cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Covalently bound azido groups are very specific water sensors, even in hydrogen-bonding environments.

Covalently bound azido groups are found in many commercially available biomolecular precursors and substrates, and the NNN asymmetric stretching band of these groups is a strong infrared absorber that appears in a spectral region clear of other signals. In order to evaluate comprehensively the solvatochromism of the asymmetric azido NNN stretching band for site-specific use in biomolecular contexts, infrared spectra of the model compounds 5-azido,1-pentanoic acid and 3-(p-azidophenyl),1-propanoic acid were acquired in a large variety of nonpolar, polar, and hydrogen-bond-donating solvents, as well as mixed aqueous-organic solvents. Spectra in pure solvents indicated that the aliphatic NNN stretching frequency maximum does not depend on solvent polarity, while the aromatic NNN frequency displays a weak but nonzero sensitivity to polarity. In both cases, the NNN frequency exhibits a blue-shift in H-bond-donating solvents, but the frequency in water is higher than in any other H-bond-donating solvent includi...
Bacterial expression of recombinant MyoXVIIIA domains

Myosin XVIII (MyoXVIII)1, the newest member of the myosin superfamily (1), consists of two subclasses MyoXVIIIA and MyoXVIIIB (1, 2). Myosin family members have a motor domain, one or more IQ motifs and c-terminal tails that usually form dimeric coiled-coils, each domain having critical roles in a variety of cell functions (1, 3). The MyoXVIIIA gene encodes short and long protein variants, the long variant having an N-terminal PDZ domain (4, 5). The long variant was discovered in mouse marrow stromal cells and has been designated as MysPDZα (4, 6) or more recently as MyoXVIIIAα (7) for the human gene. The short variant designated as MysPDZβ (4) or MyoXVIIIAβ(7) was first characterized in spleen (4), myeloid and other hematopoietic cells (5). MyoXVIIIA variants localize to different cellular compartments, but the functions of this myosin are not understood (6–9). Recently, we have discovered that variants of MyoXVIIIA mediate the function of surfactant protein A (SP-A) (10). SP-A is a member of the collectin family critical for innate immunity in the lung (11). Here we detail methods for bacterial expression of two recombinant domains of MyoXVIIIA.
U.S. and Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces Under Cooperative Security: Moscow and After

The U.S. - Russian Political relationship, officially nonhostile since the end of the Cold War, moved in even more favorable directions under the Bush-Putin concord following 9-11. The stabilization of U.S. - Russian nuclear relationships may therefore transcend the force reductions of the Moscow Treaty and include operational arms control as well as reductions in nuclear forces. This article shows that considerable room exists for additional marginalization of nuclear weapons as between the U.S. and Russia, given favorable political climates.
An electromyographic study of mandibular position in response to changes in body position

lrotrusion of the mandible, with the attached muscular mass of the tongue, aids in maintaining a patent upper airway. In contrast, passive retrusion of the mandible and tongue, when the body is in the semireclined or reclined position, could compromise the airway. For example, it has been postulated that one factor increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome is allowing an infant to sleep lying on its back.’ Posterior displacement of the mandible, tongue, and soft palate with possible airway obstruction is more likely with the infant in this position. Previous electromyographic studies indicate a substantial increase in the baseline myoelectric activity of the genioglossus muscle, the main protruder of the tongue, when a subject’s head is tilted from the anatomic position to the supine position.2 Sauerland and Mitchell2 have referred to the “tongue-safety” feature of the genioglossus muscle in precluding airway obstruction. Mandible-maxillae and condyle-mandibular fossa relationships are necessary for airway patency and important for the management of the dental patient in the semireclined to reclined position. These relationships are dependent on associated muscle response to altered body position. The primary protruders of the mandible that might accompany the genioglossus muscle in counteracting passive retrusion of this bony tissue complex are the medial and lateral pterygoid and the masseter muscles. Therefore, it was of interest to investigate whether or not these muscles also demonstrate fluctuations in levels of myoelectric activity due to positional head changes. Numerous investigators have documented the electromyographic activity patterns of masticatory muscles in response to various movements of the head and to changes in the position of the mandible.3-6 These studies, however, did not use the more specialized
Enriching Our Understanding of Student Team Effectiveness

As team projects become ever more common in business and in the marketing classroom, an increased understanding of factors contributing to team effectiveness is necessary for instructors to assist students in realizing the potential benefits of this pedagogical tool. Drawing from a wide base of literature on team research, the authors develop an input-process-output model of team effectiveness. Using data from 85 teams from marketing classes, this model was tested. Results support the positive and direct role of cohesion as an input variable on the process variable of team work. Additional relationships are explored, and the implications of the research findings are discussed with practical suggestions for the marketing classroom.
Role of Kinetics in Early Diagenesis of Carbonate Sediments: ABSTRACT

Because most modern carbonate sediments are a mixture of several metastable carbonate phases, studies of such deposits necessarily represent instantaneous observations of disequilibrium systems which may be undergoing slow but significant change. Conventional thermodynamic (equilibrium) models may be of little value in interpreting such observations, but kinetic and steady-state models promise to afford a clearer understanding of depositional and early diagenetic processes in natural environments. End_Page 633------------------------------ Reaction rates for a wide variety of reactions involving carbonate phases and aqueous solutions have been investigated by monitoring pH changes as the reactions proceed. Rate constants are available for the escape of CO2 from solution, for the dissolution of a wide range of calcium and calcium-magnesium carbonate minerals, and for growth rates of aragonite and calcite. Preliminary studies of nucleation energy and nucleation induction time have been carried out, but these studies have limited applicability to natural systems where abundant nuclei already are available. In certain cases where carbonate deposition is assumed to occur, tetracycline marking techniques have been employed to test the validity of the kinetic models. On the basis of the experimental results, kinetic theory allows the following predictions: (1) in the presence of organisms, surface waters will appear oversaturated with respect to both CO2 and dissolved carbonates during daylight hours; (2) the composition of a solution in contact with mixed carbonate phases will be determined by the more rapid of the simultaneous dissolution and precipitation reactions, with dissolution generally being the controlling process; and (3) in the absence of a continuing supply of metastable phases, equilibration will be approached more rapidly by the removal of metastable phases (either by solution or by replacement) and much more slowly by interstitial carbonate precipitation. Each of these observations is supported by field evidence. The observations made suggest the need for caution when applying the results of field study of modern carbonate environments to the interpretation of ancient carbonate rocks. End_of_Article - Last_Page 634------------
Modified Ordinary Mode in Magnetized Plasmas with Relative Streaming.

Elliptically polarized waves from low frequency propagation bands produced by two identical electron streams moving across magnetic field
Review of “Can't Buy Us Love: The Declining Importance of Library Books and the Rising Importance of Special Collections,” by Rick Anderson

Rick Anderson's provocative piece “Can't Buy Us Love: The Declining Importance of Library Books and the Rising Importance of Special Collections” is an important read in the ongoing conversation ab...
Retroflection from a double-slanted coastline: a model for the Agulhas leakage variability

Abstract. The Agulhas leakage to the South Atlantic exhibits a strong anti-correlation with the mass flux of the Agulhas Current. When the Agulhas retroflection is in its normal position near Cape Agulhas, leakage is relatively high and the nearby South African coastal slant (angle of derivation from zonal) is very small and relatively invariant alongshore. During periods of strong incoming flux (low leakage), the retroflection shifts upstream to Port Elizabeth or East London, where the coastline shape has a "kink", i.e., the slant changes abruptly from small on the west side, to large (about 55°) on the east side. Here, we show that the variability of rings shedding and anti-correlation between Agulhas mass flux and leakage to the South Atlantic may be attributed to this kink. To do so, we develop a nonlinear analytical model for retroflection near a coastline that consists of two sections, a zonal western section and a strongly slanted eastern section. The principal difference between this and the model of a straight slanted coast (discussed in our earlier papers) is that, here, free purely westward propagation of eddies along the zonal coastline section is allowed. This introduces an interesting situation in which strong slant of the coast east of the kink prohibits the formation and shedding of rings, while the almost zonal coastal orientation west of the kink encourages shedding. Therefore, the kink "locks" the position of the retroflection, forcing it to occur just downstream of the kink. Rings are necessarily shed from the retroflection area in our kinked model, regardless of the degree of eastern coast slant. In contrast, a no-kink model with a coastline of intermediate slant indicates that shedding is almost completely arrested by that slant. We suggest that the observed difference in ring-shedding intensity during times of normal retroflection position and times when the retroflection is shifted eastward is due to the change in the retroflection location with respect to the kink. When the incoming flux detaches from the coast north of the kink, ring transport is small; when the flux detaches south of the kink, transport is large. Simple process-oriented numerical simulations are in fair agreement with our analytical results.
Irregularity and Locking to the Seasonal Cycle in an ENSO Prediction Model as Explained by the Quasi-Periodicity Route to Chaos

Abstract The behavior of the Cane-Zebiak ENSO prediction model is analyzed as a function of model parameters measuring the strength of coupling between the model ocean and atmosphere and the amplitude of the back-ground seasonal cycle specified in the model. As either of these two parameters is increased, the model undergoes a transition from periodic to chaotic behavior according to the universal quasi-periodicity route to chaos. Thus, the irregularity of model ENSO events and their partial locking to the seasonal cycle can both be explained as low-order chaotic behavior driven by the seasonal cycle. The chaos is due to irregular jumping of the Pacific natural ocean-atmosphere oscillator between different nonlinear resonances with the seasonal forcing. The periodic seasonal forcing seems to be the main factor determining the chaotic behavior of the model. However, the full irregularity of model ENSO events is only explained by considering additional factors, possibly including the nonlinear interaction o...
Paving: A new approach to automated quadrilateral mesh generation

This paper presents a new mesh generation technique, paving, which meshes arbitrary 2-D geometries with an all-quadrilateral mesh. Paving allows varying element size distributions on the boundary as well as the interior of a region. The generated mesh is well formed (i.e. nearly square elements, elements perpendicular to boundaries, etc.) and geometrically pleasing (i.e. mesh contours tend to follow geometric contours of the boundary). In this paper we describe the theory behind this algorithmic/heuristic technique, evaluate the performance of the approach and present examples of automatically generated meshes.
Large, sequence-dependent effects on DNA conformation by minor groove binding compounds

To determine what topological changes antiparasitic heterocyclic dications can have on kinetoplast DNA, we have constructed ligation ladders, with phased A5 and ATATA sequences in the same flanking sequence context, as models. Bending by the A5 tract is observed, as expected, while the ATATA sequence bends DNA very little. Complexes of these DNAs with three diamidines containing either furan, thiophene or selenophene groups flanked by phenylamidines were investigated along with netropsin. With the bent A5 ladder the compounds caused either a slight increase or decrease in the bending angle. Surprisingly, however, with ATATA all of the compounds caused significant bending, to values close to or even greater than the A5 bend angle. Results with a mixed cis sequence, which has one A5 and one ATATA, show that the compounds bend ATATA in the same direction as a reference A5 tract, that is, into the minor groove. These results are interpreted in terms of a groove structure for A5 which is largely pre-organized for a fit to the heterocyclic amidines. With ATATA the groove is intrinsically wider and must close to bind the compounds tightly. The conformational change at the binding site then leads to significant bending of the alternating DNA sequence.
Attentive Tracking of Objects Versus Substances

Recent research in vision science, infant cognition, and word learning suggests a special role for the processing of discrete objects. But what counts as an object? Answers to this question often depend on contrasting object-based processing with the processing of spatial areas or unbound visual features. In infant cognition and word learning, though, another salient contrast has been between rigid cohesive objects and nonsolid substances. Whereas objects may move from one location to another, a nonsolid substance must pour from one location to another. In the study reported here, we explored whether attentive tracking processes are sensitive to dynamic information of this type. Using a multiple-object tracking task, we found that subjects could easily track four items in a display of eight identical unpredictably moving entities that moved as discrete objects from one location to another, but could not track similar entities that noncohesively "poured" from one location to another-even when the items in both conditions followed the same trajectories at the same speeds. Other conditions revealed that this inability to track multiple "substances" stemmed not from violations of rigidity or cohesiveness per se, because subjects were able to track multiple noncohesive collections and multiple nonrigid deforming objects. Rather, the impairment was due to the dynamic extension and contraction during the substancelike motion, which rendered the location of the entity ambiguous. These results demonstrate a convergence between processes of midlevel adult vision and infant cognition, and in general help to clarify what can count as a persisting dynamic object of attention.
Increased impulsivity in cocaine dependent subjects independent of antisocial personality disorder and aggression

Several previous studies show a relationship between impulsivity and substance abuse; however, it is unclear whether the increased impulsivity seen in substance dependent groups is specifically related to substance abuse, or if it is due to concomitant antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or aggression. The issue of whether impulsivity is specifically related to substance abuse is important since it has a bearing on risk factors for development of substance abuse. To determine whether cocaine dependent subjects show increased impulsivity independent of ASPD, the Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11), a delayed reward laboratory measure of impulsivity, and the life history of aggression scale were administered to 49 cocaine dependent subjects and 25 controls. Results showed that cocaine dependent subjects with ASPD were more impulsive and aggressive than controls, but cocaine dependent subjects without ASPD were also more impulsive compared to controls. Controlling for aggression history, cocaine dependent subjects without ASPD continued to have elevated impulsivity as measured by the BIS-11, but not the delayed reward task. This study supports the hypothesis that the increased impulsivity as measured by the BIS-11 in cocaine dependent individuals is not exclusively due to concomitant increases in aggression or ASPD.
Internal consistency reliability of resting EEG power spectra in schizophrenic and normal subjects

The reliability of resting electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra was assessed for 49 normal and 44 schizophrenic subjects. We specifically examined internal consistency reliability to determine how much EEG data are necessary to ensure small measurement error. Twenty-one 8-s epochs of resting EEG were collected from each subject from site Cz. Epochs containing artifacts or blinks were eliminated. Power was computed in the bands delta (0.125-3 Hz), theta (3.125-8 Hz), alpha (8.125-13 Hz), beta1 (13.125-20 Hz) beta 2 (20.125-25 Hz) and beta 3 (25.125-30 Hz). Internal consistency was computed using coefficient alpha (Cronbach, 1951). Results for both groups indicated that eight artifact-free epochs of data were sufficient to give a coefficient alpha value of around .9. The schizophrenic and normal groups did not differ with respect to coefficient alpha. The proportion of artifacts in the data from the schizophrenics indicated that to obtain eight artifact-free epochs from members of each group, 40% more data would be required from the schizophrenics.
Evaluation of Isopropanol-Extracted Cottonseed Meal for Laying Hens

Abstract An isopropanol (IPA)-extracted cottonseed meal (CSM) was evaluated in comparison with a regular CSM and soybean meal over 12 months with laying hens. Each CSM was fed at 5, 10, and 15% of the diet. Egg production rates comparable to those of birds fed the soybean meal basal diet were obtained with both meals at dietary levels up to 15%. Egg weight was significantly reduced by all regular CSM treatments, but IPA-CSM had no effect on egg weight in comparison with the basal diet. Egg mass (grams of egg/hen per day) was not adversely affected by either CSM. Even though the nitrogen solubility index (NSI) of IPA-CSM (12.88%) was considerably lower than that of regular CSM (51.15%), true lysine availabilities were 87.3% for IPA-CSM and 83.2% for CSM. True dry matter digestibilities (77.9% for IPA-CSM and 73.6% for regular CSM) also suggest that the NSI method underestimated the nutritive value of IPA-CSM. True metabolizable energy content of IPA-CSM determined with laying hens was 3.12 kcal/g and slightly higher than the 2.76 kcal/g determined for regular CSM. Neither CSM produced objectionable yolk discolorations upon storage (56 days at 7.2 C). Although slightly discolored yolks appeared in 28.2% of stored eggs from hens fed 15% regular CSM (101.5 ppm free gossypol) and only 2.6% occurred when 15% IPA-CSM added 3.0 ppm free gossypol to the diet, these were scored less than 2 and would not be objectionable in commerical channels. The proportion of yolk saturated fatty acids increased significantly with 15% regular CSM (.105% dietary residual oil) from 28.6% for the basal diet to 44.0%; whereas 15% IPA-CSM, supplying .023% residual oil, resulted in a nonsignificant increase to 35.1%.
High-Angular Resolution Millimeter-Wave and Near-Infrared Imaging of the Ultracompact H II Region G29.96–0.02

We present a high-angular resolution study of the cometary-shaped ultracompact H II region G29.96-0.02. We have obtained ~10'' angular-resolution millimeter-wave maps of the region in transitions of 13CO, C18O, CH3CN, CH3OH, and CS with the BIMA interferometer. We combine these data with complementary single-dish data of the 13CO, C18O, and CS lines taken with the FCRAO 14 meter telescope. These data are compared with near-infrared JHK-band images with ?09 angular resolution obtained with the Calar-Alto 3.5 m telescope. The 13CO data show emission extended over a 3 ? 2 pc region; however, the emission is strongly peaked near the head of the H II region. Strong CS, C18O, and CH3CN emissions peak near the same location. The CH3CN (J=6?5) emission peaks toward the hot core previously detected in VLA NH3(4, 4) observations, and we determine a kinetic temperature of 100 K in the core using a large velocity gradient analysis of the CH3CN (6?5) BIMA data and CH3CN/CH133CN (5?4) IRAM 30 m telescope data. We also find that the sharply peaked C18O, 13CO, and CS emission is indicative of a density gradient, with the peak density located in front of the head of the cometary H II region. We use our near-infrared data to search for sources embedded in the H II region and the adjacent cloud. In addition to the exciting star of the H II region, we identify a second star toward the head of the H II region with an extinction similar to that of the exciting star; this appears to be a second OB star in the H II region. Directly in front of the H II region we detect a highly reddened source, which is most likely a young star deeply embedded in the molecular gas. Furthermore, we find an enhanced density of sources with H-K >1 toward the molecular cloud and argue that these sources form an embedded cluster. Finally, we compare our results with current models of cometary shaped H II regions. Given the evidence that the G29.96 H II region exists in a gradient of molecular gas density that peaks in front of the head of the H II region, we favor the champagne flow model for this region. Comparing the measured densities, temperatures, and line widths of the ionized and molecular gas, we estimate the expansion speed of the H II region into the molecular core at 2-5 km s-1.
Fabrication Cost Analysis and Cost-Aware Design Space Exploration for 3-D ICs

3-D integration technology is emerging as an attractive alternative to increase the transistor count for future chips. The majority of the existing 3-D integrated circuit (IC) research is focused on the performance, power, density, and heterogeneous integration benefits offered by 3-D integration. All such advantages, however, ultimately have to translate into cost evaluation when a design strategy has to be decided. Consequently, system-level cost analysis at early design stages is imperative to decide on whether 3-D integration should be adopted. This paper presents a cost estimation method for 3-D ICs at early design stages and proposes a set of cost models that include wafer cost, 3-D bonding cost, package cost, and cooling cost. The proposed 3-D IC cost estimation method can help designers analyze the cost implication for 3-D ICs during the design space exploration at the early stage, and it enables a cost-driven 3-D IC design flow that can guide the design choice toward a cost-effective direction. Based on the proposed cost estimation method, this paper demonstrates two case studies that explore the cost benefits of 3-D integration for application-specific integrated circuit designs and many-core microprocessor designs style, respectively. Finally, this paper suggests the optimum partitioning strategy for future 3-D IC designs.
A bulk micromachined silicon thermopile with high sensitivity

Abstract Sensitive, free-standing micromachined thermopiles have been realized in silicon by taking advantage of the high, inverse Seebeck effects of n- and p-type silicon. The thermopiles are easily fabricated with a minimal amount of microfabrication by interlocking and bonding an array of n- and p-type microjoints that are either cut or etched into silicon wafers. Prototype thermopile arrays of 35–92 couples have been fabricated and show temperature sensitivities between 19 and 45 mV/°C, respectively. It is estimated that thermopiles with as many as 1000 junctions may be produced using this fabrication method, with resulting sensitivities as high as 500 mV/°C.
Dr. Herbert j. Hall: originator of honest work for occupational therapy 1904-1923 [part I].

While establishing a sanatorium and confirming the value of his innovative use of crafts as a medical tool, Dr. Herbert J. Hall gave lectures and published many articles and books to proclaim his discoveries. Others were experimenting with occupational therapy practices in different forms within mental institutions. Their views and perspectives differed from Hall's practice, the main issues being the market value of crafts and their use as a diversion. This article also includes Hall's psychological principles of indirection, equivalents, immunity, and substitution, and the graded process as observed and applied to the disabled.
Generalized quadratic optimal controllers for linear hereditary systems

A generalization of the quadratic optimal control theory for linear hereditary control systems is presented. The generalization involves admitting delay terms in the cost index so that for example, a quadratic function of the system output can be minimized. Questions of existence of optimal control as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for optimal control are treated. The results have been achieved using a geometric approach based on properties of the set of reachable points.
The pool of fast releasing vesicles is augmented by myosin light chain kinase inhibition at the calyx of Held synapse.

Synaptic strength is determined by release probability and the size of the readily releasable pool of docked vesicles. Here we describe the effects of blocking myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), a c...
A Multidisciplinary Performance Analysis of a Lifting-Body Single-Stage-to-Orbit Vehicle

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (LMSW) is currently developing a single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle called VentureStar(TM) A team at NASA Langley Research Center participated with LMSW in the screening and evaluation of a number of early VentureStar(TM) configurations. The performance analyses that supported these initial studies were conducted to assess the effect of a lifting body shape, linear aerospike engine and metallic thermal protection system (TPS) on the weight and performance of the vehicle. These performance studies were performed in a multidisciplinary fashion that indirectly linked the trajectory optimization with weight estimation and aerothermal analysis tools. This approach was necessary to develop optimized ascent and entry trajectories that met all vehicle design constraints. Significant improvements in ascent performance were achieved when the vehicle flew a lifting trajectory and varied the engine mixture ratio during flight. Also, a considerable reduction in empty weight was possible by adjusting the total oxidizer-to-fuel and liftoff thrust-to-weight ratios. However, the optimal ascent flight profile had to be altered to ensure that the vehicle could be trimmed in pitch using only the flow diverting capability of the aerospike engine. Likewise, the optimal entry trajectory had to be tailored to meet TPS heating rate and transition constraints while satisfying a crossrange requirement.
Culturally Competent Social Work Research: Methodological Considerations for Research with Language Minorities

Despite the growing number of language minorities, foreign-born individuals with limited English proficiency, this population has been largely left out of social work research, often due to methodological challenges involved in conducting research with this population. Whereas the professional standard calls for cultural competence, a discussion of how to implement strategies for culturally competent research with language minorities is regrettably limited in the social work literature. This article is, to the authors’ knowledge, one of the first within the field of social work to tie together unique methodological issues that may arise throughout the research conceptualization, development, and implementation process with this population. Strategies for how to overcome such issues are provided by adapting and expanding on a conceptual framework by Meleis. The incorporation of such research practices with language minorities has the potential to enhance trust and, thus, improve the recruitment and retention of this hard-to-reach population. More important, studies that aim to include such culturally responsive criteria may produce results that have improved validity and, thus, contribute to the advancement of knowledge regarding this population.
Frequency and susceptibility pattern of metallo-beta-lactamase producers in a hospital in Pakistan.

Introduction: The rapid spread of acquired metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) among major Gram-negative pathogens is an emerging threat and a matter of particular concern worldwide. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted between January and August 2009 in the department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, to determine the frequency and susceptibility patterns of MBL-producers among carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative rods (GNRs) from clinical isolates of a tertiary care hospital. All clinical samples were processed according to standard microbiological methods. Isolated GNRs were subjected to susceptibility testing against various antibiotics by disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were subjected to the detection of MBL production by the E-test MBL strip method. Results: Out of 50 carbapenem resistant isolates, 39 (78%) of were confirmed to be MBL producers by the E-strip method. Acinetobacter baumannii were the most frequent MBL producers, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 19 (37%) of the MBL producers were susceptible to cefoperazone-sulbactam. Conclusion: The findings strongly suggest that there is a need to track the detection of MBL producers and that judicious use of carbapenems is necessary to prevent the further spread of these organisms.
Cell-Intrinsic Functional Effects of the α-Cardiac Myosin Arg-403-Gln Mutation in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Human familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common Mendelian cardiovascular disease worldwide. Among the most severe presentations of the disease are those in families heterozygous for the mutation R403Q in β-cardiac myosin. Mice heterozygous for this mutation in the α-cardiac myosin isoform display typical familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathology. Here, we study cardiomyocytes from heterozygous 403/+ mice. The effects of the R403Q mutation on force-generating capabilities and dynamics of cardiomyocytes were investigated using a dual carbon nanofiber technique to measure single-cell parameters. We demonstrate the Frank-Starling effect at the single cardiomyocyte level by showing that cell stretch causes an increase in amplitude of contraction. Mutant 403/+ cardiomyocytes exhibit higher end-diastolic and end-systolic stiffness than +/+ cardiomyocytes, whereas active force generation capabilities remain unchanged. Additionally, 403/+ cardiomyocytes show slowed relaxation dynamics. These phenotypes are consistent with increased end-diastolic and end-systolic chamber elastance, as well as diastolic dysfunction seen at the level of the whole heart. Our results show that these functional effects of the R403Q mutation are cell-intrinsic, a property that may be a general phenomenon in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Psychosocial Strength Training: The Missing Piece in Talent Development

Great performance is a wonder to observe. We may notice creativity, excellent technique, or content mastery. What we may not notice is a set of mental and social skills that allow a person to show ...
Impact of changes in regular use of marijuana and/or tobacco on chronic bronchitis.

We sought to evaluate possible changes in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in relation to continuing or changing smoking status for marijuana and/or tobacco. For this purpose we followed 299 pa...
Interactive Explorations of Hierarchical Segmentations

The authors report on the implementation of an interactive tool, called HSEGEXP, to interactively explore the hierarchical segmentation produced by the iterative parallel region growing (IPRG) algorithm to select the best segmentation result. This combination of the HSEGEXP tool with the IPRG algorithm amounts to a computer-assisted image segmentation system guided by human interaction. The initial application of the HSEGEXP tool is in the refinement of ground reference data based on the IPRG/HSEGEXP segmentation of the corresponding remotely sensed image data. The HSEGEXP tool is being used to help evaluate the effectiveness of an automatic 'best' segmentation process under development.
Interplay between Hypoxia and Hydrodynamic Force in Three-Dimensional Cultivation of Articular Cartilage

Mimicking the hypoxic environment (1%~7% O2) of native cartilage results in improved secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) by chondrocytes in monolayer culture. However, investigations of the role of hypoxia in long-term three-dimensional (3D) development of biomaterial-based cartilage constructs are limited. The major challenge to overcome is the insufficient oxygen delivery to the inner core of cell-scaffold constructs, which may result in anoxic conditions (<<1%) that are linked to nitric oxide (NO)-induced damage to ECM and is associated with diseases such as osteoarthritis. To evaluate the interaction between hypoxia and hydrodynamic stimuli, chondrocyte-seeded PGA scaffolds were cultured in a petri dish (static) or a wavy-walled bioreactor (dynamic) under ambient (21%) or hypoxic (5%) conditions for 28 days, followed by biochemical and immunohistochemical evaluation. We found that sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production increased under 5% O2 in the presence of hydrodynamic forces, whereas total collagen content was down-regulated by hypoxia in both static and dynamic groups. Greater amounts of soluble GAG were released into media under hypoxia and under mixing. In addition, expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased under static and under hypoxic conditions, revealing that NO production was elevated. Significantly decreased collagen content of Hypoxic-Static constructs may indicate that suboptimal oxygen and NO levels might be reached. These findings suggest that hydrodynamic forces are required for 3D regeneration of articular cartilage under hypoxia, but further study is required to enhance retention of soluble GAG within the construct and to minimize NO damage to collagen fibrils.
Feasibility of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring in Preventing Thermal Damage to the “Nerve at Risk” During Image-Guided Ablation of Tumors

To assess feasibility of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) during image-guided, percutaneous thermal ablation of tumors. From February 2009 to October 2013, a retrospective review of all image-guided percutaneous thermal ablation interventions using IONM was performed and data was compiled using electronic medical records and imaging studies. Twelve patients were treated in 13 ablation interventions. In 4 patients, real-time feedback from the monitoring neurologist was used to adjust applicator placement and ablation settings. IONM was technically feasible in all procedures and there were no complications related to monitoring or ablation. All nerves at risk remained intact and of the 11 patients who could be followed, none developed new nerve deficit up to a minimum of 2 months after ablation. IONM is safe and feasible for use during image-guided thermal ablation of tumors in the vicinity of nerves. Outcomes in this study demonstrate its potential utility in image-guided ablation interventions.
DQE simulation of a-Se x-ray detectors using ARTEMIS

Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) is one of the most important image quality metrics for evaluating the spatial resolution performance of flat-panel x-ray detectors. In this work, we simulate the DQE of amorphous selenium (a-Se) xray detectors with a detailed Monte Carlo transport code (ARTEMIS) for modeling semiconductor-based direct x-ray detectors. The transport of electron-hole pairs is achieved with a spatiotemporal model that accounts for recombination and trapping of carriers and Coulombic effects of space charge and external applied electric field. A range of x-ray energies has been simulated from 10 to 100 keV. The DQE results can be used to study the spatial resolution characteristics of detectors at different energies.
Mechanism and Sensitivity of Anion Detection Using Rationally Designed Unsymmetrical Dications in Paired Ion Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Paired ion electrospray ionization (PIESI) mass spectrometry was developed as a useful technique that provides sensitive detection for anions in the positive ion mode. The ion-pairing reagent (IPR) utilized plays an essential role affecting the detection limits. This work describes the design and synthesis of two novel dications with unsymmetrical structures and their utilization for anion detection and mechanistic insights. The performance of dications was evaluated for seven selected anions in both single ion monitoring (SIM) mode and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The unsymmetrical dications allowed sensitive detection for these anions with down to subpicogram limits of detection (LOD) and an improved sensitivity from 1.5 to 12 times compared to the corresponding symmetrical dications. The enhanced sensitivity could be attributed to the surface activity of the unsymmetrical dications, which results in a concurrent strong partitioning of the anion to the aerosol droplet surface. Surface activi...
An Improved MAC Protocol Applied forAd Hoc Networks

Ad Hoc networks apply extensively in many significant fields,and the channel access control of MAC protocol has essential influence on operation and performances in Ad Hoc networks.Considering that the requirements of Ad Hoc network on the traffic equilibrium and QoS protection mechanism,an improved MAC protocol based on TDMA is proposed:Protocol E-AGENT.This protocol applies a new frame architecture,acquires information of two-hop neighbor nodes within the scope according to Slots Contention List to avoid conflicts among nodes,and distributes slot dynamically via Contention Judgment List,which can improve the availability of channels,and balanced the loads much more better.The simulation results indicates that,compared with protocol AGENT,the average delay of packets and the mission success rate of the packets has been improved a lot by this protocol.
Adhesion molecules and cardiopulmonary bypass-induced lung injury

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced lung injury is the most important complication in open cardiac procedures, which affects surgical prognosis directly. During the inflammatory response, interaction between activated leukocytes and endothelial cells is mediated through the expression of three main groups of adhesion molecules: the selectins, the integrins, and the immunoglobulin superfamily. The preventive effect of anti-adhesion on CPB-induced lung injury is supposed to be the farget for farther research.
Mathematical models for quantifying eruption velocity in degassing pipes based on exsolution of a single gas and simultaneous exsolution of multiple gases

Abstract After the limnic eruptions at Nyos and Monoun in the 1980s, degassing pipes were installed to reduce the continuous increase of CO2 at the bottom of these lakes. The degassing system consists of a vertical pipe from the lake bottom to the surface and a small pump located near the top of the pipe, which raises water in the pipe up to a level where it becomes saturated with gas, which in turn leads to volume expansion and eruption. This paper describes two new mathematical models for predicting eruption velocity in degassing pipes based on exsolution of a single gas and the simultaneous exsolution of multiple gases. The models were applied to the degassing system of lakes Nyos and Monoun, which contain two main gases, namely CO2 and CH4. Because the volume proportion of CH4 is significant only in Lake Monoun, the Lake Nyos test case considered the CO2 gas only, while as the Lake Monoun test case considered the simultaneous exsolution of CO2 and CH4. Good agreement between the results of the models and observed data is found for both test cases. The results for the eruption in Lake Monoun considering the two main gases measured in this lake (CO2 and CH4) were found to have a better agreement with the measurements compared to the model results obtained considering the main gas only (CO2).
Stimulant Treatment of ADHD in Public Schools

A statewide school survey, supervised by school nurses, was performed to determine the prevalence of stimulant medication administered to Maryland public school students for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and reported by Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions, and the Maryland State Department of Education, Baltimore, MD.
Generalized Kubelka-Munk approximation for multiple scattering of polarized light.

We introduce a new model for multiple scattering of polarized light by statistically isotropic and mirror-symmetric particles, which we call the generalized Kubelka–Munk (gKM) approximation. It is obtained through a linear transformation of the system of equations resulting from applying the double spherical harmonics approximation of order one to the vector radiative transfer equation (vRTE). The result is a 32×32 system of differential equations that is much simpler than the vRTE. We compare numerical solutions of the vRTE with the gKM approximation for the problem in which a plane wave is normally incident on a plane-parallel slab composed of a uniform absorbing and scattering medium. These comparisons show that the gKM approximation accurately captures the key features of the polarization state of multiply scattered light. In particular, the gKM approximation accurately captures the complicated polarization characteristics of light backscattered by an optically thick medium composed of a monodisperse distribution of dielectric spheres over a broad range of sphere sizes.
Relationships between psychological capital, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in the Saudi oil and petrochemical industries

ABSTRACTDuring the past decade, Saudi Arabia experienced a significant social, economic, and organizational change. The rapid economic growth created a need for seasoned management professionals and necessitated the development of human capital. Psychological capital, a newly developed construct by academics and practitioners, is defined as the extent to which an individual operates in a positive psychological state, and this state is characterized by high self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency. By measuring the positive psychological constructs, an organization can learn about employees’ positive psychological states and how training and support can promote positive psychological states. Improving the positive psychological capital can lead to better organizational commitment, favorable organizational citizenship behaviors, lower employee absenteeism, and higher job satisfaction. This quantitative study examined the relationship among psychological capital, job satisfaction, and organizational com...
Public art, affect, and radical negativity: the wall of daydreaming and man’s inhumanity to man

“The Wall of Daydreaming and Man’s Inhumanity to Man” is a mural that was painted in 1975 at 47th Street and Calumet Avenue in Chicago by William Walker, Mitchell Caton, and Santi Isrowuthakul. It depicts violence, including images of the Ku Klux Klan, Nazis, and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The mural was restored by Damon Lamar Reed in 2003. By analyzing discourse around the production and restoration of the mural in 1975 and 2003, this article argues that the mural functions as an example of negative-content muralism that demonstrates how negative affects, materialized and emplaced by public art, create a nodal point for questioning racial violence and neoliberal urban development that activates rhetorical agency and shapes subjectivity.
Modelling plume behavior through a heterogeneous sand pack using a commercial invasion percolation model

Once the injection phase of a geological carbon sequestration operation ends, capillary forces are critical for hampering the upward migration of buoyant CO2 to shallower environments. Reservoir heterogeneity is also a key factor controlling plume spreading and trapping efficiency as well as a source of uncertainty about the deep subsurface. However, these two features are typically overlooked or overly simplified by numerical models that emphasize on viscous flow driven by pressure gradients. In particular, when considering far-field regions of storage reservoirs with vanishing pressure gradients, the physics governing the CO2 flow into brine-saturated rocks become dominated by capillary and buoyancy forces. Hence, there is currently a debate on whether numerical models founded on Darcy’s law can capture some of the migration phenomena that characterize long-term CO2 migration in saline formations. In this study, we consider experimental observations from a previous physical model that illustrates flow patterns of a CO2-surrogate plume migrating through a well-characterized sand aquifer saturated with a brine-analog. Then, we compare Monte Carlo sets of invasion percolation simulations with direct observations of plume distribution to evaluate the effects of a heterogeneous capillary pressure field. The observed plume distribution appears to be controlled by a combination of buoyant migration and trapping at capillary barriers under near-hydrostatic pressure conditions. Although these observations are gathered in a simplified and relatively small laboratory system, an analogous behavior has been documented at reservoir scale for the Sleipner storage site, where a series of shale layers inhibited the buoyant migration of the plume.
The one-dimensional camelback potential in the parallel dipole line trap: Stability conditions and finite size effect

We recently demonstrated a magnetic parallel dipole line (PDL) system that serves as a unique diamagnetic trap with a fascinating one-dimensional camelback potential along its longitudinal axis. The system can be realized with a pair of transversely magnetized cylindrical magnets and a cylindrical graphite rod as the trapped object. We present more detailed experimental and theoretical studies of the finite size effect of the rod and its impact on the stability and oscillation dynamics of the trap. We show that the camelback potential effect only occurs when the length of the PDL system is beyond certain critical length (LC). The length of the trapped rod determines the “effective camelback potential” and is subject to maximum and minimum values for the trap to be stable. Both length and radius of the rod determine the damping dynamics or the quality factor of the oscillator. These characteristics are important for designing the PDL trap system for various sensing applications, for example, we demonstrate...