cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure, innervation and response properties of integumentary sensory organs in crocodilians

SUMMARY Integumentary sensory organs (ISOs) are densely distributed on the jaws of crocodilians and on body scales of members of the families Crocodilidae and Gavialidae. We examined the distribution, anatomy, innervation and response properties of ISOs on the face and body of crocodilians and documented related behaviors for an alligatorid ( Alligator mississippiensis ) and a crocodylid ( Crocodylus niloticus ). Each of the ISOs (roughly 4000 in A. mississippiensis and 9000 in C. niloticus ) was innervated by networks of afferents supplying multiple different mechanoreceptors. Electrophysiological recordings from the trigeminal ganglion and peripheral nerves were made to isolate single-unit receptive fields and to test possible osmoreceptive and electroreceptive functions. Multiple small ( 2 ) receptive fields, often from a single ISO, were recorded from the premaxilla, the rostral dentary, the gingivae and the distal digits. These responded to a median threshold of 0.08 mN. The less densely innervated caudal margins of the jaws had larger receptive fields (>100 mm 2 ) and higher thresholds (13.725 mN). Rapidly adapting, slowly adapting type I and slowly adapting type II responses were identified based on neuronal responses. Several rapidly adapting units responded maximally to vibrations at 20–35 Hz, consistent with reports of the ISOs9 role in detecting prey-generated water surface ripples. Despite crocodilians9 armored bodies, the ISOs imparted a mechanical sensitivity exceeding that of primate fingertips. We conclude that crocodilian ISOs have diverse functions, including detection of water movements, indicating when to bite based on direct contact of pursued prey, and fine tactile discrimination of items held in the jaws.
Nonsurgical treatment of male infertility: specific and empiric therapy

Management of male infertility is always a difficult task, and the pathologic process is often poorly understood. Even though modern assisted reproduction techniques (ART) can help overcome severe male factor infertility, the application of these methods in all infertile couples would definitely represent over-treatment. Several conditions can interfere with spermatogenesis and reduce sperm quality and production. A careful diagnostic work-up is necessary before any andrological treatment can be initiated so that adequate treatment options can be selected for individual patients. Most hormonal imbalances can be readily identified and successfully treated nonsurgically. However, the treatment of men with unexplained idiopathic infertility remains a challenge. In the absence of a correctable etiology, patients are managed with either empirical medical therapy or ART. Empiric medical therapy continues as a viable option. However, physicians and patients must understand that the success rates with any of the pharmacological therapies remain suboptimal.
Lyapunov Stability of Linear Predictor Feedback for Distributed Input Delays

For multi-input, linear time-invariant systems with distributed input delays, Artstein's reduction method provides a predictor-based controller. In this paper, we construct a Lyapunov functional for the resulting closed-loop system and establish exponential stability. The key element in our work is the introduction of an infinite-dimensional forwarding-backstepping transformation of the infinite-dimensional actuator states. We illustrate the construction of the Lyapunov functional with a detailed example of a single-input system, in which the input is entering through two individual channels with different delays. Finally, we develop an observer equivalent to the predictor feedback design, for the case of distributed sensor delays and prove exponential convergence of the estimation error.
Benefits of Early Hypertension Control on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSdStudy subjects were 15,665 adults with diabetes but no diagnosed coronary or cerebrovascular disease at baseline who met standard criteria for new-onset HT. Poisson regression models assessed whether adequate blood pressure control within1 year of HT onset predicts subsequent occurrence of major cardiovascular events with and without adjustment for baseline Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and other covariates. RESULTSdMean age was 51.5 years, and mean blood pressure at HT onset was 136.8/80.8 mmHg. In the year after HT onset, mean blood pressure decreased to 131.4/78.0 mmHg and was ,130/80 mmHg in 32.9% of subjects and ,140/90 mmHg in 80.2%. Over a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, age-adjusted rates of major cardiovascular events in those with mean 1-year blood pressure measurements of ,130/80, 130–139/80–89, and $140/90 mmHg were 5.10, 4.27, and 6.94 events/1,000 person-years, respectively (P = 0.004). In FRS-adjusted models, rates of major cardiovascular events weresignificantlyhigher inthose with mean blood pressure$140/90mmHgin the first year after HT onset (rate ratio 1.30 [95% CI 1.01–1.169]; P =0 .04). CONCLUSIONSdFailure to adequately control BP within 1 year of HT onset significantly increased the likelihood of major cardiovascular events within 3 years. Prompt control of newonset HT in patients with diabetes may provide important short-term clinical benefits. Diabetes Care 36:322–327, 2013
B-type Natriuretic Peptide Is a Sensitive Screening Test for Acute Rejection in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients

Background The utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for detecting acute rejection (AR) is unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate BNP as a screening test for AR in pediatric heart transplant patients. Methods All endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) with concurrent BNP levels from February 2004 through March 2007 at the study institution were reviewed and the association between BNP levels and acute rejection was assessed. Results Eighty-six patients underwent a total of 560 EMBs. The median age at EMB was 10.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3.7 to 15.4 years). There were 59 episodes of AR, 32 (54%) occurring at 1 year post-transplant demonstrated an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.93) (p Conclusions BNP levels have a high sensitivity and NPV for evaluating AR in pediatric heart transplant patients. In patients >1 year post-transplant, a BNP level of
Stem Cell Therapy to Cure Type 1 Diabetes: From Hype to Hope

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic, multifactorial autoimmune disease that involves the progressive destruction of pancreatic β-cells, ultimately resulting in the loss of insulin production and secretion. The goal of clinical intervention is to prevent or arrest the onset and progression of autoimmunity, reverse β-cell destruction, and restore glycometabolic and immune homeostasis. Despite promising outcomes observed with islet transplantation and advancements in immunomodulatory therapies, the need for an effective cell replacement strategy for curing T1D still persists. Stem cell therapy offers a solution to the cited challenges of islet transplantation. While the regenerative potential of stem cells can be harnessed to make available a self-replenishing supply of glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells, their immunomodulatory properties may potentially be used to prevent, arrest, or reverse autoimmunity, ameliorate innate/alloimmune graft rejection, and prevent recurrence of the disease. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic potential of stem cells derived from a variety of sources for the cure of T1D, for example, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells, and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and adipose tissue. The benefits of combinatorial approaches designed to ensure the successful clinical translation of stem cell therapeutic strategies, such as approaches combining effective stem cell strategies with islet transplantation, immunomodulatory drug regimens, and/or novel bioengineering techniques, are also discussed. To conclude, the application of stem cell therapy in the cure for T1D appears extremely promising.
The Telotype Defines the Telomere State in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Is Inherited as a Dominant Non-Mendelian Characteristic in Cells Lacking Telomerase

Telomeres are an unusual component of the genome because they do not encode genes, but their structure and cellular maintenance machinery (which we define as “telotype”) are essential for chromosome stability. Cells can switch between different phenotypic states. One such example is when they switch from maintenance mediated by telomerase (TERT telotype) to one of the two alternative mechanisms of telomere preservation (ALT I and ALT II telotype). The nature of this switch is largely unknown. Reintroduction of telomerase into ALT II, but not ALT I, yeast led to the loss of their ability to survive a second round of telomerase withdrawal. Mating-based genetic analysis of ALT I and II revealed that both types of telomerase-independent telomere maintenance are inherited as a non-Mendelian trait dominant over senescence (SEN telotype). Additionally, inheritance of ALT I and ALT II did not depend on either the mitochondrial genome or a prion-based mechanism. Type I, but not type II, survivor cells exhibited impaired gene silencing, potentially connecting the switch to the ALT telotype epigenetic changes. These data provide evidence that nonprion epigenetic-like mechanisms confer flexibility on cells as a population to adjust to the life-threatening situation of telomerase loss, allowing cells to switch from TERT to ALT telotypes that can sustain viable populations.
A Quantitative Measurement of Antiviral Activity of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Drugs against Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Dose-Response Curve Slope Strongly Influences Class-Specific Inhibitory Potential

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques is so far the best animal model for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) studies, but suppressing viral replication in infected animals remains challenging. Using a novel single-round infectivity assay, we quantitated the antiviral activities of antiretroviral drugs against SIV. Our results emphasize the importance of the dose-response curve slope in determining the inhibitory potential of antiretroviral drugs and provide useful information for regimen selection in treating SIV-infected animals in models of therapy and virus eradication.
Inhibitors of Difficult Protein−Protein Interactions Identified by High-Throughput Screening of Multiprotein Complexes

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are important in all aspects of cellular function, and there is interest in finding inhibitors of these contacts. However, PPIs with weak affinities and/or large interfaces have traditionally been more resistant to the discovery of inhibitors, partly because it is more challenging to develop high-throughput screening (HTS) methods that permit direct measurements of these physical interactions. Here, we explored whether the functional consequences of a weak PPI might be used as a surrogate for binding. As a model, we used the bacterial ATPase DnaK and its partners DnaJ and GrpE. Both DnaJ and GrpE bind DnaK and catalytically accelerate its ATP cycling, so we used stimulated nucleotide turnover to indirectly report on these PPIs. In pilot screens, we identified compounds that block activation of DnaK by either DnaJ or GrpE. Interestingly, at least one of these molecules blocked binding of DnaK to DnaJ, while another compound disrupted allostery between DnaK and GrpE witho...
Estimation of buffer size using stochastic approximation methods

Estimation of buffer size requirement in a serial manufacturing system is formulated as a stochastic optimization problem. Two stochastic approximation methods used in conjunction with a single-run optimization procedure are presented. They are the Kiefer-Wolfowitz and Robbins-Monro methods, and they are shown to be superior to the direct search simplex method. The Robbins-Monro method integrated with finite perturbation analysis, has the best convergence rate. The savings in computation time is proportional to the number of parameters to be estimated. >
Enhancing Realism of Wet Surfaces in Temporal Bone Surgical Simulation

We present techniques to improve visual realism in an interactive surgical simulation application: a mastoidectomy simulator that offers a training environment for medical residents as a complement to using a cadaver. As well as displaying the mastoid bone through volume rendering, the simulation allows users to experience haptic feedback and appropriate sound cues while controlling a virtual bone drill and suction/irrigation device. The techniques employed to improve realism consist of a fluid simulator and a shading model. The former allows for deformable boundaries based on volumetric bone data, while the latter gives a wet look to the rendered bone to emulate more closely the appearance of the bone in a surgical environment. The fluid rendering includes bleeding effects, meniscus rendering, and refraction. We incorporate a planar computational fluid dynamics simulation into our three-dimensional rendering to effect realistic blood diffusion. Maintaining real-time performance while drilling away bone in the simulation is critical for engagement with the system.
Necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis related to sarcoidosis: a case report

Introduction Renal injury due to sarcoidosis develops in less than a quarter of patients with this systemic disease. In most cases, granulomatous tissue alters the production of vitamin D, which leads to hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrolithiasis. Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is another well-recognized pathological process associated with sarcoidosis. However, a glomerular pathology is very rarely noted, and only a few cases are reported to have cellular crescentic glomerulonephritis.
Correlation of Dispense Characteristics of Conductive Inks to Substrate Temperature

Formation of conductors on a substrate can be achieved by dispensing conductive materials on its surface. The quality and reliability of these conductors depends upon the ink characteristics, substrate characteristics and the dispensing parameters. In this study, two materials were dispensed on a substrate commonly used in the industry at various temperatures. Results of the effect of substrate temperature on the quality of conductors dispensed on it are presented. The line width, its cross section area and its resistance and resistivity were measured at increasing temperature of the substrate and correlated to the substrate temperature.
Serological Response of Japanese Children and Old People to Japanese B Encephalitis Mouse Brain Vaccine

SummaryJapanese children, 3 to 5 years old, and people, over 60 years of age, living in the endemic region of Okayama, Japan, were given commercial Japanese B encephalitis mouse brain vaccine—2 doses of 1 cc each, 6 days apart, and a 3rd dose of 1 cc one month after the first dose in advance of the season when outbreaks of the disease may be expected. None of the children had antibodies before vaccination, and of the 10, who were inoculated with a vaccine having a 50% immunogenic dose (ID30) of 0.013 cc by mouse assay, all had neutralizing antibodies 10 days after the 3rd dose, while only 1 of the 10, who received a vaccine with an ID50 of 0.077 cc, developed a significant neutralization index. However, in a group of 7 old people, without antibodies before inoculation, who received the same dosage of the better vaccine (ID30 of 0.013 cc) none developed neutralizing or complement-fixing antibodies. Complement-fixing antibodies for the mouse brain component appeared as well as for the Japanese B virus conta...
Influence of Cholesterol on Single Arginine-Containing Transmembrane Helical Peptides

Polar amino acids within the helical core of a transmembrane sequence, although sparse, are essential to the structure and function of many membrane proteins. In order to examine polar residues in lipid bilayer membranes, it is useful to employ a peptide framework such as GWALP23 (acetyl-GGALWLALALALALALALWLAGA-amide). GWALP23 and related model peptides fold into helices and adopt defined tilted orientations that can be observed in bilayer membranes by means of solid-state NMR spectra from particular labels. For example, it is convenient to include specific 2H-labeled alanine residues within the helical core of the peptide. GWALP23 is a favorable host peptide for single residue replacements due to the limited dynamic averaging of NMR observables such as the deuterium quadrupolar splittings of the alanine side chains. The goal of this project is to study the influence of arginine residues and pH on helix behavior in cholesterol-containing bilayers. GWALP23-R14 was incorporated into DOPC bilayers with varying amounts of cholesterol (0-20%). Although 10% cholesterol has little effect on the orientation of GWALP23-R14 in DOPC bilayers, solid-state 2H NMR spectra reveal a marked difference in peptide behavior when 20% cholesterol is present in the bilayers. Multiple peaks in the 2H NMR spectra of GWALP23-R14 (Ala d4: 1150% and 13100%) in DOPC bilayers with 20% cholesterol at high pH suggest a multi-state behavior of the peptide. Changes in the magnitudes of the 2H quadrupolar splittings furthermore suggest that 20% cholesterol may alter the helix tilt even at lower pH. The results reveal a sensitivity of peptide helix properties to cholesterol.
Navigating University Policies to Support Postsecondary Education Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities

Many colleges across the country are now broadening their mission to promote educational opportunities to an increasingly diverse population that includes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). As a result, postsecondary education programs for students with ID/DD are emerging across the United States. While these programs grow, it is important that colleges and universities consider various university policies. In this article, the authors address critical considerations and discussion points to help guide college and university professionals and administration to ensure smooth program development. Specifically, the authors address three issues: (a) participant eligibility and admission, (b) access to academic and nonacademic services, and (c) area of liability. Guiding questions and recommendations for policy and practice are also provided.
Managing corn rootworms : (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) on dairy farms : the need for a soil insecticide

Field trials were conducted at 20 locations in New York during 1993 and 1994 to evaluate the effects of using manuring practices and soil insecticide on rootworm injury, plant height, lodging, and yield of corn. All fields had adult densities of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, exceeding 1 beetle per plant during the year preceding the test. The following 4 treatments were tested: (1) inorganic fertilizer, (2) inorganic fertilizer plus soil insecticide, (3) manure, and (4) manure plus soil insecticide. Root injury was significantly reduced by soil insecticides during both years but was unaffected by manure treatments. Both manure applications and soil insecticides increased plant heights during June and July. The effect of treatments on yields differed by year. In 1993, soil insecticides significantly increased silage yields an average of 3.05 metric tons (MT)/ha but had no effect on grain yield. In contrast, manuring did not significantly affect either silage or grain yield. In 1994, silage yields were 3.45 MT/ha higher in manured treatments compared with nonmanured treatments. Soil insecticides increased silage yield 2.3 MT/ha in nonmanured treatments but did not affect silage yield in manured treatments. Grain yields were not affected by either insecticide or manure treatments in 1993 but were significantly higher (4.7 quintals/ha) in insecticide treatments in 1994. The effect of manure on corn tolerance to western corn rootworm seemingly is greater during years when corn is not under moisture stress. Multiple regression models, incorporating soil characteristics, nutrients in fertilizers, and planting information, were developed to predict crop yield and change in yield expected with the addition of a soil insecticide. Yield models also suggest the need for more controlled experiments to characterize directly the effects of drainage, potassium and phosphorus availability, pendimethalin herbicide injury, soil pH, and rainfall on soil insecticide benefits.
Improvement of Development Effct of Steamflooding by Interval Steam Injection In Block Qi40

The development effect of interval steamflooding in pilot site of Block Qi40 is studied by oil reservoir numerical simulation. The development index is predicted under various conditions of constant steam injection time and different interval time. Economic evaluation is made on the development effect under different interval injection. Integrated analysis shows that the best injection project is steam injection for 100d with interval time of 20d. The effect of interval steam injection in Block Qi40 is better than that of continuous steamflooding.
Insulin- and thyroid hormone-independent adaptation of myofibrillar proteolysis to glucocorticoids

Myofibrillar protein breakdown in skeletal muscle progresses through two distinct phases in response to chronic glucocorticoid administration in the rat, i.e., an early phase lasting 4-5 days, during which proteolysis increases followed by a later phase during which proteolysis decreases. The possible involvement of insulin and the iodothyronines in this phenomenon has now been examined. Diabetic, thyroidectomized, and normal rats were treated with corticosteroid for 10-11 days, and at timed intervals muscle proteolysis was evaluated by measuring the release of 3-methyl-L-histidine (3-MH) and tyrosine from the perfused hindquarter as well as the excretion of 3-MH in the urine. Corticosterone (CTC) administration to normal rats increased plasma insulin, whereas plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine responded with an early rise followed by a fall after 4-5 days. However, the biphasic response of myofibrillar proteolysis to chronic glucocorticoid treatment was not abolished in CTC-treated diabetic or thyroidectomized rats. CTC treatment increased release of tyrosine by perfused muscle of diabetic rats but, unlike 3-MH release, did not diminish later. Thus the adaptation of myofibrillar proteolysis to chronic glucocorticoid treatment appears to be independent of insulin and thyroid hormones. However, insulin may play a role in curtailing glucocorticoid-induced breakdown of nonmyofibrillar proteins.
Rapid, Species-Specific Detection of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Beer Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction1

A rapid method for detecting Lactobacillus brevis, L. casei, and L. plantarum from beer was developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Regions of the 16S rRNA sequences unique to each org...
Multimodal visualization of the optomechanical response of silicon cantilevers with ultrafast electron microscopy

The manner in which structure at the mesoscale affects emergent collective dynamics has become the focus of much attention owing, in part, to new insights into how morphology on these spatial scales can be exploited for enhancement and optimization of macroscopic properties. Key to advancements in this area is development of multimodal characterization tools, wherein access to a large parameter space (energy, space, and time) is achieved (ideally) with a single instrument. Here, we describe the study of optomechanical responses of single-crystal Si cantilevers with an ultrafast electron microscope. By conducting structural-dynamics studies in both real and reciprocal space, we are able to visualize MHz vibrational responses from atomic- to micrometer-scale dimensions. With nanosecond selected-area and convergent-beam diffraction, we demonstrate the effects of spatial signal averaging on the isolation and identification of eigenmodes of the cantilever. We find that the reciprocal-space methods reveal eigenmodes mainly below 5 MHz, indicative of the first five vibrational eigenvalues for the cantilever geometry studied here. With nanosecond real-space imaging, however, we are able to visualize local vibrational frequencies exceeding 30 MHz. The heterogeneously-distributed vibrational response is mapped via generation of pixel-by-pixel time-dependent Fourier spectra, which reveal the localized high-frequency modes, whose presence is not detected with parallel-beam diffraction. By correlating the transient response of the three modalities, the oscillation, and dissipation of the optomechanical response can be compared to a linear-elastic model to isolate and identify the spatial three-dimensional dynamics.
Envelopes in eclipsing binary systems

The present paper consists a discussion of (1) the relevance of envelopes to the study of the light curves of eclipsing binaries, (2) the disk envelope, and (3) the spherical envelope. They are separately considered in three sections, each of which is further divided into subsections. To the fourth section a brief concluding remark is appended.
The Echiura of Japan: Diversity, Classification, Phylogeny, and Their Associated Fauna

Echiurans (spoon worms) are marine invertebrates that have a sausage-shaped unsegmented body with an extensible spoon-like proboscis. Most species live inside burrows in soft sediments. They have been classified as a separate phylum, but recent molecular phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies have consistently suggested that they are derived annelids that lost segmentation. This chapter introduces the classification and phylogeny of echiurans and provides a checklist of echiurans and their symbiotic animals in Japan. Echiurans have traditionally been grouped into three orders: Echiuroinea (with Echiuridae, Thalassematidae, and Bonelliidae), Xenopneusta (with Urechidae), and Heteromyota (with Ikedidae). Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses recover only two groups that contain sexually monomorphic (Echiuridae, Urechidae, and Thalassematidae) and sexually dimorphic species (Bonelliidae and Ikedidae), respectively. The echiuran fauna of Japan comprises 5 families, 19 genera, and 34 species, including 5 thalassematid species newly reported herein. The family Thalassematidae contains 20 species in 6 genera; Bonelliidae contains 10 species in 9 genera; Urechidae and Echiuridae are represented by a single species each (Urechis unicinctus and Echiurus echiurus, respectively); and Ikedidae contains 2 species, (I. taenioides and Ikeda sp. 1). One genus (Acanthohamingia) and 11 described species are known only from Japan. At least 29 commensal species have been collected from 12 species of host echiurans in Japan, including bivalves (7 species), gastropods (3 species), snapping shrimps (4 species), crabs (5 species), polychaetes (mainly scale worms) (7 species), and copepods (1 species). In addition, unidentified entoprocts are also found from thalassematid burrows.
Neural cascade of conflict processing: Not just time-on-task.

Abstract In visual conflict tasks (e.g., Stroop or flanker), response times (RTs) are generally longer on incongruent trials relative to congruent ones. Two event-related-potential (ERP) components classically associated with the processing of stimulus conflict are the fronto-central, incongruency-related negativity (Ninc) and the posterior late-positive complex (LPC), which are derived from the ERP difference waves for incongruent minus congruent trials. It has been questioned, however, whether these effects, or other neural measures of incongruency (e.g., fMRI responses in the anterior cingulate), reflect true conflict processing, or whether such effects derive mainly from differential time-on-task. To address this question, we leveraged high-temporal-resolution ERP measures of brain activity during two behavioral tasks. The first task, a modified Erikson flanker paradigm (with congruent and incongruent trials), was used to evoke the classic RT and ERP effects associated with conflict. The second was a non-conflict control task in which, participants visually discriminated a single stimulus (with easy and hard discrimination conditions). Behaviorally, the parameters were titrated to yield similar RT effects of conflict and difficulty (27 ms). Neurally, both within-task contrasts showed an initial fronto-central negative-polarity wave (N2-latency effect), but they then diverged. In the difficulty difference wave, the initial negativity led directly into the posterior LPC, whereas in the incongruency contrast the initial negativity was followed a by a second fronto-central negative peak (Ninc), which was then followed by a considerably longer-latency LPC. These results provide clear evidence that the longer processing for incongruent stimulus inputs do not just reflect time-on-task or difficulty, but include a true conflict-processing component.
Thermal Analysis of Elemental Sulfur in a Shell-and-Tube Configuration for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

Currently, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants utilize thermal energy storage (TES) in order to store excess energy so that it can later be dispatched during periods of intermittency or during times of high energy demand. Elemental sulfur is a promising candidate storage fluid for high temperature TES systems due to its high thermal mass, moderate vapor pressure, high thermal stability, and low cost. The objective of this paper is to investigate the behavior of encapsulated sulfur in a shell and tube configuration. An experimentally validated, transient, two-dimensional numerical model of the shell and tube TES system is presented. Initial results from both experimental and numerical analysis show high heat transfer performance of sulfur. The numerical model is then used to analyze the dynamic response of the elemental sulfur based TES system for multiple charging and discharging cycles. A sensitivity analysis is performed to analyze the effect of geometry (system length), cutoff temperature, and heat transfer fluid on the overall utilization of energy stored within this system. Overall, this paper demonstrates a systematic parametric study of a novel low cost, high performance TES system based on elemental sulfur as the storage fluid that can be utilized for different high temperature applications.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Using Digital Storytelling to Teach Psychology: A Preliminary Investigation:

Digital storytelling is a technology application that has emerged as a powerful teaching and learning tool that engages both teachers and students. Digital storytelling allows students to become cr...
Defect Coupling and Sub-Angstrom Structural Distortions in W1–xMoxS2 Monolayers

Two-dimensional materials offer a remarkably rich materials platform to study the origin of different material behaviors at the atomic level, and doping provides a key means of tailoring such materials’ functional properties. The local atomic structure around such dopants can be critically important in determining the material’s behavior as it could modulate scattering, catalytic activity, electronic and magnetic properties, and so forth. Here, using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with sub-Angstrom resolution in conjunction with density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate a strong coupling between Mo dopants and two types of defects in WS2 monolayers: sulfur monovacancies and grain boundaries. Although Mo does occupy a transition metal lattice site, it is not an ideal substitutional dopant: ∼80% of the S vacancies identified by STEM colocalize with Mo dopants, an affinity that appears to be enhanced by symmetry breaking of a partially occupied midgap defec...
The emergence of bifurcation bias from unbalanced families: Examining HR practices in the family firm using circumplex theory

Abstract Family firm human resource (HR) research focuses largely on examining differences in HR practices between family and nonfamily firms or between family and nonfamily employees within family firms. Few studies, however, attempt to explain why these differences emerge. We offer insight into the source of heterogeneous HR practices by investigating attributes of the owning family. We integrate a primary family science perspective, circumplex theory, to describe how an unbalanced family structure leads to unbalanced HR systems in the family firm. An unbalanced HR system is depicted as a form of bifurcation bias, or the asymmetric treatment of family and nonfamily employees via the family firm's HR practices. By integrating and extending circumplex theory into the family firm, insight is offered into how the structure of the family system influences the structure of the family business HR system, thus impacting firm outcomes. Implications for both scholars and practitioners are offered.
A Proposal for Research on Conservatism

In this paper I propose explanations for conservatism in accounting and empirical tests of those explanations. Conservatism is defined as the degree to which profits are anticipated. The concept is hypothesized to have evolved from accounting's contracting role and to have been reinforced and influenced by regulation and increased legal liability. Avoidance of inappropriate distributions to claim holders appears to have been an important contracting reason for conservatism. Testable predictions for cross- sectional variation in conservatism are generated. Empirical tests for discriminating between contracting and regulatory influences are also proposed.
High Photovoltaic Quantum Efficiency in Ultrathin van der Waals Heterostructures

We report experimental measurements for ultrathin ( 90%. By coupling electromagnetic simulations and experimental measurements, we show that pn WSe2/MoS2 heterojunctions with vertical carrier collection can have internal photocarrier collection efficiencies exceeding 70%.
Still brewing: Fostering sustainable coffee production

Abstract Coffee sustainability has evolved from a movement led by civil society to become a core business interest of coffee trading companies and roasters. It attracts substantial investment from both individual companies and the coffee industry, acting collaboratively. We analyze this evolution and its effects on how sustainability is applied by coffee farmers, as well as the resultant changes on farms and in producing communities. As companies shift to more sustainable coffee production, we show that while farmers benefit, such benefit is limited by governance factors in the supply chain and by the scope of the companies’ interests. This research draws on evidence from the programs developed by civil society organizations, including those managing standards and certification systems, and the coffee industry. We find that the market approach to sustainable coffee production requires parallel commitments from governments and donor agencies to achieve equitable social participation and environmental conservation. We argue for impact studies, which presently focus on standards and certification, to consider a wider range of market approaches.
Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Gallbladder Cryoablation in a Porcine Model: Midterm Results

Abstract Purpose To investigate the midterm safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)–guided percutaneous gallbladder cryoablation in swine. Materials and Methods Three swine underwent gallbladder cryoablation. Cryoprobes were positioned percutaneously at the gallbladder margins or within the gallbladder lumen under CT guidance. Two freeze/thaw cycles were performed. One animal was euthanized on postprocedure day 4 as a result of hematemesis unrelated to the ablation. The other 2 animals were euthanized at postprocedure days 30 and 48, respectively. The gallbladder and bile ducts were resected and examined microscopically. Results Gallbladder cryoablation was completed with freeze/thaw cycle durations of 7.5–10 minutes (mean, 9.4 min ± 1.3) and ablation margins of 5.8–11.5 mm (mean, 7.8 mm ± 1.9). No nontarget ablation was observed. Laboratory values at postprocedure day 4 and the time of euthanasia were within normal limits. Two of 3 animals thrived and exhibited appropriate activity and weight gain. Contrast-enhanced CT immediately before euthanasia demonstrated delayed linear enhancement of the gallbladder wall. Gross inspection at autopsy revealed fibrotic-appearing gallbladders. Cholecystography revealed no communication to the biliary tree. Histologic examination demonstrated complete gallbladder wall fibrosis. Autopsy of the animal euthanized on day 4 revealed a gastric mucosal ulcer distant from the ablation site with no gastric serosal injury. Conclusions Gallbladder cryoablation is a promising alternative to surgical cholecystectomy, with complete transmural gallbladder wall fibrosis and cystic duct occlusion seen at 30 and 48 days in swine. Further studies are required to establish procedural safety and long-term efficacy.
3D Bioprinting in Transplantation

The continued rise in patients suffering from organ failure has raised the need for additional sources for replacement organs to improve the quality of life for these patients. Organ transplantation is the standard of care for end-stage organ disease, and as such, there has been an ever-increasing need worldwide to find suitable grafts for those patients.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Curcumin in regulating anti-inflammatory and epigenetic gene expression.

Chronic inflammation is a key driver of cancer development. Nitrite levels, which are regulated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), play a critical role in inflammation. While the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, a natural product present in the roots of Curcuma longa have been studied widely, the acute pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of curcumin in suppressing pro-inflammatory markers and epigenetic modulators remain unclear. This study evaluated the PK and PD of curcumin-induced suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation in rat lymphocytes. LPS was administered intravenously either alone or with curcumin to female Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma samples were analysed for curcumin concentration and mRNA expression was quantified in lymphocytes. The relative gene expression of several inflammatory and epigenetic modulators was analysed. To investigate the relationship between curcumin concentration and iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 gene expression, PK/PD modeling using Jusko's indirect response model (IDR) integrating transit compartments (TC) describing the delayed response was conducted. The concentration-time profile of curcumin exhibited a bi-exponential decline, which was well described by a two-compartmental pharmacokinetic model. Importantly the results demonstrate that LPS induced gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers in lymphocytes, with peak expression at approximately 3 h and curcumin suppressed the gene expression in animals administered with LPS. These effects were well captured using the IDR model and an IDR model with the transit compartments. In summary, the PK/PD modeling approach could potentially provide a robust quantitative framework for evaluating the acute anti-inflammatory and epigenetic effects of curcumin in future clinical trials.
Spatiotemporal magmatic focusing in upper-mid crustal plutons of the Sierra Nevada arc

Abstract In the upper crustal sections of arcs, spatiotemporal focusing of magmatism involves the inward migration and younging of many volcanic centers, as well as homogenization of erupted magma, over spatial scales of ∼102 to 105 km2 and temporal scales of 105–107 yr. Magma focusing occurs during, and may be a consequence of, magmatic flare-ups in arc systems. The occurrence of magmatic focusing is well documented in volcanic systems, but has been largely inferred for the underlying plutonic footprints. At the plutonic level, focusing predicts similar inward migration and younging of plutonic bodies and the growth of larger, long-lived magma chambers in which magma compositions shift towards “monotonous” biotite-hornblende granodiorite that potentially feed large volcanic eruptions. In addition, focusing predicts increased magma devolatilization, the formation of ore deposits, and increased rates of emplacement-related regional deformation. In the central Sierra Nevada, CA, we find: (1) a pattern of spatial and temporal focusing in a field of Cretaceous plutons between ca. 102 and 85 Ma, with the Tuolumne Intrusive Complex (TIC) involved in and occurring at the center of this focusing; (2) metamorphic pendants in this same area preserve volcanic rocks between 102 and 95 Ma involved in focusing; (3) a number of coeval subvolcanic porphyry intrusions in this area that are potential links between these volcanic and plutonic fields. Plutons show an inward younging, increase in the size of final plutonic complexes, and trends towards hybrid compositions, with restriction in the range of 87Sr/86Sri and eNd isotope ratios. Thus, plutonic focusing contributes to the construction and longevity of large, central magma chambers that increase the potential for large-scale fractionation and thorough mixing, and provide a source for large volcanic eruptions. Although focusing is likely a transcrustal process, this study documents the continuation of magma focusing from surface to upper-mid crustal levels. We speculate that other Late Cretaceous intrusive complexes in the Sierra Nevada, California (e.g. Sonora, John Muir, and Whitney intrusive suites) may all reflect focused systems.
Diagnose, Fehlererkennung und -anzeige

Analytische Systeme konnen nur dann qualitativ hochwertige Ergebnisse erzeugen, wenn sie fehlerfrei arbeiten. Deshalb sollte das System in der Lage sein, sich selbst konstant auf Fehler zu uberprufen. Fehler sollten automatisch erkannt, angezeigt und dokumentiert werden. Der Einflus auf Daten, die mit dem fehlerhaften Gerat erzeugt wurden, sollte uberpruft und falls erforderlich, sollten entsprechende Masnahmen getroffen werden. Im Zweifelsfall sollte die Analyse nach Behebung des Fehlers wiederholt werden. Einige Geratefehler lassen sich leicht erkennen, wahrend andere schwieriger zu identifizieren sind. Beispielsweise wird man eine durchgebrannte Sicherung unschwer als Fehler erkennen, was nicht so einfach ist, wenn beispielsweise ein Display eine ‚eins‘ statt einer ‚sieben‘ anzeigt.
Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry for Lectin Analysis

Publisher Summary Since its inception in 1974, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has proven itself to be a valuable tool for the characterization of biomolecules. The employment of FT-ICR MS for biomolecular structural characterization offers several advantages, including high mass resolution, ultrahigh mass accuracy, and a wide mass range. FT-ICR MS is also an extremely versatile technique, and is capable of performing several varieties of tandem mass spectrometric methods. The most commonly used ionization technique combined with FT-ICR MS for biomolecule analysis is electrospray ionization (ESI). This chapter describes the key components of ESI FT-ICR MS instrumentation, along with the operating principles behind this technique. ESI FT-ICR MS allows for the accurate molecular weight determination of both peptides and proteins, thereby allowing for both a “bottom-up” and “top-down” approach to proteomics. FT-ICR MS offers several tandem mass spectrometric techniques which have been utilized for the characterization of lectins with ESI FT-ICR MS, including infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD), electron capture dissociation (ECD), and electron detachment dissociation (EDD). In particular, ECD has been shown to be a powerful tool for biomolecular characterization, due to its retention of labile modifications and extensive peptide backbone fragmentation.
Health Consequences of Work–Family Conflict: The Dark Side of the Work–Family Interface

In this chapter, we review the literature on the relationship of work–family conflict with health outcomes and well-being. We discuss the meaning of work–family conflict and then present a theoretical model that depicts the psychological process by which work–family conflict affects negative emotions, dissatisfaction with life and its component roles, health-related behavior, and physical health. We conclude with suggestions regarding the development of a future research agenda.
Unit Operations of the Food Industry

The number of different food products and the operations and steps involved in their production are indeed very great. Further, each manufacturer introduces departures in methods and equipment from the traditional technology for that product, and processes are in a continual state of evolution. The food scientist would soon experience great frustration if there were not unifying principles and a systematic approach to the study of these operations.
The social characteristics of Americans opposed to vaccination: beliefs about vaccine safety versus views of U.S. vaccination policy

This study examines the social characteristics – specifically, socio-economic status, political identity, and ethnic-racial identity – related to opposition to vaccination in the United States. Pre...
Fate-restricted retinal progenitor cells adopt a molecular profile and spatial position distinct from multipotent progenitor cells

During development, multipotent retinal progenitor cells generate a large number of unique cell types. Recent evidence suggests that there are fate-restricted progenitor cell states in addition to multipotent ones. Here we report a transcriptomic analysis of fate- restricted progenitor cells biased to produce cone photoreceptors and horizontal cells, marked by the THRB cis-regulatory element ThrbCRM1. Comparison to a control population enriched in multipotent progenitor cells identified several genes considered to be pan-progenitor, such as VSX2, LHX2, and PAX6, as downregulated in these fate- restricted retinal progenitor cells. This differential regulation occurs in chick and in a different restricted progenitor population in mouse suggesting that this is a conserved feature of progenitor dynamics during retinal development. S-phase labeling also revealed that nuclear positions of restricted progenitor populations occupy distinct spatial niches within the developing chick retina. Using a conserved regulatory element proximal to the VSX2 gene, a potential negative feedback mechanism from specific transcription factors enriched in cone/horizontal cell progenitor cells was identified. This study identifies conserved molecular and cellular changes that occur during the generation of fate restricted retinal progenitor cells from multipotent retinal progenitor cells.
Genetic differences between primary and metastatic tumors from cross-institutional data.

e18572Background: Recurrent and metastatic cancers have been underrepresented in cancer genomics databases until the creation of AACR Project GENIE, a large multi-institutional database derived fro...