cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compare Tornado Force Coefficients on Dome and Prism Building Using Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Model

Wind loads on structures have been investigated for the last five decades. For straight line (SL) wind, the forces on buildings are available from standards and wind tunnel testing. Few studies have been conducted to investigate tornado forces on cubical buildings and to distinguish between tornadic wind loads and SL wind loads. In the tornado-damaged areas, dome buildings seem to have less damage. However, few studies have been investigated to study a tornado interaction with a dome building. In this work, the forces on a dome are computed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for tornadic and SL wind. Then, the interaction of a tornado on a dome and a prism building are compared and analyzed. This work describes the results of the tornado wind effect on a dome building. The conclusions drawn from this study are illustrated by various visualizations. The tornado force coefficients on a dome building are larger than force due to SL wind, about 40% more in x-direction and 120% more in z-direction. The tornado maximum pressure coefficients also are higher than SL wind by 130%. The tornado force coefficients on the prism are larger than the forces on the dome, about 150% more in x-direction and about 110% more in z-direction. The tornado maximum pressure coefficients on prism also are greater, by 200%. Hence, a dome building has less tornadic load than a prism because of its aerodynamic shape.
Risk of Mortality After Resolution of Spinal Malperfusion in Acute Dissection.

Background Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) may develop in patients presenting with acute aortic dissection. We sought to determine how SCI and its recovery affect outcomes. Methods We reviewed patients with SCI in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) from September 1999 to May 2014. SCI was defined as paraplegia or paraparesis present on admission. Monoparesis/plegia, paraesthesia, or numbness was defined as ischemic neuropathy. All ATBAD patients were managed with antiimpulse therapy, with selective intervention for rupture, rapid aortic expansion, malperfusion, or intractable pain. ATAAD patients were managed with urgent proximal aortic replacement. Results Neurologic symptoms were present in 178 (18.2%) of 978 acute dissections (482 ATAAD and 496 ATBAD). Of these 178 patients, SCI presented in 52 patients (29.2%; 80.1% male; mean age, 57 years). On admission paraplegia was present in 24 (46.2%), paraparesis in 10 (19.2%), paresthesia/numbness in 27 (51.9%), and leg ischemia in 25 (48.1%). Aortic operations were performed in 27 SCI patients (51.9%). Symptom resolution was seen in 30 (57.7%). The 30-day mortality was 19.2% and was significantly less in those with resolution of SCI (6.7% vs 36.4%, p = 0.012). When surgical intervention was required in ATBAD with SCI, mortality was 50% ( p = 0.039). SCI and symptom resolution significantly affected overall survival. SCI is associated with significantly increased risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 2.9; p p = 0.003). These effects were consistent between ATAAD and ATBAD ( p = 0.554). Conclusions SCI in acute aortic dissection portends a poor prognosis. However, reversal of deficits is associated with a long-term survival outcome comparable to patients unaffected with SCI.
Metformin Use is Associated with Improved Survival for Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer on Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Purpose: Metformin is commonly prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We hypothesized that metformin plus androgen deprivation therapy may be beneficial in combination. Our objective was to assess this combination in a retrospective cohort of patients with advanced prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Using national Veterans Affairs databases we identified all men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2000 and 2008 who were treated with androgen deprivation therapy with followup through May 2016. Study exclusions included treatment with androgen deprivation therapy for 6 months or longer, or receipt of androgen deprivation therapy concurrently with localized radiation. Three patient cohorts were developed, including no diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus with no metformin and diabetes mellitus with metformin. Cox proportional HRs were calculated for overall survival, skeletal related events and cancer specific survival.Results: After exclusions the cohort consisted of 87,344 patients, ...
Charles Diggs and the Evolution of African-American Politics

Charles C. Diggs, Jr.’s political career spanned more than three decades. This paper explores Diggs’ rise to political power within the context of Detroit politics. Diggs first won public office in 1951 when he was elected to the Michigan State Senate. Diggs’ succeeded his father, a prominent Black businessman, who himself was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1936. Three years later he campaigned for the United States Congress and was the first Black to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Michigan. This paper describes how the Diggs built the nation’s largest Black-owned funeral home. Like many Black funeral home directors, both father and son found themselves actively involved in advocating for civil rights. This paper is based on archival data and person-to-person interviews with people familiar with the Diggs family and Detroit politics.
75 : Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4) mediates IFN-β and λ1 expression upon TLR4 and MR challenge in human alternatively activated macrophages

Alternative pathway of macrophage activation (AAM) sustains or enhances the inflammation associated with chronic asthma. Using the THP-1 cell line, we have successfully established a model of “classically” and “alternatively” activated macrophages (THP-CAM and THP-AAM, respectively), each of which expresses the appropriate signature cytokines and chemokines. We demonstrate that in response to TLR4 challenge by LPS, THP-AAM had attenuated IFN α / β pathway genes including STAT1/2, MyD88, Mx1, CXCL10, OAS1, and ISG1. In addition, THP-AAM poorly expressed IFN- β , IFN- λ 1, and specific subtypes of IFN- α coupled with reduced ability to drive NF- κ B driven luciferase reporter, compared to their CAM counterparts. On the other hand, THP-AAM preferentially expressed both mannose receptor (MR) and IRF4. THP-AAM exhibit an MR-dependent expression of IFN- β , λ 1, and IL-10 upon binding to house dust mite protein Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Derp1). This binding and subsequent cytokine signature expression is compromised upon MR silencing or blocking MR with mannan. IRF4 is critical for expression of key AAM genes including MR and STAT6, and for AAM reduced phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. IRF4 can regulate expression of IFN- β and IFN- λ 1 in response to TLR4 and MR challenge by LPS or Derp1 respectively, pointing to a potential role of IRF4 in mediating the AAM phenotype. Taken together, our data demonstrate that THP-AAM is a critical tool to investigate cytokines and chemokines expression profile, in particular IFN α / β pathway genes and type I and III IFN subtypes, in this phenotype. In addition, we demonstrate that IRF4 plays a critical role in mediating AAM response to bacterial and allergen challenge. These findings may provide the basis of a novel IRF4 or MR targeted therapy to decrease allergic.
Obstacles to the Preparation of Counselors in the Assessment Area

Major obstacles to the establishment of standards for the preparation of counselors in tests and measurement include attitudinal and cognitive factors in the counselors and the realistic demands of...
Catalytic conversion of solar to chemical energy on plasmonic metal nanostructures

The demonstrations of visible-light-driven chemical transformations on plasmonic metal nanostructures have led to the emergence of a new field in heterogeneous catalysis known as plasmonic catalysis. The excitement surrounding plasmonic catalysis stems from the ability to use the excitation of energetic charge carriers (as opposed to heat) to drive surface chemistry. This offers the opportunity to potentially discover new, more selective reaction pathways that cannot be accessed in temperature-driven catalysis. In this Review, we provide a fundamental overview of plasmonic catalysis with emphasis on recent advancements in the field. It is our objective to stress the importance of the underlying physical mechanisms at play in plasmonic catalysis and discuss possibilities and limitations in the field guided by these physical insights. Plasmonic catalysis has recently revolutionized the field of catalysis, promising to achieve improved control over catalytic reactions by targeting specific electronic excitations. In this Review, Linic and co-workers discuss the recent advances in the field, focusing on the underlying physical mechanisms and their application in catalysis, as well as limitations and future perspectives.
Stem-o-sphere: Creating an Immersive Blogging Experience

The goal of this project was to provide individuals an immersive experience of what research looks like in a University laboratory setting. Blogs are an inexpensive way to convey an individual’s thoughts and experiences to the public. With the traditional blog, most experiences are presented in written form. However, some experiences can have bigger impacts if they can be seen rather than read. I created a more in-depth and detailed blogging experience for my viewers through virtual reality and a video log (vlog). I documented my process for producing the virtual reality videos and vlog and two of my videos are highlighted here.Stemosphere VR - The Fuentes LaboratoryStemosphere VR - The Slusarksi Lab
"De pobre huerfanita a viuda negra": la agencia de la mujer en las Tristanas de Pérez Galdós y Buñuel

Las diferencias mas obvias entre la novela de Perez Galdos y el filme de Bunuel son el lugar el tiempo en que estan ambientadas las obras: en Madrid alrededor de 1880, y en Toledo por el ano de 1929. No tan obvio es el hecho de que sus respectivos autores pertenecen a generaciones diferentes: el primero, a la llamada Generacion de 1868; y el segundo a la Generacion de 1927. Por tal motivo Galdos y Bunuel tienen opticas distintas acerca de la mujer y de la causa feminista (avant la lettre en el caso del primero). Mas aun, mientras que el escritor isleno era un cultor del realismo literario, defensor de la burguesia y liberal; el cineasta aragones era surrealista, antiburgues y republicano. Estas diferencias hacen que la comparacion entre la obra literaria y la cinematografica sea particularmente interesante. The transformation of a poor, orphaned little girl into a merciless black widow: woman’s agency in Perez Galdos’ and Bunuel’s respective Tristanas Abstract The space and time settings are the most obvious difference between Perez Galdos' novel and Bunuel's film: Madrid around 1880, and Toledo near 1929, respectively. Not as obvious is the fact that these authors do not belong to the same generation: Perez Galdos to the so-called 1868 Generation, and Bunuel to the 1927 Generation. Because of this reason, Perez Galdos and Bunuel have different views of women and the feminist cause (avant la lettre in the case of the former). Furthermore, the Canarian was a liberal bourgeois writer, representative of the literary realism, while the Aragonese was surrealist, anti-bourgeois and Republican filmmaker. All these differences make the comparison between the literary and the cinematographic art pieces particularly interesting.
A novel redox-activation pathway controls the anti-obesity function of brown adipose tissue

Thermogenesis by brown and beige adipose tissue, which requires activation by external stimuli, can counter metabolic disease. Thermogenic respiration is initiated by adipocyte lipolysis through cyclic AMP–protein kinase A signalling; this pathway has been subject to longstanding clinical investigation. Here we apply a comparative metabolomics approach and identify an independent metabolic pathway that controls acute activation of adipose tissue thermogenesis in vivo. We show that substantial and selective accumulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate succinate is a metabolic signature of adipose tissue thermogenesis. Succinate accumulation occurs independently of adrenergic signalling, and is sufficient to elevate thermogenic respiration in brown adipocytes. Selective accumulation of succinate may be driven by a capacity of brown adipocytes to sequester elevated circulating succinate. Furthermore, brown adipose tissue thermogenesis can be initiated by systemic administration of succinate in mice. Succinate from the extracellular milieu is rapidly metabolized by brown adipocytes, and its oxidation by succinate dehydrogenase is required for activation of thermogenesis. We identify a mechanism whereby succinate dehydrogenase-mediated oxidation of succinate initiates production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and drives thermogenic respiration, whereas inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase supresses thermogenesis. Succinate-dependent ROS stimulate thermogenesis through modification of regulatory cysteines on key thermogenic proteins in brown adipose tissue. Finally, we show that pharmacological elevation of circulating succinate drives ROS production and UCP1-dependent thermogenesis by brown adipose tissue in vivo, which stimulates robust protection against diet-induced obesity and improves glucose tolerance. Moreover, we demonstrate that this pathway acts to antagonize inflammatory signaling by circulating succinate, demonstrating a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism by brown adipocytes. These findings reveal an unexpected mechanism for control of thermogenesis and inflammation, using succinate as a systemically-derived ROS-generating thermogenic molecule.
A Hands-On Approach to Teaching About Aging: 32 Activities for the Classroom and Beyond

Experiential education is a time-tested method to enrich learning among college students. Based on the theoretical work of scholars such as John Dewey, David Kolb, and others, teachers in all conte...
Association Between South Carolina Medicaid’s Change in Payment for Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception and Birth Intervals

This study evaluates whether a 2012 change in the South Carolina Medicaid policy to reimburse hospitals for provision of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPP-LARC) separately from global payment for all services in a delivery hospitalization was associated with changes in IPP-LARC use and short-interval births between 2010 and 2017.
Taking the Air Out of Oxygen Supplementation in Individuals With Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndromes

Oxygen supplementation has been a cornerstone in the initial treatment of individuals with acute coronary syndrome. While consensus for oxygen supplementation exists for patients with hypoxia, oxygen supplementation has also been routinely used in those presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) with normal oxygen saturations based on the rationale that oxygen therapy could improve oxygen supply to the ischemic myocardium, thereby reducing the infarct size and complications. Indeed, reports of oxygen supplementation to relieve angina pectoris were described as early as 1900 (1). These reports were followed by small studies that suggested benefit with oxygen supplementation in acute MI, but these studies were limited by lack of randomization and unblinded end point ascertainment (2–4). Nonetheless, supplemental oxygen was incorporated into routine clinical practice, as evidenced in 2007 cardiology practice guidelines that recommended routine supplemental oxygen to all patients with acute coronary syndrome during the first 6 h after presentation (5). This widespread belief in oxygen was highlighted in a survey of emergency department, cardiology, and ambulance staff in which 98% of respondents reported using oxygen supplementation for suspected MI and 55% believed oxygen reduced the risk of death (6). Despite the ubiquitous use of oxygen, there were early reports of potential harm with high-dose oxygen supplementation in individuals with acute MI (7). Over 40 years ago, the first randomized trial of high-dose oxygen in patients with an acute MI demonstrated that oxygen-treated patients had …
Praying for the Christian departed: A brief view of the doctrine and practice in Scottish Episcopacy

In this extended paper the earlier theological tradition of the Scottish Episcopal Church is set out in historic form through examination of its leading representatives. Key texts and their place in the Episcopal tradition are approached through a close, scholarly study of prayer for the dear departed. Some theologians in this tradition may already be more familiar to students of T. F. Torrance – John Forbes of Corse, for example. Others, such as William Forbes and Thomas Rattray may be less familiar, however. The significance of this paper is that we have not only a doctrinal discussion on the range, scope and legitimacy of prayer for the dead but also an introduction to some of the riches of the Scottish Episcopal theological tradition.
Viral Infections and the Development of Disinfection: 100 Years of Progress at I&ECR

A review The author discusses the observations from industry helped propel the case for chlorine-based disinfecton and widespread implementation of water chlorination processes with reductions in mortality rates Further, the author points out that research in the field continues today, but with highly sophisticated tools, such that studies of the interaction of Cl2 with viruses can detail penetration through lipid membranes and reaction with protein cores
Technical note: Evaluation of 3 methods to determine mucin protein concentration in ileal digesta of young preweaning calves

The use of alternative sources of protein to substitute for milk proteins in milk replacers (MR) can increase the synthesis of endogenous proteins and therefore alter ileal or total-tract digestibility calculations. Mucin is the main component of gastrointestinal mucus and represents the greatest contribution to total endogenous protein. Mucin is difficult to isolate and has not been extensively studied in dairy calves. We explored 3 different procedures to analyze and estimate mucin protein (MUP) in ileal digesta of young dairy calves. Ileal digesta samples were collected from nine 30-d-old ileal-cannulated calves that were enrolled in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square with 5-d periods. The 3 diets were a control whey protein-based MR (WPC), an isonitrogenous MR in which 50% of the protein was from enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM), and an N-free MR (NFREE). Mucin protein concentration and flow were analyzed by fractionation of the digesta and ethanol precipitation; this process served as the reference method. Alternative methods to estimate MUP consisted of using commercial enzymatic kits to analyze glucosamine (N-acetylglucosamine, GlcNAc) and galactosamine (N-acetylgalactosamine, GalNAc), 2 amino-sugars that are highly enriched in mucin. Before GlcNAc determination, samples were processed using 3 different procedures: sample clarification (GLCL), clarification plus hydrolysis (GLCH), and hydrolysis alone (GLHL). The MUP was estimated by regression of the GlcNAc and GalNAc values using previously validated equations. According with the bias and agreement analysis, none of the methods yielded MUP values similar to the reference method. However, GLHL showed a strong association with the reference method (ρ = 0.73). It allowed identifying the smaller MUP flows with NFREE compared with the other 2 diets and detecting the greater flow of ESBM than WPC, as observed with the reference method. Using the GlcNAc values from GLHL and the MUP measured with the reference method, we were able to establish a linear relationship between both methods (adjusted R2 = 0.75). We found that the GLHL method enabled detecting differences in MUP ileal flows between diets differing in protein level and source. Inferences about MUP secretions must be done cautiously because many dietary and physiological factors are involved. The adoption of practical techniques to determine MUP can help to increase our knowledge about gastrointestinal tract function and to improve the accuracy of MR digestibility calculations.
Radar for small-scale land-use mapping

Small-scale (1:250,000 and smaller) land-use maps are a major concern not only to geographers but also to national and regional planners. Unfortunately, such maps are usually out of date by the time they are printed. An interpretation key consisting of five physical and cultural characteristics of the environment evident on radar imagery is used to create land-use regions. Regions and borders interpreted from radar are compared with those found on two existing land-use maps created by traditional methods. Radar imagery can be used to create a small-scale land-use map with regions comparable to those found on existing land-use maps. However, the radar regions depict something more than land use and should be termed rural landscape regions.
Choice of Acid Suppressant Therapy and Long-Term Graft Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation.

Study objective The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the long-term adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) compared with histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in kidney transplant recipients. Methods This retrospective cohort compared 582 patients treated with PPI with 705 patients treated with H2RA and evaluated adverse effects throughout their course of acid suppressant therapy to a maximum of nine years posttransplant. The primary outcome of interest was renal function at 1 year posttransplant; secondary outcomes included renal function at 30 days, 3, 5, and 9 years posttransplant as well as rejection, electrolyte and laboratory abnormalities, osteoporosis, pneumonia, and Clostridium difficile infections. Results Renal function did not significantly differ at any timepoint posttransplant. Rejection rates and Clostridium difficile infections were similar between groups; osteoporosis and pneumonia rates were numerically higher in the PPI treated arm but did not reach statistical significance. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treated patients were more likely to experience hypomagnesemia requiring supplementation. High dose PPI treated patients had significantly higher rates of pneumonia and osteoporosis compared with H2RA treated patients. Patients were maintained on PPI therapy for an average of 5 years and H2RA therapy for 3 years posttransplant, the majority without a clear indication for therapy. Conclusions There was no difference in renal function, rejection, or graft loss between PPI and H2RA treated patients. The majority of patients were maintained on PPI therapy for several years posttransplant without a clear indication; critical evaluation of ongoing need for acid suppressant therapy in the posttransplant course should be an area of future focus.
Simulation Study of Cygnss Observability of Dynamic Inundation Events

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) has recently shown exciting potential for GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) to resolve small-scale and dynamic hydrological features over land (such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and urban flooding), even when obstructed by dense vegetation. Since CYGNSS is a small satellite constellation, sub-daily measurement frequencies provide a unique opportunity to observe short timescale changes. However, since CYGNSS observations occur in sparse, quasi-random tracks, it is more difficult to understand the true observability of events as compared to imaging instruments. Changes in SNR that would indicate a dynamic change in the scene are confounded by inherent variability due to other sources, including vegetation, geometry changes, instrument gain calibration, and surface roughness due to wind. While the literature does detail the use of CYGNSS measurements to map surface water changes, the lack of valid ground data makes it difficult to quantify the true accuracy. Here, we present results from a simulation study currently underway that utilizes a GNSS-R coherent scattering model to understand the observability and accuracy of CYGNSS measurements of dynamic changes in inland water bodies. The goal is to quantify the sensitivity and resolution of observations of dynamic spatial and temporal variations of inland water bodies.
Effect of the Assistive Technology Professional on the Provision of Mobility Assistive Equipment.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with variability in satisfaction with functional mobility (as measured by the Functional Mobility Assessment [FMA]) in users of mobility devices. Our primary hypothesis was that device type and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) involvement will be the most significant predictors of FMA score. Our secondary hypothesis was that ATP involvement is associated with use of more custom-fitted manual wheelchairs and group 3 and 4 power wheelchairs. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Data were collected from equipment suppliers who collaborate with clinicians to administer the FMA and associated Uniform Data Set within various settings (ie, rehabilitation clinic, school, supplier place of business). Participants A data set of 4743 cases was included in the analysis (N=4743). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures FMA questionnaire collected at baseline, client age, gender, primary diagnosis, years since disability onset, device type, device age, living situation, ATP involvement, and geographic area. Results Ordinal logistic regression modeling showed that geographic area, device type, ATP involvement, primary diagnosis, gender, age, device age, and years since onset of disability significantly predicted the variance in FMA scores at P Conclusions The relationship between ATP involvement and functional outcome supports the concept that ATP certification recognizes demonstrated competence in analyzing the needs of consumers with disabilities and selection of appropriate mobility assistive equipment with improved functional outcomes.
Local risk preference and corporate policies: evidence from M&A

This article examines whether and how the firms’ mergers and acquisitions (M&A) policies are influenced by the risk preference of local community where the firms’ headquarters are located. By utili...
Arancini, identity, and the refugee debate in Sicily

In August of 2018, the Italian national government prohibited North African passengers onboard the Diciotti from disembarking in Catania, Sicily. The ship had docked amid an ongoing debate over how Italy should respond to an increasing number of immigrants and refugees arriving to the nation’s shores. Pro-migrant Sicilians came to the dock wielding arancini--fried rice balls--which are emblematic of the island's history and culture, as a way to symbolically welcome the migrants onboard the Diciotti. Nationalist Sicilians came as well to counter-protest the pro-migrant group. This paper asks first, who are the opposing groups (pro-migrant and nationalist Sicilians) and why did they adopt arancini? Second, how does arancini become a symbol of welcome and at the same time inhospitality? Third, how does the encounter become a stage for the larger debate over the meaning of identity in Sicily? By shifting the focus towards the host population and how it contests the meanings of such important local symbols, we capture the complexities of reception and debates over how natives perceive and receive migrants.
Mapping Transient Soil Moisture Post Rainstorm Events in Hyper-Arid Karst Environments Using Multi-Sensor Observations

In hyper-arid areas, soil moisture controls surface dust emissivity, surface run-offs during flash floods, aquifers recharge, and soil induration, as well as the biological diversity of these extreme environments. Of particular interest is assessing the soil moisture spatial distribution after a rare rainstorm event in fractured karstic environments. Therefore, we use three different remote sensing methods to map the soil moisture change as well as the volumetric water content following a storm event in the hyper-arid, unvegetated, and karstic Qatar Peninsula: (1) C-band SENTINEL1 SAR backscatter intensity difference as well as its interferometric coherence, (2) Principal Component Analysis SENTINEL2-multispectral moisture index, and (3) L-band SMAP Level3 radiometer. Our results suggest that transient soil moisture spatial patterns with volumetric water content higher than 0.12 cm3/cm3 can persist longer than 48 hours following a major storm event with 50–100 mm precipitation in depressions. The above is a crucial step for assessing the origins and temporal evolution of soil moisture in Hyper-arid areas.
Duration of Infection and Antigen Display Have Minimal Influence on the Kinetics of the CD4 + T Cell Response to Listeria monocytogenes Infection

The T cell response to infection consists of clonal expansion of effector cells, followed by contraction to memory levels. It was previously thought that the duration of infection determines the magnitude and kinetics of the T cell response. However, recent analysis revealed that transition between the expansion and contraction phases of the Ag-specific CD8+ T cell response is not affected by experimental manipulation in the duration of infection or Ag display. We studied whether the duration of infection and Ag display influenced the kinetics of the Ag-specific CD4+ T cell response to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. We found that truncating infection and Ag display with antibiotic treatment as early as 24 h postinfection had minimal impact on the expansion or contraction of CD4+ T cells; however, the magnitudes of the Ag-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were differentially affected by the timing of antibiotic treatment. Treatment of LM-infected mice with antibiotics at 24 h postinfection did not prevent generation of detectable CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells at 28 days after infection, vigorous secondary expansion of these memory T cells, or protection against a subsequent LM challenge. These results demonstrate that events within the first few days of infection stimulate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses that are capable of carrying out the full program of expansion and contraction to functional memory, independently of prolonged infection or Ag display.
Medicinal chemistry: Through a glass darkly

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses past, present, and future of medicinal chemistry. The generation of lead structures and their optimization constitutes a central theme of medicinal chemistry. This theme places continuing demands on synthetic chemistry including the specification of new catalytic processes and consideration of chiral interactions Advances in synthetic methodologies notwithstanding, the future of medicinal chemistry makes increasing demands on chiral control, peptidomimetics, and target- and site- specific delivery. Exploration of specific cellular receptors as surrogate entry loci for peptides and proteins offers significant opportunity for target-specific delivery, particularly if combined with mechanisms to selectively enhance the expression of delivery receptors. Antibodies to the transferrin receptors can cross the blood-brain barrier by internalization through these receptors localized in brain capillary endothelial cells. Antibodies conjugated to nerve growth factor deliver the latter to neurons and enhance the survival of cholinergic and noncholinergic neurons transplanted into the eye. Gene transfer technology is exploitable to create both target- and site-specific delivery systems.
Investigations at SBA-2057

About a kilometer north of the modern shoreline, two meanders of Agua Caliente Creek have cut deeply into the adjacent stream terraces, exposing two buried archaeological sites. One of these, SBA-2058, is a sparse scatter of estuarine shell, with a burned rock feature in a 20-cm-thick paleosol. Site SBA-2058 lies beneath up to 7 m of alluvium and has been dated to 6065 it 305 rybp (G. L. Kennedy 1986), or about 6500 ± 305 cal bp (Stuiver, Pearson, and Braziunas 1986). The second site, SBA-2057, is located on the opposite creek bank 100 m to the south, and consists of a thin lens of densely packed shell and other midden debris buried beneath up to 4 m of stratified alluvium (Figure 7-1). Three radiocarbon dates indicate that this shell lens was deposited about 8300 ± 200 cal bp, at roughly the same time that SBA-1807 and SBA-2061 were occupied.
Structure of the C-terminal domain of FliG, a component of the rotor in the bacterial flagellar motor

Many motile species of bacteria are propelled by flagella, which are rigid helical filaments turned by rotary motors in the cell membrane1,2,3. The motors are powered by the transmembrane gradient of protons or sodium ions. Although bacterial flagella contain many proteins, only three—MotA, MotB and FliG—participate closely in torque generation. MotA and MotB are ion-conducting membrane proteins that form the stator of the motor. FliG is a component of the rotor, present in about 25 copies per flagellum. It is composed of an amino-terminal domain that functions in flagellar assembly and a carboxy-terminal domain (FliG-C) that functions specifically in motor rotation. Here we report the crystal structure of FliG-C from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima. Charged residues that are important for function, and which interact with the stator protein MotA4,5, cluster along a prominent ridge on FliG-C. On the basis of the disposition of these residues, we present a hypothesis for the orientation of FliG-C domains in the flagellar motor, and propose a structural model for the part of the rotor that interacts with the stator.
Funding opportunities for clinical investigators in the early stages of career development in cardiovascular research

Contemporary cardiovascular research offers junior investigators the opportunity to explore the gamut of biomedical questions. Despite the recent reduction in the availability of funding mechanisms that have historically served as the primary pathways for investigators in the early stages of career development, there remain numerous traditional and non-traditional funding opportunities. This article highlights these opportunities in order to assist early career investigators in the development of a personalized research trajectory, which optimizes the potential for career success.
Can honey bees change foraging patterns

. 1. Foraging patterns were studied using honey bees on artificial flower patches to determine if given individuals could change behaviours under differing conditions. 2. Two types of flower patches were used; those simulating a population of flowers, dimorphic for colour, and grids simulating a single colour-dimorphic inflorescence. 3. In the simulated population of flowers bees were individually constant to colour over a range of reward volumes and flower patch sizes. 4. Each bee remained individually constant to a flower morph when visiting a population-type grid but changed to random visitation on the simulated inflorescence. 5. On the simulated inflorescence, with morphs providing unequal qualities of reward, most bees foraged on the higher molarity morph. 6. Most, but not all bees, failed to minimize uncertainty on the simulated inflorescence. 7. On the simulated inflorescence, bees failed to optimize when one morph provided a greater reward volume than did the other. 8. In the population of flowers bees flew from flower to flower, whereas, they walked on the simulated inflorescence.
A Krylov Subspace Method for Quadratic Matrix Polynomials with Application to Constrained Least Squares Problems

We present a Krylov subspace--type projection method for a quadratic matrix polynomial $\lambda^2 I -\lambda A - B$ that works directly with A and B without going through any linearization. We discuss a special case when one matrix is a low rank perturbation of the other matrix. We also apply the method to solve quadratically constrained linear least squares problem through a reformulation of Gander, Golub, and von Matt as a quadratic eigenvalue problem, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the algorithms.
Interaction of decaying trailing vortices in spanwise shear flow

Abstract The drift of trailing vortices in a cross wind near the ground is modeled by an unsteady two-dimensional, rotational flowfield where there are concentrations of large vorticity in spots having small effective sizes and finite total strengths. The problem is analyzed by combining the matched asymptotic solution of the decaying vortical spots and the Euler solution of the background unsteady rotational flow. Using the method of averaging, we develop a numerical scheme in which the grid size and time step depend only on the length and velocity scales of the background flow and not on the effective core size of vortical spots. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the interaction between the trajectories of the vortical spots and the convection of vorticity in the background flowfield.
Compliant force-feedback actuation for accurate robot-mediated sensorimotor interaction protocols during fMRI

We propose and describe two novel force-feedback actuation systems to support accurate robot-mediated wrist motor protocols during fMRI: a co-located actuation approach and a remote actuation system based on a plastic cable-conduit transmission. To decouple the load from the non-linearities of the actuators/transmission and to enable force feedback, in both systems we include physical compliance and additional position and force sensing capabilities. Through a detailed description of the actuators design, we show how the choice between co-located and non co-located actuation influences the design of a wrist exoskeleton, to be used for robot-mediated protocols during fMRI, resulting in a parallel robot design and in a serial robot design respectively.
Wind Turbine Blade Design and Analysis With Tubercle Technology

The objective of this project is to construct a CAD model for tubercle wind turbine. Once the model is developed a complete CFD analysis of the flow pattern around the wind turbine will be carried out. The main objective of the study is to analyze and compare the performance of the tubercle wind turbine with the usual wind turbine. The power developed by both the turbine blades can be compared to support the use of tubercle. The tubercles are very effective for increasing the lift without stalling. The main objective of this project is to study the aerodynamic advantages of tubercle turbine blade. The effort will be to compare the obtained results with the straight blade of the same airfoil. This will provide insight into the advantages of using the tubercle blade. This technology being new the study is done numerically to study the overall effect of the tubercle.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Marijuana use is associated with a reorganized visual-attention network and cerebellar hypoactivation

Attention and memory deficits have been reported in heavy marijuana users, but these effects may be reversible after prolonged abstinence. It remains unclear whether the reversibility of these cognitive deficits indicates that chronic marijuana use does not alter cortical networks, or that such changes occur but the brain adapts to the drug-induced changes. Blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) was performed in 24 chronic marijuana users (12 abstinent and 12 active) and 19 age-, sex- and education-matched control subjects during a set of visual-attention tasks with graded levels of difficulty. Neuropsychological tests were also administered on each subject. The two marijuana user groups showed no significant difference in usage pattern (frequency or duration of use, age of first use, cumulative joints used, averaged >2000 joints) or estimated cumulative lifetime exposure of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (mean 168 ± 45 versus 244 ± 135 g). Despite similar task and cognitive test performance compared with control subjects, active and abstinent marijuana users showed decreased activation in the right prefrontal, medial and dorsal parietal, and medial cerebellar regions, but greater activation in various frontal, parietal and occipital brain regions during the visual-attention tasks (all with P ≤ 0.001, corrected, cluster level). However, the BOLD signals in the right frontal and medial cerebellar regions normalized with duration of abstinence in the abstinent users. Active marijuana users, with positive urine tests for THC, showed greater activation in the frontal and medial cerebellar regions than abstinent marijuana users and greater usage of the reserve network (regions with load effect), suggesting a neuroadaptive state. Both earlier age of first use and greater estimated cumulative dose of THC exposure were related to lower BOLD signals in the right prefrontal region and medial cerebellum. The altered BOLD activation pattern in the attention network and hypoactivation of the cerebellum suggest neuroadaptive processes or alteration of brain development in chronic marijuana users. These changes also may be related to marijuana-induced alteration in resting cerebral blood volume/flow or downregulation of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors. The greater activation in the active compared with abstinent marijuana users demonstrates a neuroadaptive state in the setting of active marijuana use, while the long-term chronic effect of marijuana on the altered brain network may be reversible with prolonged abstinence.
REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE THEORIES: A MULTILEVEL EXPLORATION OF THE PUNCTUATED EQUILIBRIUM PARADIGM

Research on how organizational systems develop and change is shaped, at every level of analysis, by traditional assumptions about how change works. New theories in several fields are challenging some of the most pervasive of these assumptions, by conceptualizing change as a punctuated equilibrium: an alternation between long periods when stable infrastructures permit only incremental adaptations, and brief periods of revolutionary upheaval. This article compares models from six domains—adult, group, and organizational development, history of science, biological evolution, and physical science—to explicate the punctuated equilibrium paradigm and show its broad applicability for organizational studies. Models are juxtaposed to generate new research questions about revolutionary change in organizational settings: how it is triggered, how systems function during such periods, and how it concludes. The article closes with implications for research and theory.
Characterizing the shape and texture of natural objects using Active Appearance Models

Shape-only images % trials Texture-only images % trials Shape+texture images % trials Feature: presence/absence of tail 55 Pattern: solid vs. patterned 94 Size: large vs. small 85 Size: large vs. small 50 Color: light vs. dark 78 Pattern: solid vs. patterned 40 Shape: long-legged vs. squat 45 Pattern: stripes/spots vs. irregular pattern 50 Color: light vs. dark 35 Feature: presence/absence of horns 40 Color: brown vs. grey 39 Semantic: wild vs. domesticated 35 Future applications Sorting strategies
242 TRANSIENT SYNOVITIS OF THE HIP IN DUTCH GENERAL PRACTICE

Little is known about the occurrence and management of transient synovitis of the hip. Using data from the Dutch National Survey of Morbidity and Interventions in General Practice (NIVEL), a study was undertaken to look at the incidence and management of transient synovitis of the hip in children under 15 years of age. In 103 practices of 161 general practitioners, with a total practice population of 64 000 children, all contacts were registered. Practices participated in four consecutive groups of three months each in 1987-1988. The diagnosis transient synovitis was classified by NIVEL as ‘other disorders of soft tissues and joints’ and ‘infections of musculo-skeletal system not classified elsewhere’. The original forms were checked in order to ascertain that transient synovitis of the hip was the working hypothesis actually used. Transient synovitis of the hip was diagnosed in 19 children, 17 of whom were new cases. The mean age of the children was six years six months with a sex ratio of 2.8:1.0 boys to girls. An incidence rate of 1.1 per 1000 person years was calculated. General practitioners prescribed drug treatment for six children and bed rest was advised for six children. Two children were referred for an x-ray examination. Clear follow-up arrangements were made for 16 of the 19 children. We conclude that incidence rates are similar to those found in Nordic countries. Dutch GPs prefer a wait-and-see approach when suspecting this diagnosis.
Weighted comparison of two cumulative incidence functions with R-CIFsmry package

In this paper we propose a class of flexible weight functions for use in comparison of two cumulative incidence functions. The proposed weights allow the users to focus their comparison on an early or a late time period post treatment or to treat all time points with equal emphasis. These weight functions can be used to compare two cumulative incidence functions via their risk difference, their relative risk, or their odds ratio. The proposed method has been implemented in the R-CIFsmry package which is readily available for download and is easy to use as illustrated in the example.
Bioconversion of gitoxigenin by immobilized plant cells in a column bioreactor

Daucuscarota cells immobilized in a Ca-alginate performed the bioconversion of gitoxigenin to 5β-hydroxygitoxigenin in a column bioreactor. The smooth spherical shape of the alginate beads was preserved for more than three weeks. The bioreactor was functional for more than thirty days as detected by the bioconversion activity. The rate of bioconversion was influenced by means of aeration.
High-density amorphous ice made by “melting” ice I or low-density amorphous ice at 77 K☆

Abstract A new kind of amorphous ice having a density of 1.17 g cm −3 at zero pressure can be made by “melting” ice I at 77 K by a pressure of 10 kbar or by “melting” low-density amorphous ice at 77 K and 6 kbar. The properties of these new phases, and the phases that can be obtained by heating them, are reviewed.
Human papillomavirus infection in "young" versus "old" patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) repre- sents a potential risk factor for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN). We evaluated the prevalence of HPV DNA in patients with SCCHN diagnosed at the University of Michigan from 1994-1996. Methods. Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis as "young" ( 50 years; median, 66). Fourteen "young" and 14 "old" were matched for tumor site, and 4 additional "old" patients were included. Specimens were ana- lyzed by polymerase chain reaction for HPV DNA using 2 sets of consensus primers. HPV sequences were confirmed by Southern blot hybridization and typed with type-specific probes. Results. Overall, 15 of 32 (46.9%) samples contained HPV sequences. HPV 16 was detected in 9 of 15 (60%), HPV-18 in 1 of 15 (6.6%), and 5 of 15 (33.3%) remained untyped by multiple methods. When stratified, 7 of 14 (50%) "young" were HPV- positive compared with 8 of 18 (44.4%) "old" (p = .76). Survival in patients with HPV-positive SCCHN was significantly longer than that for HPV-negative patients. Conclusions. The incidence of HPV in "young" versus "old" is not significantly different, suggesting similar roles for both groups. Patients with HPV-positive tumors may have a survival advantage relative to patients with HPV-negative tumors. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 649-657, 2000.