cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factorization of the -Electron Wave Function in the Kondo Ground State

The multielectron wave function of an interacting electron system depends on the size of the system, that is, the number of electrons. Here the question investigated is how the wave function changes for a symmetric Friedel-Anderson impurity when the volume is doubled. It turns out that for sufficiently large volume (when the level spacing is smaller than the resonance width) the change in the wave function can be expressed in terms of a universal single-electron state <path id="x1D45E" d="M474 429q-19 -69 -47 -222l-65 -347q-8 -49 0 -60t49 -16l26 -3l-4 -26l-246 -12l4 25l17 3q37 6 50 20.5t23 60.5l67 321h-2q-65 -79 -150 -138q-69 -47 -104 -47q-28 0 -48.5 32t-20.5 81q0 78 35 148t90 117q67 57 161 77q23 5 58 5q43 0 90 -15zM387 387 q-30 16 -75 16q-58 0 -92 -27q-49 -39 -78.5 -112t-29.5 -136q0 -34 8.5 -52.5t21.5 -18.5q40 0 109.5 63.5t103.5 115.5q16 53 32 151z"/> centered at the Fermi level. This electron state is independent of the number of electrons and independent of the parameters of the Friedel-Anderson impurity. It is even the same universal state for a Kondo impurity and a symmetric Friedel impurity independent of any parameter. The only requirement is that the impurity has a resonance exactly at the Fermi level and that the level spacing is smaller than the resonance width. This result clarifies recent fidelity calculations.
Imaging with microlenslet arrays

Recent investigation demonstrated the feasibility of using stacks of microlenslet arrays for optical imaging applications. Many applications driving our research require ultra-compact magnifying imaging systems. In this investigation we demonstrate that a magnifying system based on a stack of two dissimilar microlenslet arrays is feasible.
The social, economic and fiscal impact of comprehensive social security reform for South Africa

Abstract Severe poverty persists in South Africa in spite of the country's existing social security programmes. Most of the poor live in households that receive no social security benefits at all, and the rest remain poor in spite of the benefits they receive. One of the major causes of the social security system's inability to secure adequate social protection is the low rate of take‐up of these programmes. Extremely poor individuals are likely to fail in large numbers to qualify for a grant with a complicated and expensive means test and application process. Social security reform that fails to address the structural problem of low take‐up is unlikely to yield substantial social benefits. A universal basic income grant, provided as an entitlement and without a means test, will more readily reach the poorest population. By removing the stigma that labels the recipient as “poor”, the grant bolsters economic support without draining psychological resources. Its universal nature addresses the problem of low...
A dominantly inherited form of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with unusual dermatoglyphics

A father and daughter with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and similar dermatoglyphic patterns are described. No evidence was found of chromosomal abnormality, neuropathy or myopathy, and there were no other affected family members. The findings are compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance.
Structural and functional changes of aquatic heterotrophic bacteria to thermal, heavy, and fly ash effluents

Abstract Heterotrophic bacterial populations were sampled at 9 sites around a fossil fuel power plant to assess the ecological impact of the resulting effluents on naturally occurring heterotrophic microbes. The total colony forming units (CFU) remained relatively high at all stations, ranging from 13,804 CFU ml −1 in the heavy ash basin to 2630 CFU ml −1 in an uninfluenced station, Adair Run—upstream. The percent of the total colony counts which were chromagenic was correlated with physico/chemical stresses and varied from a high of 59.0% at the reference New River station to 13.2% in the heavy ash basin. A Sequential Comparison procedure (SCI) produced diversity indices which ranged from 8.21 in upstream New River to 6.23 in the ash-influenced Adair Run station. Assimilation of [ 3 H]glucose was used to assess the functional status of the organisms and was reduced 86.0% in the heavy ash basin and 65.5% in the fly ash basin. The structure and function of bacterial communities in the ash basins were significantly different from the same parameters of populations inhabiting reference environments; however, the basin effluents had a lesser effect on New River bacteria.
Immunomodulation in female B6C3F1 mice following treatment with the HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir for 28 days by gavage

Saquinavir (SQV) is a protease inhibitor that binds to the protease active site of the human immunodeficiency virus and prevents the cleavage of viral polyproteins resulting in the formation of non-infectious virus particles. The purpose of these studies was to determine the potential effects of SQV on the immune system in female B6C3F1 mice. SQV was administered by gavage twice daily for 28 days at total doses of 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg/day. No significant differences were observed in body weight, or the weights of spleen, thymus, liver, kidneys, or lungs. Exposure to SQV produced no biologically meaningful changes in hematological parameters. However, a statistically significant increase in the number of T-cells (23%) was observed at the high dose level of SQV. The number of splenic immature T-cells (CD4+CD8+ cells) also showed increases of 46% and 92% at the 600 and 1200 mg/kg dose levels, respectively. The immunoglobulin M antibody-forming cell (AFC) response was significantly increased by 41% when t...
Carbohydrate compositions of the rabbit plasminogen isozymes

Abstract The carbohydrate compositions of the two affinity-chromatography-resolved isozymes of rabbit plasminogen and plasmin as well as the isoelectric-focusing-resolved subforms of each plasminogen isozyme have been investigated in detail. The first plasminogen isozyme as well as its subforms all possess four to five residues of N-acetylglucosamine, two residues of N-acetylgalactosamine, three residues of mannose and five residues of galactose per molecule of protein. Additionally, we previously reported three residues of sialic acid present on this protein molecule. The corresponding plasmin heavy chain for this isozyme contains essentially all of the carbohydrate, and the plasmin light chain appears devoid of carbohydrate. On the other hand, the second plasminogen isozyme as well as its subforms all possess only trace amounts of N-acetylglucosamine, two residues of N-acetylgalactosamine, less than one residue of mannose and three residues of galactose per molecule of protein. In addition, we have previously reported two residues of sialic acid for this molecule. Here, also, all carbohydrate appears on the heavy chain of the plasmin, which is prepared by activation of this particular plasminogen. Thus, the carbohydrate differences which we reported earlier in rabbit plasminogen isozymes are confirmed and extended.
Screening for Aortic Aneurysm After Treatment of Coarctation

Isolated coarctation of the aorta (CoA) occurs in 6-8 % of patients with congenital heart disease. After successful relief of obstruction, patients remain at risk for aortic aneurysm formation at the site of the repair. We sought to determine the diagnostic utility of echocardiography compared with advanced arch imaging (AAI) in diagnosing aortic aneurysms in pediatric patients after CoA repair. The Congenital Heart Databases from 1996 and 2009 were reviewed. All patients treated for CoA who had AAI defined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or catheterization were identified. Data collected included the following: type, timing, and number of interventions, presence and time to aneurysm diagnosis, and mortality. Patients were subdivided into surgical and catheterization groups for analysis. Seven hundred and fifty-nine patients underwent treatment for CoA during the study period. Three hundred and ninety-nine patients had at least one AAI. Aneurysms were diagnosed by AAI in 28 of 399 patients at a mean of 10 ± 8.4 years after treatment. Echocardiography reports were available for 380 of 399 patients with AAI. The sensitivity of echocardiography for detecting aneurysms was 24 %. The prevalence of aneurysms was significantly greater in the catheterization group (p < 0.05) compared with the surgery group. Aneurysm was also diagnosed earlier in the catheterization group compared with the surgery group (p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed a significantly increased risk of aneurysm diagnosis in patients in the catheterization subgroup and in patients requiring more than three procedures. Aortic aneurysms continue to be an important complication after CoA repair. Although serial echocardiograms are the test of choice for following-up most congenital cardiac lesions in pediatrics, our data show that echocardiography is inadequate for the detection of aneurysms after CoA repair. Because the time to aneurysm diagnosis was shorter and the risk greater in the catheterization group (particularly for patients requiring more than one procedure), surveillance with cardiac MRI or CT should begin earlier in these patients.
Simulated annealing heuristics for the average flow-time and the number of tardy jobs bi-criteria identical parallel machine problem

This paper presents the first part of a study of a scheduling problem where the objective is to minimize both the number of jobs late and the average flow-time. Unlike previous approaches, a weighted function of the two criteria is not utilized. Heuristics based on simulated annealing and neighborhood search are proposed with the objective of generating schedules that produce a compromise across both criteria. Simulation experiments showed that the heuristics perform well when compared to the optimal solution set for a small problem instance.
HideNseek, a post-genome approach to locate transgenes exemplified in Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary: Determination of transgene location is essential for investigating the effects of position on transgene expression levels and facilitates cloning of the resident gene affected by insertion. Currently used PCR-based approaches for determination of transgene location are relatively complicated and often fail when the transgene is duplicated, rearranged or fragmented. HideNseek is a new bioinformatics tool that allows computation of transgene locations, provided that a suitable genomic restriction enzyme digestion profile is available. Since the new approach is not based on the terminal sequences of the transgene insert, it is less sensitive to transgene duplication, rearrangement or fragmentation. HideNseek has been tested experimentally and by in silico simulation. The experimental example provided here shows that this simple approach is feasible, permitting rapid location of transgenes with little bench work. Availability: available on request from the authors. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary data: HideNseek input and output examples, experimental procedures and figures showing experimental results are provided as supplementary files: Supplementary material 1, 2, 3 and Supplementary figures (Figs 1 and 2), respectively. Supplementary data is available at Bioinformatics online.
Clinical risk predictors for cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid endarterectomy

Background Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is an important complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA), yet prior research has been limited to small cohorts and retrospective analyses, or studies using radiographic rather than clinical definitions. Methods A prospective monitoring system was implemented to monitor CEA outcomes at a major academic medical centre. Independent, trained monitors from the neurology department examined all patients undergoing CEA preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 h and 30 days. Clinical variables were analysed to identify risk factors for CHS, which was defined as cases with postoperative development of a severe headache, new neurological deficits without infarction, seizure or intracerebral haemorrhage. Results Between 2008 and 2010, 841 CEAs were monitored and CHS occurred in 14 (1.7%) subjects, including seizures in 5 (0.6%) and intracerebral haemorrhage in 4 (0.5%). Univariate analysis identified a history of dyslipidaemia, coronary artery disease, diastolic blood pressure, intraoperative shunt use and non-elective CEA (performed during hospitalisation for a symptomatic ipsilateral stroke, transient ischaemic attack or amaurosis fugax) as potential risks for CHS (all p≤0.15); other variables—including the degree of ipsilateral and contralateral stenosis, operative time, intraoperative EEG slowing, history of prior CEA or carotid stent and time from prior carotid interventions— were not significant. Logistic regression confirmed the risk association between non-elective CEA and CHS (p=0.046). Conclusions Independent, prospective monitoring of a large cohort of CEA cases identified a brief time interval between ischaemic symptoms and endarterectomy as the clearest risk factor for CHS.
Water security for Kuwait: assessing the feasibility of water imports from Iran

According to a recent paper by Schwartz and Ibaraki (2011), overuse and depletion of groundwater resources have caused the extinction of whole civilisations. Water-scarce countries seek additional supplies through a variety of methods such as conservation, drilling additional wells, building desalination plants and importing water. Kuwait, where surface water is totally absent, has aquifers that essentially ran dry in the 1970s. After seriously exploring the idea of importing water from neighbouring Iran, Kuwait stopped short of doing that. Using a human security framework, this paper outlines the political, economic and security issues that coalesced to undermine this potential source of water for Kuwait.
Interactive and Dynamic Graphics

Interactive and dynamic statistical graphics enable data analysts in all fields to carry out visual investigations leading to insights into relationships in complex data. Interactive and dynamic statistical graphics involve methods for viewing data in the form of point clouds or modeled surfaces. Higher-dimensional data can be projected into one-, two- or three-dimensional planes in a set of multiple views or as a continuous sequence of views which constitutes motion through the higher-dimensional space containing the data.
Review of the Dispholidini, with the description of a new genus and species from Tanzania (Serpentes, Colubridae)

The tribe Dispholidini (Bourgeois 1968) is reviewed, paying particular attention to dentition and visceral anatomy. A new genus and species, Xyelodontophis uluguruensis , is described from the Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania. All five genera have enlarged rear maxillary teeth. Thrasops seems to be basal, Rhamnophis shows the development of dagger-like teeth tapering from base to tip, then the other three genera appear to radiate, with Xyelodontophis having more derived dagger teeth broadest in the middle, while Dispholidus and Thelotornis seem to have independently developed enlarged grooved rear fangs. Thrasops schmidti is recognised as a relict evolutionary species. No subspecies of Rhamnophis aethiopissa or Dispholidus typus are recognised, but the population of Dispholidus on Pemba Island probably represents an undescribed species.
HER-2 overexpression differentially alters transforming growth factor-β responses in luminal versus mesenchymal human breast cancer cells

Amplification of the HER-2 receptor tyrosine kinase has been implicated in the pathogenesis and aggressive behavior of approximately 25% of invasive human breast cancers. Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that aberrant HER-2 signaling contributes to tumor initiation and disease progression. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is the dominant factor opposing growth stimulatory factors and early oncogene activation in many tissues, including the mammary gland. Thus, to better understand the mechanisms by which HER-2 overexpression promotes the early stages of breast cancer, we directly assayed the cellular and molecular effects of TGF-β1 on breast cancer cells in the presence or absence of overexpressed HER-2. Cell proliferation assays were used to determine the effect of TGF-β on the growth of breast cancer cells with normal or high level expression of HER-2. Affymetrix microarrays combined with Northern and western blot analysis were used to monitor the transcriptional responses to exogenous TGF-β1 in luminal and mesenchymal-like breast cancer cells. The activity of the core TGF-β signaling pathway was assessed using TGF-β1 binding assays, phospho-specific Smad antibodies, immunofluorescent staining of Smad and Smad DNA binding assays. We demonstrate that cells engineered to over-express HER-2 are resistant to the anti-proliferative effect of TGF-β1. HER-2 overexpression profoundly diminishes the transcriptional responses induced by TGF-β in the luminal MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and prevents target gene induction by a novel mechanism that does not involve the abrogation of Smad nuclear accumulation, DNA binding or changes in c-myc repression. Conversely, HER-2 overexpression in the context of the mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 breast cell line potentiated the TGF-β induced pro-invasive and pro-metastatic gene signature. HER-2 overexpression promotes the growth and malignancy of mammary epithelial cells, in part, by conferring resistance to the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-β. In contrast, HER-2 and TGF-β signaling pathways can cooperate to promote especially aggressive disease behavior in the context of a highly invasive breast tumor model.
An integration facility to accelerate deployment of distributed energy resources in microgrids

Microgrids are intentional islands formed at a facility or in an electrical distribution system that contain at least one distributed energy resource and associated loads. One of the most challenging aspects in the commercial deployment of microgrids is the ability to test and evaluate various microgrid technologies and system to evaluate their effectiveness. This paper discusses current testing of microgrid applications and the development of a new integration facility designed to accelerate the deployment of distributed resources including renewable energy technologies in advanced distribution system operations including microgrids.
Presence of Oxalobacter formigenes in the intestinal tract is associated with the absence of calcium oxalate urolith formation in dogs

The incidence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) urolithiasis in dogs has increased steadily over the last two decades. A potential mechanism to minimize CaOx urolithiasis is to reduce enteric absorption of dietary oxalate by oxalate-metabolizing enteric bacteria. Enteric colonization of Oxalobacter formigenes, an anaerobe which exclusively relies on oxalate metabolism for energy, is correlated with absence of hyperoxaluria or CaOx urolithiasis or both in humans and laboratory animals. We thus hypothesized that decreased enteric colonization of O. formigenes is a risk factor for CaOx urolithiasis in dogs. Fecal samples from dogs with CaOx uroliths, clinically healthy, age-, breed- and gender-matched dogs, and healthy non-stone forming breed dogs were screened for the presence of O. formigenes by quantitative PCR to detect the oxalyl CoA decarboxylase (oxc) gene, and by oxalate degrading biochemical activity in fecal cultures. Prevalence of O. formigenes in dogs with CaOx uroliths was 25%, compared to 50% in clinically healthy, age-, breed- and gender-matched dogs, and 75% in healthy non-stone forming breeds. The presence of oxc genes of O. formigenes was significantly higher in healthy non-stone forming breed dogs than in the dogs with CaOx stones. Further, dogs with calcium oxalate stones and the stone-forming breed-matched controls showed comparable levels of biochemical oxalate degrading activity. We conclude that the absence of enteric colonization of O. formigenes is a risk factor for CaOx urolithiasis.
The Anthropology of Food and Body: Gender, Meaning and Power

The Anthropology of Food and Body: Gender, Meaning and Power. Carole M. Counihan. New York: Routledge, 1999.256 pp.
Boosting diffusion indices

SUMMARY In forecasting and regression analysis, it is often necessary to select predictors from a large feasible set. When the predictors have no natural ordering, an exhaustive evaluation of all possible combinations of the predictors can be computationally costly. This paper considers ‘boosting’ as a methodology of selecting the predictors in factor-augmented autoregressions. As some of the predictors are being estimated, we propose a stopping rule for boosting to prevent the model from being overfitted with estimated predictors. We also consider two ways of handling lags of variables: a componentwise approach and a block-wise approach. The best forecasting method will necessarily depend on the data-generating process. Simulations show that for each data type there is one form of boosting that performs quite well. When applied to four key economic variables, some form of boosting is found to outperform the standard factor-augmented forecasts and is far superior to an autoregressive forecast. Copyright ! 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coumadin alone or aspirin plus coumadin reduced coronary events and death after acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Source Citation van Es RF, Jonker JJ, Verheugt FW, Deckers JW, Grobbee DE, for the Antithrombotics in the Secondary Prevention of Events in Coronary Thrombosis-2 (ASPECT-2) Research Group. Aspirin ...
Cerebral cavernous malformation proteins at a glance

Loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding KRIT1 (also known as CCM1), CCM2 (also known as OSM and malcavernin) or PDCD10 (also known as CCM3) cause cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). These abnormalities are characterized by dilated leaky blood vessels, especially in the neurovasculature, that result in increased risk of stroke, focal neurological defects and seizures. The three CCM proteins can exist in a trimeric complex, and each of these essential multi-domain adaptor proteins also interacts with a range of signaling, cytoskeletal and adaptor proteins, presumably accounting for their roles in a range of basic cellular processes including cell adhesion, migration, polarity and apoptosis. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we provide an overview of current models of CCM protein function focusing on how known protein–protein interactions might contribute to cellular phenotypes and highlighting gaps in our current understanding.
Capstone Design Courses: Producing Industry-Ready Biomedical Engineers

The biomedical engineering senior capstone design course is probably the most important course taken by undergraduate biomedical engineering students. It provides them with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in previous years; develop their communication (written, oral, and graphical), interpersonal (teamwork, conflict management, and negotiation), project management, and design skills; and learn about the product development process. It also provides students with an understanding of the economic, financial, legal, and regulatory aspects of the design, development, and commercialization of medical technology. The capstone design experience can change the way engineering students think about technology, society, themselves, and the world around them. It gives them a short preview of what it will be like to work as an engineer. It can make them aware of their potential to make a positive contribution to health care throughout the world and generate excitement for and pride in the engineering profession. Working on teams helps students develop an appreciation for the many ways team members, with different educational, political, ethnic, social, cultural, and religious backgrounds, look at problems. They learn to value diversity and become more willing to listen to different opinions and perspectives. Finally, they learn to value the contributions of nontechnical members of multidisciplinary project teams. Ideas for how to organize, structure, and manage a senior capstone design course for biomedical and other engineering students are presented here. These ideas will be helpful to faculty who are creating a new design course, expanding a current design program to more than the senior year, or just looking for some ideas for improving an existing course. Contents: I. Purpose, Goals, and Benefits / Why Our Students Need a Senior Capstone Design Course / Desired Learning Outcomes / Changing Student Attitudes, Perceptions, and Awarenesss / Senior Capstone Des gn Courses and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Outcomes / II. Designing a Course to Meet Student Needs / Course Management and Required Deliverables / Projects and Project Teams / Lecture Topics / Intellectual Property Confidentiality Issues in Design Projects / III. Enhancing the Capstone Design Experience / Industry Involvement in Capstone Design Courses / Developing Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy / Providing Students with a Clinical Perspective / Service Learning Opportunities / Collaboration with Industrial Design Students / National Student Design Competitions / Organizational Support for Senior Capstone Design Courses / IV. Meeting the Changing Needs of Future Engineers / Capstone Design Courses and the Engineer of 2020
Impulse Initiation and Conduction in the Murine Atria: A Basis for Future Investigation of Sinus Node Dysfunction.

The prevalence of atrial conduction defects and sinus node dysfunction increases with age. These age-related changes may play a critical role in establishing the substrate for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia. Despite the association between atrial arrhythmias and age, little is known of the mechanisms that underlie changes in atrial electrophysiological function. Ongoing studies in our laboratory are focused on determining the mechanisms of atrial conduction defects associated with aging and disease. The purpose of this report is to present some initial studies of the murine sinus node and the approach we have taken to quantify conduction at the site of impulse initiation
Comparison of Two Swine Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detection of Antibodies from Vaccinated Pigs and Field Serum Samples

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) causes mycoplasmal pneumonia, an economically important disease of swine. Serodiagnosis of Mhyo is based on the current available commercial enzyme immunoassays for detection of swine antibodies against Mhyo, which are the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the blocking ELISA (B-ELISA). Because of the limited information available for these ELISAs, these 2 assays were compared by testing 347 serum samples collected from vaccinated pigs at 0, 13, 28, 43, and 62 days postimmunization (DPI), 50 samples from nonvaccinated pigs, and 1,013 field serum samples. The results of comparison study showed that the specificity for both ELISAs was 99.2% generated from 139 non-vaccinated negative samples. The sensitivities for indirect ELISA generated from samples collected from animals that received the vaccine at DPI 13, 28, 43, and 62 were 0%, 95.7%, 88.4%, and 92.6%, respectively, whereas the sensitivities for B-ELISA were 0%, 98%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. The overall agreement of 96.7% and 80.3% was generated between 2 ELISAs from negative and vaccinated pigs and from field samples, respectively.
Large Eddy Simulation of Internal Boundary Layers Created by a Change in Surface Roughness

Abstract Turbulence in a γ-mesoscale internal boundary layer (IBL) formed by a discontinuous change in surface roughness has been investigated using a large eddy simulation (LES) model to explicitly treat turbulent transport. Two cases are examined: a rough-to-smooth transition and a smooth-to-rough transition. IBL heights are identified using two absolute criteria, one in terms of horizontal stress variation and the other in terms of vertical stress variation, and the ratio of these two heights is found to be approximately constant with fetch. The IBL growth rate with fetch is essentially the same for both transitions, which is here interpreted as reflecting self-similarity of the IBL at relatively large fetches. Parameterization of IBL growth in terms of turbulent intensity is successful when the average turbulent intensity in the IBL is employed but not if the turbulent intensity at the IBL top is utilized. The effective eddy mixing length for longitudinal velocity does not experience strong variations...
Growth Characteristics of Self-Assembled Mesoporous Nanospheres of Platinum and Platinum-Ruthenium

Self assembled spheres of both Pt and Pt/Ru have been electrodeposited in a matrix of carbon black on a gold electrode. The spheres are roughly 200nm in diameter and have a high degree of surface porosity. As a fuel cell catalyst, the activity of the Pt/Ru toward methanol oxidation is the primary indication of performance. Catalysts deposited in the current limiting regime (i.e. low metal ion concentrations or more negative deposition potentials) show markedly higher oxidation current at 4.8-5.5mA as measured at +0.2V vs. saturated calomel electrode. Pt only deposits were also made and show identical morphology to Pt/Ru deposits. Surface area analysis of the Pt deposits correlate well with the oxidation activity of the Pt/Ru deposits, at similar deposition conditions. The maximum specific surface area measured for Pt, based on 100% coulombic efficiency, was about 35m2/g.
Controlling effect of cap rock on gas accumulation and distribution in Xujiaweizi Depression

Based on drilling and testing data, the distribution and seal ability of gas cap rock in Xujiaweizi Depression are studied. It is considered that there are mainly 4 kinds of gas cap rocks in Xujiaweizi Depression, including mudstones, volcanic rocks with high and low interval transit time and argillaceous conglomerates. Mudstones are regional cap rocks, which mainly distributed in K1d2 and strata above it. Volcanic rocks with high interval transit time are local cap rocks, which mainly distributed on the top of K1yc1. Volcanic rocks with low interval transit time mainly distributed in K1 yc1 and K1 yc3, and argillaceous conglomerate cap rocks are mainly in K1 yc4. The seal abilities of mudstone, volcanic rocks with high interval transit time and argillaceous conglomerate cap rocks are strong, while the seal ability of volcanic rocks with low interval transit time is weak. Based on the study of the distribution relation between cap rocks and gas, the controlling effect of cap rocks on gas accumulation and distribution in Xujiaweizi Depression is concluded and mainly displayed in the following 3 aspects: ①Cap rocks in K1d2 and the top of K1yc1 control the vertical distribution of gas; ②The difference of distribution horizons of cap rocks leads to different reservoir-seal assemblage and different enrichment degree of gas in the south and north of depression; ③ The difference of volcanic cap rocks with high and lowinterval transit time causes that gas mainly distributed on the top of volcanic rock bodies.
Morphometric and Clinical Studies on 68 Consecutive Radical Prostatectomies

AbstractMorphometric reconstructions of 68 consecutive radical prostatectomies were analyzed for cancer volume, extent of complete capsular penetration, microscopic seminal vesicle and lymph node invasion, and histological differentiation, all of which were strongly interrelated. At less than 3.0 cc cancer volume, only 6 of 34 prostates (18 per cent) showed capsular penetration compared to 27 of 34 (79 per cent) with tumors of greater than 3.0 cc. Seminal vesicle invasion occurred once in 34 tumors of less than 3.0 cc and 15 times in those greater than 3.0 cc. All 6 patients with metastases to lymph nodes, 2 with early postoperative development of bone metastases and 4 of 5 with reappearance of detectable prostate specific antigen postoperatively had cancer volumes of greater than 4.0 cc. Correlation of digital rectal examination with cancer volume showed that of 39 palpable nodules in prostates with a cancer volume of less than 4.0 cc 30 (77 per cent) occupied 50 per cent or less of the length of 1 lobe ...
Metacognition in Science Teaching and Learning

Recent research on science teaching and learning emphasizes the importance of active, meaningful learning, with metacognitive processing by both teachers and learners. This chapter describes research on students’ reading metacognition and misconceptions in biology and instructional methods 1 have used to enhance students’ metacognition about their science learning and to enhance science professors’ metacognition about their teaching.
Clearance of surfactant-like particle proteins from circulation in rats.

Surfactant-like particles (SLP) have been isolated from the apical surface of rat enterocytes but appear to arise within the enterocyte and to be secreted into neighboring lymphatics (K. DeSchryver-Kecskemeti, R. Eliakim, S. Carroll, W. F. Stenson, M. A. Moxley, and D. H. Alpers. J. Clin. Invest. 84: 1355-1361, 1989). The present study was undertaken to analyze the clearance and distribution of these particle-associated proteins in vivo in the rat. Labeling of particles isolated from apical scrapings of rat enterocytes with 125I enabled identification of proteins of 116, 92, 68, 58, 48, 31, and 25 kDa. After the intravenous administration of 125I-SLP, the trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity in the plasma disappeared in a biphasic pattern. The average half-life of the early phase was 7.5 min and the second phase was 75 min. The half-life of a subset of the proteins (116, 92, and 48 kDa) was shorter, measuring 4.5 min for the first phase and ranging from 20 to 52 min for the second phase. The am...
High-frequency control of a DC-DC converter and motors in a single FPGA

Motor control applications using small fast-spinning motors such as e-turbos, UAVs, surgical instruments and high-speed pumps, and the advent of SiC and GaN switching transistors, are driving a need for compact drives with high-frequency control loop updates. This paper demonstrates how a single FPGA can be used to centralize interfacing, control and diagnostics for multi-axis motor control and power conversion. Two alternative FPGA system architectures are presented. The first centres control in a processor, while the second retains the processor but concentrates control in FPGA IP to combine the advantages of processor-based diagnostics and communication with sensor sampling and control loop updates at 100kHz or higher.
Development and validation of the clarity indicators scale

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to create a reliable and valid low- to medium-inference, multidimensional measure of instructor clarity from seminal work across several academic fields. Five hundred and sixty six students responded to an initial pool of 87 items and were split into two samples to investigate the factor structure of the new measurement scale. A five-factor, 20-item measure was selected and was found to represent the data well. Once established, the total sample was combined to investigate the validity of the new measure. The new measurement scale (clarity indicators scale, CIS) demonstrated convergent validity and was highly related to the teacher clarity short inventory (r = .83). In addition, the CIS demonstrated appropriate construct validity through its various associations with students’ academic experiences. The five factors were explored in regards to their ability to predict the outcomes mentioned above. Implications for instructional communication researchers are discussed.
Advances in understanding enzyme substrates in feed : feed science

Feed enzymes have gained widespread acceptance in the feed industry as a solution to improve the nutritive value of diets for poultry and swine. However, despite the wide-spread commercial application of exogenous enzymes, their effectiveness to improve nutrient digestibility and economically significant performance parameters in monogastric animals continues to be variable and difficult to predict.
Long-Term Follow-up of 25 Cases of Biopsy-Proven Radiation Necrosis or Post-Radiation Treatment Effect Treated With Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy.

Background Magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for progressive neoplasms and post-radiation treatment effect (PRTE). Objective To evaluate the radiographic response and efficacy of MRgLITT for biopsy-confirmed PRTE and the quality-of-life outcomes of patients following MRgLITT. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective study of radiographic responses and clinical outcomes of 25 patients with previously treated primary or secondary brain neoplasms (World Health Organization grades 4 [n = 8], 3 [n = 5], 2 [n = 5]) and metastatic brain tumors (n = 7). MRgLITT was applied directly following stereotactic needle biopsy confirming PRTE without any evidence of tumor presence. Results Mean overall survival times (months) for grades 4 and 3 and for metastatic brain tumors were 39.2 (standard error [SE], 7.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24.3-54.1), 29.1 (SE, 7.7; 95% CI, 14.0-44.2), and 55.9 (SE, 10.0; 95% CI, 36.3-75.4), respectively. Mean progression-free survival times after MRgLITT were 9.1 (SE, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.1-16.1), 8.5 (SE, 2.4; 95% CI, 3.9-13.2), and 11.4 (SE, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.8-19.0), respectively. Mean survival times after MRgLITT were 13.1 (SE, 2.3; 95% CI, 8.5-17.6), 12.2 (SE, 4.0; 95% CI, 4.4-20.0), and 19.2 (SE, 5.3; 95% CI, 8.9-29.6), respectively. The SF-36 indicated significant overall effects on mental health (P = .029) and vitality (P = .005). Conclusion MRgLITT may be a viable option for patients with symptomatic advancing PRTE and is less invasive than open craniotomy. Although our results suggest a positive effect for MRgLITT on PRTE, prospective randomized trials with larger numbers of patients are needed to validate the study results. Abbreviations cRBV, relative cerebral blood volumeHIF1a, hypoxia-inducible factor 1aIMRT, intensity-modulated radiation therapyKPS, Karnofsky Performance StatusLITT, laser-induced thermal therapyMBT, metastatic brain tumorMRgLITT, magnetic resonance-guided laser-induced thermal therapyPRTE, post-radiation treatment effectSRS, stereotactic radiosurgeryVEGF, vascular endothelial growth factorWBXRT, whole brain radiation therapy.
Multi-omic approaches for liver cancer biomarker discovery

Omic technologies offer the opportunity to characterize liver cancer at various molecular levels. In particular, characterizing the association of biomolecules such as metabolites and glycoproteins with liver cancer is a promising strategy to discover clinically relevant biomarkers. Metabolites are molecular fingerprints of what cells do at a particular point in time; they can reveal early signs of cancers when the chances for cure are highest. Also, the analysis of protein glycosylation is relevant to liver pathology because of the major influence of this organ on the homeostasis of blood glycoproteins. This talk will focus on the application of multi-omic approaches to identify biomarkers for early detection of liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis. Specifically, I will present transcriptomic, proteomic, glycomic/glycoproteomic, and metabolomic (TPGM) studies we conducted by analysis of samples from HCC cases and cirrhotic controls using multiple omic platforms such as next generation sequencing, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition to candidate biomarkers discovered by evaluating the changes in the levels of transcripts, proteins, glycans, and metabolites between HCC cases and cirrhotic controls, I will present network-based methods we developed for integrative analysis of multi-omic data to identify aberrant pathways/network activities and biomarkers for early detection of liver cancer.
College students’ perceptions of police use of force: do suspect race and ethnicity matter?

Incidents of police use of force continue to draw a considerable amount of attention from both researchers and the public alike. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between ...
Income Inequality, Entrepreneurial Activity, and National Business Systems: A Configurational Analysis:

This article explores how and why high levels of income inequality result from configurations of different types of entrepreneurial activities and elements of the institutional context in a multico...
Memorandums of understanding and public trust in local government for Colorado's unconventional energy industry

Abstract In the fight between state versus local control in Colorado's unconventional energy industry, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed directly between operators and local governments are becoming an increasingly popular strategy for formally integrating citizen concerns into oil and gas development. Yet little is known about how these agreements may shape public opinion of industry and local government. This article uses mixed methods to investigate if and how MOUs shaped public perceptions of the industry and the town government in a politically heterogeneous suburban Colorado town home to the state's first MOU. While public comments have become significantly more favorable toward oil and gas development over time, our research reveals that the MOU itself did not significantly change those perceptions. The more significant factor was the election of a town board committed to processes of engagement and transparency, including a meaningful revision of the original MOU.
The Theory of Chaos

A review of James Glieck's "Chaos: Making a New Science", noting how nonmonotonic functions self-referentially take on their own values and lead to complexity without randomness.
An immanent critique of the prison nation: The contradictions of carceral “anti-violence”

More women are currently incarcerated than at any other time in US history. Though the United States has begun to acknowledge mass incarceration as an international embarrassment, the discourse has...
Three-Dimensional Graphene Foam-Polymer Composite with Superior Deicing Efficiency and Strength.

The adhesion of ice severely compromises the aerodynamic performance of aircrafts operating under critically low-temperature conditions to their surfaces. In this study, highly thermally and electrically conductive graphene foam (GrF) polymer composite is fabricated. GrF–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deicing composite exhibits superior deicing efficiency of 477% and electrical conductivities of 500 S m–1 with only 0.1 vol % graphene foam addition as compared to other nanocarbon-based deicing systems. The three-dimensional interconnected architecture of GrF allows the effective deicing of surfaces by employing low power densities (0.2 W cm–2). Electrothermal stability of the GrF–PDMS composite was proven after enduring 100 cycles of the dc loading–unloading current. Moreover, multifunctional GrF–PDMS deicing composite provides simultaneous mechanical reinforcement by the effective transfer and absorption of loads resulting in a 23% and 18% increase in elastic modulus and tensile strength, respectively, as co...
Return Migration and Transnationalism: Evidence from Highly Skilled Academic Migration

Based on a study of U.S. public university employees from Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC), this article explores transnational practices among highly skilled migrants. Although our interviewees reported considering returning to their home countries or participating in onward migration to other nations, they prefer engagement in transnational practices on the professional and personal levels to long-term return. As we highlight the factors that influence their decision making about return and engagement in transnationalism, our findings suggest that the wide array of transnational activities by the highly skilled needs to be studied as an important complement to the focus on return migration.
Effectiveness in Regular Practice of Collaborative Care for Depression Among Adolescents: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective:Depression is common among adolescents, but many lack ready access to mental health services. Integrated models of care for depression are needed, along with evidence to support their use...
SnapShot: CGAS-STING Signaling

CGAS responds to cytosolic DNA by initiating a STING-dependent response that ultimately engages innate immune effectors to ensure the preservation of organismal homeostasis.
The Defibrination Syndrome

Defibrination is a fairly common clinical entity seen in a wide variety of clinical disorders. With an awareness of the likely clinical settings, a high degree of suspicion, and widely available sensitive laboratory tests, the diagnosis is ordinarily easily made. The best therapy is usually that which is directed at the underlying disease rather than at the defibrination syndrome itself. In certain symptomatic cases, heparin and/or replacement therapy is indicated, especially if the underlying disorder cannot be immediately successfully treated. On occasion, antifibrinolytic therapy will be useful, always with due regard to the danger of renal cortical necrosis. Depending on the clinical setting, it may be advisable to give heparin with the antifibrinolytic therapy to minimize that danger.
The α1-Adrenergic Receptors

α1-Adrenergic receptors (ARs) exist in three distinct molecular subtypes: A, B, and D. They are expected to have distinct physiological roles in vivo, but this has been hard to prove because the pharmacological tools to distinguish the subtypes are limited and not always very selective. For this reason, several laboratories have turned to the knockout (KO) approach to dissect the physiological roles of α1-ARs and α1-AR subtypes in vivo. The KOs confirm the importance of α1-ARs in vasoconstriction and blood pressure regulation, but a surprise is the apparently small role of the B in this respect. The D seems limited to a vascular role and probably brain. D-selective antagonists might have an advantage in hypertension treatment if human subtypes are similar to mouse. The B role in glucose metabolism is notable. Perhaps the biggest surprise from the KOs is the essential role of the A or the B in physiological cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac adaptation to stress. The AB KO data provide a plausible mechanism for the adverse effects of nonselective α1-antagonists in clinical trials and raise further concern about use of these drugs in patients with hypertension or prostate disease.
Are Youth Different?: The Nazarbayev Generation and Public Opinion in Kazakhstan

Analyses of the political and economic attitudes of the “Nazarbayev generation” (aged 18-29) reveal the ways that young Kazakhstanis are distinct from older generations. Young people are more accep...
Associations Between Social Connectedness, Emotional Well-Being, and Self-Rated Health Among Older Adults: Difference by Relationship Status:

The present study investigates the association between social connectedness (i.e., social network characteristics, family and friend support, and social ties with neighbors), emotional well-being, and self-rated health and whether these associations differ based on respondents' relationship status among adults aged 62 and older. A series of multigroup generalized structural equation models (GSEMs) were conducted using data from the National Social, Health, and Aging Project. Social connectedness items were mostly positively associated with emotional well-being and self-rated health, and several of these associations are stronger for older adults who are unpartnered versus those who are cohabiting or married. Cohabiting and married individuals do not appear to have the same associations between social network size, friend support, and emotional well-being compared to unpartnered older adults. The present study lends support for how a variety of social supports are vital for older adults and their well-being.