cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Licorice, computer-based analyses of dehydrogenase sequences, and the regulation of steroid and prostaglandin action

Licorice, an ingredient in candy, chewing gum and medicines, has provided an important clue in discovering a novel mechanism that regulates the actions of mineralocorticoids in mammals (Stewart et al., 1987). This insight came as a result of an unexpected and initially unexplainable effect of licorice in causing sodium retention in some humans; that is, licorice acted like the major human mineralocorticoid aldosterone. Identification of the active principle in licorice as glycyrrhetinic acid, which has a structure with some resemblance to steroids (Fig. l), raised the possibility that licorice acted by a mechanism that involved the mineralocorticoid receptor. However, neither glycyrrhetinic acid nor its carbohydrate-containing analog, glycyrrhizic acid, binds steroid receptors with sufficient affinity to make it likely that the mineralocorticoid effect was due to an inherent steroid-like activity (Ulmann et al., 1975; Armanini et al., 1983). Soon thereafter, studies on mineralocorticoid receptors revealed another puzzling finding: both endogenous glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol and corticosterone) and the mineralocorticoid aldosterone had similar affinities for the receptor that regulated sodium and potassium transport in the kidney (Beaumont and Fanestil, 1983; Krozowski
Mismatches in Stiffness Between the Vagina and Transvaginal Mesh Lead to Stress Concentrations Near an Anterior Wall Incision

Trans-vaginal synthetic meshes have been commonly used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Recently however, concerns related to the use of trans-vaginal mesh have arisen due to the high incidence of complications. The FDA received more than 3000 reports of complications related to these procedures between 2008 and 2010. Of the women who undergo this procedure, approximately 30% will require additional surgery within 4 years [1]. The most common complication reported was an erosion of the vaginal wall [2]. We hypothesize that mismatch between the mechanical properties of the vaginal tissue and the synthetic mesh lead to higher stresses in the vaginal tissue and subsequently to a higher risk of mesh erosion.© 2013 ASME
PERSISTENCE OF NEORICKETTSIAE HELMINTHOECA IN AN ENDOPARASITE OF THE PACIFIC SALMON.

Silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) infected with the metacercariae of the "salmon poisoning" fluke (Nanophyetus salmincola) remain infected after they have migrated to sea. Metacercariae remain viable in such salmon for at least 33½ months. These metacercariae are capable of transmitting salmon disease (Neorickettsiae helminthoeca) to susceptible dogs throughout this period.
In vivo monitoring of glutathione and cysteine in rat caudate nucleus using microdialysis on-line with capillary zone electrophoresis-laser induced fluorescence detection

A fully-automated method for monitoring thiols in vivo using microdialysis coupled on-line with capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection was developed. Dialysates were derivatized on-line with monobromobimane and automatically transferred to the separation capillary by a flow-gated interface. Analytes were detected on-column using the 2 mW, 354 nm line of a He-Cd laser for excitation. Dialysis probes were perfused at 79 nl/min resulting in relative recoveries of nearly 100%, which allowed quantitative monitoring. On-line detection limits for these analytes were in the 20-40 nM range and the response was linear up to 20 microM. The system was applied to the measurement of glutathione and cysteine in the extracellular space of the caudate nucleus of anesthetized rats. The measured basal concentrations of glutathione and cysteine were 2.0 +/- 0.1 microM and 2.3 +/- 0.3 microM, respectively which agree well with literature values. Increases in glutathione and cysteine were monitored with 180 s temporal resolution during stimulation by infusion of potassium. The average concentration of glutathione and cysteine during stimulation was 3.0 +/- 0.9 and 3.3 +/- 0.5 microM (n = 3), respectively. This system is the first to obtain high relative recoveries and high temporal resolution simultaneously for multiple thiols with microdialysis sampling in the brain.
Quinones and quinols as inhibitors of lipid peroxidation

The influence of biological quinonoid compounds upon oxidative polymerization of lipids has been compared with that of simple quinones and antioxidants. A new procedure for the accelerated production and measurement of oxidative polymerization was used for this comparison. The biological quinones were found to be relatively ineffective as retarders of oxidative polymerization. Heme-catalyzed lipid peroxidation, as measured by oxygen uptake, was inhibited by ubiquinone and ubiquinol, both having about one fourth of the antioxidant capacity ofa-tocopherol. The peroxidation of mitochondrial lipid in vitro was inhibited by the presence of exogenous ubiquinone indicating that this compound may contribute towards the protection of the organelle in vivo.
Quasi-static solid particle in damage in brittle solids—II. Indentation friction

Abstract Friction between the indenter and the indented material can play an important role in plastic indentation problems, especially in indentation fracture. This paper describes friction observations and measurements which indicate the direction of the frictional forces and their magnitude in the slippage annulus.
Ethical beliefs and personal values of top level executives

Abstract Do business executives sell their souls to the corporation? Is the organization a “paramour” in an executive's life? Is backstabbing the only way to climb the corporate ladder? The basic purpose of this study was to provide answers to these questions by surveying Fortune 500 corporate executives in the marketing, finance, and production areas. The findings are interesting as various executives exhibited different behavior regarding three types of ethical concern.
Effects of Surgical Procedures on the Appearance of Slow α 2 -Globulin

IT has recently been shown that a variety of conditions mostly related to growth or tissue synthesis evoke a protein in the sera of rats which is not demonstrable in the sera of healthy, non-pregnant, adult rats. This material is termed slow α2-globulin (SA2G) since, in paper electrophoresis, it exhibits the mobility typical of α2-globulin, whereas in starch-gel electrophoresis it moves more slowly than both the γ-globulin and a slow α1-globulin1,2. SA2G can be demonstrated during prenatal2–4, postnatal3–6, and neoplastic3–8 growth; during pregnancy3,4,6 and during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy or carbon tetrachloride poisoning9,10. While these conditions all involve considerable tissue synthesis, SA2G also appears in several situations where little or no obvious growth occurs: lactation3,4, tight abdominal bandaging7, after Caesarean section with retention of a single placenta6, and in various ill-denned but possibly infectious disease states6,10.
Effects of Tryptophan Photoproducts in the Circadian Timing System: Searching for a Physiological Role for Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates adverse effects of dioxins, but its physiological role remains ambiguous. The similarity between AhR and canonical circadian clock genes suggests potential involvement of AhR in regulation of circadian timing. Photoproducts of tryptophan (TRP), including 6-formylindolo [3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), have high affinity for AhR and are postulated as endogenous ligands. Although TRP photoproducts activate AhR signaling in vitro, their effects in vivo have not been investigated in mammals. Because TRP photoproducts may act as transducers of light, we examined their effects on the circadian clock. Intraperitoneal injection of TRP photoproducts or FICZ to C57BL/6J mice dose dependently induced AhR downstream targets, cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and cytochrome P4501B1 mRNA expression, in liver. c-fos mRNA, a commonly used marker for light responses, was also induced with FICZ, and all responses were AhR dependent. A rat-immortalized suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) cell line, SCN 2.2, was used to examine the direct effect of TRP photoproducts on the molecular clock. Both TRP photoproducts and FICZ-increased CYP1A1 expression and prolonged FICZ incubation altered the circadian expression of clock genes (Per1, Cry1, and Cry2) in SCN 2.2 cells. Furthermore, FICZ inhibited glutamate-induced phase shifting of the mouse SCN electrical activity rhythm. Circadian light entrainment is critical for adjustment of the endogenous rhythm to environmental light cycle. Our results reveal a potential for TRP photoproducts to modulate light-dependent regulation of circadian rhythm through triggering of AhR signaling. This may lead to further understanding of toxicity of dioxins and the role of AhR in circadian rhythmicity.
Genie Selection, Molecular Biology and Biological Instrumentalism

Il existe un debat scientifique pour savoir si la selection des proprietes genetiques se fait ou non exclusivement au niveau des genes individuels. Tout en etudiant les multiples implications de la biologie moleculaire dans ce conflit, l'A. tente de montrer la difference de nature entre les theories de la biologie et celles de la physique
Pregnancy following discontinuation of a calcium channel blocker in the male partner

The fertility potential of human sperm populations can be assessed by the presence of head-directed mannose ligand receptors (mannose-specific lectin) and the occurrence of spontaneous acrosome reactions after incubation under capacitating conditions in vitro. We have reported previously on the interaction between anti-hypertensive medications and their effects on these parameters of male fertility potential. In this report we document the effects of cessation of calcium ion channel blocker medication on male fertility. Motile spermatozoa from a 30 year old infertile patient on a calcium ion channel blocker as anti-hypertensive treatment had subnormal expression of mannose-specific lectin and did not exhibit spontaneous acrosome reactions. Three months following discontinuation of the medications, complete recovery of both the expression of head-directed mannose ligand receptors and the acrosome reaction was documented, though sperm motility and morphology remained unchanged. The couple had 2 years of infertility and previously failed to conceive through seven cycles of Pergonal/intra-uterine insemination. Conception occurred on the second Pergonal/intra-uterine insemination cycle after the husband discontinued calcium ion channel blocker medication. Calcium ion channel blockers may adversely affect sperm fertilizing potential. Discontinuation of such medications enhances the changes for conception.
A data fusion framework for an integrated plant-wide information system

The adoptions of e-business, e-service, e-management, and e-process in enterprises are accelerating across all the industrial and business sectors around the world. Correspondingly, an integrated plant-wide information system for manufacturers becomes fundamental to their continuous successes when customers are able to place orders of products and/or services via the Internet. But the lack of an effective (data) link between manufacturing and the supply chain, or other office information systems prohibits many of them from deploying an integrated plant-wide information system. This paper presents an approach to the implementation of such an e-DataLink (EDL), which facilitates system integration between manufacturing and office planning. By incorporating the concept of Virtual Production Lines (VPL) into the EDL, the computations of the EDL become information-centric rather than process-centric, resulting in delivering shop floor data to office planning in the right context at right time. In addition, using the XML technology a generic data format for system information (such as tasks, statuses of equipment, consumables, and products) will be employed in the EDL. The use of the well-recognized universal data exchange language and appropriate data fusion framework makes system integration much easier, practical, and cost-effective.
Dispersal and Survival of Juvenile Beavers (Castor canadensis) in Southern Illinois

Abstract We used radiotelemetry to estimate natal dispersal patterns and survival rates of 13 yearling and 19 subadult beavers (Castor canadensis) at two geomorphologically different sites in southern Illinois. Overall, we observed a 55% dispersal rate for yearlings and a 73% dispersal rate for subadults. Normally, juveniles (yearlings + subadults) initiated dispersal around 16 February (range = 28 Jan.–20 Mar.) and settled around 18 April, with juveniles remaining transient from late January through late June. Nine subadult beavers dispersed significantly earlier at one site (x = 25 Nov., range = 31 Oct.–16 Dec.), presumably due to intra-colony strife brought on by management-induced autumn flooding of wetlands for waterfowl. Dispersal occurred earlier than documented in northern regions. Beavers dispersed farther from natal colonies with free-flowing water access (x = 5.9 km) than those landlocked (x = 1.7 km). Males moved more frequently and traveled greater distances per individual move than did fe...
Community Schools as Urban District Reform Analyzing Oakland’s Policy Landscape Through Oral Histories

The purpose of this article is to investigate the multiple political histories that have coalesced to produce support for or resistance to the Oakland Unified School District’s full-service community schools policy. It analyzes oral history interview data from eight stakeholders who represent the district’s major constituencies to explore the reasons why each individual, positioned differently within the larger district system, may or may not support a seemingly democratic, community-based reform. Through their voices, the article explains how different constituencies can interpret an urban district’s policies and form community-based coalitions that either further or obstruct a democratic, equity-minded reform.
Loss of glutathione peroxidase 7 promotes TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation in Barrett's carcinogenesis.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a classic example of inflammation-associated cancer, which develops through GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)-Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. The incidence of EAC has been rising rapidly in the USA and Western countries during the last few decades. The functions of glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7), an antioxidant enzyme frequently silenced during Barrett’s tumorigenesis, remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we investigated the potential role of GPX7 in regulating nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activity in esophageal cells. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and luciferase reporter assay data indicated that reconstitution of GPX7 expression in CP-A (non-dysplastic BE cells) and FLO-1 (EAC cells) abrogated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity (P < 0.01) and nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 (P = 0.01). In addition, we detected a marked reduction in phosphorylation levels of components of NF-κB signaling pathway, p-p65 (S536), p-IκB-α (S32) and p-IKKα/β (S176/180), as well as significant suppression in induction of NF-κB target genes [TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, CXCL-1 and CXCL-2] following treatment with TNF-α in GPX7-expressing FLO-1 cells as compared with control cells. We validated these effects by knockdown of GPX7 expression in HET1A (normal esophageal squamous cells). We found that GPX7-mediated suppression of NF-κB is independent of reactive oxygen species level and GPX7 antioxidant function. Further mechanistic investigations demonstrated that GPX7 promotes protein degradation of TNF-receptor 1 (TNFR1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), suggesting that GPX7 modulates critical upstream regulators of NF-κB. We concluded that the loss of GPX7 expression is a critical step in promoting the TNF-α-induced activation of proinflammatory NF-κB signaling, a major player in GERD-associated Barrett’s carcinogenesis.
Transverse-mode competition effects observed in the numerical simulation of transients in gain-guided semiconductor laser arrays

A numerical analysis of transient turn-on in a gain-guided semiconductor laser array is presented. The self-consistent approach, valid in the strong-coupling limit, treats the array as a single waveguide laser with a transversely varying refractive index. The program first solves for the modes of this system without considering stimulated emission. The overall modal gain is then inserted into the rate equations in order to calculate a photon density; this results in a new spatial gain distribution, which in turn causes changes to the modal intensity profiles. This analysis is used to find both steady-state results and instabilities which result from mode competition. The approach is to solve instantaneous eigenvalue equations. >
Quantum manipulation and measurement of single atoms in optical cavity QED

Summary form only given. Using cold atoms strongly interacting with individual photons inside a high finesse cavity, we are approaching an ideal quantum system in which both matter (internal and external degrees of freedom) and light exhibit strong quantum character and the system's coherent evolution dominates decoherence processes. With this system we have performed real-time continuous measurement of single atomic spatial trajectories. The measurement protocol involves the determination of the phase of the cavity output field, which is far-detuned from the atomic resonance to minimize the measurement back action on the center-of-mass (CM) motion. The real-time evolution of the complex field amplitude is efficiently recorded at high bandwidth and with good signal-to-noise ratio, limited respectively by the rate of coherent coupling between atom and cavity mode and the photodetection shot noise. This nearly optimal detection technique has already revealed atomic CM motion inside the cavity standing-wave field of single photons, and should eventually lead to the strong conditioning of system evolution on measurement results and the realization of quantum feedback control. Another related but independent experiment concentrates on quantum manipulation of the CM motion. Owing to the highest coherent coupling rate between cavity field and individual atoms achieved to date, the mechanical coupling between atom and cavity can be significantly larger than the kinetic energy of laser cooled atoms, even under very low cavity excitation. Indeed, evidence of mechanical light forces for intracavity photon number <1 has already been observed. The origin of this mechanical force is radically different from that in conventional laser trapping where photon scattering (coherent or incoherent) drives the atomic CM motion. The spatial variation of the standing cavity mode (and hence of the atom-field coupling), produce optical potentials capable of localizing atoms inside the cavity. With the initial evidence of prolonged atomic transit through the cavity field (by 3/spl times/) when the suitable trapping state (the lower dressed state of the atom-cavity system) was excited, we are working towards suppression of the atomic momentum diffusion to achieve long-term atomic confinement via quantum feedback.
Weight decay and resolution effects in feedforward artificial neural networks

Results are presented from a preliminary study on the effects of weight decay and resolution on the performance of typical three-layer, feedforward neural networks. Two types of decay are investigated, unilateral decay toward the most negative weight (unipolar) and bilateral decay toward the median or zero weight value (bipolar), and compared with Gaussian weight perturbations. This analysis is pertinent to the area of VLSI-based network implementations with analog weight storage. The results show that, if weight decay is unavoidable, bipolar decay achieves an order-of-magnitude better performance than unipolar and that the weight resolution required in actual implementations of feedforward, connectionist hardware is higher than predicted by computer simulations of network responses to random or Gaussian weight perturbations. >
Acid phosphatase activity as a measure of Haemophilus influenzae adherence to mucin

Abstract Haemophilus influenzae is an important respiratory tract pathogen. Toward understanding the progression of H. influenzae from commensal to pathogen, we need to understand the steps of colonization and infection, processes which must involve overcoming the normal host mucociliary clearance mechanism. A reliable method for the screening and quantitation of mucin– H. influenzae binding to allow for the assessment of the physiological variables significant to H. influenzae –mucin interactions in the normal and diseased conditions, will provide insight on how to intervene to prevent, inhibit, or treat infection. The current methods for enumeration of mucin-bound H. influenzae are labor intensive and rely on viable organisms. In this report, we present a new detection method, which reduces the number of variables, processing steps, and time involved, providing an economical, rapid, and reliable means to screen for and quantitate mucin-bound H. influenzae . Organisms are applied to mucin-coated microtiter wells for a set time; nonadherent organisms are removed with gentle rinses; wells are incubated with the phosphomonoesterase substrate p -nitrophenyl phosphate; and the absorbance, reflecting phosphatase activity of the mucin-bound organisms, is read at 410 nm in a microtiter plate reader against enzymatic activity calibration curves. All nonencapsulated and encapsulated H. influenzae tested exhibited significant acid phosphate activity within 20 min, which provided linear relationships with the numbers of organisms present. H. influenzae mucin binding characteristics obtained by this method were generally comparable to published data, and ranged from 10 3 to 10 6 organisms per well, depending on both strain of organism and type of mucin employed. This convenient, rapid and economical mucin adherence assay, will enable more extensive and comprehensive studies of the interactions of H. influenzae adhesins and specific ligands on mucin macromolecules, as well as the nonspecific means by which mucins function in preventing bacterial infection.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF PITHOPHORA OEDOGONIA (CHLOROPHYCEAE) AKINETE GERMINATION1

Abundance of Pithophora oedogonia akinetes displayed seasonal changes, being greatest in winter and lowest in summer. Akinete abundance showed significant (P < 0.001) negative correlations with photoperiod(r = -0.53) and water temperature (r= -0.75) during the period February 1978 through June 1979. Experiments in which akinete germination was studied in response to manipulations of nutrients (NO3-N and PO4-P), photoperiod and temperature indicated that temperature was the primary factor regulating the timing of the vernal flush of akinete germination observed in Surrey Lake.
Shared Activities of Grandparents and Grandchildren

Responses of 391 young adult grandchildren to a list of 29 activities gave empirical support to the usefulness of the list by indicating the extent to which each activity was characteristic of their relationship with their most-close grandparent. Analyses of variance indicated the influence of 7 independent variables on the rating of the activities. Information from the study could provide a context to assist in considering the meaning of specific activities as they appear in research directed toward other aspects of the grandparent/grandchild relationship. It could also be helpful in educational programs as part of the anticipatory socialization of grandparents.
PROPORTIONAL VALVE WITH AXIAL FLOW AND ROTATIONAL METERING

This paper presents a new concept hydraulic valve that tries to overcome a well-known poser affecting the pilot operated proportional valves, the flow forces. Despite of the traditional compensated profile spool valves, the basic idea is to design a valve that has as few mobile surfaces as possible. This assumption modifies the traditional valve design method and opens to new possibilities for the proportional valves. The solution presented in this paper uses an axial flow valve, where the oil gets through the valve across its axis, with two rotating surfaces causing a rotational metering. The result of this new design approach shows several advantages with respect to the common spool valves, such as the extremely compact size and the device versatility. This particular valve can realize the majority of the functions achievable using a two-way two-position proportional valve piloted by two pressure signals (for example a pressure compensated valve); the axial flow and the “built-in” metering edges yield the possibility to produce this valve as a cartridge component, whit all the advantages incidental to this type of devices. Some Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis confirm the prediction of a low affection of this valve by flow forces, this attitude makes the axial Flow and Rotational Metering Valve particularly suitable for the local compensation in Flow Sharing Load Sensing distributors.
Essential Roles for Ankyrin Repeat and Transactivation Domains in Induction of T-Cell Leukemia by Notch1

Notch receptors participate in a conserved signaling pathway that controls the development of diverse tissues and cell types, including lymphoid cells. Signaling is normally initiated through one or more ligand-mediated proteolytic cleavages that permit nuclear translocation of the intracellular portion of the Notch receptor (ICN), which then binds and activates transcription factors of the Su(H)/CBF1 family. Several mammalian Notch receptors are oncogenic when constitutively active, including Notch1, a gene initially identified based on its involvement in a (7;9) chromosomal translocation found in sporadic T-cell lymphoblastic leukemias and lymphomas (T-ALL). To investigate which portions of ICN1 contribute to transformation, we performed a structure-transformation analysis using a robust murine bone marrow reconstitution assay. Both the ankyrin repeat and C-terminal transactivation domains were required for T-cell leukemogenesis, whereas the N-terminal RAM domain and a C-terminal domain that includes a PEST sequence were nonessential. Induction of T-ALL correlated with the transactivation activity of each Notch1 polypeptide when fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4, with the exception of polypeptides deleted of the ankyrin repeats, which lacked transforming activity while retaining strong transactivation activity. Transforming polypeptides also demonstrated moderate to strong activation of the Su(H)/CBF1-sensitive HES-1 promoter, while polypeptides with weak or absent activity on this promoter failed to cause leukemia. These experiments define a minimal transforming region for Notch1 in T-cell progenitors and suggest that leukemogenic signaling involves recruitment of transcriptional coactivators to ICN1 nuclear complexes.
Dynamic Simulation and Optimization of an Experimental Micro-CSP Power Plant

Small scale solar thermal systems are increasingly investigated in the context of decentralized energy supply, due to favorable costs of thermal energy storage (TES) in comparison with battery storage for otherwise economical PV generation. The present study provides the computational framework and results of a one year simulation of a low-cost pilot 3kWel micro-Concentrated Solar Power (micro-CSP) plant with TES. The modeling approach is based on a dynamic representation of the solar thermal loop and a steady state model of the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), and is validated to experimental data from a test site (Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida). The simulation results predict an annual net electricity generation of 4.08 MWh/a. Based on the simulation, optimization studies focusing on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) converter of the system are presented, including a control strategy allowing for a variable pinch point in the condenser that offers an annual improvement of 14.0% in comparison to a constant condensation pinch point. Absolute electricity output is increased to 4.65 MWh/a. Improvements are due to better matching to expander performance and lower condenser fan power because of higher pinch points. A method, incorporating this control strategy, is developed to economically optimize the ORC components. The process allows for optimization of the ORC subsystem in an arbitrary environment, e.g. as part of a micro-grid to minimize Levelized electricity costs (LEC). The air-cooled condenser is identified as the driving component for the ORC optimization as its influence on overall costs and performance is of major significance. Application of the optimization process to various locations in Africa illustrates economic benefits of the system in comparison to diesel generation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Decision to Confess Falsely: Rational Choice and Irrational Action

Using empirical evidence from police interrogations in a few national and international jurisdictions, this article studies the dynamics of confessions in the American criminal justice system. The article documents the process of interrogation and explains why police-induced false confessions, like truthful ones, are rational responses to the influence tactics and manipulation strategies that American police use during interrogation. The article argues that false confessions occur when interrogation tactics are not understood and are misused by law enforcement, most often due to negligence or improper training. Finally, the article discusses how to better identify false confessions and decrease the miscarriages of justice caused by them.
Amino- and Hydroxytetraphenylporphyrins with Activity against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

A series of amino- and hydroxytetraphenylporphyrin derivatives was found to have activity against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Activi...
Characterization of Metal Nanocatalyst State and Morphology during Simulated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Growth

The catalyst nanoparticle structure has been proposed as a potential template to guide nanotube growth toward desired chiralities during chemical vapor deposition synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes. However, exploitation of such an effect depends on understanding the state of the nanocatalyst throughout the various stages of nanotube growth for different reaction conditions. Here we show that during nucleation there is a high carbon transport activity through the nanoparticle, but eventually a nickel–carbon core is stabilized. The nickel–carbon stoichiometry of the nanoparticle at such a state is found to correspond to known carbide compositions, with such composition varying with nanoparticle size. The Ni–C core adopts layered structures that resemble those found along the [100] and [001] directions in Ni2C (Pbcn or Pnnm) and Ni3C (P6322). The calculated self-diffusion coefficients of nickel atoms are consistent with viscous-solid nanoparticles, where atomic mobility changes are observed during ...
Experimental Investigation of Turbulent Swirling Wakes

Turbulent swirling wakes are of interest from a fundamental perspective as well as for practical applications. From a turbulence research point of view, the swirling wake represents a perturbation to a classical canonical flow the axisymmetric swirling wake. The addition of swirl to this flow acts to create a secondary component of shear, which is known to have an effect larger than the simple shear addition would warrant. Thus, the swirling wake provides a flow by which to study the effects of secondary shear on turbulence. From a practical perspective, swirling wake flows are present in real-world applications. Perhaps the most relevant of these flows today is the swirling wake associated with wind turbines. The effect of the swirling wake on performance has been recognized, but the effects of swirl on wake decay has not received much attention. Wake behavior affects the power production in wind turbine arrays, and, as a result, wake decay becomes a critical issue as wind turbine installations grow larger. For example, a 1000 turbine facility has been proposed for south-central Wyoming. Due to the importance of wakes in wind power production, an international effort is currently focused on improving the modeling of wind turbine wakes. This group has recognized that a large number of cases of varying complexity are needed to validate wake models, and measurements in several of the important basic flows are missing. Despite its importance on many levels, little fundamental work has been performed in swirling wakes. In contrast, swirling jets have recently received considerable attention. In these jet flows, swirl is known to cause significant changes to the growth rates and decay of the turbulent jet as well as to the turbulence that causes these effects. Similarly, non-swirling axisymmetric wakes have received renewed attention in the last decade. No equivalent fundamental studies have focused on the swirling wake. Studies of wind turbine wakes have been carried out in the field, and in wind tunnels, but all these studies have issues that prevent them from being considered as fundamental swirling wake studies. The objective of the current work is to develop a well-defined experiment that considers the swirling wake in isolation. The wake was created by a honeycomb disk mounted to a centerbody within which a motor is mounted to spin the disk. Similary to the simple wake measurements of Johansson, the centerbody was mounted in the wind tunnel via multiple wires to reduce the effects of the wake generator installation on the flow. PIV measurements of the wake were made in the axial radial plane to capture the behavior of the swirling wake. The results indicate that, as for the swirling jet, the addition of swirl appears to have a large effect on the behavior of the wake.
Adverse neuropsychiatric effects of antimalarial drugs.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Antimalarial drugs are the primary weapon to treat parasite infection, save lives, and curtail further transmission. Accumulating data have indicated that at least some antimalarial drugs may contribute to severe neurological and/or psychiatric side effects which further complicates their use and limits the pool of available medications.Areas covered: In this review article, we summarize published scientific studies in search of evidence of the neuropsychiatric effects that may be attributed to the commonly used antimalarial drugs administered alone or in combination. Each individual drug was used as a search term in addition to keywords such as neuropsychiatric, adverse events, and neurotoxicity.Expert opinion: Accumulating data based on published reports over several decades have suggested that among the major commonly used antimalarial drugs, only mefloquine exhibited clear indications of serious neurological and/or psychiatric side effects. A more systematic approach to assess th...
Confidence Intervals for the Population Correlation Coefficient ρ

Computing a confidence interval for a population correlation coefficient is very important for researchers as it gives an estimated range of values which is likely to include an unknown population correlation coefficient. This paper studied some confidence intervals for estimating the population correlation coefficient I by means of a Monte Carlo simulation study. Data are randomly generated from several bivariate distributions with a various values of sample sizes. Assessment measures such as coverage probability, mean width and standard deviation of the width are selected for performances evaluation. Two real life data are analyzed to demonstrate the application of the proposed confidence intervals. Based on our findings, some good confidence intervals for a population correlation coefficient are suggested for practitioners and applied researchers.
WAVES IN A CYLINDRICAL GUIDE

In the cylindrical shell between a homogeneous ground surface and an isotropic ionosphere, the T.M. and T.E. fields are excited by vertically and horizontally polarized line sources. The azimuthal field variations are characterized by exponentials and the radial variations by cylindrical functions that are approximated by exponentials or Airy functions. In the Airy function approximation, the radial field variations are the same as in a spherical geometry.
Developing a Communicative Competence Scale

(1983). Developing a Communicative Competence Scale. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 7, Communication Yearbook 7, pp. 685-716.
Research highlights: examining the effect of shape on nanoparticle interactions with organisms

There are many variables that influence the toxicity of nanoparticles to organisms, such as nanoparticle size, shape, core composition, and ligand chemistry, composition, and coverage. Assessing the unique effects elicited by each of these parameters has been challenging as they impact each other. It is therefore difficult to change one parameter while keeping all other parameters constant. Here, we highlight three articles in which investigators carefully controlled as many confounding factors as possible while assessing the impacts of nanoparticle shape on their interactions with organisms. One study revealed shape-dependent effects of silver nanoparticles on the annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum. Another study identified shape-dependent effects of lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanoparticles on nanoparticle association with a model cell membrane and on the cellular uptake and toxicity in selected cell lines. Finally, we highlight a study that used a coarse grain computational approach to effectively keep other parameters constant while determining the effect of shape on nanoparticle endocytosis.
Comment: Bumping up Kernohan notch phenomenon

In 1929, Drs. Kernohan and Woltman described a phenomenon of hemiparesis that paradoxically localized to an ipsilateral brain tumor.1 The mechanism involved uncal herniation from tumoral mass effect leading to brainstem displacement and compression of the contralateral cerebral peduncle against the tentorium cerebelli.
Altered Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Participants With Chronic Ankle Instability While Running

Context: Altered gait kinetics may increase the risk of long-term injuries in participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) can provide insight into how body loading is altered. Objective: To compare the components of vGRFs while running in participants with or without CAI. Design: Cohort study. Setting: University biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-four experienced, college-aged runners. Groups were categorized by the presence (CAI group) or absence (control group) of CAI through self-reported questionnaires. Intervention(s): After a warm-up period, all participants ran on an instrumented treadmill for 5 minutes at 3.3 m/s. Data were collected during the last 30 seconds. Five continuous trials of heel-to-toe running were identified per participant and averaged for statistical analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s): The dependent variables were impact peak force (N/body weight [BW]), active peak force (N/BW), time to impact peak force (m...
Null hypothesis significance testing and Type I error: The domain problem

Abstract Although many common uses of p-values for making statistical inferences in contemporary scientific research have been shown to be invalid, no one, to our knowledge, has adequately assessed the main original justification for their use, which is that they can help to control the Type I error rate (Neyman & Pearson, 1928, 1933). We address this issue head-on by asking a specific question: Across what domain, specifically, do we wish to control the Type I error rate? For example, do we wish to control it across all of science, across all of a specific discipline such as psychology, across a researcher's active lifetime, across a substantive research area, across an experiment, or across a set of hypotheses? In attempting to answer these questions, we show that each one leads to troubling dilemmas wherein controlling the Type I error rate turns out to be inconsistent with other scientific desiderata. This inconsistency implies that we must make a choice. In our view, the other scientific desiderata are much more valuable than controlling the Type I error rate and so it is the latter, rather than the former, with which we must dispense. But by doing so—that is, by eliminating the Type I error justification for computing and using p-values—there is even less reason to believe that p is useful for validly rejecting null hypotheses than previous critics have suggested.
Association Between High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Levels and Myocardial Ischemia During Mental Stress and Conventional Stress

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate whether patients with mental stress–induced myocardial ischemia will have high resting and post–mental stress high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI). Background Hs-cTnI is a marker of myocardial necrosis, and its elevated levels are associated with adverse outcomes. Hs-cTnI levels may increase with exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. Mental stress–induced myocardial ischemia is also linked to adverse outcomes. Methods In this study, 587 patients with stable coronary artery disease underwent technetium Tc 99m sestamibi–single-photon emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging during mental stress testing using a public speaking task and during conventional (pharmacological/exercise) stress testing as a control condition. Ischemia was defined as new/worsening impairment in myocardial perfusion using a 17-segment model. Results The median hs-cTnI resting level was 4.3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.9 to 7.3) pg/ml. Overall, 16% and 34.8% of patients developed myocardial ischemia during mental and conventional stress, respectively. Compared with those without ischemia, median resting hs-cTnI levels were higher in patients who developed ischemia either during mental stress (5.9 [IQR: 3.9 to 8.3] pg/ml vs. 4.1 [IQR: 2.7 to 7.0] pg/ml; p Conclusions In patients with coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia during either mental stress or conventional stress is associated with higher resting levels of hs-cTnI. This suggests that hs-cTnI elevation is an indicator of chronic ischemic burden experienced during everyday life. Whether elevated hs-cTnI levels are an indicator of adverse prognosis beyond inducible ischemia or whether it is amenable to intervention requires further investigation.
Thermal modeling of Q-spoil switching elements for MRI coils

Thermal models for simulating heating and cooling of PIN diode and FET-based MRI coil blocking circuits are presented. The temperature dependent parameters in the two basic circuit elements as well as the related SPICE-compatible circuit models are discussed. Impedance versus temperature measurements for both PIN diode and MOSFET are presented that confirm the validity of model usage. A MRI coil blocking application is presented, showing significant device heating during the transmit pulse prior to application of the blocking control signal, with significant blocking as well as device cooling occurring rapidly. The models discussed should assist MRI circuit designers in determining potential failure of the device due to heating under the application of high power MRI pulses.
COMPARISON OF THE SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF TRICHOSIROCALUS HORRIDUS (PANZER) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) IN VIRGINIA BETWEEN 1981–83 and 1979

Trichosirocalus horridus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a ceutorhynchine weevil introduced for control of Carduus thistle, is well established in Virginia. Its preferred host, Carduus thoermeri Weinmann (musk thistle), was collected from two sites with large populations of the weevil. Sampling was carried out over a 20-month period between 1981 and 1983. Whole plants were dug up and returned to the laboratory for dissection to determine the seasonal occurrence of T. horridus. The results were compared with those of an earlier study in Virginia which was based on non-destructive sampling soon after the weevil became established. In the current study all immature stages were detected at least 1–3 months earlier in the fall than previously reported, and the adult stage was found on the host plant from September through July. Detection of the different life stages of T. horridus for longer durations was also the result of larger established populations of the weevil at the sampling sites. Other new fin...
Have Text, Will Travel: Can Airbnb Use Review Text Data to Optimize Profits?

Hundreds of thousands of would-be hoteliers have been popping up all around the world, hoping to rent their own homes and apartments to complete strangers through a service called Airbnb. The goal of Airbnb's aspiring hosts was to use the company's website to attract guests who were willing to pay the highest rates to stay in their homes for a short time. For Airbnb, the goal was to improve customer review performance so it could, in turn, increase profits. How could the company achieve its goal? Enter text mining, a technique that allowed businesses to scour Internet pages, decipher the meaning of groups of words, and assign the words a sentiment proxy through the use of a software package.In order for text mining to be useful for Airbnb, its marketing professionals first had to gain access to customer review data on the company's own website. The team then had to analyze the data to find ways to improve property performance. Was the team going to be able to leverage this large amount of data to determine a strategy going forward? Excerpt UVA-M-0897 Rev. Dec. 6, 2016 Have Text, Will Travel: Can Airbnb Use Review Text Data to Optimize Profits? Hundreds of thousands of would-be hoteliers have been popping up all around you. One might have been your unassuming 60-year-old neighbor, looking to pad her pension—others might include the young couple down the hall from your Chicago high-rise apartment. The one thing all these individuals had in common was that they wanted to list their properties so they could invite complete strangers into their homes and charge them a premium to treat the space as their own. More often than not, these entrepreneurs had zero experience in the hospitality industry and no idea how to run a successful guesthouse. Welcome to the Airbnb era. . . .
Stochastic Programming DEA Model of Fundamental Analysis of Public Firms for Portfolio Selection

A stochastic programming (SP) extension to the traditional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is developed when input/output parameters are random variables. The SPDEA framework yields a robust performance metric for the underlying firms by controlling for outliers and data uncertainty. Using accounting data, SPDEA determines a relative financial strength (RFS) metric that is strongly correlated with stock returns of public firms. In contrast, the traditional DEA model overestimates actual firm strengths. The methodology is applied to public firms covering all major U.S. market sectors using their quarterly financial statement data. RFSbased portfolios yield superior out-of-sample performance relative to sector-based ETF portfolios or broader market index.