbine Flows

A transport equation for the intermittency factor is employed to predict transitional flows under the effects of pressure gradients, freestream turbulence intensities, Reynolds number variations, flow separation and reattachment. and unsteady wake-blade interactions representing diverse operating conditions encountered in low-pressure turbines. The intermittent behaviour of the transitional flows is taken into account and incorporated into computations by modifying the eddy viscosity, Mu(sub t), with the intermittency factor, gamma. Turbulent quantities are predicted by using Menter's two-equation turbulence model (SST). The onset location of transition is obtained from correlations based on boundary-layer momentum thickness, acceleration parameter, and turbulence intensity. The intermittency factor is obtained from a transport model which can produce both the experimentally observed streamwise variation of intermittency and a realistic profile in the cross stream direction. The intermittency transport model is tested and validated against several well documented low pressure turbine experiments ranging from flat plate cases to unsteady wake-blade interaction experiments. Overall, good agreement between the experimental data and computational results is obtained illustrating the predicting capabilities of the model and the current intermittency transport modelling approach for transitional flow simulations.
Mechanics of Stone Fragmentation in Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy

To study the interaction between a stone and a cavitation jet during extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), we developed a model based on geometrical acoustics describing the impingement of a cavitation microjet on an elastic solid boundary and the subsequent propagation of the resultant shock waves in the solid. The model incorporated the acoustic and mechanical properties of different stone types to calculate the jet impact pressure at the stone surface and the stress and strain at the propagating shock fronts. This model was validated using stone phantoms in slab configuration fabricated to have comparable acoustic and mechanical properties to renal calculi. This chapter summarizes our efforts, both analytical and experimental, towards the understanding of stone fragmentation in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
Distinct Developmental Requirements for Isolated Lymphoid Follicle Formation in the Small and Large Intestine: RANKL Is Essential Only in the Small Intestine

Cryptopatches (CPs) and isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) are organized intestinal lymphoid tissues that develop postnatally in mice and include stromal cells expressing the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). We investigated how stromal RANKL influences the development and differentiation of CPs and ILFs by analyzing the development of these lymphoid structures in knockout mice lacking RANKL. We found that RANKL −/− mice had a fourfold reduction in the overall density of CPs in the small intestine compared to control mice, with the largest decrease in the proximal small intestine. No B cells were present in CPs from the small intestine of RANKL −/− mice and ILF formation was completely blocked. In sharp contrast, colonic ILFs containing B cells were present in RANKL −/− mice. Stromal cells within CPs in the small intestine of RANKL −/− mice did not express CXCL13 (originally called B lymphocyte chemoattractant) and often lacked other normally expressed stromal cell antigens, whereas colonic lymphoid aggregates in RANKL −/− mice retained stromal CXCL13 expression. The CXCL13-dependent maturation of precursor CPs into ILFs is differentially regulated in the small intestine and colon, with an absolute requirement for RANKL only in the small intestine.
Zero-cycles with coefficients for the second generalized symplectic involution variety of an algebra of degree 4

Abstract We compute the group of K 1 -zero-cycles on the second generalized involution variety for an algebra of degree 4 with symplectic involution. This description is given in terms of the group of multipliers of similitudes associated to the algebra with involution. Our method utilizes the framework of Chernousov and Merkurjev for computing K 1 -zero-cycles in terms of R-equivalence classes of prescribed algebraic groups. This gives a computation of K 1 -zero-cycles for some homogeneous varieties of type C 2 .
Assessing food insecurity at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

In 2014, 567,250 (19.1%) Arkansans were classified as food insecure (Feeding America, 2016). According to Dubick, Mathews, and Cady (2016), 48% of students at community colleges and four-year colleges/universities qualified as food insecure. For this study, we implemented a non-probability convenience sample of 478 students enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Of the students who completed the survey: 54% identified as White; 37% Black or African American; 6% Hispanic or Latino; 3.5% Asian; 1% Native American and 62% were 19-24 years old. In terms of food security, 22.4% had enough to eat, but not always the kinds of food they wanted, 4.5% sometimes did not have enough to eat, 20.4% had to cut the size of their meals or skip meals because there was not enough money for food in the past three months, and 22.5% could not afford to eat balanced meals in the past three months. When one is always in search of their next meal, improper impulse controls can develop. Those who are food insecure or hungry, treat every meal as if it were their last. The link between food accessibility and academic performance can illustrate ways that policymakers can address the issue to help alleviate poverty and increase the chances that children can go to college and stay in college. By collaborating with students, faculty, and staff, UALR can increase its methods to address food insecurity among its college students.
Individual Type 5: Shepherds

A shepherd is a person whose goal in life is to make society a better place; often, this goal is driven by ideology, either organized or personal. There are, of course, many different subtypes, many of which are direct extensions (or part) of corresponding H.
Tutorial: Causal Inference in Biomedical Data Analytics -- Basics and Recent Advances

Causal questions are being answered every day in the biomedical domain, and have significant impact on biomedical experimentation design, data analysis, and healthcare decision making. In this tutorial, we focus on identifying the (quantitative) causal effect of interventions. We will introduce a) introduction of causal inference, and popular frameworks for formulating causal inference; b) basics of causal effect identification algorithms; c) state-of-the-art methods by incorporating deep learning and machine learning; d) applications in biomedical data analytics, as well as challenges and opportunities moving forward.
Dimethyl sulfoxide maintains structure and function of cryopreserved equine endometrial explants

Abstract Availability of viable frozen-thawed endometrial tissues could facilitate detailed studies into physiologic and disease processes influencing the endometrium. This study was designed to investigate the cryosurvival of equine endometrial tissue. Previous studies in the human and horse have focused on cryopreservation of dissociated endometrial cells. To our knowledge, there are no studies on cryopreservation of endometrial explants. Our objectives were to 1) determine the influence of differing concentrations of the permeating cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) on viability, structural integrity, and gene expression of cryopreserved equine endometrial tissues prior to and following a 5-day explant culture in vitro and 2) examine the influence of low (1000 mg/L dextrose) vs high (4500 mg/L dextrose) glucose medium during in vitro culture. Both 10% and 20% (v/v) concentrations of Me2SO maintained viability following cryopreservation and in vitro culture. In addition, gene expression remained unaltered following cryopreservation with either 10% or 20% Me2SO. However, tissue structural integrity was slightly reduced compared to the fresh control. Furthermore, there was no difference in structural integrity, cell viability, or gene expression between low and high glucose medium during in vitro culture. Although E-cadherin and Ki67 gene expression was not different among fresh, 10% Me2SO, and 20% Me2SO treatments prior to or following tissue culture, estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptor gene expression were reduced in all groups after explant culture. This is the first report of successful cryopreservation of equine endometrial explants.
Cellular Reference Materials for DNA Damage Using Electrochemical Oxidation.

Reference materials are needed to quantify the level of DNA damage in cells, to assess sources of measurement variability and to compare results from different laboratories. The comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) is a widely used method to determine DNA damage in the form of strand breaks. Here we examine the use of electrochemical oxidation to produce DNA damage in cultured mammalian cells and quantify its percentage using the comet assay. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were grown on an indium tin oxide electrode surface and exposed 12 h to electrochemical potentials ranging from 0.5 V to 1.5 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The resulting cells were harvested and analyzed by comet and a cell viability assay. We observed a linear increase in the percentage (DNA in tail) of strand breaks along with a loss of cell viability with increasing oxidation potential value. The results indicate that electrochemically induced DNA damage can be produced in mammalian cells under well-controlled conditions and could be considered in making a cellular reference material for the comet assay.
Statistical analysis of two arm randomized pre-post design with one post-treatment measurement

Randomized pre-post designs, with outcomes measured at baseline and follow-ups, have been commonly used to compare the clinical effectiveness of two competing treatments. There are vast, but often conflicting, amount of information in current literature about the best analytic methods for pre-post design. It is challenging for applied researchers to make an informed choice. We discuss six methods commonly used in literature: one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance main effect and interaction models on post-treatment measurement (ANCOVA I and II), ANOVA on change score between baseline and post-treatment measurements, repeated measures and constrained repeated measures models (cRM) on baseline and post-treatment measurements as joint outcomes. We review a number of study endpoints in pre-post designs and identify the difference in post-treatment measurement as the common treatment effect that all six methods target. We delineate the underlying differences and links between these competing methods in homogeneous and heterogeneous study population. We demonstrate that ANCOVA and cRM outperform other alternatives because their treatment effect estimators have the smallest variances. cRM has comparable performance to ANCOVA I main effect model in homogeneous scenario and to ANCOVA II interaction model in heterogeneous scenario. In spite of that, ANCOVA has several advantages over cRM, including treating baseline measurement as covariate because it is not an outcome by definition, the convenience of incorporating other baseline variables and handling complex heteroscedasticity patterns in a linear regression framework.
Asymmetries: South Africa, Ireland, and Postcolonial Comparison

In introducing this special issue on South African and Irish literature and culture, this essay offers a critical overview of the field of comparisons between these two former colonies. Though the ...
The Tec kinase ITK differentially optimizes NFAT, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling during early T cell activation to regulate graded gene induction [preprint]

The strength of peptide:MHC interactions with the T cell receptor (TCR) is correlated with the time to first cell division, the relative scale of the effector cell response, and the graded expression of activation-associated proteins like IRF4. To regulate T cell activation programming, the TCR and the TCR proximal kinase ITK simultaneously trigger many biochemically separate TCR signaling cascades. T cells lacking ITK exhibit selective impairments in effector T cell responses after activation, but under the strongest signaling conditions ITK activity is dispensable. To gain insight into whether TCR signal strength and ITK activity tune observed graded gene expression through unequal activation of disparate signaling pathways, we examined Erk1/2 activation and NFAT, NF-{kappa}B translocation in naive OT-I CD8+ cell nuclei. We observed consistent digital activation of NFAT1 and Erk-MAPK, but NF-{kappa}B displayed dynamic, graded activation in response to variation in TCR signal strength and was tunable by treatment with an ITK inhibitor. Inhibitor-treated cells showed dampened induction of AP-1 factors Fos and Fosb, NF-{kappa}B response gene transcripts, and survival factor Il2 transcripts. ATAC-seq analysis also revealed genomic regions most sensitive to ITK inhibition were enriched for NF-{kappa}B and AP-1 motifs. Specific inhibition of NF-{kappa}B during peptide stimulation tuned expression of early gene products like c-Fos. Together, these data indicate a key role for ITK in orchestrating optimal activation of separate TCR downstream pathways, specifically aiding NF-{kappa}B activation. More broadly, we revealed a mechanism by which variation in TCR signal strength can produce patterns of graded gene expression in activated T cells.
Application of Guideline-Based Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Atrial Pressure to Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background Early, noninvasive identification of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with congestion may allow timely tailoring of decongestive therapies. The 2016 American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines provide an algorithm to assess for elevated left atrial pressure (LAP); the associations of echocardiographic LAP with clinical status and disease progression in patients with HFpEF are unclear. Methods Participants in the Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibition to Improve Clinical Status and Exercise Capacity in HFpEF trial were categorized into one of four prespecified guideline-based echocardiographic LAP categories: (1) normal, (2) elevated, (3) atrial fibrillation (AF) at the time of echocardiography, or (4) indeterminate. Associations of echocardiographic LAP categories with baseline exercise capacity, change in exercise capacity, and change in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide over 24 weeks were evaluated. Results Of 216 participants, 199 underwent mitral inflow Doppler echocardiography for LAP categorization. Participants with elevated echocardiographic LAP (n = 81) or AF (n = 57) were older and had a higher prevalence of kidney dysfunction. Compared with the normal echocardiographic LAP group (n = 28), elevated echocardiographic LAP and AF were each independently associated with a greater reduction in peak oxygen consumption over 24 weeks after adjusting for baseline values and clinical covariates (β for elevated echocardiographic LAP = −1.55 [95% CI, −2.59 to −0.51], P = .004; β for AF = −1.33 [95% CI, −2.49 to −0.17], P = .03). Indeterminate echocardiographic LAP (n = 33) was also independently associated with a reduction in exercise capacity at 24 weeks compared with normal echocardiographic LAP (β = −1.35; 95% CI, −2.51 to −0.19; P = .02). Finally, elevated echocardiographic LAP and AF were significantly associated with increases in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide over 24 weeks compared with normal echocardiographic LAP. Conclusions In patients with chronic HFpEF, elevated echocardiographic LAP and indeterminate echocardiographic LAP, as defined by contemporary guidelines, and AF were each independently associated with a reduction in exercise capacity compared with normal echocardiographic LAP. These findings suggest the potential utility of noninvasive LAP assessment in patients with HFpEF for tailoring treatments that decrease congestion.
Indoor Air Quality, Information, and Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from Delhi

In Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities, there is relatively little information on indoor air pollution and how it varies by socioeconomic status (SES). Using indoor air quality monitors (IAQMs), we find that winter levels of household air pollution exceed World Health Organization standards by more than 20 times in both high- and low-SES households. We then evaluate a field experiment that randomly assigned monthlong IAQM user trials across medium- and high-SES households but suffered from significant survey non-response. Among respondents, IAQMs did not affect take-up of subsidized air purifier rentals or other defensive behavior.
Left-sided Femoral Venous Access for Tricuspid Clip Procedure

Off-label transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (tricuspid clip) with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved commercially available MitraClip system (Abbott, Sant...
Interannual Variability and Seasonal Dynamics of Evapotranspiration of Arundo donax L. and Populations of its Biological Control Agent (Tetramesa romana)

Abstract Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a woody grass native to the Mediterranean, has become a cause of concern for national water security in its invaded range of the arid southwestern United States, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The main objective of this study was to provide the first, landscape-level estimates of water use by giant reed. The study utilized the eddy covariance method to quantify evapotranspiration (ET) throughout the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons along the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas. We monitored ET concurrently with the implementation of a biological control program targeting giant reed. Daily ET rates were strongly associated with the phenology of giant reed, as estimated by degree day accumulation. Monthly ET was higher in each month of the active growing season (May–October) of giant reed in 2014 than in 2015. Consequently, seasonal (DOY 121-304) ET was substantially higher in 2014 (842 mm) than in 2015 (625 mm) even though the 2015 growing season was wetter. Cumulative rainfall from May to October was 188 and 264 mm in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our study indicated that the reduction in ET could be attributed to the presence of specialist insect biological control agent, the stem-galling arundo wasp (Tetramesa romana). In 2015, we observed a 28.6% (May), 53.5% (June), and 44% (July) increase in the number of arundo wasps captured in sticky traps from the previous year. Additional studies are needed to quantify conservation and economic benefits of the biological control program in the Rio Grande Basin.
Affective Ratings of Vibrotactile Signals in Older Adults With and Without History of Stroke

Emerging research seeks to apply vibrotactile stimulation in physical therapy to improve diminished limb function. However, for these systems to be accepted, prospective users must find the stimulation tolerable or even pleasant. Prior studies on affective response to stimulation focus on healthy, younger users; older users of new therapeutic applications have different sensory perception than these younger users. Here we queried older adults with and without history of stroke to understand their experience of vibration on the arm at several amplitude-frequency settings and patterns. None of our stimuli were perceived as painful by participants, including two with allodynia who perceive some tactile stimuli as noxious. Individuals with history of stroke reported significantly lower valence ratings but higher arousal ratings than individuals without history of stroke. Lower amplitude stimulation was rated with lower arousal by all participants. Some participants expressed a preference for perceivable or strong stimulation. Reported sensations included tickling, tingling, and numbness.
Pulmonary Emphysema in weaned calves

Classification of pneumonias takes on many characteristics, each of which seem to add to the confusion in diagnosing respiratory problems. Pierson divides respiratory feedlot yearling deaths into three groups: bronchial, interstitial, and metastatic. He then describes each entity of that group. He classifies pulmonary emphysema of weaned calves as an interstitial pneumonia. Other respiratory entities in this group with confusing morphological terms are: bovine pulmonary emphysema; acute bovine pulmonary emphysema, or ABPE; St. George disease; fog fever; atypical interstitial pneumonia, which is currently the most popular; pulmonary adenomatosis; silo filler's disease; cow asthma; hypersensitive pneumonitis; extrinsic allergic alveolitis; "Urner pneumonie"; bovine farmer's lung; acute alveolar emphysema and edema; panters; and lungers.
Helping the Underserved and Mentally Ill

The Purdue Offi ce of Engagement Student Grant Program for Community Service and Service-Learning Projects provided the means for a Purdue student to prepare and serve over ten dinners for the clients at the Mental Health America of Tippecanoe Day Shelter. The student learned a great deal about the underserved, including their stories of hardship and perseverance. The experience left him with a different perspective of health care and many lessons that could not be achieved in a classroom setting.
Crystal structures of S100A6 in the Ca(2+)-free and Ca(2+)-bound states: the calcium sensor mechanism of S100 proteins revealed at atomic resolution.

Abstract S100A6 is a member of the S100 family of Ca 2+ binding proteins, which have come to play an important role in the diagnosis of cancer due to their overexpression in various tumor cells. We have determined the crystal structures of human S100A6 in the Ca 2+ -free and Ca 2+ -bound states to resolutions of 1.15 A and 1.44 A, respectively. Ca 2+ binding is responsible for a dramatic change in the global shape and charge distribution of the S100A6 dimer, leading to the exposure of two symmetrically positioned target binding sites. The results are consistent with S100A6, and most likely other S100 proteins, functioning as Ca 2+ sensors in a way analogous to the prototypical sensors calmodulin and troponin C. The structures have important implications for our understanding of target binding and cooperativity of Ca 2+ binding in the S100 family.
Style as an Attention Technology

What is the point of style? According to Richard Lanham in his book, The Economics of Attention: Style and Substance in the Age of Information, style is the means by which attention is attracted and allocated. Lanham's book describes the triumph of 'fluff' over 'stuff' (information over objects) and the importance of intellectual property. Wealth effects and shifts in the distribution costs can help explain a shift over time from stuff to fluff. A deep economics of attention will require digging into the technology of attention allocation, and into the conflicts of interest between those who seek to attract the attention of others and those who seek to allocate their own scarce attention effectively. An understanding the role of style in therefore essential for building an economics of attention.
Antecedents of computer technology usage: considerations of the technology acceptance model in the academic environment

Several factors have to be taken into account in order to guarantee computer usage. In this study, we focused attention on some of these factors and created a theoretical model to better understand the relationship between computer literacy, attitudes, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness as determinants of computer usage. Additionally, we examined the impact of some external variables such as gender, income, and others on computer literacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitudes toward computers. We studied these relationships and investigated how gender and educational background mediate the hypothesized relationships. To validate the research model, we collected data from 166 students at a regional Midwest university. Finding support for the proposed model is of vital importance for organizations that can make better decisions when facing employee training issues and also for scholars and curriculum administrators. The results showed that gender, traditional vs. non-traditional students categories, educational background (business vs. non-business), classification (full-time vs. part-time) were not significant factors in affecting students' computer usage. However, income, self-reported measure of computer knowledge, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, computer literacy, and attitudes toward computers (positive vs. negative) were significant factors that impacted students' computer usage.
Project in applied software engineering

Many schools are meeting a community need by offering a Master's degree for software developers who either did not have an undergraduate major in software development or who had one before the current emphasis on project management techniques was standard. Such a program may also attract students who have had a more recent undergraduate program but who need graduate work to keep up with the field. The author teaches the core two-semester sequence in such a program and has found a strategy that addresses the needs of such a mixed audience. The first semester course described here is designed to be valuable even for a student who does not take the second semester. Although writing intensive, this course has been successfully used in a class that included a number of students for whom English was not a first language.
A knowing people

In 1646, Dorothy Burch, a working class wife and mother who lived in a small village in Kent, published A Catechism of the Several Heads of the Christian Religion. This essay draws upon such diverse sources as county histories, public records, taxation lists, and churchwarden's accounts in order to attend to the factors that allowed Burch to enter early modern print culture. In the early 1640's, a Royalist minister arrived at her local parish church and insulted the local parishioners, the majority of whom worked as fisherman, oyster-dredgers, and mariners. Dorothy Burch wrote her catechism to demonstrate her-and her community's-knowledge of the Protestant faith. She chose to write a catechism in part because of the importance accorded to catechizing within Evangelical Protestantism, but also because catechisms were a genre traditionally associated with women and mothers.
Lack of association between decompressive craniectomy and conversion to donor status.

Fletcher JJ, Bergman K, Watcharotone K, Jacobs TL, Brown DL. Lack of association between decompressive craniectomy and conversion to donor status. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 83–89. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: There has been a recent resurgence in the use of decompressive craniectomy (DC) following severe brain injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate any association between DC and solid organ donation. We performed a retrospective, single-center, cohort study involving referrals to the local organ procurement organization, excluding those with anoxic brain injury. Of subjects referred, 64 (53%) were deemed eligible for donation and 29 (24%) converted to donor status. DC was performed with similar frequency in donors and non-donors (41% vs. 29%; p = 0.23). Patients with DC had similar odds of donation as those without DC (odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 0.72–4.03), including after adjustment for age and Glasgow Coma Scale score (odds ratio 1.31, 95% CI 0.53–3.24). The most common reason eligible patients failed to convert to donor status was failure to pursue organ procurement because of the belief that the patient would not progress to neurological death or be a candidate for donation following cardiac death. Decompressive craniectomy was not uncommon among referrals to organ procurement organizations who ultimately become solid organ donors. Continued communication between the organ donation coordinators and the treating team has potential to decrease missed opportunities for organ donation.
What's Wrong with the Torturer?

In this paper I attempt to both look beyond our general contempt for torture to investigate the processes and procedures that must be in place for torture to even occur and show how our contempt actually serves to support these processes and procedures. The idea that the torturer is not simply someone who performs a particular activity but rather someone who, through his activity, becomes something alien and nightmarish to us has become so ingrained in our understanding of torture that it is rather difficult to remember that, regardless of how we might feel about it, the torturer is still a person performing an activity. Yet if we begin to take this simple fact more seriously and try to understand how particular people came to perform these particular activities then perhaps we can achieve a more realistic depiction of torture that is not just victim versus torturer, but instead something far more complicated. By looking at what torturers have said - in interviews, testimonies, and memoirs - rather than only what has been said about them, we can find that many of the concepts that have been applied to victims of torture can be usefully applied to the perpetrators as well, thus requiring that we pay more attention to the context in which torture takes place and less attention to merely our outrage over the fact that torture does take place.
Distributed Implementation of KIVA-3 on the Intel Paragon

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a message-passing implementation of KIVA-3 combustion engine code. KIVA-3 is a 3D finite-difference code, solving fluid, particle, and chemistry equations over a mesh made up of arbitrary hexahedrons. Although the pre-processor uses a block-structured mesh to begin with, the main code does not require any order in the grid structure. Each computational element is recognized through the neighborhood connectivity arrays and this leads to indirect addressing that complicates any type of loop decomposition on parallel machines. Dependencies in the code extend only one layer in each direction and the presence of ghost cells and cell-face boundary arrays in the code suits block-wise domain decomposition. The chapter mentions that internal boundaries are handled like the external boundaries, enabling the application of the same rules, physics, and computation to a part of the domain as well as to the whole domain. The code is currently being tested on the Intel Paragon at Center for Computational Sciences (CCS) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
The design, construction, and testing of a flexible fin propelled autonomous underwater vehicle

Many designs exist for AUVs, however most only lend themselves to cruising type operations. Few designs exist for hovering, station keeping with respect to an object, and moving in all degrees of freedom within a confined space. Propeller-driven AUVs that look similar to ROVs can be used to do this, however, they require 6 propeller units to achieve 6 degree of freedom motion. One alternative is to use oscillating flexible fins (Nektors) to propel the vehicle. Nektors are capable of imparting large forces to the vehicle very quickly thereby providing the accelerations that are needed to change direction or stop quickly. This AUV design is reliable (mechanically and electrically sound), modular, and is small enough to be easily deployed by two people. This AUV is being used for research on control algorithms, Nektor designs, and effect of hull shapes. The paper details the design, construction and some testing of a successfully implemented Nektor based AUV.
Lymphocyte Activation: Signal Transduction

Adaptive immunity depends on the transfer of information across the plasma membrane of T and B lymphocytes. This information takes the form of signal transduction pathways that are initiated by the recognition of antigens by specific transmembrane receptors, and that result in a complex series of biochemical changes within the cell that ultimately alter cellular function. A key feature of antigen receptors on T and B lymphocytes is that they contain no intrinsic catalytic activity. Rather, they signal through the initial activation of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, which then phosphorylate various cytoplasmic and membrane-bound adaptor proteins. These adaptor proteins function as molecular scaffolds for the further activation of downstream signalling pathways that mediate the ultimate effects of antigen recognition on lymphocyte function, including modification of transcription factors and changes in the cytoskeleton. Key Concepts: Lymphocyte antigen receptors consist of separate modules for antigen recognition and signal transduction. Lymphocyte antigen receptors contain no intrinsic catalytic activity, but rather link to nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. The immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif is critical for linking antigen receptors to tyrosine kinases. Both cytoplasmic and transmembrane adaptor proteins are important for translating proximal antigen receptor signalling to common downstream signalling pathways. Downstream effectors of antigen receptor signalling include serine/threonine kinases and small G proteins. Antigen-receptor signalling can be modulated by other coreceptors expressed by lymphocytes. Antigen-receptor signalling is critical for both activation of mature lymphocytes as well as for their development in the bone marrow or thymus. Keywords: signal transduction; lymphocytes; receptors; phosphorylation; immunity
The effect of Er doping on the spin reorientation transition in Ho1−xErxAl2

Abstract The magnetothermal properties of pseudo binary Ho 1− x Er x Al 2 alloys have been investigated by heat capacity measurements. Two anomalies are observed in the heat capacity of HoAl 2 . A sharp peak at 20 K represents the first order spin reorientation transition, and a second order anomaly occurs in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic transition at 32 K. As Ho is partially replaced by Er in Ho 1− x Er x Al 2 the sharpness of the first order heat capacity peak diminishes with increasing Er concentration, while the temperature of this transition remains practically unaffected. The second order ferromagnetic transition shifts to higher temperature region with increasing Er concentration. The observed behaviors are explained considering the geometry of 4 f charge densities of Ho 3+ and Er 3+ and the easy magnetization directions of HoAl 2 and ErAl 2 .
Revising a Collection Development Policy in a Rapidly Changing Environment

This article describes the revision of a 10-year-old collection development policy so that it both reflects current collection practices and is flexible enough to adapt to changes in publishing trends, budgeting, and patrons' information needs. The previous collection development policy was written during a time of prosperity and gave little guidance on how to deal with budget cuts, manage a predominately electronic collection, or adjust the physical collection to accommodate external demands for space in the library building. Under the auspices of the collection development committee, faculty librarians from the services and resources divisions formed a task group to draft a new policy. Drawing on the library's extant policy and the policies of peer institutions, the group reflected on trends in publishing and acquisitions, the provision of the right information in the right format, and how to adapt to unforeseen changes in budget and space. The goal of the group was to craft a flexible document that wou...
Auxin action: the search for the receptor

Abstract. The molecular specificity of the substances which have auxin activity implies the existence of specific receptors. There have been many efforts to identify and isolate these receptors on the assumption that they should bind auxins with affinities coordinate to their activities in bioassays. However, the known complexity of auxin uptake and metabolism make this assumption seriously deficient. Although several such binding sites have, in fact, been identified, proof of a connection between these sites and auxin action has been lacking. Definite proof would include a requirement that the site be reconstituted, together with the appropriate macro-molecular machinery, to construct a model of an auxin response. At the moment, our ignorance of the biochemistry and molecular biology of auxin growth responses makes such a proof difficult. However, two avenues of research promise to accelerate the rate of progress. The increasingly potent tools of molecular biology should soon allow the dissection of auxin-regulated gene expression, while improved knowledge of plasma membrane proton pumps and the mechanism of cell wall biosynthesis should produce, in parallel, an understanding of the auxin regulation of acid growth.
Technological overlap and interfirm cooperation: implications for the resource-based view of the firm

Abstract The resource-based view of the firm, with its focus on firm-specific `capabilities', has attracted considerable attention in recent work by management scholars, but has not sparked much empirical analysis. This paper relies on the resource-based view to examine partner choice in interfirm collaborations, emphasizing the role of partners' technological capabilities. Patent citation data are used to measure `technological overlap' between firms before and after alliance formation. Our results provide support for the resource-based view of the firm. Partner selection can be predicted by measures of technological overlap and, once formed, alliances appear to affect firms' technological portfolios in ways predicted by the resource-based view.
Phase I evaluation of vindesine in children: a Southwest Oncology Group pilot study.

Twenty-one children (19 with leukemia) were given 34 courses of vindesine on a weekly or twice-weekly schedule in escalating doses. Thirty-three courses were fully or partially evaluable for response and/or toxicity. Granulocyto-penia was the dose-limiting toxicity. Transient jaw, neck, or bone pain was common after each dose. Motor weakness, paresthesias, and constipation were neither frequent nor severe. In this Phase I study, vindesine had some antileu-kemia activity in children previously treated with vincristine and other drugs. Phase II studies are warranted and a starting dose of 1.85 mg/m2 twice weekly appears tolerable.
Wells' syndrome in children: varicella infection as a precipitating event.

Summary A case of Wells'syndrome is reported that developed in a 6-year-old boy 1 week after having chickenpox.
Inversions, and fog, stratus and cumulus formation in warm air over cooler water

Two aspects of convection over oceans are discussed and the following conclusions are derived from theoretical considerations. These conclusions are supported by, firstly, a convective model which has been developed and which shows that vapor-driven convection over the ocean will proceed with zero or negative heat fluxes, at rates which saturate the lowest layer of the atmosphere in a few hours to altitudes of many tens of meters. Secondly, the availability of condensed moisture at the top of the surface layer cools the warmer entrained overlying dry air parcels so that when they descend they are no warmer than the sea surface temperature, and this induces downward moving plumes. This occurs if the wet-bulb potential temperature of the overlying air is less than the sea surface temperature, even if it is ten degrees C, or more, warmer in actual temperature.
Health-related quality-of-life measures for children with asthma: reliability and validity of the Children's Health Survey for Asthma and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Asthma Module.

Background Economically disadvantaged African American youth are especially vulnerable to the effects of pediatric asthma and are at increased risk for difficulties in daily functioning. Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) yield important information regarding the impact of pediatric chronic illness on daily functioning. It is essential to develop and validate measures of HRQoL to detect the impact of asthma on this vulnerable population. Objective To examine the psychometric properties of 2 asthma-specific measures of pediatric HRQoL in a sample of economically disadvantaged African American children diagnosed as having asthma. Methods One hundred twenty-seven caregivers completed questionnaires regarding their child's HRQoL, asthma symptoms, health care utilization, and school absences and regarding caregiver emotional distress. The severity of the child's asthma was measured via spirometry. Results The Children's Health Survey for Asthma and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Asthma Module demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability and validity for the present sample. Lower HRQoL was associated with poorer adherence and more health care utilization, asthma symptom days, school absences, and caregiver distress. Only the Children's Health Survey for Asthma was significantly associated with severity, when defined as airway obstruction. Conclusions This study supports the psychometric equivalence of 2 condition-specific measures of HRQoL in a population at high risk for asthma and asthma-related problems. The utility of each measure will depend on the needs of the researcher or physician. Both measures can inform the treatment course, help identify and address barriers to treatment adherence, and inform treatment interventions.
Measurements of Vub and mixing by Belle and Babar

Abstract We summarize recent results on measurements of the quark mixing matrix element V uv and the mixing between neutral B d mesons by the Belle and Babar experiments at the Japanese High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), respectively.
Measurement and Calibration of Thermal Cross-Correlation-Based Flowmeter Operating in Harsh Environment

In the harsh environment present in nuclear reactors, due to degradation caused by corrosion and/or erosion, the available nonintrusive flow rate measurement devices are capable of working only for a short period of time. The transit-time-based flowmeter using thermocouples (TC) with grounded stainless steel shielding is by far the most robust and reliable solution to this problem. This method suffers from a few signal processing problems, such as flat peak plateau or multiple peaks that result in wrong transit-time estimation. We have previously introduced a signal processing technique to correct the transit time estimation. However, as we conducted experiments, the calculated flowrates using the estimated transit-time are not in good agreement with readings from a standard flowmeter. To adjust the calculated flow, in this paper, we apply a regression method through the calibration process with measurements obtained from a standard flowmeter using an in-house developed apparatus. We observe a nearly linear relationship between the readings from the standard flowmeter and those from our flowmeter for flowrates ranging from 0.5-3 gpm (gallon per minute). The calibration results are quite consistent across different experiment scenarios.
5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indole acetic acid, a metabolite and alkali hydrolysis product of indomethacin, inhibits pkateket aggregation, in vivo

Abstract Previous studies suggested that one of the hydrolysis products of indomethacin, either 4-chlorobenzoic acid or 5-methoxy-2 methyl-3-indole acetic acid, can inhibit platlet aggregation in vivo. If correct, this hypothesis explains the apparent action of indomethacin dissolved at high pH where hydrolysis rapidly occurs. Moreover, if the indole is the active products, the hypothesis in addition suggests a possible role for the indole following the use of indomethacin dissolved at lower pH, since the indole is also an important natural metabolic od indomethacin in man. We induced platelet aggregation in cerebral and mesentric microvessels and inhibited this aggregation with the indole (25 mg/kg i.p. one hour before test). The 4-chlorobenzoic acid was inactive. The indole had a modest but statistically significant inhibitory effect in vitro, when added to platelet rich plasma stimulated to aggregate by arachidonic acid (0.5 mM). Thus the action of indomethacin dissolved at high pH is explained, and a pharmacologic action of a metabolite of indomethacin becomes a possibility.
Amphetamine abolishes REM sleep rebound in rats: effect of a single injection

Abstract Rats implanted with electrodes for polygraphic recording were deprived of REM sleep for 24 h. Following REM deprivation animals were injected with d -amphetamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and were polygraphically recorded for 48 h. The results show that administration of amphetamine abolished the initial 12 h of REM sleep rebound and that this loss of REM sleep was not regained during the entire 0–48 post-REM deprivation period.
Purification of primate T cell growth factor to apparent homogeneity by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography: Evidence for two highly active molecularly distinct species

Summary T cell growth factor produced by the MLA144 gibbon ape lymphosarcoma T lymphocyte line was separated into two molecular forms of M r 16,300 and M r 14,300 which were purified 32,000-fold and 82,000-fold, respectively, and which in combination constitute the majority of biological activity of the starting material. The overall recovery of biological activity was 50%. This was accomplished with a series of chromatographic steps including reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The purified proteins are of comparable specific activities and each maintains the DNA synthesis of T cell growth factor-dependent human T cell lines at concentrations of less than approximately 18 pM (300 fg/ml).