cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-phase pressure drop response during load transients in a PEMFC

Abstract Transient behavior of PEM fuel cells can be categorized into electrochemical, thermal and two-phase flows. Overshoot/undershoot behavior has been observed in electrochemical cell voltage during transients, and are attributed to the transition time required for saturation conditions to reestablish. Similar behavior has been reported in two-phase flow pressure drop overshoot/undershoot in a previous work by the authors. In this work, three different temperatures, five ramp rates and four amplitudes of load change were used to investigate the transient two-phase pressure drop behavior. The overshoot/undershoot behavior is observed predominantly at the lower temperature of 40 °C, and is found to decrease at higher cell temperatures. There is a linear increase in the overshoot/undershoot behavior with increase in amplitude of load change. The overshoot/undershoot behavior was found to be independent of the ramp rates used to change the load current. The magnitude of overshoot in pressure drop was always larger than the magnitude of undershoot. The pressure drop required a longer time to return to steady state after an undershoot compared to the time required to return from an overshoot incident.
Prediction of Henry's constants for supercritical fluids using a van der Waals equation of state

Henry's constants for supercritical solutes are usually estimated from the infinite dilution activity coefficient and a hypothetical standard state for the solute as a pure liquid. The fugacity at this hypothetical standard state is estimated by extrapolation of the solute's vapor pressure curve beyond the critical point. Here, an alternative approach is used, where Henry's constant of a solute can be calculated from the fugacity (or vapor pressure) of the solvent and the ratio of solute and solvent liquid-phase fugacity coefficients. This approach eliminates the need for a hypothetical standard state and results in expressions that are analogous to Regular Solution Theory and the van Laar equation. A simple, modified van der Waals equation of state (mvdW EOS) is developed and used to demonstrate the utility, and limitations, of this approach.
Plasma estrogen and progesterone levels in cows prior to and during estrus.

Estrogen and progesterone concentrations were determined in plasma for the periods of proestrus (4 days prior to estrus) and estrus. In trial I, blood was obtained at 0630 and 1800 hr every day for 4 days preceding estrus in 10 heifers. In trial II, blood was obtained on the day prior to estrus and every 2–4 hr on the day of estrus in four cows. Estrogen concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone concentration was determined by the competitive protein binding assay. Plasma estrogen concentrations were less than 10 pg/ml until the day prior to estrus when the concentrations were 15–25 pg/ml. There were transient increases between 3 and 10 pg/ml during the first 3 days of proestrus. Progesterone levels were highest (5–12 ng/ml) on the fourth day prior to estrus, then progressively decreased to a nearly nondetectable level on the day prior to estrus. An estrogen concentration greater than 10 pg/ml was not detected until the progesterone concentration was below 2 ng/ml. Upon the onset of...
Chronic morphine treatment decreases the Cav1.3 subunit of the L-type calcium channel

Abstract Voltage-gated L- and N-type calcium channels (VOCs) are implicated in the activity of morphine, but their contribution to the expression of opioid tolerance remains uncertain. L- and N-type VOCs are heteropentamers of α 1 , α 2 δ, β, and γ subunits. The α 1 subunit forms both the ion pore and the binding site for ligands. The Ca v 1.2 and Ca v 1.3 are the neuronal dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive L-type channel subunit types. The Ca v 2.2 subunit is found in omega conotoxin GVIA-sensitive N-type calcium channels. Ca v 1.2 VOC gating properties are phosphorylation-dependent with many kinases implicated. We hypothesized that changes in channel subunit structure or phosphorylation state, induced by chronic opioid exposure, may in part explain changes in calcium regulation observed both in vivo and in vitro. Antibodies, specific for the Ca v 1.2, Ca v 1.3, and Ca v 2.2 subunits of VOCs were employed with Western immunoassays to access whether chronic morphine treatment had an effect on receptor protein levels. The L-type channel Ca v 1.3 protein, but not the Ca v 1.2 protein or phosphorylation state, significantly decreased upon chronic morphine treatment. The Ca v 2.2 subunit protein of the N-type channel of VOCs remained unchanged. The Ca v 1.3 subunit modification may represent one of many potential adaptive changes in tolerance to morphine-induced changes in intracellular calcium.
An ab initio excursion on the lowest 18 electronic surfaces of the NCl + NCl system: Some insight into the long-range self-quenching pathways of the first excited state of NCl

A series of state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (SA-CASSCF) computations were carried out in search of low-energy self-annihilation pathways for two NCl molecules in their first excited state (a'A).Numerous scans of the lowest 18 electronic surfaces that correlate with the interaction of two NCI molecules in the X 3 Σ - , a'A, and b 1 Σ + states are reported. Eight long-range, low-energy pathways were located (four in C 2 v and eight in C 2 h symmetry) that connect NCl(a 1 Δ) + NCl(a 1 Δ) to NCl(X 3 Σ - ) + NCl(b 1 Σ + ) and NCl(X 3 Σ - ) + NCl(a 1 Δ). It was possible to rigorously characterize the minima on four of these seams of crossings (MSXs). The MSXs between the a + a manifold and the X + b manifold are only 1.8-4.5 kcal mol - 1 above the a + a asymptote and therefore energetically accessible. Additional scans suggest these MSXs are planar but, to some extent, prefer to distort from C 2 v cis and C 2 h trans structures to C, orientations, which would lower the MSX energies slightly.
Exploration of Shh and BMP paracrine signaling in a prostate cancer xenograft.

Stromal-epithelial signaling is a critical regulator of normal prostate development and has been speculated to play an equally important role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-4, BMP-7), expressed by the urogenital sinus epithelium and mesenchyme exert reciprocal and coordinate effects on outgrowth of nascent prostate ducts. Over-expression of Shh in the LNCaP xenograft was shown previously to accelerate tumor growth by a paracrine mechanism. A survey of BMP regulators expressed in the developing prostate revealed increased Noggin and BMP-7 mRNA in the stromal component of Shh over-expressing xenografts. In vitro studies demonstrated that treatment of LNCaP cells with BMP-4 and BMP-7 cells induced Id-1 expression and inhibited tumor cell proliferation. The activity of BMP-4 was abrogated by co-addition of Noggin; the activity of BMP-7 was not. Quantitative analysis of BMP signaling revealed ambivalent results: decreased tumor cell expression of the BMP response gene Id-1 but increased staining for phospho-SMAD 1,5, 8. To directly test whether increased xenograft tumor growth could be explained by Noggin-mediated blockade of BMP-2/4 effects on tumor cell proliferation, we generated LNCaP xenografts containing stromal cells over-expressing Noggin. Tumor cells in these xenografts exhibited decreased Id-1 and reduced SMAD phosphorylation, but tumor growth was not altered. We conclude that tumor cell Shh expression can induce significant changes in expression of BMP ligands and inhibitors in the stromal microenvironment but that acceleration of LNCaP xenograft tumor growth by Shh over-expression cannot be attributed solely to increased Noggin expression in the tumor stroma.
The Interactive Relationship Between Class Identity and the College Experience: The Case of Lower Income Students

To probe the role that college context plays in influencing the class-based aspects of identity for lower income students, we interviewed 30 lower income students, 15 from an elite college and 15 from a state college. Significant disparities of wealth between students at the elite college heightened awareness of class, and led to feelings of intimidation, discomfort, inadequacy, deficiency, exclusion, and powerlessness among lower income students, feelings that were less prevalent among state college students. Students at both colleges acquired new forms of cultural capital and coped with class-based discontinuities between who they were before college and who they were becoming, but these issues became heightened for the elite college students.
Mechanisms of arrested succession in shrublands: root and shoot competition between shrubs and tree seedlings

Relative effects of above-ground and below-ground competition from shrubs (Cornus racemosa and Rhus glabra) on the growth of tree seedlings (Acer rubrum and Fraxinus americana) were assessed with a field experiment in the Hudson Valley, New York. Shade on tree seedlings planted in clumps of shrubs was reduced by guy-wiring back overtopping shrub crowns. Root competition was reduced by cutting a 0.5 m deep slit around the seedlings and inserting root restriction cloth. We also applied a combined treatment to some seedlings and reserved others as controls. In the field with the most severely drained and nutrient-poor soil, reduction of root competition increased relative growth rates of the seedlings while opening the canopy had no effect. Trenching and shade reduction around tree seedlings planted in shrubs clumps in a more mesic old field with a stony silt loam soil increased relative growth rates only if the treatments were combined. In a wet field with alluvial soil, guy-wiring back overtopping shrubs greatly increased seedling growth but trenching alone had no effect. Tree encroachment into shrub-dominated stands can be reduced by both root and shoot competition, but the severity of competition in these arenas varies with site conditions; below-ground competition is intense where soil resources are limited whereas the effects of shade are relatively more severe on sites with good soil.
Biomedical technology revolution: opportunities and challenges for oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

During this 45-minute presentation, I have tried to describe my vision of the exciting future that awaits us. I have tried to impart my enthusiasm for the opportunities provided to us as surgeons by the advances in molecular biology and genetics, imaging, surgical technology and bioinformatics. Most of all, I hope I have transmitted my optimism for the future to our younger members. I think the following statement or observation by the great educator Margaret Mead accurately summarizes our current situation regarding the application of all this new knowledge that will become available to us as surgeons: 'We are now at the point where we must educate people (surgeons) in what nobody knew yesterday, and prepare in our schools (training programs) for what no one knows yet but what some people must know tomorrow.'
Mutagenesis originating in site-specific DNA damage

Abstract Covalent monoadducts are the major types of gene damage after exposure to chemical mutagens and carcinogens. These and other damage structures together give rise to the spectrum of mutations that includes base-pair substitutions, insertions and deletions. In this study we introduced the bulky adduct guanine-8-aminofluorene into defined sites on one or both strands of the lactose operator. After insertion into plasmid pBR322 and replication in Escherichia coli COEC40, operator mutants were recognized on 5-bromo,4-chloro, 3-indolyl-β- d -galactoside plates and by hydridization probing. Out of ten randomly selected mutants, nine were single-base deletions and one was a two-base deletion. All mutations were at the site of modification or immediately adjacent to that site. If modifications were placed into both plasmid strands, preventing excision repair, operator mutants comprised close to 100% of operator-containing plasmids.
Active Control of Turbulent Boundary Layers for Drag Reduction

A brief summary of the recent progress achieved by the author’s research group on active turbulence control for drag reduction in turbulent boundary layers is presented. All control schemes are developed on the premise that the most effective way to control turbulent boundary layers is through proper manipulation of the near-wall streamwise vortices. Numerical experiments have been performed to test various control schemes, which involve applications of neural networks, suboptimal control theory, the Goore scheme and systems control theory. It is shown that each approach leads to a successful control scheme, thus proving the validity of the premise mentioned above.
Distinct tRNA recognition strategies used by a homologous family of editing domains prevent mistranslation

Errors in protein synthesis due to mispairing of amino acids with tRNAs jeopardize cell viability. Several checkpoints to prevent formation of Alaand Cys-tRNA Pro have been described, including the Ala-specific editing domain (INS) of most bacterial prolyl-tRNA synthetases (ProRSs) and an autonomous single-domain INS homolog, YbaK, which clears Cys-tRNA Pro in trans. In many species where ProRS lacks an INS domain, ProXpala, another single-domain INS-like protein, is responsible for editing Ala-tRNA Pro . Although the amino acid specificity of these editing domains has been established, the role of tRNA sequence elements in substrate selection has not been investigated in detail. Critical recognition elements for aminoacylation by bacterial ProRS include acceptor stem elements G72/A73 and anticodon bases G35/G36. Here, we show that ProXp-ala and INS require these same acceptor stem and anticodon elements, respectively, whereas YbaK lacks inherent tRNA specificity. Thus, these three related domains use divergent approaches to recognize tRNAs and prevent mistranslation. Whereas some editing domains have borrowed aspects of tRNA recognition from the parent aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, relaxed tRNA specificity leading to semi-promiscuous editing may offer advantages to cells.
Mexican American Women Aging With Childhood-Onset Paralytic Polio

In this study the life histories of 11 Latinas of Mexican American descent aging with permanent impairment related to childhood-onset paralytic polio were explored. These women, age 45 to 62 years, were interviewed 3 times each. Field notes, audiotaped interviews, life course charts, and demographic data were used to collect data chronicling childhood to present day. In the results we present a thematic representation of the societal and cultural influences on the life course trajectories of these women.
Laminates From The Soy-Based Polyurethanes and Natural and Synthetic Fibers

Two polyols were prepared from soybean oil, one by epoxidation route and the other via hydroformylation. The polyol obtained by epoxidation has secondary groups and has a gel time of more than one hour when reacted with crude MDI to produce polyurethanes. Hydroformylated polyol has a gel time with MDI of several minutes and is more suitable for reinforced reaction injection molding (RRIM). The first group of polyurethanes had a glass transition close to 80 δC while the hydroformylated gave about 30 degrees lower Tg and comparable strength but higher elongation. Adding glycerin as the crosslinker could increase both Tg and strength. Two series of laminates were prepared using several types of glass fabric, carbon fiber, polyester, cotton and jute fabrics r as reinforcements. Hydroformylated polyol based polyurethane composites were softer, with lower Tg, modulus and strength. Composites with organic fibers were lighter and more flexible than the glass reinforced samples. For comparison glass reinforced epoxy and polyester were prepared and tested. Organic fibers gave lower stiffness and strength than the corresponding glass or carbon fiber. Although the neat polyester and epoxy resins had somewhat higher strengths than the polyurethanes from soybean oil, mainly due to the higher crosslinking density, the composites from the soy oil-based resin displayed comparable or better properties. Glass transition and mechanical properties of the soy-based polyurethanes was varied from about 70 δC to 140 δC with added crosslinkers. Processing time of the soy-polyurethanes resins was shorter than that of the other two resins.
Locomotor Training Within an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program After Pediatric Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Background and Purpose: The outcomes of intense locomotor training after incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) have been described in adults with acute and chronic injuries and with various levels of ambulatory function. This case report describes a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program with a locomotor training component in a child with a severe incomplete SCI. Case Description: A 5-year-old girl injured at C4 participated in locomotor training for 5 months during inpatient rehabilitation. Outcomes: The patient's Functional Independence Measure for Children II (WeeFIM II) mobility score increased from 5/35 to 21/35. Her Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) score improved from 0 to 12. The patient returned to walking in the community with assistive devices. Discussion: It is feasible to include an intense locomotor training program in the clinical rehabilitation setting for a child with a severe SCI, and the outcomes were consistent with results in adults. Further investigation with experimental designs and more participants will determine the extent to which this intervention benefits the pediatric population with SCI.
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Cervical Spine in Children

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine are in the pediatric age group. Aneurysmal bone cyst is considered a locally aggressive benign tumor that may involve the posterior and anterior elements of the spine. Intralesional extended curettage and bone-grafting is the mainstay of treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts involving the long bones. However, the proximity to neurovascular structures and the potential remaining growth of the spine make its management in the spine more challenging. We evaluated the clinical presentation and the results of surgical treatment, following complete intralesional curettage along with spinal arthrodesis in pediatric patients with aneurysmal bone cysts of the cervical spine. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of seven children who were surgically treated for a primary aneurysmal bone cyst of the cervical spine between 1988 and 2008. There were four boys and three girls who had a mean age of 11.9 years (range, eight to 16.2 years) at the time of diagnosis. The mean duration of follow-up was 46.5 months (range, twenty-six to ninety-eight months). The mean age at the time of follow-up was sixteen years (range, 10.6 to 24.6 years). Results: Neck pain was the most common presenting symptom, and radiculopathy was the most common finding on physical examination. Radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were highly suggestive for the diagnosis that was confirmed histologically in all patients. The majority (four) of the patients required combined anterior and posterior approaches for complete removal of the tumor and arthrodesis of the spine. Two patients required additional procedures: one for a local recurrence and one for nonunion of the atlantooccipital junction. All patients were free of evidence of recurrent disease at the time of the last follow-up. With the exception of one patient who had permanent Horner syndrome, all patients were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Preoperative arterial embolization, complete tumor excision by intralesional curettage and burring, followed by local spinal fusion, yield satisfactory results with a low rate of complications and low recurrence in children with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the cervical spine. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Three-phase bidirectional DC-DC converter with enhanced current sharing capability

Current unbalance is an important issue in multiphase dc-dc converters. In this paper, three types of three-phase bidirectional dc-dc converters are introduced. Comparing to other two types of converters, the Y-connection type converter reduces the current mismatch significantly due to the inherent current sharing capability. To additionally alleviate current mismatch, a small signal method is applied to derive the relationship between phase shift angle and the transformer current. Based on the analysis, a closed loop control strategy and RPC (Ratio Presetting Controller) method are developed to enhance current sharing capability. Simulation and experimental results on a 6 kW prototype are presented to verify the proposed method.
Acceleration of the convergence of series containing Mathieu functions using Shanks transformation

A modification of the standard application of Shanks transformation is shown to improve the convergence rate in certain cases where the straightforward application of Shanks transformation fails. Here, the straightforward application of Shanks transformation to a well known series expansion containing Mathieu functions failed to improve the convergence rate. However, convergence was achieved by a new method of applying Shanks transformation. This new method requires analysis of the behavior of the series terms to determine the cause of the slow or failing convergence. Then, the Shanks transformation was applied only to the slowly convergent part of the series. This work is important because, with this new method, convergence may be achieved in cases where the standard application of Shanks transformation fails to improve the convergence rate. The paper takes as a case study the electromagnetic problem of the expansion of a cylindrical wave in a series of Mathieu functions.
Vegetation and weather explain variation in crown damage within a large mixed-severity wildfire.

Abstract The 2002 Biscuit Fire burned through more than 200,000 ha of mixed-conifer/evergreen hardwood forests in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. The size of the fire and the diversity of conditions through which it burned provided an opportunity to analyze relationships between crown damage and vegetation type, recent fire history, geology, topography, and regional weather conditions on the day of burning. We measured pre- and post-fire vegetation cover and crown damage on 761 digital aerial photo-plots (6.25 ha) within the unmanaged portion of the burn and used random forest and regression tree models to relate patterns of damage to a suite of 20 predictor variables. Ninety-eight percent of plots experienced some level of crown damage, but only 10% experienced complete crown damage. The median level of total crown damage was 74%; median damage to conifer crowns was 52%. The most important predictors of total crown damage were the percentage of pre-fire shrub-stratum vegetation cover and average daily temperature. The most important predictors of conifer damage were average daily temperature and “burn period,” an index of fire weather and fire suppression effort. The median level of damage was 32% within large conifer cover and 62% within small conifer cover. Open tree canopies with high levels of shrub-stratum cover were associated with the highest levels of tree crown damage, while closed canopy forests with high levels of large conifer cover were associated with the lowest levels of tree crown damage. Patterns of damage were similar within the area that burned previously in the 1987 Silver Fire and edaphically similar areas without a recent history of fire. Low-productivity sites on ultramafic soils had 92% median crown damage compared to 59% on non-ultramafic sites; the proportion of conifer cover damaged was also higher on ultramafic sites. We conclude that weather and vegetation conditions — not topography — were the primary determinants of Biscuit Fire crown damage.
A Cdc42 Activation Cycle Coordinated by PI 3-Kinase during Fc Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis

Fcgamma Receptor (FcR)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages requires phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and activation of the Rho-family GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1. Cdc42 is activated at the advancing edge of the phagocytic cup, where actin is concentrated, and is deactivated at the base of the cup. The timing of 3' phosphoinositide (3'PI) concentration changes in cup membranes suggests a role for 3'PIs in deactivation of Cdc42. This study examined the relationships between PI3K and the patterns of Rho-family GTPase signaling during phagosome formation. Inhibition of PI3K resulted in persistently active Cdc42 and Rac1, but not Rac2, in stalled phagocytic cups. Patterns of 3'PIs and Rho-family GTPase activities during phagocytosis of 5- and 2-mum-diameter microspheres indicated similar underlying mechanisms despite particle size-dependent sensitivities to PI3K inhibition. Expression of constitutively active Cdc42(G12V) increased 3'PI concentrations in plasma membranes and small phagosomes, indicating a role for Cdc42 in PI3K activation. Cdc42(G12V) inhibited phagocytosis at a later stage than inhibition by dominant negative Cdc42(N17). Together, these studies identified a Cdc42 activation cycle organized by PI3K, in which FcR-activated Cdc42 stimulates PI3K and actin polymerization, and the subsequent increase of 3'PIs in cup membranes inactivates Cdc42 to allow actin recycling necessary for phagosome formation.
A Model for Personalized in Vivo Analysis of Human Immune Responsiveness

Studies of human immune diseases are generally limited to the analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of heterogeneous patient populations. Improved models are needed to allow analysis of fundamental immunologic abnormalities predisposing to disease and in which to assess immunotherapies. Immunodeficient mice receiving human fetal thymus grafts and fetal CD34(+) cells intravenously produce robust human immune systems, allowing analysis of human T cell development and function. However, to use humanized mice to study human immune-mediated disorders, immune systems must be generated from adult hematopoietic cells. Here, we demonstrated robust immune reconstitution in mice with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) aspirated from bone marrow of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and healthy control volunteers. In these humanized mice, cryopreservation of human leukocyte antigen allele-matched fetal thymic tissue prevented allogeneic adult HSC rejection. Newly generated T cells, which included regulatory T cells (T(regs)), were functional and self-tolerant and had a diverse repertoire. The immune recognition of these mice mimicked that of the adult CD34(+) cell donor, but the T cell phenotypes were more predominantly "naive" than those of the adult donors. HSCs from T1D and control donors generated similar numbers of natural T(regs) intrathymically; however, peripheral T cells from T1D subjects showed increased proportions of activated or memory cells compared to controls, suggesting possible HSC-intrinsic differences in T cell homeostasis that might underlie immune pathology in T1D. This "personalized immune" mouse provides a new model for individualized analysis of human immune responses that may provide new insights into not only T1D but also other forms of immune function and dysfunction as well.
A Study of the Effect of Growth Rate and Annealing on GaN Buffer Layers on Sapphire

Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) we have determined that on [0001] oriented sapphire, the GaN buffer layer shows a degree of crystallinity that is dependent on growth rate. Annealing studies show evolution of the crystallinity and the emergence of a preferred orientation. Also, substrate orientation is found to influence the buffer layer crystallinity. Based on this work and previous results, we propose that the GaN buffer layer growth can be described by the Stranski-Krastanov growth process.
Quantitative Analysis of Myocardial Inflammation by Flow Cytometry in Murine Autoimmune Myocarditis: Correlation with Cardiac Function

Inflammation has been increasingly recognized as an important pathological component of heart failure. Existing methods of assessing myocardial infiltrate are labor-intensive and provide data that are difficult to quantify and not representative of the whole heart. As a result, little effort has been made to systematically assess the components of myocardial inflammation. We established an alternative method of quantitative assessment of myocardial inflammation by flow cytometry after enzymatic digestion of hearts to characterize the infiltrate and study the association between inflammation and cardiac function in murine experimental autoimmune myocarditis. The severity of acute myocarditis uniquely correlated with the proportion of neutrophils, but not T cells, B cells, or macrophages. Both acute and chronic phases were characterized by the presence of CD44high (activated) T cells in the heart, whereas T cells trafficking through normal hearts exhibited CD44low phenotype. During the chronic phase, the proportion of CD4+ T cells was associated with increased left-ventricular volumes and deterioration of systolic function, the hallmarks of dilated cardiomyopathy. We conclude that flow cytometry on uniformly digested mouse hearts provides sensitive and reproducible assessment of myocardial infiltrate and can be used to dissect out the specific role of individual immune components from the overall inflammatory response in the heart.
Post-translational arginylation as a novel regulator of platelet function

In this issue of Haematologica, Lian et al. show that megakaryocyte-specific loss of arginyltransferase (ATE1)-mediated post-translational arginylation leads to enhanced clot retraction and in vivo thrombus formation in mice, due to enhanced myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation in
Synthesis with Identifiers

We consider the synthesis of reactive systems from specifications with identifiers. Identifiers are useful to parametrize the input and output of a reactive system, for example, to state which client requests a grant from an arbiter, or the type of object that a robot is expected to fetch. Traditional reactive synthesis algorithms only handle a constant bounded range of such identifiers. However, in practice, we might not want to restrict the number of clients of an arbiter or the set of object types handled by a robot a priori. We first present a concise automata-based formalism for specifications with identifiers. The synthesis problem for such specifications is undecidable. We therefore give an algorithm that is always sound, and complete for unrealizable safety specifications. Our algorithm is based on computing a pattern-based abstraction of a synthesis game that captures the realizability problem for the specification. The abstraction does not restrict the possible solutions to finite-state ones and captures the obligations for the system in the synthesis game. We present an experimental evaluation based on a prototype implementation that shows the practical applicability of our algorithm.
Throughput maximization for periodic real-time systems under the maximal temperature constraint

We study the problem on how to maximize the throughput for a periodic real-time system under the given peak temperature constraint. We assume that different tasks in our system may have different power and thermal characteristics. Two algorithms are presented in this paper. The first one is built upon processors that can be either in active or sleep mode. By judiciously selecting tasks with different thermal characteristics as well as alternating the processor active/sleep mode, our approach can improve the throughput upon the existing techniques by 21% in average. We further extend this approach for processors with dynamic voltage/ frequency scaling (DVFS) capability. Our experiments show that an improvement of 24% can be achieved when compared with the existing methods.
Increased Serum Free Light Chains Precede the Presentation of Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis

Purpose Patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) generally present with advanced organ dysfunction and have a high risk of early death. We sought to characterize monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-Ig) light chains before clinical presentation of AL amyloidosis. Patients and Methods We obtained prediagnostic sera from 20 cases with AL amyloidosis and 20 healthy controls matched for age, sex, race, and age of serum sample from the Department of Defense Serum Repository. Serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation and serum free light chain (FLC) analysis were performed on all samples. Results An M-Ig was detected in 100% of cases and 0% of controls (P < .001). The M-Ig was present in 100%, 80%, and 42% of cases at less than 4 years, 4 to 11 years, and more than 11 years before diagnosis, respectively. The median FLC differential (FLC-diff) was higher in cases compared with controls at all time periods, less than 4 years (174.8 v 0.3 mg/L; P < .001), 4 to 11 years (65.1 v 2.2 mg/...
Mental Health and Substance Misuse-Related Emergency Department Discharges in Urban Counties of North Carolina.

Background National evidence suggests that there is considerable variation between regions in emergency department utilization for routine health care needs. Many emergency departments are poorly equipped to manage the needs of patients with mental health or substance misuse diagnoses, who could often be more effectively managed in other settings. We sought to quantify differences in the frequency of mental health and substance misuse-related emergency department encounters across urban counties in North Carolina. Methods Data from the 2010 North Carolina State Emergency Department and Inpatient Databases were analyzed with descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics. Primary discharge diagnoses were classified using the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes included with the databases. Results The overall rate of mental health and substance misuse encounters in urban counties was 19.1 encounters per 1,000 people (4.5% of all emergency department encounters). This rate ranged from 6.4 encounters per 1,000 people (2.4% of encounters) in Wake County to 30.1 encounters per 1,000 people (6.4%) in Orange County. Limitations There is a possibility of nondifferential classification error in the state databases, as coding practices and coding errors may vary between facilities. We were unable to confirm diagnoses through additional clinical information or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria. Conclusion Mental health and substance misuse-related encounters constitute a small percentage of emergency department encounters in North Carolina's urban counties, with significant variation between counties. Diverting some of these encounters to community-based mental health and substance misuse health care providers could reduce emergency department utilization while improving the quality of care delivered to this vulnerable patient population.
Group 3 innate lymphoid cells continuously require the transcription factor GATA-3 after commitment

The transcription factor GATA-3 is indispensable for the development of all innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that express the interleukin 7 receptor α-chain (IL-7Rα). However, the function of low GATA-3 expression in committed group 3 ILCs (ILC3 cells) has not been identified. We found that GATA-3 regulated the homeostasis of ILC3 cells by controlling IL-7Rα expression. In addition, GATA-3 served a critical function in the development of the NKp46(+) ILC3 subset by regulating the balance between the transcription factors T-bet and RORγt. Among NKp46(+) ILC3 cells, although GATA-3 positively regulated genes specific to the NKp46(+) ILC3 subset, it negatively regulated genes specific to lymphoid tissue-inducer (LTi) or LTi-like ILC3 cells. Furthermore, GATA-3 was required for IL-22 production in both ILC3 subsets. Thus, despite its low expression, GATA-3 was critical for the homeostasis, development and function of ILC3 subsets.
Endovascular repair of a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery following arthroscopic knee surgery: case report and review of literature

We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery following arthroscopic knee surgery. Endovascular repair was successfully used as the treatment for this patient and studies have shown this to be a safe alternative to surgery.
Unity Identity Text Self

Understanding the receptivity of literature, how one work admits many readers, begins with an analogy: unity is to text as identity is to self. Unity here means the way all a text’s features can be related through one central theme. Identity describes a person’s sameness within different behaviors as variations on one identity theme (Lichtenstein). To find unity or identity, however, the interpreter himself plays a behavioral variation on his identity theme. In interpreting, his identity re-creates itself as he shapes the text to match his characteristic defenses, fantasies, and coherences. Thus, what a poet says about fictional, political, or scientific texts expresses the same identity theme as the poems he writes. To understand reading, criticism, and any knowing or making in symbols, then, we need to let go the Cartesian craving for objectivity and accept the themes in ourselves with which we construe the world—including literary works.
Solidification of Some Casting Alloys of Commercial Significance

This chapter will cover the solidification of some alloys of commercial interest as well as selected numerical models developed to describe and predict the microstructure evolution and defect formation in these alloys. The research community and the commercial entities have produced and continue to produce quite an abundance of numerical models for the prediction of defect occurrence and microstructure development of alloys. For metal casting applications, the most commonly used commercial software are ProCAST and Magmasoft. General commercial codes, such as ABAQUS or Fluent, have also been used in conjunction with specialized routines. This chapter will attempt to illustrate the progress, success, and limitation of both research and commercial models in the prediction of microstructure and related features.
Experiences of Healing Touch and Counseling on a Bereaved Population: A Grounded Theory

ABSTRACTGrounded theory was selected as a way to develop a theory about the potential adjunctive use of energy healing in the form of healing touch (HT) along with counseling on a bereaved population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted twice with clients and once with the counselors and HT practitioners. Results indicated that the participants agreed that both counseling and HT operated well together to provide bereavement support. The themes of trust, openness, intention, and spirituality within the holistic context seemed to make this model possible. Potential ethical concerns are discussed, as well as areas for future research and clinical applications.
Heterogeneity in mantle carbon content from CO 2 -undersaturated basalts.

The amount of carbon present in Earth's mantle affects the dynamics of melting, volcanic eruption style and the evolution of Earth's atmosphere via planetary outgassing. Mantle carbon concentrations are difficult to quantify because most magmas are strongly degassed upon eruption. Here we report undegassed carbon concentrations from a new set of olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We use the correlations of CO2 with trace elements to define an average carbon abundance for the upper mantle. Our results indicate that the upper mantle carbon content is highly heterogeneous, varying by almost two orders of magnitude globally, with the potential to produce large geographic variations in melt fraction below the volatile-free solidus. Such heterogeneity will manifest as variations in the depths at which melt becomes interconnected and detectable, the CO2 fluxes at mid-ocean ridges, the depth of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary, and mantle conductivity.
Solar impacts on the sustainability of economic growth

Abstract Mainstream economists have used various growth models to predict the interaction between sustainable economic growth and the endless accumulation of capital while environmental concerns and their negative externalities are left out, in most cases. In this paper, I present a structural economic model that explicitly allows for the interaction between an economy and an ecosystem. The proposed model indicates that—given a wide range of development and socio-economic infrastructure—while population growth might be a reason for the constant growth trajectory, it has an adverse effect due to the constraints of resources and the environment. This is because economic activities and population growth increase ecological disordering as they downgrade the environment, while the later element has a negative impact on living standards. The collected data focusing on different economic components show that the growth rate of GDP per capita may fall below zero as the population grows with the rate of capital accumulation and environmental depletion. Finally, considering different scenarios of utilizing solar energy for economic growth, a feasible endurance factor for sustainable development might promote the methods of using the substituted energy, focusing on solar energy. This, however, cannot be accomplished given the current speed and direction of technological progress and energy utilization.
Gadolinium Deposition in Human Brain Tissues after Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging in Adult Patients without Intracranial Abnormalities

Our findings demonstrate that gadolinium deposition in neuronal tissues occurs even in the absence of intracranial abnormalities among patients exposed to multiple gadolinium-enhanced MR examinations.
Bioceramic Coatings on Magnesium Alloys

Magnesium (Mg)-based materials have attracted interest as for its use as a biodegradable metallic implant material. However, one of the main challenges in the use of magnesium and its alloys for biomedical applications is its poor corrosion resistance in physiological environments. Surface coatings to control biodegradation of magnesium offer the flexibility to be easily modified for specific applications and have significantly less investment. Hydroxyapatite-based bioceramic coatings on metallic implants have been favorably viewed because of its excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility and the fact that the composition of hydroxyapatite is similar to that of natural bone. In this manuscript, we discuss the context of magnesium as biodegradable metal, current challenges on use of magnesium-based materials for biomedical applications. Focusing specifically on orthopedic applications, we elaborate on calcium phosphate-based bioceramic coatings. Recent work on hydroxyapatite coatings on magnesium, fabrication process and the biological response of the coatings are highlighted.
Expression of cytokine genes and receptors in white blood cells associated with divergent body weight gain in beef steers

Abstract Previous work examining the transcriptome of steer tissue samples from animals with divergent gain have shown a relationship with the expression of genes with functions in immune and inflammatory pathways. The process of mounting an immune or inflammatory response is energetically expensive and variation in cytokine responses may affect cattle production traits. In addition, a previous study has identified variation in the transcript abundance of numerous genes, including the cytokine gene IL6ST , in the circulating white blood cells of pigs associated with high and low residual feed intake (RFI) lines. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in cytokine expression in the circulating white blood cells (WBC) could also be associated with body weight gain in beef steers. Crossbred steers (n = 12) with average feed intake (10.9 kg/d), but divergent body weight gain (Low = 1.92 kg/d; High = 2.25 kg/d), were selected for the study. The genes CCR3 , IL9R , PF4 , NAMPT and TNF were associated with gain (P ≤ 0.05); and CSF1 , IL2RG , IL6ST , CCL3 , and TNFSF13B displayed a trend towards association with gain (P
A “Game War” in the Borderlands: Cross-Border Poaching in the Northeast 1886–1908

During the second half of the nineteenth century, the state of Maine increased wildlife conservation laws. Numerous game wardens were given the task of defending Maine’s animals from poachers. Nort...
Prospective Predictors of Multiple Sexual Partners Among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Studies show that having sex with multiple partners increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. The present article reports prospective predictors of having multiple sexual partners among 505 African American men in Philadelphia who have sex with men (MSM) who participated in an intervention trial and attended a 6-month follow-up. Participants completed audio computer-assisted surveys of demographics, sexual behavior, and Reasoned Action Approach and Social Cognitive Theory mediators concerning multiple partners. We analyzed the incidence of self-reported multiple partners at the 6-month follow-up, controlling for treatment condition and baseline levels of the theoretical variables. The odds of having multiple partners decreased with increasing age (p < .03). Participants who said they were HIV positive had lower odds of having multiple partners (p < .009). The more pride participants reported in their identities as black or African American men, the lower the odds that they reported having multiple partners (p < .02). Adverse outcome expectancies accruing to multiple partners fully mediated the effect of black pride and partially mediated the effects of age on the odds of having multiple partners. Modifiable factors such as perceived negative outcome expectancies regarding having multiple sex partners should be addressed in designing interventions and prevention programs with the goal of decreasing the number of sexual partners among African American MSM.