cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Superior diastolic function with KATP channel opener diazoxide in a novel mouse Langendorff model

Abstract Background Adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers have been found to be cardioprotective in multiple animal models via an unknown mechanism. Mouse models allow genetic manipulation of KATP channel components for the investigation of this mechanism. Mouse Langendorff models using 30 min of global ischemia are known to induce measurable myocardial infarction and injury. Prolongation of global ischemia in a mouse Langendorff model could allow the determination of the mechanisms involved in KATP channel opener cardioprotection. Methods Mouse hearts (C57BL/6) underwent baseline perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (30 min), assessment of function using a left ventricular balloon, delivery of test solution, and prolonged global ischemia (90 min). Hearts underwent reperfusion (30 min) and functional assessment. Coronary flow was measured using an inline probe. Test solutions included were as follows: hyperkalemic cardioplegia alone (CPG, n = 11) or with diazoxide (CPG + DZX, n = 12). Results Although the CPG + DZX group had greater percent recovery of developed pressure and coronary flow, this was not statistically significant. Following a mean of 74 min (CPG) and 77 min (CPG + DZX), an additional increase in end-diastolic pressure was noted (plateau), which was significantly higher in the CPG group. Similarly, the end-diastolic pressure (at reperfusion and at the end of experiment) was significantly higher in the CPG group. Conclusions Prolongation of global ischemia demonstrated added benefit when DZX was added to traditional hyperkalemic CPG. This model will allow the investigation of DZX mechanism of cardioprotection following manipulation of targeted KATP channel components. This model will also allow translation to prolonged ischemic episodes associated with cardiac surgery.
Posterior auricular muscle patch graft for exposed orbital implant.

The purpose of this article is to describe a surgical technique to repair an exposed orbital implant by posterior auricular muscle autograft. A retrospective review was conducted of four patients w...
Observation of Self-Bending and Focused Ultrasound Beams in the Megahertz Range

Self-bending (or self-accelerating) and nondiffracting acoustic beams, such as Airy beams, have the potential to focus around obstacles that are directly in the beam path. Here, we demonstrate the self-bending and focusing properties of Airy beams in the ultrasound domain using finite difference time-domain simulations at 5.2 MHz. The phase profiles of self-bending Airy beams are determined from the Airy function. This beam is then transmitted experimentally using a linear array transducer connected to a 128 channel Vantage Verasonics operating at 5.2 MHz. The performance of self-bending beams is compared to conventional focused ultrasound beams in the presence of a strong scattering obstacle (steel rod). The ability of self-bending Airy beams to bypass obstacles is characterized in terms of their relative energy retention at peak intensity, that was found experimentally to be 50.5% for traditional focused beams whereas 71.5% for Airy beams, proving that self-bending beams performed better than conventional beams in terms of relative energy retention with no significant change in the focal profiles. However, it is observed that, in absolute terms, self-bending beams focus less energy than traditional focused beams.
Oral Motor Function in the Neonate

Oral feeding success in neonates primarily depends upon the proper coordination of sucking, swallowing, and respiration. Consideration of specific external factors, however, may enhance the infant's performance. For instance, premature infants can successfully oral feed despite an immature sucking pattern and such achievement is further facilitated by regulating milk flow. In addition, awareness is growing that proper development of maternal behavior can positively affect the infant's ability to feed.
The History of Newtonian Mass

The standard interpretation of Newtonian physics takes the concept of mass to be a primitive property of bodies. The most elementary Newtonian object is a particle that occupies a point in space at a particular time. The particle has a trajectory, or a continuous mapping from instants of time into three-dimensional space. According to the standard interpretation, each point-particle carries with it an inherent property of mass which compels a body to resist the action of impressed forces. Thus, one often finds reference in expositions of Newtonian physics to a “point mass,” or a “particle of mass m,” as the most primitive material entity.
Galois Extensions — Hecke and Artin L-Series

In Chapters 7 and 8 we discussed finite extensions L/K of algebraic function fields. We propose to continue that discussion here under the special assumption that the extension L/K is Galois. To simplify the discussion we continue to assume that the constant field F of K is perfect.
Hydrodynamics of Sniffing by Crustaceans

Chemical signals are dispersed in aquatic environments by turbulent water currents. The first step in smelling these signals is the capture of odor molecules from the water around an organism. Olfactory antennules of crustaceans are used to study the physical process of odor capture because they are external organs protruding into the water where researchers can measure how they interact with their fluid environment. The antennules of lobsters, crabs, and stomatopods, which bear chemosensory hairs (“aesthetascs”), flick through the water. For any array of small hairs, there is a critical velocity range above which the array is “leaky” and fluid can flow between the hairs, and below which fluid barely moves through the spaces between the hairs. When antennules flick they move faster than the critical velocity and water flows into the spaces between aesthetascs. In contrast, during the return stroke the antennule moves more slowly than the critical velocity and the water sampled during the flick is trapped between the aesthetascs until the next flick. Odorant molecules in the water trapped between the aesthetascs during the return stroke and interflick pause diffuse to the surfaces of the aesthetascs, before the next flick traps a new parcel of water. Therefore, each antennule flick is a “sniff,” taking a discrete sample of the odor plume in space and time.
Pharmacogenomic prediction of treatment-induced severe lung toxicity in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

7522Background: Contemporary therapies produce high cure rates in HL. However, complications of treatment produce substantial morbidity and mortality. Identification of individuals at high risk for...
Mirage in the Desert: Regional Judicialization in the Arab World

This is the version sent to the publisher, before editing, of Cesare P.R. Romano, “Mirage in the Desert: Regional Judicialization in the Arab World”, in Ignacio de la Rasilla del Moral and Jorge Vinuales (eds.), Experiments in International Adjudication, Cambridge University Press, 2018, pp. 169-190. Please, cite to the published book. This chapter tells the little-known story of six regional courts that Arab states tried to establish since World War II. They are: the Arab Court of Justice; the Arab Investment Court; the Arab Court of Human Rights; the Islamic Court of Justice; the Judicial Body of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries; and the Court of Justice of the Arab Maghreb Union. None of these bodies is a successful instance of regional judicialization. In short, the Arab Court of Justice and the Islamic Court of Justice never managed to become reality. Although the Statute of the Arab Court of Human Rights was adopted, it remains to be seen whether it will ever enter into force. The Judicial Body of the OAPEC and the Arab Investment Court exist only on paper. The former has been inactive for more than 20 years and is probably now defunct, while the latter has been used in recent years, but is rarely resorted to. Finally, the Court of Justice of the Arab Maghreb Union never received a single case and should be considered for all practical purposes defunct. The chapter concludes with a discussion of some of the factors that seem to have pushed Arab states to try to create regional courts and tribunals and some of the reasons why these bodies have failed to come into being or be effective.
The dream city in medieval literature, or urban imagination: the case of the anonymous Herzog Ernst (ca. 1170/ca. 1220), Konrad von Würzburg’s Partonopier und Meliur (ca. 1280), and Marco Polo’s Le Devisement du monde (ca. 1310)

Even though we tend to assume that the concept of a sophisticated and complex city belongs to one of the constitutive factors of the modern age (maybe since ca. 1600), we can recognise an entire di...
Laser Therapy of Traumatic and Surgical Scars and an Algorithm for Their Treatment

Background and objectives This paper describes the laser techniques available for the treatment of surgical and trauma scars and develops recommendations for an algorithmic-based treatment approach based on extensive clinical experience and published data. Study design/materials and methods We reviewed the literature regarding laser treatment of surgical and traumatic scars and incorporated the clinical experience of the authors to develop an algorithm for the treatment of surgical and trauma scars. Results In order to develop treatment recommendations, scars were differentiated based on their clinical characteristics. Specific scar characteristics aid in determining the appropriate treatment strategy for different types of complex surgical and trauma scars. Conclusion Laser therapy is first-line therapy for traumatic and surgical scars. The treatment approach should be guided by scar characteristics (e.g., anatomic location, type of injury, color, thickness, tension, scar age, and activity) and involves choosing the appropriate laser type and determining the benefit of combination therapy with surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities to optimize treatment responses. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Celecoxib in lymphangioleiomyomatosis: results of a phase I clinical trial.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a multisystem disease associated with progressive pulmonary disease that affects almost exclusively women. LAM is characterised pathologically by proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle-like cells carrying mutations in predominantly the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) gene TSC2 , and rarely in TSC1 [1]. LAM can occur sporadically or in association with TSC. Mutations in the TSC genes lead to activation of the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) [2]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. El-Chemaly has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Angelo Taveira-DaSilva has no conflicts of interest. Conflict of interest: Dr. Bagwe has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Klonowska has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Tania Machado Conflict of interest: Dr. Lamattina reports personal fees from Wave Life Sciences, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: Dr. Goldberg has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Amanda M. Jones Conflict of interest: Patricia Julien-Williams Conflict of interest: Rie Maurer Conflict of interest: Dr. Rosas has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Henske has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Moss has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Kwiatkowski has nothing to disclose.
8 – Producers in Competitive Markets

Publisher Summary In competitive markets, firms have little control over price. Competitive firms are called price-takers because they must accept the price that the market gives, rather than setting their own as the monopolist price-setter does. Perfect competition is an economic ideal of a market where competitive forces prevail. In a competitive market, there are many buyers and sellers, each small relative to the market. The sell products of identical quality are sold at the same price. Entry and exit to the market are not restricted. Competitive firms maximize the profits by producing where price equals marginal cost. In the long run, firms enter or exit an industry until a level of zero economic profits prevails. Changes in production cost or changes in market demand affect the firm's production decision. Changing marginal costs alter the firm's best output level. Changes in demand alter market price and lead to changes in production and entry or exit from the industry. Prices of goods in the long run depend on conditions in the industry involved. In the long run, supply prices might be constant, rising, or falling. Industries experience differing costs as the number of firms or plant sizes in the industry change. The short-run equilibrium for an industry occurs when individual firms maximize profits and supply-demand equilibrium prevails in the market, assuring a stable price. In the long run, firms alter fixed inputs to minimize average total costs and new firm entry or exit can take place. Industry profits are zero in perfectly competitive markets in the long run.
Explosion energies for core-collapse supernovae I: analytic, spherically symmetric solutions

Recent multi-dimensional simulations of core-collapse supernovae are producing successful explosions and explosion-energy predictions. In general, the explosion-energy evolution is monotonic and relatively smooth, suggesting a possible analytic solution. We derive analytic solutions for the expansion of the gain region under the following assumptions: spherical symmetry, one-zone shell, and powered by neutrinos and $\alpha$ particle recombination. We consider two hypotheses: I) explosion energy is powered by neutrinos and $\alpha$ recombination, II) explosion energy is powered by neutrinos alone. Under these assumptions, we derive the fundamental dimensionless parameters and analytic scalings. For the neutrino-only hypothesis (II), the asymptotic explosion energy scales as $E_{\infty} \approx 1.5 M_g v_0^2 \eta^{2/3}$, where $M_g$ is the gain mass, $v_0$ is the free-fall velocity at the shock, and $\eta$ is a ratio of the heating and dynamical time scales. Including both neutrinos and recombination (hypothesis I), the asymptotic explosion energy is $E_{\infty} \approx M_g v_0^2 (1.5\eta^{2/3} + \beta f(\rho_0))$, where $\beta$ is the dimensionless recombination parameter. We use Bayesian inference to fit these analytic models to simulations. Both hypotheses fit the simulations of the lowest progenitor masses that tend to explode spherically. The fits do not prefer hypothesis I or II; however, prior investigations suggest that $\alpha$ recombination is important. As expected, neither hypothesis fits the higher-mass simulations that exhibit aspherical explosions. In summary, this explosion-energy theory is consistent with the spherical explosions of low progenitor masses; the inconsistency with higher progenitor-mass simulations suggests that a theory for them must include aspherical dynamics.
Dc Fault Detection and Pulsed Load Monitoring using Wavelet Transform-fed LSTM Autoencoders

Extensive deployment of power electronics loads in naval ship power systems indicate the ship electrification is inevitable in future trends. Next generation warships require high power density weapons drawing pulse power from dc grid. A particularly concerning issue is that these pulse loads draw large currents in short periods of time similar to fault behavior; and may be indiscernible from a fault. This paper proposed a novel machine learning based algorithm – long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN) based autoencoder (AE) networks to detect dc faults and monitor load conditions applied to naval pulse loads. The novel load monitoring solution presented herein can be applied to any load profile that exhibits repetitive transients during normal operation. The frequency-domain features of the load current are extracted under wavelet transform for the network training to set the network weights and biases. Once the network training is completed, the LSTM RNN based AE will produce both signal classification and signal reconstruction of the pulse load based on wavelet features of input current. Any faults should yield large reconstruction errors for protective action. Finally the method is demonstrated in experimental results.
Width Dependent Disorder and Many-Body Effects in Gallium Arsenide Quantum Wells

We study many body effects and disorder in both narrow and wide quantum wells with two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy. The inhomogeneous linewidth, homogeneous linewidth, and exictation induced dephasing depend on width in AlGaAs/GaAs quantum wells.
AML-397: Preclinical Efficacy of a PROTAC-based MDM2 Degrader in AML models

Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) is a E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes p53 tumor suppressor degradation. MDM2 has emerged as a therapeutic target in the treatment of TP53 wild-type expressing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) where MDM2 is overexpressed. Several MDM2 inhibitors are currently in clinical trials. However, p53 stabilization upregulates MDM2, which limits the clinical efficacy of the inhibitors. Proteolysis Targeting Chimeric (PROTAC) molecules recruit targeted proteins for degradation. We developed a MDM2 degrader, MI-265, that binds to MDM2 and targets it for degradation. We tested MI-265 in a panel of 101 primary AML samples in ex vivo cultures. Leukemia stem cells (LSC) were enriched by positive selection with CD34 antibody. After treatment with drugs for 72 hrs, cell death and apoptosis induction were measured by flow-cytometry for DAPI-Annexin V binding. The AML cells were obtained from newly diagnosed AML (N=86) or relapse/refractory AML (N=15). The median IC50 for MI-265 was 120 pM. In contrast, median IC50 for the inhibitor MI-1061 was 20,000-fold higher at 2.3 μM. Sensitivity and resistance to MDM2-degrader and inhibitor were similar in most of the samples suggesting that the mechanism of action of both drugs are also similar. The AML cells were heterogeneous for the expression of mutant FLT-3 (36%), NPM1 (22%), IDH1/2 (16%), CEBPalpha (2%), DNMT3A (2%), and other mutations (10%). Based on classical karyotype, 30% of them had a normal karyotype and 55% had abnormal karyotype. The MDM2 degrader-resistant LSCs (IC50 greater than 1 μM) were analyzed for TP53 mutation status and 8 of 14 were found to harbor mutations in TP53. The degradation of MDM2 and overexpression of p53 was confirmed by immunoblotting after a 4-hr exposure of LSCs to degrader. Moreover, treatment of normal CD34-positive hematopoietic cells in apoptosis assay and colony formation assays suggests lack of toxicity to normal hematopoiesis. Evaluation of efficacy in patient-derived xenografts is ongoing. In conclusion, MI-265 represents a highly potent and efficacious MDM2 degrader, and is currently undergoing extensive preclinical evaluation for the treatment of acute leukemias.
Trust in Organizational Acceptance of Information Technology: A Conceptual Model & Preliminary Evidence

Drawing on the existing theoretical literature, a conceptual model of trust is developed. The model suggests that trust in technology, institutional trust, and social trust are three dimensions of the overarching trust construct that should be considered in models of technology acceptance. The preliminary empirical evidence suggests that institutional trust and social trust are important factors in technology acceptance. Drawing in Rogers’ model of the innovation diffusion process, we discuss how integration of this model with the technology acceptance model can inform future research on technology acceptance/adoption.
Stochastic identification of the structural damage condition of a ship bow section under model uncertainty

A accurate, quantifiable means of assessing structural damage condition are paramount for maintaining the structural integrity of ship hull forms. Toward this end, precise knowledge of the location and magnitude of any imperfections (i.e. geometric imperfections in the form of denting and corrosion patches) must be determined, along with concomitant uncertainties accompanying such predictions. The current paper describes a non-contact approach to identifying and characterizing such imperfections within the submerged bow section of a representative ship hull. By monitoring the pressure field local to the acoustically excited hull section, it is shown how the resulting data can be used to identify the parameters describing the structural damage field. In order to perform the identification, a fluid–structure model that predicts the spatio-temporal pressure field is required. A Bayesian, reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo approach is then used to generate the imperfection parameter estimates and quantify the uncertainty in those estimates. This approach is particularly appealing as it does not allow for the damage model to be explicitly known a priori. Convergence of the Markov chains is assessed, and estimates of the Monte Carlo standard error (MCSE) are provided.
How Constituents Lobby Members of Congress on Twitter

Political speech occurs on social media with increasing frequency and attention. We present a large-scale analysis of a specific type of political speech - citizens lobbying elected officials - and explain how citizens use varied and complex rhetorical and linguistic strategies to effect political outcomes through social media. We collected over 30,000 tweets aimed at members of the U.S. Congress and containing hashtags that refer to legislation about immigration, the federal budget, internet freedom, and gun control. Using Aristotelian notions of deliberative rhetoric and recent developments in speech-act theory to frame our discussion, we analyze various lobbying strategies evident in tweets. We also discuss the use of automated text classification algorithms for classifying political speech in social media.
Persistent englacial drainage features in the Greenland Ice Sheet

[1] Surface melting on the Greenland Ice Sheet is common up to ∼1400 m elevation and, in extreme melt years, even higher. Water produced on the ice sheet surface collects in lakes and drains over the ice sheet surface via supraglacial streams and through the ice sheet via moulins. Water delivered to the base of the ice sheet can cause uplift and enhanced sliding locally. Here we use ice-penetrating radar data to observe the effects of significant basal melting coincident with moulins and calculate how much basal melt occurred. We find that more melting has occurred than can be explained by the release of potential energy from the drainage of surface meltwater during one melt season suggesting that these moulins are persistent for multiple years. We find only a few persistent moulins in our study area that drain the equivalent of multiple lakes per year and likely remain active over several years. Our observations indicate that once established, these persistent moulins might be capable of establishing well-connected meltwater drainage pathways.
Reforms to the College Entrance Examination in China: Key Issues, Developments, and Dilemmas

(2013). Reforms to the College Entrance Examination in China: Key Issues, Developments, and Dilemmas. Chinese Education & Society: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 3-9.
The Inclusionary Cultural Model

Schools of social work must educate students to perform as sensitive and knowledgeable professionals in multiethnic settings. The Inclusionary Cultural Model combines teaching traditional sociocult...
Strain history of ice shells of the Galilean satellites from radar detection of crystal orientation fabric

[1] Orbital radar sounding has been suggested as a means of determining the subsurface thermal and physical structure of the outer ice I shells of the Galilean satellites. At radar frequencies, the dielectric permittivity of single- and polycrystalline water ice I is anisotropic. Crystal orientation fabric (COF), which is indicative of strain history, can be unambiguously detected by comparing the received power of dual co-polarization (linear polarization parallel and perpendicular to the orbit) radar data. Regions with crystal orientations dictated by the local strain field (“fabric”) form in terrestrial ice masses where accumulated strain and temperature are high, similar to conditions expected in a convecting outer ice I shell on Europa, Ganymede, or Callisto. We use simulations of solid-state ice shell convection to show that crystal orientation fabric can form in the warm convecting sublayer of the ice shells for plausible grain sizes. Changes in received power from parallel and perpendicular polarizations in the ice shells due to fabric could be detected if multi-polarization data is collected. With proper instrument design, radar sounding could be used to shed light on the strain history of the satellites' ice shells in addition to their present day internal structures.
ModPET - A compact PET system employing modular gamma cameras, maximum-likelihood event-parameter estimation, and list-mode ML-EM reconstruction

491 Objectives We have developed a compact PET system for small-animal imaging that comprises two 4.5 × 4.5 -inch modular gamma cameras with 5-mm-thick monolithic scintillation crystals, each configured with a 3 × 3 array of end-on PMTs and independent super-list-mode acquisition electronics. The cameras are brought in close proximity to mice being imaged, resulting in a >50% geometric efficiency that partially compensates for the low stopping power of the thin crystals. Methods Coincidence pairs are identified by time stamps incorporated alongside PMT signals in event packets. To extract maximum information from each coincidence pair, maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) of position and energy is carried out. Cameras were calibrated with a collimated 511keV photon source, and an intrinsic resolution of ~1.5mm FWHM is achieved across the entire camera face. Since MLE is asymptotically unbiased, no distortion correction or other remapping is required. Likelihood thresholding on both events of each line-of-response greatly enhances the image quality. Tomographic images are reconstructed with the list-mode form of the maximum-likelihood-expectation-maximization algorithm. Results The system sensitivity was found to range between .8% and .4% over an activity range of 2 to 84 μCi. The resolution was evaluated with a Rayleigh task of determining the center-to-center separation at which two closely spaced 0.5-mm-diameter bead sources could be distinguished as separate. With this definition, lateral resolution in planes parallel to the camera faces was found to vary between 1.5 mm in the center of the field of view (FOV) to 2 mm at the edge. Perpendicular resolution was found to average 2.5 mm. A complete characterization has been performed, including assessment of the accidental singles rate and noise-equivalent-count-rate (NECR) over a range of activities. Conclusions Phantom and mouse PET images produced with this very simple system are surprisingly good. As a bonus, rapid conversion to SPECT scintigraphy adds a modality. Research Support This work was supported by NIH/NIBIB Grant P41-EB002035
Toward Realism in Human Performance Simulation

The fields of virtual reality and microworld simulation have advanced significantly in the past decade. Today, computer generated personas or agents that populate these worlds and interact with human operators are now used in many endeavors and avenues of investigation. A few of many example application areas are Hollywood animations for movies, cartoons, and advertising (von-Neuman & Morganstern, 1947); immersive industrial and safety training simulations (Fudenberg & Tirole, 2000; Silverman et al., 2001); distributed, interactive military war games and mission rehearsals (Johns & Silverman, 2001); and personal assistant agents to reduce technologic complexity for the general public, among others (Weaver, Silverman, Shin & Dubois, 2001).
Intracellular Trafficking of Nanoparticles: Implications for Therapeutic Efficacy of the Encapsulated Drug

The cell membrane presents a formidable barrier to the entry of many drugs, which is required for therapeutic effects to take place. Delivery systems that facilitate the intracellular accumulation of drug molecules could improve therapeutic efficacy. In the last decade, studies from several laboratories have shown that encapsulation of a drug in polymeric nanoparticles can improve intracellular delivery. This chapter examines the intracellular trafficking of polymeric nanoparticles and the impact of modulating this trafficking on the therapeutic performance of the encapsulated drug. Keywords: intracellular trafficking; cellular entry; endocytosis; nanoparticle; encapsulation
Cell Wall Polymers of Bacillus sphaericus: Activities of Enzymes Involved in Peptidoglycan Precursor Synthesis During Sporulation

In synchronously sporulating cells of Bacillus sphaericus 9602, the specific activities of those enzymes specifically required for the synthesis of the UDP-N-acetyl-muramyl-pentapeptide precursor of vegetative cell wall peptidoglycan decay by 50% after the end of exponential cell division, probably as a consequence of dilution by newly synthesized protein. The meso-diaminopimelate ligase is the only new activity whose synthesis is required for synthesis of the nucleotide-pentapeptide precursor of spore cortex peptidoglycan. The addition of d-Ala-d-Ala to the nucleotide tripeptide is catalyzed by an enzyme present in both vegetative and sporulating cells, which apparently does not discriminate between lysine- and diaminopimelate-containing acceptors. The activities of the l-Ala and d-Ala-d-Ala ligases and of the d-Ala-d-Ala synthetase increases in parallel with the appearance of the diaminopimelate ligase, indicating coordinate derepression and suggesting operon-like organization of the appropriate structural genes.
Clinicians' awareness of the Affordable Care Act mandate to provide comprehensive tobacco cessation treatment for pregnant women covered by Medicaid

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to provide tobacco-cessation services without cost-sharing for pregnant traditional Medicaid-beneficiaries effective October 2010. It is unknown the extent to which obstetricians–gynecologists are aware of the Medicaid tobacco-cessation benefit. We sought to examine the awareness of the Medicaid tobacco-cessation benefit in a national sample of obstetricians–gynecologists and assessed whether reimbursement would influence their tobacco cessation practice. In 2012, a survey was administered to a national stratified-random sample of obstetricians–gynecologists (n = 252) regarding awareness of the Medicaid tobacco-cessation benefit. Results were stratified by the percentage of pregnant Medicaid patients. Chi-squared tests (p < 0.05) were used to assess significant associations. Analyses were conducted in 2014. Eighty-three percent of respondents were unaware of the benefit. Lack of awareness increased as the percentage of pregnant Medicaid patients in their practices decreased (range = 71.9%–96.8%; P = 0.02). One-third (36.1%) of respondents serving pregnant Medicaid patients reported that reimbursement would influence them to increase their cessation services. Four out of five obstetricians–gynecologists surveyed in 2012 were unaware of the ACA provision that required states to provide tobacco cessation coverage for pregnant traditional Medicaid beneficiaries as of October 2010. Broad promotion of the Medicaid tobacco-cessation benefit could reduce treatment barriers.
Immunity to Syphilis I. Passive Transfer in Rabbits with Hyperimmune Serum

Passive transfer of humoral immunity to experimental syphilis in rabbits was accomplished with large doses of hyperimmune serum. When the serum was administered before inoculation of Treponema pallidum, the onset of chancres was delayed; when it was given early in the course of infection, a transient period of arrest and healing of the chancres was imposed.
Adaptation effect in nonfluent speech behavior of controlled stutterers and nonstutterers

Abstract The adaptation effect in stuttering behavior has received considerable attention. Adaptation effect is defined as the reduction in the frequency of nonfluencies in the speech of subjects during successive readings of the same passage. The objective of this investigation was to assess the adaptation effect of nonfluent speech behavior of controlled stutterers and nonstutterers. The subjects included 35 controlled stutterers and 35 nonstutterers matched for factors of sex, grade level, and age. Results suggest a significant mean difference between the number of nonfluencies between trials of controlled stutterers with evidence of adaptation in the speech of nonstutterers. Nonstutterers demonstrate significant mean differences in nonfluencies among replicated testing occasions. Findings of this investigation suggest that both controlled stutterers and nonstutterers demonstrate similar adaptation regarding their nonfluent speech behavior. Issues and import for future research are offered.
Invadopodia in context

Invadopodia are dynamic protrusions in motile tumor cells whose function is to degrade extracellular matrix so that cells can enter into new environments. Invadopodia are specifically identified by microscopy as proteolytic invasive protrusions containing TKS5 and cortactin. The increasing complexity in models for the study of invadopodia, including engineered 3D environments, explants, or animal models in vivo, entails a higher level of microenvironment complexity as well as cancer cell heterogeneity. Such experimental setups are rich in information and offer the possibility of contextualizing invadopodia and other motility-related structures. That is, they hold the promise of revealing more realistic microenvironmental conditions under which the invadopodium assembles and functions or in which tumor cells switch to a different cellular phenotype (focal adhesion, lamellipodia, proliferation, and apoptosis). For such an effort, we need a systemic approach to microscopy, which will integrate information from multiple modalities. While the individual technologies needed to achieve this are mostly available, data integration and standardization is not a trivial process. In a systems microscopy approach, microscopy is used to extract information on cell phenotypes and the microenvironment while -omics technologies assess profiles of cancer cell and microenvironment genetic, transcription, translation, and protein makeups. Data are classified and linked via in silico modeling (including statistical and mathematical models and bioinformatics). Computational considerations create predictions to be validated experimentally by perturbing the system through use of genetic manipulations and molecular biology. With such a holistic approach, a deeper understanding of function of invadopodia in vivo will be reached, opening the potential for personalized diagnostics and therapies.
TRANSDUCER BRIDGE AMPLIFIER TO DIRECTLY DRIVE LOW SENSITIVITY OSCILLOGRAPHIC RECORDERS

A circuit is described which uses operational amplifiers to drive any low sensitivity recorder or oscillographic display unit from pressure transducers and other varieties of resistive strain-gauge devices. The circuitry values are specific for the Statham P23 series strain-gauges used in the measurement of physiological pressures, such as arterial or venous blood pressure, amniotic, and other fluid pressures.
Contributions to the interfacial adhesion in Co-sintered bilayers

The adhesive strength of co-sintered bilayers is influenced by several factors, including the nature of bonding along the joined interface, residual stresses evolved during processing, and the sintered properties of the individual layers. Here these separate contributions are isolated through careful control of the co-sintering process for W/Al2O3 bilayers, and in particular through control of the W-layer properties by using the process of activated sintering. Four-point bending delamination tests are used to evaluate adhesion and strength of the bilayers, and the interfacial fracture mechanics of the system is numerically studied using finite element simulations. Improvements in sintered density are found to increase the adhesive strength of the system only up to a point, beyond which shrinkage mismatch compromises the intrinsic toughness of the interface.
Effect of PAF on NF-Activation in Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells in Rats.♦ 852

PAF (Platelet activating factor) is a pro-inflammatory phospholipid implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis. We have previously shown that PAF induces TNF production in the small intestine. The rapid burst of cytokine production seen during inflammation can be triggered by the activation of transcription factors of the REL/NF-kB family. To examine if PAF activates NF-kB in the ileal epithelial cells, we injected PAF at 1.25 or 1.5 μg/kg iv, into young Sprague-Dawley rats. These doses cause only transient hypotension and no gross bowel necrosis. (Preliminary results showed that 1 μg/kg of PAF had no effect on NF-kB activation and 2 μg/kg produces bowel necrosis). Ileal epithelial cells were isolated 30 minutes after PAF injection. Nuclei were isolated, proteins extracted and nuclear translocation of NF-kB was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay using a [32P]-labeled oligonucleotide probe specific for NF-kB. We found that ileal epithelial cells of shams controls have a constitutive low level of NF-kB activity within nuclei. PAF at both 1.25 and 1.5 μg/kg significantly increased NF-kB translocation into the nucleus. These results suggest that NF-kB may mediate the upregulation of the cytokine production by epithelial cells in response to PAF. (funded by NIH grant HD31840).
A Stein-rule method for pooling data

Abstract In this paper a Stein-rule estimator is discussed as an alternative to the traditional statistical approaches to pooling time-series and cross-section data. Ex post forecasts of the Stein-rule applied to a wilderness recreation demand model are compared to that of conventional estimators.
Voltzia andrewsii, n. sp., an Upper Triassic seed cone from North Carolina, U.S.A.

Abstract Sediments of the Pekin Formation (Upper Triassic) of the Deep River Basin of North Carolina yield remains of ovulate cones assignable to the genus Voltzia. Ovuliferous scales have a narrow attachment and flare distally into an ascending five-lobed portion. Three seeds were borne on the upper surface of the scale. The cone is placed in a new species, V. andrewsii, that shares some similarities with V. coburgensis. Voltzia andrewsii n. sp. retained certain primitive features of the ovuliferous scale, yet coexisted with a conifer, Compsostrobus neotericus, that had ovulate cones with relatively advanced structure.
The C-terminus of IpaC Is Required for Effector Activities Related to Shigella Invasion of Host Cells

Invasion plasmid antigen C (IpaC) is secreted by the Shigella flexneri type III secretion system (TTSS) as an essential trigger of epithelial cell invasion. At the molecular level, IpaC possesses a distinct functional organization. The IpaC C-terminal region between amino acids 319 and 345 is predicted to form a coiled-coil structure. Such alpha-helical motifs appear to be a recurring structural theme among TTSS components. Together with IpaB, this IpaC region is also required for the formation of translocon pores in target cell membranes. In contrast, mutations within the C-terminal tail of IpaC (defined by residues 345-363) have no effect on contact hemolysis (a putative measure of translocon pore formation), but they can contribute significantly to IpaC's ability to trigger S. flexneri entry into cultured cells. Here we describe the molecular dissection of the IpaC C-terminus and how changes in this region affect selected virulence-related activities. IpaC invasion function requires its immediate C-terminus and this general region may be involved in its ability to trigger actin nucleation. In contrast, IpaC could not be shown to interact directly with Cdc42, a host GTPase closely tied to Shigella invasion.
On the structure dependence of CO oxidation over CeO2 nanocrystals with well-defined surface planes

Abstract CO oxidation is a model reaction for probing the redox property of ceria-based catalysts. In this study, CO oxidation was investigated over ceria nanocrystals with defined surface planes (nanoshapes) including rods ({1 1 0} + {1 0 0}), cubes ({1 0 0}), and octahedra ({1 1 1}). To understand the strong dependence of CO oxidation observed on these different ceria nanoshapes, in situ techniques including infrared and Raman spectroscopy coupled with online mass spectrometer, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) were employed to reveal how CO interacts with the different ceria surfaces, while the mobility of ceria lattice oxygen was investigated via oxygen isotopic exchange experiment. CO adsorption at room temperature leads to strongly bonded carbonate species on the more reactive surfaces of rods and cubes but weakly bonded ones on the rather inert octahedra surface. CO-TPR, proceeding via several channels including CO removal of lattice oxygen, surface water–gas shift reaction, and CO disproportionation reaction, reveals that the reducibility of these ceria nanoshapes is in line with their CO oxidation activity, i.e., rods > cubes > octahedra. The mobility of lattice oxygen also shows similar dependence. It is suggested that surface oxygen vacancy formation energy, defect sites, and coordinatively unsaturated sites on ceria play a direct role in facilitating both CO interaction with ceria surface and the reactivity and mobility of lattice oxygen. The oxygen vacancy formation energy, nature and amount of the defect and low coordination sites are intrinsically affected by the surface planes of the ceria nanoshapes. Several reaction pathways for CO oxidation over the ceria nanoshapes are proposed, and certain types of carbonates, especially those associated with reduced ceria surface, are considered among the reaction intermediates to form CO 2 , while the majority of carbonate species observed under CO oxidation condition are believed to be spectators.
A reply to "Comments on 'small geometry MOS Transistor capacitance measurement method using simple on-chip circuits'"

Internodal MOS transistor capacitances are described from a measurement perspective. The on-chip MOS transistor capacitance measurement method, previously reported, is discussed as an application of internodal capacitance theory.
Wireless piezoelectric acoustic-electric power feedthru

There are numerous engineering applications where there is a need to transfer power and communication data thru the walls of a structure. A piezoelectric acoustic-electric power feedthru system was developed in this reported study allowing for wireless transfer of electric power through a metallic wall using elastic waves. The technology is applicable to the transfer of power for actuation, sensing and other tasks inside sealed containers and vacuum/pressure vessels. A network equivalent circuit including material damping loss was developed to analyze the performance of the devices. Experimental test devices were constructed and tested. The power transfer capability and the transfer efficiency were measured. A 100W feed though capability with 38 mm diameter device and 88% transmission efficiency were demonstrated. Both analytical and experimental results are presented and discussed in this paper.
Backscattering of light from disk-like particles with aperiodic angular fine structure.

Recent computations of the backscattering cross section (σb) of randomly-oriented disk-like particles (refractive index, 1.20) with small-scale periodic angular internal structure, have been repeated for similarly sized particles, but with the periodic structure replaced by an aperiodic structure. The latter is formed by randomly perturbing a periodic structure. Although σb for individual realizations of an aperiodic disk can differ significantly from that of its periodic counterpart, averaging over several realizations brings the two into confluence, unless the aperiodicity is too large. These computations suggest that using disks with perfectly periodic (as opposed to quasi-periodic) fine structure for modeling the backscattering of detached coccoliths from E. huxleyi is justified.
Impact of curd milling on the chemical, functional, and rheological properties of starter-free Queso Fresco1,2

Abstract The manufacture of Queso Fresco (QF), a high-moisture fresh Mexican cheese that is popular in the Americas, varies from country to country, with many manufacturers milling the curd before forming the cheese block to disrupt the protein matrix and ensure the crumbly nature of the QF. Because this traditional milling step does take time and may be an unnecessary point of microbial contamination, this study was undertaken to determine whether the curd-milling step could be omitted without altering the chemical, functional, and textural properties of the QF. Starter culture-free, rennet-set QF was prepared from pasteurized, homogenized milk. Curds were cooked at 39°C for 30min, wet salted at 1.45g of NaCl/100 g of milk, chilled, and divided into 4 portions. Curds were not milled or were subjected to coarse, medium, or fine milling and hand-packed into molds. After 12h at 4°C, the cheese was divided, vacuum packaged, and stored at 4°C for up to 8 wk. Fresh QF contained 57.3±1.2% moisture, 20.9±0.8% fat, 16.0±1.3% protein, 2.61±0.15% lactose, and 2.25±0.22% salt and had a pH of 6.36±0.03%. Moisture decreased over the 8 wk of storage, whereas the fat level tended to increase. All cheeses lost 1.3 to 1.7% of their weight in whey during the first week after manufacture, and the weight gradually increased to 2.1% (nonmilled) to 3.2% (milled) by wk 8. Milling did result in QF that were softer, less chewy, and less rigid and with lower viscoelastic properties than nonmilled cheeses. Sensory panelists differentiate the finely milled QF from the other treatments, but they detected no significant differences among the nonmilled, coarsely milled, and medium-milled QF. Milling of the curd did not affect the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to grow on the cheese surface. Results from this study indicate that the milling step, which lengthens the manufacturing time, does increase wheying off during storage and results in a more fragile protein matrix. Cheese manufacturers can use this information to produce a QF that meets the demands of their customers.
Die Design and Blanking Analysis

The modified fine blanking technique is the subject of this research, along with a comparison of conventional blanking and shaving. The modified process does not require the use of a triple-action press and the press can be run at the same rate as conventional blanking. A counter-pressure punch and assembly are used to prevent the fracturing of the cut, which is similar to standard fine blanking. The difference between the two fine blanking techniques is that the modified method does not hold the material from lateral movement during the perforating operation. Furthermore, to achieve an optimum comparison of all three methods (conventional blanking, shaving, and modified fine blanking), a die set was designed that could produce parts for each of these processes. The evaluation of each method was done by cutting similar samples of each method and placing them in plastic, which allowed microscopic comparisons to be made of the three methods. A trade-off analysis of the various methods demonstrated that the modified fine blanking technique is superior to the other techniques.Copyright © 2003 by ASME