cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Transitions within the Actomyosin Complex in the Presence of Saturating ATP, Detected by Time-Resolved FRET

Myosin generates force by cycling between actin-attached (strong binding) and actin-detached (weak binding) states during the actomyosin ATPase cycle. However, it remains unclear what specific conformational changes in myosin take place upon binding to actin, and how these structural changes lead to product release and force. To characterize these changes, we have used site-directed FRET to determine distance between specific sites in actin and myosin subfragment 1 (S1) in the presence and absence of ATP. Rabbit skeletal muscle myosin has two essential light chain (ELC) isoforms, A1 and A2.The ELC isoform has significant effects on the interaction of S1 with actin, resulting in higher catalytic efficiency for the S1A1-isoenzyme but higher in vitro motility and muscle shortening velocity for S1A2.We have focused on S1A1, since it binds to actin in the presence of ATP with higher affinity. Actin was labeled at C374 with a donor, AlexaFluor 568. A1 light chain, was expressed,purified and labeled at C177 with an acceptor, AlexaFluor 647. The labeled A1 was exchanged into myosin S1, and S1A1 was isolated using a Talon affinity resin. The efficiency of energy transfer between C374 of actin and C177 of A1 was measured by time-resolved fluorescence, allowing us to detect directly the FRET within the actin-S1A1 complex, even in the presence of saturating ATP. Addition of ATP to the strongly bound complex resulted in a significant decrease in FRET within the weakly bound complex, corresponding to a significant increase in the donor-acceptor distance. We conclude that the transition between strongly and weakly bound states of acto-S1 is associated with a structural transition in the acto-S1 complex that affects the distance from actin to the light-chain domain of myosin.
From Vienna to South Bend: A Refugee Professor's Story

Bruno P. Schlesinger (1911-2010), one of the many refugee intellectuals and scholars who fled from Nazism in the 1930s, taught for sixty years at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. This sketch of his life story and professional career honors his personal contribution to American Catholic higher education and at the same time calls attention to a topic worthy of much more research – the role played by these refugees in the development of American Catholic intellectual life in the mid-twentieth century.
Growth factor and patient-adapted use of plerixafor is superior to CY and growth factor for autologous hematopoietic stem cells mobilization

Growth factor and patient-adapted use of plerixafor is superior to CY and growth factor for autologous hematopoietic stem cells mobilization
‘Negative symptoms’, health, depression, and level of functioning among nursing home residents

A six-month longitudinal design was used to assess the relations among functinal ability, medically disabling conditions, cognitive function, depression, and negative psychiatric symptoms in a nursing home sample. Seventy intermediate and skilled care residents were interviewed, with 51 completing the six-month follow-up. Negative symptoms were found to be related approximately equally to physical disability, boredom, and depression, but were not strongly predicted by any study variables. The most stable relationship observed was that between negative symptoms and functioning in the realm of activities of daily living (ADL). Negative symptoms predicted change in ADL functioning across the six-month period of the study. The findings have possible implications for predicting mortality and focusing interventions on what appears to be a general decline syndrome in nursing home elderly.
Uncertainty analysis for the net-section-collapse failure criterion of circumferentially cracked cylinders for multiple arbitrary-shaped circumferential cracks

Abstract In this manuscript, a generalized net-section-collapse (NSC) failure criterion of circumferentially cracked pipes with multiple arbitrary-shaped cracks is presented. This generalized NSC formulation is capable of predicting the NSC moment of a pipe with multiple arbitrary-shaped cracks distributed around the circumference of the pipe, regardless of whether they are distributed symmetrically or not. The case in which internal cracks straddle the compressive zone is accounted for in the present formulation. Closed form solutions are provided for the maximum moments of pipes containing multiple cracks with idealized shapes, namely constant depth, semi-elliptical and parabolic crack profiles. Through a series of examples, the results show the effectiveness and accuracy of the method. Using this method, quantification of the effect of the crack profile uncertainty on the maximum bending moment sustained by a cracked pipe is evaluated. It is demonstrated that while the uncertainty associated with the surface roughness of the crack profile has little to no effect on the maximum bending moment, irregular shape profiles have, not surprisingly, a large effect on the estimation of the maximum bending moment. In fact, it is mathematically shown that the uncertainty associated with the maximum bending moment is proportional to the magnitude of the crack profile uncertainty and inversely proportional to the square root of the uncertainty sampling size (i.e. surface roughness vs. irregular crack profile).
Analytic dispersion relations near the Γ point in strained zinc-blende crystals

An eight-band k\ensuremath{\cdot}p model of the electronic states near the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point of a strained zinc-blende semiconductor is renormalized using L\"owdin perturbation theory. The renormalization leads to matrices of reduced dimensionality, 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2, 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4, and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2, for the conduction, light- and heavy-hole, and spin-orbit split-off bands, respectively. The reduced dimensionality of these matrices allows us to obtain analytic dispersion relations in the presence of small but arbitrary strains. Comparison of the analytic dispersion relations is made to those obtained by numerically diagonalizing the eight-band model for the case of biaxially strained and unstrained GaAs.
Here Comes the Sun: Recognition of UV-Damaged DNA

The first step in the repair of DNA damage is lesion detection. In this issue, Scrima et al. (2008) report the structure of the complex of DNA Damage-Binding Protein 1 (DDB1) and DDB2 bound to a DNA photodimer, providing critical insight into the repair of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet light.
A comparison of some neural network models of classical conditioning

Classical conditioning is a form of temporal learning that may be useful in intelligent control. Three neural network models of classical conditioning are compared: the Sutton-Barto model, the Klopf model, and the Grossberg-Schmajuk model. All are based on Hebbian learning, but they differ in how events are remembered. Although these models can learn to associate two events occurring at different times, they also show behaviors that may not be satisfactory in an intelligent control system. It is concluded that these models of classical conditioning fall far short of being good learners of temporal associations. >
Comparison of hemostatic agents used in vascular surgery

Introduction: Over the past 15 years, a wide range of agents have been developed for use in surgical procedures to achieve hemostasis. These agents can be divided into three broad categories: hemostats, sealants and adhesives. They vary widely related to their mechanism of action, composition, ease of application, adherence to wet or dry tissue, immunogenicity and cost. Areas covered: This article focuses on the agents used in vascular surgery to achieve hemostasis; agents involved in clinical trials are also covered. Expert opinion: When surgeons achieve rapid hemostasis, potential benefits include better visualization of the surgical area, shorter operative times, decreased requirement for transfusions, better management of an anticoagulated patient, decreased wound healing time and overall improvement in patient recovery time. The need for safe and efficacious hemostatic agents that can provide a range of benefits is clearly a significant surgical issue.
ZSM-5 zeolite with enhanced acidic properties

Abstract ZSM-5 zeolite, when doped with fluorine species in relatively low concentration using ammonium fluoride as precursor, and subsequently activated stepwise at high temperature, shows an enhanced surface acidity because of: (i) the formation of new Bronsted acid sites; and (ii) the strengthening of some acid sites of the parent zeolite. This is ascribed to the proton attack of the zeolite surface by the chemisorbed H+F− ion pair. Under these preparation conditions, the zeolite structure is fully preserved. Such enhanced acid properties are traduced by a significant increase in the yield of methyl tert-butyl ether (gas phase reaction).
Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile) as Back-Seat Drivers of Localized Ant Decline in Urban Habitats

Invasive species and habitat disturbance threaten biodiversity worldwide by modifying ecosystem performance and displacing native organisms. Similar homogenization impacts manifest locally when urbanization forces native species to relocate or reinvade perpetually altered habitat. This study investigated correlations between ant richness and abundance in response to urbanization and the nearby presence of invasive ant species, odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile), within its native region. Surveying localized ant composition within natural, semi-natural, and urban habitat supported efforts to determine whether T. sessile appear to be primary (drivers) threats as instigators or secondary (passengers) threats as inheritors of indigenous ant decline. Sampling 180 sites, evenly split between all habitats with and without T. sessile present, yielded 45 total species. Although urbanization and T. sessile presence factors were significantly linked to ant decline, their interaction correlated to the greatest reduction of total ant richness (74%) and abundance (81%). Total richness appeared to decrease from 27 species to 18 when natural habitat is urbanized and from 18 species to 7 with T. sessile present in urban plots. Odorous house ant presence minimally influenced ant communities within natural and semi-natural habitat, highlighting the importance of habitat alteration and T. sessile presence interactions. Results suggest urbanization releases T. sessile from unknown constraints by decreasing ant richness and competition. Within urban environment, T. sessile are pre-adapted to quickly exploit new resources and grow to supercolony strength wherein T. sessile drive adjacent biodiversity loss. Odorous house ants act as passengers and drivers of ecological change throughout different phases of urban ‘invasion’. This progression through surviving habitat alteration, exploiting new resources, thriving, and further reducing interspecific competition supports a “back-seat driver” role and affects pest management strategies. As demonstrated by T. sessile, this article concludes native species can become back-seat drivers of biodiversity loss and potentially thrive as “metro-invasive” species.
Rapid object recognition from a large model database

A design for a system to perform object recognition from a large model data base is presented, focusing on efficient indexing. The authors propose a decision-theoretic approach using a Bayesian framework to achieve efficient indexing of model objects. A decision-theoretic measure of the discriminatory power of a feature for a model object is defined in terms of posterior probability. Domain-specific knowledge compiled off-line from CAD model data is used in order to estimate posterior probabilities that define the discriminatory power of features for model objects. Detectability of a feature defined as a function of the feature itself, viewpoint, sensor characteristics, and the feature detection algorithm(s) is also considered in the computation of discriminatory power. In order to speed up the indexing or selection of the correct objects, the authors generate and verify the object hypotheses for the features detected in the scene in the order of the discriminatory power of these features for model objects. >
Achievable dynamic performance in telerobotic systems

A control algorithm is defined for a telerobotic system in which the dynamic behaviors of the slave robot and the master robot are functions of each other. These functions, which are the designer's choice and depend on the application, are described. A control architecture that guarantees that the specified functions govern the dynamic behavior of the telerobotic system is presented. The stability of the closed-loop system (i.e., master robot, slave robot, human, and the load being manipulated) is analyzed, and sufficient conditions for stability are derived. Experimental results that verify the theoretical predictions are given. >
Thermodynamic properties of sea salt solutions

Based on new experimental data presented for the boiling point elevation of natural sea water solutions, smoothed tabular values are presented for boiling point elevation (BPE), osmotic coefficient, water activity, osmotic pressure, and minimum separation energy to 200°C and 12% sea salt. The concentration of sodium chloride solutions having the same water activities as sea salt solutions is also presented. Rigorous thermodynamics and the equations for strong electrolytes by Bromley (1973) were used for the correlation together with previously obtained heat capacity and enthalpy data and equations. A simplified equation is presented for boiling point elevation.
Quantitative biological microscopy of cells by digital holography

Holograms of biological objects are acquired using digital holographic microscopy. The reconstructed phase images display high resolution, quantitative measurements of optical thickness with a resolution of several nanometers.
Detection of moving intruders from a moving platform using a K a -band continuous-wave doppler radar

A scanning-beam Doppler radar has been presented which can detect moving intruders from a moving platform. The limitations of the scanning-beam sensor in terms of platform velocity and rotation rate were discussed for a fixed antenna beamwidth. Targets moving at any velocity relative to the platform can be detected, even when the person is moving along with the platform, producing no Doppler return. Estimation and removal of the clutter return was demonstrated in order to detect slow-moving targets whose response is within the clutter bandwidth. The optimal threshold value was determined using performance metrics for classifiers under imbalanced data sets.
Water-regulatory behaviour in terrestrial gastropods.

Summary 1. Terrestrial snails and slugs are exceedingly susceptible to dehydration due to evaporative water loss from the integument and lung surface, and the deposition of a dilute mucous trail. Active slugs can lose 30–40% of their initial body weight (IBW) within 2 h. 2. Both field and laboratory studies have revealed that habitat selection by snails and slugs is well correlated with the availability of water. In addition, numerous species display homing behaviour, returning directly to their moist secluded daytime resting sites at dawn. 3. Several aspects of locomotor activity are affected by body hydration and environmental conditions such as relative humidity. Moist conditions result in termination of aestivation in snails and a generally higher level of activity in both snails and slugs. In contrast, severe dehydration initiates aestivation in snails and an increase in the intensity and duration of circadian locomotor activity in slugs. 4. Huddling behaviour is a specialized example of the general preference of slugs for moist habitats. When groups of slugs are exposed to dry environmental conditions, they form closely packed aggregations. This response results in a decrease in the rate of dehydration of the individual slugs. 5. When slugs have been dehydrated to about 90% IBW, rhythmic closures of the pneumostome are initiated. As dehydration progresses there is a reduction in the open diameter of the pneumostome. These responses reduce the total exposure of the lung surface and thereby evaporative water loss. In slugs dehydrated to about 80 % IBW, these responses can result in a 7 % reduction in water loss. 6. When slugs have been dehydrated to about 65% IBW (67·6 ± 4·3% IBW) they move on to a moist surface, assume a characteristic flattened posture and remain quiescent while water is absorbed through the surface of the foot. Once they are rehydrated (to 93·5 ± 12·4% IBW) they move off the moist surface. Thus there exists a specific dehydration threshold for the initiation of contact-rehydration and a rehydration set-point at which the response is terminated. 7. Both initiation and termination of contact-rehydration are controlled by variations in haemolymph osmotic pressure. The behaviour can be experimentally initiated by injection of hyperosmotic mannitol solution and terminated by injection of dilute saline. 8. Contact-rehydration involves bulk flow of water through an epithelial paracellular pathway in the integument of the foot. The rate of absorption of [14C]inulin during contact-rehydration is similar to that of water. The efficacy of water movement through the pathway is modulated by body hydration, the pathway being opened only in dehydrated slugs. 9. By means of the dual-limit control of contact-rehydration slugs can behaviourally regulate their body hydration and haemolymph osmolality within the tolerable hydration range described by the upper and lower limits.
A Wittgensteinian philosophy of mathematics

Three theses are gleaned from Wittgenstein’s writing. First, extra-mathematical uses of mathematical expressions are not referential uses. Second, the senses of the expressions of pure mathematics are to be found in their uses outside of mathematics. Third, mathematical truth is fixed by mathematical proof. These theses are defended. The philosophy of mathematics defined by the three theses is compared with realism, nominalism and formalism.
Arthroscopic Anterior and Posterior Labral Repair after Traumatic Hip Dislocation: Case Report and Review of the Literature:

With the improvements in flexible instrumentation, hip arthroscopy is being increasingly used to treat a variety of hip pathology, including labral tears. However, up to this point, there has not been a case report of an anterior and a posterior labral tear successfully repaired arthroscopically. We present a case report of a 27-year-old male firefighter who presented to our institution with an anterior and posterior labral tear, as well as a cam lesion and loose body, following a traumatic hip dislocation. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate that both anterior and posterior labral tears can be repaired using hip arthroscopy. Anterior and posterior labral tears can be caused by a traumatic hip dislocation, and both can be successfully repaired using arthroscopic techniques.
Interference avoidance for multiaccess vector channels

Using a general signal space approach we show that sequential application of the eigen-algorithm for interference avoidance by all users in a CDMA system is equivalent to iterative water filling and always yields codeword ensembles that maximize the sum capacity of multiaccess vector channels.
Index selection for databases: a hardness study and a principled heuristic solution

We study the index selection problem: Given a workload consisting of SQL statements on a database, and a user-specified storage constraint, recommend a set of indexes that have the maximum benefit for the given workload. We present a formal statement for this problem and show that it is computationally "hard" to solve or even approximate it. We develop a new algorithm for the problem which is based on treating the problem as a knapsack problem. The novelty of our approach lies in an LP (linear programming) based method that assigns benefits to individual indexes. For a slightly modified algorithm, that does more work, we prove that we can give instance specific guarantees about the quality of our solution. We conduct an extensive experimental evaluation of this new heuristic and compare it with previous solutions. Our results demonstrate that our solution is more scalable while achieving comparable quality.
Increasing Minority Golf Participation Through PGA Education Initiatives

The article provides a report on the successful acquisition of the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) golf management university program by the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES). The PGA’s accredited program is housed at 20 universities with UMES being the first predominantly Black college to offer the coveted program. The article provides interview excerpts on the process undertaken by UMES. The article also identifies initiatives by programs and associations to increase minority golf participation.
A FAMILY LAW PERSPECTIVE ON PARENTAL INCARCERATION

This Article proposes bringing the perspective of family law to bear on the problem of parental incarceration. Sentencing law is in flux, making this an opportune time to reconsider whether and to what extent we should take children's interests into account when sentencing parents. The Article reframes the debate about parental incarceration by viewing it in light of family law's insights about how children develop into their adult selves. The Article formulates a new rationale for considering children's interests when incarcerating their parents, and it offers a method of incorporating such interests that will further both the goals and the legitimacy of criminal law. Key Points for the Family Court Community: • Family law can help us to understand the extent of developmental harm that parental incarceration can inflict on a child. • The future of criminal sentencing law is now uncertain, making this an important time for the family court community to bring its perspective to bear on the question of whether courts should take children's interests into account when incarcerating parents.
Cultural identity and illness: Fulani views.

Cultural identity – who the Fulani think they are – informs thinking onillnesses they suffer. Conversely, illness, so very prevalent insub-Saharan Africa, provides Fulani with a constant reminder of theirdistinctive condition in Guinea. How they approach being ill also tellsFulani about themselves. The manner in which Fulani think they are sickexpresses their sense of difference from other ethnic groups. Schemas ofillness and of collective identity draw deeply from the same well andweb of thoughts. Three different approaches of schema theory are used totrace what ties illness to identity. These are 1) the schema asprototype; 2) a connectionist approach associates schemas for illnesswith other cultural schemas; and 3) a hierarchy of schemas. Thehierarchy includes master schemas for ethnic identity, schemas forillness generally and sub-schemas for separate ailments. Schemas orientand provide a framework for the practice of being Fulani – in the sensethat Bourdieu would describe practice as the application of practicalknowledge. Illnesses above the waist are said to be part of the Fulanicondition of belonging in arid climates while they need suffer thehumidity of Guinea. Illnesses below the waist are thought to arise whenone does not act like a Fulani, especially in matters of food and sex.As individuals disclose or conceal illness, as they discuss illness andthe problem of others they reflect standards of Fulani life – beingstrong of character not necessarily of body, being disciplined,rigorously Moslem, and leaders among lessors. To disregard standards orto suggest one does not care about such standards is shameful and placesone out of phase with others and with cultural norms. But to be in stepwith others and with cultural norms is to have pride in the self and thefoundations of Fulani life.
The Impacts of Ethanol Production on the Plantation of Corn and Other Agricultural Commodities in the United States from 1999-2007

The study will focus on finding the relationship of the increased corn plantations for ethanol production on other agricultural commodities such as wheat, sorghum, rice, hay and cotton in the Midwestern United States corn belt. With the increase of the population, there is a great pressure on earth’s resources (natural gas, coal, petroleum) to provide these basic necessities. The increased demand for ethanol from corn is the outcome of its eco-friendly properties and the national policies of the United States to decrease dependence on natural gas and petroleum. This research will be helpful in understanding the extent of the ethanol production and the outcome on the other commodities.
Colorimetry for the Stain Technologist. I. The Specification of Color

This paper describes color specification for the stain technologist. The principles of color stimulus specification are reviewed in terms of the conventions of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE). The text is largely self-contained and has been written so that it can be understood easily by a reader with no prior knowledge of color science. The paper starts with definitions of color and related psychological, psychophysical and colori-metric terms. X, Y, Z color space is described. It is shown that any color stimulus may be unambiguously defined in terms of a set of three numbers. The CIE 1931 Chromaticity Diagram is described. Worked examples are given for the calculation of tristimulus values and chromaticity coordinates using three different illuminants. The usefulness of color specification is illustrated by a number of examples using Romanowsky stained blood cells or Papanicolaou stained epithelial cells from the uterine cervix.
Comparison of the Toxicity of Antiseptics for Embryonic Tissue and Bacteria.

SummaryA method has been described for quantitative comparison under identical physiological conditions of the toxicity of antiseptics for tissue and bacteria. The technic is simple and the results are reproducible. The toxicity indices were found to be as follows: iodine, 0.29; azochloramide, 0.64; phenol, 2.7; zephiran, 3.4; merthiolate, 3.9; saponated solution of cresol USP XII, 4.1.
Psychopolitical Dimensions of International Relations: The Reciprocal Effects of Conflict Strategies

This essay presents a psychopolitical theory concerning the interaction effects of parties in conflict using different strategies. A typology of conflict strategies is elaborated, ranging from totalist and long-run totalist, through competitive and deterrent, to firm-but-cooperative and conciliatory. The strategies are explicated in terms of their aims, the means used, and the associated self-images, enemy perceptions, and conflict beliefs. The reciprocal interaction effects of the different strategies are then analyzed. This analysis takes into account the effects of each strategy on the adversary's self-images and enemy perceptions as well as on its tangible costs and benefits, all of which, in turn, affect its strategy. A series of hypotheses is presented concerning the mutual interaction effects for each combination of strategies, under conditions of equal and unequal power. Conclusions are then drawn concerning the effects of each strategy on different types of adversaries and upon the prospects for achieving constructive or destructive conflict outcomes.
Meaning and the Measuring Apparatus

Meaning haunts me. At once its foundations are nebulous and its consequences profound, as bodies are broken and raised on its surface. An artifice that cuts deeply, meaning and its accomplice, the measuring apparatus, consume me. To assuage this haunting consumption, in a series of eight vignettes, inspired by posthumanism, I use a form of artistic inquiry to contemplate meaning and the measuring apparatus in qualitative research.
Electrodeposition of Pt Nanoparticle Catalysts from H2Pt(OH)6 and Their Application in PEM Fuel Cells

We report the electrochemical deposition of Pt nanoparticles from platinic acid H2[Pt(OH)6] using pulse potential deposition (PPD). We are able to control the size, morphology, and loading of platinum nanoparticles from H2[Pt(OH)6] by controlling the deposition parameters such as the pH of the plating solution, the pulse potential, the pulse width, and the duty cycle of the pulse sequence. We show that a high density of Pt nanoparticles electrodeposited can be produced on both planar and nonplanar electrode supports with high surface area and high catalytic activity. Finally, we show that fuel cell electrodes can be produced using H2[Pt(OH)6] as the source of Pt via our optimized PPD technique. The fuel cells produced from these electrodes are highly efficient with less than half the Pt content of commercially available fuel cells, which results in a gravimetric power more than twice that of fuel cells produced by using commercially available electrodes.
Almost Optimal Local Graph Clustering Using Evolving Sets

Spectral partitioning is a simple, nearly linear time algorithm to find sparse cuts, and the Cheeger inequalities provide a worst-case guarantee for the quality of the approximation found by the algorithm. A local graph partitioning algorithm finds a set of vertices with small conductance (i.e., a sparse cut) by adaptively exploring part of a large graph G, starting from a specified vertex. For the algorithm to be local, its complexity must be bounded in terms of the size of the set that it outputs, with at most a weak dependence on the number n of vertices in G. Previous local partitioning algorithms find sparse cuts using random walks and personalized PageRank [Spielman and Teng 2013; Andersen et al. 2006]. In this article, we introduce a simple randomized local partitioning algorithm that finds a sparse cut by simulating the volume-biased evolving set process, which is a Markov chain on sets of vertices. We prove that for any ϵ > 0, and any set of vertices A that has conductance at most φ, for at least half of the starting vertices in A our algorithm will output (with constant probability) a set of conductance O(√φ /ϵ). We prove that for a given run of the algorithm, the expected ratio between its computational complexity and the volume of the set that it outputs is vol(A)ϵφ-1/2polylog(n), where vol(A) = Σv ∈ Ad(v) is the volume of the set A. This gives an algorithm with the same guarantee (up to a constant factor) as the Cheeger's inequality that runs in time slightly superlinear in the size of the output. This is the first sublinear (in the size of the input) time algorithm with almost the same guarantee as the Cheeger's inequality. In comparison, the best previous local partitioning algorithm, by Andersen et al. [2006], has a worse approximation guarantee of O(√φ log n) and a larger ratio of φ-1 polylog(n) between the complexity and output volume. As a by-product of our results, we prove a bicriteria approximation algorithm for the expansion profile of any graph. For 0 k ≤ vol(V)/2, let φ(k) : min S: vol(S) ≤ kφ(S). There is a polynomial time algorithm that, for any k, ϵ > 0, finds a set S of volume vol(S) ≤ O(k1 + ϵ) and expansion φ(S)≤ O(√φ (k)/ϵ). As a new technical tool, we show that for any set S of vertices of a graph, a lazy t-step random walk started from a randomly chosen vertex of S will remain entirely inside S with probability at least (1 - φ(S)/2)t. This itself provides a new lower bound to the uniform mixing time of any finite state reversible Markov chain.
HYPOXIC REPERFUSION AFTER ISCHEMIA IN SWINE DOES NOT IMPROVE ACUTE BRAIN RECOVERY

We tested the hypothesis that transient hypoxic reperfusion after 15 min of global cerebral ischemia would improve acute recovery of electrical function. We also determined the changes in cerebral ...
Decision Making in the Acute Thermal Hand Burn: An Algorithm for Treatment

SUMMARY Acute thermal hand burns require a systematic approach to obtain optimal results. Much, has been written about the care of hand burns and the significant studies have been summarized here. Discussion still remains concerning the most appropriate treatment of the second-degree burn injury. Despite the residual controversies, a planned algorithm for treatment should help the hand surgeon decide the best approach when faced with a significant hand burn. Our algorithm for the acute thermal hand burn covers the spectrum of care with the ultimate goal of returning normal hand function.
Other Techniques of Energy Conversion

This chapter discusses other techniques of energy conversion. The bulk of electricity is produced by conventional energy converters that are based on mechanical, indirect conversion of energy. The chemical energy of our fossil fuels is first converted into heat energy. The heat energy is then converted by turbines into mechanical energy which, in turn, produces electricity by generators. The efficiency of these systems is low—the step involving the generation of mechanical energy results in a 70% loss of energy. The main groups of direct energy converters are the photoelectric, thermoelectric, thermionic, magnetohydrodynamic, and electrochemical devices. Photoelectric energy converters transform the energy inherent in light into electricity. A photoelectric or solar cell can be built by splitting a chemically pure silicon crystal into two extremely thin layers. One of these layers is treated with boron and the other is treated with phosphorus, then the two layers are fused together again. Thermionic converters operate on the principle that electrons can be emitted from the surface of a heated metal, if the heat energy absorbed is sufficient to overcome the bonding forces of the surface atoms.
Synthesis of α ′ ′ − Fe 16 N 2 Compound Anisotropic Magnet by the Strained-Wire Method

Many applications, particularly wind turbines and electric motors for tomorrow's vehicles, require the strongest permanent magnets, which contain rare-earth metals. Issues with rare-earth supply and production have led to a quest for powerful magnets without these metals. Exploiting the physics of a solid-solid phase transition under tensile stress, the authors obtain a magnetically hard and anisotropic material made only of abundant, cheap iron and nitrogen. In doing so, they directly observe the coupling between tensile strain and the martensitic transition.
Involved, United, and Efficacious: Could Self-Affirmation Be the Solution to California’s Drought?

ABSTRACTSelf-affirmation theory posits that thoughts and actions that affirm an important aspect of the self-concept can make people more susceptible to change by casting their self in a positive light. Whereas much of the current literature has been restricted to individual-level concerns, the current study provides longitudinal evidence for behavioral outcomes in the context of the California drought, advancing our theoretical knowledge regarding the underlying processes that lead self-affirmed individuals to address societal risks and collective concerns. The results of a three-wave experimental study (N = 91) indicated that relative to nonaffirmed counterparts, self-affirmed participants reported on higher levels of support for water conservation policies, as well as on reduction of water use that endured for 30 days following the self-affirming manipulation. In both cases, the effects were mediated by collective-efficacy but not by self-efficacy. Relevant explanations are considered and practical and...
Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences.

ABSTRACTPsychedelic drugs have historically been used for ritualistic purposes and to help individuals gain insight. Ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive substance, has been reported to have anti-addictive properties that aid in the treatment of substance use disorders. An online survey obtained retrospective data from individuals who used ibogaine in the past. Individuals who used ibogaine tended to describe thematically similar experiences post-treatment. This study adds to the literature by using the 5d-ASC, a psychometrically sound measure of altered states of consciousness (ASCs), to examine the ASCs induced by ibogaine and discusses the demographic characteristics of those who seek ibogaine treatment (N = 27). The study also examined several aspects of ibogaine treatment experience, including reasons for seeking treatment, course of treatment, and treatment outcome. Results indicated a positive correlation between the various dimensions of the ASCs and the outcome (ability to make changes in...
ECM Composition and Rheology Regulate Growth, Motility, and Response to Photodynamic Therapy in 3D Models of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterized by prominent stromal involvement, which plays complex roles in regulating tumor growth and therapeutic response. The extracellular matrix (ECM)-rich stroma associated with this disease has been implicated as a barrier to drug penetration, although stromal depletion strategies have had mixed clinical success. It remains less clear how interactions with ECM, acting as a biophysical regulator of phenotype, not only a barrier to drug perfusion, regulate susceptibilities and resistance to specific therapies. In this context, an integrative approach is used to evaluate invasive behavior and motility in rheologically characterized ECM as determinants of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) responses. We show that in 3D cultures with ECM conditions that promote invasive progression, response to PDT is markedly enhanced in the most motile ECM-infiltrating populations, whereas the same cells exhibit chemoresistance. Conversely, drug-resistant sublines with enhanced invasive potential were generated to compare differential treatment response in identical ECM conditions, monitored by particle tracking microrheology measurements of matrix remodeling. In both scenarios, ECM-infiltrating cell populations exhibit increased sensitivity to PDT, whether invasion is consequent to selection of chemoresistance, or whether chemoresistance is correlated with acquisition of invasive behavior. However, while ECM-invading, chemoresistant cells exhibit mesenchymal phenotype, induction of EMT in monolayers without ECM was not sufficient to enhance PDT sensitivity, yet does impart chemoresistance as expected. In addition to containing platform development with broader applicability to inform microenvironment-dependent therapeutics, these results reveal the efficacy of PDT for targeting the most aggressive, chemoresistant, invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma associated with dismal outcomes for this disease. Implications: ECM-infiltrating and chemoresistant pancreatic tumor populations exhibit increased sensitivity to PDT. Mol Cancer Res; 15(1); 15–25. ©2016 AACR.
Laser-processing of VO2 thin films synthesized by polymer-assisted-deposition

Abstract We investigate a novel route for synthesis and laser-sintering of VO2 thin films via solution-based polymer-assisted-deposition (PAD). By replacing the traditional solvent for PAD (water) with propylene glycol, we are able to control the viscosity and improve the environmental stability of the precursor. The solution stability and ability to control the viscosity makes for an ideal solution to pattern simple or complex shapes via direct-write methods. We demonstrate the potential of our precursor for printing applications by combining PAD with laser induced forward transfer (LIFT). We also demonstrate large-area film synthesis on 4 in. diameter glass wafers. By varying the annealing temperature, we identify the optimal synthesis conditions, obtaining optical transmittance changes of 60% at a 2500 nm wavelength and a two-order-of-magnitude semiconductor-to-metal transition. We go on to demonstrate two routes for improved semiconductor-to-metal characteristics. The first method uses a multi-coating process to produce denser films with large particles. The second method uses a pulsed-UV-laser sintering step in films annealed at low temperatures (
MeKin2D: Suite for Planar Mechanism Kinematics

MeKin2D is a collection of subroutines for kinematic simulation of planar linkages using a modular approach, for synthesis and analysis of disk-cam mechanisms with various types of followers, and for involute gear generation. The original set of subroutines accompanies as supplementary materials a book by this same author released in 2014. These, as well as other subroutines added since the book has been released are presented in the paper, together with examples accompanied by animations.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Centella asiatica attenuates Aβ-induced neurodegenerative spine loss and dendritic simplification

The medicinal plant Centella asiatica has long been used to improve memory and cognitive function. We have previously shown that a water extract from the plant (CAW) is neuroprotective against the deleterious cognitive effects of amyloid-β (Aβ) exposure in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and improves learning and memory in healthy aged mice as well. This study explores the physiological underpinnings of those effects by examining how CAW, as well as chemical compounds found within the extract, modulate synaptic health in Aβ-exposed neurons. Hippocampal neurons from amyloid precursor protein over-expressing Tg2576 mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were used to investigate the effect of CAW and various compounds found within the extract on Aβ-induced dendritic simplification and synaptic loss. CAW enhanced arborization and spine densities in WT neurons and prevented the diminished outgrowth of dendrites and loss of spines caused by Aβ exposure in Tg2576 neurons. Triterpene compounds present in CAW were found to similarly improve arborization although they did not affect spine density. In contrast caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) compounds from CAW were able to modulate both of these endpoints, although there was specificity as to which CQAs mediated which effect. These data suggest that CAW, and several of the compounds found therein, can improve dendritic arborization and synaptic differentiation in the context of Aβ exposure which may underlie the cognitive improvement observed in response to the extract in vivo. Additionally, since CAW, and its constituent compounds, also improved these endpoints in WT neurons, these results may point to a broader therapeutic utility of the extract beyond Alzheimer's disease.
Phosphorus and Malignancies

Cancer, in its origins, is a disease of the cell born of acquired or inherited genetic mutations. Progression to malignancy is a complex and partially understood multistage process involving genetic and/or somatic mutations and influenced by environmental factors and the functions of neighboring and distant cells and tissues. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, can have a strong influence over initiation and progression of cancer in part through changes in functional genomic output. Phosphorus, usually in the form of inorganic phosphate (Pi), is abundant in the Western diet and represents an element that might alter cell behavior through direct effects on cellular and molecular functions as well as changes in the micro- and macroenvironment. Pi therefore represents a dietary element that has the potential to influence multiple facets of cancer etiology and progression. Given the significance of Pi for cell function and energy metabolism, it is somewhat surprising that relatively little is known about the potential effects of changes in cellular and serum Pi on cell growth and transformation related to cancer. This chapter will review the consequences of changes in serum Pi levels and dietary Pi consumption on direct cellular and molecular functions as well as the potential effects of Pi-responsive endocrine/paracrine/autocrine factors on noncancerous cell growth and cancerous transformation to malignancy.
Tetrahydrobiopterin regulates monoamine neurotransmitter sulfonation.

Monoamine neurotransmitters are among the hundreds of signaling small molecules whose target interactions are switched “on” and “off” via transfer of the sulfuryl-moiety (–SO3) from PAPS (3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate) to the hydroxyls and amines of their scaffolds. These transfer reactions are catalyzed by a small family of broad-specificity enzymes—the human cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs). The first structure of a SULT allosteric-binding site (that of SULT1A1) has recently come to light. The site is conserved among SULT1 family members and is promiscuous—it binds catechins, a naturally occurring family of flavanols. Here, the catechin-binding site of SULT1A3, which sulfonates monoamine neurotransmitters, is modeled on that of 1A1 and used to screen in silico for endogenous metabolite 1A3 allosteres. Screening predicted a single high-affinity allostere, tetrahydrobiopterin (THB), an essential cofactor in monoamine neurotransmitter biosynthesis. THB is shown to bind and inhibit SULT1A3 with high affinity, 23 (±2) nM, and to bind weakly, if at all, to the four other major SULTs found in brain and liver. The structure of the THB-bound binding site is determined and confirms that THB binds the catechin site. A structural comparison of SULT1A3 with SULT1A1 (its immediate evolutionary progenitor) reveals how SULT1A3 acquired high affinity for THB and that the majority of residue changes needed to transform 1A1 into 1A3 are clustered at the allosteric and active sites. Finally, sequence records reveal that the coevolution of these sites played an essential role in the evolution of simian neurotransmitter metabolism.
Ever Ancient, Ever New: Reading to Become Wise

Moser argues that stewardship of the texts of the Christian tradition in the classroom involves reconceiving the relationship between text and reader. Many of the classic texts of the Christian tradition are not meant only to be analyzed, but also performed, allowing them to speak directly to the contemporary reader. Describing several strategies inspired by the Christian tradition of lectio divina, Moser sets the goal of drawing the entire person to a performative reading of classic Christian texts. Moser describes his strategies for teaching students performative reading through the use of seminal texts by Augustine, Julian of Norwich, and Dante. He concludes that the contemporary relevance of certain texts of the Christian tradition lies in the invitation they extend to their readers for personal transformation.
Toward Spatio-Temporal Patterns

Our world is changing at an increasing pace causing the validity intervals of information to shrink. Therefore, the change of information becomes important information itself an important information resource that should be exploitable by query languages. In particular, information about the position and extent of objects is of high interest in many areas of science and elsewhere (vehicle tracking, history, security, health care, ecology, weather prediction, urban planning, and so on). In all these areas relevant information has to be extracted from huge data sets. Beyond data mining that often serves the purpose of identifying interesting objects in spatial or spatiotemporal data sets, queries are of interest that find out about relationships between objects once they have been identified. In the realm of spatiotemporal databases this means to find out, in particular, about the changes that objects and their relationships undergo. Moreover, many applications require not only the detection of one single change, but rather look for sequences of changes describing particular developments.
Surviving travel or travelling to survive: the association of travel distance with survival in muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Radical cystectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy is recommended for treatment of patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder cancer (1). Despite these guideline recommendations, radical cystectomy is significantly underutilized.