cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inducing and tuning edge-states in a weak topological phononic waveguide

We study a continuous phononic elastic structure capable of reconfigurable topological edge states. The occurrence of edge states is due to a mechanism that can be considered as the acoustic analogue of the quantum valley Hall effect. By assembling two lattices having broken space-inversion-symmetry we induce gapless edge states at the corresponding domain wall, that is the interface between the lattices. The spatial symmetry of the phononic lattice as well as the topological transition are controlled by an externally imposed strain field. The underlying physical mechanism controlling the propagation behavior in such phononic structure is investigated by a combination of theoretical analyses and numerical simulations. Results show that chiral edge states can be obtained at the domain wall and that the strain field enables their direct tuning. Although this approach produces only a weak topological material in which time-reversal symmetry is still intact, the edge states supported at the domain wall prove to be very robust against back-scattering, even in presence of strong lattice disorder.
Title IX: the Female Intercollegiate Athletic Sphere

Title IX consists of just thirty-seven words, and it is these words that have transformed the dynamics of the female athletic sphere in the United States. Although the federal law was initially envisioned to assist women in academia, it is currently renowned for its profound impact on American sports [12]. It is an irrefutable fact that Title IX has vastly increased women’s participation in sports, reportedly increasing female participation rates within colleges six-fold from 1972—the year it was passed—to today [3]. Yet, despite the progress made by Title IX, it faces deep challenges in its quest to achieve true equality. Women’s participation rates in sports still lag far behind men, and one cannot ignore this troubling reality that persists in the United States[5]. Thus, the question as to whether or not Title IX has achieved gender equity is highly debatable. This paper intends to illuminate the shortcomings of Title IX’s goal in attaining true equality through analysis of its limitations. Specifically, the essay will first discuss the historical attitudes towards women in sports before Title IX and the structure of the federal law. It will then explore the issues inherent in Title IX, such as the continuation of male preservation, the reduction of men’s sports, and sexual harassment. The scope of this essay will focus mainly on intercollegiate sports.
A Note on the ARL of Two-Sided Bernoulli-Based CUSUM Control Charts

This article examines the average run length (ARL) properties of two different kinds of two-sided Bernoulli cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts. It describes the conditions under which the ARL can be determined precisely from the ARLs of the upper and..
Distortion product otoacoustic emissions : Hit and false-positive rates in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects

Objective: This study aimed to establish hit and false-positive rates for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) using a commercial instrument. Study Design: This was a prospective study. The examiners performing the DPOAEs were blinded to pure-tone audiometric results. A decision matrix analysis was used to determine hit and false-positive rates for absolute amplitude, three amplitude-to-noise ratios, and three conditions that combined these two parameters. Setting: The study was performed at a tertiary care, outpatient clinical laboratory facility. Patients: Subjects with normal hearing and those with sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were hit and false-positive rates for various DPOAE measures. Results: Hit and false-positive rates were better for high than low frequencies. As absolute amplitude and amplitude-to-noise ratios increased hit and false-positive rates improved. Optimal hit rates generally exceeded 80% ; false-positive rates were approximately 20% in the high-frequency range. Although the absolute amplitude measures seemed more useful than various ratio measures, there were advantages to using both parameters clinically. Conclusions: DPOAEs have acceptable hit and false-positive rates for high frequencies but not for lower frequencies. DPOAE amplitude-to-noise ratios of +3 and even +6 dB may not be clinically feasible based on the current data. The overall findings obtained on the commercial instrument in this study compare favorably with previous studies of a similar nature.
Heuristic search-based replanning

Many real-world planning problems require one to solve a series of similar planning tasks. In this case, replanning can be much faster than planning from scratch. In this paper, we introduce a novel replanning method for symbolic planning with heuristic search-based planners, currently the most popular planners. Our SHERPA replanner is not only the first heuristic search-based replanner but, different from previous replanners for other planning paradigms, it also guarantees that the quality of its plans is as good as that achieved by planning from scratch. We provide an experimental feasibility study that demonstrates the promise of SHERPA for heuristic search-based replanning.
Comparative proteomic profiling within each developmental stage of the solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons Hendel

Abstract Fruit fly development has been widely studied in details, understanding of “what”, “when”, “where”, “why”, and “how” many hundred thousand proteins exist in an insect cell interact and express during development at molecular level largely remained to be clarified. We conducted proteome mapping in all developmental stages of the solanum fruit fly, Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel), by comparing all ages within a stage to their 1-d-old, using 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Samples of designated ages of each stage of B. latifrons were collected, analyzed, and described. A custom peptide database, derived from a publically available de novo B. latifrons transcriptome assembly was adopted for peptide identification. Identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and their putative protein functions were annotated in representative SDS gel images, charts, and tables. Based on our proteomic data, we constructed a preliminary and descriptive reference proteome maps which not only provide valuable information toward a comprehensive understanding of fruit fly development, but also build a foundation for development of novel advanced fruit fly control techniques or further studies related to sterilization insect technique (SIT) and genome deletion. Any epigenetic impacts due to abiotic or biotic environmental factors will be easier to be identified, manipulated, and further led to gene editing research.
Displaced at “home”: 1.5-Generation immigrants navigating membership after returning to Mexico:

In the context of heightened enforcement, hundreds of thousands of immigrants have returned to their countries of birth by force, and others have left by (constrained) choice. Drawing on interviews...
Capturing Renal Cell Carcinoma Recurrences When Asymptomatic Improves Patient Survival.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to explore whether the practice of postoperative renal cell carcinoma (RCC) surveillance affords a survival benefit by investigating whether detection of RCC recurrences in an asymptomatic versus symptomatic manner influences mortality. Patients and Methods We identified 737 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for M0 RCC between 1998 and 2016. Overall survival and disease-specific survival stratified by the type of recurrence detection (asymptomatic vs. symptomatic) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier probabilities both from the time of surgery and from the time of recurrence. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the type of recurrence detection on mortality. Results A total of 78 patients (10.6%) experienced recurrence after surgery, of whom 63 (80.8%) were asymptomatic (detected using routine surveillance) and 15 (19.2%) were symptomatic. The median postoperative follow-up was 47.2 months (interquartile range, 26.3-89.4 months). Five- and 10-year overall survival, from time of surgery, among patients with asymptomatic versus symptomatic recurrences was 57% and 39% versus 24% and 8%, respectively (P = .0002). As compared with asymptomatic recurrences, patients with symptomatic recurrences had an increased risk of overall (OD) and disease-specific death (DSD) both when examined from the time of surgery (OD: hazard ratio [HR], 3.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-7.49; P = .0091 and DSD: HR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.38-8.57; P = .0079) and from the time of recurrence (OD: HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.24-6.93; P = .0143 and DSD: HR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.45-9.01; P = .0058). Conclusions Capturing RCC recurrences in an asymptomatic manner during routine surveillance is associated with improved patient survival.
Enhanced Anti-reflective Coating for Thin Film Solar Cells

In this paper, we describe a modified anti-reflective (AR) coating to enhance the efficiency of Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. The process is designed using in-situ real time spectroscopic ellipsometry and optical modeling allowing for the optimization of the properties of the AR coating. The optical model developed is based on a transfer matrix as well as accurate measurement of the dielectric function and thickness of each layer in the stack by spectroscopic ellipsometry. We demonstrate the influence of the substrate temperature on the properties of the AR coating, which can provide an increase in the short circuit current density by up to 10%.
Catecholamine response to exercise in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

KEY POINTS Intense physical activity, a potent stimulus for sympathetic nervous system activation, is thought to increase the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). As a result, the majority of patients with HCM deliberately reduce their habitual physical activity after diagnosis and this lifestyle change puts them at risk for sequelae of a sedentary lifestyle: weight gain, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, coronary artery disease, and increased morbidity and mortality. We show that plasma catecholamine levels remain stably low at exercise intensities below the ventilatory threshold, a parameter that can be defined during cardiopulmonary exercise testing, but rise rapidly at higher intensities of exercise. These findings suggest that cardiopulmonary exercise testing may be a useful tool to provide an individualized moderate-intensity exercise prescription for patients with HCM. ABSTRACT Intense physical activity, a potent stimulus for sympathetic nervous system activation, is thought to increase the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the impact of exercise intensity on plasma catecholamine levels among HCM patients has not been rigorously defined. We conducted a prospective observational case-control study of men with non-obstructive HCM and age-matched controls. Laboratory-based cardiopulmonary exercise testing coupled with serial phlebotomy was used to define the relationship between exercise intensity and plasma catecholamine levels. Compared to controls (C, n = 5), HCM participants (H, n = 9) demonstrated higher left ventricular mass index (115 ± 20 vs. 90 ± 16 g/m2 , P = 0.03) and maximal left ventricular wall thickness (16 ± 1 vs. 8 ± 1 mm, P < 0.001) but similar body mass index, resting heart rate, peak oxygen consumption (H = 40 ± 13 vs. C = 42 ± 7 ml/kg/min, P = 0.81) and heart rate at the ventilatory threshold (H = 78 ± 6 vs. C = 78 ± 4% peak heart rate, P = 0.92). During incremental effort exercise in both groups, concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline were unchanged through low- and moderate-exercise intensity until reaching a catecholamine threshold (H = 82 ± 4 vs. C = 85 ± 3% peak heart rate, P = 0.86) after which levels of both molecules rose rapidly. In patients with mild non-obstructive HCM, plasma catecholamine levels remain stably low at exercise intensities below the ventilatory threshold but rise rapidly at higher intensities of exercise. Routine cardiopulmonary exercise testing may be a useful tool to provide an individualized moderate-intensity exercise prescription for patients with HCM.
A 5.8 GHz Energy Harvesting Tag for Sensing Applications in Space

Passive backscatter radio frequency (RF) tags that harvest energy from an incident electromagnetic wave have found many terrestrial applications ranging from radio frequency identification (RFID) of parcels to motion detection systems. Such RF tags also have many potential applications for sensing in space such as monitoring spacecraft structural health or making sensitive electromagnetic field measurements. This paper presents a 5.8 GHz, energy-harvesting backscatter RF tag that contains temperature, total-dose radiation, and acceleration sensors. The tag will be launched into low-earth orbit aboard the Radio Frequency Tag Satellite (RFTSat), a nanosatellite developed by undergraduate students at Northwest Nazarene University, and serve as a demonstration of backscatter sensing in space. The tag can harvest energy when the incident power is greater than −2 dBm storing the energy in a supercapacitor controlled by a power management circuit. The supercapacitor can supply between 1.8 VDC and 3 VDC for an on-board microcontroller, sensors, and backscatter wireless communication.
Anomaly Detection in Cyber-Physical System using Logistic Regression Analysis

The emerging smart grid, cyber-physical infrastructure, provides a steady, secure, and reliable power system over the current power grid. Synchrophasor systems, like Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), are a key element of smart grids. They have the capability to measure time-coherent phasors of a grid. The key advantage of PMUs is the fast sampling rate that they provide over traditional Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems which can be in the range of 30-120 samples/second. These higher sampling rates come at the cost of higher data quantities. Generating large amounts of data per day poses a challenge in making the most efficient use of information. In this paper, this problem has been addressed utilizing machine learning techniques, Logistic Regression Analysis, on PMU data. Identifying system anomalies in smart power grids is the primary focus of this paper. The standard IEEE 39 Bus system has been modified using the RT-LAB environment to generate faults and to produce synthetic synchrophasor data. Archived/offline mode data from a Phasor data concentrator (PDC) database is being used to train and test the algorithm. Additionally, the algorithm has been tested in real-time using an OPAL-RT digital real-time simulator.
Frequency-dependent exacerbation of Alzheimer's disease neuropathophysiology.

Neuronal activity patterns are disrupted in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). One example is disruption of corticothalamic slow oscillations responsible for sleep-dependent memory consolidation. Slow waves are periodic oscillations in neuronal activity occurring at frequencies of <1 Hz. The power, but not the frequency of slow oscillations is altered in a mouse model of AD. Optogenetic rescue of slow oscillations by increasing activity in cortical pyramidal neurons at the frequency of slow waves restores slow wave power, halts deposition of amyloid plaques and prevents neuronal calcium dysregulation. Here we determined whether driving this circuit at an increased rate would exacerbate the amyloid-dependent calcium dyshomeostasis in transgenic mice. Doubling the frequency of slow waves for one month with optogenetics resulted in increased amyloid beta - dependent disruptions in neuronal calcium homeostasis and loss of synaptic spines. Therefore, while restoration of physiological circuit dynamics is sufficient to abrogate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease pathology and should be considered an avenue for clinical treatment of AD patients with sleep disorders, pathophysiological stimulation of neuronal circuits leads to activity - dependent acceleration of amyloid production, aggregation and downstream neuronal dysfunction.
Epithelial Cells: Growth in Culture of Normal and Neoplastic Forms

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the division potential of different cell types in vivo, and with the factors that may be responsible for some of the unexplained differences that are found in the culturing cells of different origins. The behavior of cultured normal epithelial cells is of particular importance for the in vitro study of carcinoma, because it is only occasionally that permanent human carcinoma cell lines can be established, using current methodology. The chapter discusses whether carcinoma cells in vivo have unlimited growth potential, as is usually assumed to be the case. Biologically and kinetically there is no need for such an assumption because a limited number of cell divisions in an expanding population of logarithmically dividing cells are quite sufficient for very large amounts of tumor tissue. Division potential in renewing epithelia is potentially instructive in understanding the biology of the carcinoma cell. There is evidence that several stem cell populations may be in continuous rapid division throughout the lifetime of the organism, requiring a very high limit of division potential and perhaps no limit at all. This possibility is a subject of study in human material and might yield very instructive results.
Distress Screening Scores of Malignant and Benign Hematology Patients: Results of a Pilot Project.

Abstract Abstract 3173 The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute completed a pilot project on distress screening as part of the plan to address the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer requirement (Standard 3.2: Psychosocial Distress Screening) to screen malignant and benign hematology patients for distress and psychosocial health needs. Over a two week period every hematology patient seeing a physician or mid-level provider completed the distress screening instrument Emotions Thermometer (ET), a five dimensional tool that includes four predictor domains: distress, anxiety, depression, anger and one outcome domain of need for help. Each domain is rated on a 0 to 10 Likert type scale, in a thermometer format. With respect to validity and reliability, the sensitivity and specificity of the ET tool has been found comparable to known validity and reliability of other accepted measures of distress, depression, and anxiety (Mitchell, et al, 2009). Per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, a score of 4 or higher on distress screening warrants a referral to a psychosocial professional. Distress scores 4 and over were compared among the diagnoses using the Chi-Square test. When the overall P-value was significant (P Of the five thermometer domains, patients scored highest on anxiety. There were no differences among diagnoses on anger (P=0.51), but there were differences in the other four domains (P While this pilot project does not answer why multiple myeloma patients report levels of psychosocial distress significantly higher than other hematology patients, increased attention needs to be given to address these patients' experience of anxiety, depression, and distress. This project provides valuable information about the levels of distress experienced among all hematology patients and is useful for determining staffing levels of psychosocial professionals needed to address distress. Percentage of Emotion Thermometer Scores Over 4 Diagnosis Distress Anxiety Depression Anger Help Benign Hem 18% 27% 18% 12% 7% Leuk/MDS/CML 19% 28% 17% 9% 14% Lymph/CLL 18% 31% 16% 14% 13% Myeloma 38% 44% 35% 15% 27% P-value 0.026 0.51 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Complications of Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common peripheral compressive neuropathy and the relevant carpal tunnel surgical release is the most common procedure in Hand Surgery. Open release of the transverse carpal ligament has traditionally been the gold standard of care for median nerve decompression, yet new endoscopic surgical techniques have emerged over the years, introducing the endoscopic technique for median nerve decompression. Although carpal tunnel release is a simple procedure, usually performed under local anesthesia, the complication rate can be high. Nerve lacerations, incomplete sectioning of the transverse carpal ligament and complex regional pain syndrome are the most common major complications. On the other hand there are a lot of minor complications such as painful scar and pillar pain, which lead to patient discomfort and morbidity. There are no significant differences regarding the complication rates between open and endoscopic techniques. Atraumatic surgical techniques along with knowledge of all possible complications and the way to manage them eventually help to improve the final outcome.
Mixed Effects Models to Find Differences in Multi-Subject Functional Connectivity

Many complex brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorders exhibit a wide range of symptoms and disability. To understand how brain communication is impaired in such conditions, functional connectivity studies seek to understand individual differences in brain network structure in terms of covariates that measure symptom severity. In practice, however, functional connectivity is not observed but estimated from complex and noisy neural activity measurements. Imperfect subject network estimates can compromise subsequent efforts to detect covariate effects on network structure. We address this problem in the case of Gaussian graphical models of functional connectivity, by proposing novel two-level models that treat both subject level networks and population level covariate effects as unknown parameters. To account for imperfectly estimated subject level networks when fitting these models, we propose two related approaches R^2 & R^3 based on resampling, random adaptive penalization and random effects test statistics. Simulation studies using realistic graph structures reveal that R^2 and R^3 have superior statistical power to detect covariate effects compared to existing approaches, particularly when the number of within subject observations is comparable to the size of subject networks. Using our novel models and methods to study parts of the ABIDE dataset, we find evidence of hypoconnectivity associated with symptom severity in Autism spectrum disorders, in frontoparietal and limbic systems as well as in anterior and posterior cingulate cortices.
Focused Ion Beam-Prepared Transmission Electron Microscopy Examination of Atmospheric Chemical Vapor-Infiltrated Silicon Carbide Morphology.

Silicon carbide (SiC)-based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are utilized for their refractory properties in the aerospace industry. The composition and structure of these materials are crucial to ...
Transgender People’s Technology Needs to Support Health and Transition

Health and well-being are integral parts of the human experience, and yet due to numerous factors are inaccessible for many communities. The transgender community is no exception and faces increased risk for both physical and mental illness. This population faces many unique challenges before, during, and after transition. To gain a deeper understanding of the trans community’s health and well-being needs, we conducted twenty-one interviews with transgender individuals to determine how they navigated their identities and transitions. From our interviews, we examine and highlight the unique needs of the trans population with respect to health, well-being, identity, and transition. We discuss how designers can better understand and accommodate the diversity of this community, give suggestions for the design of technologies for trans health and well-being, and contribute open areas of research.
The Application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to Recognize Defects in 3D-Printed Parts

Cracks and pores are two common defects in metallic additive manufacturing (AM) parts. In this paper, deep learning-based image analysis is performed for defect (cracks and pores) classification/detection based on SEM images of metallic AM parts. Three different levels of complexities, namely, defect classification, defect detection and defect image segmentation, are successfully achieved using a simple CNN model, the YOLOv4 model and the Detectron2 object detection library, respectively. The tuned CNN model can classify any single defect as either a crack or pore at almost 100% accuracy. The other two models can identify more than 90% of the cracks and pores in the testing images. In addition to the application of static image analysis, defect detection is also successfully applied on a video which mimics the AM process control images. The trained Detectron2 model can identify almost all the pores and cracks that exist in the original video. This study lays a foundation for future in situ process monitoring of the 3D printing process.
Isoselenocyanates: Synthesis and Their Use for Preparing Selenium-Based Heterocycles

Isoselenocyanates (ISCs) are a class of organoselenium compounds that have been recognized as potential chemotherapeutic and chemopreventative agents against cancer(s) and infectious diseases. ISC compounds are chemically analogous to their isosteric relatives, isothiocyanates (ITCs); however, they possess increased biological activity, such as enhanced cytotoxicity against cancer cells. ISCs not only serve as significant products, but also as precursors and essential intermediates for a variety of organoselenium compounds, such as selenium-containing heterocycles, which are biologically active. While syntheses of ISCs have become less difficult to accomplish, the syntheses of selenium-containing heterocycles are often difficult due to the use of highly toxic selenium reagents. Because of this, ISCs can serve as versatile reagents for the preparation of these heterocycles. In this review, the classical and recent syntheses of ISCs will be discussed, along with notable and recent synthetic work employing ISCs to access novel selenium-containing heterocycles. 1 Introduction 1.1 Selenium and Health 2 Isoselenocyanates 2.1 Preparation of Isoselenocyanates 3 Selenium-Containing Heterocycles 3.1 Notable Synthetic Work 3.2 Recent Synthetic Work 3.2.1 Synthesis of N-(3-Methyl-4-phenyl-3H-selenazol-2-ylidene)benzamide­ Derivatives 3.2.2 Synthesis and X-ray Studies of Diverse Selenourea Derivatives 3.2.3 Synthesis of Heteroarene-Fused [1,2,4]Thiadiazoles/Selenadiazoles via Iodine-Promoted [3+2] Oxidative Cyclization 3.2.4 2-Amino-1,3-selenazole Derivatives via Base-Promoted Multicomponent Reactions 4 Conclusion
Grains of Sound: Visual and Sonic Textures in Sand or Peter and the Wolf

There is a tendency in animation studies to discuss sound in the language of images, stressing sound’s alignment with visual cues (as in mickey mousing and leitmotifs). But sounds do not only mimic...
Price and Cost

One of the most important points of misunderstanding that should be corrected is the confusion between the terms “price ” and “cost .” These terms are often associated with the concepts of “utility” and “value.” The term “utility” might be described as an estimate of the ability of a good to satisfy human wants. The related term “value” could be expressed as “an appraisal of utility in terms of a medium of exchange” (Thuesen and Fabrycky in Engineering economy, Prentice Hall, and Upper Saddle River 2001). Both utility and value are attributed to an object by an individual; they are not inherent in the object.
Characterization of Aqueous Humor Outflow through Novel Glaucoma Devices - A Tracer Study

Pairs of human eyes with no history of ocular diseases or surgeries were obtained from the Minnesota and the Florida eye banks within 48 hours of death. Outflow facility was measured at baseline and after implanting an 8mm intracanalicular scaffold (HydrusTM Microstent, Ivantis, Irvine, CA) in SC of each pair (N=11). The contralateral eye was implanted with nothing (controls, N=6) or with two trabecular micro-bypasses in SC (iStent®, Glaukos, Laguna Hills, CA; N=7). A fixed volume of fluorescent tracer microspheres (200nm, 0.002%, 0.3 ml) was then perfused into the anterior chamber of each eye at 23 mmHg. Perfusate was collected from 8 pairs of eyes and the eyes were fixed. Tracer distribution in the TM and episcleral veins was imaged globally. Fluorescence intensity was measured and areas with and without flow were analyzed. The tracer distribution across the TM was analyzed by confocal microscopy. Paired and unpaired two-tailed t-tests were used for statistical analyses. Outflow patterns were segmental in control eyes. Less tracer was found in the TM in the eyes with a Hydrus scaffold than in the controls (p=0.0043). There was no significant difference between Hydrus scaffold and two iStent eyes (p=0.23) or between two iStent and control eyes (p=0.23). The percent area with fluorescence in the episcleral veins was 76% in Hydrus scaffold eyes, 64% in the two iStent eyes, and 58% in control eyes. The differences were not reach statistical significance. The Hydrus scaffold significantly increased the total amount of tracer flowing into the episcleral veins and perfusate, which drained out of the eye, compared to control eyes (58% vs. 35%, p= 0.0043). The two iStents also increased the total amount of tracer flowing into the episcleral veins and perfusate compared to controls but this did not reach statistical significance (49 % vs. 35%, p=0.23).
Medium-dependent Alteration of Lysine Transfer Ribonucleic Acid in Sporulating Bacillus subtilis Cells

Abstract The presence of the altered lysine transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) in Bacillus subtilis spores is strongly dependent on the medium on which the cells were sporulated. Cells sporulated on synthetic media or dilute complex media contain little or none of the new component, whereas those sporulated on concentrated complex media accumulate the altered tRNA. The accumulation begins during the fifth or sixth stage of sporulation, the formation of the tunic, and the appearance of refractility, respectively. Mutants blocked early in sporulation differ in their ability to accumulate the altered tRNA when cultured on the same complex medium. Of the four mutants examined, one failed to accumulate any of the RNA, whereas a second contained the full complement characteristic of spores. The third and fourth mutant contained small amounts of the material. It is tentatively concluded that the accumulation of the altered lysine tRNA is not obligate to sporulation but is an epiphenomenon of the process.
Infrared, Raman and Optical Spectroscopy of Earth Materials

There are a number of ways in which light interacts with condensed matter. In most cases, these are associated with the electric field of an incident photon interacting with the vibrational or electronic states of materials. The presence and strength of these interactions are principally dependent on bonding properties, the configurations of electronic states, and local symmetry of ions, molecules or crystals. Here, three separate types of light-mediated spectroscopies of interest to geophysics and mineral sciences are examined: 1) infrared spectroscopy; 2) Raman spectroscopy; and 3) optical absorption spectroscopy. Each of these techniques provides complementary information on the vibrational and electronic properties of Earth materials. The bonding properties which produce infrared and Raman-active vibrational bands provide not only a useful fingerprinting technique for determining the presence or abundance of different functional groups, such as hydroxyl or carbonate units, but also (in a bulk sense) fundamentally control a variety of thermochemical properties of materials, including their heat capacity. Moreover, the vibrational spectrum provides basic information on the bond strengths present within a material. Electronic transitions may occur in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet region of the spectrum, and
Muslims in canon law, ca. 650–1000

Canon law, the religious law of the Church, is an amorphous body of normative literature whose contents and contours differ from one Christian community to the next. This chapter focuses primarily on legal literature in Latin, Greek, and Syriac, which is to say the canon law of the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox (Chalcedonian), Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite), and Church of the East (Nestorian) traditions. The fact that other branches of Christianity receive less attention reflects both the authors linguistic limitations and the emphases of canon law scholarship more broadly. Christians first encountered Muslims as invaders. Jacob of Edessa, however, permits offering communion to Christian women who marry Hagarenes, lest they choose to convert to Islam. Christians do not grant Muslims comparable symbolic significance and do not employ terms such as paganizing, saracenizing, or the like. Keywords: canon law; Christian-Muslim relation; Hagarene; Islam; Jacob of Edessa; pagan; Saracen law; Syrian Orthodox Patriarch
Primary Angioplasty for Acute Myocardial Infarction

The use of thrombolytic therapy has been widely accepted for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Despite improving mortality, thrombolytic therapy may be contraindicated in many patients presenting with myocardial infarction and is associated with a small, yet significant risk of hemorrhagic sequelae. This article outlines the rationale behind reperfusion therapy, the use of pharmacological thrombolysis and the role of adjunctive angioplasty. The potential advantages of a therapeutic strategy of primary angioplasty, instead of thrombolysis, are discussed. These include anatomical definition, risk stratification, reduced recurrent ischemia, enhanced coronary perfusion and improved coronary patency. The randomized trials in which primary angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy were compared are reviewed. We conclude that angioplasty results in a reduction of short-term mortality and nonfatal reinfarction and therefore advocate the routine use of coronary angioplasty as a primary reperfusion strategy for acute myocardial infarction. The potential limitations of primary angioplasty in the community hospital setting are discussed. Finally, we examine the roles of adjunctive mechanical (e.g. stents) and pharmacological (e.g. Abciximab) means of further enhancing outcomes after primary angioplasty.
VNCCrack: A Tool for Auditing Corporate Environments for the Presence of Insecure VNC Installs

VNC has long been used a means of providing remote connectivity between computer systems, but is all too often deployed in an insecure configuration. This paper describes an auditing tool that can be used to identify the presence of insecure UltraVNC installs within a Microsoft Windows Domain environment.
Vortex-induced vibrations of a long flexible cylinder in shear flow

We investigate the in-line and cross-flow vortex-induced vibrations of a long cylindrical tensioned beam, with length to diameter ratio L/D = 200, placed within a linearly sheared oncoming flow, using three-dimensional direct numerical simulation. The study is conducted at three Reynolds numbers, from 110 to 1100 based on maximum velocity, so as to include the transition to turbulence in the wake. The selected tension and bending stiffness lead to high-wavenumber vibrations, similar to those encountered in long ocean structures. The resulting vortex-induced vibrations consist of a mixture of standing and travelling wave patterns in both the in-line and cross-flow directions; the travelling wave component is preferentially oriented from high to low velocity regions. The in-line and cross-flow vibrations have a frequency ratio approximately equal to 2. Lock-in, the phenomenon of self-excited vibrations accompanied by synchronization between the vortex shedding and cross-flow vibration frequencies, occurs in the high-velocity region, extending across 30% or more of the beam length. The occurrence of lock-in disrupts the spanwise regularity of the cellular patterns observed in the wake of stationary cylinders in shear flow. The wake exhibits an oblique vortex shedding pattern, inclined in the direction of the travelling wave component of the cylinder vibrations. Vortex splittings occur between spanwise cells of constant vortex shedding frequency. The flow excites the cylinder under the lock-in condition with a preferential in-line versus cross-flow motion phase difference corresponding to counter-clockwise, figure-eight orbits; but it damps cylinder vibrations in the non-lock-in region. Both mono-frequency and multi-frequency responses may be excited. In the case of multi-frequency response and within the lock-in region, the wake can lock in to different frequencies at various spanwise locations; however, lock-in is a locally mono-frequency event, and hence the flow supplies energy to the structure mainly at the local lock-in frequency.
Macroscopic Roughness Determination of Conductive Surfaces by Millimeter Wave Speckle Contrast Measurements

The determination of surface roughness is an important measurement in many manufacturing processes and corrosion detection schemes. These applications vary widely from the detection of surface weathering and unwanted wear of our national monuments to the detection of corrosion under insulation on the interior of aircraft skins. Besides the need for nondestructive surface inspection techniques there is also a need to monitor surface roughness during processing. One example of this is the molten alloy spray forming process where the roughness of the freshly sprayed surface is considered one of the best indicators of material end quality.
Boundary mixing by density overturns in an internal tidal beam

[1] A numerical study based on large eddy simulation (LES) is performed to investigate near-bottom mixing processes in an internal wave beam over a critical slope. Transition to turbulence from an initial laminar state is followed by mixing events that occur at specific phases. Maximum turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate are found just after the zero velocity point when flow reverses from downslope to upslope motion. At this phase, convective instability leads to density overturns that originate in the upper flank of the beam and span the beam width of 60 m. Turbulence originating at the bottom and with smaller vertical extent is also present during the phases of peak upslope and downslope flow when the boundary layer shear is large. The present numerical simulations identify and characterize a process, internal wave beam at a critical slope during generation or after propagation from a nearby generation site, that may lead to the high turbulence levels, modulated at the tidal frequency, that is observed near the bottom in oceanic sites with near-critical topography.
Retrograde atrial conduction.

Scenario: A 64-year-old white man admitted to the transitional care unit for a “rule-in” myocardial infarction and scheduled for the catheterization laboratory in the morning. His medical history is remarkable for hypertension and diabetes; however, during this 12-lead ECG recording, he denies chest pain or any anginal equivalent and is hemodynamically stable. ECG PUZZLER A regular feature of the American Journal of Critical Care, the ECG Puzzler addresses ECG interpretation for clinical practice. We welcome letters to the Editors regarding this feature.
Osmotic Stress Affects Nuclear Morphology and Genome Architecture

The spatial organization of the genome influences its function [1]. Therefore, physical signals that deform the nucleus and the genome within may directly affect gene transcription and translation. In articular chondrocytes, nuclear deformation in response to osmotic stress is not sensitive to actin organization [2]. However, articular chondrocytes differ from most mammalian cells in that they remain round with cortically organized actin in monolayer culture. Adherent cells such as adipose stem cells (ASCs) spread in monolayer culture, forming a more typical, highly bundled actin cytoskeleton. These actin bundles exert tensile stress on the nucleus so we hypothesized that the osmotic sensitivity of the cell nucleus would be modulated by actin organization in ASCs. The osmotic sensitivity of the nucleus was quantified by measuring changes in the size and shape of the nucleus and the spatial arrangement of the chromatin within using 3D confocal microscopy.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Solid-phase synthesis of acridine-peptide conjugates and their analysis by tandem mass spectrometry.

A novel and high-yielding synthesis of 9-anilinoacridine-4-carboxylic acid is reported. This acid has been used in the solid-phase synthesis of a small combinatorial library of acridine−peptide conjugates. Tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) can be used for structure determination of these compounds at a sensitivity of ∼10 pmol. This work makes possible the generation of acridine−peptide libraries for the discovery of structure-specific nucleic acid ligands via affinity chromatography selection with mass spectrometric detection.
Fertility and air pollution: Some empirical findings

Abstract This paper attempts to explain regional differences in fertility rates in the standard metropolitan statistical areas of the United States through socioeconomic factors and air pollution. An important feature of this study is that it uses the most recent data pertaining to a homogeneous sample of observations within a country rather than using data for different countries. Statistical results suggest that given other factors, fertility and the level of air pollution have an inverse relationship. This quantitative effect is statistically significant but the absolute impact is rather low. Our results also suggest that an increase in the level of income, relative education of females, temperature, and the availability of physicians would in the long run reduce fertility rates in the urban areas of the United States.
Esthetic soft tissue profile preferences among the Japanese population.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the facial profile preferences in a sample of 2651 randomly selected panelists (mean age, 29.3 ± 10.1 years) from Japanese cultural and educational backgrounds. Five facial profile types were computer-generated by an orthodontist to represent distinct facial types. Subjects were asked to rank the profiles in descending order of attractiveness. The ranking was as follows: orthognathic profile, bimaxillary retrusive profile, bimaxillary protrusive profile, mandibular retrognathic profile, and mandibular prognathic profile. The differences in rank scores between all the profile types were statistically significant ( p
Regulation of glucose transporters by estradiol in the immature rat uterus.

A series of metabolic changes within the immature rat uterus begins minutes after the administration of microgram quantities of estradiol (E2). One of the earliest effects that has been measured is an increase in the rate at which the uterus takes up glucose. To characterize the effect of E2 on glucose transport stimulation, whole protein preparations were examined for the presence of mammalian glucose transport proteins Glut1 through Glut5. E2-stimulated changes in the steady state levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were measured for Glut1 and Glut4 by quantitative competitive RT-PCR and Western blots. Both Glut1 mRNA and protein increased approximately 3- to 4-fold within 4–8 h. This increase in Glut1 mRNA and protein agrees with the maximal stimulation of the glucose transport rate that was observed. No translocation of either Glut1 or Glut4 was observed 2 h after E2 injection, indicating that translocation is not the mechanism responsible for the initial E2-stimulated increase in glucose trans...
Long-Term Effects of Travel and Study: The Semester at Sea Program

Ten years after completion of a voyage, a random sample of 40 participants in the Semester at Sea Program were contacted by telephone and mail to explore possible long-term effects of the travel-st...
A method for determining photoconductive response times

It is shown how the photoconductive response time tau 0 can be readily determined from the phase shift between the exciting radiation and the photocurrent using a lock-in amplifier technique.
Computational Analysis of Interacting Vaporizing Fuel Droplets on a One-Dimensional Trajectory

Abstract Using a validated finite element code, the transport phenomena and transient dynamics of three vaporizing n-hexane fuel droplets have been analyzed for an initial droplet Reynold number of Re2 — 100 and different initial droplet temperatures, ambient temperatures, and droplet spacings. Of interest are the effects of these initial conditions, in conjunction with the influence of variable fluid properties, on the interfacial transfer processes, basic integral quantities, and dense spray parameters. Trajectories of vaporizing droplets are then compared with those of solid spheres, and critical parameters of imminent particle collision or separation are discussed.
Differences in the determinants of husbands' and working wives' class and political party identifications

Recent research has suggested that the occupational prestige of working wives influences their perceptions of personal social status beyond the effects of husbands' occupation. The present study uses data from the National Opinion Research Center General Social Surveys for 1973–1977 and incorporates stratification characteristics ignored in previous work. The results are consistent with past findings in that wives' occupational achievements had no impact on either the subjective class or political party identifications of husbands. Contrary to previous results, working wives' occupational prestige, while affecting their political party choice, had no independent effect on their perception of personal social status. The educational attainments of working wives, however, did affect their social class identification. Attempts at resolution of the apparent discrepancy between past and present findings are presented and implications are discussed.
A revision of the genus Acinogaster (Acari: pygmephoridae)

Abstract The genus Acinogaster Cross is revised and three subgenera are recognized, two of which are new; Acinogaster sensu stricto, Archacinogaster, and Formicisocius. Seven new species are described; A. obovatus, A. triangularis, A. crassisetosus, A. gladiatus, A. panamanus, A. kansensis, and A. parvisetosus. A key to the subgenera and species of Acinogaster and new records for A. quadridens Cross and A. marianae Cross are included.
An ecological perspective on the transition of new university freshmen

This study describes and analyzes the communication perspectives of freshmen as they adjust to the new environment and their role as university students during the first academic term of their first year. Our interest in the freshman year lies in the transition experiences of new students, examined here through a series of focus group interviews with students living on and off campus. This study is grounded in an ecological approach to communication, and focuses on the students' perspectives about their experiences vis‐a‐vis the various levels of their environment during the first academic term. The focal points of analysis are the immediate setting or microsystem (i.e., the place of residence) and the intermediate setting or mesosystem (i.e., relationships among family, friends, and school). The implication of these students' perspectives about the importance of communication is that competent interpersonal and group communication are as important for them, if not more important, as the public speaking s...