cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Principles of Josephson-Junction-Based Quantum Computation

This chapter reviews the fundamentals underlying quantum computation using superconductor-based qubits. Starting with a brief review of the Josephson phenomena, and associated device and circuit parameters, we describe three strategies that have been used to implement superconducting qubits involving: i) oscillations of the phase of the macroscopic ground state pair wavefunction, superimposed charge states on a superconducting island, and superimposed flux states in a superconducting ring. Various hybrid devices are also discussed. Particular experiments from various groups are summarized and challenges that need to be addressed are identified.
The Capacity of the Optical Broadcast Channel with Peak and Average Intensity Constraints

This paper addresses a two-user intensity-modulation direct-detection discrete memoryless free space optical broadcast channel (DM-FSOBC) with nonnegativity, peak and average intensity constraints at the transmitter. It is shown that superposition coding along with generating the codebooks of both users according to discrete distributions with a finite number of mass points, achieve the capacity region of the DM-FSOBC. Although the capacity-achieving distributions are not necessarily unique, it is established that only discrete distributions with a finite number of mass points can achieve the points on the boundary of the capacity region.
Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Food Challenges: Experience from a Large Referral Center.

Background Food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non–IgE-mediated food allergy that is diagnosed based on clinical findings, but can be confirmed with oral food challenge (OFC). OFC is more often performed to assess the development of tolerance. Most studies describing OFCs in FPIES are limited in size. Objective We sought to describe our experience with OFCs using our FPIES protocol. Patients were given one-third of serving size with a 4-hour observation period, followed by home titration to full dose. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent OFC via the FPIES protocol from 2014 to 2017. Data regarding the history of reaction, age at the time of challenge, and reactions during challenge or with home introduction were collected. Results A total of 169 OFCs were completed under the FPIES protocol, in 119 patients to 19 different foods. Thirty challenges (18%) were positive, with 17 challenges (10%) during initial challenge and 13 (7.7%) during home dosing. Most reactions during initial challenge required intravenous fluids (IVF), but hypotension was uncommon. One hundred thirty-nine (82%) OFCs were negative with home introduction, indicating tolerance to the challenged foods. The mean age of passing a challenge to milk, soy, and grain was earlier than that of other solid foods. Conclusions: Our data suggest that our FPIES OFC protocol is safe. Early administration of IVF may prevent the development of hypotension. It is difficult to stratify the risk of severe or delayed reaction based on patient characteristics, and more data are needed to identify those appropriate for home introduction.
Geodetic Observations of Weak Determinism in Rupture Evolution of Large Earthquakes.

Author(s): Goldberg, DE; Melgar, D; Bock, Y; Allen, RM | Abstract: The moment evolution of large earthquakes is a subject of fundamental interest to both basic and applied seismology. Specifically, an open problem is when in the rupture process a large earthquake exhibits features dissimilar from those of a lesser magnitude event. The answer to this question is of importance for rapid, reliable estimation of earthquake magnitude, a major priority of earthquake and tsunami early warning systems. Much effort has been made to test whether earthquakes are deterministic, meaning that observations in the first few seconds of rupture can be used to predict the final rupture extent. However, results have been inconclusive, especially for large earthquakes greater than M w 7. Traditional seismic methods struggle to rapidly distinguish the size of large-magnitude events, in particular near the source, even after rupture completion, making them insufficient to resolve the question of predictive rupture behavior. Displacements derived from Global Navigation Satellite System data can accurately estimate magnitude in real time, even for the largest earthquakes. We employ a combination of seismic and geodetic (Global Navigation Satellite System) data to investigate early rupture metrics, to determine whether observational data support deterministic rupture behavior. We find that while the earliest metrics (~5 s of data) are not enough to infer final earthquake magnitude, accurate estimates are possible within the first tens of seconds, prior to rupture completion, suggesting a weak determinism. We discuss the implications for earthquake source physics and rupture evolution and address recommendations for earthquake and tsunami early warning.
Correlations between secondary structure- and protein-protein interface-mimicry: the interface mimicry hypothesis.

An active segment of the research community designing small molecules (“minimalist mimics” of peptide fragments) to interfere with protein–protein interactions have based their studies on an implicit hypothesis. Here we refer to this as the Secondary Structure Hypothesis, that might be defined as, “If a small molecule can orient amino acid side-chains in directions that resemble side-chains of the parent secondary structure at the interface, then that small molecule is a candidate to perturb the protein–protein interaction”. Rigorous tests of this hypothesis require co-crystallization of minimalist mimics with protein receptors, and comparison of the bound conformations with the interface secondary structures they were designed to resemble. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, there is no such analysis in the literature, and it is unlikely that enough examples will emerge in the near future to test the hypothesis. Research described here was designed to challenge this hypothesis from a different perspective. In a previous study, preferred conformations of a series of novel minimalist mimics were simulated then systematically overlaid on >240 000 crystallographically characterized protein–protein interfaces. Select data from that overlay procedure revealed chemotypes that overlay side chains on various PPI interfaces with a relatively high frequency of occurrence. The first aim of this work was to determine if good secondary structure mimics overlay frequently on PPI interfaces. The second aim of this work was to determine if overlays of preferred conformers at interface regions involve secondary structures. Thus situations where these conformations overlaid extremely well on PPI interfaces were analyzed to determine if secondary structures featured the PPI regions where these molecules overlaid in the previous study. Combining conclusions from these two studies enabled us to formulate a hypothesis that is complementary to the Secondary Structure Hypothesis, but, unlike this, is supported by abundant data. We call this the Interface Mimicry Hypothesis.
Angiographic and Clinical Features of Noninvoluting Congenital Hemangiomas

While infantile hemangiomas are very common, congenital hemangiomas are rare and less understood. Congenital hemangiomas are present at birth. They fall into 2 major categories: rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma and noninvoluting congenital hemangioma. Noninvoluting congenital hemangioma is the rarer of the 2 entities. If not recognized and treated appropriately, noninvoluting congenital hemangioma can lead to considerable morbidity. There is a paucity of literature regarding noninvoluting congenital hemangiomas. In this article, we will outline our experience with this condition, focusing on clinical and angiographic features. There is a distinct angiographic appearance of noninvoluting congenital hemangiomas involving an arterial-capillary web, a dense tumor blush with identifiable feeding arteries, no arteriovenous shunting, and variably present draining veins. Our experience with endovascular embolization and direct percutaneous treatment is the largest for this entity to date. Endovascular embolization and/or direct percutaneous sclerotherapy of this lesion may obviate subsequent surgical resection.
Sex and limb differences during a single-leg cut with body borne load.

Abstract Background Military personnel don body borne loads that produce maladaptive lower limb biomechanics, increasing risk of musculoskeletal injury during common training tasks. Female personnel have over twice the injury risk as males, but it is unknown if a sex dimorphism in lower limb biomechanics exists during common training-related tasks. Research Question To determine whether lower limb biomechanics exhibited during a single-leg cut with military body borne loads differ between sexes. Methods Sixteen females and 20 males had lower limb biomechanics quantified during five single-leg cuts off each limb with four loads (20, 25, 30 and 35 kg). Each cut required participants run 4 m/s, before planting their foot on a force platform and cut 45° towards the opposite limb. Lower limb biomechanics related to musculoskeletal injury were submitted to a repeated measures ANOVA to test for main and interaction effects of load, sex, and limb. Results During the cut, load increased peak proximal anterior tibial shear force (p Significance During the cut, adding body borne load produced maladaptive biomechanics that may increase knee musculoskeletal injury risk. Load increased peak proximal tibial shear and potential strain of knee’s soft-tissues. Females exhibited a sex dimorphism in lower limb biomechanics that may further elevate their injury risk. Both limbs exhibited biomechanics that may increase injury risk, but only the non-dominant limb further increased injury risk with load.
Progress in etiology, diagnosis and treatment of late onset epileptic spasms

Epileptic spasms (ES) as an independent form of seizure, exist not only in infantile spasms but also in other epilepsy syndromes.Most ES start within 1 year of age and may also develop after 1 year of age.The onset of ES after 1 year is referred to as late onset epileptic spasms (LOS). The etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of LOS are different from infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.Now, the progress in etiology, diagnosis and treatment of LOS were reviewed. Key words: Epileptic spasms, late onset; Child; Etiology; Diagnosis
Twitter Engagement of U.S. Psychiatry Residency Programs with Black Lives Matter and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract Social media have become popular platforms to disseminate information, especially related to politicized topics such as BLM and COVID-19. To better understand how medical institutions have engaged with the social media discourse on BLM and COVID-19, we examined psychiatry residency programs’ tweets in response to George Floyd’s murder and during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Only 14% of the 249 evaluated psychiatry residency programs had Twitter accounts (we included programs with their own account or their affiliated psychiatry department account) indicating a substantial absence on social media. Of those programs, 78% tweeted at least once about COVID-19 (1,153 tweets) and 56% tweeted at least once about the BLM movement (117 tweets). The top three purposes of tweets were sharing media, posting about an event, and sharing a resource.
Abstract 14114: Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Benefit Cardiac Diastolic Function

Introduction: Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are drugs with profound interest because of their beneficial effect on multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular and rena...
COVID-19 vaccination readiness among nurse faculty and student nurses.

Abstract Background Unprecedented efforts are underway to develop COVID-19 vaccines, widely seen as critical to controlling the pandemic. Academic nursing leaders must be proactive in assuring widespread faculty and student vaccination uptake. Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe nursing faculty and student nurse factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine readiness. Methods Cross-sectional online survey of nursing faculty and student nurses at a university affiliated with an academic medical center was conducted. Findings Most full-time faculty (60%) intended to receive the vaccine; but only 45% of adjunct faculty and students reported intending to get vaccinated. The major reasons for not getting vaccinated were vaccine safety and side effects. Collectively, participants reported a low level of knowledge related to vaccine development. Discussion As the most trusted profession, nurses will play a decisive role in counseling patients about COVID-19 risks and benefits. Findings suggest that academic nursing leaders need to consider faculty and student vaccine concerns and provide vaccine development education.
Overcoming hopelessness in the classroom: A Policy-Entrepreneur approach to teaching American environmental politics in the age of climate crisis

The rollback of several environmental policies in the US at the federal level over the last couple of years often evokes a heavy sense of cynicism in our students toward environmental politics and ...
Board of Director Monitoring, CEO Tenure, and Board Independence

In response to recent high-profile governance failures, policy makers have proposed and implemented regulations designed to improve governance. Many of these changes target the board of directors their relationships with CEOs. At the same time, researchers have increased their focus on board-of-director effectiveness within an equilibrium framework. A growing body of theoretical and empirical literature suggests that observed governance structures likely evolve over time within a bargaining framework. If so, mandated changes to board structures may not have the desired effect. To shed additional light on these issues, we analyze the relations between proxies for CEO power (CEO tenure) and board-of-director monitoring (the number of board meetings in a given year). Examining 496 firms and 3,420 firm-years from 1995-2002, we find that (i) board monitoring declines with CEO tenure, the percentage of insiders on the board, and board size and (ii) board monitoring increases with the use of equity incentives for directors. The number of board meetings increases after poor performance, but the rate of increase declines for CEOs with more tenure. Operating performance improves following a significant increase in the number of board meetings, but only for those firms with more experienced CEOs. Board composition does not influence operating improvements following high board activity, and we obtain mixed results for board size. These results suggest that the overriding characteristic that determines improvement following an increase in board activity is CEO tenure and not board characteristics. CEOs likely attain long tenures because they possess more talent. Thus, our evidence supports a bargaining equilibrium in which the CEO's power depends on his or her ability and performance.
Differentiating Sources of Fecal Contamination to Wilderness Waters Using Droplet Digital PCR and Fecal Indicator Bacteria Methods.

Introduction Human activity in wilderness areas has the potential to affect aquatic ecosystems, including through the introduction of microorganisms associated with fecal contamination. We examined fecal microorganism contamination in water sources (lake outlets, snowmelt streams) in the popular Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in the United States. Although the region is remote, increasing human visitation has the potential to negatively affect water quality, with particular concern about human-derived microorganism fecal contaminants. Methods We used standard fecal indicator bacterial assays that quantified total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli concentrations, together with more specific polymerase chain reaction-based microbial assays that identified possible human sources of fecal microorganisms in these waters. Results Total coliforms were detected at all lake outlets (21 of 21 sites), and E coli was detected at 11 of 21 sites. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assays revealed the presence of human feces-derived microorganisms, albeit at abundances below the limit of detection ( Conclusions Our results suggest low prevalence of water-borne pathogens (specifically E coli and human-derived Bacteroides) in this popular wilderness area. However, widespread detection of total coliforms, Bacteroides, and E coli highlight the importance of purifying water sources in wilderness areas before consumption. Specific sources of total coliforms and E coli in these waters remain unknown but could derive from wild or domesticated animals that inhabit or visit the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. Hence, although contamination by human fecal microorganisms appears minimal, human visitation could indirectly influence fecal contamination through domesticated animals.
Design of Haptic Interfaces to Assess the Driving Capabilities of People With Disabilities

Transportation is an area that needs to be studied from a disability perspective. Different types of barriers exist when it comes to enabling persons with disability to comfortably perform routine activities such as driving a vehicle. Some of these barriers are due to lack of quantitative assessment techniques that will determine physical capabilities and ergonomic parameters related to the disabled person. The objective of this paper is to design an intelligent haptic interface for quantitative assessment of driving capabilities of persons with disabilities. A twenty two year old subject with Muscular Dystrophy was introduced to the task of steering wheel control. This task tested the subject’s ability to control different steering wheel diameters, angles of orientation, and fatigue after an extended control period.
Constrained Optimal Trajectory Tracking on the Group of Rigid Body Motions

In this paper we study optimality conditions for the finite time horizon, constrained optimal trajectory tracking problem on the group of rigid body motions SE(3). We treat SE(3) as a differentiable manifold and use a geometric approach to derive the necessary optimality conditions. To do so, we begin by studying simple optimal control problems on SE(3), including deriving the equations of motion of a rigid body (i.e., Euler's equations) by formulating the dynamics as a constrained variational optimal control problem. The main contribution of the paper is the derivation of the necessary optimality conditions for constrained optimal trajectory tracking on SE(3) and SO(3). A simple example on SO(2) is given.
A First Course in Combinatorial Optimization

A First Course in Combinatorial Optimization is a text for a one-semester introductory graduate-level course for students of operations research, mathematics, and computer science. It is a self-contained treatment of the subject, requiring only some mathematical maturity. Topics include: linear and integer programming, polytopes, matroids and matroid optimization, shortest paths, and network flows. Central to the exposition is the polyhedral viewpoint, which is the key principle underlying the successful integer-programming approach to combinatorial-optimization problems. Another key unifying topic is matroids. The author does not dwell on data structures and implementation details, preferring to focus on the key mathematical ideas that lead to useful models and algorithms. Problems and exercises are included throughout as well as references for further study.
Transparent films of acrylate polymers with pendant oligo‐oxyethylene chains. Application in the study of ligand‐ion interactions in the solid state and in solution

Le film d'acrylate reticule est un polymethacrylate de methyle. Adsorption de picrate de lithium
Stability and sterility of biosynthetic human insulin stored in plastic insulin syringes for 28 days

The stability and sterility of biosynthetic human insulin products stored at refrigerator and room temperatures in two types of plastic syringes and the stability of preservatives in the products were studied. Four types of biosynthetic human insulin were used: regular, isophane, combination, and extemporaneously prepared combination. Samples (0.4 mL) were withdrawn from multiple-dose vials into 39 polypropylene and 39 propylene-ethylene copolymer syringes. Three syringes of each type were analyzed immediately; the remaining syringes were stored in plastic bags, half at room temperature (23 degrees C) and half in the refrigerator (4 degrees C). A vial of each type of insulin was maintained under similar conditions. At days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, samples from each syringe were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography for insulin potency and m-cresol and phenol concentrations. Samples of each product were also tested for sterility after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C. The potency of insulin in each of the biosynthetic human insulin products did not change significantly during the 28-day study in both types of plastic syringes and at both temperature settings. m-Cresol concentrations decreased in all samples; greater decreases occurred in samples stored at room temperature and in samples stored in polypropylene syringes. Phenol concentrations were less affected than m-cresol concentrations; greater decreases occurred in samples stored at room temperature. No significant decreases in insulin potency or m-cresol or phenol concentrations occurred in control samples stored in vials kept under similar conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Meta-Analysis of Hepatitis C Seroconversion in Relation to Shared Syringes and Drug Preparation Equipment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is endemic among injection drug users (IDUs) [1], and is transmitted through shared injection syringes [2]. In addition, seroincidence studies have demonstrated transmission of HCV through the shared use of drug preparation equipment [3–6]. Estimation of infection risk is complicated by the frequent co-occurrence of sharing behaviors [7, 8]. A recent multi-site incidence study found that co-occurrence of sharing drug cookers, filtration cottons, rinse water, or of “backloading” (a syringe-mediated form of sharing prepared drugs) ranged from 86% to 96% [3]. In many IDU populations, syringe sharing has declined since HIV was first recognized, but shared use of drug preparation equipment has persisted, with 50–70% of IDUs reporting recent sharing of cookers or cotton, or backloading [3–6, 9–11]. Synthesizing knowledge on the relative risk of HCV infection associated with sharing behaviors, and estimating the relative importance of these behaviors is important, as it may be used to guide the development of more effective HCV prevention programs and information. Previous research syntheses of risk behaviors in regard to HCV acquisition have included an insufficient number of studies for quantitative analysis of distinct risk behaviors. One such synthesis grouped data from 10 studies regarding shared drug preparation equipment into a single meta-analysis [12]. Their analysis showed that risks associated with sharing drug preparation equipment generally ranged from 2.0 to 5.9, but that substantial heterogeneity precluded calculation of an overall effect. Heterogeneity of effects could have arisen for a number of reasons, including variability in the concentration of virus and amount of contaminated blood by equipment type. Such heterogeneity could be reduced by stratifying analyses by the specific type of equipment that was shared, but there were few studies included that reported effects with such detail. In this study, we examined the associations between shared syringes and drug preparation equipment with HCV seroconversion using data from the HCV Synthesis Project, a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished research studies of HCV epidemiology and prevention in drug users throughout the world [13]. Using pooled estimates, and data on the proportions of IDUs engaging in sharing behaviors, we calculated population attributable risk percentages reflecting the percentage of HCV seroconversions that could be prevented by eliminating specific sharing behaviors.
Mitochondrial functions modulate the stress response in mice

The aim of this study was to test whether glucocorticoid hormones can directly affect olfactory function. Following detection of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the OM, we hypothesised that: (1) GR action could be pharmacologically regulated in vitro; (2) acute in vivo (2mg/kg ip, 6h) injection of synthetic glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) would affect OM gene expression and electrophysiological properties; (3) dexamethasonewould alter rat behaviour in response to olfactory stimulation In contrast with published data, GR was not expressed in OSN but in the gliallike Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OEC). In OEC primary cultures, expression of a GR activation marker gene (SGK1) was increased by dexamethasone, but repressed with the antagonist RU486. In vivo, SGK1 and other GR-regulated transcripts were affected by dexamethasone. This was accompanied by up to 30% reduction in ElectroOlfactoGram signal amplitude in response to odorants. Dexamethasone did not affect rat behaviour in an open field, but their reactivity was increased in an olfactory-based habituationdishabituation task. The first step of olfactory detection is sensitive to glucocorticoid hormones; we are further investigating the biological significance of this phenomenon.
Modeling anisotropic elasticity in an unconventional reservoir

Abstract During the last two decades, several studies have shown that organic-rich shales are characterized by strong velocity anisotropy. It is well known that these types of rocks exhibit strong polar anisotropy, also known as vertical transverse isotropy (VTI), with vertical (or bedding-perpendicular) velocities being much slower than horizontal (or bedding-parallel) velocities. However, the amount of elastic anisotropy can vary significantly from one formation to another because the individual clay minerals, the volume concentration and geometric distribution of organic matter, and other geologic characteristics (such as texture and nonclay mineralogy) vary by geologic formation. It is therefore important to quantify the amount of elastic anisotropy in our formations of interest, for various geophysical and geomechanical applications related to reservoir characterization. Strongly anisotropic compressional and shear velocities in two formations of interest in an unconventional reservoir are analyzed. ...
Low-level Radioactive Waste Compacts: Lessons Learned from Theory and Practice

The interstate compact as a policy tool has a long history of use in the United States. Yet some observers feel that interstate compacts have never lived up to their potential. Nevertheless, in 1980, the compact was chosen as the policy instrument to solve one of the thorniest environmental policy issues of the decade: the siting of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal facilities. Drawing from research on interstate compacts and on alliance theory developed in international relations, this article applies five key questions to the case of LLRW: Why do states join compacts? Which compacts will they join: How stable are the compacts? How important are outside factors? What types of situations are compacts most suited to address? It concludes with lessons that should be useful to future policymakers about the use of interstate compacts to solve salient, nationwide policy problems.
A simple method for measurement of specific activity of C14-lactate.

Abstract A simple and accurate diffusion method for the estimation of specific activity of C14-lactate is described. The method is based on the oxidation of lactate to acetaldehyde in a closed system containing a dimedon solution. Application to model systems of pure lactate and lactate in the presence of blood indicated the maximum error in a series of like samples was less than 5%. This method is limited in that it cannot detect carbon-1 radioactivity in lactate as this carbon is lost in the oxidation step to acetaldehyde.
Designing purely decentralized controllers to stabilize non-minimum-phase double integrator networks with general sensing topologies

This article examines whether purely decentralized controllers can be designed to stabilize networks of double-integrator agents with general observation topologies and identical non-minimum-phase internal dynamics. A new control architecture is proposed, that permits stabilization of such non-minimum-phase double-integrator networks. This design provides an alternative to solutions that require information exchange (of controller memory variables) between agents.
Probing Floc Structure by Ultrasonic Spectroscopy, Viscometry, and Creaming Measurements

Information about the structural organization of droplets within flocculated monodisperse emulsions was obtained using ultrasonic spectroscopy, dynamic shear rheometry, and creaming-rate measurements. The ultrasonic attenuation and velocity spectra (from 1 to 150 MHz), apparent viscosity (from 0.01 to 1 Pa), and creaming rate of a series of nonflocculated, 14 vol % silicone oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by SDS were measured at 25 °C. Measurements were then repeated after the droplets had been flocculated by adding either SDS micelles (0−80 mM) or NaCl (0−400 mM) to the aqueous phase. Differences in the ultrasonic, rheological, and creaming properties of the flocculated emulsions were interpreted in terms of differences in the spatial distribution of the droplets within the flocs. By combining ultrasound, rheological, and creaming measurements, it was possible to obtain information about floc structure that was not available using each technique individually.
Motion Analysis of the Upper Extremities During Lofstrand Crutch-Assisted Gait in Children with Orthopaedic Disabilities

Background This paper presents a review of current state-of-the-art dynamic systems for quantifying the kinematics and kinetics of the joints of the upper extremities during Lofstrand crutch-assisted gait. The reviewed systems focus on the rehabilitation of children and adults with myelomeningocele (MM), cerebral palsy (CP), spinal cord injury (SCI), and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Forearm crutch systems have evolved from models with single- to multi-sensor hardware systems that can incorporate an increasing number of segments that are in compliance with the standards of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB). Methods The initial system developed by our group was a single, six-axis, sensor-crutch design with an accompanying ISB-compliant, inverse dynamics model. The model consisted of seven upper body segments and two crutch segments. After thorough validation of the software and hardware, it was tested using nine children with MM. The join dynamics of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were assessed during reciprocal and swing-through gait. Results The dynamic metrics of the upper extremeties, including the mean, range, and maximum force and moment, were found to be significantly different depending on the gait pattern. Joint forces were found to be the greatest during swing-through gait, with inferior forces reaching 50% of body weight. In order to improve upon the initial system, our group developed a four-sensor crutch system that measures the contributions of the crutch-cuff kinetics. The inverse dynamics model was enhanced by including crutch-cuff and sensor segments that also follow the ISB modeling standards. This system was used to model subjects with CP, SCI, and OI. Maximum joint forces were measured in the subject with CP, while maximum moments were measured in the subject with SCI. The subject with OI presented the smallest joint forces and moments. Discussion These novel model systems may be used to improve the quantification of joint dynamics during Lofstrand crutch-assisted gait. These methods may ultimately improve the identification of the risk factors for joint pathology and subsequent therapeutic planning and rehabilitation paradigms.
You Better Recognize!: The Arts as Social Justice for African American Students

Social justice is a complex theory and practice that includes the equitable redistribution of resources and the recognition of culture. This is a report about the Tubman Theater Project, a culturally relevant drama program in which African American middle and high school students confronted racism and classism, as well as their unexamined internalized oppression while constructing a positive racial identity as they developed, rehearsed, and performed plays generated from their own lived experiences. A culturally relevant arts model emerged from a synthesis of the data.
Validation of a nonlinear reactive control law for three-dimensional particle tracking in confocal microscopy

A nonlinear control law for reactively tracking a diffusing fluorescent particle in three dimensions is reviewed and preliminary experimental results are presented. The control law, originally derived in the context of exploring scalar potential fields, converges to a volume around the maximum of the point spread function of a confocal microscope using very little information of the underlying structure of the field. Experimental results show the control law can track particles with diffusion coefficients over 3 µm2/s with moderate excitation intensities.
The generalized van der waals partition function—IV. Local composition models for mixtures of unequal-size molecules

Abstract In this study, we present the results of Monte Carlo computer simulations for binary mixtures of square-well molecules of equal energy but differing size ratios at a variety of temperatures and densities. These data are used to determine the extent of the local composition effects in these mixtures, and to test various local composition models which had been proposed. We then show how, by use of the most successful of the local composition models and the generalized van der Waals partition function, a new two-parameter activity coefficient model and a density-dependent mixing rule can be derived. The new activity coefficient model is found to be quite successful in correlating data for the aqueous nonelectrolyte solutions on which it was tested, with the important advantages of having two parameters which are not intercorrelated and only slightly temperature-dependent. The density-dependent equation of state mixing rule we derived was found, when compared to simulation data, to be of some improvement over the van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule for mixtures of molecules of different square-well depths, but of no advantage for molecules of similar energies but different size.
Brazilian industrialization and industrial policies: A survey

Abstract In recent years the Brazilian economy has attracted considerable attention from economists and policy-makers as a successful case study of industrialization and economic growth for poor countries. This paper surveys the professional literature and current understanding of recent Brazilian industrialization. Since the mid-1960s the high rates of observed growth can be greatly attributed to a general policy strategy, within the framework of capitalist institutions, of (1) fortifying markets and improving the functioning of the price system and (2) increasing the activist role played by the government in the Brazilian economy. Despite impressive growth during nearly all the post-war period, lingering socio-economic problems remain, frequently exacerbated by economic policies designed to spur industrial growth. These problems include: (1) dependence on foreign exchange earnings, (2) allocational inefficiency, (3) limited employment creation and highly unequal income distribution, (4) regional income disparities, and (5) heavy reliance on multinational firms.
A Comprehensive Approach to HEMT Reliability Testing

Reliability testing often manifests device weaknesses and failure mechanisms. As new materials and structures are developed, creative and different testing is often necessary to determine reliability. We are developing an in-house reliability test system that will provide the necessary testing flexibility of HEMT devices so researchers can pinpoint defects and vulnerabilities. Using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) power supplies and data acquisition equipment, a custom control system allows for many different tests: DC and RF, temperature, step/stress/recovery, high-speed pulse, and optical pumping, as well as combinations and automated sequencing of these tests. This flexibility allows for the creation of new test types as failure mechanisms are understood. The initial station will provide for the simultaneous, independent testing of 16 devices. This paper outlines the system design and capabilities, the motivation for the system, and some results from different tests.
The relationship between the Glu298Asp and intron 4 polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in an Hispanic population with preeclampsia

The relationship between the Glu298Asp and intron 4 polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in an Hispanic population with preeclampsia
A role for sodium and chloride in kainic acid-induced beading of inhibitory interneuron dendrites

Excitotoxic injury of the dendrites of inhibitory interneurons could lead to decreases in their synaptic activation and explain subsequent local circuit hyperexcitability and epilepsy. A hallmark of dendrotoxicity, at least in principal neurons of the hippocampus and cortex, is focal or varicose swellings of dendritic arbors. In experiments reported here, transient (1h) exposure of hippocampal explant cultures to kainic acid produced marked focal swellings of the dendrites of parvalbumin-immunoreactive pyramidal basket cells in a highly reproducible and dose-dependent manner. At 5mM kainic acid, more than half of the immunopositive apical dendrites in area CA(1) had a beaded appearance. However, the somal volumes of these cells were unaltered by the same treatment. The presence of focal swellings was reversible with kainate washout and was not accompanied by interneuronal cell death. In contrast, exposure to much higher concentrations (300mM) of kainic acid resulted in the total loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons from explants. Surprisingly, kainic acid-induced dendritic beading does not appear to be mediated by extracellular calcium. Beading was unaltered in the presence of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, the L-type calcium channel antagonist, nimodipine, cadmium, or by removing extracellular calcium. However, blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels by either tetrodotoxin or lidocaine abolished dendritic beading, while the activation of existing voltage-gated sodium channels by veratridine mimicked the kainic acid-induced dendritic beading. Finally, the removal of extracellular chloride prevented the kainic acid-induced dendritic beading.Thus, we suggest that the movement of Na(+) and Cl(-), rather than Ca(2+), into cells underlies the focal swellings of interneuron dendrites in hippocampus.
Does antisense make sense of AID targeting

Vertebrates make high-affinity antibodies to protect themselves against pathogenic organisms and their products. The generation of these antibodies requires the highly mutagenic enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) (1). AID deaminates dC to dU in ssDNA, and this mutation recruits additional error-prone repair to carry out somatic hypermutation (SHM) of the antibody variable (V) regions that encode the antigen-binding site, and class switch recombination (CSR), which allows those antigen binding sites to be expressed with different constant regions that mediate effector functions. However, it is still unclear how the genomic instability that is initiated by AID is restricted to only discrete parts of the Ig genes but spares the rest of the genome (2–4). In this issue of PNAS, Perlot et al. (5) provide a partial answer to this puzzle by identifying both sense and antisense transcripts of the V and switch (S) regions, both of which are targeted for mutation by AID; but they find only sense transcripts of the μ constant (Cμ) region, which is not targeted by AID (Fig. 1).
Studies on the mechanism of endotoxin-induced increase of alveolocapillary premeability.

SummaryUsing an isolated perfused dog lung system, studies were carried out to ascertain the role of plasma factors in the increase in alveolocapillary permeability induced by the administration of endotoxin. Heat treatment of dog serum (56° for 30 min) abolished the capacity of endotoxin to induce permeability increase. In contrast, serum treated with potassium thio-cyanate to inactivate the complement components C3, C4, and C5 did allow the increase in endotoxin-induced permeability, as did a 5.8% solution of human serum albumin and a 6% dextran solution. Pretreatment with a massive dose of hydrocortisone sodium succinate decreased, but did not abolish, the endotoxin-induced permeability increase in albumin-perfused lung. The studies suggest that endotoxin may affect the alveolocapillary membrane directly, by a process which is independent of the complement system. Heat treatment of serum impairs the endotoxin effect due to a mechanism other than complement inactivation.
Analysis and Evaluation for STEP-Based Electromechanical Assemblies

In this paper, we propose an integrated approach to analysis and evaluation for STEP-based (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data, officially ISO 10303) electromechanical assemblies. First, two assembly representational models are brought up and elaborated: the EXPRESS/XML schema-based model and the NIST object-oriented UML-based open assembly model (OAM). Then, these two models are integrated, in which the OAM incorporates the EXPRESS/XML schema-based assembly model to completely capture the detailed geometric information. The proposed assembly evaluation approach uses the EXPRESS/XML schema-based model as the information source, and covers not only the geometric and physical characteristics of assembly parts but also the assembly operation data necessary to assemble the parts. The feature of this approach is the linkage of the STEP product definition to the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process for assembly evaluation. The proposed approach has the flexibility to be used in various assembly methods and different environments. A case study shows the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Targetry and radiochemical methods for the simultaneous cyclotron production of no-carrier-added radiopharmaceutical-quality 100Pd, 97Ru and 101mRh

Target-dissolution and radiochemical methods were investigated to optimize the simultaneous production of radiopharmaceutical-quality, no-carrier-added (NCA) 3.63-d 100Pd, 2.88-d 97Ru and 4.26-d 101mRh. These radionuclides have potential as radiotracer labels and/or as short-range dose emitters for use with specific-function radiopharmaceuticals being investigated for radioimmunotherapy applications. Metallic Rh (100% 103Rh) and RhCl3 X 3H2O were used as target materials. After bombardment with high energy protons these targets were subjected to a combination of procedures (i.e. electrolytic dissolution, ion-exchange, and solvent extraction) in order to separate the desired radionuclides. The use of a single cyclotron target in combination with several radiochemical processes were investigated to simultaneously produce these radionuclides in high-specific activities and radiochemical forms suitable for radiopharmaceutical syntheses.
Existence and uniqueness of analytic solution for unsteady crystals with zero surface tension

Abstract We study the initial value problem for two-dimensional dendritic crystal growth with zero surface tension. If the initial data is analytic and close to Ivantsov steady solution, it is proved that unique analytic solution exists locally in time. The analysis is based on a Nirenberg Theorem on abstract Cauchy–Kovalevsky problem in properly chosen Banach spaces.
Formal program testing

This paper proposes a practical alternative to program verification -- called formal program testing -- with similar, but less ambitious goals. Like a program verifier, a formal testing system takes a program annotated with formal specifications as input, generates the corresponding verification conditions, and passes them through a simplifier. After the simplification step, however, a formal testing system simply evaluates the verification conditions on a representative set of test data instead of trying to prove them. Formal testing provides strong evidence that a program is correct, but does not guarantee it. The strength of the evidence depends on the adequacy of the test data.
Development of scientific and technological cooperation between Ukraine and Russia based on the cluster approach

This paper considers the state of scientific and technological cooperation between Ukraine and Russia. An estimate of its potential under the conditions of an innovation-driven economic transformation is made. The areas of prospective cooperation between the two countries and the mechanisms of their cooperation based on the development of the cluster mechanism have been specified.
Washable endogenous substances and regional heterogeneity in agonist enhanced [3H]MK-801 binding in rat brain

Abstract NMDA receptor/ion channel function is modulated through a number of distinct sites that regulate channel opening. Published studies report widely varying results in modulatory site agonist effects due to assay conditions and technique. Also, NMDA receptor regulation at these sites by endogenous substances remains poorly characterized. The objectives of the present study in Sprague-Dawley rat forebrain sections were: (i) determine the contribution of various prewash variables on agonist stimulation of the NMDA receptor, (ii) compare regional differences in functional glycine, spermidine and NMDA binding sites under optimized prewash conditions, and (iii) define the influence of endogenous substances at each modulatory site by analyzing changes in binding at different prewash durations. We demonstrate that prewash conditions have a critical influence on [ 3 H]MK-801 binding in rat tissue sections and that this effect was differentially expressed across brain regions. An extended prewash duration caused a regionally specific decrease in unenhanced [ 3 H]MK-801 binding, while a short prewash caused a regionally specific biphasic effect on enhanced [ 3 H]MK-801 binding. After prolonged prewash, binding was restored to previous (unwashed) binding levels with exogenously added glycine, NMDA, or spermidine alone or combinations of agonists. These data suggest that washable endogenous substances contribute to the full functionality of the NMDA receptor and the regional heterogeneity in [ 3 H]MK-801 binding is dependent on the interaction of receptor protein subtypes and the presence of one or more endogenous substances.
Periodic orbit theory analysis of a family of deformed hemispherical billiard systems

We present a periodic orbit theory analysis of a novel three-dimensional billiard system, namely a quasispherical cavity with infinite walls along the conical boundary defined by θ=Θ, where θ is the standard polar angle; for Θ=π/2 this reduces to the special case of a hemispherical infinite well, while for Θ=π it is a spherical well with points along the negative z axis excluded. We focus especially on the connections between subsets of the energy eigenvalue space and their contributions to qualitatively different classes of closed orbits.