cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General Threshold for Sediment Transport Induced by Mounds

ABSTRACT Predicting the generation of ripples downstream of bluff obstacles, such as sediment mounds, is critical to estimating current speed from bedforms and predicting interfacial exchanges of solutes and fine particles. Herein, observations from previous studies of sediment transport downstream of bed roughness on flat sand beds are condensed into a single threshold for the generation of ripples. This threshold is based on two dimensionless numbers: one describing the impact of the roughness on near-bed turbulence and another comparing the bed shear stress to the threshold for sediment motion. Results from additional flume experiments confirmed this threshold for sediment mounds of both fine and coarse sands. Measurements of the velocity field near sediment mounds revealed changes in the vortices shed from bed roughness depending on the flow and roughness scales. When vortices begin to coalesce, the magnitude of velocity fluctuations downstream of the mound increases. Even though mean conditions are below Shields' threshold, sediment is transported when the local bed shear stress due to vortex shedding exceeds the critical shear stress for initiation of sediment motion. Including the critical shear stress in the threshold for ripple generation makes it applicable to more complex boundaries, such as biologically bound and heterogeneous sediments. The threshold for ripple generation, and the mechanisms behind it, describe a potentially important sediment transport process.
Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) From Tree Squirrels (Sciurus niger) (Rodentia: Sciuridae) and Analysis of the ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S rDNA

During the winter of 2004, 48 fecal samples were collected from live-trapped fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) from central Wyoming (Natrona County) and examined for species of Eimeria. Two species, Eimeria lancasterensis (prevalence, 65%) and Eimeria ontarioensis (prevalence, 27%), were identified. Genomic DNA sequences ITS1 and ITS2 were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Additional sequences from E. lancasterensis isolated from a Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) collected on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, were also identified. Comparison of pairwise distances suggests that E. lancasterensis from Wyoming and Virginia are conspecific. Maximum Parsimony tree construction identified 2 lineages, one E. ontarioensis and one E. lancasterensis; and both lineages had a strong bootstrap support (100%). The Maximum Parsimony analysis was unable to resolve the Wyoming and Virginia strains.
Statistical aspects of the evaluation of lot-sizing techniques by the use of simulation

Abstract An exploratory study was undertaken in order to determine appropriate procedures for statistically analysing output from a stochastic simulation experiment. Single level lot-sizing was studied in an environment with a fixed planning horizon, zero lead time, no forecast errors, and no initial inventories. Of special interest was the specification of factors such as length of the horizon, average time between orders, coefficient of variation related to demand, and number of observations. To achieve increased accuracy, three variance reduction techniques were investigated.
Planar GaAs Schottky diodes integrated with quartz substrate circuitry for waveguide subharmonic mixers at 215 GHz

A novel fabrication procedure is described which integrates a GaAs active device with passive quartz microstrip circuitry to form a hybrid-substrate millimeter-wave integrated circuit structure. The procedure is used to form antiparallel-pair Schottky-barrier diodes and integrated subharmonic mixer filter circuitry at 215 GHz. A single sideband noise temperature of 2350 K and conversion loss of 10 dB has been achieved with this configuration, which is only slightly higher than the best results obtained from either whisker contacted diodes or discrete planar diode structures. Reduction of the device parasitic capacitance to levels consistent with state-of-the-art discrete planar diodes, by slight modification of the current fabrication process, is expected to bring the noise and conversion loss down by at least 2 dB, consistent with the best reported subharmonic mixers at this frequency. >
The illusion of one hundred percent uptime

In demanding academic environments students expect 100% uptime. It is rarely the case when dealing with school technology including Macs, PCs, printers, servers, complex networks and numerous peripherals that everything will be working correctly. Given our customers desired reliability how do we meet their expectations? We make use of a variety of software packages to identify potential problems before they impact students. These software packages focus on security state, application status, network connectivity and usage patterns. Through a combination of hot-swappable hardware, checklists, scheduled inspections and results from our monitoring software our dedicated staff is able to minimize perceived system downtime. Our student support and student experience staff gather regular feedback from the student body. This feedback coupled with our monitoring software and a student satisfaction survey is able to gauge our results. It is not possible to provide 100% uptime but by our constant monitoring and quick response we are able to give that illusion. To achieve this it is important to define your institutional goals and make sure you have the infrastructure in place which meets your unique needs.
Abstract P3-06-01: Association between metformin use and improved survival in breast cancer patients: A population-based study

Background : Long-term use of AMP-kinase agonist Metformin, the first-line oral hypoglycemic agent, has recently been shown to be associated with both a decreased incidence of and improved survival following diagnosis of breast and other solid tumors. However, the sample size of most reported studies has been limited and has not been able to clearly delineate if there are molecular subtype-dependent effects. Method: We implemented a population-based, retrospective case-control analysis of the effect of metformin on breast cancer outcomes. We comprehensively searched the electronic medical records of all female patients who were cared for within the University of Pennsylvania Health System between the years 1997 and 2013. To ensure the accuracy of patient selection, we focused our preliminary analysis on only patients (n = 20,684) who received an ICD9 code for breast cancer (BC) on at least 2 separate in-person visits. We assessed the use of metformin by identifying those patients who have at least a record of a metformin prescription both before the first breast cancer diagnosis ICD9 code and after the first breast cancer diagnosis visit. Overall survival was determined by assessing a combination of electronic medical record of patient expiration and the SSN Death Certificate Index. Statistical tests, including chi-sq and cox-hazard modeling were implemented in R , Graphpad Prism or EXCEL . Results : In the preliminary analysis, we identified a total of 29,251 female patients either diagnosed or reported a history of BC within the UPHS EMRs. Stratifying by per patient visits, we limited the subsequent analysis to the 20,684 BC patients with at least 2 in-person visits where BC was recorded as a diagnosis code. Of these, there were 534 patients who had a record of metformin prescription prior to and after the first BC diagnosis code and 20,150 BC patients who did not. We found that with a mean follow up of (6.40 years), there were a total of 8 deaths (1.28%) in metformin users and 526 deaths (2.62%) among the no metformin users. Using a two-tailed chi-sq test, we found that metformin use was significantly associated with improved overall survival rates (98.50 vs 96.94%, p<0.05). We are currently assessing the role of age, ethnicity, the presence of diabetes, health metrics related to insulin resistance, and the use of other metabolic regulators (insulin, sulfonylurea) using a cox-hazard proportional risk model. Conclusion : Our preliminary analyses suggest that metformin use before and following diagnosis may be protective against overall mortality among women diagnosed with breast cancer. A more refined Cox proportional hazard modelling is ongoing, which will shed light on how factors such as the use of other metabolic agents, age, and breast cancer subtype may interact with metformin's effect on overall and disease-free BC survival. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-06-01.
Performance evaluation of ephemeral logging

Ephemeral logging (EL) is a new technique for managing a log of database activity on disk. It does not require periodic checkpoints and does not abort lengthy transactions as frequently as traditional firewall logging for the same amount of disk space. Therefore, it is well suited for highly concurrent databases and applications which have a wide distribution of transaction lifetimes.This paper briefly explains EL and then analyzes its performance. Simulation studies indicate that it can offer significant savings in disk space, at the expense of slightly higher bandwidth for logging and more main memory. The reduced size of the log implies much faster recovery after a crash as well as cost savings.EL is the method of choice in some but not all situations. We assess the limitations of our current knowledge about EL and suggest promising directions for further research.
Developmental State and Economic Development: Prospects for Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper will argue that the demonization of sub-Saharan African state proposed and enacted by neoliberal institutions during and since the era of structural adjustment has no historical foundations. In making this argument, the history of development thinking prior to and after World War II will be analyzed to show that the state was and continues to be instrumental in economic development. Finally, drawing on the contributions of heterodox development economists, prospects for re-integrating the sub-Saharan African state to bolster economic development will be assessed by drawing on the development experiences of East Asia’s high performing economies.
Effect of approach side during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion on the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Object This retrospective study was designed to determine whether side of approach during instrumented, one- or two-level primary anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) affects the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury diagnosed by observation of the vocal cords (OVC). Methods Records of all patients who underwent one- or two-level instrumented primary ACDF (418 patients) between January 1995 and February 2004 were reviewed. Data collected from these charts included surgeon, patient demographics, preoperative diagnosis, side of exposure, number of vertebral levels fused, and presence of RLN injury diagnosed by OVC after referral for persistent dysphonia. Time from surgery to OVC for patients with right-sided exposures was not statistically different from that for patients with left-sided exposures. Of 418 patients, 278 (66.5%) had right-sided exposures and 140 (33.5%) had left-sided exposures. Eight RLN injuries (1.9%) were noted—five in patients with right-sided exposures (1.8%) and...
Role of peptide-peptide interactions in stabilizing peptide-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes: A molecular dynamics study

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique properties and are projected to have a major impact in nanoscale electronics, materials science, and nanomedicine. Yet, these potential applications are hindered by the need for sample purification to separate SWNTs from each other and from metallic catalyst and amorphous carbon present in as-synthesized samples. Common purification strategies involve dispersing SWNTs as individual tubes in aqueous solution. Towards this end, a designed helical peptide was shown to be excellent at dispersing SWNTs. However, the molecular details of the peptide-SWNT and peptide-peptide interactions await elucidation. Here we explore these molecular interactions using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of peptide-wrapped SWNTs. We characterize the interactions by measuring the aromatic residue-to-SWNT surface distance, the peptide amphiphilicity, the peptide-SWNT crossing angle, the peptide-SWNT contact area, the peptide helix axis-to-axis distance, and the inter-peptide hydrogen bonding. We find that the peptides collectively tilt with respect to the SWNT long axis, are α-helical, and form interpeptide hydrogen bonds through their lysine and glutamate residues, which helps to stabilize the multipeptide/SWNT complex. All hydrophobic residues interact with the SWNT and are sequestered from water. The picture that emerges from this study gives insight into subsequent peptide design. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 92: 156–163, 2009. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Complexity science and human geography

Complexity science has attracted considerable attention in a number of disciplines. However, this perspective on scientific understanding remains ill defined. In this paper, ideas and approaches from complexity science are reviewed. It appears that complexity science fundamentally is driven by ontological decisions on the part of the investigator. This is a result of the epistemological approach fundamental to complexity as it is currently studied, which is based on the construction of computer simulation models of reality. This methodology requires that researchers decide what exists and is important enough to represent in a simulation, and also what to leave out. Although this points to serious difficulties with complexity science, it is argued that the approach nevertheless has much to offer human geography. Drawing on complexity science, renewed engagements between physical and human geography, and between both and geographical information science seem possible, based on clearly shared concerns with the representation of geographical phenomena. In conclusion, it is suggested that seeing models as a source of geographical narratives may be a useful way to promote constructive engagement between different perspectives in the discipline.
Human class I major histocompatibility complex transgene prevents virus‐induced demyelination in susceptible mutant B 10.d2dml mice

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces immune-mediated demyelination in susceptible strains of mice, providing an excellent model for multiple sclerosis. Class I genes within the major histocompatibility complex locus (H-2D region) play a major role in determining whether strains of mice develop chronic demyelination and TMEV persistence. B10.D2dml mice with deletion in the 3' end of Dd and the 5' end of Ld genes develop the most prominent demyelination in comparison with resistant B10.D2 mice with normal complementation of H-2D region genes. We tested whether expression of a class I human transgene (HLA-B27) would modulate virus-induced demyelination in mutant B10.D2dml mice. Transgenic B10.D2dml (HLA-B27+) mice infected with virus showed dramatic decrease in the extent of demyelination (p < 0.0001) and virus antigen expression in spinal cord compared with littermate controls without the human class I transgene. These experiments demonstrate that transgenic expression of a human class I major histocompatibility complex locus molecule can prevent demyelination induced by a virus in mutant mice.
Efficacy and safety of a new fully covered self-expandable non-foreshortening metal esophageal stent.

Background Fully covered esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are potentially removable but can be associated with high migration rates. For precise positioning, non-foreshortening SEMSs are preferred. Recently, a new fully covered non-foreshortening SEMS with anti-migration features was introduced. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new esophageal SEMS. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single, tertiary-care center. Patients Consecutive patients with malignant and benign strictures with dysphagia grade of ≥3 and patients with fistulas/leaks were studied. Interventions Stent placement and removal. Main Outcome Measurements Technical success in stent deployment/removal, efficacy in relieving dysphagia and sealing fistulas/leaks, and adverse events. Results Forty-three stents were placed in 35 patients (mean [± standard deviation] age 65 ± 11 years; 31 male), 24 for malignant and 11 for benign (5 strictures, 6 leaks) indications. Technical success in precise SEMS placement was 100%. The after-stent dysphagia grade improved significantly (at 1 week: 1.5 ± 0.7; at 4 weeks: 1.2 ± 0.4; baseline: 3.8 ± 0.4; P Limitations Nonrandomized, single-center study. Conclusion The new esophageal SEMS was effective in relieving malignant dysphagia, allowed for precise placement, and was easily removable. It was effective in treating benign esophageal fistulas and leaks. Stent-related adverse events were acceptable.
Automatic unification of three-dimensional cardiac perfusion with three-dimensional coronary artery anatomy

A method for automatic unification of three-dimensional models of the coronary artery tree from biplane angiograms and three-dimensional models of the left ventricular epicardial surface from perfusion SPECT is introduced. The efficacy of the technique is evaluated using six swine models. The results are shown to be satisfactory in all cases.
THE WELFARE EFFECTS OF TEMPORARY TAX CUTS AND SUBSIDIES: THEORY, ESTIMATION, AND APPLICATIONS

This article presents a tractable and intuitive theory on the welfare effects of temporary tax cuts and subsidies, fiscal policies that I generically term “holidays.” The Kaldor–Hicks efficiency effects are theoretically ambiguous, with competing pro- and anti-efficiency effects on newly incentivized versus time-shifted purchases. To rectify this ambiguity I derive expressions for the welfare effects that are consistent with constant elasticity assumptions and depend only upon readily and reliably observed information. To demonstrate the framework's broad applicability, I analyze two different policies: the 2009 Cash for Clunkers program and states' sales tax holidays. I estimate that both policies generated substantial deadweight loss. (JEL H21, H30, D91)
High‐yields and extended serum half‐life of human interferon α2b expressed in tobacco cells as arabinogalactan‐protein fusions

Therapeutic proteins like human interferon a2 generally possess short serum half-lives due to their small size, hence rapid renal clearance, and susceptibility to serum proteases. Chemical derivatization, such as addi- tion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) groups overcomes both problems, but at the expense of greatly decreased bioactivity. We describe a new method that yields biologically potent interferon a2b (IFNa2) in high yields and with increased serum half-life when expressed as arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) chimeras in cultured tobacco cells. Thus IFNa2- AGPs targeted for secretion typically gave 350-1400-fold greater secreted yields than the non-glycosylated IFNa2 control. The purified AGP domain itself was not immuno- genic when injected into mice and only mildly so when injected as a fusion glycoprotein. Importantly, the AGP- IFNa2 chimeras showed up to a 13-fold increased in vivo serum half-life while the biological activity remained similar to native IFNa2. The use of arabinogalactan glycomodules may provide a general approach to the enhanced production of therapeutic proteins by plants. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 997-1008. 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adiabatic creation of stable molecular codensate by a single radiation field and a feshbach resonance

We show that an optical field of adiabatically modulated amplitude and frequency together with a Feshbach resonance can convert virtually all the atoms into ground molecules in a three-level atom-molecule system involving free-quasibound-bound transitions
System Analysis of Nuclear-Assisted Syngas Production From Coal

A system analysis has been performed to assess the efficiency and carbon utilization of a nuclear-assisted coal gasification process. The nuclear reactor is a high-temperature helium-cooled reactor that is used primarily to provide power for hydrogen production via high-temperature electrolysis. The supplemental hydrogen is mixed with the outlet stream from an oxygen-blown coal gasifier to produce a hydrogen-rich gas mixture, allowing most of the carbon dioxide to be converted into carbon monoxide, with enough excess hydrogen to produce a syngas product stream with a hydrogen/carbon monoxide molar ratio of about 2:1. Oxygen for the gasifier is also provided by the high-temperature electrolysis process. Results of the analysis predict 90.5% carbon utilization with a syngas production efficiency (defined as the ratio of the heating value of the produced syngas to the sum of the heating value of the coal plus the high-temperature reactor heat input) of 66.1% at a gasifier temperature of 1866 K for the high-moisture-content lignite coal considered. Usage of lower moisture coals such as bituminous can yield carbon utilization approaching 100% and 70% syngas production efficiency.
Cell Surface Binding, Intracellular cAMP Elevation and Membrane Associated G-Protein Activation by (R,R)- and (S,S)-Formoterols in Androgen Independent Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line, PC3

The commercially available long acting anti-asthmatic drug, formoterol exists as a racemate of four enantiomers ((R,R)-, (R,S)-, (S,R)- and (S,S)-. The study describes several comparisons between two completely different enantiomers, (R,R)- and (S,S)- based on their # 1) cell surface binding, # 2) cAMP elevation ability, # 3) G-protein activation and # 4) inhibition of DNA synthesis in PC3 cells. The presence of high affinity β 2 -adrenergic receptor (K d ∼ 30 pmol/L) was confirmed by competition binding of 125 I-cyanopindolol with increasing concentration of (R,R)-formoterol using both intact PC3 cells and isolated plasma membrane. Replacing (R,R)- by (S,S)- yielded no significant binding interaction proving its ineffectiveness toward the β 2 -adreno-receptor. While both were capable of eliciting prolonged cAMP generating activity in intact PC3 cells, the EC 50 values (R,R- = 10.5 pM, R,S- = 11.0 pM and S,S = 1000 pM) varied nearly 100 fold in favor of (R,R)- and (R,S)-. Propanolol effectively inhibited cAMP elevation in intact cells in both the cases as also agonist stimulated incorporation of [γ 32 P]- GTP-AA (Guanosine triphosphate azidoanilide) by (R,R)- in isolated PC3 membrane, but failed in both events in the presence of (S,S)- enantiomer although incorporation of [γ 32 P]-GTP-AA is specific for both the enantiomers. The unique discriminatory behavior is further observed in presence of muscarinic agonist, carbachol, which potentiated cAMP generation by (R,R)- nearly 2-3 fold, but was unable to do so in the presence of (S,S)-. These facts confirmatively indicate that cAMP elevation by (S,S)- in PC3 cells occurs entirely via a different pathway than its (R,R)- counterpart. Interestingly, both enantiomers can effectively lower the DNA synthesis, showing superior efficacy of (R,R)-.
Musculoskeletal Effects of 2 Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Paradigms Conducted at Different Cadences for People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Abstract Objective To compare the musculoskeletal effects of low cadence cycling with functional electrical stimulation (FES) with high cadence FES cycling for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Randomized pre-post design. Setting Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Participants Participants (N=17; 14 men, 3 women; age range, 22–67y) with C4-T6 motor complete chronic SCI were randomized to low cadence cycling (n=9) or high cadence cycling (n=8). Interventions Low cadence cycling at 20 revolutions per minute (RPM) and high cadence cycling at 50 RPM 3 times per week for 6 months. Cycling torque (resistance per pedal rotation) increased if targeted cycling cadence was maintained. Main Outcome Measures Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess distal femur areal bone mineral density, magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess to assess trabecular bone microarchitecture and cortical bone macroarchitecture and thigh muscle volume, and biochemical markers were used to assess bone turnover. It was hypothesized that subjects using low cadence cycling would cycle with greater torque and therefore show greater musculoskeletal improvements than subjects using high cadence cycling. Results A total of 15 participants completed the study. Low cadence cycling obtained a maximal average torque of 2.9±2.8Nm, and high cadence cycling obtained a maximal average torque of 0.8±0.2Nm. Low cadence cycling showed greater decreases in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, indicating less bone formation (15.5% decrease for low cadence cycling, 10.7% increase for high cadence cycling). N-telopeptide decreased 34% following low cadence cycling, indicating decreased resorption. Both groups increased muscle volume (low cadence cycling by 19%, high cadence cycling by 10%). Low cadence cycling resulted in a nonsignificant 7% increase in apparent trabecular number ( P =.08) and 6% decrease in apparent trabecular separation ( P =.08) in the distal femur, whereas high cadence cycling resulted in a nonsignificant ( P >.3) 2% decrease and 3% increase, respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that the greater torque achieved with low cadence cycling may result in improved bone health because of decreased bone turnover and improved trabecular bone microarchitecture. Longer-term outcome studies are warranted to identify the effect on fracture risk.
Reliability Assessment of Temporary Structures Using Past Performance Information

Temporary structures are structural systems set up for applications in relatively short time periods for such functions as maintenance, repair or retrofit of a structure or for staged performances. This paper provides an overview of risk analysis models for temporary structures. In an attempt to provide a decision-making strategy for repeated usage of a given temporary structure, the performance record of a structure is used in predicting its future condition in the form of a probability of failure. This probability of failure is demonstrated as being a key factor in the decision-making process. To quantify the model, the special case of tube and coupler scaffolds is investigated. Considering stability requirement for a scaffold, gross capacity values are obtained for several configuration types. These capacity values are also important in computing the probability of failure of the systems and decision making in whether to allow the use of a system to continue.
Abdominal vagotomy decreases the satiating potency of CCK-8 in sham and real feeding

To compare the effect of total abdominal vagotomy on the satiating potency of cholecystokinin COOH-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8) in sham feeding and real feeding, we administered CCK-8 intraperitoneally (2, 4, and 8 micrograms/kg) 1 min before a sham feeding or real feeding intake test. CCK-8 was at least as potent for inhibiting intake during sham feeding as it was during real feeding. Total abdominal vagotomy decreased the satiating potency of all three doses of CCK-8 equally in both feeding conditions. These results are consistent with the proposal that abdominal vagal afferent fibers are as necessary for the mediation of the satiating effect of CCK-8 in sham feeding as they are in real feeding.
Using the Transmembrane Cation Gradients: Transporters and Channels

The Na+/K+ pump is a standard component of cells in higher animals, and there it consumes an estimated 10 to 60% of a cell’s energy production.1 This fraction is so huge that scientists as different as Conway and Ling considered pumps implausible on this basis alone. Such judgments assumed that pumps primarily offset wasteful leakiness. An alternative interpretation emerged from studies cited here: cation gradients are stores of potential energy and are built and maintained to power other cellular functions, notably transport and signalling.
Imaging Factors That Influence Surgical Margins After Preoperative 125I Radioactive Seed Localization of Breast Lesions: Comparison With Wire Localization

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to compare the potential influence of imaging variables on surgical margins after preoperative radioactive seed localization (RSL) and wire localization (WL) techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 565 women with 660 breast lesions underwent RSL or WL between May 16, 2012, and May 30, 2013. Patient age, lesion type (mass, calcifications, mass with associated calcifications, other), lesion size, number of seeds or wires used, surgical margin status (close positive or negative margins), and reexcision and mastectomy rates were recorded. RESULTS. Of 660 lesions, 127 (19%) underwent RSL and 533 (81%) underwent WL preoperatively. Mean lesion size was 1.8 cm in the RSL group and 1.8 cm in the WL group (p = 0.35). No difference in lesion type was identified in the RSL and WL groups (p = 0.63). RSL with a single seed was used in 105 of 127 (83%) RSLs compared with WL with a single wire in 349 of 533 (65%) WLs (p = 0.0003). The number of cases with a close positive ...
Abstract TMP58: Post Stroke Activation of Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptors Shows Sustained Neuroprotective Effects in Aged Rats

Background: The renin angiotensin system is a promising target for stroke neuroprotection and therapy through activation of angiotensin type II receptors (AT2Rs). Compound 21 (C21), a selective non-peptide AT2R agonist, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotection and improve stroke outcomes in preclinical studies. Stimulation of AT2Rs is believed to counteract the negative effects of angiotensin type 1 receptor and provide distinctive beneficial anti-inflammatory and neurotropic effects. We hypothesized that C21 given after stroke through peripheral injections would have sustained neuroprotective effects in aged rats. Methods: Aged adult male SD rats (18-20 months) underwent ischemic stroke by monofilament middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and were randomly divided into two groups that received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either 0.9% NaCl or 0.03mg/kg C21 at reperfusion (90 min), 24h, and 48h after stroke. All animals received blinded neurological exams at 4h, 24h, 72h, 7d, 14d, and 21d post-stroke. Infarct size was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at 21 days. Results: Post-stroke treatment with C21 significantly improved neurological function, as evidenced by neurological testing using Rotarod and somatosensory dysfunction exams. At 7d and 14d after stroke, C21-treated rats had significantly increased Rotarod times versus saline-treated rats, and at 21d, the somatosensory function was significantly improved as measured by time to removal of paw adhesive. Infarct volume tended to be non-significantly decreased by C21 treatment at 21d post-stroke. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that targeting the renin-angiotensin system, specifically by stimulation of AT2Rs with C21, improves neurological function in aged rats with stroke over a sustained period of 21 days. These findings encourage further research into the renin-angiotensin system and specifically AT2Rs, and offers hope for effective alternatives for treating stroke.
My Attitudes Toward Science (MATS): the development of a multidimensional instrument measuring students’ science attitudes

The number of students in the United States choosing science, technology, engineering or mathematics careers is declining at a time when demand for these occupations is rapidly increasing. Numerous efforts have been undertaken to reverse this trend, yet results are uncertain. One’s attitude is key to many choices one makes, and this includes, for many, what career is pursued. Hence, teachers, informal science educators and researchers often wish to measure children’s attitudes towards science using a pretest and a posttest to determine the effects of a curriculum, an activity or an intervention. However, measuring children’s attitudes toward science has been problematic because of both the limited use of basic psychometrics in checking reliability and validity of instruments and the lack of a single construct of students’ attitudes towards science being surveyed. This article reports the development and testing of an instrument for measuring students’ science attitudes across several dimensions. Thirty-two scientists and teachers from the northeastern and south central United States participated in content validity trials. The instrument was field tested with 549 children (92 elementary-school students, 327 middle-school students and 130 high-school students) from 6 rural and suburban school systems located in the northeastern United States to determine inter-item reliability for each dimension. The resulting instrument, entitled My Attitudes Toward Science (MATS), has 40 items that measure four dimensions: (1) Attitude towards the subject of science; (2) Desire to become a scientist; (3) Value of science to society; and (4) Perception of scientists. The MATS, as a multidimensional instrument, can measure several facets of students’ attitude toward science and is designed to be used across grades levels and to be scored easily.
Modelling Active Control Technologies using LES

and minimal pollutant emission simultaneously over a wide range of operational scenarios. This goal will require new methods that can maximize this performance metric. One approach currently being explored is the use of actively controlled fuel-injectors in order to optimize fuel-air mixing over a wide range of operational conditions. Here, a numerical tool based on Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) is used to model both stable and unstable combustion in premixed and partially-premixed regimes found in typical swirl-stabilized gas-turbine combustor. Two control methods, swirl- and fuel-modulation, are shown to be able to actively suppress thermo-acoustic instabilities. Finally, in order to couple micro-scale actuators within the fuel injectors a new 3D Lattice-Boltzman Equation (LBE) model is developed. Application and validation of the LBE method for various micro-scale jets and synthetic jets is demonstrated. With this development, a methodology that can couple LBE with LES is now operational to finally attempt LES of actively controlled fuel injection in a full-scale gas turbine engine combustor.
Assembly of a Versatile Micro Dispenser Using Off-The-Shelf Components for Applications in Microfluidics

We designed and constructed a drop-on-demand (DOD) droplet dispenser using the piezo inkjet technique that is simple to construct and operate and makes use of readily available components. The droplet dispenser can be easily fitted with cost effective glass nozzles and can be readily tuned to produce consistent drop sizes. The dynamics of the droplet motion are obtained using a calibrated analog video imaging system. We observed very high accelerations for the ejected droplets that corroborate with the applied drive pulse amplitudes. The acceleration measured, near the ejection nozzle, was many times the acceleration of gravity with the largest value of 34g’s. We successfully dispensed glycol water solutions and aqueous suspensions of titanium oxide nanoparticles, with values greater than 10 in the measured pH. For the inkjet droplets deposited on smooth gold/chromium substrates (±3nm surface roughness variation), we observed the well-known coffee ring effect using optical microscopy and nanoparticle morphology using an atomic force microscope.
Caught in the crossfire: the competing influence of outcome and beneficiary cues on perceptions of antipoverty spending

ABSTRACTCertain issues in American politics have become racialized by virtue of elite rhetoric and media coverage. When considering these issues, many Americans find themselves, either consciously or unconsciously, relying on their sentiments toward and stereotypes of implicated groups to form opinions. This project seeks to extend research in this domain by considering the extent to which racialized thinking may be offset, or enhanced, due to the presence of other cues. While citizens typically support successful programs while opposing unsuccessful ones, do these patterns persist when program outcomes and sentiments toward program targets conflict? Results from a lab experiment and two survey experiments suggest that when while policy cues appear to have a strong and consistent impact on opinion, group stereotypes activated by group cues moderate the effect of policy cues.
Modal Truthmakers, Truth Conditions, and Analyses: or, How to Avoid the Humphrey Objection

Truthmakers, truth conditions, and analyses are closely related, but distinct in rather important ways. A failure to properly appreciate their differences has led to some confusion regarding the role that possible worlds ought to play with respect to modality. Those philosophers who initially proposed the existence of possible worlds were understood as providing an analysis of modality. More recently, many have interpreted them as providing modal truthmakers. But, possible worlds are (at best) only suited to serve as truth conditions for modal truths (or so I will argue). My goals are as follows: First, to dispel this confusion by detailing the differences between these three concepts. Second, to apply the lesson learned to the famous Humphrey objection against possible worlds. While this objection, if successful, does undermine Lewisian modal realism, it only partially undermines ersatzism, and leaves available a route by which ersatzers may avoid the objection altogether.
A “Bottle-able” Phosphinidene

Metal stabilization has allowed for the isolation of phosphinidenes (PR) and access to their unique synthetic chemistry, but isolated examples have remained elusive. In this issue of Chem , Bertrand and coworkers demonstrate that this highly reactive fragment is indeed isolable.
Oscillating Bloembergen-Rowland interaction in three-dimensional topological insulators

Magnetic impurities deposited on the surface of a thin film experience oscillating-in-space indirect exchange interaction even if the chemical potential is pinned to a middle gap position in the surface electron spectrum, preventing free electrons and holes to exist in the ground state. Oscillating interaction mediated by massive Dirac fermions is a signature of the topologically nontrivial state.
Women who stay behind: pedagogies of survival in rural transmigrant Mexico

The tales of Mexican citizens’ transmigration to the United States mainly focus on the experiences of men who seek work to provide for their families. A missing link within these stories are how th...
How Important is Data Curation? Gaps and Opportunities for Academic Libraries

INTRODUCTION Data curation may be an emerging service for academic libraries, but researchers actively “curate” their data in a number of ways—even if terminology may not always align. Building on past userneeds assessments performed via survey and focus groups, the authors sought direct input from researchers on the importance and utilization of specific data curation activities. METHODS Between October 21, 2016, and November 18, 2016, the study team held focus groups with 91 participants at six different academic institutions to determine which data curation activities were most important to researchers, which activities were currently underway for their data, and how satisfied they were with the results. RESULTS Researchers are actively engaged in a variety of data curation activities, and while they considered most data curation activities to be highly important, a majority of the sample reported dissatisfaction with the current state of data curation at their institution. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate specific gaps and opportunities for academic libraries to focus their data curation services to more effectively meet researcher needs. CONCLUSION Research libraries stand to benefit their users by emphasizing, investing in, and/or heavily promoting the highly valued services that may not currently be in use by many researchers.
Dual antiplatelet therapy post CABG?-perhaps, but… why not a radial artery instead?

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association , Zhao and colleagues report their results from a recently completed randomized trial assessing the efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (1).
The Role of Interrogation in Juvenile Justice

The popular image of the interrogation of a criminal suspect probably derives in large part from television dramas. It begins with a police officer frisking a suspect who is leaning forward against an auto with his arms and legs spread wide, while another officer mechanically reads aloud the Miranda warnings: “You do not have to make a statement and have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You are entitled to consult with an attorney before interrogation and to have an attorney present during the interrogation. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”1
A Volumetric Finite Element Scheme to Investigate the Mechanical Properties of Normal and Osteoporotic Trabecular Bone

The results of this study indicated that changing architecture has a profound effect on the mechanical function of trabecular bone. Local tissue stresses and strains were related to architectural changes, and were of such a magnitude as to produce local microdamage. Future studies will be directed toward examination of damage rule-based adaptation/remodeling of trabecular bone.
The CeNGEN Project: The Complete Gene Expression Map of an Entire Nervous System.

Differential gene expression defines individual neuron types and determines how each contributes to circuit physiology and responds to injury and disease. The C. elegans Neuronal Gene Expression Map & Network (CeNGEN) will establish a comprehensive gene expression atlas of an entire nervous system at single-neuron resolution.
18 Child Health Psychology

The field of child health psychology is broad, multifaceted, and multidisciplinary in nature. Encompassing the well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, it includes an emphasis on health (e.g., absence of disease, health behaviors and prevention), as well as illnesses and injuries (major and minor, chronic and acute), and draws from other specialized areas of psychology, including developmental, clinical, clinical-child, health, social, and family psychology. In collaboration with pediatricians, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, and other health care providers, child health psychologists screen and assess for a variety of issues (e.g., adherence, pain, medical stress and trauma, neurocognitive functioning) and design and implement interventions aimed at reducing distress, promoting adjustment, and maintaining health. Pediatric psychology offers a professional framework consistent with the themes of this child health psychology chapter. In the current summary of child health psychology, we integrate the diverse child health psychology assessment and intervention literature within the parameters of three focused basic assumptions (social ecology as organizing framework, resiliency of patients and families is the norm, and evidence-based assessment and intervention as essential to positive outcomes) and three levels of intervention (universal, selected, indicated/clinical) that are crucial to advancing the health and well-being of children and their families, now and in the future. Keywords: child health psychology; pediatric psychology
Positional vs. sonority-driven stress in Gujarati: New experimental evidence

Stress in Gujarati (Indo-Aryan, India and Pakistan) has been alternately claimed to be strictly positional or sensitive to vowel sonority. The latter analyses figure prominently in arguments for scalar markedness constraints (de Lacy 2002, 2006). This study presents acoustic measures and speaker intuitions to evaluate both the positional and sonority-driven stress hypotheses. The acoustic results support weakly cued positional stress, though speaker intuitions for primary stress placement were inconsistent. This replicates Shih’s (2018) negative findings, and indicates that Gujarati stress should not figure in discussions of sonority-driven stress or associated theoretical proposals.
Biochemical-biophysical basis of shock.

Ultimately, lethal shock states overwhelm the total organism. The most dramatic and most easily measured events in shock occur in the cardiovascular system; these late events in shock constitute failure of the circulation to perfuse the various tissues of the body adequately with blood and its nutrients. Yet, at some earlier stage in the natural history of shock, the key pathophysiological events are adverse interactions between chemicals and susceptible portions of the cell. This constitutes cellular damage—interference with essential biochemical reactions within the cytoplasm.
Measuring changes in institutional diversity: the US context

The level of diversity present in a national higher education system plays an important role in enabling the system to respond to a variety of demands from society. Within the US context, diversity is often hailed as a strength although research has found a consistent decline in institutional diversity for the last 40 years. This article uses data from 1989 to 2014 to compare the level of diversity present across American higher education. The article draws on institutional theory to understand how institutions change in respond to environmental pressures impacting institutional diversity. The findings demonstrate that institutional diversity has continued to decrease and demonstrates how institutional decisions impact overall diversity present in the system. To conclude, the article discusses the causes and potential concerns for national systems that experience decreased institutional diversity. An improved understanding of the current state of institutional diversity provides useful measures for evaluating national higher education systems and raises critical questions for the mission and activities of higher education institutions themselves.
Outcome measures in cleft lip and palate: An Indian perspective

Outcome measurement is the definitive way to prove or disprove the usefulness of a procedure and its impact on a disease process. Cleft lip and palate is a disease with many facets and involvement of many subspecialties in its treatment. It is therefore necessary to have a comprehensive approach towards outcome measures for satisfactory treatment endpoint. Patient opinion even in case of children is very important and should actually form a very important component of overall outcome measures. Authors' experience in the Indian subcontinent shows that many children have been very happy with results that may be found wanting by some. In some cases that proved a boon for the child to grow in the world facing adversities. Authors' have proposed a simplified standard of points for outcome measures for uniformity of results.
Automated Object Manipulation Using Vision-Based Mobile Robotic System for Construction Applications

AbstractIn the last decade, automated object manipulation for construction applications has received much attention. However, the majority of existing systems are situated in a fixed location. They...