cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of Total Shear Stress and Polymer Stress Profiles in Drag Reduced Boundary Layer Flows With Polymer Injection

Two methods of recovering the entire total shear stress profile from incomplete velocity data in turbulent boundary layers are presented and validated for both DNS simulations and experimental measurements. The first method, an exponential-polynomial curve fit, recovers the whole total shear stress profile well by using the data from the outer part of the boundary layer (y/δ > 0.3). However, this curve fit is sensitive to the quality of the data. The second method, a new (1−y) weighted straight line fit, which is very simple and accurate, has been applied to current experiments of drag reduction in zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers with polymer injection. The total shear stress profile obtained from this fit is used to estimate the contribution of the polymer stress to the total shear stress.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Simulation-based optimal planning for material handling networks in mining

A two-level hierarchical simulation-based framework is proposed for real-time planning in one of the largest coal mines in the world. At the coal mine, various decisions (e.g. truck locks, hopper-silo connections and silo blend values) have to be made to ship coal to customers via trains. To resolve machinery scheduling and train loading problems in an integrated manner, mathematical formulations are developed and embedded within the proposed hierarchical framework. At the upper level, the coal flow in the simulation model is directly from pits to trains and in the lower level a full simulation model of the coal mine is used for simulating the flow of coal from pits to hoppers via trucks, then from hoppers to silos and silos to loadouts via conveyors. In this work, Arena software is used for the simulation model: it retrieves real-time status and historical performance data from Microsoft SQL Server situated remotely at the coal mine. OptQuest software is used to resolve optimization problems. Finally, two types of experiments are conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed framework for the actual coal mine. Firstly, the bounds of the constraints in the upper level are varied to study the behavior of the total revenue in shift and revenue by train. Secondly, the effects of increasing variations in truck travel times, loading and dumping rates on machine utilization are studied at the lower level.
High precision alignment procedure for an ellipsometer.

Beam deviation in the polarizing elements is identified as a significant source of error in existing ellipsometer alignment procedures. A high precision alignment procedure that eliminates these errors is described. This procedure is less time consuming than previous methods, and its accuracy is comparable to the limit of resolution of the ellipsometer (typically 0.01–0.005°). A further advantage of this procedure is that it provides a precise method for the alignment of specimens and lasers with the ellipsometer.
Influence of melt deformation history on orientation in vitrified polymers

An experimental study of the development of orientation in polystyrene melts during flow and its retention in vitrified parts is described. It is shown on the basis of elongational and shear flow experiments that orientation in vitrified polystyrenes may be predicted from a knowledge of the stress field at the time of vitrification and application of stress-optical laws. More generally a relationship between birefringence and principal stress difference is found which correlates (1) on-line isothermal shear flow, (2) on-line non-isothermal elongational flow (melt spinning), and (3) vitrified samples formed in both shear and elongational flow. It is further proposed that orientation in polymer chains in deforming melts is uniquely dependent on stress—specifically, that the ratio of the stress-optical constant C to the intrinsic birefringence Δ° is approximately a constant.
Donor heart preservation with the potassium channel opener pinacidil : comparison with University of Wisconsin and St Thomas' solution

Abstract Background Hyperpolarized arrest with the potassium channel opener pinacidil has been shown to provide effective myocardial protection during short-term global ischemia. This study tested the hypothesis that pinacidil may provide effective long-term protection for heart transplant preservation. Methods Four concentrations of pinacidil (50 μM, 100 μM, 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM) mixed in Krebs-Henseleit solution were compared with University of Wisconsin and St. Thomas' Hospital solutions in a Krebs-Henseleit perfused rabbit Langendorff model ( n = 6 for each group). Hearts underwent 4 hours of hypothermic (4° C) storage. Over a wide range of volumes, left ventricular systolic function, diastolic compliance, and coronary flow were measured prior to and following storage. Time to mechanical and electrical arrest, and post-ischemic percent tissue water were also measured. Results Pinacidil 0.5 mM provided the best preservation of post-ischemic systolic function and coronary flow compared with the other pinacidil concentrations and was statistically equivalent to St. Thomas' solution in terms of post-ischemic systolic, diastolic, and flow properties. However, hearts protected with University of Wisconsin solution had significantly better preservation of systolic function and coronary flow. Conclusions This investigation demonstrated that pinacidil in Krebs-Henseleit solution possesses efficacy in long-term donor heart preservation. Pinacidil was equivalent to St. Thomas' solution but inferior to University of Wisconsin solution. Hyperpolarized arrest with potassium channel openers may be a novel strategy to improve donor heart preservation.
Cytological and cytochemical studies on the ejaculatory duct and accessory secretion in Musca domestica.

Abstract The accessory secretion produced in the ejaculatory duct of male adults of Musca domestica was found to be an arginine-rich proteinaceous substance. The synthesis and extracellular storage of the secretion occurs in the anterior region of the duct and apparently coincides with the expression of sexual maturity. Three, and sometimes four, successive matings were required to deplete totally the secretion from the storage area. Renewed synthesis was usually observed within the secretory cells after two successive copulations and continued for more than 24 hr in those ducts which had been depleted by repeated matings. The structure and possible function the accessory secretion serves in the induction of mating refusal behaviour in female flies is discussed.
Models developed to describe FR IIb and FR IIa radio sources

Abstract Several models developed to describe the properties of FR IIa and FR IIb radio sources are compared and contrasted here. The fundamental picture of a classical double (edge-brightened, FR II) radio source powered by highly collimated outflows from a central compact object is common to most models. However, models do differ substantially, and some of the key differences are discussed here. Models must be tested and constrained by comparisons with radio data. The extensive, detailed, radio data that can be used to constrain the physical properties of FR II sources will be described. The radio bridge properties of FR II sources indicates they should be divided into two categories: FR IIa and FR IIb sources. Low-power FR IIa sources are typically found at low-redshift and have distorted radio bridge structure. High-power FR IIb sources are typically found at high-redshift and have fairly regular, ‘cigar-like’ bridge shapes. It is anticipated that two model formalisms may be needed to describe FR IIb and FR IIa sources. Unlike FR IIa sources, FR IIb sources are found to inhabit gaseous environments similar to those found in low-redshift clusters of galaxies, though the sources have redshifts between zero and two. Thus, FR IIb sources most likely lie in clusters of galaxies. The importance of X-ray measurements to determine the density and temperature of the gas in the vicinity of FR IIb sources is stressed.
Regulation of the RNA Polymerase I and III Transcription Systems in Response to Growth Conditions

To better understand the mechanisms that regulate stable RNA synthesis, we have analyzed the RNA polymerase I and III transcriptional activities of extracts isolated from cells propagated under a variety of conditions. Under balanced growth conditions the levels of both RNA polymerase I- and III-specific transcription increased proportionally with growth rate. Upon nutritional starvation, RNA polymerase I transcription rapidly declined, followed by 5 S rDNA and eventually tDNA transcription. Transcriptional activities in extracts were restored when the nongrowing cultures were resuspended in fresh medium, although growth did not resume. The differential expression of 5 S rDNA and tDNA genes in extracts prepared from cells subjected to partial starvation was traced to a 5 S rDNA-specific inhibitor and not to a defect in any RNA polymerase III transcription factor. Characterization of this inhibitor indicated that it was not 5 S rRNA. It was sensitive to phenol extraction and resistant to RNase, and its target did not appear to be transcription factor IIIA. Not all treatments that slowed or stopped growth down-regulated the stable RNA transcription apparatus. Cells that have been subjected to either energy starvation or cycloheximide treatment still retain the ability to synthesize stable RNA in vitro, suggesting the presence of alternative regulatory mechanisms.
Embryoma of contralateral kidney ten years following nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor

Summary 1. A case is reported in which a contralateral kidney was apparently involved by embryoma approximately ten years after nephrectomy for a similar tumor. 2. Roentgen therapy produced a remarkable reduction in the size of the tumor but may have contributed to the fibrosis and other changes which finally resulted in the death of the patient from renal failure.
Nosocomial Infections and Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Organisms in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Nosocomial infections in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms are increasing. This review attempts to report on significant findings in the current literature related to nosocomial infections in PICU settings with an international perspective. The types of nosocomial infections are addressed, including catheter-related bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections and post-surgical wound infections. A review of emerging resistant bacterial pathogens includes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus sp., Clostridium difficile, extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Gram-negative organisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing strains and multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Basic and enhanced infection control methods for the management and control of multidrug-resistant organisms are also summarized with an emphasis on prevention.
An effective graphics user interface for rules and inference mechanisms

As the technology of rule-based inference mechanisms matures, knowledge acquisition—the creation, structuring, and verification of rules—becomes increasingly important. The accuracy and completeness of the rules in the knowledge base determine expert system performance, and the cost of acquiring that knowledge base dominates all other hardware and software costs in practical systems.To reduce knowledge acquisition time and error rate, a new interactive graphics interface for rules is being designed and implemented in GE Corporate Research and Development. In the new system, each set of rules is represented as an AND/OR graph and parts of the rule base are displayed on a CRT screen as an AND/OR tree. A user—even an unsophisticated user—can navigate the AND/OR graph, identify nodes to be modified, analyze the behavior of the graph, verify its correctness graphically, and follow the execution of inference engines.
Space-time as a causal set

We propose that space-time at the smallest scales is in reality a causal set: a locally finite set of elements endowed with a partial order corresponding to the macroscopic relation that defines past and future. We explore how a Lorentzian manifold can approximate a causal set, noting in particular that the thereby defined effective dimensionality of a given causal set can vary with length scale. Finally, we speculate briefly on the quantum dynamics of causal sets, indicating why an appropriate choice of action can reproduce general relativity in the classical limit.
The pleiotropic structure of the genotype–phenotype map: the evolvability of complex organisms

It was first noticed 100 years ago that mutations tend to affect more than one phenotypic characteristic, a phenomenon that was called 'pleiotropy'. Because pleiotropy was found so frequently, the notion arose that pleiotropy is 'universal'. However, quantitative estimates of pleiotropy have not been available until recently. These estimates show that pleiotropy is highly restricted and are more in line with the notion of variational modularity than with universal pleiotropy. This finding has major implications for the evolvability of complex organisms and the mapping of disease-causing mutations.
The Relationship of Work-Family Conflicts and Family-Work Conflict to Job Satisfaction

The issue of work-family conflict has been receiving increased attention in research. This research extends the literature by applying emerging work-family conflict theory in the hospitality industry. The research was done in seven hotels with a primarily Hispanic (91%) workforce. It was found that, expectedly, work-to-family conflict issues were related to lower job satisfaction. It was also found, quite unexpectedly, that family-to-work conflict issues were related to a higher job satisfaction. It is hypothesized that for this group— primarily lower-income Hispanics, work can be seen as a release from family conflict issues.
Mechanistic characterization of the HDV genomic ribozyme: assessing the catalytic and structural contributions of divalent metal ions within a multichannel reaction mechanism.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) uses genomic and antigenomic ribozymes in its replication cycle. We examined ribozyme self-cleavage over eight orders of magnitude of Mg2+ concentration, from ≈10-9 to 10-1 M. These experiments were carried out in 1 M NaCl to aid folding of the ribozyme and to control the ionic strength. The concentration of free Mg2+ ions was established using an EDTA-Mg2+ buffered system. Over the pH range of 5−9, the rate was independent of Mg2+ concentration up to 10-7 Μ, and of the addition of a large excess of EDTA. This suggests that in the presence of 1 M NaCl, the ribozyme can fold and cleave without using divalent metal ions. Bronsted analysis under these reaction conditions suggests that solvent and hydroxide ions may play important roles as general base and specific base catalysts. The observed rate constant displayed a log-linear dependence on intermediate Mg2+ concentration from ≈10-7 to 10-4 M. These data combined with the shape of the pH profile under these conditions are consis...
Algebraic approach for the calculation of polyatomic Franck–Condon factors.: Application to the vibronically resolved emission spectrum of S2O

Abstract Emission spectra obtained from jet-cooled disulfur monoxide (S2O) molecules have been interpreted quantitatively by means of a U(2) Lie algebraic theory. Fluorescence accompanying selective excitation of the S2O C 1 A ′← X 1 A ′ ( π ∗ ← π ) absorption system was dispersed under modest resolution, thereby permitting vibrational assignment of ground-state levels possessing up to 20 quanta of the ν2 S–S stretching mode. Aside from providing a convenient framework for analysis of recorded energy patterns, the algebraic treatment allows for straightforward calculation of multidimensional Franck–Condon factors and corresponding transition intensities. The emerging picture of S2O vibrational dynamics suggests that the X 1 A ′ potential surface is substantially more `local' in character than the C 1 A ′ manifold.
Calcilytics for asthma relief

For decades, patients suffering from allergic asthma—the symptoms of which range from wheezing and shortness of breath to extreme difficulty in breathing—generally have been treated with agents that reduce airway inflammation, such as corticosteroids, or reverse airway constriction, such as β2-adrenergic receptor agonists. Unfortunately, up to 55% of asthmatics have suboptimal control with these drugs ( 1 ). Moreover, safety concerns regarding the use of β2 agonists have resulted in more stringent guidelines for their clinical use ( 2 ). Thus, there is pressing need to develop new and safe therapies. A study by Yarova et al. ( 3 ) points to a protein that controls the constriction and proliferation of smooth muscle cells lining the bronchial airway. Moreover, there is already a drug that inhibits this protein.
Irreversible enzyme inhibitors 99 Inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase 7. Further studies on hydrophobic bonding with hydrocarbon substituents on acidic uracils

Replacement of the 6-methyl group of 6-methyluracil (II) by 6-trifluoromethyl gives a sevenfold increment in binding to thymidine phosphorylase presumably due to the increased acidity of the uracil. Similarly, replacement of the 6-methyl group by 6-methylsulfonyl gave a fifteenfold increment in binding. The binding of 6-methyluracil (II) was increased only 2.5-fold by introduction of a 5-phenylazo group. 6-(Trifluoromethyl)uracil (IV) was further substituted at the 5-position by six different alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl groups; the best inhibitor of this series was 5-phenylbutyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)uracil (XI) which was complexed tenfold better than IV and 67-fold better than 6-methyluracil. Comparison of 5-(phenylazo)-uracils substituted with methyl, phenyl, benzyl, or n-amyl at the 6-position showed that the n-amyl derivative (XVI) gave the best binding; XVI was complexed 23-fold better than 6-methyl-5-(phenylazo)uracil (XII) and 58-fold better than 6-methyluracil.
Superior growth of glycophosphatidy linositol-anchored protein-deficient progenitor cells in vitro is due to the higher apoptotic rate of progenitors with normal phenotype in vivo.

Abstract Objective Recently, phenotypically normal CD34 cells from the marrow of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) were reported to show impaired growth and elevated Fas receptor expression as compared to glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored protein (GPI-AP)-deficient CD34 cells and CD34 cells from normal individuals. These results are consistent with the theory that PNH cells have an intrinsic growth advantage, but their superior expansion in vitro could also be the outcome of selective extrinsic pressure in vivo. Material and Methods Growth characteristics, competitive features, and susceptibility to apoptosis of sorted normal or GPI-AP–deficient CD34 + cells derived from PNH patients were assessed in suspension and methylcellulose cultures. Results When we directly compared the growth of patients' CD34 cells, separated based on expression of GPI-AP CD55 and CD59, in most of the patients studied, mutant CD34 cells showed higher progeny production and outgrew phenotypically normal CD34 cells derived from PNH patients in mixing experiments. However, their proliferation rate did not exceed that of control CD34 cells. To determine whether deficient growth of phenotypically normal CD34 cells in PNH was secondary to a pre-existing in vivo insult, we determined the fraction of apoptotic cells within fresh normal and PNH CD34 cells. Normal CD34 cells from PNH patients showed a high proportion of apoptotic cells and higher Fas expression, while GPI-AP–deficient and control CD34 cells showed similar, low rates of apoptosis. After correction for pre-existing apoptosis, the proliferation potential of normal and PNH CD34 cells was similar. Conclusions These results strongly suggest that clonal expansion of GPI-AP–deficient progenitor cells from PNH patients is due to their selection in the hostile marrow environment of the patient.
Transition metal diamine complexes with antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)

Pentaalkylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*R) iridium (Ir) and cobalt (Co) 1,2-diamine complexes were synthesized. Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and recent patient methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates to the transition metal–diamine complexes were measured by broth microdilution and reported as the MIC and MBC. Hemolytic activities of the transition metal-complexes as well as toxicity toward Vero cells were also measured. The transition metal complex of Cp*RIr with cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, had strong antibiotic activity against S. aureus and MRSA (MIC = 4 μg mL−1, MBC = 8 μg mL−1) strains and killed 99% of S. aureus cells in 6 hours. Stronger antibiotic activity was associated with the presence of octyl linked to the cyclopentadienyl group and cyclohexane as the diamine backbone. Activity was greatly diminished by tri- or tetramethylation of the nitrogen of the diamine. A cyclopentadienylcobalt complex of cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane also showed significant anti-microbial activity against both S. aureus and MRSA strains. The absence of hemolytic activity, Vero cell cytotoxicity and the significant anti-microbial activity of several members of the family of compounds reported suggest this is an area worth further development.
Schematic array models for associative and non-associative memory circuits

The modeling and simulation of memory circuits remains an outstanding problem whenever accuracy with respect to the actual schematic implementation is desired. Functionally equivalent Register Transfer (RT) level models often cannot be used for designs with embedded memory blocks, because schematic models for the surrounding logic may be required for fault-modeling accuracy. Existing methods derive a latch model that essentially represents each memory location as a latch primitive. This approach results in models that have a large number of primitives. We present new algorithms that model such circuits as decoded arrays that access entire rows of cells for individual read and write operations. Decoded array models are easy to generate and allow fault-modeling accuracy for the surrounding logic, including the memory address decoder. Experimental data show improvements of an order of magnitude for both logic and fault simulations, when compared to the equivalent latch model.
Loss of pRB causes centromere dysfunction and chromosomal instability

Chromosome instability (CIN) is a common feature of tumor cells. By monitoring chromosome segregation, we show that depletion of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) causes rates of missegregation comparable with those seen in CIN tumor cells. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor is frequently inactivated in human cancers and is best known for its regulation of the G1/S-phase transition. Recent studies have shown that pRB inactivation also slows mitotic progression and promotes aneuploidy, but reasons for these phenotypes are not well understood. Here we describe the underlying mitotic defects of pRB-deficient cells that cause chromosome missegregation. Analysis of mitotic cells reveals that pRB depletion compromises centromeric localization of CAP-D3/condensin II and chromosome cohesion, leading to an increase in intercentromeric distance and deformation of centromeric structure. These defects promote merotelic attachment, resulting in failure of chromosome congression and an increased propensity for lagging chromosomes following mitotic delay. While complete loss of centromere function or chromosome cohesion would have catastrophic consequences, these more moderate defects allow pRB-deficient cells to proliferate but undermine the fidelity of mitosis, leading to whole-chromosome gains and losses. These observations explain an important consequence of RB1 inactivation, and suggest that subtle defects in centromere function are a frequent source of merotely and CIN in cancer.
Synthesis of cis-4a(S),8a(R)-Perhydro-6(2H)-Isoquinolinones from Quinine: 4a(S), 8a(R)-2-Benzoyloctahydro-6(2H)-Isoquinolinone

Synthesis of cis-4a(S),8a(R)-perhydro-6(2H)-isoquinolinones from quinine: 4a(S), 8a(R)-2-benzoyloctahydro-6(2H)-isoquinolinone intermediate: Quininone intermediate: meroquinene tert-butyl ester intermediate: benzamide intermediate: 4a(S),8a(R)-2-Benzoyl-1,3,4,4a,5,8a-hexahydro-6(2H)-isoquinolinone intermediate: 4a(S),8a(R)-2-Benzoyloctahydro-6(2H)-isoquinolinone Keywords: acylation; addition, to CC; cleavage, oxidative; cyclization, condensation; cyclization, miscellaneous; hydrolysis, esters and lactones; oxidation, CHOH CO; oxidation, miscellaneous; reduction, CC HCCH; ring opening reactions
Spatial and temporal variability in South San Francisco Bay (USA). I. Horizontal distributions of salinity, suspended sediments, and phytoplankton biomass and productivity

The horizontal pattern of mesoscale (1–4 km) variability in salinity was a poor predictor of mesoscale patterns in chlorophyll a, suspended particulate matter, and daily primary productivity in the South San Francisco Bay estuary during spring 1987. The tidally-averaged salinity distribution varied over weekly time scales, reflecting inputs of freshwater as well as transport processes. Spatial distributions of the other quantities also varied weekly, but not in concert with the salt field. Spatial patterns of phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) deviated from the salinity patterns, largely reflecting in situ production of phytoplankton biomass during the spring bloom. The tidally-averaged distribution of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was highly dynamic and responded to (1) the riverine input of suspended sediment during a freshet, (2) neap-spring variations in tidally-driven resuspension, and (3) resuspension in shallows following a period of wind mixing. Two-dimensional distributions of primary productivity P′, derived from maps of biomass and turbidity (SPM), also varied weekly, but the spatial variability of P′ was only about half that of SPM and chlorophyll. Since the magnitude and patterns of spatial variability differ among nonconservative quantities, at least in part because of local sources and sinks, we conclude that the spatial distributions of nonconservative quantities cannot be predicted from distributions of conservative tracers, such as salinity.
IS SCIENCE RELEVANT TO THEOLOGY

The following remarks intend to outline what I consider the major points at issue. It seems to me that most of the previous contributions to this topic published in Zygon have dealt with the implications of current science for theology and religion mainly by way of rather gingerly, halfhearted allusions. The straightforward spirit of the eighteenth-century Enlightenment (e.g., Hume, Kant) needs reviving and ‘updating.’ Surely, no one can claim to ‘know all the answers’, and — in all humility (I trust this is still regarded as a virtue!) — I wish to set out what strike me as, at least, some of the pertinent questions. And I shall also attempt to give some tentative answers. Since I have been asked to do this in very brief compass, the harsh tone and terse style of my presentation will make my contentions appear more dogmatic and intransigent than I should wish them to be.
Metal pollution loading, Manzalah lagoon, Nile delta, Egypt: Implications for aquaculture

High cultural enrichment factors are found for Hg (13×), Pb (22.1×), and other potentially toxic metals (e.g., Sn, Zn, Cu, Ag) in the upper 20 cm of sediment cores from the southeastern Ginka subbasin of Manzalah lagoon, Nile delta, Egypt. Cores from other areas of the lagoon show little metal loading. Metal loading followed the closure of the Aswan High Dam, the availability of abundant cheap electricity, and the development of major power-based industries. Industrial wastes containing potentially toxic metals are dumped into the Nile delta drain system. The load carried by Bahr El-Baqar drain discharges into the Ginka subbasin, which acts as a sink and results in metal loading of the sediment deposited there. Further development of aquaculture in this subbasin, of food-stuff agriculture on recently reclaimed lagoon bottom, or where irrigation waters come from Bahr El-Baqar drain or its discharge should be halted or strictly limited until potentially toxic metals in the drain waters and sediment are removed and polluted input drastically reduced. This environmental assessment of heavy metals in aquaculture or agriculture development should extend to other waterbodies in the northern Nile delta, particularly Idku lagoon and lake Mariut, where industrial metal-bearing wastes discharge into the waterbodies.
Does employment alter the course and outcome of schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses? A systematic review of longitudinal research

Abstract Introduction This review synthesized prospective evidence to assess whether achieving employment alters the course of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Method Researchers identified relevant analyses for review via PubMed, expert referral, and reference review and systematically applied two levels of screening to 1484 citations using seven a priori criteria. Results A total of 12 analyses representing eight cohorts, or 6844 participants, compared illness course over time by employment status in majority schizophrenia-spectrum samples. Employment was consistently associated with reductions in outpatient psychiatric treatment (2 of 2 studies) as well as improved self-esteem (2 of 2 studies). Employment was inconsistently associated with positive outcomes in several other areas, including symptom severity, psychiatric hospitalization, life satisfaction, and global wellbeing. Employment was consistently unrelated to worsening outcomes. Discussion Achieving employment does not cause harm among people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and other severe mental illnesses. Further detailed mechanistic analyses of adequately powered long-term follow-up studies using granular descriptions of employment are needed to clarify the nature of associations between employment and hypothesized benefit.
Morally Questionable Tactics: Negotiations between District Attorneys and Public Defenders

A questionnaire study about bargaining tactics was conducted among 163 public defenders (PDs) and district attorneys (DAs) in the criminal justice system. The authors hypothesized that PDs (defensive roles) would perceive questionable tactics to be more appropriate than would DAs (offensive roles), that PDs and DAs would elevate their approval of questionable tactics for counteraggression purposes, and that PDs would elevate their approval for counteraggression to a greater extent than would DAs. Results supported these hypotheses. The authors also examined the basis of the status quo bias, because previous status quo bias studies always confounded power with defensive role. After testing four status quo bias hypotheses, results suggested that, contrary to previous explanations, a defender-challenger framework sometimes provides a better account of the status quo bias than does a power framework.
One Gene, Many Proteins: Alternative Splicing of the Ryanodine Receptor Gene Adds Novel Functions to an Already Complex Channel Protein

See related article, pages 874–883 When the human genome sequence was first drafted in 2000, researchers were shocked by the low number of genes found. Humans make ≈90 000 different types of protein, so estimates were that at least a similar number of genes would be found. The logic was that, given the structural and functional complexity of the human body, we ought to have more genes than the simpler corn ( zea mays , ≈40 000 genes) or the puny worm Caenorhabditis elegans (≈19 500 genes). So, when the final number of human genes was established to be fewer than 25 000, researchers immediately realized the gene:protein mismatch, reaffirmed the notion that the axiom “one gene, one protein” was inaccurate, and began looking for the evolutionary mechanisms that increase diversity and complexity from a relatively simple genetic makeup. The answer, it seems, is alternative gene splicing. When a segment of DNA (gene) is transcribed, the resulting RNA (tRNA) contains meaningful (exons) and nonmeaningful (introns) sequences that must be edited to produce a coherent message (mRNA). This cut-and-paste process where exons are retained and introns are discarded is called gene splicing and constitutes the normal processing of genes. However, as it was first discovered some 25 years ago,1 “alternative splicing” occurs, a highly regulated process that confers sophistication to the manufacturing of proteins by frequently “violating the rules” and leaving pieces of introns or excising parts of exons in the final mRNA. The resultant protein, a splice variant, thus contains segment(s) of distinct amino acid sequence that presumably leads to functional diversity. The relevance of alternative splicing cannot be overemphasized. In one extreme example, alternative splicing is largely responsible for determining whether a cell continues to live or whether it programs its death by expressing a promoter of apoptosis …
On choosing parameters in retrospective-approximation algorithms for simulation-optimization

The Simulation-Optimization (SO) problem is a constrained optimization problem where the objective function is observed with error, usually through an oracle such as a simulation. Retrospective Approximation (RA) is a general technique that can be used to solve SO problems. In RA, the solution to the SO problem is approached using solutions to a sequence of approximate problems, each of which is generated using a specified sample size and solved to a specified error tolerance. In this paper, our focus is parameter choice in RA algorithms, where the term parameter is broadly interpreted. Specifically, we present (i) conditions that guarantee convergence of estimated solutions to the true solution; (ii) convergence properties of the sample-size and error-tolerance sequences that ensure that the sequence of estimated solutions converge to the true solution in an optimal fashion; and (iii) a numerical procedure that efficiently solves the generated approximate problems for one-dimensional SO.
Inflammation in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications in diabetes

Diabetes and hyperglycemia create a proinflammatory microenvironment that progresses to microvascular complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Diet-induced insulin resistance is a potential initiator of this change in type 2 diabetes which can increase adipokines and generate a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Advanced glycation end-products and its receptor, glycation end-products AGE receptor axis, reactive oxygen species, and hypoxia can also interact to worsen complications. Numerous efforts have gained way to understanding the mechanisms of these modulators and attenuation of the inflammatory response, however, effective treatments have still not emerged. The complexity of inflammatory signaling may suggest a need for multi-targeted therapy. This review presents recent findings aimed at new treatment strategies.
Engage K-12 students in engineering: Model for engineering project activities to inspire K-12 students to pursue careers in engineering

This paper discusses the model to create and implement the exploratory “Engage K-12 students in engineering” program to inspire K-12 students to pursue careers in engineering disciplines. Through this program, the K-12 students will participate in engineering project activities with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) components. Engage K-12 students in engineering will (a) raise the level of awareness among K-12 students of the promising careers in the engineering disciplines upon graduation with baccalaureate and/or advanced degrees (b) establish and sustain the dialog between the K-12 schools and the University to encourage the K-12 school students to pursue and excel in subjects with STEM components (c) promote the interaction between the engineering faculty at the University and the K-12 school students through activities which deliver critical STEM components. “Engage K-12 students in engineering” will be identified at all levels of K-12 STEM education and will be delivered to a widespread audience of K-12 students through (a) direct outreach activities such as on-campus visits, (b) extended outreach activities through cyber-learning networks, and (c) University partnership with the K-12 schools.
Tricuspid regurgitation after left heart surgery: does it matter?

In this issue of the Journal , Kammerlander et al. [(1)][1], from Austria, describe an observational study of 539 patients with previous left-sided heart valve surgery. The majority underwent aortic, not mitral, valve procedures and were followed for a mean of 53 months to assess the impact of
"Easy-to-use" RF-solutions for IoT applications

IoT applications such as healthcare monitoring systems, need a lot of wireless terminal solutions with low power consumption. The key is how to use the RF terminal solutions easily for general purpose users. To compromise these user requirements, a new adaptable RF MCU of Bluetocth® Smart has been developed as our top-line products Using the leading-edge 40nm-process technology with a sliding intermediate frequency architecture are realized the lowest transmission peak-current in the RF-AFE and the small number of peripheral passive components The product concept of the "Easy-to-Use, RF MCU" enlightens the pass way to smart IoT society.
Languages on Stage: Linguistic Pluralism and Community Formation in the Nineteenth-Century Parsi Theatre

The Parsi theatre was the dominant form of dramatic entertainment in urban India from the 1860s to the 1930s. Named for its Bombay-based pioneers, the Parsi theatre blended certain European practices of stagecraft and commercial organization with Indic, Persian, and English stories, music, and poetry. Through the impact of its touring companies, it had a catalytic effect on the development of modern drama and regional theatre throughout South and Southeast Asia. Moreover, Parsi theatre is widely credited with contributing to popular Indian cinema its genres, aesthetic, and economic base. With Hindi films now the major cultural signifier for the middle classes and the ‘masses’ in South Asia and its diaspora, documentation and evaluation of the Parsi theatre is much needed, especially to connect it convincingly to the cinematic medium that followed.
The healthy weight research network: a research agenda to promote healthy weight among youth with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities

The Healthy Weight Research Network (HWRN) for children with autism and developmental disabilities is an interdisciplinary network with national representation. This paper discusses the modified Delphi procedure that was used to develop the HWRN's research agenda to address the problem of obesity in children with autism and developmental disabilities. The five research areas identified for priority included: (i) family practices around food/mealtimes; (ii) physical activity and sedentary behaviours in relation to weight; (iii) relationship between food patterns, behaviour and weight gain; (iv) programme-adaption and delivery; and (v) influence of school and community-based organizations on food intake and physical activity. The goals and agenda of the HWRN hold promise for making progress toward the prevention and successful treatment of obesity in this population.
Upper Devonian (Frasnian-Famennian) conodont biostratigraphy in the subsurface of north-central Iowa and southeastern Nebraska

The Upper Devonian–Lower Mississippian sequence in the subsurface of north-central Iowa and southeastern Nebraska consists of the Lime Creek, undifferentiated Sheffield–Maple Mill, English River, Prospect Hill, and Chapin Formations. The Lime Creek is restricted entirely to the Polygnathus biofacies where conodonts are present and correlates with an interval from Zone 4b to Faunal Interval 8 of the Canadian (Alberta) Rockies zonation based on conodonts and foraminifers. The oldest identifiable Famennian units range in age from the crepida–rhomboidea Zones at locality 1 to the Upper marginifera Zone or younger at localities 2 and 3. The youngest Devonian strata may occur in the Upper expansa Zone at locality 1 and Middle expansa Zone at localities 2 and 3. Famennian faunas are present in the Polygnathus biofacies at localities 1 and 3 and in the Icriodus biofacies at locality 2. A total of 50 species and subspecies are identified, four of which have not been previously described (Icriodus sp. A, Hemilistrona sp. A, Polygnathus depressus n. sp., and Polygnathus sp. B).
Analysis of the Extension-Twist Coupling in Hygrothermally Stable Star Beam Composites

An approximate analytical model is utilized to examine the extension-twist coupling and torsional stiffness properties of star beams constructed with a new family of hygrothermally stable optimized stacking sequences. The relationship between axial force and the twist rate is used to quantify the results. The results show that there is a decrease in torsional rigidity corresponding to an increase in extension-twist coupling. The new stacking sequences allow for the addition of more substrips while maintaining comparable levels of extension-twist coupling with beams constructed from prior benchmark layups. This results in higher levels of torsional stiffness for comparable levels of extension-twist coupling in star beams made of the new optimized stacking sequences.© 2011 ASME
The Acquisition of Musical Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

Technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) is a conceptual framework for the teacher knowledge necessary to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning. The purposes of...
SYMPATHETIC INPUT TO GANGLIA OF THE GUINEA PIG SPHINCTER OF ODDI

Intracellular recording and immunohistochemical staining techniques were used to establish whether sphincter of Oddi (SO) ganglia are a target of sympathetic input to this region. Norepinephrine (0.01-10.0 microM) decreased the amplitude of the nicotinic fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) evoked by stimulation of interganglionic fiber tracts, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (EC50) of 300 nM. Norepinephrine did not alter the responsiveness of the neurons to acetylcholine. The alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist UK-14304 mimicked the norepinephrine-induced effect with a EC50 of 2.5 nM, whereas alpha 1- and beta-adrenoreceptor agonists had no effect on the EPSP. The alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist idazoxan (1.0 microM) inhibited the UK-14304 response, with a dissociation constant of 1.0 nM. Release of endogenous catecholamines, by the addition of tyramine (100 microM) to the bath, caused an idazoxan-sensitive decrease in the amplitude of the fast EPSP. In the minority of SO neurons that exhibited inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), norepinephrine caused a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. The IPSP and the norepinephrine-induced hyperpolarization were inhibited by alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonists. Desipramine (1.0 microM), an uptake inhibitor, reversibly increased the amplitude of the IPSP. Immunoreactivities for tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase were coexistent in nerve fibers and nonexistent in cell bodies in the ganglionated plexus of the SO. The results of this study indicate that norepinephrine acts pre- and postsynaptically as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in SO ganglia.
Lipoprotein disorders as related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

During the last decade, much new information has been developed regarding the various lipid fractions and their implications for atherosclerosis. The proper diagnostic algorithms arid the clinical importance of lipoprotein disorders are discussed. Effective therapeutic options, including both diet and drugs, are presented along with recommendations for long-term monitoring.
Role of apoptotic and nonapoptotic cell death in removal of intercalated cells from developing rat kidney

In the developing rat kidney, both type A and type B intercalated cells are present throughout the medullary collecting duct (MCD), as well as the papillary surface epithelium. After birth, intercalated cells gradually disappear from the papillary surface epithelium and the terminal MCD, and type B cells disappear from the entire MCD. The purpose of this study was to establish the mechanism(s) by which intercalated cells are deleted from the MCD during development. Kidneys from 14-, 16-, 18-, and 20-day-old fetuses and 1-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day-old pups were preserved for light microscopic immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Intercalated cells were identified by immunostaining for H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase) and band 3 protein. Apoptosis was identified by nick end labeling of DNA fragments, staining with the vital dye toluidine blue, and transmission electron microscopy. Two distinct mechanisms of elimination of intercalated cells were detected. Cells with apical labeling for H(+)-ATPase and basolateral labeling for band 3 protein protruded into the lumen of the MCD as if they were being extruded from the epithelium, and many had lost contact with the basement membrane. Extrusion of the cells with basolateral H(+)-ATPase or with no labeling for H(+)-ATPase was never observed. Apoptosis was observed in the MCD from shortly before birth to 7 days after birth, gradually progressing from the papillary tip toward the outer medulla. Staining for apoptosis was present in H(+)-ATPase-positive apoptotic bodies, located in cells that were negative for H(+)-ATPase. Staining was also occasionally observed in apoptotic cells with basolateral H(+)-ATPase but never in cells with apical H(+)-ATPase. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of apoptotic intercalated cells in the MCD and demonstrated that apoptotic bodies were located in inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells and principal cells. These results demonstrate that intercalated cells are deleted from the MCD by two distinct mechanisms, one involving apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis by neighboring principal cells or IMCD cells. Elimination by extrusion affects only type A intercalated cells, whereas deletion by apoptosis appears to occur only in type B intercalated cells.
Culture of urethral fibroblasts: cell morphology, proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis.

AbstractThe in vitro morphology and proliferative activity of urethral fibroblasts were characterized from primary isolates of fetal bovine urethral spongiosum. Cells were identified as fibroblastic based on their spindle-shaped morphology and lack of expression of phenotypic markers characteristic of either urethral smooth muscle or epithelial cells. Urethral fibroblasts proliferated at a steady rate and did not exhibit contact-inhibition of growth in a culture medium of Medium 199 supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum. Both immunohistochemistry and metabolic labeling analyses of extracellular matrix synthesis demonstrated the presence of collagen types I and III, and fibronectin. Quantitation of the collagenous components of the cell medium revealed that urethral fibroblasts synthesize 85% type I collagen, 14% type III collagen and <1% type V collagen. In contrast, the urethral fibroblast cell layer matrix consisted of 98% type I collagen, <1% type III and <1% type V collagen.
Fast Algorithm to solve a family of SIS problem with l infty norm.

In this paper, we present a new algorithm, such that, for the small integer solution (SIS) problem, if the solution is bounded ( by an integer β in l∞ norm, which we call a bounded SIS (BSIS) problem, and if the difference between the row dimension n and the column dimension m of the corresponding matrix is relatively small with respect the row dimension m, we can solve it easily with a complexity of polynomial in m.