cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excited-state electronic asymmetry of the special pair in photosynthetic reaction center mutants: absorption and Stark spectroscopy.

The electronic absorption line shape and Stark spectrum of the lowest energy Qy transition of the special pair in bacterial reaction centers contain a wealth of information on mixing with charge transfer states and electronic asymmetry. Both vary greatly in mutants that perturb the chemical composition of the special pair, such as the heterodimer mutants, and in mutants that alter interactions between the special pair and the surrounding reaction center protein, such as those that add or remove hydrogen bonds. The conventional and higher-order Stark spectra of a series of mutants are presented with the aim of developing a systematic description of the electronic structure of the excited state of the special pair that initiates photosynthetic charge separation. The mutants L168HF, M197FH, L131LH and L131LH/M160LH/M197FH are known to have different hydrogen-bonding patterns to the special pair; however, they exhibit Stark effects that are very similar to wild type. By contrast, the addition of a hydrogen bo...
Do Sex Offender Registration and Notification Requirements Deter Juvenile Sex Crimes

This study examined whether South Carolina’s sex offender registration and notification (SORN) policy was associated with a general deterrent effect on juvenile sex crimes. Using juvenile justice data from 1991 through 2004, trend analyses modeled the intervention effects of 1995 (the year South Carolina’s SORN policy was initially implemented) and 1999 (the year the policy was revised to include online registration). Initial results suggested a significant deterrent effect of SORN on first-time juvenile sex crimes. However, comparison analyses with nonsex offenses identified a similar effect on first-time robbery crimes. Follow-up analyses indicated that the apparent declines identified for first-time sex and robbery offenses were due to another legislative change, also enacted in 1995, that moved the prosecution of 16-year-old defendants from juvenile to adult court. When these cases were included in the database, follow-up analyses indicated no significant effect for the 1995 intervention year. Thus, South Carolina’s SORN policy was not associated with a general deterrent effect on juvenile sex crimes. Specific policy changes are suggested regarding the application of registration and notification requirements to juveniles.
Time and costs of preparing and submitting an NIH grant application at a school of nursing.

Abstract Background Schools of nursing spend considerable time and finances pursuing federal research funding, yet the costs of such efforts are unknown. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the time and costs to a school of nursing to prepare a National Institutes of Health grant application. Method We prospectively recorded time and calculated costs in grant preparation undertaken by principal investigators and research administrators in one school of nursing. Results Principal investigators' time ranged from 69.8 to 162.3 hr, research administrators' time ranged from 33.9 to 56.4 hr, and costs ranged from $4,784 to $13,512 per grant. With funding rates of 5% to 15%, costs for one funded R01 would be $72,460 to $270,240. Discussion Grant writing activities represent a major time commitment to faculty and staff and costs to the school. To maximize potential for success, schools of nursing must provide costly resources to support its grant writing enterprise. Conclusions Less costly and more efficient models of attaining research funding are needed for the sustainability of the nursing profession.
The Effects of a President's Party on Federal Senior Executive Employment An Empirical Analysis on Representative Bureauracy

What is the influence of a president's party on the composition of the Senior Executive Service (SES) workforce? This article examines the relationship between a president's party and a group's representation in higher-level positions over the past 21 years. The author finds that Democratic presidents are likely to be related to female and minority representation in the SES, while size of the SES, bachelor's degrees, professional jobs, and population do not appear to be directly linked to representation of women and minorities in the senior executive positions. Additionally, the impact of the party control of the presidency on the SES employment is different in regards to race, ethnicity, or gender.
Triglyceride, High-Density Lipoprotein, and Coronary Heart Disease

GREAT progress has been made over the past 30 years in identifying cardiovascular risk factors and in developing and implementing measures to correct them. The Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program developed guidelines in 1988 that identified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as the major atherogenic lipoprotein and high levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) as the primary target for cholesterol-lowering therapy. Since these guidelines were developed, the scientific database has significantly expanded. Genetic investigations into familial dyslipidemias, advances in molecular biology, animal experiments, human observational studies, lipid metabolic studies, epidemiologic data, and the results of interventional clinical trials looking at mortality, cardiovascular end points, and angiographic changes in atheromatous lesions have created interest in further examination of the role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TGs) in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. To address these questions, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Office of
Cognitive Radio Based Multi-Channel MAC Protocols for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

We propose the cognitive-radio-based multi-channel medium access control (MAC) protocols, which integrate the spectrum sensing and packet scheduling, for the wireless ad hoc networks. Specifically, the cognitive MAC protocols allow secondary users to identify and use the unused frequency spectrum in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary users. Under our proposed protocols, each secondary user is equipped with two transceivers. One of the transceivers operates on a dedicated control channel, while the other is used as a cognitive radio that can periodically sense and dynamically utilize the identified unused channels. To obtain the channel status accurately, we propose two types of collaboratively channel- sensing policies, namely random sensing policy and negotiation- based sensing policy, to help the MAC protocols detect the unused channels. We also develop the analytical models to study the proposed MAC protocols with the two types of channel-sensing policies.
Modular object-oriented design of distributed protocols

The complexity of protocols supporting distributed applications leads to the use of modular techniques to design protocols. The object oriented programming paradigm provides a number of concepts to enable modularity and reuse. For example, languages such as Java and C++ have been extended with synchronization primitives to modularize code. The authors propose a framework with tools that complement such language extensions to enable compositional development of protocols. We advocate a two-staged design process. In the first stage, the designer develops code for a set of component protocols, each performing a specific subtask of the protocol. The second stage involves composing the subtasks to obtain the protocol for the entire problem. The composition is done with respect to a set of constraints that describe the interactions between the subtasks. We identify several composition patterns, each implementing a specific type of interaction. For each pattern, we describe the code required for its implementation and the transformations to embed this code into the component protocols. The toolset has been implemented using Java as the underlying development language.
Effects of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia and Hypoacetoemia on Eating Behavior in Goats

Abstract Severe hunger and eating are caused by hypoglycemia induced by insulin injections in monogastric animals. Two experiments were done to test for this response in ruminants. Protamine zinc insulin injections were given to goats for a period of 14 days in Experiment I and on one day in each of three one-week tests in Experiment II. The first experiment tested for long-term changes in feeding behavior, while the second tested for short-term changes during an induced hypoglycemia. In both experiments the goats suffered from hyperinsulinemia and severe hypoglycemia, although no convulsions or coma were observed. Hypoglycemia was accompanied during its initial stages by a low serum acetate concentration. There was no trend for goats to eat to correct the hypoglycemia. Thus the response of goats differs from that of intact monogastric animals. Ruminants apparently do not have the response of other mammals of eating to correct hypoglycemia. It has previously been inferred that hypoacetoemia would cause increased feed intake in ruminants; this response did not occur, although the serum acetate concentration decreased to only one-third of normal levels.
Self-tuning planned actions time to make real-time SOAP real

This paper proposes a new method for programming and controlling distributed tasks. Applications declare behavior patterns that are used to automatically predict and reserve resources needed by applications in a heterogeneous distributed environment. The paper introduces a stochastic quality sampling driven scheduler and a rendezvous mechanism for matching pre-planned activities with actual payload data. The system is built around the first real-time SOAP implementation, also presented in this paper. It extends the XML Web services interoperability benefits that have proven themselves in e-business into two new areas: embedded and real-time. The paper presents an efficient implementation that runs on common microcontrollers and other computers.
Age of Consent

SUMMARY Age of Consent throughout history has usually coincided with the age of puberty although at sometimes it has been as early as seven. Early on age of consent was a familial or tribal matter and only became a legal one in the Greco-Roman period. The Roman tradition served as the base for Christian Europe as well as the Christian Church itself which generally, essentially based upon biological development, set it at 12 or 14 but continued to set the absolute minimum at seven. In the past century there has been a tendency to raise the age of consent but the reasons for the change have not always been clear and the issue has been further complicated by the reluctance of many contemporary historians to recognize what the actual age of consent in the past has been. This failure has distorted the importance of biology on age of consent in the past.
Particle in a Möbius wire and half-integer orbital angular momentum

Restricting one particle on the rim of a M\"obius strip (M\"obius wire), its wave functions are explicitly calculated through the nonrelativistic quantum theory. Demanding the wave function to be single valued, it is proven that in the case of a narrow strip the orbital angular momentum of the particle takes both integer and half-integer values of $\ensuremath{\hbar}$. In addition, the energy values of two chiral M\"obius wires are proven to be equal.
Analysis of Phosphorylated Sphingolipid Long-Chain Bases Reveals Potential Roles in Heat Stress and Growth Control in Saccharomyces

Sphingolipid long-chain bases and their phosphorylated derivatives, for example, sphingosine-1-phosphate in mammals, have been implicated as signaling molecules. The possibility that Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells also use long-chain-base phosphates to regulate cellular processes has only recently begun to be examined. Here we present a simple and sensitive procedure for analyzing and quantifying long-chain-base phosphates in S. cerevisiae cells. Our data show for the first time that phytosphingosine-1-phosphate (PHS-1-P) is present at a low but detectable level in cells grown on a fermentable carbon source at 25 degreesC, while dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate (DHS-1-P) is only barely detectable. Shifting cells to 37 degreesC causes transient eight- and fivefold increases in levels of PHS-1-P and DHS-1-P, respectively, which peak after about 10 min. The amounts of both compounds return to the unstressed levels by 20 min after the temperature shift. These data are consistent with PHS-1-P and DHS-1-P being signaling molecules. Cells unable to break down long-chain-base phosphates, due to deletion of DPL1 and LCB3, show a 500-fold increase in PHS-1-P and DHS-1-P levels, grow slowly, and survive a 44 degreesC heat stress 10-fold better than parental cells. These and other data for dpl1 or lcb3 single-mutant strains suggest that DHS-1-P and/or PHS-1-P act as signals for resistance to heat stress. Our procedure should expedite experiments to determine how the synthesis and breakdown of these compounds is regulated and how the compounds mediate resistance to elevated temperature.
A Perspective on the Field of Organization Development and Change The Zeigarnik Effect

Essentially, and perhaps arguably, there has been no innovation in the social technology of organization development (OD) since appreciative inquiry originated in 1987. It is as if the creative work of OD is done. Moreover, it is as if the mission of OD—to loosen tightly coupled systems, think large bureaucracies—has largely been achieved. Decentralization, involvement, and autonomy on the job are commonplace in many organizations. There is a paradox, however. The need for expertise in organization change has never been greater, and OD has so much to contribute, yet the failure rate for organization change efforts is around 70%, and for mergers and acquisitions the failure rate is even larger. The premise of this article is that there is much work yet to be done. We who identify ourselves with the field of OD have unfinished business. As research on the Zeigarnik effect showed, we tend to remember things undone more than we remember things that have been completed. A purpose of this article is to create a...
In vitro evidence that phosphatidylcholine protects against indomethacin/bile acid-induced injury to cells

Indomethacin is a powerful analgesic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), but is limited in use by its primary side effect to cause gastrointestinal bleeding and serious injury. One factor important for exacerbating NSAID injury is the presence of bile acids, which may interact with indomethacin to form toxic mixed micelles in the gut. The development of a safer gastrointestinal formulation of indomethacin that is chemically complexed with phosphatidylcholine (PC-indomethacin) may offer an improved therapeutic agent, particularly in the presence of bile acid, but its potential protective mechanism is incompletely understood. Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were tested for injury with indomethacin (alone and plus various bile acids) compared with PC-indomethacin (alone and plus bile acids). To explore a role for bile acid uptake into cells as a requirement for NSAID injury, studies were performed using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). Indomethacin, but not PC-indomethacin, was directly and dose-dependently injurious to IEC-6 cells. Similarly, the combination of any bile acid plus indomethacin, but not PC-indomethacin, induced cell injury. The expression of ASBT had a modest effect on the acute cytotoxicity of indomethacin in the presence of some conjugated bile acids. Complexing PC with indomethacin protected against the acute intestinal epithelial injury caused by indomethacin regardless of the presence of bile acids. The presence of luminal bile acid, but not its carrier-mediated uptake into the enterocyte, is required for acute indomethacin-induced cell injury. It is likely that initial cell damage induced by indomethacin occurs at or near the cell membrane, an effect exacerbated by bile acids and attenuated by PC.
"Play-or-pay" insurance reforms for employers--confusion and inequity.

One prominent feature of the current health care reform bills is a “play-or-pay” rule for employers. Bradley Herring and Mark Pauly argue that this method results in confusion and could add further inequities to our system.
Microbial Issues in Drinking Water Security

Bioterrorism is an important consideration for drinking water security. The vulnerability of a water system to an intentional biological contamination event is an area of increasing concern. A listing of bio-threat agents which could potentially be transmitted by water is presented and information is provided regarding their detection, persistence, and resistance to commonly used water treatment procedures.
PROMISe trial: a pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a full-scale placebo-controlled trial of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for fibroids (MRgFUS) and obtain estimates of safety and efficacy. Design Pilot, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Setting University medical center. Patient(s) Premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Intervention(s) Participants randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive MRgFUS or placebo procedure. Main Outcome Measure(s) Primary outcome: change in fibroid symptoms from baseline to 4 and 12 weeks after treatment assessed by the Uterine Fibroid Symptom Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL); secondary outcome: incidence of surgery or procedures for recurrent symptoms at 12 and 24 months. Result(s) Twenty women with a mean age of 44 years (±standard deviation 5.4 years) were enrolled, and 13 were randomly assigned to MRgFUS and 7 to placebo. Four weeks after treatment, all participants reported improvement in the UFS-QOL: a mean of 10 points in the MRgFUS group and 9 points in the placebo group (for difference in change between groups). By 12 weeks, the MRgFUS group had improved more than the placebo group (mean 31 points and 13 points, respectively). The mean fibroid volume decreased 18% in the MRgFUS group with no decrease in the placebo group at 12 weeks. Two years after MRgFUS, 4 of 12 women who had a follow-up evaluation (30%) had undergone another fibroid surgery or procedure. Conclusion(s) Women with fibroids were willing to enroll in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of MRgFUS. A placebo effect may explain some of the improvement in fibroid-related symptoms observed in the first 12 weeks after MRgFUS. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT01377519.
The critical radius of flame initiation and propagation for n-decane/air premixed flames

The initiation outwardly propagating spherical flames has been studied experimentally and numerically using n-Decane/air mixtures at atmospheric pressure. The flame trajectories, laminar flame speeds, and the critical radius have been measured and simulated at various equivalence ratios. A kinetic model has been used to study the flame structure of transient flame initiation to propagation phenomena. Both experiments and computations show that the Lewis number (preferential diffusion of heat and mass affects) both spherical flame initiation and flame kernel evolution after ignition. It is found that the generation of the radical pool plays important role in initiation of the flame kernel and sequential transition from ignition, unstable branch, and to the normal stable flame regimes. Paticualarly, the critical radius for the successful flame initation is investigated and the results indicate that the outwardly propagating spherical flames in a stable branch can be achieved by overcoming the critical stretch rates at the critical radius.
Kinin-Forming Activity of Cultured Mouse Fibroblasts L-929

SummaryThe kinin-forming potential of a cultured cell line of mouse fibroblasts, L-929, has been studied. The fibroblasts were found to form kinin at acid pH from both rat plasma and Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma kininogen substrate preparations. The kinin formed was destroyed following incubation with carboxypeptidase B. The kinetics of kinin formation relative to incubation time and concentration of fibroblasts also were studied. None of the conventional plant, mammalian, or synthetic protease inhibitors had any significant effect on the kinin-forming activity of the fibroblasts. Phenylpyruvic acid, however, did inhibit this activity. The activity appeared localized in the soluble protoplasmic portion of the cell, as determined by ultracentrifugal technique.
Lubricant Transfer Model at the Head-Disk Interface in Magnetic Storage Considering Lubricant–Lubricant Interaction

Interactions among molecularly thin lubricant–solid and lubricant–vapor interfaces become increasingly strong when the slider approaches closer to the disk (or media) surface, which is desirable for higher storage areal densities. Lubricant transfers from the disk to the slider as the head-media spacing decreases below a critical value, leading to loss of protection for the solid thin films. The present work proposes a new criterion for lubricant pickup to occur by improving the lubricant transfer model via considering interactions between the lubricant films, in addition to lubricant–solid interaction. The effect of lubricant roughness is also included in the proposed model, which is then used to predict critical solid distances as a function of lubricant roughness and average lubricant thickness. It is found that the interaction force between the slider solid and the disk lubricant plays a weaker role than that between the lubricant on the slider and the lubricant on the disk in determining the critical solid distance. The physics for the dependence of the critical clearance on the bonding ratio is explained, and a linear model is developed.
Study on the CT image features of pneumoconiosis in coal workers

Objective Through the study on the image features of CT of pneumoconiosis in coal workers to explore the feasibility of CT in the diagnosis for coal worker's pneumoconiosis.Methods 113 cases of coal workers were randomly selected,high kilo-voltage plain chest film and CT were performed.The diagnosis by chest high kilo-voltage plain film were based on GBZ70-2009 that contained "Diagnostic criteria films of pneumoconiosis" and "Diagnostic criteria of pneumoconiosis".The number of pneumoconiosis nodus was counted in different dimensions(forward and backward,left and right).Results Comparing the difference of shapes of small shadow between chest X-ray plain film and CT,(P=0.648).Comparing the difference of small shadow gathering and big shadows between X-ray plain film and CT,P= 0.525).There were no significant difference(P0.05)..Conclusions CT can be used as reference information to assist the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.The number of pneumoconiosis nodus of one side information area,if the number(forward and backward) is less than 14,and the number(left and right) is less than 9,it may be considered as "for observation".If the number(forward and backward) is more than or equal to 14,and the number(left and right) is more than or equal to 9,it would be diagnosed as pneumoconiosis(first stage).
PREPARATION OF C14-LABELLED ACIDS FROM C14O2 AND ARYL LITHIUM COMPOUNDS

A simplified technique was developed for carbonation of Grignard reagents or organolithium compounds, with C14O2 generated from barium carbonate. 3,4-(Dibenzyloxy)-bromobenzene was treated with n-b...
Heavy chain disease of the gamma (gamma M) type: report of the first case.

The serum of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and amyloidosis, was found to contain an unusual protein with µ chain antigenic determinants. It was devoid of light chains and was present in the form of multiple disulfide linked polymers. The patient also had a kappa Bence Jones protein in the serum and urine. The possibility is raised that the heavy chain lacks a portion of the chain necessary for coupling with light chains.
TUT7 catalyzes the uridylation of the 3′ end for rapid degradation of histone mRNA

The replication-dependent histone mRNAs end in a stem-loop instead of the poly(A) tail present at the 3' end of all other cellular mRNAs. Following processing, the 3' end of histone mRNAs is trimmed to 3 nucleotides (nt) after the stem-loop, and this length is maintained by addition of nontemplated uridines if the mRNA is further trimmed by 3'hExo. These mRNAs are tightly cell-cycle regulated, and a critical regulatory step is rapid degradation of the histone mRNAs when DNA replication is inhibited. An initial step in histone mRNA degradation is digestion 2-4 nt into the stem by 3'hExo and uridylation of this intermediate. The mRNA is then subsequently degraded by the exosome, with stalled intermediates being uridylated. The enzyme(s) responsible for oligouridylation of histone mRNAs have not been definitively identified. Using high-throughput sequencing of histone mRNAs and degradation intermediates, we find that knockdown of TUT7 reduces both the uridylation at the 3' end as well as uridylation of the major degradation intermediate in the stem. In contrast, knockdown of TUT4 did not alter the uridylation pattern at the 3' end and had a small effect on uridylation in the stem-loop during histone mRNA degradation. Knockdown of 3'hExo also altered the uridylation of histone mRNAs, suggesting that TUT7 and 3'hExo function together in trimming and uridylating histone mRNAs.
Cortactin in Atherosclerosis: Just Say NO.

An extensive body of work has demonstrated that atherosclerotic plaques form preferentially at sites of disturbed blood flow encountered at vessel bifurcations, resulting in part from the loss of anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antioxidative effects that occur in straight vessel segments because of laminar pulsatile flow.1 The production of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is a central mechanism of these protective effects.2 Transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of eNOS combine to augment NO production in response to flow-induced mechanical stimulation of the apical endothelial cell surface.3 AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and the deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) are key mediators of multiple vascular endothelial processes. AMPK mediates metformin-induced protection from oxidative stress4 and regulates coronary hemodynamics5 and arteriogenesis,6 whereas SIRT1 suppresses endothelial senescence produced by disturbed flow.7 Laminar flow increases the activity of both AMPK and SIRT1, which then act synergistically on eNOS via phosphorylation by AMPK priming and subsequent deacetylation by SIRT1 to increase NO bioavailability.8 See accompanying article on page 2358 In the current issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Shentu et al9 now substantially advance our understanding of this important process by demonstrating that AMPK and SIRT1 similarly work together to coregulate function of the actin-binding protein cortactin, leading to altered peripheral cytoskeletal and membrane structures in vascular endothelial cells that, in turn, contribute to eNOS activation …
Bainitic and quenching and partitioning steels

Abstract This chapter reviews bainitic and quenched and partitioned steels as two potential approaches to produce the so-called third-generation advanced high-strength sheet steels. Both approaches result in fine microstructures containing retained austenite stabilized by interstitial solute carbon enrichment which decreases the martensite transformation start temperature. This chapter provides a review of thermal processing and alloying strategies pursued for both microstructural concepts. Tensile properties are reviewed and a brief discussion of local formability, in particular hole expansion testing, is included. In addition, mechanisms that may compete with solute enrichment of austenite are discussed.
Developing Public Interest in Teaching About Religion in Illinois: The “Religious Contours of Illinois” Project

(1988). Developing Public Interest in Teaching About Religion in Illinois: The “Religious Contours of Illinois” Project. Religion & Public Education: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 445-450.
Cold snare polypectomy for non-pedunculated colon polyps greater than 1 cm.

Background and study aims Colonic polyps > 1 cm in size are commonly managed using hot polypectomy techniques. The most frequent adverse events (delayed bleeding, post-polypectomy syndrome, and perforation) are related to electrocautery-induced injury. We hypothesized that cold resection of large polyps may have similar efficacy and improved safety compared to hot polypectomy. Our aims were to evaluate efficacy and safety of piecemeal cold snare resection of colonic polyps > 1 cm. Patients and methods Patients undergoing lift and piecemeal cold snare polypectomy of non-pedunculated colon polyps > 1 cm from October 2013 to September 2015 were identified retrospectively. Efficacy was defined by the absence of residual adenomatous tissue at endoscopic follow-up. Adverse events (AEs), including post-procedural bleeding, bowel perforation, or post-procedural pain requiring hospitalization were assessed by chart review and telephone follow-up. Results Seventy-three patients underwent piecemeal cold snare polypectomy for 94 colon polyps > 1 cm with 56 of 73 patients completing follow-up on 72 polyps. Residual or recurrent adenoma was found in 7 cases (9.7 %). Median polyp size was significantly greater in those with residual/recurrent adenoma (37.1 vs. 19.1 mm, P Conclusions Piecemeal cold snare resection of colon polyps > 1 cm is feasible, safe and efficacious when compared to published hot polypectomy data. Additional observational and randomized comparative effectiveness studies are necessary to demonstrate comparable adenoma eradication and improved safety advantage over existing hot snare polypectomy techniques.
Brain-Selective Expression of Exogenous Angiotensin (AT1) Receptors Causes Enhanced Cardiovascular Sensitivity.

19 To examine the functional consequences of overexpression of AT1 receptors selectively in brain of both normal mice and in mice otherwise lacking endogenous AT1 receptors, we generated a novel transgenic model with AT1 receptors targeted selectively to neurons in the CNS. A fusion transgene consisting of 2.8 Kb of rat neuron-specific enolase(NSE) 5’ flanking region, and a cDNA encoding the full open reading frame of the AT1A receptor was constructed and transgenic mice (NSE-AT1) were generated. Of the six transgenic founder lines identified, two exhibited overexpression of the transgene selectively in brain. Using both immunohistochemistry and a high affinity fluorescently labeled angiotensin II (AngII) probe, we observed high levels of transgenic AT1A receptors in brain of both lines. Distribution of the receptors was particularly prominent in regions involved in cardiovascular regulation, including brainstem and lamina terminalis nuclei. Focusing on NSE-AT1 line 6085/2, direct recording of baseline blood pressure in conscious freely moving mice revealed no difference between transgenic and wildtype controls. However, intracerebroventricular injection of AngII (50, 100, 200 ng, 200 nL) in conscious NSE-AT1 mice (n=5) caused an increased pressor response (Δ17±2, 22±4, 33±5) and a profoundly enhanced bradycardia (Δ-48±6, -92±27, -114±17) compared to wildtypes (n=8) (BP: Δ7±2, 17±2, 21±1; HR: Δ-15±12, -23±7, -34±10). Our data show that brain-selective overexpression of exogenous AT1 receptors results in enhanced cardiovascular sensitivity to central AngII. This model, along with a model harboring this transgene but lacking AT1 receptors elsewhere (NSE-AT1 mice bred with AT1 knockouts), provide a new approach and important tools for identifying the cardiovascular regulatory roles of brain AT1 receptors relative to those in peripheral tissues.
Infinite-dimensional cohomology of SL2(Z[t,t−1])

Abstract For J an integral domain and F its field of fractions, we construct a map from the 3-skeleton of the classifying space for Γ = S L 2 ( J [ t , t − 1 ] ) to a Euclidean building on which Γ acts. We then find an infinite family of independent cocycles in the building and lift them to the classifying space, thus proving that the cohomology group H 2 ( S L 2 ( J [ t , t − 1 ] ) ; F ) is infinite-dimensional.
Student Performance Evaluation for a Simulation Based Intelligent Expert Tutoring System

Intelligent tutoring systems offer an exciting new way to train people in areas of complex domains. A simulation-based training system provides the student with the opportunity to manipulate a syst...
On the Control of Three-Degree-of-Freedom Wave Energy Converters

The control of a three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) wave energy converter (WEC) is considered in this paper. Recently, several methods have been developed in the literature for this problem. This paper is a comparison between three methods: the non-linear model predictive control, the pseudo-spectral method, and the time-variant linear quadratic optimal control. Comparison between the three methods is presented in terms of the harvested energy.Copyright © 2017 by ASME
True 3D digital holographic tomography for virtual reality applications

Previously, a single CCD camera has been used to record holograms of an object while the object is rotated about a single axis to reconstruct a pseudo-3D image, which does not show detailed depth information from all perspectives. To generate a true 3D image, the object has to be rotated through multiple angles and along multiple axes. In this work, to reconstruct a true 3D image including depth information, a die is rotated along two orthogonal axes, and holograms are recorded using a Mach-Zehnder setup, which are subsequently numerically reconstructed. This allows for the generation of multiple images containing phase (i.e., depth) information. These images, when combined, create a true 3D image with depth information which can be exported to a Microsoft® HoloLens for true 3D virtual reality.
Probing quantum effects in lithium

Abstract In periodic table lithium is the first element immediately after helium and the lightest metal. While fascinating quantum nature of condensed helium is suppressed at high densities, lithium is expected to adapt more quantum solid behavior under compression. This is due to the presence of long range interactions in metallic systems for which an increase in the de-Boer parameter ( λ σ , where σ is the minimum interatomic distance and λ is the de-Broglie wavelength) is predicted at higher densities [1] , [2] . Physics of dense lithium offers a rich playground to look for new emergent quantum phenomena in condensed matter and has been subject of many theoretical and experimental investigations. In this article recent progress in studying the quantum nature of dense lithium will be discussed.
Functional Organization of the Pallid Bat Auditory Cortex: Emphasis on Binaural Organization

This report maps the organization of the primary auditory cortex of the pallid bat in terms of frequency tuning, selectivity for behaviorally relevant sounds, and interaural intensity difference (IID) sensitivity. The pallid bat is unusual in that it localizes terrestrial prey by passively listening to prey-generated noise transients (1–20 kHz), while reserving high-frequency ( 30 kHz responded selectively or exclusively to the 60- to 30-kHz downward frequency-modulated (FM) sweep used for echolocation. Within the low-frequency region, neurons were placed in two groups that occurred in two separate clusters: those selective for low- or high-frequency band-pass noise and suppressed by broadband noise, and neurons that showed no preference for band-pass noise over broadband noise. Neurons were organized in homogeneous clusters with respect to their binaural response properties. The distribution of binaural properties differed in the noise- and FM sweep-preferring regions, suggesting task-dependent differences in binaural processing. The low-frequency region was dominated by a large cluster of binaurally inhibited neurons with a smaller cluster of neurons with mixed binaural interactions. The FM sweep-selective region was dominated by neurons with mixed binaural interactions or monaural neurons. Finally, this report describes a cortical substrate for systematic representation of a spatial cue, IIDs, in the low-frequency region. This substrate may underlie a population code for sound localization based on a systematic shift in the distribution of activity across the cortex with sound source location.
Cohomology Vanishing and Tautness

The Bochner technique is based on the Weitzenbock formula for the Laplacian applied to forms. In particular the cohomology vanishing theorems are based on the positivity of certain curvature expressions. The Weitzenbock formula for the transversal Laplacian Δ B has, aside from the usual terms, correction terms involving the mean curvature, which interfere with the usual arguments leading to vanishing theorems.
The psychobiology of stress, depression, adjustment disorders and resilience.

AbstractObjectives: This paper focuses on the psychobiology of stress, depression, adjustment disorders (ADs), and resilience. Since the ADs fall under the rubric in DSM-5 of Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders, essentials of the psychobiology of stress-response syndromes will be reviewed.Methods: A narrative review of the psychobiology of stress-response syndromes is undertaken, and the implications for our understanding of ADs are discussed.Results: Advances in our understanding of the psychobiology of stress-response syndromes provide an important foundation for understanding ADs, and for conceptualizing their diagnosis, as well as issues of resilience.Conclusions: Future investigations of the psychobiology of trauma- and stressor-related disorders may shed additional light on ADs, and ultimately improve their treatment.
Gomco Versus Mogen? No Effect on Circumcision Revision Rates.

OBJECTIVES: Elective newborn circumcision, one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, is often performed with either the Gomco clamp or the Mogen clamp. Our aims were to determine differential circumcision revision and complication rates due to surgical technique and differences in outcomes when residents versus attending physicians performed the procedure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of newborns who underwent elective circumcision at our children’s hospital from January 2013 to June 2017 using Current Procedural Terminology codes for newborn circumcision and repair of an incomplete circumcision. We excluded patients who were initially circumcised by a physician other than a pediatrician and procedures that were performed after 31 days of age. The primary outcome was the rate of circumcision revisions. The secondary outcome was the incidence of minor and major complications. We used independent sample t tests, analysis of variance, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression models in the analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 979 Gomco and 718 Mogen procedures. Both groups had similar complication (26 of 1697 or 1.53%) and revision rates (8 of 1697 or 0.47%). Attending physicians and residents had similar revision rates overall, but residents using the Gomco clamp had a higher rate of revision (2 of 249 or 0.80%) than attending physicians (2 of 730 or 0.27%; P = .003). Older age at primary procedure was significantly associated with revision ( P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Elective newborn circumcision is associated with similar complication and revision rates after the use of either Gomco or Mogen clamps. There were no differences in outcomes when the procedure was performed by pediatric residents or attending pediatricians.
Work-Based Learning in the United States: Preparing Secondary-Level Students for Post-Secondary Success

This chapter contributes research on recent progress in selected countries across the globe in educational programs designed to better prepare students for the workforce through the use of work-related learning.
Test method for evaluating the effects of chemicals on starling reproduction

A test method is proposed whereby effects of chemicals on reproduction of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are monitored in outdoor pen facilities throughout a breeding season. The method involves the use of replications of ten pairs of breeding starlings held in 3 by 3 by 7-m enclosures constructed of plywood and 1.27-cm (0.5-in.) mesh chicken wire. Each enclosure is equipped with ten modified nest box traps that allow observations of nest building, egg laying, incubation, and nestling production. Although initial studies were limited to determining egg fertility after 5 to 7 days of natural incubation, production of starling nestlings or fledglings also should be easy to monitor with only minor modifications in the test method.
Nutritional impacts on fish mucosa: dietary considerations

The gastrointestinal system of fish is challenged with simultaneously carrying out functions related to nutrient acquisition while protecting the host from pathogenic insults. Substantial research has been dedicated to the study of new diets or dietary additives that can maximize fish performance while preserving the mucosal health of the gut. The present chapter covers the impacts of different dietary elements such as lipids, plant derivatives, and antinutritional factors on gut form and function.
Harvesting from Ambient Energy: Designing Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Buildings

Electricity consumption in the commercial sector is forecasted to increase by 0.5% on an annual bases between 2017 to 2050. This is despite best design practices and adoption of more energy efficient resources for buildings. This increase is prevalent in miscellaneous electrical loads that studies have shown if their usage is tracked and conveyed to the occupant will result in up 34% consumption reduction. Diverse tools and research methodologies are being developed to track their location. This paper addresses one such method to identify the location of energy at the point of use using energy harvesting. The paper proposes a design process for magnetic flux harvesting around current carrying conductors of the electrical system in buildings for the purpose of powering sensors and/or for use as a triggering signal for energy consumption location in the built environment. Building on the electromagnetic induction theory, a relationship is developed between the size of the harvesting device and the total energy output. A prototype energy harvesting device based on the proposed data is built and tested through laboratory experiments.
van der Waals metasurfaces based on hyperbolic-medium antennas

Optical antennas made out of van der Waals material with naturally occurring hyperbolic dispersion is a promising alternative to plasmonic and high-refractive-index dielectric structures in the practical realization of nanoscale photonic elements and optical components. Here we show that antenna made out of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) possesses different resonances enabled by the supporting high-k modes and their reflection from the antenna boundaries. Multipole resonances cause the decrease in the reflection from antenna array to zero, which can be ascribed to resonant Kerker effect satisfying generalized zero back-scattering condition for particles in the array. Reflection and transmission through the van der Waals heterostructure with hBN antennas array can be tailored and actively switched by tuning optical properties of two-dimensional materials. Transdimensional photonic lattices consisting of resonant hBN antennas in the engineered periodic arrays have great potential to serve as functional elements in ultra-thin optical components and photonic devices.
Obesity prediction by modelling BMI distributions: application to national survey data from Mexico, Colombia and Peru, 1988-2014.

Background The prediction of future obesity patterns is crucial for effective strategic planning. However, disproportionally changing body mass index (BMI) distributions pose particular challenges. Flexible modelling of the shape of BMI distributions may improve prediction performance. Methods We used data from repeated national health surveys conducted in Mexico, Colombia and Peru at four or five time points between 1988 and 2014. Data from all surveys except the last survey were used to construct prediction models for three obesity indicators (median BMI, overweight/obesity prevalence and obesity prevalence) for the time of the last survey. We assessed their performance using predicted curves, absolute prediction errors and comparison of actual and predicted distributions. With one method, we modelled the shape of BMI distributions assuming BMI follows a Box-Cox Power Exponential (BCPE) distribution, whose parameters were modelled as a function of interval or nominal 5-year age groups, time and their interaction terms. In a second method, we modelled each of the obesity indicators directly as a function of the same covariates using quantile and logistic regression. Results The BCPE model with interval age groups yielded the best prediction performance in predicting obesity prevalence. Average absolute prediction errors across all age groups were 4.3 percentage points (95% percentile interval: 1.9, 7.5), 2.5 (1.2, 6.1) and 1.7 (1.0, 9.3), with data from Mexico, Colombia and Peru, respectively. This superiority was weak or none for overweight/obesity prevalence and median BMI. Conclusion The BCPE model performed better for prediction of the extremes of BMI distribution, possibly by incorporating its shape more precisely.
Clocking in: a circadian model of synaptic plasticity

Sleep and circadian rhythms influence synaptic plasticity and behavior dependent upon synaptic plasticity. Precisely how brain states and biological clocks work together to encode, refine, and recombine synaptic circuitry is unknown. I discuss a working model of how brain states and biological clocks work together to produce adaptive changes in brain circuitry. According to the State-Clock Model (SCM), biological clocks produce cyclic changes in the brain that facilitate an initial encoding of experience during the active (waking) phase and the consolidation of experience during the inactive (sleep) phase. The SCM further allows for the division of cellular resources to waking processes and sleep processes so that each are optimally performed. The SCM is contrasted with current theories of sleep function and future tests of the model are discussed.
The Structure of the Mini-K and K-SF-42 : A Psychological Network Approach.

Life history theory is a fruitful source of testable hypotheses about human individual differences. However, this field of study is beset by unresolved debates about basic concepts and methods. One of these controversies concerns the usefulness of instruments that purport to tap a unidimensional life history (LH) factor based on a set of self-reported personality, social, and attitudinal variables. Here, we take a novel approach to analyzing the psychometrics of two variants of the Arizona Life History Battery: the Mini-K and the K-SF-42. Psychological network analysis generates models in which psychological variables (thoughts, feelings, or behaviors) comprise the nodes of a network, while partial correlation coefficients between these variables comprise the edges of the network. Centrality indices (strength, closeness, and betweenness) operationalize each node’s importance based on the pattern of the connections in which that node plays a role. Because childhood environments are hypothesized to influence adult LH, we tested the hypothesis that among the Mini-K items, and the K-SF-42 scales, those that tap relationships with parents are central to the networks (pairwise Markov random fields) constructed from these instruments. In an MTurk sample and an undergraduate sample that completed the Mini-K, and an MTurk sample that completed the K-SF-42, this hypothesis was falsified. Indeed, the “relationships with parents” items were among the most peripheral in all three networks. We propose that network analysis, as an alternative to latent variable modeling, offers considerable potential to test hypotheses about the input-output mappings of specific evolved psychological mechanisms.