cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An improved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for erosion prediction in oil and gas industry applications

In recent years, the study of flow-induced erosion phenomena has gained interest as erosion has a direct influence on the life, reliability and safety of equipment. Particularly significant erosion can occur inside the drilling tool components caused by the low particle loading (<10%) in the drilling fluid. Due to the difficulty and cost of conducting experiments, significant efforts have been invested in numerical predictive tools to understand and mitigate erosion within drilling tools. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is becoming a powerful tool to predict complex flow-erosion and a cost-effective method to re-design drilling equipment for mitigating erosion. Existing CFD-based erosion models predict erosion regions fairly accurately, but these models have poor reliability when it comes to quantitative predictions. In many cases, the error can be greater than an order of magnitude. The present study focuses on development of an improved CFD-erosion model for predicting the qualitative as well as the quantitative aspects of erosion.A finite-volume based CFD-erosion model was developed using a commercially available CFD code. The CFD model involves fluid flow and turbulence modeling, particle tracking, and application of existing empirical erosion models. All parameters like surface velocity, particle concentration, particle volume fraction, etc., used in empirical erosion equations are obtained through CFD analysis. CFD modeling parameters like numerical schemes, turbulence models, near-wall treatments, grid strategy and discrete particle model parameters were investigated in detail to develop guidelines for erosion prediction. As part of this effort, the effect of computed results showed good qualitative and quantitative agreement for the benchmark case of flow through an elbow at different flow rates and particle sizes.This paper proposes a new/modified erosion model. The combination of an improved CFD methodology and a new erosion model provides a novel computational approach that accurately predicts the location and magnitude of erosion. Reliable predictive methodology can help improve designs of downhole equipment to mitigate erosion risk as well as provide guidance on repair and maintenance intervals. This will eventually lead to improvement in the reliability and safety of downhole tool operation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Contractile Forces During ECM Rigidity Sensing are Regulated by Tropomyosin-1

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity is a critical regulator of important cellular processes such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. To measure ECM rigidity, cells form actomyosin-based contractile units at the lamellipodium that pull on the matrix with forces proportional to its stiffness. However, the mechanisms that regulate force production are unknown. Here we show that generation of force involves constant step-wise movements of myosin that are controlled by tropomyosin-1. Nanometer- and millisecond-scale measurements of fibroblasts pulling on elastomeric PDMS pillars show that pillar displacement occurs by discrete steps of ∼1 nm. In contractile pairs, simultaneous steps of opposing pillars give a net movement of ∼2.2 nm, independent of rigidity. Changes in the stepping patterns on different rigidities indicate that the level of force is critical for sensing pillar stiffness. Importantly, knockdown of tropomyosin-1 causes larger steps and increased forces that result in aberrant rigidity sensing. These results indicate that tropomyosin-1 is critical for rigidity sensing by controlling myosin movements on actin.
Relational Integration and Executive Function in Alzheimer's Disease

Executive functions depend on the ability to represent relations between objects and events, and the prefrontal cortex provides the neural substrate for this capacity. Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and control participants were administered measures of working memory and reasoning that varied systematically in their relational complexity. AD patients showed impairment on reasoning measures that required the online integration of relations but performed as well as control participants on nonrelational items and items requiring the processing of only single relations. When AD patients were divided into subgroups based on their performance on relational reasoning measures, the subgroup that showed significant impairment on relational integration measures exhibited a neuropsychological profile consistent with prefrontal cortical dysfunction.
Initiators and Promoters of Lung Cancer

As we expand our knowledge of the initiators and promoters of lung cancer, early detection and intervention strategies show great potential in individuals at high risk, especially smokers and exsmokers. Documented mutations of dominant oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in human lung cancer cells may represent important steps in the pathogenesis of invasive cancer. The precise molecular events and their sequence that lead to tumor promotion in lung cancer, however, are less well understood. Chemointervention with agents like the retinoids may halt proliferation of cancer cells prior to the development of metastatic competence
Epidemiology and Genetics of Essential Tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders. However, the etiology and pathogenesis are as yet unknown. Continued research will give us clues to understanding the impact on society, identifying genetic and environmental contributors to the disease, understanding the significance of a sporadic case, the phenotypic spectrum and timing of presentation, and the relationship with other neurologic disorders. Because the condition is both clinically and genetically heterogeneous and there is overlap with these other disorders, such as dystonia, parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathy, and migraine, the definition of phenotype plagues research in this area. Advances in understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of tremor should provide additional tools to unravel the clinical phenotype (including physiology), genotype-phenotype relationships, and the epidemiology of tremor.
Selectivity modification in electroorganic reactions by periodic current control: electroreduction of nitrobenzene

The electroreduction of nitrobenzene in deoxygenated acid solution generates predominantly either p-aminophenol or aniline via the common electrochemically generated intermediate, phenylhydroxylamine. Square wave current control increases the reaction selectivity for p-aminophenol, which is produced in a chemical pathway from the intermediate over that obtained at the average current of the oscillation. Data collected under electrokinetic-controlled reaction conditions on a planar copper electrode in a water-propanol-sulfuric acid medium show an order of magnitude increase in selectivity at 100 Hz over that measured at the average direct current. The electrode is depolarized under periodic current control which results in lower rates of undesired electrochemical reactions with a consequential increase in chemical product selectivity. Implications and limitations of periodic electrochemical reaction rate control are discussed.
Density functional theory study of the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism in a BN co-doped graphene electrocatalyst

Density functional theory calculations were performed to explore the stability and chemistry of active sites, and the mechanism of the ORR in a metal free BN co-doped graphene electrocatalyst. The results show that formation of graphitic G-BCxNy defects is energetically favorable than vacancy induced V-BCxNy defects in graphene. We find O2 physisorption on G-BC3, G-BC2N and G-BCN2 defects. Thus these defects are unlikely sites that initiate the ORR. In contrast, the chemisorption of ORR species O2, OOH and O, and the downhill energy landscape of the ORR on G-BN3 sites show that G-BN3 sites are active for the complete 4e− reduction of O2 to 2H2O. We furthermore explore the catalytic activity of vacancy induced V-BCxNy defects for the ORR. Much stronger adsorption of O2 and OH on V-BCxNy sites compared to G-BN3 sites indicates that V-BCxNy sites would likely be blocked by OH and the catalytic activity is limited to G-BN3 sites. Thus, an enhancement in catalytic activity and selectivity of BN co-doped graphene for a net 4e− complete O2 reduction can be achieved by increasing the concentration of G-BN3 defects.
Myosin-binding protein C displaces tropomyosin to activate cardiac thin filaments and governs their speed by an independent mechanism

Myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) is an accessory protein of striated muscle thick filaments and a modulator of cardiac muscle contraction. Defects in the cardiac isoform, cMyBP-C, cause heart disease. cMyBP-C includes 11 Ig- and fibronectin-like domains and a cMyBP-C-specific motif. In vitro studies show that in addition to binding to the thick filament via its C-terminal region, cMyBP-C can also interact with actin via its N-terminal domains, modulating thin filament motility. Structural observations of F-actin decorated with N-terminal fragments of cMyBP-C suggest that cMyBP-C binds to actin close to the low Ca2+ binding site of tropomyosin. This suggests that cMyBP-C might modulate thin filament activity by interfering with tropomyosin regulatory movements on actin. To determine directly whether cMyBP-C binding affects tropomyosin position, we have used electron microscopy and in vitro motility assays to study the structural and functional effects of N-terminal fragments binding to thin filaments. 3D reconstructions suggest that under low Ca2+ conditions, cMyBP-C displaces tropomyosin toward its high Ca2+ position, and that this movement corresponds to thin filament activation in the motility assay. At high Ca2+, cMyBP-C had little effect on tropomyosin position and caused slowing of thin filament sliding. Unexpectedly, a shorter N-terminal fragment did not displace tropomyosin or activate the thin filament at low Ca2+ but slowed thin filament sliding as much as the larger fragments. These results suggest that cMyBP-C may both modulate thin filament activity, by physically displacing tropomyosin from its low Ca2+ position on actin, and govern contractile speed by an independent molecular mechanism.
Axial Excitation Tool String Modelling

Current types of axial excitation tool have been shown to produce beneficial results — in terms of load transfer to the bit, general reductions in string friction and reductions in drill dysfunctions — such as stick slip.The positioning of such tools to achieve optimum benefit is therefore extremely important — in order to maximize the axial excitation to the areas of the string that require a reduction in friction, and also to minimize the axial excitation to the surface and to sensitive string tools (such as MWD) — where damage may occur.This paper describes a string model that allows the position of axial excitation tools to be assessed — in terms of the string response — both locally and remotely from the tool.The model breaks the string down in to springs and masses — with 10 nodes in the upper string; and 5 nodes in the BHA. Additional components can also be added to the string — such as shock tools, jars and accelerators — in terms of mass and stiffness.The equations of motion are used to connect the nodes in terms of differential equations.The model is Mathcad based, and as a result, executes very quickly — so allowing comparative studies to be carried out with relative ease.Data input into the model is also achieved quickly.The speed with which the model can be used lends itself to fine tuning input data.The model has been compared with and ANSYS spring mass model, and good agreement has been reached.Additionally, the model allows more than one axial excitation tool to be added to the string — in order to gauge the benefits of such a configuration.Damping can also be varied at different locations in the string model.The results from this model have been used to compare with field test data — derived from a string with instrumentation tool located at various points in the string.The results show that good agreement can be reached between the model and the field test results, however, careful consideration needs to be taken of the damping assumed in the model.The model can, never the less, be used for comparative studies — i.e. tool location, number of tools and optimum frequencies.Further work is recommended in comparing model results with field test results — in order to get a better understanding of the effect of damping.The damping model could be improved in the model presented here, or alternatively, the lessons learned here could be merged into an existing string model.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Rapid Microfluidic Assay for the Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin in Animal Sera

Potent Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) represent a threat to public health and safety. Botulism is a disease caused by BoNT intoxication that results in muscle paralysis that can be fatal. Sensitive assays capable of detecting BoNTs from different substrates and settings are essential to limit foodborne contamination and morbidity. In this report, we describe a rapid 96-well microfluidic double sandwich immunoassay for the sensitive detection of BoNT-A from animal sera. This BoNT microfluidic assay requires only 5 μL of serum, provides results in 75 min using a standard fluorescence microplate reader and generates minimal hazardous waste. The assay has a <30 pg·mL−1 limit of detection (LOD) of BoNT-A from spiked human serum. This sensitive microfluidic BoNT-A assay offers a fast and simplified workflow suitable for the detection of BoNT-A from serum samples of limited volume in most laboratory settings.
Fast and Robust Compressive Summarization with Dual Decomposition and Multi-Task Learning

We present a dual decomposition framework for multi-document summarization, using a model that jointly extracts and compresses sentences. Compared with previous work based on integer linear programming, our approach does not require external solvers, is significantly faster, and is modular in the three qualities a summary should have: conciseness, informativeness, and grammaticality. In addition, we propose a multi-task learning framework to take advantage of existing data for extractive summarization and sentence compression. Experiments in the TAC2008 dataset yield the highest published ROUGE scores to date, with runtimes that rival those of extractive summarizers.
Acupuncture in Pediatrics

There has been extensive research on the use of acupuncture in adults with a wide array of conditions. Much less research has been conducted on the use of acupuncture in children. In this article, we review the history and philosophy of acupuncture, and the literature on its effectiveness and safety in children and adolescents, giving special attention to the pediatric and adolescent conditions that have been most studied in high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules in a chronic murine model of myocardial reperfusion injury.

Expression of endothelial and leukocyte cell adhesion molecules is a principal determinant of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) recruitment during inflammation. It has been demonstrated that pharm...
Populations of Redbanded Leafrollers Surveyed on Washington Island in 1970

Virgin females of the red banded leafroller, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker), placed in traps to attract male moths, were used to determine the seasonal distribution of this insect at Washington Island, Wisconsin, in 1970. Eight seasonal samples of fruit showed that injury to apples by larvae of the red banded leaf roller ranged from 2.0 to 9.7%.
Using Behavioral Research to Design Better Customer Experiences

In the recently published book—The Customer Service Solution—authors Sriram Dasu and Richard Chase write that successful operation of service firms is critically tied to the implicit, or psychologi...
Four Years of Congress

When the sixty-third congress was called in extraordinary session on April 7, 1913, it was the first time since 1895 that both branches of congress and the executive had been under Democratic control. For nearly two decades the policies of the nation had been shaped and directed by the Republicans. Now after many years the minority had become the majority, and a Democratic President sat in the White House. In the congressional elections of 1910, dissatisfaction with the PayneAldrich tariff and the growing friction between the conservative and progressive wings of the Republican party had given the Democrats a net gain of 56 seats in the house of representatives, and control of that body by a majority of 66 votes. The senate during the sixty-second congress, however, still remained Republican by a majority of 10 votes. In 1912 the three-cornered presidential contest had resulted in the election of Wilson by an unprecedented electoral vote, although he did not have a majority of the popular vote cast. The schism in the ranks of the Republican party and the drift that had set in toward the Democratic ticket had increased the Democratic representation in the lower branch of congress to 290, while the Republican representation had fallen to 145, including 18 Progressives who did not go into the Republican caucus and who could not always be counted on to vote with the minority. In the senate the Democrats had gained enough seats to give them a majority of 6, a net gain of 16 seats over their membership in the sixtysecond congress. It is not the purpose of this article to give a detailed account of the legislation enacted by the sixty-third and sixty-four congresses, for the general features of this legislation are doubtless
Coverage-Induced Conformational Effects on Activity and Selectivity: Hydrogenation and Decarbonylation of Furfural on Pd(111)

Adsorption, hydrogenation, and decarbonylation of furfural on hydrogen-covered Pd(111) was investigated using density functional theory calculations. It was found that both the energy and the conformation of adsorbed furfural vary with increasing coverage of hydrogen or furfural. Furfural lies flat at low coverage but becomes tilted on crowded surfaces. The energy profiles of hydrogenation and decarbonylation reactions on a hydrogen-covered Pd(111) change profoundly compared to those on bare Pd(111). The energy span theory shows that the furfural hydrogenation and decarbonylation effective barriers exhibit a maximum with increasing hydrogen coverage. In contrast, the selectivity to hydrogenation toward furfuryl alcohol over decarbonylation is favored with increasing hydrogen coverage. Microkinetic modeling suggests that the conformation change with increasing H coverage has a significant effect on reaction rates (up to orders of magnitude) and induces a selectivity reversal from furan as the main product ...
Intergovernmental Organizations and Foreign Policy Behavior: Some Empirical Findings

In this study, we evaluate whether the increase in the number of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) has resulted in their increased use for foreign policy behavior by the nations of the world. This question is examined in three related ways: (1) the aggregate use of IGOs for foreign policy behavior; (2) the relationship between IGO membership and IGO use; and (3) the kinds of states that use IGOs. Our data base consists of the 35 nations in the CREON (Comparative Research on the Events of Nations) data set for the years 1959–1968. The main findings are that IGOs were employed over 60 percent of the time with little fluctuation on a year-by-year basis, that global and “high politics” IGOs were used more often than regional and “low politics” IGOs, that institutional membership and IGO use were generally inversely related, and that the attributes of the states had limited utility in accounting for the use of intergovernmental organizations. Some of the theoretical implications of these findings are then explored.
Streptobacillus moniliformis Endocarditis

Chez un garcon de 8 ans atteint de maladie aortique rhumatismale dans les antecedents et presentant une alteration de l'etat general avec fievre recidivante. Traitement par penicilline. Au 10eme jour mise en evidence a l'hemoculture de Streptobacillus moniliformis. Amelioration clinique rapide et negativation de l'hemoculture. Mort subite de l'enfant 2 mois apres sa sortie de l'hopital
A Cold War before the Cold War: Early Soviet Relations with the West

ABSTRACTThe field of international relations has seen considerable debate about the reasons for conflict between revolutionary states and status quo powers. The two works reviewed here deal with the early years of the Soviet regime. The material presented indicates that tensions were largely the result of Bolshevik attempts to “export the revolution.” This indicates that it is the nature of a revolutionary state and its desire to challenge the international status quo that leads to tension with other powers.
A Preliminary FPGA Implementation and Analysis of Phatak's Quotient-First Scaling Algorithm in the Reduced-Precision Residue Number System.

We built and tested the first hardware implementation of Phatak’s Quotient-First Scaling (QFS) algorithm in the reduced-precision residue number system (RP-RNS). This algorithm is designed to expedite division in the Residue Number System for the special case when the divisor is known ahead of time (i.e., when the divisor can be considered to be a constant, as in the modular exponentiation required for the RSA encryption/decryption). We implemented the QFS algorithm using an FPGA and tested it for operand lengths up to 1024 bits. The RP-RNS modular exponentiation algorithm is not based on Montgomery’s method, but on quotient estimation derived from the straightforward division algorithm, with substantial amount of precomputations whose results are read from look-up tables at run-time. Phatak’s preliminary analysis indicates that under reasonable assumptions about hardware capabilities, a single modular multiplication’s (or QFS’s) execution time grows logarithmically with respect to the operand word length. We experimentally confirmed this predicted growth rate of the delay of a modular multiplication with our FPGA implementation. Though our implementation did not outperform the most recent implementations such as that by Gandino, et al., we determined that this outcome was solely a consequence of tradeoffs stemming from our decision to store the lookup tables on the FPGA. C.D. Nguyen E-mail: cn1@umbc.edu D.S. Phatak E-mail: phatak@umbc.edu S.D. Houston E-mail: stevenh2@umbc.edu A.T. Sherman Cyber Defense Lab University of Maryland, Baltimore County 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 E-mail: sherman@umbc.edu Our work provides useful design information for future hardware implementations and we interpret our results as promising for the RP-RNS algorithms.
SEQUENCE CHANGES IN THE HEMAGGLUTININ OF AN ENTEROTROPIC H3 INFLUENZA VIRUS

Publisher Summary The hemagglutinin glycoprotein of influenza virus interacts with sialic acid-containing cell membrane receptors. Recent studies have demonstrated that antigenically similar hemagglutinins have different receptor specificities, that these differences may correlate with the species of origin, and that amino and substitutions in the hemagglutinin can alter receptor-binding specificity. The chapter describes an experiment to understand the role of hemagglutinin in tissue tropism by preparing reassortant viruses between an influenza strain A/Mal/NY/6750/72 (H2N2) (Mal/NY), which replicates in the intestinal tract of ducks, and a human strain A/Udorn/307/72 (H3N2) (Udorn), which does not. Monoclonal antibodies to site C (H14/A2) reacted with the parental Udorn strain and re-assortants R3 to R6 but only reacted with the R2 strain after the virus had been disrupted, indicating that this antigenic site is probably present but is masked in some way in the intact R2 virion. These results indicate that an antigenic change has occurred in site B of the R2 virus, that site C is still present but perhaps masked, and that site A in the parental virus is changed so that no information could be obtained about this region.
Previous Institutionalization Is Followed by Broader Amygdala-Hippocampal-PFC Network Connectivity during Aversive Learning in Human Development

Early institutional care can be profoundly stressful for the human infant, and, as such, can lead to significant alterations in brain development. In animal models, similar variants of early adversity have been shown to modify amygdala-hippocampal-prefrontal cortex development and associated aversive learning. The current study examined this rearing aberration in human development. Eighty-nine children and adolescents who were either previously institutionalized (PI youth; N = 46; 33 females and 13 males; age range, 7-16 years) or were raised by their biological parents from birth (N = 43; 22 females and 21 males; age range, 7-16 years) completed an aversive-learning paradigm while undergoing functional neuroimaging, wherein visual cues were paired with either an aversive sound (CS+) or no sound (CS-). For the PI youth, better aversive learning was associated with higher concurrent trait anxiety. Both groups showed robust learning and amygdala activation for CS+ versus CS- trials. However, PI youth also exhibited broader recruitment of several regions and increased hippocampal connectivity with prefrontal cortex. Stronger connectivity between the hippocampus and ventromedial PFC predicted significant improvements in future anxiety (measured 2 years later), and this was particularly true within the PI group. These results suggest that for humans as well as for other species, early adversity alters the neurobiology of aversive learning by engaging a broader prefrontal-subcortical circuit than same-aged peers. These differences are interpreted as ontogenetic adaptations and potential sources of resilience.Prior institutionalization is a significant form of early adversity. While nonhuman animal research suggests that early adversity alters aversive learning and associated neurocircuitry, no prior work has examined this in humans. Here, we show that youth who experienced prior institutionalization, but not comparison youth, recruit the hippocampus during aversive learning. Among youth who experienced prior institutionalization, individual differences in aversive learning were associated with worse current anxiety. However, connectivity between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex prospectively predicted significant improvements in anxiety 2 years following scanning for previously institutionalized youth. Among youth who experienced prior institutionalization, age-atypical engagement of a distributed set of brain regions during aversive learning may serve a protective function.
Group Collaborative Challenges in Today's Competitive Environment

This paper examines the collaborative challenges of organizational intergroup and intergroup dynamics. Research shows that collaborative networks are a strategic asset used by firms that form as alliances and partnerships to develop new products and services in sustaining a competitive advantage (Provan & Kenis, 2007). This paper argues that collaborative relationships are challenging. The challenge of leader-follower relationships, group members that represent organizational interests, transnational coordination, and intergroup conflict compounds the firm’s collaboration outcomes. The author addresses negotiation strategies for problem solving, and conflict resolution to enhance collaborative efforts within the organization.
Multisensory integration of redundant trisensory stimulation

Integration of sensory information across modalities can confer behavioral advantages by decreasing perceptual ambiguity, increasing reaction time, and increasing detection accuracy relative to unisensory stimuli. We asked how combinations of auditory, visual, and somatosensory events alter response time. Participants detected stimulation on one side of space (right or left) while ignoring stimulation on the other side of space. There were seven types of suprathreshold stimuli: auditory (tones from speakers), visual (sinusoidal contrast gratings), somatosensory (fingertip vibrations), audio-visual, somato-visual, audio-somatosensory, and audio-somato-visual. Response enhancement and race model analysis confirmed that bisensory and trisensory trials enhanced response time relative to unisensory trials. Exploratory analysis of individual differences in intersensory facilitation revealed that participants fit into one of two groups: those who benefitted from trisensory information and those who did not.
Time for a Change.

The Journal of Dual Diagnosis is at an important crossroads. Over the past 6 years, it has grown in many ways: The number and quality of papers submitted has increased; its international reach has ...
Behavioral inhibition and activation systems in traumatic brain injury

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE Personality has been linked to cognitive appraisal and health outcomes; however, research specific to traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been sparse. Gray's theory of behavioral inhibition system and behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS) offers a neurobiologic view of personality that may be especially relevant to neurobehavioral change associated with TBI. The present study examined theoretical and psychometric issues of using the BIS/BAS scale among adults with TBI as well as BIS/BAS personality correlates of TBI. Research Method/Design: Eighty-one adults with complicated-mild to severe TBI and 76 of their significant others (SOs) participated. Measures included the BIS/BAS scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Awareness Questionnaire. RESULTS Among adults with TBI, BIS/BAS internal consistency reliabilities were similar to those found in normative samples of adults without TBI. The TBI group endorsed significantly higher BAS than did the SO group, and injury severity was positively correlated to BAS. The SO group showed expected patterns of correlation between personality and affect; positive affect was associated with BAS, and negative affect with BIS. In contrast, in the TBI group, BAS was positively correlated to both positive and negative affect. Impaired awareness of abilities moderated the intensity of relationships between BIS/BAS and affect. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS TBI was associated with relatively intensified BAS (approach behavior) but not BIS (avoidance behavior). The observed pattern is consistent with the neurobiology of TBI-related personality change and with theory regarding the independence of the BIS and BAS systems. The BIS/BAS scale shows promise as a personality measure in TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record
Pharmacist-driven respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis stewardship service in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Purpose The development and implementation of a pharmacist-driven respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis stewardship program in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are described. Summary An RSV prophylaxis stewardship service was created in the NICU at Brigham and Women's Hospital to align with the newly updated 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for palivizumab. The service comprised two NICU clinical pharmacists with oversight from the NICU medical director and the chair of the NICU infection control committee. Supervising physicians provided oversight for the identification of qualified patients on a weekly basis and assisted in the evaluation of controversial cases. The goals of the RSV prophylaxis stewardship service were to identify qualifying infants, improve adherence to the current AAP recommendations, educate staff and families on the recently updated AAP recommendations, streamline communication between providers regarding qualifying infants, and prepare and deliver palivizumab for administration in an organized and cost-effective manner. Twice-weekly "RSV prophylaxis days" were designated, with a set administration time on each day. Workflow was successfully streamlined between members of the healthcare team, including NICU pharmacists, prescribers, off-shift pharmacists, and nurses. Conclusion Pharmacists involved in a multidisciplinary RSV prophylaxis stewardship service successfully identified qualifying patients for RSV prophylaxis while adhering to the latest AAP recommendations, educated staff and families regarding RSV, streamlined communication among healthcare providers, and ensured preparation of palivizumab in an organized and cost-effective manner.
Association of Functional Impairments and Co-Morbid Conditions with Driving Performance among Cognitively Normal Older Adults

Objectives To examine the relationship between key functional impairments, co-morbid conditions and driving performance in a sample of cognitively normal older adults. Design Prospective observational study Setting The Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Washington University at St. Louis Participants Individuals with normal cognition, 64.9 to 88.2 years old (N = 129), with a valid driver’s license, who were currently driving at least once per week, and who had participated in longitudinal studies at the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Measurements Static visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, physical frailty measures, motor skills, total medical conditions, and the modified Washington University Road Test. Results When controlling for age, race, gender, APOE, and education the total number of medical conditions was unassociated with both road test scores (pass vs. marginal + fail) and the total driver error count. There were marginal associations of our measure of physical frailty (p = 0.06) and contrast sensitivity score (p = 0.06) with total driving error count. Conclusion Future research that focuses on older adults and driving should consider adopting measures of physical frailty and contrast sensitivity, especially in samples that may have a propensity for disease impacting visual and/or physical function (e.g. osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s, eye disorders, advanced age >80 years, etc.).
Gastrointestinal Tract Amyloidosis Presenting With Pneumatosis Intestinalis.

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a radiographic finding of gas pockets within the bowel wall. It can be associated with a range of diagnoses, but the most life-threatening causes are mesenteric ischemia, bowel necrosis, and bowel obstruction. Here we present the case of a patient with multiple myeloma who had pneumatosis intestinalis due to gastrointestinal amyloidosis, which is a rare manifestation of systemic amyloid disease. The patient had both transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis and acquired apolipoprotein serum amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis that are not usually seen in conjunction with multiple myeloma, which is most commonly associated with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. This case highlights the importance of considering Congo red staining of bowel biopsies for amyloid deposition in patients undergoing endoscopy for unexplained gastrointestinal tract symptoms and even pneumatosis intestinalis, so as to avoid a delay in diagnosis that is typically seen with amyloidosis. Since each subtype of amyloidosis requires different therapy, amyloid subtyping is crucial, even with co-existing multiple myeloma. J Clin Med Res. 2017;9(7):654-658 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2957w
Using Engineering Design Challenges to Engage Elementary Students With Gifts and Talents Across Multiple Content Areas

With the release of the Next Generation Science Standards and the adoption of the standards by many states, teachers are encouraged to use the engineering design process (EDP) as an instructional a...
Exploring the Interrelationships Among Academic Entitlement, Academic Performance, and Satisfaction With Life in a College Student Sample:

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among academic entitlement, life satisfaction, and academic performance as measured by cumulative grade point average. When comparing acade...
Avian Chemical Defense

Many vertebrates use noxious or deterrent chemicals as defense against predators, parasites, and/or microbes. Putatively adaptive chemical defenses have been described for fish, salamanders, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, and even mammals. For some of these groups, e.g., frogs and toads, chemical defense may be the primary means of protection from predation. In contrast, no birds are listed in recent indices of chemically-defended animals (see Species Index, Toxicon Vol. 1–27, 1990), and birds have generally been thought not to use chemical defense.
Rapid sexual and genomic isolation in sympatric Drosophila without reproductive character displacement.

The rapid evolution of sexual isolation in sympatry has long been associated with reinforcement (i.e., selection to avoid maladaptive hybridization). However, there are many species pairs in sympatry that have evolved rapid sexual isolation without known costs to hybridization. A major unresolved question is what evolutionary processes are involved in driving rapid speciation in such cases. Here, we focus on one such system; the Drosophila athabasca species complex, which is composed of three partially sympatric and interfertile semispecies: WN, EA, and EB. To study speciation in this species complex, we assayed sexual and genomic isolation within and between these semispecies in both sympatric and allopatric populations. First, we found no evidence of reproductive character displacement (RCD) in sympatric zones compared to distant allopatry. Instead, semispecies were virtually completely sexually isolated from each other across their entire ranges. Moreover, using spatial approaches and coalescent demographic simulations, we detected either zero or only weak heterospecific gene flow in sympatry. In contrast, within each semispecies we found only random mating and little population genetic structure, except between highly geographically distant populations. Finally, we determined that speciation in this system is at least an order of magnitude older than previously assumed, with WN diverging first, around 200K years ago, and EA and EB diverging 100K years ago. In total, these results suggest that these semispecies should be given full species status and we adopt new nomenclature: WN-D. athabasca, EA-D. mahican, and EB-D. lenape. While the lack of RCD in sympatry and interfertility do not support reinforcement, we discuss what additional evidence is needed to further decipher the mechanisms that caused rapid speciation in this species complex.
Less severe processing improves carbon nanotube photovoltaic performance

Thin film semiconducting single walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) photovoltaics suffer losses due to trapping and quenching of excitons by defects induced when dispersing s-SWCNTs into solution. We study these aspects by preparing photovoltaic devices from (6,5) carbon nanotubes isolated by different processes: extended ultrasonication, brief ultrasonication, and shear force mixing. Peak quantum efficiency increases from 28% to 38% to 49% as the processing harshness decreases and is attributed to both increasing s-SWCNT length and reducing sidewall defects. Fill-factor and open-circuit voltage also improve with shear force mixing, highlighting the importance of obtaining long, defect-free s-SWCNTs for efficient photoconversion devices.
Abstract 15927: Plasma Proteomic Profiling Identifies Multiple Biomarkers Identifying Increased Risk for Arrhythmic Death in the Prediction of ARrhythmic Events With Positron Emission Tomography (PAREPET) Study

Background: Selection of patients to receive a primary prevention ICD is solely based on LV EF. Plasma biomarkers may compliment this but most have not been evaluated in predicting arrhythmic death...
Affine Algebraic Sets and Groups

We begin with the basic facts concerning the irreducible components of algebraic sets in general, and the irreducible component of the neutral element in an algebraic group. The main result of Section 2 is the fact that algebraic subgroups are determined by their semi-invariants in the algebra of polynomial functions of the containing group. Section 3 contains the fundamental results on homomorphisms from commutative algebras to the base field, culminating in Hilbert’s Nullstellensatz. Section 4 applies this to yield an important tool theorem about polynomial maps between algebraic groups, and then establishes the principal general result concerning factor groups of algebraic groups.
HIV-1 Engages a Dynein-Dynactin-BICD2 Complex for Infection and Transport to the Nucleus

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection depends on efficient intracytoplasmic transport of the incoming viral core to the target cell nucleus. Evidence suggests that this movement is facilitated by the microtubule motor dynein, a large multiprotein complex that interacts with dynactin and cargo-specific adaptor proteins for retrograde movement via microtubules. Dynein adaptor proteins are necessary for activating dynein movement and for linking specific cargoes to dynein. We hypothesized that HIV-1 engages the dynein motor complex via an adaptor for intracellular transport. Here, we show that small interfering RNA depletion of the dynein heavy chain, components of the dynactin complex, and the dynein adaptor BICD2 reduced cell permissiveness to HIV-1 infection. Cell depletion of dynein heavy chain and BICD2 resulted in impaired HIV-1 DNA accumulation in the nucleus and decreased retrograde movement of the virus. Biochemical studies revealed that dynein components and BICD2 associate with capsid-like assemblies of the HIV-1 CA protein in cell extracts and that purified recombinant BICD2 binds to CA assemblies in vitro Association of dynein with CA assemblies was reduced upon immunodepletion of BICD2 from cell extracts. We conclude that BICD2 is a capsid-associated dynein adaptor utilized by HIV-1 for transport to the nucleus.IMPORTANCE During HIV-1 infection, the virus must travel across the cytoplasm to enter the nucleus. The host cell motor protein complex dynein has been implicated in HIV-1 intracellular transport. We show that expression of the dynein heavy chain, components of the dynein-associated dynactin complex, and the dynein adaptor BICD2 in target cells are important for HIV-1 infection and nuclear entry. BICD2 interacts with the HIV-1 capsid in vitro, suggesting that it functions as a capsid-specific adaptor for HIV-1 intracellular transport. Our work identifies specific host proteins involved in microtubule-dependent HIV-1 intracellular transport and highlights the BICD2-capsid interaction as a potential target for antiviral therapy.
Measurement of Electric Modification of Cell Suspension Conductivity During Treatment

High-intensity electric pulses (EPs) alter the mechanical structure of mammalian cells by creating small pores in the plasma membrane 1. One can correlate these EP induced structural changes to changes in electrical properties 2, 3. One electrical characterization technique is time domain dielectric spectroscopy (TDDS), in which one applies low intensity EP to a cell suspension and measures the reflected signal. From this, one can extract the conductivity and permittivity of the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nuclear envelope, and nucleoplasm in cells by using a two-shell model 2, 3. However, TDDS uses sensitive equipment that prohibits measuring the changes of these properties during a high-intensity EP. In this study, we measure the changes in cell suspension conductivity in real time to elucidate ion transport during EPs. We fix EP application at three different energy densities for three cell media of different conductivity and ion concentration and pulse durations of 60 ns and 300 ns. The conductivity increased during the pulse, indicating ion motion from the cell to the extracellular medium. While similar to the increased conductivity observed by TDDS [2], those measurements occurred greater than one minute after exposure, meaning that diffusion could contribute while the measurements during the EP would only consider electrophoresis. We use a mathematical model 4 coupling the asymptotic Smoluchowski representation of EP induced pore formation with the Nernst-Planck model for ion motion to predict ion motion for the EP parameters studied here to elucidate the contributions of electrophoresis and diffusion. The implications for the mechanisms involved in EP-induced electropermeabilization and ion transport will be discussed.
A Theodorus Construction

The spiral of Theodorus is a famous mathematical object that has been studied extensively (see, for example, [4–7]). Using essentially the same construction, but alternating the triangle orientatio...
Towards a "Master Algorithm" for Forming Faster Conventions On Various Networks

In this paper, we argue the importance of developing a "Master Algorithm" that forms faster social convention among software agents on any network topology. We hypothesize that one possible approach towards building this "Master Algorithm'' is to embed network awareness in agent's decision-making process. As a first step towards this algorithm, we present a novel network aware convention formation (NACF) algorithm that equips agents with network awareness to select a suitable algorithm for creating faster conventions. The results obtained from an extensive set of simulations show that NACF successfully forms convention on various network scenarios. We also identify the limitations of NACF and provide insights for improvement.
Re-purposing and Thematizing Colonial Gardens: Constructions of History and Nation in Singapore’s Heritage Parks

To re-position the island as a touristic attraction, the 'Open Space Concept Plan' re-packages the civic district as an historical and cultural site. In the wake of a global promotion of public art as a mean to rejuvenate cities, parks are thematised with symbolisms that urge the preservation of ‘Asian’ and ‘traditional’ values and the maintenance of ‘local’ cultural identity and heritage, erected against ‘westernization’. In-between tourism-attracting device and cultural enrichment scheme—and spurring a debate on ‘inauthenticity’ of place and ‘falsification’ of history and identity—parks participate to the making of a place image. Such image is conceived as a product fashioned from the perceived needs and interests of tourists as well the local peculiarities of site—and parks are characterized with design-features that portray ‘shared values’ that would bind Singaporeans together and provide directions and cultural identity.