cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of the High Temperature Metallurgical Properties of On-Site Samples with Vanadium–Titanium Magnetite

In China, two typical vanadium–titanium magnetite ores were used as raw materials in iron making. In order to obtain the differences in the high temperature metallurgical properties of these ores, the phase and microstructure of on-site sinter, pellet, slag and laboratorial non-dripped slag were analyzed by XRD and SEM–EDS. The results show that the phases of two typical sinter and pellet have no significant changes, but the microstructures are different. The softening start temperature and softening zone of high chromium vanadium–titanium magnetite (HCVTM) burden are higher than ordinary vanadium–titanium magnetite (VTM) burden. The melting start temperature of HCVTM burden is higher and melting–dripping zone is smaller than VTM burden, which is beneficial to the blast furnace smelting. In addition, the calculation results using Factsage 7.0 are in accord with the experimental results. The primary crystal field of slag of HCVTM is the melilite, and the liquidus temperature is 1409.81 °C; the primary crystal field of slag of VTM is CaTiO3, and the liquidus temperature is 1418.51 °C.
Using geologic structures to constrain constitutive laws not accessible in the laboratory

Abstract In this essay, we explore a central problem of structural geology today, and in the foreseeable future, which is the determination of constitutive laws governing rock deformation to produce geologic structures. Although laboratory experiments provide much needed data and insights about constitutive laws, these experiments cannot cover the range of conditions and compositions relevant to the formation of geologic structures. We advocate that structural geologists address this limitation by interpreting natural experiments, documented with field and microstructural data, using continuum mechanical models that enable the deduction of constitutive laws. To put this procedure into a historical context, we review the founding of structural geology by James Hutton in the late 18th century, and the seminal contributions to continuum mechanics from Newton to Cauchy that provide the tools to model geologic structures. The procedure is illustrated with two examples drawn from recent and on-going field investigations of crustal and mantle lithologies. We conclude by pointing to future research opportunities that will engage structural geologists in the pursuit of constitutive laws during the 21st century.
Cushing’s Disease In Pregnancy

Cushing’s syndrome is primarily a disorder of women of childbearing age. Yet, the coexistence of pregnancy and Cushing’s syndrome is rare. This rarity results from the infertility associated with suppression of gonadotropin secretion by elevated cortisol levels; oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea occur in approximately 75% of women of reproductive age (1). The increased production of androgens in some patients with Cushing’s syndrome also contributes to menstrual dysfunction. Hunt and McConaghy were the first to report cases of pregnancy associated with Cushing’s syndrome in 1953, twenty years after Harvey Cushing’s classic description of the disorder, and more than 100 cases of Cushing’s syndrome and pregnancy have been reported (2, 3, 4). While Cushing’s syndrome during pregnancy is difficult to diagnose both clinically and biochemically, it is important to have a high index of suspicion of the disease, since hypercortisolism may be associated with unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes.
Symptomatic overlap in overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: development of a new algorithm.

Objectives To address challenges in the diagnosis and classification of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we sought to define the fundamental features of overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), two conditions with considerable symptomatic overlap. Through retrospective comparison of self-reported symptoms in women with a range of clinical presentations and symptom severities, we have attempted to refine the diagnostic features of OAB and IC/BPS and to develop a novel clinical nomogram to improve patient screening and classification. Materials and methods We performed a univariate analysis comparing responses to the female Genitourinary Pain Index (fGUPI), the OAB Questionnaire and O'Leary-Sant Indices (the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index) in an initial cohort of 50 patients with OAB, patients with IC/BPS and control subjects. Only eight questions differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups; we used five unique questions and three measuring bother to generate a novel composite scoring system and nomogram that included urgency incontinence, bladder pain and symptomatic bother domains to differentiate these populations, which was validated in a second cohort of 150 patients. The addition of a self-reported bother index resulted in the creation of a diagnostic algorithm to identify and classify LUTS clusters across the total population. Results While all validated questionnaires could distinguish between controls and patients with storage LUTS, no combined symptom scores differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups. These results are reflective of the prevalence of significant bladder pain (35%) in patients with OAB and the presence of urge incontinence (25%) in patients with IC/BPS. Only the fGUPI pain domain scores differed between patients in the OAB and IC/BPS groups, but it was not accurate enough for diagnostic evaluation (68% accuracy). Our composite scores and nomogram gave a much-improved diagnostic accuracy (94%) and demonstrated utility as a screening tool to identify storage LUTS in patients presenting for unrelated complaints, e.g. microhaematuria. Conclusions There is significant overlap of urinary tract symptoms between OAB and IC/BPS. We present a novel algorithm that provides a binary output capable of guiding clinical diagnosis. Future studies aimed at assessing the diagnostic value of novel classification schemes that address symptoms rather than specific diagnoses may improve patient prognosis.
Species coexistence through competition and rapid evolution.

With nature “red in tooth and claw” (1), how do so many species coexist? Why do some species not outcompete the others to extinction? This is a question that has long fascinated ecologists and evolutionary biologists (2), especially given the incredible diversity of seemingly similar species in tropical forests or on coral reefs around the world. Most explanations for coexistence of a given pair of species posit that the two species are either so dissimilar that they compete very little with each other (the niche explanation) or are so similar that they coexist for a long, but not infinite, period of time, with neither able to gain an upper hand (the neutral explanation). Both explanations essentially focus on ecological processes like competition and predation, but in PNAS, Leibold et al. (3) propose a mechanism for coexistence that couples niche and neutral processes together with rapid evolution. This research builds from the increasing recognition that evolution is not only a slow process that plays out over geological time but also a rapid process that affects interactions among species from year to year and generation to generation. Daphnia (water fleas) in Lake Constance, Germany, for example, evolved tolerance to a diet with otherwise-harmful cyanobacteria after cyanobacteria became abundant in the 1960s and 1970s (4). This evolution may have helped control toxic algal blooms. Guppies in Trinidadian pools with abundant predators evolved earlier maturity and other life history differences (including altered dietary preferences) that altered ecosystem structure and productivity (5). In part because the impacts of rapid evolution on ecological processes remain challenging to detect, they are likely more important than is widely recognized. Theory is helpful in exploring this relatively blank slate. The coexistence model from Leibold et al. (3) is based around two species that occupy a set of habitat patches … [↵][1]1Email: malin.pinsky{at}rutgers.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Evaluative predicates as classificatory devices

In “Value Ascriptions: Rethinking Cognitivism,” Sigrun Svavarsdottir offers a novel account of the semantic function of evaluative predication, according to which such predicates function as “linguistically encoded classificatory devices.” This short paper raises three questions about Svavarsdottir’s account: how it relates to familiar sorts of projects in and about semantics, how to understand the nature of “linguistic encoding,” and how to understand the significance of the account’s central use of sets.
Are public managers more risk averse? Framing effects and status quo bias across the sectors

Modern reforms meant to incentivize public managers to be more innovative and accepting of risk are often implicitly based in the longstanding assumption that public employees are more risk averse than their private sector counterparts. We argue, however, that there is more to learn about the degree to which public and private managers differ in terms of risk aversion. In order to address this gap, we field a series of previously validated experiments designed to assess framing effects and status quo bias in a sample of public and private sector managers. Our results indicate that public managers are not more risk averse or anchored to the status quo than their private sector counterparts; in fact, the findings suggest the opposite may be true under some conditions. In addition, our results fail to confirm previous findings in the literature suggesting that public service motivation is associated with risk aversion. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these results for the study of risky choice in the public sector and for modern public management reforms.
Architecture and performance evaluation of distributed computation offloading in edge computing

Abstract Edge computing is an emerging paradigm to enable low-latency applications, like mobile augmented reality, because it takes the computation on processing devices that are closer to the users. On the other hand, the need for highly scalable execution of stateless tasks for cloud systems is driving the definition of new technologies based on serverless computing. In this paper, we propose a novel architecture where the two converge to enable low-latency applications: This is achieved by offloading short-lived stateless tasks from the user terminals to edge nodes. Furthermore, we design a distributed algorithm that tackles the research challenge of selecting the best executor, based on real-time measurements and simple, yet effective, prediction algorithms. Finally, we describe a new performance evaluation framework specifically designed for an accurate assessment of algorithms and protocols in edge computing environments, where the nodes may have very heterogeneous networking and processing capabilities. The proposed framework relies on the use of real components on lightweight virtualization mixed with simulated computation and is well-suited to the analysis of several applications and network environments. Using our framework, we evaluate our proposed architecture and algorithms in small- and large-scale edge computing scenarios, showing that our solution achieves similar or better delay performance than a centralized solution, with far less network utilization.
Examining a developmentally based measure of L2 oral performances: Does it predict L2 learners’ oral proficiency?

Abstract Although structural complexity of learners’ oral production has often been correlated with proficiency, there has been less focus into whether high proficiency L2 learners use L2 forms that belong to higher levels in developmental sequences. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether an index based on the developmental levels of second language (L2) morphological and syntactic forms (Index of Developmental Levels, IDL) predict L2 oral proficiency and learners’ institutional placement in different class-levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and whether IDL is a better predictor of these variables compared to widely-used structural complexity measures (mean length of AS-unit and subordination measure). The dataset included monologic oral presentations from English as second language (ESL) learners (n = 60) of varied proficiency levels. Each speech-sample was rated for oral proficiency by two expert raters using the TOEFL independent speaking rubric. The results showed IDL as a significant positive predictor of L2 oral proficiency scores and learners’ placement in class-levels. IDL was also found to be a stronger predictor of learners’ oral proficiency and institutional placement compared to subordination measure. The results are discussed with reference to the importance of including developmentally based measures for gaining informed insights into L2 oral performances.
Empowering Arabic learners to make meaning: A genre-based approach

Abstract Motivated by the increase in students’ enrollment in Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) classes and a lack of specified pedagogies aligned with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Performance Guidelines for Language Learners ( ACTFL, 2017 ), this study investigated a genre-based approach (GBA) informed by systemic functional linguistics (SFL) to teach and assess the written Arabic recount of habitual events. The purpose of this article is to show how the GBA empowered novice Arabic learners to make meaning when portraying the main participant in the written Arabic recount of habitual events. The study quantitatively observed the changes in the writing of 15 students over the course of a unit of study, and qualitatively an in-depth observation of two students using SFL as the framework for analysis. The results indicate that the students improved on using interpersonal meanings to portray the main participant associated with the Arabic written recount of habitual events. The results suggest that SFL genre-informed pedagogy empowers AFL students to expand their linguistic repertoire to address the socio-culturally purpose of the recount of habitual events. Further implications on the teaching of AFL learners and on AFL pedagogy will be discussed.
Global capitalism as counter-Evangelization: how should Catholic educators respond?

Pope Francis describes the greed-driven global economy as an idol colonising society and enforcing values contrary to the gospel. In this context, education is essential to develop the skills in cr...
Opportunities Using Boron to Direct Reactivity in the Organic Solid State

This Account describes work by our research group that highlights opportunities to utilize organoboron molecules to direct chemical reactivity in the organic solid state. Specifically, we convey a previously unexplored use of hydrogen bonding of boronic acids and boron coordination in boronic esters to achieve [2+2]-photocycloadditions in crystalline solids. Organoboron molecules act as templates or ‘shepherds’ to organize alkenes in a suitable geometry to undergo regio- and stereoselective [2+2]-photocycloadditions in quantitative yields. We also provide a selection of publications that served as an inspiration for our strategies and offer challenges and opportunities for future developments of boron in the field of materials and solid-state chemistry. 1 Introduction 1.1 Template Strategy for [2+2]-Photocycloadditions in the Solid State 2 Boronic Acids as Templates for [2+2]-Photocycloadditions in the Solid State 2.1 Supramolecular Catalysis of [2+2]-Photocycloadditions in the Solid State Using Boronic Acids 3 Boronic Esters as Templates for [2+2]-Photocycloadditions in the Solid State 3.1 Application of Photoproducts: Separation of Thiophene from Benzene through Crystallization 3.2 Crystal Reactivity of B←N-Bonded Adducts: The Case of Styryl­thiophenes 4 Conclusions and Perspectives
Reprogramming oral epithelial keratinocytes into a pluripotent phenotype for tissue regeneration.

Objectives We set out to reprogram adult somatic oral epithelial keratinocytes into pluripotent cells for regenerative dentistry. Setting and sample population Immortalized murine oral keratinocyte cell (IMOK) line raised from adult mouse mucosa were cultured in vitro in our studies. Materials and methods Adult murine oral epithelial keratinocytes were chronically treated with TGF-β1 in vitro, and the expression of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and Nestin, as well as specific homeobox Gata and Pax gene family members were investigated. Results We documented the induction of stem factors linked with pluripotency and/or the maintenance and regulation of stem-cell self-renewal in oral epithelial keratinocytes by TGFβ1. Moreover, we discovered that this TGF-β1-induced increase in Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and Nestin was inhibited by SB431542, suggesting that TGF-β1 signals via the TGF-βRI receptor to induce pluripotency and stemness. Conclusions Adult oral epithelial keratinocytes treated chronically with TGF-β1 acquired phenotypic characteristics consistent with pluripotent stem cells, highlighting the facileness of reprogramming adult oral keratinocytes into an unlimited supply of pluripotent stem cells.
Do Firms Exploit Mispricing of Their Stock in Their Financing Decisions? Evidence from the Share Lending Market

Short sale constrained stocks are overpriced on average. I use borrowing fees, utilization, and IHS Markit’s DCBS measure as proxies for overpricing. I show that the likelihood that a firm conducts an SEO increases with measures of short sale constraints associated with overpricing even after adjusting for firm identity, excess cash, firm age, and past stock returns. Stocks underperform after an SEO if but only if they were short sale constrained. Firms are far more likely to repurchase shares if the stock is not hard-to-borrow. When firms repurchase hard-to-borrow shares, the firm is usually right and shorts are usually wrong.
Job Dispatching Policies for Queueing Systems with Unknown Service Rates

In multi-server queueing systems where there is no central queue holding all incoming jobs, job dispatching policies are used to assign incoming jobs to the queue at one of the servers. Classic job dispatching policies such as join-the-shortest-queue and shortest expected delay assume that the service rates and queue lengths of the servers are known to the dispatcher. In this work, we tackle the problem of job dispatching without the knowledge of service rates and queue lengths, where the dispatcher can only obtain noisy estimates of the service rates by observing job departures. This problem presents a novel exploration-exploitation trade-off between sending jobs to all the servers to estimate their service rates, and exploiting the currently known fastest servers to minimize the expected queueing delay. We propose a bandit-based exploration policy that learns the service rates from observed job departures. Unlike the standard multi-armed bandit problem where only one out of a finite set of actions is optimal, here the optimal policy requires identifying the optimal fraction of incoming jobs to be sent to each server. We present a regret analysis and simulations to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed bandit-based exploration policy.
Cognitive screening for adult psychiatric outpatients: Comparison of the Cognivue® to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

In this editorial we comment on the article by Cahn-Hidalgo D published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Psychiatry 2020; 10(1); 1-11. We focus on the importance of utilizing psychometrically valid cognitive screening tools when assessing for cognitive decline in older adults in a psychiatric outpatient setting. We compared the use of Cognivue® to use of the montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) as a cognitive screening tool. A total of 58 patients aged 55 and over participated in this comparison study. Patients completed cognitive screening on Cognivue®, a new Food and Drug Administration-cleared computer screening device, and the MoCA. The results of patient performance using these two instruments were analyzed. Sixteen (28%) patients screened negative for cognitive impairment on both assessments. Forty-two (72%) patients screened positive on one or both of the assessments. There was 43% agreement between Cognivue® and the MoCA in identifying patients with cognitive impairment, and individual subtests were weakly correlated. The MoCA was determined to be the preferred instrument due to its high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 87%, respectively) when screening for cognitive impairment. We propose that the use of Cognivue® cognitive screening tool be closely reviewed until more research proves that the test meets the standards for reliability and validity. It is important for clinicians to remember that screeners should not be used to diagnosis patients with neurocognitive disorders; instead, they should be used to determine whether further evaluation is warranted. Additionally, misdiagnosing of neurocognitive disorders can pose unnecessary psychological and emotional harm to patients and their families and also lead to incorrect treatment and undue healthcare costs.
An Experimentally Validated Evaporative Phase Change Heat Transfer Model for Low Mass Flux Applications using R134a in Plate Heat Exchangers

ABSTRACT Plate frame heat exchangers are common in liquid-coupled vapor compression systems due to their compactness and ease of maintenance. In some of these systems, the refrigerant within the evaporator can enter the heat exchanger as a subcooled liquid. As a result, the refrigerant passes through three different phases: single-phase liquid, two-phase fluid, and a superheated vapor. Unfortunately, there have been limited prior studies that have identified the best method to predict performance under these circumstances. Furthermore, previous investigations have not evaluated refrigerant evaporation in large industrial sized plate frame heat exchangers under conditions experienced in the present study experimental test facility, especially at mass fluxes below 7 kg m−2 s−1. In the present investigation, a model was developed to predict the performance of plate and frame heat exchangers when the fluid enters as a subcooled liquid and exits as a superheated vapor. The model used full-sized plate heat exchanger geometry that was discretized into 20 sections to accurately capture local heat transfer and pressure drop effects. The model was validated using an R134a counter flow heat exchanger used in a turbo-compression cooling system test facility that had subcooled liquid entering the evaporator at low mass fluxes. A variety of empirical correlations were evaluated to determine what combination yielded the best predictive capability over the following range of conditions: 5.8
Use of Continuous Albuterol in a Pathway for Treatment of Pediatric Acute Asthma

Background: Use of RT-driven protocols allows for standardization and improves quality of care. At our institution, inpatient treatment of acute asthma exacerbation in children ≥ 2 y old is managed with a score-based pathway that uses a modified Pediatric Asthma Score (PAS) [Qureshi et al. Effect of nebulized ipratropium on the hospitalization rates of children with asthma. N Engl J Med 1998;339(15):1030-1035]. The pathway is RT-driven and provides score-based guidance for initiation (PAS ≥ 8) and discontinuation (PAS ≤ 11) of continuous albuterol (CA). We use a vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) to deliver CA when patients are receiving respiratory support (HFNC, NIV), and a large volume nebulizer (LVN) otherwise. We evaluated the use of CA during asthma exacerbation treatment with the asthma pathway as part of a quality improvement process. Methods: First hospitalization of children ≥ 2 y old admitted to PICU or step down unit for acute asthma exacerbation between 11/2017–12/2019 who were prescribed CA as part of the asthma pathway were included in a retrospective chart review. Data collected included: age, sex, asthma severity, CA dose/duration, nebulizer type, PAS (before, during, after CA), and length of stay. Need to restart CA, transfer to PICU, and death were recorded. Results: We identified 412 subjects with median age of 6 years (IQR 4–10). The majority were male (61%) and admitted from the emergency department to the step down unit (71%). Asthma severity was classified as mild, moderate, severe, and unspecified in 10%, 45%, 24%, and 20% of subjects respectively. Median initial dose and time on CA were 15 mg/h (IQR 10–20) and 9 h 20 min (IQR 5 h 55 min–16 h 38 min). PAS before, during, and after CA was 11 (IQR 10–12), 11 (IQR 9–12) and 6 (IQR 5–8) respectively. One type of device was used in 85% (LVN 71%, VMN 14%). PAS documentation was missing in 16%, 2%, and 2% before, during, and after CA respectively. 28% received respiratory support (HFNC or NIV). Median length of stay was 1.4 d (IQR 0.8–2.3). CA was restarted in 3% of subjects, and 2% required transfer to PICU due to escalation of care. No deaths were reported. Conclusions: The use of a score-based pathway for initiation/discontinuation of CA for treatment of pediatric asthma exacerbation was safe with low complication rates at our institution. Efforts towards increasing documentation before starting CA are warranted.
Basis of a Matter Field Theory of Inertia — A Generalization of Quantum Mechanics

This theory is based on three essential axioms: the principle of general relativity, the generalized Mach principle, and the principle of correspondence. The approach is basically that of a deterministic, relativistic field theory which fully incorporates the idea that any realistic physical system is in fact a closed system, without separable parts. It will be shown that the most primitive form of this theory, following as a necessary consequence of its axioms, is in terms of a set of coupled, nonlinear spinor field equations, that has an asymptotic limit that corresponds to the many-particle quantum mechanical theory. The limit corresponds to the assumption of sufficiently small energy—momentum transfer among the component elements of the assumed closed system. Let us now discuss in more detail the implications of the three basic axioms indicated above.
Predicting a range shift and range limits in an introduced tropical marine invertebrate using species distribution models

A major goal of invasion biology is to predict range shifts and potential range limits of non-native species. Species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly used to achieve these goals, but the predictive accuracy of these models is rarely tested using natural range shifts. The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is native to the eastern tropical Pacific and has been introduced to a number of locations globally including the southeastern United States. During the unusually cold winter months of 2010, the range of M. coccopoma within the USA SE retracted 825 km. The ability of the SDM MaxEnt to accurately predict the range retraction and M. coccopoma’s range within the USA SE was tested using distributional data from before and after the range retraction. Three MaxEnt models were trained using data from the global range, the native range, and the USA SE introduced range. Only the model trained on data from the USA SE was able to accurately predict the entire extent of the range retraction and most known populations prior to the range retraction. Globally trained models may provide the most conservative estimates of potential distributions; however, niche shifts may limit the ability of these models to accurately predict range shifts.
Rank-score characteristics (RSC) function and cognitive diversity

In Combinatorial Fusion Analysis (CFA), a set of multiple scoring systems is used to facilitate integration and fusion of data, features, and/or decisions so as to improve the quality of resultant decisions and actions. Specifically, in a recently developed information fusion method, each system consists of a score function, a rank function, and a Rank-Score Characteristic (RSC) function. The RSC function illustrates the scoring (or ranking) behavior of the system. In this report, we show that RSC functions can be computed easily and RSC functions can be used to measure cognitive diversity for two or more scoring systems. In addition, we show that measuring diversity using the RSC function is inherently distinct from the concept of correlation in statistics and can be used to improve fusion results in classification and decision making. Among a set of domain applications, we discuss information retrieval, virtual screening, and target tracking.
The Role of Weight Reducing Materials in Automotive Fuel Savings

Influence du poids du vehicule sur sa consommation de carburant. Estimation du rapport optimal allegement/cout de fabrication. Validite des previsions
Towards Passive Haptic Learning of piano songs

Passive Haptic Learning (PHL) enables users to acquire motor skills by receiving tactile stimulation while no perceived attention is given to learning. Initial work used gloves with embedded vibration motors to passively teach users how to play simple, one-handed, one-note-at-a-time piano melodies. In an effort to create a practical system for learning full piano pieces, we have developed a method of passively teaching two-handed chorded skills, initially focusing on Braille typing. Here, we extend this effort to piano and show that passive stimulation is more effective at teaching piano pieces when presented on both hands simultaneously as opposed to training the left hand and then the right, as is common in many active teaching methods. We also demonstrate that accompanying audio is not needed for passive learning of piano melodies, which allows mobile PHL gloves to be used in more everyday situations.
IIV: an invisible invariant verifier

This paper describes the Invisible Invariant Verifier (IIV)-an automatic tool for the generation of inductive invariants, based on the work in [4, 1, 2, 6]. The inputs to IIV are a parameterized system and an invariance property p, and the output of IIV is “success” if it finds an inductive invariant that strengthens p and “fail” otherwise. IIV can be run from http://eeyore.cs.nyu.edu/servlets/iiv.ss.
Tubulin gene expression in maize (Zea mays L.): Change in isotype expression along the developmental axis of seedling root☆

Two-dimensional gel/western blot analysis was used to characterize alpha- and beta-tubulin isotype expression along the developmental axis of the maize (Zea mays) seedling primary root. We identified four distinct alpha-tubulin isotypes and a minimum of six beta-tubulin isotypes. This analysis showed differences between the alpha- and beta-tubulin isotypes expressed in rapidly dividing tissue at the root tip and differentiated root tissues proximal to the tip. The alpha 1 and alpha 4 isotypes predominated in samples from immature rapidly dividing tissues such as root tips, whereas in mature tissues such as differentiated root and pollen, alpha 2, alpha 3 and alpha 4 isotypes predominated. The beta 1 and beta 2 isotypes were more abundant in protein samples from root cortex than in samples from the root tip or vascular cylinder. In contrast, the beta 4 and beta 5 isotypes appeared to be more abundant in root tip and vascular cylinder samples than in root cortex samples. Hybridization probes from the 3' non-coding region of six alpha-tubulin cDNA clones were used to quantify the levels of corresponding tubulin transcripts in selected tissues, from embryonic to mature and from largely undifferentiated to highly differentiated. The results from these hybridization experiments showed that all of the alpha-tubulin genes were expressed in all tissues examined, although each gene showed a unique pattern of differential transcript accumulation. A transcript produced from cDNA clone representing the tua5 alpha-tubulin gene was translated in vitro and produced an alpha-tubulin that comigrated with the alpha 2 isotype.
Simulation models and evaluation of pre- and post- dispersion compensation of DWDM links using a bidirectional DCF with FBG reflectors

Dispersion compensation of ultra-high data rate optical transmission is a key function to increase optical signal integrity and link performance. It has been shown that the link performance profile is also used in link identification as well as source identification. Dispersion compensation is based on specialty fiber that has negative dispersion coefficient and it is many kilometers long. Typically such fiber is placed at the end or at the beginning of standard single mode fiber, termed pre-compensation and post-compensation, respectively. As such, few questions arise. How can the dispersion compensation fiber length be reduced? Which of the two methods performs better? What are the performance characteristics of each? In this paper, we model and simulate the pre - and post-compensation methods and we compare the results to establish which of the two exhibits better efficiency and performance in fiber optic links, each being eighty kilometers of standard single mode fiber. Dispersion compensation is accomplished with a novel cost-efficient method that uses half the required length of dispersion compensating fiber and also fiber Bragg gratings that act as reflectors. In our model we use 10 DWDM channels, each modulated at 10 Gbps. Simulation for multi-links of 600 km link path suggest that pre-compensation performs better than post-compensation.
A arte de andar nas ruas de Brasília

Como argumenta Michel de Certeau, o caminhar revela algo intimo: o uso personalizado da cidade. Na literatura de Brasilia, o caminhar e indicativo da busca de prazer, da disposicao para correr riscos e de tentativas de humanizar e individualizar uma cidade planejada mais para os carros que para os pedestres. Andar em Brasilia e uma especie de paradoxo. Qual o papel do pedestre em uma cidade projetada para carros e com o formato de um aviao? Uma serie de poemas, cronicas, contos e cancoes (de Nicolas Behr, Aborto Eletrico, Capital Inicial, Legiao Urbana, GOG, Jose Rezende Jr., Pedro Biondi, Liziane Guazina, Fernanda Barreto e Augusto Rodrigues) viram de cabeca para baixo as origens e a organizacao hierarquica de Brasilia, sugerindo que os moradores atuais - a medida que andam pela cidade em suas vidas cotidianas - estao criando e transformando a capital de formas significativas.
Multifocal hemangioendothelioma of the lumbar spine and response to surgical resection and radiation

Abstract Background context Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma rarely occurs in the lumbosacral spine, with very few case reports of spinal hemangioendothelioma in the literature. There is variability in aggressiveness of these lesions without established treatment guidelines. Purpose The aim was to present a case of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma in the lumbar spine, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, which rapidly progressed over a 2-month period as regional multifocal lumbosacral spinal lesions with epidural extension causing severe spinal canal stenosis. Study design/Setting This was a case report in a university hospital setting. Patient sample The sample included an otherwise healthy adult male with low back pain. Methods Multimodality imaging was performed to help with diagnosis and management including computed tomography, MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET). The patient was treated by embolization, L5 corpectomy and L4–S1 stabilization, and radiation therapy. The diagnosis was confirmed by tissue biopsy. Results The patient initially presented with severe back and leg pain after a vertebroplasty for an L5 compression fracture at an outside hospital where biopsy was negative for malignancy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse abnormality of L5 with several smaller lesions in the sacrum. Due to progressive pain 2 weeks after the vertebroplasty, the patient underwent an L5 laminectomy, L4–S1 instrumented posterior fusion, and attempted partial corpectomy for stenosis. At this surgery, the L5 corpectomy was aborted owing to profound bleeding. Pathology was again negative for malignancy. Presumed to be an atypical hemangioma, the lesion was embolized before repeat surgery where the thecal sac was decompressed by partial L5 corpectomy. Biopsy at this time revealed a vascular neoplasm, with hemangioendothelioma not excluded. Approximately 2 months after the stabilization procedure, the patient had increasing pain and bilateral lower extremity weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and demonstrated marked local progression of disease with new multifocal lesions involving L4 through S2 vertebrae and new severe spinal canal stenosis. These lesions were subsequently treated with localized radiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging 2 months after radiation therapy showed significant regression of the epidural tumor although a new metastatic lesion was discovered at T6 vertebra. Conclusions Spinal hemangioendothelioma is a rare disease and can present in variable forms, including as a multifocal regional process—which may be mistaken for infection. Additionally, there are no standard treatment protocols for this entity. We present the extensive imaging and treatment of a single case of rapidly progressive lumbar epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, which to our knowledge has not been described with this multifocal appearance in the lumbar spine.
A Review of “A High Price: The Triumphs & Failures of Israeli Counter-Terrorism”

What should the world, and the United States in particular, learn from Israel's counterterrorism experience? Perhaps not the lessons that Israeli counterterrorism officials have been offering. Whil...
Latent Hardening in Copper and Copper Alloys

A new phenomenological latent hardening model is developed for rate-dependent single crystal plasticity. The model quantitatively predicts the latent hardening evolution and latent hardening material dependence for f.c.c. single crystals. Increased overshoot, typically observed in copper alloys as opposed to copper, is rationalized based on the history dependence of latent hardening.
GASEOUS CONFORMATIONAL STRUCTURES OF CYTOCHROME C

Solution folding of a protein removes major sections of it from their aqueous environment. Complete removal, by forming water-free gaseous protein ions with electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry, profoundly changes the conformation of cytochrome c. Of these ions' exchangeable hydrogen atoms, gaseous D2O replaces 30% to 70% in distinct values indicative of at least six conformational states. Although this is increased to >95% by colliding ions with D2O, colliding instead with N2 and subsequent D2O exposure gives the same H/D exchange values, although in different proportions; on solvent removal, denatured ions spontaneously refold. Deuterated State I, II, and V ions of a range of charge values up to 17+ when charge stripped to 9+ ions do not fold appreciably, even though their cross section decreases by 20%, confirming that each has a characteristic conformational structure insensitive to electrostatic repulsion; the charge solvation of an added protonated side chain also protects additional exchangeab...
A pump-pore model for transmembrane transport of hydrophilic solutes.

Abstract Transmembrane transport of a hydrophilic solute is presumed to begin when hydrated ligand adheres in Velcro-like fashion to hydrated membrane surface. Asymmetric physical forces cause rolling movements of ligand over membrane surface until contact occurs with appropriate transport machinery, consisting of a pump (Pu) to which is tethered a ligand (Li)-specific perm-selective pore (Po). The Po is in the open form when the Li is attached to an external high-affinity allosteric site on it. The active form of the Pu is stabilized by attachment of the Li to high-affinity internal or low-affinity external allosteric sites. The active form of the Pu induces closure of the Po, even when ligand is bound to it; the inactive conformation of the Pu permits Po opening. Attachment of Li to either one of two binding sites on the active Pu and irreversible envelopment by it in Venus fly-trap fashion trigger transmembrane transport of Li. Multistep attachment of Li is rate-limiting in the transport process. Application of a simple equation derived from relevant kinetic considerations relating velocity of transport (V) to concentration of Li (L), V = k1(L)1/2, gives V-L curves approximating transport data obtained in a variety of biological systems. This model is congruent with the ability of cells to concentrate substances from extremely dilute solutions and with the adaptive informational value to cells of rates of transport.
Toxicokinetics of 2,2′,4,4′- and 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl in House Flies Following Topical Administration

Abstract The effect of chlorine position on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of two tetrachlorobiphenyls was studied in the house fly. Adult female house flies ( Musca domestica L.) were dosed topically with 0.5, 5, and 10 μg of 2,2′,4,4′-[ 14 C]- or 3,3′,4,4′-[ 14 C]tetrachlorobiphenyls (TCBs) in 1-2 μl of acetone. Total radioactivity in acetone rinses of intact flies, extracts of flies, extracts of excrements, and unextractable fly tissues and/or excrement was determined at 11 time points over a 96-hr period to provide data for the development of toxicokinetic models. Within 96 hr, 97-99% of the applied 2,2′,4,4′-TCB was absorbed from the surface following an initial rapid absorption of 93% within 12 hr. 3,3′,4,4′-TCB was absorbed very slowly, especially at the higher doses where only about 50% was absorbed within 96 hr. Both of the PCBs entered the fly body by simultaneous rapid (predominated for 2,2′,4,4′-TCB) and slow (predominated for the poorly soluble 3,3′,4,4′-TCB) absorption processes. A small fraction of the absorbed dose was irreversibly bound to fly tissues. A greater amount of 2,2′,4,4′-TCB was found in the fly body, but the amount of irreversibly bound radioactivity was higher for 3,3′,4,4′-TCB. Since almost all of the 2,2′,4,4′-TCB in the fly body was parent PCB, it is hypothesized that the greater burden but lower binding of 2,2′,4,4′-TCB in fly tissues is a result of a lack of reactive metabolites. Higher irreversible tissue binding of 3,3′,4,4′-TCB may reflect its greater metabolism. About 73% of the absorbed 3,3′,4,4′-TCB was excreted by 96 hr, whereas 76% of the absorbed 2,2′,4,4′-TCB was excreted at the lowest dose, decreasing to 56% at the highest dose. Selective absorption, excretion, tissue retention, and greater metabolism of the lower doses more representative of environmental exposure suggest that the large mobile biomass of insects may play a crucial role in the conversion of environmental PCBs to more polar metabolites as well as the dispersion of parent PCBs and their metabolites in food chains due to the dominant role of insects in many food webs.
Was this analysis helpful? A genre analysis of the Amazon.com discourse community and its “most helpful” product reviews

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive analysis of Amazon.com product reviews that have been rated as “most helpful” by the Amazon.com discourse community in an attempt to discover if the shared values of the community are reflected in this specific genre. Drawing on genre theory and corpus-based discourse analysis, I detail the rhetorical patterns that exist in these reviews by analyzing a corpus of 142 “most helpful positive” and “most helpful critical” product reviews. A comparison of the results indicates that differences exist in the rhetorical patterning of positive and critical reviews. To reconcile this difference, I put forward a general argument that these differences still work towards the same overall communicative purpose of the genre, which is in turn a reflection of the shared values and goals of the Amazon.com discourse community. Product reviews that contain new or “experience” type information, as opposed to old or “search” ( Mudambi and Schuff, 2010 ) type information are preferred by the Amazon.com discourse community. Concurrently, reviews that are similar to the “soft selling” form of advertisements ( Cook, 1992 ), or reviews that are reminiscent of elements of “synthetic personalization” ( Fairclough, 1989 ), are considered less helpful than reviews that focus on the author or product of the review.
Additions to Fe(CO)3-dienal complexes: dependence of diastereoselectivity on Lewis acid.

Lewis acid mediated additions to Fe(CO)3−2,4-dienal complexes are explored. Silyl enol ether and allylstannane nucleophiles both undergo aldehyde addition with good diastereoselectivity. However, with TiCl4 as the catalyst, the Ψ-exo diastereomer is the major product while with BF3·Et2O the Ψ-endo diastereomer is favored. Lewis acid/substrate interactions are studied by VT-NMR, and a hypothesis that accounts for the observed diastereoselectivity is presented.
A spectrophotometric assay for histone deacetylase 8.

Abstract Inhibitors for the classical protein deacetylase enzymes have been actively pursued to develop the next generation of cancer therapy. Developing a novel convenient assay platform for the classical enzyme-catalyzed reactions could thus facilitate the drug discovery process. Based on our previous studies demonstrating the functional mimicry of N e -thioacetyl-lysine for N e -acetyl-lysine in the reaction catalyzed by the classical enzyme histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) on a peptide template derived from the C terminus of the human p53 tumor suppressor protein, we have developed a spectrophotometric HDAC8 assay via quantifying thioacetate produced from the enzymatic dethioacetylation with Ellman’s reagent 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate). We further demonstrated that this novel assay was selective for HDAC8 versus HDAC1 and 2 and for other classical protein deacetylase enzymes present in the HeLa nuclear extracts, thus making it potentially suitable not only for screening HDAC8-selective inhibitors but also for selectively assessing HDAC8 activity under (patho)physiological conditions.
Structural analysis of continuous fiber wound composite impellers of a multistage high-speed counter rotating axial compressor for compressing water vapor (R-718) as refrigerant using Finite Element Analysis

Abstract In this study a low cost, light weight and high performance novel filament wound axial impeller of a multistage counter rotating axial compressor for compressing water vapor (R718) as refrigerant is investigated structurally. Three different fiber types were chosen as suitable materials for this study (Kevlar-49, S-Glass & Carbon fiber) with a standard epoxy resin for the composite matrix. Through means of FEA (Finite Element Analysis) method; stress, displacement and vibration analysis procedure is developed to assess the maximum stress, change in dimensions and natural frequencies of these impellers under constant operating conditions. The finite element modeling was performed on commercially available software Abaqus. The modeling technique is explained in detail with regards to static structural and dynamic analysis of the impellers. Operating stresses, maximum shroud deflections, modal frequencies and effect of centrifugal stiffening is calculated and discussed in detail along with Campbell plots for each fiber material type. The study provides critical details about the structural behavior of the impellers and aims to provide a methodology to the compressor designer to support his decision in choosing the type of impeller and designing the housing.