cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An algorithm for coupling multibranch in vitro experiment to numerical physiology simulation for a hybrid cardiovascular model

The hybrid cardiovascular modeling approach integrates an in vitro experiment with a computational lumped-parameter simulation, enabling direct physical testing of medical devices in the context of closed-loop physiology. The interface between the in vitro and computational domains is essential for properly capturing the dynamic interactions of the two. To this end, we developed an iterative algorithm capable of coupling an in vitro experiment containing multiple branches to a lumped-parameter physiology simulation. This algorithm identifies the unique flow waveform solution for each branch of the experiment using an iterative Broyden's approach. For the purpose of algorithm testing, we first used mathematical surrogates to represent the in vitro experiments and demonstrated five scenarios where the in vitro surrogates are coupled to the computational physiology of a Fontan patient. This testing approach allows validation of the coupling result accuracy as the mathematical surrogates can be directly integrated into the computational simulation to obtain the "true solution" of the coupled system. Our algorithm successfully identified the solution flow waveforms in all test scenarios with results matching the true solutions with high accuracy. In all test cases, the number of iterations to achieve the desired convergence criteria was less than 130. To emulate realistic in vitro experiments in which noise contaminates the measurements, we perturbed the surrogate models by adding random noise. The convergence tolerance achievable with the coupling algorithm remained below the magnitudes of the added noise in all cases. Finally, we used this algorithm to couple a physical experiment to the computational physiology model to demonstrate its real-world applicability.
Strategies to Improve Electrical and Ionic Conductivities of Metal–Organic Frameworks

Owing to their highly ordered crystalline structures and ease of introducing different electroactive meta ions and ligands, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising electrical and ...
Leading-edge VASP clusters assemble at sites containing lamellipodin and exhibit size-dependent instability

The shape of many eukaryotic cells depends on the actin cytoskeleton; and localized changes in actin assembly dynamics underlie many changes in cell shape. Polymerases of the Ena/VASP family modulate cell shape by locally accelerating actin filament assembly and slowing filament capping. When concentrated into discrete foci at the leading edge, VASP promotes formation of filopodia, but the mechanisms that drive VASP clustering are poorly understood. Here we show that, in migrating B16F1 cells, VASP molecules assemble on pre-existing foci of the adaptor protein, lamellipodin, and that dimerization of lamellipodin is essential for cluster formation. VASP/lamellipodin clusters grow by accumulating monomers and by fusing, but their growth is limited by a previously undescribed, size-dependent instability. Our results demonstrate that assembly and disassembly dynamics of filopodia tip complexes are determined, in part, by a network of multivalent interactions between VASP, lamellipodin, and actin.
Rapid remediation of pharmaceuticals from wastewater using magnetic Fe3O4/Douglas fir biochar adsorbents.

Abstract Modification of commercially available Douglas fir biochar (BC) by iron oxide nanoparticle precipitation from aqueous Fe2+/Fe3+ salt solutions upon NaOH treatment generated a hybrid adsorbent (MBC) that removed three common emerging aqueous contaminants, a stimulant (caffeine) and two anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid) through batch sorption. Fe3O4 particles (12.3 ± 7.1 nm diameter fundamental particles with aggregates 1–17 μm diameter) dispersed on the biochar surface provided magnetization and created new adsorption sites for the contaminant uptake. These smaller quasi-spherical, octahedral Fe3O4 particles as well as the spindle-like Fe2O3 particles were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of MBC, and the composition was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Adsorption features were evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Langmuir adsorption capacities on MBC at 35 °C have increased from 24.6 ± 0.4 to 75.1 ± 1.8 mg/g for caffeine, 17.5 ± 0.4 to 39.9 ± 1.2 mg/g for ibuprofen and 106.2 ± 2.8 to 149.9 ± 4.5 mg/g for acetylsalicylic acid after Fe3O4 modification. Fast adsorption resulted in equilibrium within 5 min. MBC has potential as a low cost, green adsorbent for pharmaceutical mitigation from water with high adsorption capacities and fast kinetics. The Douglas fir biochar is a byproduct waste from a syn-gas from wood production process covering its production costs.
Mutation of CFAP57, a protein required for the asymmetric targeting of a subset of inner dynein arms in Chlamydomonas, causes primary ciliary dyskinesia

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is characterized by chronic airway disease, reduced fertility, and randomization of the left/right body axis. It is caused by defects of motile cilia and sperm flagella. We screened a cohort of affected individuals that lack an obvious axonemal defect for pathogenic variants using whole exome capture, next generation sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis assuming an autosomal recessive trait. We identified one subject with an apparently homozygous nonsense variant [(c.1762C>T), p.(Arg588*)] in the uncharacterized CFAP57 gene. Interestingly, the variant results in the skipping of exon 11 (58 amino acids), which may be due to disruption of an exonic splicing enhancer. In normal human nasal epithelial cells, CFAP57 localizes throughout the ciliary axoneme. Nasal cells from the PCD patient express a shorter, mutant version of CFAP57 and the protein is not incorporated into the axoneme. The missing 58 amino acids include portions of WD repeats that may be important for loading onto the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complexes for transport or docking onto the axoneme. A reduced beat frequency and an alteration in ciliary waveform was observed. Knockdown of CFAP57 in human tracheobronchial epithelial cells (hTECs) recapitulates these findings. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CFAP57 is highly conserved in organisms that assemble motile cilia. CFAP57 is allelic with the BOP2/IDA8/FAP57 gene identified previously in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Two independent, insertional fap57 Chlamydomonas mutant strains show reduced swimming velocity and altered waveforms. Tandem mass tag (TMT) mass spectroscopy shows that FAP57 is missing, and the "g" inner dyneins (DHC7 and DHC3) and the "d" inner dynein (DHC2) are reduced, but the FAP57 paralog FBB7 is increased. Together, our data identify a homozygous variant in CFAP57 that causes PCD that is likely due to a defect in the inner dynein arm assembly process.
MOCVD Epitaxy of Ultrawide Bandgap β-(AlxGa1–x)2O3 with High-Al Composition on (100) β-Ga2O3 Substrates

Single β-phase (100) (AlxGa1–x)2O3 thin films were successfully grown on (100) oriented β-Ga2O3 substrates via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). By systematically tuning the precursor...
Discrimination-Based Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use Among Latina Emerging Adults During Initial Months in the USA

The present study examined the links between discrimination-based acculturative stress (DAS), depressive symptoms, and alcohol use among recently immigrated Latina young adults and explored potential within-group Latina ethnic differences. Structural equation modeling was used to assess these relations among 530 Latina young adults (age 18–23) who had immigrated to the USA within approximately 12 months prior to assessment. Women reporting more DAS indicated more depressive symptoms and alcohol use than counterparts reporting less DAS. Women reporting more time in the USA experienced higher levels of DAS. Undocumented participants, and those who had lived in the USA for less time, reported more depressive symptoms than their peers. Findings highlight the need for mental health clinicians to attend to their local sociopolitical climate context for discriminatory practices and integrate cultural factors in mental health and alcohol use interventions targeting Latina young adults who recently immigrated to the USA.
Nonmydriatic Photographic Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in Pregnant Patients with Pre-Existing Diabetes in a Safety Net Population: 1 Year Results from the Diabetic Retinopathy in Pregnant Patients Study.

Background: Pregnant patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk for development or progression of existing diabetic retinopathy (DR). A quality improvement project was initiated to improve DR screening during pregnancy at a safety net hospital. This article highlights the utility and generalizability of our telemedicine-based screening model. Materials and Methods: In April 2018, we implemented a photographic retinal screening system in the Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA. The system is intended to screen all pregnant patients with pre-existing diabetes (type 1 and 2). Retinal images are automatically uploaded to a secure server and interpreted by a retina specialist (C.K.P.). Results: A total of 71 pregnant patients with pre-existing DM were seen in the MFM clinic during the study period. Sixty-six of 71 patients (93.0%) were screened compared with 69.1% in the year prior. Of the 64 patients screened with readable images 11 (17.2%) had DR, whereas 53 did not. Forty-nine of the 64 (74.2%) patients screened underwent screening using the new nonmydriatic system in the MFM clinic. Only 7 out of 47 (14.9%) patients with readable images in the MFM clinic required referral to the ophthalmology clinic. Conclusion: Our model for DR screening in pregnant patients in safety net hospitals is effective in improving screening rates and expediting evaluation and treatment for those in need. This system can prevent irreversible vision loss in pregnant patients and provides an effective framework for ophthalmic care in a safety net hospital system.
Saturation of thylakoid-associated fatty acids facilitates bioenergetic coupling in a marine diatom allowing for thermal acclimation

In a rapidly warming world, we ask, "What limits the potential of marine diatoms to acclimate to elevated temperatures?," a group of ecologically successful unicellular eukaryotic photoautotrophs that evolved in a cooler ocean and are critical to marine food webs. To this end, we examined thermal tolerance mechanisms related to photosynthesis in the sequenced and transformable model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Data from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fatty acid methyl ester-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (FAME-GCMS) suggest that saturating thylakoid-associated fatty acids allowed rapid (on the order of hours) thermal tolerance up to 28.5°C. Beyond this critical temperature, thylakoid ultrastructure became severely perturbed. Biophysical analyses revealed that electrochemical leakage through the thylakoid membranes was extremely sensitive to elevated temperature (Q10 of 3.5). Data suggest that the loss of the proton motive force (pmf) occurred even when heat-labile photosystem II (PSII) was functioning, and saturation of thylakoid-associated fatty acids was active. Indeed, growth was inhibited when leakage of pmf through thylakoid membranes was insufficiently compensated by proton input from PSII. Our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the importance of rapid saturation of thylakoid-associated fatty acids for ultrastructure maintenance and a generation of pmf at elevated temperatures. To the extent these experimental results apply, the ability of diatoms to generate a pmf may be a sensitive parameter for thermal sensitivity diagnosis in phytoplankton.
Setting the Agenda: LGBTQ+ and SGM Family Communication

We call for an expansion of research on the family communication of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other diverse sexualities and gender identities (LGBTQ+), ...
Verifying Stochastic Hybrid Systems with Temporal Logic Specifications via Model Reduction

We present a scalable methodology to verify stochastic hybrid systems for inequality linear temporal logic (iLTL) or inequality metric interval temporal logic (iMITL). Using the Mori–Zwanzig reduct...
Iranian Iron Age

The main area of Iranian Iron Age development is located in what is known today as the Khuzistan, Luristan, Fars, and southern Kurdistan regions of Iran. These areas are dominated by the Zagros mountains and the river valleys that carry runoff and alluvium from their slopes. In the south of the region, Khuzistan is an arid plain dependent on the highlands for metals, stone, and wood; whereas Fars, to the east of Khuzistan, contains numerous fertile valleys and abundant resources. In the north, the environments of Luristan and Kurdistan are varied dramatically by elevation, forming a mosaic of fertile valleys, upland steppes, and forests.
Fibrillar proteins from squid axons. II. Microtubule protein.

From the axoplasm of the Chilean squid Dosidicus gigas the protein tubulin that binds colchicine has been isolated, analyzed and studied physically. The property of binding colchicine was found to be very labile and the isolation of tubulin was effected best from rapidly lyophilized axoplasm. The protein is acidic, and has a molecular weight of 60,000. Conditions for the preservation of intact microtubules in a dispersion of axoplasm were found and a comparison was made with these conditions and those for optimum colchicine binding to attempt to confirm the identity of tubulin with the subunit of the microtubule
Touch sensing on non-parametric rear-projection surfaces: A physical-virtual head for hands-on healthcare training

We demonstrate a generalizable method for unified multitouch detection and response on a human head-shaped surface with a rear-projection animated 3D face. The method helps achieve hands-on touch-sensitive training with dynamic physical-virtual patient behavior. The method, which is generalizable to other non-parametric rear-projection surfaces, requires one or more infrared (IR) cameras, one or more projectors, IR light sources, and a rear-projection surface. IR light reflected off of human fingers is captured by cameras with matched IR pass filters, allowing for the localization of multiple finger touch events. These events are tightly coupled with the rendering system to produce auditory and visual responses on the animated face displayed using the projector(s), resulting in a responsive, interactive experience. We illustrate the applicability of our physical prototype in a medical training scenario.
Effect of dietary restriction, during the last week only or throughout gestation, on cardiac output and uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant rats

Cardiac output and uteroplacental blood flow were measured by using 15-microns radioactive labeled microspheres in ad libitum-fed nonpregnant female rats, and in pregnant rats: 1) fed ad libitum; 2) fed a 50% restricted diet from day 14 of gestation on; and 3) fed a 50% restricted diet from day 5 of gestation on. Dietary restriction induced fetal growth retardation regardless of duration. Cardiac output in both groups of diet-restricted dams was 30% less than that of the ad libitum-fed pregnant dams, and not significantly increased above that of the nonpregnant rats. Total uterine and placental blood flows in the dams fed the restricted diet during the last week of gestation were reduced 30-35% relative to the ad libitum-fed dams due to the reduced cardiac output. In the dams fed the restricted diet from day 5, total uterine and placental blood flows were reduced 60-65% due to both the reduced cardiac output and a decreased fractional distribution of cardiac output to the uterus. Dietary treatment had no effect on blood flow to the kidneys and ovaries. The results suggest that the reduced placental blood flow associated with maternal malnutrition-induced fetal growth retardation is caused by an inadequate expansion of maternal cardiac output, and, if malnutrition is severe enough, a fractional redistribution of cardiac output away from the uterus and developing conceptus occurs.
Cryptanalysis of the Yi-Lam Hash

This paper analyzes the security of a hash mode recently proposed by Yi and Lam. Given a block cipher with m-bit block size and 2m-bit key, they build a hash function with 2m-bit outputs that can hash messages as fast as the underlying block cipher can encrypt. This construction was conjectured to have ideal security, i.e., to resist all collision attacks faster than brute force. We disprove this conjecture by presenting a collision attack that is substantially faster than brute force and which could even be considered practical for typical security parameters.
Cross-sectional examination of metabolites and metabolic phenotypes in uremia

Although metabolomic approaches have begun to document numerous changes that arise in end stage renal disease (ESRD), how these alterations relate to established metabolic phenotypes in uremia is unknown. In 200 incident hemodialysis patients we used partial least squares discriminant analysis to identify which among 166 metabolites could best discriminate individuals with or without diabetes, and across tertiles of body mass index, serum albumin, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. Our data do not recapitulate metabolomic signatures of diabetes and obesity identified among individuals with normal renal function (e.g. elevations in branched chain and aromatic amino acids) and highlight several potential markers of diabetes status specific to ESRD, including xanthosine-5-phosphate and vanillylmandelic acid. Further, our data identify significant associations between elevated tryptophan and long-chain acylcarnitine levels and both decreased total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure in ESRD. Higher tryptophan levels were also associated with higher serum albumin levels, but this may reflect tryptophan’s significant albumin binding. Finally, an examination of the uremic retention solutes captured by our platform in relation to 24 clinical phenotypes provides a framework for investigating mechanisms of uremic toxicity. In sum, these studies leveraging metabolomic and metabolic phenotype data acquired in a well-characterized ESRD cohort demonstrate striking differences from metabolomics studies in the general population, and may provide clues to novel functional pathways in the ESRD population.
Interview with Alan Kay

The legendary Alan Kay and Roy E. Disney have graciously appeared on camera for interviews and joined the ACM Computers in Entertainment magazine's editorial board. Alan and Roy are two of the nicest people to talk to and work with. Alan talked about soft fun versus hard fun, and his research on Squeak for enhancing and amplifying learning in children's education. Roy told us about educators versus entertainers, and his views on traditional and CGI animations. The video clips of the interviews are available at http://www.acm.org/pubs/cie/oct2003/index.htmlAlan Kay, HP Fellow and President of Viewpoints Research Institute, is best known for the idea of personal computing the conception of the intimate laptop computer, and the inventions of the now ubiquitous overlapping-window interface and modern object-oriented programming. His deep interests in children and education were the catalyst for these ideas, and they continue to be a major source of inspiration. In the past, Alan has been a Xerox Fellow, Chief Scientist of Atari, Apple Fellow, and Disney Fellow. More information is available at http://www.squeakland.org/community/biography/alanbio.html and http://www.viewpointsresearch.org/alan.html
Weighted Variance Swap

After defining weighted variance swaps, we present examples (variance swaps, corridor variance swaps, and gamma swaps), formulas for model-free replication and valuation under nonzero interest rates and dividends, and features of weighted variance swap contracts as specified in practice. Keywords: weighted variance swap; generalized variance swap; variance swap; corridor variance swap; gamma swap; model-free replication; pricing; dividends
High-Q silicon resonators for high-coherence hybrid Si/III-V semiconductor lasers

We report on the design and experimental demonstration of high-Q Si resonators with Q ∼ 106, a fundamental figure of merit of the phase coherence of hybrid Si/III-V semiconductor lasers.
Quantitative phenotypic and functional analyses of islet immune cells before and after diabetes onset in the BB rat

Inflammatory cells invading islets are thought to be mediators of islet destruction in spontaneous autoimmune diabetes mellitus. Thus methods were developed to isolate and characterize in situ islet inflammatory cells from 75–95-day-old prediabetic and diabetic BB rats. Islet inflammatory cells were structurally examined using single- and double-colour flow cytometry. Functional studies consisted of cytolytic assays using normal rat islet target cells and in situ islet or spleen effector cells. Structural data reveal natural killer cells to be the major cell population (70%) of total immune cells present in inflamed islets during prediabetes. At diabetes onset, the natural killer cell population remained at a high level (47%), but an increasing population of T cells (40%) was noted also. Analyses of T-cell subsets before and after diabetes onset revealed CD4+ T cells as predominant (50–55% of total T cells) with double-negative (CD4− CD8−) T cells (25–30%) and CD8+ T cells (15–20%) also present in significant quantities. Activated T cells accounted only for a minority of T cells (<3%). Functional studies indicate that in situ islet-derived cytolytic effector cells are more potent killers (ten-fold) of normal islet target cells than are splenic effector cells. These data suggest that in situ islet inflammatory cells (a) can be quantitatively studied both structurally and functionally; (b) express structural phenotypes differing substantially from splenic mononuclear cell populations; (c) are considerably more cytolytic than splenic effectors; and (d) should prove informative in determining the most significant autoimmune functional events prior to and during islet beta-cell destruction.
Zeeman bifurcation of quantum-dot spectra.

We observe the magnetic-field-induced bifurcation of quantum levels into surface states and bulklike Landau States. The disruption of the electric field quantization by a magnetic field is most dramatic for electrons bound in two dimensions perpendicular to the magnetic field. The interplay between competing spatial and magnetic quantization mechanisms results in a pronounced and complex level splitting. The observed splitting of zero-dimensional energy levels depends critically on the size of the quantum dots, and can be explained with a calculated single-particle energy spectrum.
Crime and the Contemporary Woman: An Analysis of Changing Levels of Female Property Crime, 1960–75

This report examines female property crime trends since 1960. Previous research on this issue has suffered because of a failure to specify the major questions on female property crime and because of inappropriate use of UCR arrest statistics. In this study, the central questions about female property crime are clarified and arrest rates are computed to determine the extent of change in female property crime since 1960. The effects of the women's movement on female property crime are also examined. I conclude that female levels of property crime are rising. But it is only for the offenses of larceny-theft and fraud lembezzlement that female levels are increasing at a faster pace than male levels. Moreover, absolute differences still exist and have generally increased so that female property crime levels continue to lag far behind those of males. The pattern of the data also suggests that the upward trend in female property crime is not due to the women's movement; that women are still typically nonviolent, petty property offenders; and that the "new female criminal" is more of a social invention than an empirical reality. In recent years there has been a proliferation of popular and scientific writing on the extent to which patterns and levels of female crime have been changing, and the impact of the women's movement and changing sex roles on criminal behavior (Adler; Bruck; Rosenblatt and Greenland; Simon). A common theme of these writings is that the criminal activities of women are coming to resemble those of men in kind and degree as convergence in role expectations and access to illegitimate opportunities increases. Supposedly, women are committing more crimes, catching up with their male counterparts, and increasingly engaging in traditionally *I wish to thank several colleagues of the Pennsylvania State University for statistical advice and useful comments on this manuscript. They include Clifford Clogg, Gordon Dejong, Alvin Rosenthal, Renee Hoffman Steffensmeier, Shannon Stokes, and Rex Warland. Thanks are also due to two anonymous referees for helpful suggestions.
Energy management in a microgrid with distributed energy resources

Abstract A smart grid power system with renewable energy resources and distributed energy storage shows significant improvement in the power system’s emission reduction, reliability, efficiency, and security. A microgrid is a smart grid in a small scale which can be stand-alone or grid-tied. Multi microgrids form a network with energy management and operational planning through two-way power flow and communication. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of a microgrid, a performance metric is proposed with consideration of the electricity price, emission, and service quality, each of them is given a weighting factor. Thus, the performance metric is flexible according to the consumers’ preference. With the weighting factors set in this paper, this performance metric is further applied on microgrids operated as stand-alone, grid-tied, and networked. Each microgrid consists of a solar panel, a hydrogen fuel cell stack, an electrolyzer, a hydrogen storage tank, and a load. For a stand-alone system, the load prediction lowers down the daily electricity consumption about 5.7%, the quantity of H 2 stored fluctuates in a wide range, and overall performance indexes increase with the solar panel size. In a grid-tied MG, the load prediction has a significant effect on the daily consumed electricity which drops 25% in 4 days, some day-time loads are shifted to the night time, and the capacity of hydrogen tank is lower than that in a stand-alone MG. In a network with multiple MGs, the control of the power distribution strongly affects the MG’s performance. However, the overall performance index instead of any specific index increases with the MG’s power generated from renewable energy resources.
Husk and Kernel Resistance Among Maize Hybrids to an Insect Complex

The husks of selected hybrids of corn, Zea. mays (L.), provided significant protection against the ravages of several insect species and contributed to increased yields. The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and the pink scavenger caterpillar, Sathrobrota rileyi (Walsingham), were more damaging than Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. Correlations among damage ratings indicated that pink scavenger caterpillar and corn earworm damage were more closely related than damage associated with either earworm or pink scavenger caterpillar in combination with S. zeamais . The corn earworm, pink scavenger caterpillar, and S. zeamais ranked in that order of economic importance in these tests. Both husks and/or kernels of some hybrids were resistant to insect damage.
Cultural Choice Among Southerners: Seven Patterns

Marsden and Reed isolate seven patterns of cultural choice using a cluster analysis of a multidimensional scale of items from a 1977 survey of leisure activities in the Southern region of the Unite...
Carnitine synthesis in rat tissue slices

Abstract The ability of rat liver, kidney, muscle, heart and testis tissue to carry out the in vitro synthesis of carnitine via e-N-trimethyllysine and γ-butyrobetaine was studied. All tissues formed γ-butyrobetaine from trimethyllysine, but liver and testis also formed carnitine in about 7% and 1% yield respectively. Liver slices formed trimethyllysine from lysine in about 6% yield. These in vitro studies thus establish that liver has all the enzymes of the carnitine biosynthetic pathway. This tissue appears to be the primary site of carnitine synthesis in the rat as implied from whole animal studies in this and other laboratories.
Protecting the Confidentiality of Shared Information: Evidence from the Video Game Industry

Firms often conduct business operations involving highly- sensitive, proprietary information from a variety of locations; doing so poses several challenges to the maintenance of information securit...
Kinetics of selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 on Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst

Abstract Fe-exchanged ZSM-5 has been found previously to be much more active than commercial vanadia-based catalysts for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3. The kinetics of the SCR reaction is studied in this work. The results show that the rate of NO conversion on Fe-ZSM-5 is first-order with respect to NO, zeroth-order w.r.t. NH3 and nearly half-order w.r.t. O2, at 260–300 °C. This is in good agreement with our previous FTIR result that the catalyst surface is nearly completely covered by ammonia adsorbed species (i.e. NH4+ ions) under reaction conditions. The present results further support that the SCR mechanism on Fe-ZSM-5 involves NO2 as an intermediate and the formation of NO2 from NO oxidation (NO+(1/2)O2→NO2) is probably the rate-determining step. The apparent activation energy for the reaction is found to be 54 kJ/mol.
Impurity states in a thin slab of crystal

Abstract The energy levels of an impurity atom in a thin slab of crystal are calculated by the method of equivalent Hamiltonian, which includes potential barriers representing the surfaces. For slab thickness smaller than the Bohr radius of the impurity atom, the atom is found to behave like a two dimensional hydrogen atom when projected onto a plane parallel to the surfaces of the slab. Mathematically, the finite thickness of the slab is treated as a perturbation to the case of vanishing thickness. In the direction normal to the surfaces, the electron motion is dominated by the confinement within the potential well formed by the surface barriers rather than by the impurity ion. The energy levels themselves vary significantly with the position of the impurity relative to the surfaces, as demonstrated by a numerical example.
Opportunities and impediments for a consolidating and expanding profession: Genetic counseling in the United States

Abstract Genetic counseling in the United States is consolidating and expanding its professional identity at a point in time when major biotechnological advances are rapidly being incorporated into clinical genetic practice and major shifts in the American health care system are being carried out under a mandate of cost-containment. External factors—biomedical advances, political and economic contexts, managed care organizations, health economics criteria and exclusionary strategies of related health care occupations—combined with internal factors—training and certification requirements, specialization, leadership talent and ability to adapt to changing conditions—will strongly influence the structure and scope of genetic counseling services in the coming years.
Compartmentalization of acetylcholinesterase in the chick retina

Using selective inhibitor treatments, we have studied the distribution of asymmetric (A) and globular (G) forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the extra- and intracellular compartments of chick retina, a specialized region of chick central nervous system (CNS). Our results show that the chick retinal collagen-tailed AChE (an example of class II asymmetric molecular forms) is essentially an extracellular form of the enzyme; this is the first demonstration of the extracellular localization of asymmetric AChE in the vertebrate CNS. The active site of most of the hydrophobic, membrane-bound G4-form is also exposed to the external environment. In turn, the smaller molecular weight G-forms (G2 and G1) are localized within the cells, where they may represent intermediate components in the assembly or degradation of the more complex enzymatic molecular species. Histoenzymatic ultrastructural techniques show internal AChE in amacrine as well as in ganglion cell bodies, and external enzyme, specifically associated with synapses and axons, in the inner plexiform layer. The probable cooperation of the extracellular A12-forms and the membrane-bound G species (mainly G4) of the enzyme to the hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh) released into the external compartment is suggested and discussed.
Safety of Clopidogrel in Hip Fracture Surgery

Objective To compare postoperative outcomes of hip fracture surgery in patients who were and were not taking clopidogrel at the time of surgery.
Adaptive planning in unknown environments using grammatical inference

This paper presents a framework that integrates grammatical inference with symbolic control on finite-state transition systems interacting with partially unknown, adversarial, rule-governed environments. We model the interaction between a system and its environment as a two-player zero-sum game on graphs. We show that with some prior knowledge of the environment, the system can autonomously infer a game equivalent to the one actually being played and thus successively adapt its control strategy in polynomial time, and evolve its controller into one that ensures the completion of the desired task, whenever such a completion is possible.
Retroviral antibody binding of the MHC class II molecule: a biochemical influence on CD4 T cell differentiation in HIV infection?

Abstract Retroviral antibody capable of binding to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II molecule has been documented in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients. Interactions between the MHC Class II receptor and the T-cell receptor (TCR) are central to the immune response. Importantly, retroviral antibody possesses a much higher binding affinity for the MHC Class II receptor, when compared to the TCR. Experiments have manipulated a number of factors related to antigen-presenting cell (APC) interaction with differentiating T-cells. These studies have observed the effects of lowering antigen dose and reducing ligand density on precursor Th (T helper) cell differentiation. Studies have also examined the effect of downregulated MHC Class II receptors and co-stimulatory molecules on APC–Th cell interaction. In addition, the sequestration of antigens away from the Class II processing pathway has been studied. These investigations reveal a general trend that can determine whether a naive CD4 T-cell becomes a Th1 or Th2-like cell. If the experimental manipulation weakens the APC-Th cell interaction, a weak ligating TCR signal results. Consequently, a weak ligating TCR signal can influence precursor Th cells to become Th2-like cells. Retroviral antibody binding of MHC Class II receptors may mimic a number of experimental conditions responsible for creating a weak ligating TCR signal.
Improved Analysis of Minor Species in Mixtures Using Carbon-13 Decoupling in One-Dimensional Proton NMR

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a useful tool to identify and to quantitate species in mixtures of organic chemicals. However, carbon-13 satellites often interfere with the identification and integration of resonances from species at low concentrations (<2%) in such mixtures. Carbon-13 satellites arise from proton coupling to carbon-13 (spin 1/2, 1.1% isotope abundance). Each satellite is 0.55% of the area of the proton resonance for protons bound to carbon-12. The interferences become particularly troublesome when the principal component of the mixture has many or overlapping resonances.
Preliminary results of studies of the activation of 3′,5′-Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase by calmodulin and lanthanides☆

Abstract The ability of the lanthanides La3+, Nd3+, Tb3+, Er3+ and Lu3+ to cause calmodulin-mediated activation of 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was studied. Most of the lanthanides employed caused some degree of activation at concentrations similar to those required for Ca2+ activation, but large differences were observed among the lanthanides in their ability to attain the Ca2+-induced maximum. In addition, smaller but parallel differences were observed in the concentration of the lanthanide required to reach its maximum activation. At higher concentrations some lanthanides were observed to cause inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity in both the presence and absence of calmodulin.
In vivo synthesis of RNA by vesicular stomatitis virus and its mutants.

Abstract The synthesis of viral complementary RNA by vesicular stomatitis virus has been examined. Both wild-type or temperature-sensitive mutant viruses belonging to Group I or Group IV (RNA-inhibited) or Group III (RNA-uninhibited) have been studied at permissive (31 °C) or non-permissive (39.5 or 40 °C) temperatures for virus production. Transcription of RNA from the infecting virion genomes (primary transcription) as well as amplified (secondary) transcription has been demonstrated. Primary transcription at 31, 39.5 or 40 °C has been observed for mutants from all three complementation groups as well as for the wild-type virus. Secondary transcription is inhibited at 39.5 and at 40 °C for mutants of both Groups I and IV but not for the wild-type or (at 40 °C) for a Group III mutant. Secondary transcription is not inhibited when either the mutant or wild-type viruses are grown at 31 °C. It is calculated that for the wild-type virus grown at 31 or at 38 °C by five to six hour post-infection, there are about 500 transcriptive intermediates per cell irrespective of the multiplicity of infection. These intermediates are responsible for the accumulation of more than 10 4 viral complementary RNA genome equivalents per cell. At 38 or at 39.5 °C during a wild-type virus infection more than 10 4 or 10 5 virion particles are produced per cell. Evidence is presented to indicate that there is a disproportionate synthesis of the various vesicular stomatitis virus messenger RNA species.
Dynamic responses of the conductors in transmission lines under two typical impact loads

Impact loads from ice shedding and broken conductors are common for transmission lines in accreted ice zone, which can bring threaten to the safe operation of the transmission lines. Dynamic analysis of the conductors in transmission lines under two typical impact loads were carried out. Firstly, a finite element model of seven span conductors in transmission line was established in general software ANSYS. Secondly, a time history of the input loading was proposed for the ice shedding load case. Dynamic responses of jumping heights and the reaction forces at the end of insulators were calculated by the implicit dynamic analysis. Some variables were considered in the ice-shedding simulations that include thickness of the accreted ice, length of the ice-shedding span as well as elevation difference. Influences of all the variables on the dynamic responses under ice shedding were studied. Thirdly, the broken load case can be realized by birth-death element method in ANSYS. Stiffness of the broken conductor or insulator element was changed to be a near zero value in a very short time. Dynamic responses of displacements at the broken points, tension forces of the conductors and the reaction forces of the insulators were obtained. Lastly, based on the analysis results, the impact factors under ice shedding and broken conductor load cases were determined, which provide important reference for the design of transmission lines in accreted ice zone.
Evidence for calpain-mediated androgen receptor cleavage as a mechanism for androgen independence

Prostate carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cause of death due to cancer in Western civilization. Androgen ablation therapy is effective in treating androgen-dependent tumors, but eventually, androgen-independent tumors recur and are refractory to conventional chemotherapeutics. Hence, the emergence of androgen independence is the most challenging problem in managing prostate tumors. We report a novel mechanism of androgen independence: calpain cleaves the androgen receptor (AR) into an androgen-independent isoform. In vitro and in vivo analyses show that calpain removes the COOH-terminal ligand binding domain generating a constitutively active molecule. Analysis of human prostate tumors indicates that several tumors express higher levels of this truncated AR than noncancerous prostate tissue. In transient transfection studies, the truncated AR is three to five times more potent than the full-length receptor in transactivating transcription. The androgen-independent Rv1 cells express high levels of the truncated AR, and treatment of these cells with a calpain inhibitor reduces truncated AR expression. In the absence of androgen, inhibition of calpain activity induces apoptosis. The HIV protease inhibitor amprenavir inhibits calpain activity and is also effective in inducing apoptosis in the Rv1 cell line. The cell culture studies were reproduced in a mouse xenograft model, where, in the absence of androgens, amprenavir significantly reduces tumor growth. Together, these studies indicate that calpain-dependent proteolysis of the AR may be a mechanism of androgen independence. The calpain inhibition studies suggest that inhibiting this activity may be a potential treatment for some androgen-independent prostate tumors. [Cancer Res 2007;67(19):9001–5]
Completion of colorectal cancer screening in women attending screening mammography.

Rationale and objectives The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend colorectal cancer (CRC) screening to begin at age 50 in individuals at average risk for CRC. To estimate rate at which women eligible for CRC screening at the time of screening mammography attendance later completed in CRC screening, we retrospectively evaluated CRC screening utilization in women who underwent screening mammography at our institution. Materials and methods We retrospectively identified 3357 women between the ages of 50 to 75 who received screening mammography in 1998 at a single academic medical center using the institution’s Radiology Information System (RIS). Additional information collected from the institution’s Health System Data Warehouse and the Radiology department’s mammography quality assurance data included mammography results, Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System (BI-RADS) classification of mammography findings, recommendation for screening mammography follow-up, insurance status, and CRC screening utilization after screening mammography. After excluding women who were current with CRC screening at the time of mammography, we determined the proportion of eligible women who completed CRC screening after mammography. Age, insurance type, BI-RADS code, and recommendation code were evaluated as potential predictors of CRC screening completion in eligible women. Results Of the 3357 women between the ages of 50 and 75 who received screening mammography in 1998, only 414 (12.3%) were current with CRC screening at the time of screening mammography. Of the remaining 2943 women who were eligible for CRC screening at the time of screening mammography, 142 (4.8%) subsequently completed CRC screening. Average time to completion of CRC screening after screening mammography is 35.4 months (range, 0.27–64.9). Managed care insurance was the only significant predictor of CRC screening completion after screening mammography in eligible women after adjusting for other variables (adjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.21–2.47, P Conclusions Prevalence studies have demonstrated that women who were compliant with screening mammography were more compliant with CRC screening. Our data suggest that despite this increased compliance, overall incidence of CRC screening is low in the screening mammography population.
From recitation to reading: Memory, writing, and composition in Greek philosophical prose

This article posits three stages in the developing relationship between memory and writing as exemplified and portrayed in Greek philosophical works of the 6th to 4th centuries B. C. These stages provide evidence for Eric A. Havelock's “dynamic tension” between oral and written traditions. The author argues on the basis of Frances A. Yates’ two categories of memory that both the verbatim memory of words and the memory of things (arguments) interact with writing in three stages: first words and arguments are composed, preserved and published by memory alone; second, orally composed words and arguments preserved in writing are published by memory; and third, spoken words and arguments composed with the aid of memory are preserved in writing, then published by reading a written text aloud.
Characteristic parameters of superconductor—coolant interaction including high Tc current density limits

In the area of basic mechanisms of helium heat transfer and related influence on super-conducting magnet stability, thermal boundary conditions are important constraints. Characteristic lengths are considered along with other parameters of the superconducting composite-coolant system. Based on helium temperature range developments, limiting critical current densities are assessed at low fields for high transition temperature superconductors.
Outcomes of Older Persons Receiving Rehabilitation for Medical and Surgical Conditions Compared with Hip Fracture and Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Older persons with general medical and surgical conditions increasingly receive posthospital rehabilitation care in nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals. This study describes the characteristics of such patients, contrasted with patients with traditional rehabilitation diagnoses of hip fracture and stroke. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Seventeen skilled nursing facilities and six rehabilitation hospitals in seven states. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare patients age 65 or older receiving posthospital rehabilitation. METHODS: A total of 290 medical/surgical patients were compared with 336 hip fracture and 429 stroke patients. Data were collected prospectively from charts, nursing assessments, and patient interviews. Patient characteristics associated with functional recovery and mortality were estimated using multivariate regression. RESULTS: Medical/surgical patients had greater premorbid activities of daily living (ADL) (P < .001) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (P < .01) disability, but suffered less decline with the acute event than hip fracture or stroke patients (P < .001). Medical/surgical patients were more likely to recover premorbid ADL function (P < .05) but 1-year mortality was significantly greater (30% vs. 14% hip fracture; 18% stroke; P < .001). Predictors of functional recovery and mortality differed between the three groups. Among medical/surgical patients, premorbid ADL difficulty, cognitive impairment, a pressure ulcer at rehabilitation admission, and depression were associated with failure to recover premorbid function whereas increasing comorbidity and incontinence were associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Medical/surgical patients represent a unique rehabilitation population. They experienced greater premorbid functional disability, less acute decline, but greater mortality than patients with traditional rehabilitation diagnoses. Further study of this distinct rehabilitation population may help identify patients most likely to benefit from rehabilitation.