cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase-field simulations of microstructure evolution during physical vapor deposition of single-phase thin films

Abstract Physical vapor deposition (PVD) simulations are performed using a phase-field model to study microstructure evolution in single-phase polycrystalline materials as a function of deposition conditions. Specifically, this work focuses on the influence of (i) polycrystalline substrate microstructure with low-angle and high-angle grain boundaries (GBs), (ii) incident vapor flux rate, and (iii) model parameters controlling grain evolution dynamics. Simulation results show that low-angle and high-angle GBs in the substrate promote the formation of low-angle and high-angle GBs within the deposited thin film, in qualitative agreement with experimental reports. Changing the vapor flux rate has a significant influence on the deposited microstructure. A relatively low flux rate is found to provide a thin film with no subsurface porosity, smoothed surface roughness, and a mixture of grain sizes. With an increased vapor flux rate, uniformly distributed surface columnar features are observed with subsurface porosity. The GBs migrate during growth to align with these surface features. At the largest flux rate studied, a dendritic style microstructure is formed where the GBs tend to align with and grow along the regions of low phase density within the thin film. Finally, a parametric study is performed on the phase-field model grain evolution parameters to elucidate their role on grain boundary thickness, internal grain variations and grain rotation during simulated PVD.
Taking Stock: Estimating Vulnerability Rediscovery

How often do multiple, independent parties discover the same vulnerability? There are ample models of vulnerability discovery, but little academic work on this issue of rediscovery. The immature state of this research and subsequent debate is a problem for the policy community, where the government’s decision to disclose a given vulnerability hinges in part on that vulnerability’s likelihood of being rediscovered and used maliciously by another party. Research into the behavior of malicious software markets and the efficacy of bug bounty programs would similarly benefit from an accurate baseline estimate for how often vulnerabilities are discovered by multiple independent parties. This paper presents a new dataset of more than 2,600 vulnerabilities, and estimates vulnerability rediscovery across different vendors and software types. It concludes that rediscovery happens more often than the 1% to 9% range previously reported. The aggregate rediscovery rate for our dataset is 12.7%, ranging between 10.8% for Chrome between 2009 and 2017, to 21.9% for Android between 2016 and 2017. For Android and Chrome, more than 60% of all rediscovery takes place in the first month after the original vulnerability’s disclosure. These results are largely in line with those of the original version of this paper published in July 2017, and indicate that the information security community should map the impact of rediscovery on the efficacy of bug bounty programs, and policymakers should more rigorously evaluate the costs and requirements for non-disclosure of software vulnerabilities.
Candidate race and electoral outcomes: evidence from Brazil

ABSTRACTResearchers agree that racial disparities exist in Brazil’s political arena, but disagree about the underlying causes. Some scholars suggest that the racial gap between the electorate and t...
The Use of Genetic Information in Real Property Transactions

With the cost of genome sequencing continuing to decline and genomic information becoming more common in health records, it is foreseeable that entities with an economic interest in the future health status of individuals will be tempted to use predictive genetic information to assess the health risks of individuals who are parties to real property transactions. Thus, mortgage lenders, mortgage insurers, real estate sellers, senior living centers, retirement communities, and other entities involved in residential property might begin requiring genetic information as part of the application process. This article considers whether the use of genetic information in housing is lawful under federal and state laws. It also considers the ethical and policy issues raised by the acquisition and use of predictive genetic information in residential property transactions.
Predictive diagnosis of machine failure with deep learning method

We are developing the predictive diagnosis technology of machines in FA. We applied the method of support vector machine(SVM) in [1]. However, SVM needs the skill to design algorithm for feature extraction. Then, we developed a new method that is not need any technical skills by applying deep learning method. The key point of the method is joining some waveform images of sensors output to a packed image. In addition, the method emphasize features from the image and input it as input image. Our methid is expected to be predictive diagnosis for an assembly machine construted not only rotary machines that was difficult ever.
Cyber-Physical Systems Governance: A Framework for (Meta)CyberSecurity Design

This chapter discusses a framework for improving security of cyber-physical systems through purposeful design, execution, and evolution of metasystem functions. State actors (i.e., government agencies), non-state actors (i.e., for-profit and non-profit organizations), and their systems operate under highly emergent and complex conditions. Under these conditions, system performance is not always deducible from the constituent systems. Moreover, such systems are often interdependent and dynamically interacting with other systems such that the state of each system is influenced by and is influencing states of the interconnected systems. In these conditions, leaving a system to develop through processes of ‘accretion’ (ad hoc evolution of a system) or ‘self-organization’ (totally unconstrained evolution of a system) might increase the probability of missing performance expectations. In contrast, ‘purposeful design’ is an invitation for a more determined engagement in system development to increase the probability of producing expected and desired performance. In this chapter, emerging research in Complex System Governance (CSG) is suggested as an emerging field to direct more purposeful design for systems. Specifically, a CSG enabled framework for security design focused on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) is provided. The framework, grounded in Systems Theory and Management Cybernetics, emphasizes more holistic design for integration, coordination, communication, and control for development of CPS.
Developing a sampling strategy

Sampling decisions must emphasize not only data collection and analysis, but also data use in decisions made for protection and management of aquatic ecosystems. Although data gathering is often the main focus of an investigation, it only provides the opportunity for generating information. The quality of this information is dependent upon the method of data acquisition and analysis, and the effectiveness of the decision made depends on the entire process-not only sampling. The basic problem with analyzing aquatic ecosystems is their complexity which may not be adequately displayed if the sampling program is not carefully designed. Furthermore, even the most effectively designed program may not achieve the desired objectives if the sampling program design does not recognize the way the information will be used. This paper discusses the limitation of common experimental designs and sampling methods including the use of structural and functional measures, the sampling of natural and artificial substrates, and use of appropriate statistical tests. Certain sampling regimes, including sampling over a single annual cycle, may underestimate ecosystem variability. The use of artificial substrates for collections may be misleading if the behavior of the substrate over time is not understood. Nevertheless, artificial substrates may show greater replicability and reliability than collections from naturally heterogeneous substrates. Generators of information should understand the uses that will be made of the data and that the limitations of the data should be understood by those who must make decisions with it. A simple checklist is provided for use of investigators to ensure adequate preparation of hypotheses, selection of sampling methods, and use of statistical tests.
The Impact of Retirement Age on the Labor Force Participation Rate

Since 1951,the Chinese retirement policy doesn't make a big change as the changes of average life expectancy and economic development etc.Each year,there are tens of thousands of older workers leave their posts due to the provisions of the policy when they still have working will and ability.The labor force participation rate is underestimated potentially by the low retirement age.If we adjust the current retirement policy,it will revise the labor force participation rate、reduce the problems of the "Population Liability" period、help relieve the stress of imbalance of pension receipts and payment in the future and solve the problems of labor market squeezing.
Kaˀtshatstʌ́sla: "Strength of Belief and Vision as a People"—Oneida Resilience and Corn

The collective nations of the Haudenosaunee are governed by their shared ancestral knowledge of creation. This storied knowledge tells of an intellec­tual relationship with corn that has been cultivated by the Haudenosaunee through generations and represents core values that are built into commu­nity resilience, for the benefit of future generations. The Oneida, members of the Haudenosaunee Con­federacy, have been committed to this relationship since the beginning of time. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin has been shaping resilience in the con­text of struggle, to work toward sovereign com­munity food systems. This particular Oneida community has been geographically divided from all other Haudenosaunee nations, and even from its members own Oneida kin, for nearly 200 years; however, this community was able to re-establish its relationship with corn after years of disconnect. Oneida Nation community-driven projects in Wisconsin have reshaped and enhanced the con­nection to corn, which places them at the forefront of the Indigenous food sovereignty movement. See the press release for this article.
Chapter 2 – Findings

This chapter examines deaths that were determined to be by suicide which occurred from 2000 to 2009 in Montgomery County, Ohio or the surrounding counties. We had a copy of suicide notes for a small subset of individuals (174 or 14%) while 1106 individuals did not leave a note. The average age of the victims was 45 with a range from 11 years old to 94 years old. The vast majority (92%) were Caucasian and male (82%). The most common method used by individuals to kill themselves was firearms (51%) and a majority killed themselves at home (74%). We delineated eleven categories related to suicidal motivation and two of these categories accounted for more than 90% of the motivations for suicide; interpersonal relationships (23%), and escape (70%). This chapter contains a more detailed explanation of our methodology and our findings, as well as an examination of the similarities and differences between note writers and non-note writers.
Towards controlled synthesis of 2D crystals by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)

Abstract The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials has captured the imagination of researchers since graphene was first exfoliated from graphite in 2004. Their exotic properties give rise to many exciting potential applications in advanced electronic, optoelectronic, energy and biomedical technologies. Scalable growth of high quality 2D materials is crucial for their adoption in technological applications the same way the arrival of high quality silicon single crystals was to the semiconductor industry. A huge amount of effort has been devoted to grow large-area, highly crystalline 2D crystals such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) through various methods. While CVD growth of wafer-scale monolayer graphene and TMDs has been demonstrated, considerable challenges still remain. In this perspective, we advocate for the focus on the crystal growth morphology as an underpinning for understanding, diagnosing and controlling the CVD process and environment for 2D material growth. Like snowflakes in nature, 2D crystals exhibit a rich variety of morphologies under different growth conditions. The mapping of crystal shapes in the growth parameter space “encodes” a wealth of information, the deciphering of which will lead to better understanding of the fundamental growth mechanism and materials properties. To this end, we envision a collective effort by the 2D materials community to establish the correlation between crystal shapes and the intrinsic thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for CVD reactions through integrated crystal growth experiment, database development and machine learning assisted predictive modeling, which will pave a robust path towards controlled synthesis of 2D materials and heterostructures.
Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery After Solid Organ Transplantation

Obesity is prevalent after orthotopic solid organ transplant mainly due to immunosuppressive therapy, decreased physical activity, and unbalanced diet, which leads to development or worsening of other comorbidities, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Morbid obesity increases the risk of graft loss and has negative effects on postoperative morbidity and patient survival. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery after organ transplant. A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent bariatric surgery after organ transplant between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2019, was performed. Demographics, surgical data, immunosuppressive treatment, postoperative adverse events, and weight loss were collected. Thirty-eight patients met inclusion criteria. The median (range) time between transplant and bariatric surgery was 54.3 (10.0–253.0) months. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were performed in 28 and 10 patients, respectively. Only 1 conversion to open procedure was required. Median length of stay was 2 days, with a 30-day adverse event rate of 23.7%. No leaks were documented. At 12-month follow-up, mean (SD) percentage excess body weight loss was 58.54 (21.91) and 68.74 (23.13) after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, respectively. Comorbidity-related medications were decreased in most patients, while transplant organ rejection occurred in 2 patients. Bariatric surgery after organ transplant enables considerable postoperative weight loss and improvement of obesity-related comorbidities; however, it presents with higher morbidity.
Comparative study of arsenic removal by iron-based nanomaterials: Potential candidates for field applications.

Abstract Graphene oxide supported magnetite (GM) and graphene oxide supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (GNZVI) nanohybrids were compared for arsenic removal at a wide pH range (3‐9). While already published work reported high process efficiency for GM and GNZVI, they cannot be compared one-on-one given the non-identical experimental conditions. Each researcher team used different initial arsenic concentration, solution pH, and adsorbent dose. This study evaluated GM and GNZVI, bare magnetite (M), and bare nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) for aqueous arsenic removal under similar experimental conditions. GNZVI worked more efficiently (>90%) in a wide pH range (3–9) for both As(III) and As(V), while GM was efficient (>90%) only at pH 3 for As(V) and As(III) removal was maximum of ~80% at pH 9. GNZVI also exhibited better aqueous dispersibility with a zeta potential of −21.02 mV compared to other adsorbents in this experiment. The arsenic removal based on normalized iron content indicated that the nanohybrids recorded improved arsenic removal compare to bare nanoparticles, and GNZVI worked the best. In NZVI-based nanomaterials (GNZVI and NZVI), electrostatic attraction played a limited role while surface complexation was dominant in removal of both the arsenic species. In case of M-based nanomaterials (GM and M), As(V) removal was controlled by electrostatic attraction while As(III) adsorption was ligand exchange and surface complexation. GNZVI has the potential for field application for drinking water arsenic removal.
Cadmium and Copper Removal From Aqueous Solutions Using Chitosan-Coated Gasifier Biochar

Gasifier (GBC) and Chitosan-Coated Gasifier Biochar (CGBC) derived from pine wood was used to remove Cu2+ and Cd2+ from water. CGBC was made by mixing GBC with aqueous acetic acid chitosan solution followed by treatment with NaOH. Both CGBC and GBC were characterized using FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area measurement (BET), elemental analysis (EA), TGA, and point of zero charge. Chitosan accounts for 25% of the weight of the CGBC. TGA showed chitosan decomposes sharply at 225 – 270 °C and then more slowly thereafter. The BET surface areas of GBC and CGBC were 34.1 and 4.61 m2/g, respectively. Batch absorption studies performed at pH values of 2-5 followed Cu2+ and Cd2+ adsorption quantitatively using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Sorption was evaluated using the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Sips isotherm models. Cu2+ adsorption on CGBC fit best the Sips model (capacity 111.5 mg/g) and Cd2+ with the Langmuir model (capacity 85.8 mg/g). Langmuir adsorption capacities on GBC were 83.7 and 68.6 mg/g for Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. CGBC removed more Cu2+ and Cd2+ than GBC because chitosan modification generates amine coordination sites that enhance metal absorption. Adsorption on CGBC and GBC of both metals followed pseudo-second order kinetics.
New analyses provide supportive evidence for specific genes related to bipolar disorder

A recent article by Franklin and Dwyer1 analyzes genes identified in two previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of bipolar disorder2,3 . They establish that the 230 genes identified in the two studies are evolutionarily conserved (in C elegans and zebrafish but not in drosophila), that they contain regions of homology and are highly interactive, and that some of them are clustered in syntenic groupings on chromosomes in humans and zebrafish.
Ostracism and Democracy

The 2020 Presidential Election featured an unprecedented attempt to undermine our democratic institutions: allegations of voter fraud and litigation about mail-in ballots culminated in a mob storming of the Capitol as Congress certified President Biden’s victory. Former President Trump now faces social-media bans and potential disqualification from future federal office, but his allies have criticized those efforts as the witch-hunt of a cancel culture that is symptomatic of the unique ills of contemporary liberal politics. This Article defends recent efforts to remove Trump from the public eye, with reference to an ancient Greek electoral mechanism: ostracism. In the world’s first democracy, Athenians assembled once a year to write down on pottery shards, ostraka, names of prominent figures they wished to exile from their political community. I argue that this desire to banish powerful figures from political participation is, in fact, sign of a well-functioning, legitimate democracy.
The Yin/Yang 陰陽 of Pervasive Emotion

Western philosophy treats cognition/belief/reason and emotion as entirely separable in the mind, but the Chinese concept of heart-mind (xin) strongly suggests otherwise. This can be validated by considering what belief involves. All cognitive functioning involves believing something. It is clear that confidence that p is an epistemic emotion, and many dictionaries define confidence as strong belief. Belief thus requires less strongly positive epistemic emotion. It is shown further that all elements in a functioning mind are instances of emotion, and emotion turns out to be a yin/yang phenomenon, where yin and yang are conceived as mutually complementary rather than, more familiarly, as contraries. Irrational or non-virtuous states of xin can be viewed as distortions of yin/yang emotion(s), and the mind or, better, heart-mind is best conceptualized as an emotional yin/yang entity. The West has a great deal to learn from China.
Not a bathtub: A consideration of sea-level physics for archaeological models of human migration

Abstract Accurately reconstructing past sea level is key to simulating potential migration pathways of ancient hominins, including early Homo sapiens. Models of ancient human migration events commonly construct estimates of paleoenvironments using the “bathtub” model, in which sea level is assumed to rise and fall according to a “eustatic” (global average) value over time. However, large uncertainties exist on past ice sheet sizes and shapes, particularly prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), ∼26,000 years ago. Moreover, regional sea level varies significantly due to the effects of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). That process includes Earth's gravitational, deformational, and rotational response to changing surface (ice plus ocean) loads across the ice age. Here, we offer an updated account of the physics of GIA-induced sea-level change and consider the impacts of these effects, together with a newly published ice sheet history, on sea-level changes across the last glacial cycle. As illustrations, we highlight the significance of these issues for studies of ancient human migration from Sunda to Sahul and for the timing of the final, post-LGM flooding of the Strait of Dover. These examples demonstrate the importance of incorporating updated ice sheet histories and accurate sea-level physics into archaeological research.
State lobbying registration by Native American tribes

The forms of political participation utilized by Indian nations have changed dramatically since the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988. The emergence and expansion of Indian gaming since then have provided tribes with an increased motivation to interact on a government-to-government basis with state governments; it has also provided them with the financial resources to do so in myriad new ways. During this period, tribes have increased their presence in state capitals through direct lobbying. In this paper, we study tribes’ decision to lobby state governments. In particular, we are interested in the role of tribal resources and gaming operations in determining which tribes decide to register to lobby state governments. Using Gray and Lowery's data set that list all lobbying registrations in the 50 states from 1997 to 1999 and the year 2007, we find significant variation in lobbying registrations among Indian nations. We model the lobbying registration decision at the tribal and state leve...
Longer Operative Time During Laparoscopic Myomectomy Is Associated with Increased 30-Day Complications and Blood Transfusion

Abstract Background: An association between operative time and complications is well-established in the general surgery literature, with many studies isolating operative time as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications, including infectious morbidity, ileus, and increased length of hospital stay. However, the potential association between longer operative time and perioperative complications in laparoscopic myomectomy has not yet been delineated clearly. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between operative time and 30-day complications after laparoscopic myomectomy. Materials and Methods: Study Design: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was utilized for the evaluation. Data were retrieved retrospectively for laparoscopic myomectomy procedures recorded between 2005 and 2012 at all institutions contributing to the ACS-NSQIP (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Given utilization of de-identi...
Endomucin Plays a Role in Retinal Vascular Development and in VEGF-Induced Endothelial Cell Migration, Growth, and Morphogenesis

Angiogenesis is central to both normal and pathologic processes. Endothelial cells (ECs) express high levels of O-glycoproteins that are believed to play important roles in vascular development and...
Recalling the Ghosts of 9/11: Convergent Memorializing at the Opening of the National 9/11 Memorial

This study examines the physical and digital existence of the National 9/11 Memorial located at Ground Zero inNew York Cityas it stood on September 12, 2011. Through a rhetorical analysis of the interplay between the physical memorial and its digital smartphone applications (apps), we argue that the digital apps create a contradictory, paradoxical experience of the physical memorial. Whereas the memorial invites public reflection moving toward a sense of renewal, the digital apps privatize the experience through archives of information and images that suspend the events of 9/11 as a perpetual trauma. Such convergent technologies challenge the memorializing process, providing information in place of imagination.
Three Population‐Patient Care Outcome Indicators for Public Health Nursing: Results of a Consensus Project

Objectives: Difficulties in recruiting nurses into public health settings threaten the public's health. Gaps in existing data make determining the health impact of workforce changes numbers difficult to perform. Public health practice leaders are left to make difficult staffing and program decisions without knowing how the health of their vulnerable populations will be affected. The objective of this study was to identify indicators that could be used to document the effect of the shortage of public health nurses (PHNs) on the health of a population. Design and Sample: A consensus-building process was used. Nursing directors from 6 local health departments (LHDs) in 2 states participated along with 3 public health system researchers. Results: The findings from this collaborative process suggest that it is possible to identify outcome indicators across states and multiple LHDs that may be sensitive to PHN staffing levels and interventions. Possible connections between PHN staffing and each population-patient care indicator (rates of Chlamydia, first trimester prenatal care, early childhood immunization) are presented. Conclusions: The process used here in identifying these indicators and the proposed nursing-sensitive population outcome indicators themselves provide a template for the development and analysis of additional outcome indicators sensitive to the quality of nursing and other health care.
Elliptic Curves and Cryptography

The subject of elliptic curves encompasses a vast amount of mathematics. Our aim in this section is to summarize just enough of the basic theory for cryptographic applications. For additional reading, there are a number of survey articles and books devoted to elliptic curve cryptography [14, 68, 81, 135], and many others that describe the number theoretic aspects of the theory of elliptic curves, including [25, 65, 73, 74, 136, 134, 138].
A Same-Sex Infertility Health Insurance Mandate in Maryland?

Tothesurprise ofmany, inMarch, the legislatureofMarylandpassed2bills (http://bsun.md/1FIt4Um) that would amend an outdated health insurance mandate that excluded same-sex couples from coverage for in vitro fertilization treatments. Specifically, the 2 bills, proposed separately in theMarylandHouseandSenateand then amended to be identical, prohibit “insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations from requiring specified conditions of coverage for specified infertilitybenefits forapatientwho ismarried to an individual of the same sex,” (http://1.usa.gov/1AjXOsF). Thisfirst-in-the-nationeffort iswellworth the attention it has been receiving, because the implications canhardly be overstated.
Neuroendocrine Peptide Receptors on Cells of the Immune System

The functional role of neuropeptide receptors in the immune system seems to be sensory and regulatory. Signaling molecules (i.e. neuropeptides/neurotransmitters) secreted by immune or neuroendocrine cells can interact with specificity to immunocyte membrane bound neuroendocrine peptide receptors resulting in changes in immune homeostasis. At the onset of this review, three criteria were established in order to formally define the existence of a receptor including the pharmacologic, biochemical, and biological profiles. Applying these criteria, at least ten neuroendocrine peptide/peptide neurotransmitter receptors have met the requirements (table 1). Perhaps more striking, many of these receptors have characteristics which are nearly identical to those receptors found on neuroendocrine tissue. This observation implies irregularities in the physiology of a receptor system in one tissue compartment (neuroendocrine or immune) may be mirrored by the receptors found in the other compartment (neuroendocrine or immune) as well. This rather hypothetical concept is, in fact, supported by data studying ACTH, CRH, and TRH receptors on immune cells relative to the expression or function of these receptors in neuroendocrine tissue taken from patients with neuroendocrine disorders. It is likely that future work will use this relationship to further study the dynamic interaction between the immune and neuroendocrine systems in defining neurologic, neuroendocrine, and autoimmune disorders.
Inherited Human Diseases: Victories, Challenges, Disappointments*

Received November 5, 2002; accepted for publicationNovember14, 2002; electronically published January 23, 2003.Address for correspondence and reprints: Dr. Albert de la Cha-pelle, Human Cancer Genetics Program, 646 Tzagournis MedicalResearch Facility, 420 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210.E-mail: delachapelle-1@medctr.osu.edu* Previously presented at the annual meeting of The AmericanSociety of Human Genetics, in Baltimore, on October 18, 2002.
Plasma cell gene expression depends on ELL2 (HEM2P.271)

ELL2, the eleven-nineteen lysine rich leukemia gene, a transcription elongation factor, has been found to play vital roles in Igh mRNA production, myeloma cell survival, and in HIV tar:tat mediated viral RNA transcription. We previously showed that ELL2 is responsible for Igh mRNA being both alternatively processed to the secretory-specific form and increased in its abundance, leading to high levels of secreted Ig protein and a robust immune response. ELL2 associates with pTEFb in a super elongation complex. We made conditional knockouts of ELL2 in mouse B cells using loxp/ CD19 cre. The splenic B cell populations of T3 and mature plasma cells in the whole mouse are reduced in the knockouts. The ELL2 cKO results in decreased serum Ig levels and severe reduction in antigen specific responses against NP-ficoll and NP-KLH. Recall responses are also impaired. LPS stimulation of splenic B cells shows decreased maturation to B220loCD138+ plasma cells with the expression of IRE1, XBP-1 spliced form, and cyclin B2 significantly lower in the cKO than LPS stimulated WT mice. The processing of the Igh mRNA to the secretory-specific form is suppressed in the conditional ELL2 knockouts with a compensatory increase in Igh membrane mRNA. Production of the unfolded protein response is thus impaired. Analysis of the ELL2 knockouts may lend insight into the relationships between Ig secretion, cell growth and the unfolded protein response in plasmablasts and long term plasma cells.
Automation in Design: The Conceptual Synthesis of Chemical Processing Schemes

Publisher Summary This chapter shows how one can use ideas and techniques from artificial intelligence, such as symbolic modeling, knowledge-based systems, and logic, to construct a computer-implemented model of the design process. By using the Douglas hierarchical approach as the conceptual model of the design process itself, the chapter shows how to generate models of the structure of design tasks, design decisions, and the state of design, thus leading to automation of large segments of the synthesis of chemical processing schemes. The result is a human-aided, machine-based design paradigm, with the computer “knowing” how the design is done, what the scope of design is, and how to provide explanations and the rationale for the design decisions and the resulting final design. The chapter argues that the human-aided, machine-based design is the paradigm that will characterize future design systems, where rapid conceptualization and prototyping of engineering artifacts are the source of competitive edge. The chapter further provides a formalized restatement of the hierarchical procedure, in an effort to cast it more closely to a computational process for its computer-based automation. The structure of a conceptual model that can be used to represent a design methodology has been discussed but the value of this model rests with the effectiveness of the representation schemes that one employs to describe the declarative and procedural components of the model in a way that the computer can “understand.” It has been emphasized that hierarchical design language is a formal framework for the development of the computational process that emulates the Douglas methodology for conceptual process design and its specific characteristics have been discussed.
Mitral valve repair after annuloplasty ring dehiscence using MitraClip

Dehiscence of a surgical mitral annuloplasty ring for repair of functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is an infrequently reported complication that often manifests as recurrent MR and heart failure. Re-do mitral valve surgery to correct ring dehiscence may not be feasible for patients at high risk of operative mortality or serious morbidity. We report two cases of mitral annular ring dehiscence and severe mitral regurgitation in patients at prohibitive risk for re-do mitral valve surgery who were successfully treated with MitraClip. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and Application of an LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel-Specific Flaw Distribution

Previous efforts by the US Department of Energy have shown that the PWR reactor vessel integrity predictions performed through probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis for a pressurized thermal shock event are significantly sensitive to the overall flaw distribution input. It has also been shown that modern vessel in-service inspection (ISI) results can be used for development of vessel flaw distribution(s) that are more representative of US vessels. This paper describes the development and application of a methodology to analyze ISI data for the purpose of flaw distribution determination. The resultant methodology considers detection reliability, flaw sizing accuracy, and flaw detection threshold in its application. Application of the methodology was then demonstrated using four recently acquired US PWR vessel inspection data sets. The methodology helped provide original insight into several key inspection performance and vessel integrity prediction practice issues that will impact future vessel integrity evaluation. This paper briefly discusses the development and application of the methodology and the impact to future vessel integrity analyses.
Emotional intelligence and clinical performance/retention of nursing students

Objective: This exploratory, quantitative, descriptive study was undertaken to explore the relationship between clinical performance and anticipated retention in nursing students. Methods: After approval by the university's Human Subjects Committee, a sample of 104 nursing students were recruited for this study, which involved testing with a valid and reliable emotional intelligence (EI) instrument and a self-report survey of clinical competencies. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that although the group average for total EI score and the 6 score subsets were in the average range, approximately 30% of the individual total EI scores and 30% of two branch scores, identifying emotions correctly and understanding emotions, fell in the less than average range. This data, as well as the analysis of correlation with clinical self-report scores, suggest recommendations applicable to educators of clinical nursing students. Conclusions: Registered nurses make-up the largest segment of the ever-growing healthcare workforce. Yet, retention of new graduates has historically been a challenge for the profession. Given the projected employment growth in nursing, it is important to identify factors which correlate with high levels of performance and job retention among nurses. There is preliminary evidence that EI a nontraditional intelligence measure relates positively not only with retention of clinical staff nurses, but with overall clinical performance as well.
Mechanochemistry: A tour of force.

The effect of force on a chemical reaction has been visited in three different molecular environments. The results reveal a unifying framework that enables predictions of force-induced reactivity.
MR Spectroscopic imaging of collagen: Tendons and knee menisci

Water molecules associated with collagen have short transverse (T2) relaxation times. Projection-reconstruction techniques are able to achieve an echo time (TE) much shorter than conventional techniques, allowing imaging of tissues with T2 < 5 ms. Using these techniques, a conventional 1.5-T MRI human imaging system can directly image collagen-associated water from knee menisci and tendons in normal volunteers and patients. Long-T2 suppression improves the contrast between these structures and the surrounding tissue with long-T2 relaxation times. Spectroscopic imaging provides improved lipid/water registration and information about chemical composition and relaxation times. Direct imaging of tendons and menisci may provide more information about these structures and provide a new way to assess both injury and repair.
Enantiomeric resolution of a novel chiral cannabinoid receptor ligand.

The enantiomeric resolution of a racemic novel cannabinoid receptor ligand conformationally restricted at the southern aliphatic chain was accomplished using a ChiralPak AD column. Both enantiomers were tested for their competitive binding to the rat brain CB1, mouse spleen CB2 and human CB2 receptors. The levorotatory isomer showed exceptionally high affinity for the CB1 receptor with a seven-fold selectivity over CB2.
T-cell receptor complex is essential for Fas signal transduction

The Fas receptor (also known as CD95 and APO-1) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor α-family of death receptors that mediate T-cell responses. Here, we show that Fas receptor signaling requires a functional T-cell receptor (TCR) complex. Fas receptor directly binds to and activates TCR components in a stimulus-dependent manner. Fas receptor stimulation does not activate canonical downstream TCR pathways, but instead the TCR complex is required specifically for Fas-mediated calcium release. Importantly, null mutations in Lck, ZAP70, and the TCR α- and β-chains abrogate Fas signaling. Our results reveal a direct role for the TCR complex in mediating Fas-specific signaling events critical for T-cell homeostasis.
RhoA and Membrane Fluidity Mediates the Spatially Polarized Src/FAK Activation in Response to Shear Stress

While Src plays crucial roles in shear stress-induced cellular processes, little is known on the spatiotemporal pattern of high shear stress (HSS)-induced Src activation. HSS (65 dyn/cm2) was applied on bovine aortic endothelial cells to visualize the dynamic Src activation at subcellular levels utilizing a membrane-targeted Src biosensor (Kras-Src) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). A polarized Src activation was observed with higher activity at the side facing the flow, which was enhanced by a cytochalasin D-mediated disruption of actin filaments but inhibited by a benzyl alcohol-mediated enhancement of membrane fluidity. Further experiments revealed that HSS decreased RhoA activity, with a constitutively active RhoA mutant inhibiting while a negative RhoA mutant enhancing the HSS-induced Src polarity. Cytochalasin D can restore the polarity in cells expressing the active RhoA mutant. Further results indicate that HSS stimulates FAK activation with a spatial polarity similar to Src. The inhibition of Src by PP1, as well as the perturbation of RhoA activity and membrane fluidity, can block this HSS-induced FAK polarity. These results indicate that the HSS-induced Src and subsequently FAK polarity depends on the coordination between intracellular tension distribution regulated by RhoA, its related actin structures and the plasma membrane fluidity.
Solution thermodynamics of first row transition elements. 3. Apparent molal volumes of aqueous ZnCl2 and Zn(CIO4)2 from 15 to 55°C and an examination of solute-solute and solute-solvent interactions

The apparent molal volumes of aqueous ZnCl2 and Zn(ClO4)2 solutions have been measured from 15–55°C. The dilute solution data are extrapolated to infinite dilution using the Redlich-Meyer equation. The full concentration range data are fitted with the Pitzer formalism. The data are then compared with the data on the previously measured salts of Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+. The effect of complex ion formation is easily seen in the Cu2+ and Zn2+ salt data. A new approach to single ion volumes from salt volumes is proposed. The calculated ionic volumes at infinite dilution are compared, and it is clear that crystal field effects must be considered in any quantitative theory of transition element volumes.
Single molecule diffusion on hard, soft and fluid surfaces

Molecular diffusion on a surface is often considered as a thermal energy-activated process of molecular hopping between adjacent adsorption sites on a surface and simply determined by molecule–surface interaction. In this work, we report distinct diffusive dynamics of probe molecules on methyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM), polymer brush layer and lipid bilayer by using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) at a single-molecule level. We have observed that despite weaker molecule–surface interaction, the surface diffusion of probe molecules on soft polymer brush surface and fluid lipid bilayer can be much slower than that on hard SAM surface, suggesting a strong impact of interfacial dynamics of the underlying coating on molecular surface diffusion. To further examine the coupling of thermal activated molecular hopping and soft surface dynamics, we have investigated the diffusion of probe molecules on polymer brushes of varied grafting density and thickness, where the molecule–surface interaction remains nearly the same, yet the adopted conformations and dynamics of surface-grafted PNIPAM chains vary considerably; it is striking to observe that the diffusion of probe molecules could be further retarded on PNIPAM brush surfaces of lower grafting density or higher brush thickness, thereby exhibiting the presence of an optimal brush thickness range to facilitate fast surface diffusion of adsorbed probe molecules. All the observations combined lead to a general model by taking the dynamics of underlying surface layers into account to elucidate the molecular diffusion mechanism on varied surfaces.
Review of microscopic plasma processes occurring during refilling of the plasmasphere

Refilling of the plasmashere after geomagnetic storms involves both macroscopic and microscopic plasma processes. The latter types of processes facilitate the refilling by trapping the plasma in the flux tube and by thermalizing the interhemispheric flow. A review of studies on microscopic processes is presented. The primary focus in this review is on the processes when the density is low and the plasma is collisionless. The discussion includes electrostatic shock formation, pitch angle scatterring extended ion heating and localized ion heating in the equatorial region.
Structure–activity relationships of potent and selective factor Xa inhibitors: benzimidazole derivatives with the side chain oriented to the prime site of factor Xa

A series of benzimidazole derivatives with the side chain on the nitrogen atom oriented to the prime site of factor Xa (FXa) were designed and synthesized. Compounds with substituted aminocarbonylmethyl groups as the side chain showed potent FXa inhibitory activity. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited most potent inhibitory activity and were effective as anticoagulants in a DIC model.
Effects of homozygosity and heterozygosity on certain properties of genetically defined electrophoretic variants of alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in maize

Genetically defined alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes have been studied. The faster electrophoretically migrating forms of both Adh-1 and Adh-2 have greater specific activity and are more heat stable than the alternative slow forms of the two isozymes. In the heterozygous state, it is confirmed by genetic dosage studies that the Adh-2 F/F homodimer is more catalytically active than the S/S homodimer. The heat stability relationship between the two homodimers is maintained in the heterozygous condition. Adh-1 also has the same heat stability when taken from the heterozygous as well as the homozygous background. The heterodimeric, hybrid molecules (F/S and S/F for Adh-2) have less catalytic activity than the F/F homodimer but more than the homodimer S/S enzyme. This is concluded from studies in the triploid endosperm where the effects of genetic dosing can be investigated. The hybrid enzymes have heat stability similar to the F/F homodimer. The finding that allelic forms of an enzyme can show altered properties of possible physiological advantage to the organism is discussed in relation to fitness of the alternative forms.
Preparation of YVO4 powder from the Y2O3 + V2O5 + H2O system by a hydrolysed colloid reaction (HCR) technique

Prior to the formation of YVO4 in the Y2O3 + V2O5 + H2O system, two intermediate, partially hydrophobic, complex colloidal mixtures with metastable characteristics can be produced at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The ball-milled system, having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic species, transforms into the stable yttrium orthovanadate phase due to intensive hydrolysis. At room temperature an orange mixture (possessing dispersed Y2O3 and 4Y2O3−P(OH) + ·2VO 3 − , Y2O3−p(OH) + ·6VO 3 − ·xH2O-like heteroaggregations) formed by 20 h mixing at pH ca. 4.0 transforms slowly, another red-brown heavily flocculated colloidal mixture (with dispersed Y2O3 and Y2O3−p(OH) + ·V10O 28 6− ·yH2O-like aggregation) formed by 70 h mixing at pH ca. 4.5 transforms rapidly into YVO4 in water. During additional mixing of highly diluted red-brown mixtures this transformation can be completed at room temperature. At elevated temperatures (50–95 °C) the orange mixture precipitates into a red-brown decavanadate-type precipitatium which subsequently can also rapidly hydrolyse into an orthovanadate phase in the diluted aqueous systems. Both vanadium excess meta-and decavanadate-type aggregations exhibit amorphous character by X-ray diffraction. The semi-hydrophobic colloidal structure can modify the dissociation mechanism, which prevents the system from returning to the starting oxides, and gives a new HCR technique for YVO4 preparation with a simple hydrolysis process at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure.
Kinetic isotope effects for nonadiabatic proton transfer reactions in a polar environment. 1. Interpretation of tunneling kinetic isotopic effects

A theoretical study of primary kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) is presented for proton transfer (PT) reactions in a polar environment in the nonadiabatic, i.e., tunneling, regime. This treatment differs from traditional descriptions for PT most notably in the identification of a solvent coordinate as the reaction coordinate. The theory explicitly addresses KIE features that are extremely sensitive to the proton donor−proton acceptor mode dynamics. Besides KIE behaviors that are not consistent with nontunneling PT, individual KIE aspects in some cases, such as magnitude, temperature dependence, variation with reaction asymmetry, and Swain−Schaad behavior can yield results consistent with nontunneling PT. However, a combination of KIE aspectswith particular emphasis on KIE variation with reaction asymmetry or temperaturecan clearly identify tunneling in PT systems. In addition, PT via excited proton vibrational states is shown to significantly contribute to the reaction rate and KIEs, especially for extremel...