cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation and finite element modeling of localized heating in convective heat-assisted single-point incremental forming

A method for simulating localized convective heating in convective heat-assisted single-point incremental forming (CHASPIF) is developed in this research. Localized convective heating in CHASPIF is a type of generic spot heating problem, which is found in manufacturing processes such as welding and laser heating. Existing approaches are not suitable for convective heating, as the heat flux is not constant and depends on the temperature difference between the source and the target surface. In this study, the heat load is simulated by applying a distribution of convective heat transfer coefficient (HTC) values that are displaced and oriented along the target surface to simulate localized heating. The HTC values are experimentally determined using a heat flux sensor and approximated as a series of sectors to create a heat spot profile which is implemented in ANSYS. The heat load profile is demonstrated using two scenarios in which the tool moves in a spiral and a linear path, and is able to predict temperatures with a maximum error of ± 4.358 °C. This method can be used as part of a temperature-dependent simulation model for heat-assisted single-point incremental forming and can also be used in simulating generic spot heating applications. In the future, the accuracy of the model will be improved by considering the variation of HTC values with deformation of the blank, non-linear transient response of the hot air source, reducing discretization errors, and uncertainties in the HTC data collection.
OCT and fluorescence SLO for guided laser delivery and longitudinal imaging in a murine model of targeted retinal laser injury (Conference Presentation)

Mice are commonly used to model human retinal disease because of similarities in ocular anatomy and function and availability of transgenic phenotypes. Recently, targeted delivery of photo-lesions has been demonstrated using fundus imaging and a combined optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) system; however, these systems precluded simultaneous multimodality imaging. Here, we present multimodality OCT+SLO imaging combined with a photocoagulation laser and custom software that allows for targeted delivery of focal retinal laser injury under real-time en face OCT guidance. Longitudinal imaging results show lesions with varying degrees of retinal damage during an injury titration study.
Optogenetic manipulation of an ascending arousal system tunes cortical broadband gamma power and reveals functional deficits relevant to schizophrenia.

Increases in broadband cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the gamma band (30–80 Hz) range have been observed in schizophrenia patients and in mouse models of schizophrenia. They are also seen in humans and animals treated with the psychotomimetic agent ketamine. However, the mechanisms which can result in increased broadband gamma power and the pathophysiological implications for cognition and behavior are poorly understood. Here we report that tonic optogenetic manipulation of an ascending arousal system bidirectionally tunes cortical broadband gamma power, allowing on-demand tests of the effect on cortical processing and behavior. Constant, low wattage optogenetic stimulation of basal forebrain (BF) neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) increased broadband gamma frequency power, increased locomotor activity, and impaired novel object recognition. Concomitantly, task-associated gamma band oscillations induced by trains of auditory stimuli, or exposure to novel objects, were impaired, reminiscent of findings in schizophrenia patients. Conversely, tonic optogenetic inhibition of BF-PV neurons partially rescued the elevated broadband gamma power elicited by subanesthetic doses of ketamine. These results support the idea that increased cortical broadband gamma activity leads to impairments in cognition and behavior, and identify BF-PV activity as a modulator of this activity. As such, BF-PV neurons may represent a novel target for pharmacotherapy in disorders such as schizophrenia which involve aberrant increases in cortical broadband gamma activity.
Critical decision-making in neonatology and pediatrics: the I-P-O framework

Critical decision-making in neonatology and other areas of pediatrics often carries with it a complex and difficult ethical component. For any treatment under consideration, the impermissible-permissible-obligatory (I-P-O) spectrum provides a useful framework for determining how to proceed. Any proposed treatment can be located along this spectrum, and identified as either ethically impermissible, permissible, or obligatory. Treatments determined to be ethically impermissible should not be made available by physicians. Those deemed ethically permissible should be explained to parents, commonly with a specific recommendation. Informed parents should then be free to choose from among permissible options. Potential treatments deemed ethically obligatory should be provided to the patient, even in the face of parental objection. The fundamental ethical work in neonatology and pediatrics is determining where on the I-P-O spectrum a treatment under consideration should be located. This should be determined by the prognosis for the patient with and without the treatment, the feasibility of providing the treatment, and consideration of all relevant rights and obligations. Location on the line is dynamic, and clinicians should be open to movement of a given treatment along the spectrum as new information, particularly regarding effectiveness, toxicity, and/or alternatives, becomes available. This framework provides a structure for ethical conversation and decision-making related to a specific patient, as well as in the formation of institutional and national guidelines.
Faith & modern thought: the modern philosophers for understanding modern theology: by Timothy Hull, Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2020, 355+xviii pp., £32.00 (PBK). ISBN: 978-1-4982-3675-1.

Besides patience and willpower, what does a Christian interested in theology need to deeply engage the works of prominent modern theologians, like Karl Barth or Wolfhart Pannenberg? Timothy Hull su...
Making the Language System Stutter: Linguistic Creativity beyond Representation

En linguistique appliquee, la creativite a traditionnellement ete conceptualisee comme une activite anthropocentrique ou les ressources semiotiques sont utilisees comme outil de mediation pour gene...
The statistics of k-mers from a sequence undergoing a simple mutation process without spurious matches

Abstract K-mer-based methods are widely used in bioinformatics, but there are many gaps in our understanding of their statistical properties. Here, we consider the simple model where a sequence S (e.g. a genome or a read) undergoes a simple mutation process whereby each nucleotide is mutated independently with some probability r, under the assumption that there are no spurious k-mer matches. How does this process affect the k-mers of S? We derive the expectation and variance of the number of mutated k-mers and of the number of islands (a maximal interval of mutated k-mers) and oceans (a maximal interval of non-mutated k-mers). We then derive hypothesis tests and confidence intervals for r given an observed number of mutated k-mers, or, alternatively, given the Jaccard similarity (with or without minhash). We demonstrate the usefulness of our results using a few select applications: obtaining a confidence interval to supplement the Mash distance point estimate, filtering out reads during alignment by Minimap2, and rating long read alignments to a de Bruijn graph by Jabba.
Where Do We Stand and Where Do We Need to Go

Finally, Elaine Hatfield and Richard Rapson provide an overview of the contents of this volume wrapped into a lively account of some of the historical and theoretical ‘forerunners’ to resource theorizing. The “story” they are telling reminds us that justice theories and SRT are two developments in different directions, with a common origin in social exchange theory (and both finally merging in attempts at integration). Hatfield and Rapson discuss a few of the justice theories that were prominent in the 1950s to the 1970s with a special focus on Equity theory, including Morton Deutsch’s commentaries about the diverse views of justice that exist, Uriel and Edna Foa’s attempts to devise a taxonomy for the resources involved in social exchanges, and J. Stacy Adams’ attempts to predict how perceived injustices will be resolved. After some exciting peeks into the past and present, considering the advances that have occurred in the last 40+ years, Hatfield and Rapson speculate as to where we might expect scholarship to go in future years.
Polyphonic coding in qualitative analysis: conversation as musical motet

Purpose – Thematic coding is a common form of qualitative analysis, yet identification of “codes” can limit understanding by directing the researcher to formulated categories rather than inviting exploration of what else the data may be trying to convey. Since categorization is an essential component of language and can scarcely be avoided, the purpose of this paper is to propose a polyphonic approach as a way to add texture and nuance. In polyphonic coding, text is coded several times along various dimensions of interest; these independently coded versions are then superimposed to identify patterns and relationships, allowing a multi-lensed view of the data as both forest and trees. Design/methodology/approach – Polyphonic coding is applied to a specific interview in order to illustrate how the method can be utilized in a three-step process: in vivo coding from several independent perspectives (role, relational movement, and vocal mannerism), merging the perspectives, and “plugging in” to theory. Finding...
Assessing common method bias: problems with the ULMC technique

Recent work, in journals such as MIS Quarterly and Management Science, has highlighted the importance of evaluating the influence of common method bias (CMB) on the results of statistical analysis. In this research note, we assess the utility of the unmeasured latent method construct (ULMC) approach in partial least squares (PLS), introduced by Liang et al. (2007). Such an assessment of the ULMC approach is important, because it has been employed in 76 studies since it appeared in MIS Quarterly in early 2007. Using data generated via Monte Carlo simulations, we use PLS structural equation modeling (SEM) to demonstrate that the ULMC approach of Liang et al. is neither able to detect, nor control for, common method bias. Method estimates using this approach resulted in negligible estimates, regardless of whether there were some, large, or no method bias introduced in the simulated data. Our study contributes to the IS and research methods literature by illustrating that, and explaining why the ULMC approach does not accurately detect common method bias in PLS. Further, our results build on prior work done using covariance-based SEM questioning the usefulness of the ULMC technique for detecting CMB.
Energy aware multi-path routing for uniform resource utilization in sensor networks

In a sensor network where every node has a limited energy supply, one of the primary concerns is to maximize the network lifetime through energy-efficient routing. We present an energy efficient, scalable and distributed multipath routing protocol that achieves a substantial improvement in the overall network lifetime. Most of the existing sensor network routing protocols are based on single or shortest path routing. This accelerates the failure of nodes lying along the often used optimal paths, thus adversely affecting the connectivity and hence life of the network. Our scheme is based on a novel deterministic traffic scheduling algorithm that balances the load over multiple paths between source and destination, in proportion to their residual energy. Our protocol focuses on uniformly utilizing the resources of the network, rather than on optimality of routes. With our approach, we are able to minimize the communication and computational overheads involved in dynamically adapting the traffic flow to the energy level of the nodes.
Surface activity at the egg plasma membrane during sperm incorporation and its cytochalasin B sensitivity. Scanning electron microscopy and time-lapse video microscopy during fertilization of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus.

Abstract Sperm incorporation and the formation of the fertilization cone with its associated microvilli were investigated by scanning electron microscopy of eggs denuded of their vitelline layers with dithiothreitol or stripped of their elevating fertilization coats by physical methods. The activity of the elongating microvilli which appear to engulf the entering spermatozoon was recorded in living untreated eggs with time-lapse video microscopy. Following the acrosome reaction, the elongated acrosomal process connects the sperm head to the egg surface. About 15 microvilli adjacent to the attached sperm elongate at a rate of 2.6 μm/min and appear to engulf the sperm head, midpiece, and sperm tail. These elongate microvilli swell to form the fertilization cone (average height, 6.7 ± 2.0 μm) and are resorbed as the sperm tail enters the egg cytoplasm 10 min after insemination. Cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of microfilament motility, completely inhibits the observed egg plasma membrane surface activity in both control and denuded eggs. These results argue for a role of the microfilaments found in the egg cortex and microvilli as necessary for the engulfment of the sperm during incorporation and indicate that cytochalasin interferes with the fertilization process at this site.
Electrical impedance myography and quantitative ultrasound as biomarkers of disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a preliminary analysis (P7.042)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity of electrical impedance myography (EIM) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) as biomarkers of disease progression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). BACKGROUND: Non-invasive, easily applied biomarkers of disease progression in DMD are needed to help speed clinical trials. While functional measures are valuable, they cannot be used in children of all ages, are motivation-dependent, and require expertise to administer. Here, we evaluate the longitudinal alteration in EIM and QUS, two easily applied objective measures, in a group of healthy subjects and DMD boys. DESIGN/METHODS: 35 boys with DMD and 28 healthy boys underwent EIM and QUS of multiple appendicular muscles at 3-month intervals for up to 12 months. Outcome measures included upper-, lower- and whole body-EIM reactance and QUS grayscale levels. The major outcome variable was a slope of change over time based on linear mixed-effects regression model. Analyses were divided between children younger and older than 7 years at enrollment. RESULTS: In older DMD boys, upper limb and whole body QUS echointensity increased over time more than in healthy controls (p<0.001); changes in lower extremity echointensity did not differ between groups. In young boys, echointensity did not vary differently between DMD and controls. In older boys with DMD, EIM multifrequency reactance in upper extremities and whole body decreased more than in controls (p<0.01). In the younger DMD boys, lower extremity EIM reactance decreased more than in controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These early results suggest that both EIM and QUS are sensitive to disease progression in DMD boys older than seven years when functional decline is typical. While progression in younger children is more challenging to identify, some EIM metrics appear to capture that change. Completion of this study and further analysis of the data, including correlation to functional measures, is planned. Study Supported by: NIH R01AR060850 Disclosure: Dr. Rutkove has received personal compensation for activities with Convergence Medical Devices as a consultant. Dr. Rutkove has received royalty payments from UpToDate and Springer. Dr. Zaidman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kapur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Darras has received personal compensation for activities with UpToDate, Inc., Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Athena Diagnostics.
Concurrency Among Strangers

Programmers write programs, expressing plans for machines to execute. When composed so that they may cooperate, plans may instead interfere with each other in unanticipated ways. Plan coordination is the art of simultaneously enabling plans to cooperate, while avoiding hazards of destructive plan interference. For sequential computation within a single machine, object programming supports plan coordination well. For concurrent computation, this paper shows how hard it is to use locking to prevent plans from interfering without also destroying their ability to cooperate.
Neuropsychological and psychiatric outcomes in poorly controlled idiopathic generalized epilepsy

The neuropsychological and psychiatric outcomes of patients with poorly controlled idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) have not been well characterized. The current study aimed to compare these outcomes to a group of patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A retrospective review of patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit identified 19 patients with IGE and 23 patients with TLE who underwent neuropsychological and psychiatric evaluations. Patients with IGE required a longer time to complete the Trail Making Tests and had lower performance IQ compared to patients with TLE. Despite a higher burden of convulsions, patients with IGE had lower depression scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) than patients with TLE. In the group with IGE, the BDI-II scores were inversely correlated with epilepsy duration. These findings indicate that patients with IGE have lower performance IQ, impaired performance on tests of executive functioning, and lower depression scores compared to patients with TLE, implicating different pathophysiological processes.
Carbon dioxide partial pressures in North Pacific surface waters. 2. General late summer distribution

Observations of the equilibrium partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the surface waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea indicate conditions of local upwelling or vertical mixing near the Aleutian Island passes, seasonal depletion of CO2 in the sea surface by photosynthesis, and conditions of CO2 supersaturation in the surface waters off the mouths of large rivers. Horizontal mixing has a large effect on the PCO2 distribution. The area distribution of carbon dioxide in the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean from 19°N to 55°N latitude and in the Bering Sea is presented.
Early validation of operational SAR wind retrievals from Sentinel-1A

The computation of wind speeds at high (< 1 km) resolution from spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a mature geophysical application. A number of researchers, a modest sample of which are cited [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7], have described the geophysical relationship between normalized radar cross section (NRCS) and ocean surface wind speed, and how this relationship can be exploited to infer wind speeds. In May 2013, NOAA began the operational production of SAR-derived wind speed maps using Canadian Radarsat-2 imagery purchased by the U.S. National Ice Center. Monaldo et al. [8] chronicle the history of the first observation of ocean wind features from the Seasat SAR and its evolution to an operational product.
On incorporating reliability considerations into control system designs

This paper considers reliability in designing control systems for large orbital structures that are expected to have appreciable flexibility. Reliability is considered for both the control configuration (i.e. selecting sensor and actuator locations over an admissible set) and the ultimate operation of the system. The approach presented is to construct a cost function that indicates the absolute goal of the system and, for a given structural design, to determine the lowest achievable costs conditioned on the failure states of the system (i.e. which actuators and sensors are operational). These costs are then weighted and summed to provide an overall system performance measure. This measure is then minimized over the set of admissible control configurations. The approach is illustrated using a beam that has four actuators with the goal of achieving a given parabolic shape.
Effects of osmosis on microstructure of Pd-composite membranes synthesized by electroless plating technique

Abstract Several issues related to preparation of dense thin Pd-composite membranes by the electroless plating technique with osmosis are investigated. The influence of osmosis on metal grain size and penetration into porous Vycor glass was studied, and in addition a new approach for substrate activation was developed. Quantitative image analyses of various micrographs, randomly chosen on the membrane surface, show that average Pd grain size gradually decreases from 350 without osmosis to 150 nm for osmosis with 9 M sucrose solution. The distribution of grain sizes is also narrower for membranes synthesized under higher osmotic flux conditions. Energy dispersive X-ray measurements reveal that under conditions of osmosis, Pd penetrates deeper into the porous substrate, forming intermediate zone with gradually changing Pd–SiO 2 compositions. This enhances thermal stability and mechanical properties that depends on adhesion between film and substrate. Finally, it was shown that microstructure of the deposited film when seeded with osmosis is finer and more regular as compared to when osmosis is absent. It appears that use of osmosis during seeding contributes more to microstructural uniformity, while during plating it leads to finer grain size.
The Continuing Case for Simulator Training

FOR the past decade the case for simulator training has been based on the cost savings that can be achieved over training aircrew in actual aircraft.
WHAT DOES PHILOSOPHY HAVE TO OFFER EDUCATION, AND WHO SHOULD BE OFFERING IT?

In this review essay Stanton Wortham explores how philosophy of education should both turn inward, engaging with concepts and arguments developed in academic philosophy, and outward, encouraging educational publics to apply philosophical approaches to educational policy and practice. He develops his account with reference to two recent ambitious projects: The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Education, edited by Harvey Siegel, and the two-volume yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education (NSSE), titled Why Do We Educate? edited by Gary Fenstermacher (series editor), David Coulter and John Wiens (volume 1), and Mark Smylie (volume 2). These two projects initially appear to be opposed, with the Handbook emphasizing elite philosophy and the Yearbook emphasizing public engagement. Wortham argues that each project is in fact more complex, and that they are in some respects complementary. He concludes by making a case against a simple hierarchy of basic and applied knowledge and calling for a more heterogeneous philosophy of education.
Substituted methyl α-d-glucopyranosides: a relationship between structure and thin-layer chromatographic behavior

Abstract Twenty substituted methyl α- d -glucopyranosides were separated by thin-laye chromatography with solvent mixtures of toluene and ethyl acetate. From RF values and the Martin equation relating RM with RF, a relationship between chemical structure and chromatographic behavior was determined. Group constants, position parameters, and a solvent parameter were evaluated. Using these values, an RM can be calculated from the number of functional groups, their position on a methyl α- d -glucopyranosyl group, and a solvent parameter.
Conjugated-Order Differintegrals

This paper introduces the concept of conjugated-order differintegrals. These are fractional derivatives whose orders are complex conjugates. These conjugate-order differintegrals allow the use of complex-order differintegrals while still resulting in real time-responses and real transfer-functions. Both frequency responses and time responses are developed. The conjugated differintegral is shown to be a useful representation for control design. An example is presented to demonstrate its utility.© 2005 ASME
The relative contributions of interpersonal and specific clinical skills to the perception of global clinical competence.

Abstract Background. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), an established instrument for evaluating resident competence, was used to test the hypothesis that faculty assessment of clinical competence in residents at various levels of training may be influenced more by general skills as a physician and less by competency in the actual skills being specifically tested. In this study, advantage was taken of the anticipated observation that general surgery residents did not demonstrate improvement in their ability to perform a focused neurological assessment over time. Methods. An OSCE, which was administered to 56 general surgery residents at all levels of training, included the assessment of a specific clinical neurosurgical problem (sciatica). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between the global faculty judgment of competent or noncompetent and the other performance measures that were applied. Results. At different levels of training, there was no observed difference in the specific skills being tested; nevertheless, junior and senior residents were more likely than incoming interns to be judged “competent” and received better evaluations of how well they introduced themselves to the patient. The competence judgment correlated significantly with all of the other performance measures, including the skills being tested. Conclusions. The perception of competence is not solely dependent upon the particular skills under scrutiny. General competence does not guarantee competence in each specific skill set of a medical specialty.
In Vivo Retinoic Acid Modulates Expression of the Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex and Function of Antigen-Presenting Macrophages and Keratinocytes in Ultraviolet-Exposed Human Skin

Because retinoic acid (RA) can alter photoaging of the skin and repeated ultraviolet (UV)-induced immunologic injury may play a role in chronic photoaging, we asked whether RA alters the acute photo-immunologic effects of UV radiation. Two sites from each volunteer were treated with 0.1% RA or vehicle continuously for 24h before and 24h after a 4-minimal erythema dose UVB exposure. RA did not function as a sunscreen, as determined by quantitating the increase in redness after 1 minimal erythema dose to vehicle- and RA-pretreated sites (n=12). By flow cytometric analysis of epidermal cell suspensions harvested 3 d after the UV-EC, RA treatment did not protect CD1 + Langerhans cells from being depleted by UV light and did not modify the number of UV-induced infiltrating CD36 + CD11b + CD1 − DR + macrophages. RA treatment did, however, result in a 40% downregulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression on these infiltrating macrophages (p=0.016) (n=11), in conjunction with a decrease in alloantigen-presenting cell activity of RA-treated UV-EC as measured by T-cell proliferation. PA also induced a 72% inhibition of the autologous T suppressor-inducer cell proliferation induced by UV-EC (vehicle: 21,813±7,302 cpm; RA: 5,299±635 cpm) (n=3). The downregulation could be due to RA-modulated keratinocytes; RA-treated UV-EC keratinocytes depleted of CD1a + and DR + antigen-presenting cells displayed a greater ability, relative to similarly treated vehicle-EC keratinocytes to inhibit alloantigen presentation. In conclusion: (i) in vivo RA treatment did not protect human Langerhans cells from being depleted by UV and did not block infiltration of macrophages into sunburned skin; and (ii) RA did decrease autologous and allgeneic T-cell reactivity induced by macrophage antigen-presenting cells in UV-exposed epidermis, at least in part by downregulating their HLA-DR expression and by upregulating inhibitory signals from UV-irradiated keratinocytes.
Implications of Anomalous Isospin Violation for the Low-energy Nucleon-nucleon Interaction

Quark mass differences are used to derive an anomalous (i.e., due to the strong interactions) isospin violating potential. The potential includes the effects of pseudoscalar (..pi..-eta-eta') and vector meson (rho-..omega..) mixing. The finite rho width is included. Low energy nn, pp, and np phase shift differences are calculated in terms of the fundamental coupling constants. Despite considerable uncertainty in the coupling constants, it is possible to understand the very small nn and pp scattering length differences. Furthermore, it appears that effects in the l>0 partial waves at finite energies are large enough to be observable in the next few years. Estimates of effects in bound nuclei are presented. These include calculations of the contributions to mirror nuclei binding energy differences and to isospin mixing for a few characteristic cases. In most of those cases the anomalous isospin breaking contributions are of roughly the same size as observed discrepancies. However, inclusion of short range correlations substantially reduces the calculated effects in these cases.
Effect of milk composition on the partition coefficients of diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and ethanol in acidified milk products

Abstract Acidified milk samples were prepared with fat concentrations from 0 to 20% and SNF concentrations from 8 to 12%. The partition coefficients of diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and ethanol were determined in these acidified samples at pH 4.4 and 4.6 and at 30 and 50°C. Gas chromatographic headspace analysis was used to quantitate these flavor compounds after the system reached equilibrium. The pH did not affect the partition coefficients. Partition coefficients were dependent on the incubation temperature and were higher at 50°C. Concentration of the flavor compounds significantly affected their distribution between the air and aqueous phases. Diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and ethanol partition coefficients increased as SNF and milk fat concentrations increased in the milk matrix at either concentration of compounds or incubation temperature. The partition coefficients were highest in a milk matrix that contained 12% SNF or 20% milk fat. There were no interaction effects of SNF by fat, SNF by pH, fat by pH, or SNF by fat by pH on the partition coefficients; an interaction of fat by pH for diacetyl existed. The partition coefficient for acetaldehyde was higher than the partition coefficient for diacetyl. The partition coefficient was lowest for ethanol.
Crystal structure of thiamin phosphate synthase from Bacillus subtilis at 1.25 A resolution.

The crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis thiamin phosphate synthase complexed with the reaction products thiamin phosphate and pyrophosphate has been determined by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing techniques and refined to 1.25 A resolution. Thiamin phosphate synthase is an α/β protein with a triosephosphate isomerase fold. The active site is in a pocket formed primarily by the loop regions, residues 59−67 (A loop, joining α3 and β2), residues 109−114 (B loop, joining α5 and β4), and residues 151−168 (C loop, joining α7 and β6). The high-resolution structure of thiamin phosphate synthase complexed with its reaction products described here provides a detailed picture of the catalytically important interactions between the enzyme and the substrates. The structure and other mechanistic studies are consistent with a reaction mechanism involving the ionization of 4-amino-2-methyl-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine pyrophosphate at the active site to give the pyrimidine carbocation. Trapping of the carboc...
Quantifying upper-arm rehabilitation metrics for children through interaction with a humanoid Robot

The objective of this research effort is to integrate therapy instruction with child-robot play interaction in order to better assess upper-arm rehabilitation. Using computer vision techniques such as Motion History Imaging MHI, edge detection, and Random Sample Consensus RANSAC, movements can be quantified through robot observation. In addition, incorporating prior knowledge regarding exercise data, physical therapeutic metrics, and novel approaches, a mapping to therapist instructions can be created allowing robotic feedback and intelligent interaction. The results are compared with ground truth data retrieved via the Trimble 5606 Robotic Total Station and visual experts for the purpose of assessing the efficiency of this approach. We performed a series of upper-arm exercises with two male subjects, which were captured via a simple webcam. The specific exercises involved adduction and abduction and lateral and medial movements. The analysis shows that our algorithmic results compare closely to the results obtain from the ground truth data, with an average algorithmic error is less than 9% for the range of motion and less than 8% for the peak angular velocity of each subject.
ICU Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability throughout the world. Injury can be divided into primary and secondary injuries. For patients with TBI admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), the management and prevention of secondary injury is most important. The third edition of the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines was published in 2007 and is widely used to guide treatment of patients with severe TBI. This article reviews ICU care of patients with severe TBI, with a particular focus on recent evidence that is not incorporated in the existing guidelines.
Functional interactions between alternatively spliced forms of Pax6 in crystallin gene regulation and in haploinsufficiency

Pax6 is essential for development of the eye, olfactory system, brain and pancreas. Haploinsufficiency of Pax6 causes abnormal eye development. Two forms of Pax6 protein, PAX6 and PAX6(5a), differ in a 14 amino acid insertion encoded by an alternatively spliced exon 5a in the N-terminal DNA-binding paired domain (PD), and they are simultaneously expressed. Here, we show that PAX6 and PAX6(5a) together synergistically activate transcription from promoters recognized by Pax6 PD and PD5a, but not by their homeodomain. This synergism promotes activation of transcription by c-Maf and MafA on the alphaB-crystallin promoter, and is required for transcriptional co-activation by RARbeta/RXRbeta and PAX6/PAX6(5a) on the gammaF-crystallin promoter. To determine the role of this synergism in haploinsufficiency, we tested four human missense (G18W, R26G, G64V and R128C) and one nonsense (R317X) mutants, with reporters driven by Pax6 PD consensus binding sites and the alphaB-crystallin promoter. The simultaneous activity of Pax6 proteins [PAX6, mutated PAX6, PAX6(5a) and mutated PAX6(5a)] modeling haploinsufficiency yielded results not predicted by properties of individual PAX6 or PAX6(5a). Taken together, these results indicate that complex ocular phenotypes due to Pax6 haploinsufficiency originate, at least partially, from functional interactions between alternatively spliced PAX6 and PAX6(5a) variants and other factors, e.g. MafA/c-Maf.
Studies in cyclocopolymerization. Relative rates of addition in the free radical‐initiated copolymerization of 1,4‐dienes and substituted olefins

A general copolymer composition equation is developed for the cyclocopolymerization of 1,4-dienes (M1) and monoolefins (M2). The general equation relates copolymer composition to monomer feed composition in terms of five reactivity ratio parameters. When cyclization is very rapid relative to other chain propagation steps the general equation simplifies to the form: n = (1 + r1x)(1 + rcx)/[rcx + (r2/x) + 2], where n = [m1]/[m2] in the copolymer, x = [M1][M2] in the monomer feed, and r1, r2, and rc are reactivity ratios for the chain propagation steps of diene, monoolefin, and cyclized radicals, respectively. The theory is applied to the free radical initiated copolymerization of (A) divinyl ether/maleic anhydride, (B) 1,4-pentadiene/maleic anhydride, (C) divinyl ether/N-phenylmaleimide, (D), divinyl ether/acrylonitrile; and (E) 1,4-pentadiene/acrylonitrile. Systems A, B, and C form alternating copolymers of composition n = 0.5. For system D, r1 = 0.024, r2 = 0.938, rc = 0.017. For system E, r1 ⋍ rc ⋍ O, r2 = 1.13.
Canine toys and training devices as sources of exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A: quantitation of chemicals in leachate and in vitro screening for endocrine activity.

Abstract Chewing and mouthing behaviors exhibited by pet dogs are likely to lead to oral exposures to a variety of environmental chemicals. Products intended for chewing and mouthing uses include toys and training devices that are often made of plastics. The goal of the current study was to determine if a subset of phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), endocrine disrupting chemicals commonly found in plastics, leach out of dog toys and training devices (bumpers) into synthetic canine saliva. In vitro assays were used to screen leachates for endocrine activity. Bumper leachates were dominated by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and BPA, with concentrations reaching low μg mL−1 following short immersions in synthetic saliva. Simulated chewing of bumpers during immersion in synthetic saliva increased concentrations of phthalates and BPA as compared to new bumpers, while outdoor storage had variable effects on concentrations (increased DEHP; decreased BPA). Toys leached substantially lower concentrations of phthalates and BPA, with the exception of one toy which leached considerable amounts of diethyl phthalate. In vitro assays indicated anti-androgenic activity of bumper leachates, and estrogenic activity of both bumper and toy leachates. These results confirm that toys and training devices are potential sources of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in pet dogs.
Malignant lymphomas involving the prostate a study of 13 cases

The clinical and pathologic findings in 13 cases of malignant lymphoma involving the prostate gland were reviewed. The lymphomas tended to occur in elderly men with a mean age of 60 years (range, 30-86 years) and were clinically manifested by prostatic enlargement with urinary obstruction. In only one of the patients was there clinical suspicion of lymphoma before surgery. Seven patients had primary extranodal lymphoma of the prostate, with a variety of histologic subtypes, including small cell lymphocytic (one patient), diffuse small cleaved cell (two patients), diffuse mixed small and large cell (two patients), diffuse large non-cleaved cell (one patient), and high-grade diffuse small non-cleaved cell (undifferentiated non-Burkitt's) (one patient). At the time of presentation, none of these patients had hepatosplenomegaly, inguinal lymphadenopathy, abnormal complete blood counts, or elevated serum acid phosphatase levels. Six other patients with previously documented malignant lymphoma at other sites had prostatic involvement 2 to 60 months (mean, 14 months) after the primary diagnosis. Histologically, these secondary prostatic lymphomas included diffuse small cleaved cell (two patients), diffuse mixed small and large cell (one patient), diffuse large non-cleaved cell (two patients), and large cell immunoblastic, polymorphous type (T-cell by immunotyping) (one patient). The mean survival was 14 months for all patients (range, 2-44 months), with no apparent difference between primary and secondary involvement. One patient remains alive 44 months after secondary prostatic involvement with diffuse large non-cleaved cell lymphoma. Although malignant lymphomas involving the prostate are rare, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of lower urinary tract obstruction, particularly in patients with a previous history of lymphoma.
Evolutionary biology: Expanding islands of speciation

Speciation can occur even when the incipient species coexist and can interbreed. An extensive analysis of two fruitfly strains suggests that many genomic regions contribute to speciation in such cases.
The Effect of Occupational Growth on Labor Force Task Characteristics.

This article examines how changes from 1950 through 1990 in the relative size of 495 detailed occupations have altered the frequency with which certain kinds of tasks are encountered by members of the labor force. Shifts in the distribution of employment across occupations in the post-World War II era in the United States have resulted in increased likelihood that workers will encounter tasks characterized by high levels of substantive complexity and social interaction but decreased likelihood that their jobs will require fine motor skills, gross motor skills, or be performed in harsh climatic conditions. The results also indicate that labor force jobs have become polarized on the need for fine motor skills and on the level of social interaction but not on the other 3 task characteristics. Explanations for these shifts in occupational employment are sought in theories emphasizing the role of technology, market competition, and the relative power of groups within the labor force.
A model for self-organization in WTA networks and its application to map prediction problems

A mathematical model for long-term memory (LTM) reorganization in self-organizing winner-take-all (WTA) networks is developed. The model describes the temporal evolution of the density of neural LTM states using a diffusive partial differential equation. Solutions to this equation show that, in the long run, LTM states tend to cluster about the modes of the stimulating source's probability density function. This behavior is precisely what is required by many engineering problems involving maximum a posteriori (MAP) prediction. The connection between self-organizing WTA networks and MAP prediction is discussed. A simulated example demonstrating this connection is provided. >
A flexible-protein molecular docking study of the binding of ruthenium complex compounds to PIM1, GSK-3β, and CDK2/Cyclin A protein kinases

We employ ensemble docking simulations to characterize the interactions of two enantiomeric forms of a Ru-complex compound (1-R and 1-S) with three protein kinases, namely PIM1, GSK-3β, and CDK2/cyclin A. We show that our ensemble docking computational protocol adequately models the structural features of these interactions and discriminates between competing conformational clusters of ligand-bound protein structures. Using the determined X-ray crystal structure of PIM1 complexed to the compound 1-R as a control, we discuss the importance of including the protein flexibility inherent in the ensemble docking protocol, for the accuracy of the structure prediction of the bound state. A comparison of our ensemble docking results suggests that PIM1 and GSK-3β bind the two enantiomers in similar fashion, through two primary binding modes: conformation I, which is very similar to the conformation presented in the existing PIM1/compound 1-R crystal structure; conformation II, which represents a 180° flip about an axis through the NH group of the pyridocarbazole moiety, relative to conformation I. In contrast, the binding of the enantiomers to CDK2 is found to have a different structural profile including a suggested bound conformation, which lacks the conserved hydrogen bond between the kinase and the ligand (i.e., ATP, staurosporine, Ru-complex compound). The top scoring conformation of the inhibitor bound to CDK2 is not present among the top-scoring conformations of the inhibitor bound to either PIM1 or GSK-3β and vice-versa. Collectively, our results help provide atomic-level insights into inhibitor selectivity among the three kinases.
Pascal's Snowshoes

The chief purpose of this activity is to strengthen students' understanding of concepts of floatation such as surface area and pressure (weight per unit area) via snowshoes. Students brainstorm, make predictions, perform calculations, and practice communication skills through interviewing elders and experts. This activity lets students see the marvelous relationship between the structural features of animals and their environment. They also get a better understanding of how humans have become better adapted to their environment by copying animals like the snowshoe hare. Students build their own snowshoes, and teachers have the opportunity to introduce American-Indian culture or integrate other social studies themes.
Auxin-regulated changes of fatty acid content and composition in soybean zygotic embryo cotyledons☆

Abstract The present studies were conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous auxins on zygotic embryo fatty acid content and lipid composition during somatic embryo induction. Immature soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cotyledons from two developmental stages were cultured on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The presence of 2,4-D or NAA in the medium altered the content and percentage of oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids, with less effects on stearic (18:0), palmitic (16:0) or total fatty acids in the embryonic cotyledons. Desaturation assays with radiolabelled fatty acids showed that 2,4-D increased both the ratios of 18:2 to 18:1 and 18:3 to 18:2. NAA at 10 mg/l resulted in an increase in the content and percentage of 18:3 but not that of 18:2 in the embryonic cotyledons. Analysis of free fatty acids, triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and glycolipids (monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol) revealed that the increased ratio of 18:3 to 18:2 occurred in phosphatidylcholine, triglycerides and free fatty acids, but not in glycolipids. Our data suggest that 2,4-D increased the efficiency of the desaturation related processes in extra plastidial compartments.
The Volume at Which Women Leak First on Urodynamic Testing is Not Associated With Quality of Life, Measures of Urethral Integrity or Surgical Failure

Purpose: We determined if the bladder volume at which urodynamic stress incontinence is first detected is related to preoperative quality of life, urethral sphincter assessment or surgical outcome in women undergoing continence surgery.Materials and Methods: Charts of consecutive women who underwent a sling or Burch procedure were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urogenital Distress Inventory. Urodynamic stress incontinence volume is the bladder volume at which urodynamic stress incontinence was first detected. Women were divided into 4 groups according to urodynamic stress incontinence volume, and compared with respect to maximum urethral closure pressure, Valsalva leak point pressure, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urogenital Distress Inventory. Urodynamic stress incontinence persistence was evaluated only in patients who had sling surgery.Results: A total of 168 women were recruited for the study. Urodynamic stress incontinenc...