cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling of ground grid and metallic structure currents in high voltage a.c. substations for the computation of electromagnetic fields

Abstract A mathematical model for accurately computing the ground grid and metallic structure currents in high voltage a.c. substations is presented in this paper. The developed model considers not only the current leakage to the soil but also resistive and inductive effects. The model is then implemented in a computer program to calculate current distribution of any configuration of ground grid and metallic structures. The accuracy of the model is demonstrated by comparison with the field measurements.
The substrate specificity and susceptibility to wheat inhibitor proteins of Penicillium funiculosum xylanases from a commercial enzyme preparation.

Filamentous fungi produce a range of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, in particular hemicellulases, that are often exploited by the baking, brewing and feed industries. Controlled xylan degradation is a key component in several industrial processes, in which the efficiency of xylanases (endo-1,4-β-D-xylan hydrolases) depends on both their substrate specificity and their susceptibility to inhibitors present in the plant material. The three major xylanases present in a commercial hemicellulase product derived from a Penicillium funiculosum fermentation broth were characterized with respect to their substrate specificity and interaction with three known xylanase inhibitor proteins (XIP-I, TAXI I and TAXI II) present in wheat flour. XYNA (48kDa) and XYNB (22kDa) have significant sequence similarity with family 7 cellobiohydrolases and family 11 xylanases respectively (previous studies), while XYND (36kDa) has similarity with family 10 xylanases (this paper). All three enzymes hydrolysed various heteroxylan substrates, including birchwood xylan and soluble wheat arabinoxylan, at 30 ◦ C and pH 5.5. XYNA was strongly inhibited by XIP-I, TAXI I and TAXI II (Ki = 106, 46 and 46nM respectively); XYNB was only significantly inhibited by TAXI I (Ki = 165nM). In each case the inhibition of XYNA and XYNB was competitive. XYND was only inhibited by XIP-I but, in contrast to XYNA and XYNB, the apparent inhibition was dependent on the order that xylanase, inhibitor and substrate were added to the incubation mixture; the inhibition was weak when incubations were initiated by addition of xylanase (to a mixture of substrate and XIP-I), but was very strong when enzyme and XIP-I were pre-incubated before addition of substrate. These findings demonstrate that the susceptibility of individual xylanases to inhibitor proteins present in cereals is likely to be a critical factor in determining their efficiency in various commercial applications.  2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Guest Editorial: Spatial Light Modulators

The real-time and parallel processing advantages of coherent optical processors are well known. The ease with which the Fourier transform and correlation operations (that are the hallmark of data processing and pattern recognition) can be performed optically has intrigued researchers for years. This once virgin discipline of optical computing is now maturing and emerging from the laboratory and research arena into deliverable and fielded systems. As this occurs, one of the key technology items that continues to plague program managers and contractors is the real-time and reusable spatial light modulator (SLM) used as the input (and often filter plane) transducer. Without such devices, the full speed advantages of optical processors cannot be realized.
Model of the evaporating meniscus in a capillary tube

A mathematical model describing the evaporating meniscus in a capillary tube has been formulated incorporating the full three-dimensional Young-Laplace equation, Marangoni convection, London-van der Waals dispersion forces, and nonequilibrium interface conditions. The results showed that varying the dimensionless superheat had no apparent effect on the meniscus profile. However, varying the dispersion number produced a noticeable change in the meniscus profile, but only at the microscopic level near the tube wall. No change in the apparent contact angle was observed with changes in the dimensionless superheat or dispersion number. In all cases, the dimensionless mean curvature was asymptotic to a value equal to that for a hemispherical meniscus. The local interfacial mass flux and total mass transfer rate increased dramatically as the dispersion number was increased, suggesting that surface coatings can play an important role in improving or degrading capillary pumping. The model also predicted that the local capillary pressure remains constant and equal to 2{sigma}/r{sub c} regardless of changes in the dimensionless superheat and dispersion number. It should be noted that the results in this study are theoretical in nature and require experimental verification.
GCM simulations of Titan’s middle and lower atmosphere and comparison to observations

Abstract Simulation results are presented from a new general circulation model (GCM) of Titan, the Titan Atmospheric Model (TAM), which couples the Flexible Modeling System (FMS) spectral dynamical core to a suite of external/sub-grid-scale physics. These include a new non-gray radiative transfer module that takes advantage of recent data from Cassini–Huygens, large-scale condensation and quasi-equilibrium moist convection schemes, a surface model with “bucket” hydrology, and boundary layer turbulent diffusion. The model produces a realistic temperature structure from the surface to the lower mesosphere, including a stratopause, as well as satisfactory superrotation. The latter is shown to depend on the dynamical core’s ability to build up angular momentum from surface torques. Simulated latitudinal temperature contrasts are adequate, compared to observations, and polar temperature anomalies agree with observations. In the lower atmosphere, the insolation distribution is shown to strongly impact turbulent fluxes, and surface heating is maximum at mid-latitudes. Surface liquids are unstable at mid- and low-latitudes, and quickly migrate poleward. The simulated humidity profile and distribution of surface temperatures, compared to observations, corroborate the prevalence of dry conditions at low latitudes. Polar cloud activity is well represented, though the observed mid-latitude clouds remain somewhat puzzling, and some formation alternatives are suggested.
Nursing Leadership and Management Simulation Creating Complexity

Abstract Clinical simulation is receiving additional emphasis as nursing programs face shrinking clinical placement sites and faculty seek new teaching strategies to produce competent clinicians. Faculty members teaching a senior level Nursing Leadership and Resource Management course reviewed the current simulation literature and were unable to find any examples to replicate the complex, changing environment faced by nurses in leadership roles. Strategies already developed for creating successful scenarios were modified to develop a simulation experience that would mimic the challenges faced by a charge nurse working with the nursing care team as well as a group of patients and family members on a hospital nursing unit. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a simulation leadership and management scenario.
Regulation of translational initiation in plants

Abstract The abundance of cytosolic mRNA does not necessarily correspond to the quantity of polypeptide synthesized in plant cells. The initiation of mRNA translation is regulated at the global and message-specific levels. mRNAs compete for discriminatory initiation factors that couple the 5′- 7m GpppN-cap and the 3′-poly(A) tail of the RNA message. The resultant circularization of the mRNA promotes the association of the 43S pre-initiation complex that scans the 5′-leader for the initiation codon of the protein coding sequence. The physiological and developmental regulation of these events governs the level of polypeptide synthesis from endogenous and viral transcripts.
Interference Avoidance for Downlink CDMA

In this paper we present an algorithm for codeword adaptation in the downlink of a code division multiple access (CDMA) system where the base station transmits information to multiple wireless terminals. The algorithm is based on interference avoidance and updates user codewords such that the corresponding signal-to-interference plus noise-ratio (SINR) at the receiver is maximized. Numerical examples obtained from simulations are also presented to illustrate the algorithm.
A neuro-fuzzy approach to automatic diagnosis and location of stator inter-turn faults in CSI-fed PM brushless DC motors

The paper presents a neuro-fuzzy-based perspective to the automation of diagnosis and location of stator-winding interturn short circuits in CSI-fed brushless dc motors. Performance of the drive under normal and short-circuit conditions are obtained through classical lumped-parameter network models. Waveforms of the electromagnetic torque and summation of phase voltages are monitored to develop two independent diagnostic algorithms. Diagnostic indices derived from the characteristic waveforms using discrete Fourier transform (DFT) lead to identifying the number of shorted turns. Fault location is achieved through a different set of indices extracted by the short-time Fourier transform (STFT). Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) are trained based on simulation results to automate the diagnostic process. ANFIS testing along with the good agreement between simulated and measured waveforms show the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Dopamine uptake dynamics are preserved under isoflurane anesthesia

Fast scan cyclic voltammetry is commonly used for measuring the kinetics of dopamine release and uptake. For experiments using an anesthetized preparation, urethane is preferentially used because it does not alter dopamine uptake kinetics compared to freely moving animals. Unfortunately, urethane is highly toxic, can induce premature death during experiments, and cannot be used for recovery surgeries. Isoflurane is an alternative anesthetic that is less toxic than urethane, produces a stable level of anesthesia over extended periods, and is often used for recovery surgeries. Despite these benefits, the effects of isoflurane on dopamine release and uptake have not been directly characterized. In the present studies, we assessed the utility of isoflurane for voltammetry experiments by testing dopamine signaling parameters under baseline conditions, after treatment with the dopamine uptake inhibitor cocaine, and after exposure to increasing concentrations of isoflurane. Our results indicate that surgical levels of isoflurane do not significantly alter terminal mechanisms of dopamine release and uptake over prolonged periods of time. Consequently, we propose that isoflurane is an acceptable anesthetic for voltammetry experiments, which in turn permits the design of studies in which dopamine signaling is examined under anesthesia prior to recovery and subsequent experimentation in the same animals.
Cultivation study of the marine microalga Picochlorum oculatum and outdoor deployment in a novel bioreactor for high-density production of algal cell mass

Abstract Microalgae are considered a promising source of renewable diesel and jet fuel. Currently, large-scale microalgae cultivations are performed in open ponds because of their low capital and operating costs, but they generally suffer from low cell mass yield and high risk of contamination. A novel, cost-effective, and modular horizontal bioreactor (HBR) for algae cultivation was developed, as described in the present study. The HBR was designed to keep costs low and was engineered to minimize water and energy use while enhancing CO 2 and nutrient uptake. The selected marine microalgal strain, Picochlorum oculatum (Nannochloris oculata) , has shown potential for biofuel production. A series of controlled indoor growth experiments was first performed to identify the appropriate P. oculatum growth conditions before demonstrating the HBR performance. Supplying CO 2 continuously or by pH-control (pulsed) did not affect culture progression. Growth on urea and nitrate yielded comparable results, while ammonium was less effective. Varying inoculum size from 10% to 15% or 20% had no significant effect on lag time and final cell concentration and comparable growth was measured in the 7–8 pH range. The 150-L HBR's performance was successfully demonstrated outdoors by growing P. oculatum at the identified growth conditions selected to reduce operating costs (pH-controlled CO 2 , pH 7.5, 10% inoculum, and nitrate). High-density growth was achieved without any contamination issues in outdoor HBR cultivations over 68 days in central Florida during two consecutive growth cycles.
Laser Deposited Epitaxial Oxide Heterostructures as Prototype Ferroelectric Optical Waveguides

The pulsed laser deposition process is a powerful tool for investigating prototype epitaxial structures. This report outlines recent developments in epitaxial structures which may usefully serve as ferroelectric optical waveguides. Emphasis is given to structures on semiconductor substrates, motivated by hybrid optical/semiconductor integration. Earlier pulsed laser deposited structures, such as BaTiO3/MgO/GaAs (100) are discussed in conjunction with current results on Z-lithium niobate on GaAs (111)A and GaAs (111)B. BaTiO3/MgO/GaAs (100) grows with cube-on-cube crystallography. The epitaxial system z-lithium niobate on GaAs (111)A and GaAs (111)B has been demonstrated both with and without intermediate MgO (111) layers. The in-plane epitaxial relationships are LiNbO3 [110] // GaAs % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaagKart1ev2aqatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn % hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr % 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9 % vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x % fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaai4waiqaik % dagaqeaiaaigdacaaIXaGaaiyxaaaa!3A01! $[\bar 211]$ and % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaagKart1ev2aqatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn % hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr % 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9 % vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x % fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaai4waiaaik % daceaIXaGbaebaceaIXaGbaebacaGGDbaaaa!3A19! $[2\bar 1\bar 1]$ indicating the existence of 180° boundaries in the LiNbO3 with and without the MgO layer, which grows cube-on-cube with the GaAs. Out-of-plane texture is typically 1.0° and 1.2° for the MgO and LiNbO3 layers respectively. In-plane texture is typically 2.8° and 4.5° for MgO and LiNbO3 layers respectively. These and similar epitaxial systems may be useful for monolithic electro-optic or frequency doubling applications in conjunction with semiconductor laser sources.
Depleted Resources and Chronic Stress: Finding a Clinical Stronghold During the “Storm”

There is a well-established relationship between number and severity of stressful life events and the onset of depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression should include relevant ...
Plateauing and intermittent treatment with growth hormone extract.

SummaryTwo groups of 7-month-old female Long-Evans rats, having a mean weight of 260 gm, were injected daily with a growth hormone containing extract of bovine anterior pituitaries at a dose level corresponding to 3.2 mg growth hormone/rat/day. After 136 days of treatment, growth was significantly less than initially (p<10−10 in both groups). Treatment was then suspended for 16 to 20 days on 4 different occasions in one group. This suspension led to cachexia with a mean loss of approximately 60 gm body weight each time. When daily injections were reinstituted the mean gain during the first 16 days of re-treatment ranged from 55.0 ± 11.8 to 62.0 ± 7.4 gm (mean ± standard error) compared to 63.9 ± 1.7 gm during the initial 16 days of treatment. Re-treatment growth was significantly greater in each case than during the first 16 days of treatment after the rats initially reached the same body weight.
Insights into Helicase Evolution from the Specificity and Mechanism of a Dead-Box Protein

How helicase families with a conserved catalytic ‘helicase core’ evolved to function on varied RNA and DNA substrates by diverse mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we used the helicase core of Mss116, a DEAD-box protein that utilizes ATP to locally unwind dsRNA, to investigate helicase specificity and mechanism. Previously, we found that the two RecA-like domains of the helicase core of Mss116 are in an extended ‘open state’ in the absence of substrates and recognize ATP and duplex RNA in a modular manner. Upon formation of a compact ‘closed state’ containing an ATPase active site, conserved motifs in the first domain promote the nonprocessive unwinding of short duplex substrates bound to the second domain by excluding one RNA strand and bending the other. In the present work, we define the molecular basis for the specificity of DEAD-box proteins. However, we also find that Mss116 has ambiguous substrate unwinding properties and interacts with a variety of NTPs and nucleic acids. The efficiency of unwinding correlates with the stability of the closed-state helicase core, a complex with nucleotide and nucleic acid that forms as duplexes are unwound. Crystal structures reveal that core stability is modulated by family-specific interactions that favor certain substrates. This suggests how present-day helicases diversified from an ancestral core with broad specificity by retaining core closure as a common catalytic mechanism while optimizing substrate-binding interactions for different cellular functions.
Diapause Metabolism and Rearing Methods for the White-Lined Sphinx, Celerio lineata (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Recent findings indicate hormones from the braincorpora cardiaca complex may affect respiratory functions of cockroach fat body mitochondria (Keeley and Friedman 1969). A similar situation is seen in diapause which is both hormonally controlled and accompanied by prominent mitochondrial changes. The onset and termination of diapause in insects is regulated by neurosecretions from the brain (Williams 1952, DeWilde and DeBoer 1969), and during diapause, respiratory metabolism decreases to ⅙–1/20 of the normal rate (Schneiderman and Williams 1953, Adkisson et al. 1963, Stegwee 1964). This respiratory decrease is accompanied by both degeneration in mitochondrial ultrastructure and loss of enzymes, especially the cytochromes (Shappirio and Williams 1957, Stegwee 1964, Willis 1966). Because of these large responses, insects in diapause appear to be ideal subjects for studies on hormone-mitochondrial relationships.
Something old—something new about microwave dielectric measurements

1. Microwave dielectric measurements differ from low frequency measurements because wavelengths are small enough to be the same order of magnitude as the specimen dimensions. The theory of low frequency lumped circuit measurements must therefore be expanded to include wave propagation and distributed constant transmission line impedance calculations.
Results of blinded rescreening of Papanicolaou smears versus biased retrospective review

. Review of Papanicolaou smear cases that are the focus of litigation typically takes place in a biased setting with foreknowledge of an adverse patient outcome (outcome bias) or litigation and with more time allotted for slide review than is available in normal screening situations. Factors that normally mitigate against overly aggressive slide interpretation, such as concern about false-positive diagnoses and possible unnecessary surgical procedures and expense, are absent. This results in a tendency toward overly aggressive interpretation of questionable or uncertain cytologic abnormalities. These factors can be minimized by a variety of blinded slide review formats with the goal of simulating normal, on-the-job, prospective screening as in actual practice. Despite some limitations, blinded rescreening can provide valuable insight into the relative degree of difficulty involved in interpreting specific slides. The difficulty of a case in question is arguably the second most important factor, after assessment of overall laboratory performance, in determining whether a reasonable standard of practice has been followed.
Pelvic floor disorders.

Pelvic floor disorders form a complex group of functional or anatomic problems with the pelvic floor. Problems discussed in this article are outlet obstruction constipation, levator syndrome/proctalgia fugax, coccygodynia, rectocele/pelvic floor herniation/descending perineum syndrome, rectal prolapse, and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. These constitute a diverse array of functional disorders that are rarely life threatening but can be severely debilitating. Presentation, evaluation, and management of these disorders are discussed.
Effects of some ion transport inhibitors on secretion and reabsorption in intact and perfused single human sweat glands

The effects of three electrolyte transport inhibitors on the secretory and absorptive function of the human eccrine sweat gland were examined. Amiloride and furosemide at 10(-4) mol/l had no detectable effect on secretion while ouabain at 10(-4) mol/l completely inhibited secretion. In contrast, when amiloride, ouabain and furosemide were applied at 10(-4) mol/l to the luminal surface of the sweat duct by microperfusion, only amiloride blocked Na reabsorption. When the same inhibitors were added to the bathing solution at the same concentration, only ouabain inhibited Na reabsorption detectably. Present findings suggest that the secretory epithelium is permeable to solute and water movement while the duct epithelium is probably impermeable with respect to fluid movement across it.
Targeted next-generation sequencing of CIC-DUX4 soft tissue sarcomas demonstrates low mutational burden and recurrent chromosome 1p loss

Summary Gene fusions between CIC and DUX4 define a rare class of soft tissue sarcomas poorly understood at the molecular level. Previous karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies support chromosome 8 trisomy as a recurrent alteration; however, other driving alterations are largely unknown. Thus, we analyzed 11 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CIC-DUX4 sarcoma tissue samples (including 3 sample pairs) using targeted Ion Torrent–based multiplexed polymerase chain reaction next-generation sequencing to characterize potential somatic driver alterations in 409 genes. Although we did not identify recurrent somatic mutations (point mutations or insertions/deletions), copy number analysis showed recurrent, broad copy number alterations, including gain of chromosome 8 and loss of 1p. In one sample pair (untreated primary and local recurrence resections), we identified similar copy number profiles and a somatic ARID1A R963X nonsense mutation exclusively in the local recurrence sample. In another sample pair (pre– and post–radiation treatment specimens), we observed single-copy loss of chromosome 7q exclusively in the posttreatment recurrence sample, supporting it as an acquired event after radiation treatment. In the last sample pair (near-concurrent, postchemotherapy primary and distant metastasis), molecular profiles were highly concordant, consistent with limited intertumoral heterogeneity. In summary, next-generation sequencing identified limited somatic driver mutations in CIC-DUX4 sarcomas. However, we identified novel, recurrent copy number alterations, including chromosome 1p, which is also the locus of ARID1A . Additional functional work and assessment of larger cohorts are needed to determine the biological and clinical significance of the alterations identified herein.
Competing antiferromagnetism in a quasi-2D itinerant ferromagnet: Fe3GeTe2

Fe3GeTe2 is known as an air-stable layered metal with itinerant ferromagnetism with a transition temperature of about 220 K. From our extensive dc and ac magnetic measurements, we have determined that the ferromagnetic layers of Fe3GeTe2 actually order antiferromagnetically along the c-axis below 152 K. The antiferromagnetic state was further substantiated by theoretical calculation to be the ground state. A magnetic structure model was proposed to describe the antiferromagnetic ground state as well as competition between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states. Fe3GeTe2 shares many common features with pnictide superconductors and may be a promising system in which to search for unconventional superconductivity.
A novel approach to investigate the effect of meso-scale yarn structure on the in-plane mechanical response of woven monofilament textiles by numerical modeling of experiments

ABSTRACTThe mechanical response of textiles depends upon various parameters including materials, yarn structure, and the architecture of the textile. These factors play an important role in the nonlinear mechanical response. In this work, a novel numerical modeling approach is proposed to better capture the effect of the meso-scale structure on the textile's mechanical response. Monofilament textiles exhibiting meso-scale irregularities due to the manufacturing are studied. A novel numerical method is developed to study these effects on the in-plane mechanical response. The in-plane experiments validated the proposed modeling approach. The results show the importance of the meso-scale structure induced by manufacturing.
Influence of Oxygen Content on the Electronic Properties of the PrAlO3/SrTiO3 Interface

We have investigated the effect of oxygen pressure during growth ( P O2 ) on the electronic and magnetic properties of PrAlO 3 films grown on TiO 2 -terminated SrTiO 3 substrates. The films are smooth, with flat terraces. Resistivity measurements show an increase in the sheet resistance as P O2 is increased from 10 –3 to 10 –4 torr, with an usual peak as a function of temperature for the sample grown in higher oxygen pressure. We measured a moderate positive magnetoresistance (MR) at low magnetic fields that evolves into a larger negative MR at high fields, for both P O2 samples. Hall effect data exhibit a complex temperature dependence that suggests a compensated carrier density. We observe behavior consistent with two different types of carriers at each of the two different interfaces.
Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer

Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) represent only a minor fraction of circulating blood cells but play an important role in tumor formation and progression. They are a heterogeneous group of cells that influence the tumor microenvironment by depletion of amino acids, oxidative stress, decreased trafficking of antitumor effector cells, and increased regulatory T and regulatory dendritic cell responses. Investigational treatment strategies targeting MDSCs have attempted to inhibit MDSC development and expansion (stem cell factor blockade, modulate of cell signaling, and target MDSC migration and recruitment), inhibit MDSC function (nitric oxide inhibition and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species inhibition), differentiate MDSCs into more mature cells (Vitamins A and D, all-trans retinoic acid, interleukin-2, toll-like receptor 9 inhibitors, taxanes, beta-glucan particles, tumor-derived exosome inhibition, and very small size proteoliposomes), and destroy MDSCs (cytotoxic agents, ephrin A2 degradation, anti-interleukin 13, and histamine blockers). To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration approved therapies selectively targeting MDSCs, but such therapies are likely to be implemented in the future, due to the key role of MDSCs in antitumor immunity.
Do Auditors Recognize the Potential Dark Side of Executives' Accounting Competence?

ABSTRACT Practice and research recognize the importance of extensive knowledge of accounting and financial reporting experience for generating reliable financial statements. However, we consider th...
Can We Make Computers Laugh at Talks

Considering the importance of public speech skills, a system which makes a prediction on where audiences laugh in a talk can be helpful to a person who prepares for a talk. We investigated a possibility that a state-of-the-art humor recognition system can be used in detecting sentences inducing laughters in talks. In this study, we used TED talks and laughters in the talks as data. Our results showed that the state-of-the-art system needs to be improved in order to be used in a practical application. In addition, our analysis showed that classifying humorous sentences in talks is very challenging due to close distance between humorous and non-humorous sentences.
MicroRNA Biogenesis: Isolation and Characterization of the Microprocessor Complex

The recently discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of small regulatory RNAs that have been implicated in controlling diverse pathways in a variety of organisms (1, 2). For posttranscriptional gene silencing, one strand of the miRNA is used to guide components of the RNA interference machinery, including Argonaute 2, to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with complementary sequences (3, 4). Thus, targeted mRNAs are either cleaved by the endonuclease Argonaute 2 (5, 6), or protein synthesis is blocked by an as yet uncharacterized mechanism (7, 8). Genes encoding miRNAs are transcribed as long primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) that are sequentially processed by components of the nucleus and cytoplasm to yield a mature, approx 22-nucleotide (nt)-long miRNA (9). Two members of the ribonuclease (RNase) III endonuclease protein family, Drosha and Dicer, have been implicated in this two-step processing (10-13). To further our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and function it will be essential to identify the protein complexes involved. We were interested in defining the proteins required for the initial nuclear processing of pri-miRNAs to the approx 60- to 70-nt stem-loop intermediates known as precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) (9, 10). This led to our identification of a protein complex we termed Microprocessor, which is necessary and sufficient for processing pri-miRNA to premiRNAs (14). The Microprocessor complex comprises Drosha and the double-stranded RNAbinding protein DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 gene (DGCR8), which is deleted in DiGeorge syndrome (15, 16). In this chapter, we detail the methods used for the biochemical isolation and identification of the Microprocessor complex from human cells. We include a protocol for the in vitro analysis of pri-miRNA processing activity of the purified Microprocessor complex.
Downsizing Price Increases: a Greater Sensitivity to Price Than Quantity in Consumer Markets

As the cost of goods increase, manufacturers routinely pass these costs on to consumers through higher prices. A less obvious strategy is to maintain price, but to reduce the size of the product. In many ways, this downsizing should mirror a straight price increase when it comes to consumer behavior. Marketplace and experimental data show this is not the case and that consumers are more sensitive to changes in price than to changes in quantity.
Added Value of Dedicated Spine CT to Detect Fracture in Patients with CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis in the Trauma Setting

Abstract Purpose Fractures of the thoracolumbar spine account for up to 90% of spinal fractures, and are associated with significant disability. The advantage of acquiring dedicated spine CT imaging in addition to visceral CT studies of the chest, abdomen and pelvis for detection of spinal fractures has not been definitively established. This retrospective study seeks to determine the contribution of dedicated spine CT in the acute clinical setting. Methods Patients who were diagnosed with fractures of the thoracic or lumbar spine at our institution between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2014 were identified. Additional inclusion criteria included having a CT of the chest and/or abdomen and pelvis followed by a dedicated thoracic or lumbar spine CT within 30 days. Reports were reviewed for accuracy of fracture detection, and missed fractures were retrospectively analyzed on images for detectability. Results A total of 102 patients met our inclusion criteria for a total of 312 fractures. Of the 312 fractures, 31 (10%) were missed on the initial visceral CT in 18 of the 102 patients. In all but two cases, at least one fracture was identified on the visceral spine CT. There were no cases in which the newly identified fractures changed patient management. Conclusion All fractures requiring surgical intervention were identified on the visceral CT. A dedicated spine CT does detect additional spine fractures but does not clearly alter patient management.
mTORC1/2 inhibition re-sensitizes platinum-resistant ovarian cancer by disrupting selective translation of DNA damage and survival mRNAs.

// Gizelka David-West 1,4,* , Amanda Ernlund 2,* , Abhilash Gadi 2 and Robert J. Schneider 2,3 1 Division of Gynecologic Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 2 Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 3 Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 4 New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Hawthorne, NY, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Robert J. Schneider, email: Robert.schneider@nyumc.org Keywords : mTOR; ovarian cancer; platinum resistance; translational regulation Received: October 31, 2017 Accepted: July 08, 2018 Published: September 04, 2018 Abstract Platinum resistance is a major cause of treatment failure and mortality in epithelial ovarian cancer. mTORC1/2 inhibitors, which impair mRNA translation, can re-sensitize resistant ovarian cancer cells to platinum chemotherapy but the mechanism remains poorly described. Using platinum-resistant OVCAR-3 cells treated with the selective mTORC1/2 inhibitor INK128/MLN128, we conducted genome-wide transcription and translation studies and analyzed the effect on cell proliferation, AKT-mTOR signaling and cell survival, to determine whether carboplatin resistance involves selective mRNA translational reprogramming, and whether it is sensitive to mTORC1/2 inhibition. Gene ontology and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were used to categorize gene expression changes into experimentally authenticated biochemical and molecular networks. We show that carboplatin resistance involves increased mTORC1/2 signaling, resulting in selective translation of mRNAs involved in DNA damage and repair responses (DDR), cell cycle and anti-apoptosis (survival) pathways. Re-sensitization of ovarian cancer cell killing by carboplatin required only modest mTORC1/2 inhibition, with downregulation of protein synthesis by only 20-30%. Genome-wide transcriptomic and translatomic analyses in OVCAR-3 cells revealed that the modest downregulation of global protein synthesis by dual mTORC1/2 inhibition is associated with greater selective inhibition of DDR, cell cycle and survival mRNA translation, which was confirmed in platinum-resistant SKOV-3 cells. These data suggest a clinical path to re-sensitize platinum resistant ovarian cancer to platinum chemotherapy through partial inhibition of mTORC1/2, resulting in selective translation inhibition of DDR and anti-apoptosis protective mRNAs.
Upgrade and automation of the JPL Table Mountain Facility tropospheric ozone lidar (TMTOL) for near-ground ozone profiling and satellite validation

Abstract. As part of international efforts to monitor air quality, several satellite missions such as the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) were deployed and others, like Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution (TEMPO), are planned for the near future. In support of the validation of these missions, major upgrades to the tropospheric ozone lidar located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Table Mountain Facility (TMF) were recently performed. These modifications include the full automation of the system, which now allows unattended measurements during frequent satellite overpasses, and a new receiver that extends the measurement capabilities of the system down to 100 m above surface. The automation led to the systematic operation of the lidar during daily TROPOMI overpasses, providing more than 139 reference profiles since January 2018. Ozone profiles retrieved using the new lidar receiver were compared to ozonesonde profiles obtained from a co-located tethered balloon. An agreement of about 5 % with the ozonesonde down to an altitude range of 100 m a.g.l. was observed. Furthermore, the stability of the receiver configuration was investigated. Comparisons between the lowest point retrieved by the lidar and a co-located surface ozone photometer showed no sign of drift over a 2-month test period and an agreement better than 10 %. Finally, measurements from a 24 h intensive measurement period during a stratospheric intrusion event showed good agreement with two free-flying ozonesondes. These comparisons revealed localized differences between sonde and lidar, possibly owing to the differing vertical resolutions (between 52 and 380 m for lidar and about 100 m for the sonde).
When Markets Fail: Patents and Infectious Disease Products

New antibiotics and vaccines aimed at treating or preventing infectious diseases can be highly valuable public health innovations, particularly when these products address unmet medical needs. Although patents are considered the primary means of incentivizing new product development, reduced private investment in this area has led policymakers to create new and sometimes costly supplemental incentive schemes for antibiotics. But the legislative initiatives launched over the past 15 years to overcome the shortcomings of the patent system have had limited success, in part because they do not adequately address the reasons underlying the disconnect between patents and the antimicrobial market. We examine the market dynamics related to infectious disease products to describe why both patents and recent legislative interventions have underperformed in incentivizing the development of new infectious disease treatments and vaccines. We conclude by reviewing existing and proposed solutions with these dynamics in mind, to separate out the most from least promising interventions.
The Effect of Tax and Expenditure Limitations on Voluntary Contributions to Public Schools

This paper is the first to examine the effects of tax and expenditure limitations (TELs) on charitable activities benefiting public schools. Because TELs aim to reduce state budgets, TEL adoption may induce voluntary collective action at the local level. This paper employs a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences strategy and finds no causal evidence that TELs either increase the probability that a school-supporting nonprofit locates within a district, or increase the level of voluntary contributions to public schools. The findings highlight a growing evidentiary base demonstrating that local action — including via philanthropic activity — cannot offset policies aimed at reducing government budgets.
Advertising and consumer development

Research of advertising and marketing practices has a relatively short history. Although some theorizing about child consumers began as early as the 1930s and some researchers began to study the topic in the 1950s and 1960s, most of the advertising research began in the 1970s and 1980s with the growth of research on children in general (Pecora, 1998). A brief review of the articles on advertising, consumerism, or marketing in the current database indicates only about 300 citations on this topic, with the majority being published in the 1970s and 1980s (see Table 6.1). The majority of the studies focus on effects of advertising on children (64% of all citations). Very little attention has been dedicated to exploring the content of children’s advertising (10%), however, more attention has focused on other types of research, including discussions of regulation and literature reviews (26%). The first citations in this database that mention children’s consumerism appear in the 1960s (McNeal, 1969; Wells, 1966). As noted by Wartella (1984), most of the research has been devoted to describing the nature of age-related differences in children’s responses and understanding of advertising content. Other factors such as gender, race, and social class seem to be overlooked, although in some cases the research indicates that these factors are not significant. Thischapter explores the nature of research on children’s advertising since its growth in the 1970s. It begins with a review of research concerning the socialization of the child consumer and advances to the role of advertising in the socialization process. Next, attention focuses on the nature of advertising content directed to children and then a larger section focuses on the cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects of advertising on children. Finally, as advertising practices move beyond the home, commercial practices in school are reviewed.
Comprehensive Efficiency Analysis of Current Source Inverter Based SPM Machine Drive System for Traction Applications

A current-source inverter (CSI) has the natural capability of boosting the output voltage which is a notable advantage over voltage source inverter (VSI) in traction drive applications. This paper investigates the voltage boosting feature of the CSI to improve the overall efficiency of the CSI-based surface permanent magnet (SPM) machine drive system in the constant power region. The effects of the boost function on the total system losses, including the machine copper loss, core loss, and magnet loss, as well as the device conduction and switching loss in the CSI and dc/dc converter, are described using analytical models. The operating characteristics of the machine and CSI are validated by 2-D finite-element analysis (FEA) and simulations. Based on the loss model, the effects of the modulation index on the overall drive system losses and power factor have been analyzed. A genetic algorithm has been used to optimize the CSI’s boost ratio, demonstrating that the drive system efficiency can be increased by 1% to 2.5% along the constant-power regime envelope by using the boost function.
Ecological responses to climate perturbations and minimal sea ice in the northern Bering Sea

Abstract The winter of 2017/2018 saw a composite of weather events that delayed sea ice formation in the northern Bering Sea (NBS) into early 2018. Residual warmth in the water column and strong southerly (i.e., warm) winds in February resulted in the lowest ice extent on record. Salinity has historically driven vertical stratification of the water column in the NBS, but with little sea ice formation and rejection of salty brine, there was a greatly diminished contribution of salinity to the stratification of the water column. The reduction of sea ice extent and duration likely resulted in a reduction in the amount of ice algae, which is an important subsidy for both the pelagic and benthic food webs. In 2018, the NBS had low abundances of large, lipid-rich copepods, while there were above average numbers of small, lipid-poor copepods. Shifts in the distribution of crab and fish populations over the eastern Bering Sea shelf occurred in response to the unusually warm sea temperatures in winter and spring 2018. More than 50% of Pacific cod biomass in the eastern Bering Sea was found over the northern shelf in 2018 concurrent with unexpectedly high abundance of snow crab in the NBS. A seabird die-off event in summer 2018 was unprecedented in terms of spatial and temporal scale and widespread reproductive failures also occurred. High numbers of dead marine mammals were found along the shorelines of the NBS and an Unusual Mortality Event, an official designation for marine mammals, was declared for bearded, ringed, and spotted seals in September 2019. The 2018 events indicate that when climate warming results in extended periods of reduced sea ice cover in the NBS, there may be long-term changes in energy flow and ecosystem structure. Following the low sea ice conditions of 2018, winter 2018/2019 brought a second year of low sea ice. Although it is clear that the climate perturbations experienced in 2018 and 2019 had acute impacts on many components of the NBS marine ecosystem, it is less clear what the long term impacts of this event will be if there is a return to “normal” sea ice cover in future years.
Textile-based wearable solid-contact flexible fluoride sensor: Toward biodetection of G-type nerve agents

Rising global concerns posed by chemical and biological threat agents highlight the critical need to develop reliable strategies for the real-time detection of such threats. While wearable sensing technology is well suited to fulfill this task, the use of on-body devices for rapid and selective field identification of chemical agents is relatively a new area. This work describes a flexible printed textile-based solid-contact potentiometric sensor for the selective detection of fluoride anions liberated by the biocatalytic hydrolysis of fluorine-containing G-type nerve agents (such as sarin or soman). The newly developed solid-contact textile fluoride sensor relies on a fluoride-selective bis(fluorodioctylstannyl)methane ionophore to provide attractive analytical performance with near-Nernstian sensitivity and effective discrimination against common anions, along with excellent reversibility and repeatability for dynamically changing fluoride concentrations. By using stress-enduring printed inks and serpentine structures along with stretchable textile substrates, the resulting textile-based fluoride sensor exhibits robust mechanical resiliency under severe mechanical strains. Such realization of an effective textile-based fluoride-selective electrode allowed biosensing of the nerve-agent simulant diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), in connection to immobilized organophosphorus acid anhydrolylase (OPAA) or organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzymes. A user-friendly portable electronic module transmits data from the new textile-based potentiometric biosensor wirelessly to a nearby smartphone for alerting the wearer instantaneously about potential chemical threats. While expanding the scope of wearable solid-contact anion sensors, such a textile-based potentiometric fluoride electrode transducer offers particular promise for effective discrimination of G-type neurotoxins from organophosphate (OP) pesticides, toward specific field detection of these agents in diverse defense settings.
Integration and Improvement of Teamwork Skills in First Year Medical Students by Using Physiology-Based High Fidelity Patient Simulations

Communication errors between team members underlie many of the preventable patient errors within the US healthcare system. Medical students do not get the opportunity to take advantage of TeamSTEPPS® training because they are not consistently a part of hospital-based teams. Most of their communication skills training are focused on the doctor and patient relationship and less focus on teamwork (TW) skills. Developing TW skills earlier in medical education may help lead to better communication and patient safety; however, there is little time in preclinical medical education due to full curricula. The purpose of this study was to integrate TW skills development into existing physiology-based high fidelity patient simulations (HFPS) by using strategic triggers. A mixed-methods approach was used with the use of an evaluation tool and qualitative interviews to determine student perceptions of learning in these HFPS. Furthermore, since HFPS is costly in terms of faculty time, we aimed to find ways to reduce faculty time involvement. One hundred twenty first year medical students participated in three HFPS and observed one. The data show that TW skills are significantly improved between the first and last HFPS for most teams of students. There were no differences between learner-observer-led and faculty-led debriefs in development of TW skills. Qualitative student interviews show that they believe TW skills were learned by the HFPS and also that observing HFPS was beneficial in their learning. Overall, these data suggest that TW skills can be improved by integrating these into physiology-based HFPS with strategically placed triggers.