cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentration dependence of quaternary ammonium monomer on the design of high-performance bioactive composite for root caries restorations.

Abstract Objectives Dental plaque build-up on the cervical area adjacent to gingival margins is a trigger factor for secondary caries around restored root caries lesions. Dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NACP) impart anti-caries effect by reducing the bacterial growth and releasing high concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions, respectively. The present study explored the optimization and formulation of dental composite with increased concentration of DMAHDM combined with NACP and its effect on mechanical behavior and antibacterial response. Methods DMAHDM was incorporated into dental composite formulation at 3% and 5% with 20% NACP fillers. Mechanical properties were assessed by flexural strength and elastic modulus. The cationic charge density of the samples was determined using fluorescein staining assay. A human saliva-derived microcosm biofilm model was used to assess antibacterial response via colony-forming units, metabolic activities, lactic acid production, and live/dead assay. Surface roughness was measured after 48 h-biofilm formation. Results The viability of human saliva microcosm biofilms was DMAHDM concentration-dependent, where all the microbiological assays were substantially reduced in the presence of 5%DMAHDM. The increased DMAHDM concentration mirrors an increased surface charge density of composites by 8–12 folds and reduced the growth of cariogenic species by 2–5 log (p ≤ 0.05). Metabolic activity and lactic acid were reduced by 70–90% and 48–99%, respectively. Increasing DMAHDM concentration up to 5% and its association with NACP fillers did not adversely affect the mechanical properties. Significance A highly potent antibiofilm bioactive composite for root caries restorations having DMAHDM-NACP could be flexibly tailored during formulation without detrimental outcome for mechanical function. The enhanced antibacterial performance of the novel bioactive composite has great potential to suppress the dental plaque build-up that triggers secondary caries around the restored root caries lesions.
Stasis-Maintenance-(Un)productive-Presence: Parenting a Disabled Child as Crip Time

In what follows, I represent and analyze time as "crip time" in the context of parenting a child with disabilities. That is, I seek to challenge, reimagine, and even upend, the normalized structures that often order our lives in time and our expectations of what makes for a meaningful life in the present, and as a result, a desirable, or even possible future. Using Alison Kafer's Feminist, Queer, Crip as a foundation, in four autoethnographic accounts, recounting a typical day in my life with my 15-year-old son, I consider time as Stasis, Maintenance, (Un)productive, and Presence.
"Microgranular" acute promyelocytic leukemia: a distinct clinical, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic entity

Three patients with acute leukemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and a specific acquired chromosome abnormality [t (15;17)] were found by transmission electron microscopy to have the typical distribution of granules seen in promyelocytes. However, the average granule sizes were 120, 170, and 180 nm, respectively, for the three patients, significantly less than the 250-nm resolution of light microscopy. We regard the leukemia in these three patients as comprising a distinct clinical, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic entity that we have chosen to call "microgranular" acute promyelocytic leukemia.
IoT-CAD: context-aware adaptive anomaly detection in IoT systems through sensor association

The deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in cyber-physical applications has introduced a new set of vulnerabilities. The new security and reliability challenges require a holistic solution due to the cross-domain, cross-layer, and interdisciplinary nature of IoT systems. However, the majority of works presented in the literature primarily focus on the cyber aspect, including the network and application layers, and the physical layer is often overlooked. In this paper, we utilize IoT sensors that capture the physical properties of the system to ensure the integrity of IoT sensors data and identify anomalous incidents in the environment. We propose an adaptive context-aware anomaly detection method that is optimized to run on a fog computing platform. In this approach, we devise a novel sensor association algorithm that generates finger-prints of sensors, clusters them, and extracts the context of the system. Based on the contextual information, our predictor model, which comprises an Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural network and Gaussian estimator, detects anomalies, and a consensus algorithm identifies the source of the anomaly. Furthermore, our model updates itself to adapt to the variation in the environment and system. The results demonstrate that our model detects the anomaly with 92.0% precision in 532ms, which meets the real-time constraint of the system under test.
Hard Lessons of the 2018 Indonesian Tsunamis

Within 4 months of 2018, two fatal tsunamis struck islands of Indonesia with ferocity that astonished local population, tsunami warning systems and scientists. For both of these events, the September 28 Palu Bay tsunami in Sulawesi and the 22 December Anak Krakatau tsunami in Sunda Strait, the initial tsunami source data was either non-suggestive or simply non-existent to imply such a devastating wave impact. International teams of scientists, members of the International Tsunami Survey Team, descended to Indonesia to help local scientists collecting all possible data from these two events, investigating the origins of these tsunamis to explain the unexpected tsunami strength. The analysis of the observation data presented in this collection of papers mostly explains the unexpectedly devastating impact from these two unusual tsunami events. The lessons learned from the response to these two events coupled with the new scientific understanding of tsunami genesis will provide improved guidance for more effective tsunami warning operations for Indonesia and the coastlines around the World.
Acute Care Reimagined: Home Hospital Care Can Support the Triple Aim and Reduce Health Disparities.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Home hospital care (HHC) is a new and exciting concept that holds the promise of achieving all three components of the Triple Aim and reducing health disparities. As an innovative care delivery model, HHC substitutes traditional inpatient hospital care with hospital care at home for older patients with certain conditions. Studies have shown evidence of reduced cost of care, improved patient satisfaction, and enhanced quality and safety of care for patients treated through this model. The steady growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment and the expansion in 2020 of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospitals Without Walls program to include acute hospital care at home creates an opportunity for hospitals to implement such programs and be financially rewarded for reducing costs. Capacity constraints exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that now is the ideal time for healthcare leaders to test and advance the concept of HHC in their communities.
VoiceGrip: A Tool for Programming-by-Voice

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of computer programmers suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)—an umbrella term covering a series of musculoskeletal disorders caused by repetitive motion of the hands and arms. For those individuals, or any programmer with a handicap that precludes keyboard and/or mouse input, Speech Recognition (SR) is an attractive alternative because it could allow them to do their work without using such devices. Unfortunately, programming-by-voice with current SR systems is awkward because programming languages are not meant to be spoken. In this paper we describe various usability problems with programming-by-voice and show that none of the existing programming-by-voice tools address all of those barriers. We then present VoiceGrip, a programming-by-voice tool that adresses the widest range of programming-by-voice problems to date. VoiceGrip uses a unique approach where programmers first dictate code using an easy to utter pseudo-syntax, and then translate that automatically to native code in the appropriate programming language. The system has been downloaded by 343 individuals, and postings on a neutral programming-by-voice mailing list indicate that it is being used by at least some of them. We also present an experiment evaluating the performance of the system's symbol translation algorithm. In this experiment, the system exhibited low error rates in the range of 2.7% when confusion between homophonic symbols (i.e. symbols that have the same spoken pseudo code form) was ignored and 6.6% when confusion between homophonic symbols was taken into account. Finally, even though VoiceGrip is the tool that currently addresses the widest range of programming-by-voice problems, we conclude that a better tool can be developed by combining features of VoiceGrip with features of other existing programming-by-voice tools.
Characterization of the Late Steps of Microbial Heme Synthesis: Conversion of Coproporphyrinogen to Protoporphyrin

Cell-free extracts of various cytochrome-containing, heterotrophic microorganisms were examined for ability to convert coproporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin. Extracts of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas denitrificans readily accumulated large amounts of protoporphyrin when assayed under aerobic conditions. However, protoporphyrin did not accumulate under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions of assay or in the presence of various supplements in extracts of the aerobe Micrococcus lysodeikticus, the facultative anaerobe Staphylococcus aureus, or the anaerobe Vibrio succinogenes. Protoporphyrin also accumulated when extracts of E. coli and P. denitrificans were incubated aerobically with the early heme precursor, delta-amino levulinic acid (ALA). This protoporphyrin accumulation was markedly stimulated by the iron chelator, o-phenanthroline. Extracts of S. aureus and M. lysodeikticus accumulated coproporphyrin, but not protoporphyrin when incubated with ALA. The enzyme system in extracts of E. coli which converts coproporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin under aerobic conditions of assay was also partially characterized. This conversion was stimulated by the iron chelator, o-phenanthroline, the respiratory inhibitor, cyanide, and the reducing agent, thioglycolate. Dialysis of the extract did not diminish enzyme activity. Certain alternate electron acceptors and nitrite caused a marked inhibition of the conversion. These results indicate that this late step in heme synthesis, the conversion of coproporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin, can be readily demonstrated in extracts of some, but not all, cytochrome-containing bacteria and that the aerobic conversion in E. coli exhibits many characteristics similar to those demonstrated for the aerobic conversion previously studied in liver mitochondria.
Skills in the MIS Job Market

With the current turmoil in the U.S. economy, it is more necessary than ever to ensure that graduates and employees have the skills necessary to compete in the job market. Previous research has looked at job advertisements in print and online media to determine skills that employers were seeking. That research has allowed only a relatively small sample of the jobs currently available to be analyzed. This research uses a web content data mining program which has obtained one quarter of a million U.S. job advertisements for information technology degree graduates from various job websites. The web content mining program then extracted the skills mentioned in those job ads for subsequent analysis.
Hydrogen bonding: Part 27. Amine/hydrogen fluoride molecular complexes

Abstract N,N-Dimethyl-1-adamantamine·4HF and triethylenediamine·4HF are very stable crystalline solids in which C3v F(HF)3 moieties are bound through hydrogen to amine nitrogen in a manner previously observed for liquid alkylamine·4HF species. IR spectra demonstrate that these compounds are not ammonium salts, and consideration of theoretical studies and comparison with matrix-isolation IR spectra of ammonia and amine/hydrogen fluoride species strongly suggest that they are molecular complexes bound by three-center NHF bonds. Quinuclidine·3HF and 1-adamantamine·3HF contain similar NHF bonds between amine nitrogen and C2v F(HF)2 moieties. The different stoichiometric patterns observed for the formation of hydrogen fluoride complexes by various amines, as well as the balance between formation of molecular complexes or ionic salts, may be related to the ability of the system to form extended networks of hydrogen bonds. The preparation and IR study of F(HF)−n salts of the tetraethylammonium and N,N,N-trimethyl-1-adamantyl-ammonium cations are also reported.
Formation and enzymatic properties of the UvrB.DNA complex.

The UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC proteins collectively catalyze the dual incision of a damaged DNA strand in an ATP-dependent reaction. We previously reported (Orren, D. K., and Sancar, A. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 5237-5241) that UvrA delivers UvrB to damaged sites in DNA; upon addition of UvrC to these UvrB.DNA complexes, the DNA is incised. In the present study, we have further characterized both the delivery of UvrB to DNA and the subsequent incision process, with emphasis on the role of ATP in these reactions. The UvrA-dependent delivery of UvrB onto damaged DNA is relatively slow (kon approximately 6 x 10(4) M-1 s-1) and requires ATP hydrolysis (Km = 120 microM). Although ATP enhances the stability of UvrB.DNA complexes (koff = 8.5 x 10(-5) s-1), the isolated UvrB.DNA complexes do not contain any covalently attached or stably bound nucleotide. However, ATP binding is required for the UvrC-dependent dual incision of DNA bound by UvrB. Interestingly, adenosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate can substitute for ATP at this step. The Km for ATP during incision is 2 microM, but ATP is not hydrolyzed at a detectable level during the incision reaction. The incisions made by UvrB-UvrC are on both sides of the adduct and result in the excision of the damaged nucleotide.
Radar Interferometry Detection of Hinge Line Migration on Rutford Ice Stream and Carlson Inlet, Antarctica

Satellite synthetic aperture radar interferometry is employed to map the hinge-line position, or limit of tidal flexing, of Rutford Ice Stream (RIS) and Carlson Inlet (CI), Antarctica, and detect its horizontal migration between 1992 and 1996. The hinge-line position is mapped using a model fit from an elastic-beam theory. The rms noise of the model fit is 1-7 mm. The hinge-line position is located with a statistical noise of 30—50 m. Using this method, we find no hinge-line migration on RIS and CI. Only the southern flank of CI, which is stagnant (velocity 10-20 m a−1 vs 100 m a−1 in the main flow of CI), retreated 376 ±36 m in 4 years. The effect of changes in ocean tide is calculated to yield a 60 m advance of the hinge-line position in our data. Hence, the detected stationarity of the hinge-line positions suggests stable ice-thickness conditions at the hinge line, except for the southern flank of CI which may be thinning. A comparison of the ice discharge calculated at the grounding line of RIS (17±2 km3 ice a−1) and of CI (2.9 ±0.3 km3a−1) with mass input from the interior regions (20 ±3 km3 ice a−1 for RIS and 2.9 ±0.4 km3 a–1 for CI) suggests a balanced mass budget for CI, whereas RIS may have a slightly positive mass budget of 3±4 km3 ice a−1.
Clique topology reveals intrinsic geometric structure in neural correlations

Detecting meaningful structure in neural activity and connectivity data is challenging in the presence of hidden nonlinearities, where traditional eigenvalue-based methods may be misleading. We introduce a novel approach to matrix analysis, called clique topology, that extracts features of the data invariant under nonlinear monotone transformations. These features can be used to detect both random and geometric structure, and depend only on the relative ordering of matrix entries. We then analyzed the activity of pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampus, recorded while the animal was exploring a 2D environment, and confirmed that our method is able to detect geometric organization using only the intrinsic pattern of neural correlations. Remarkably, we found similar results during nonspatial behaviors such as wheel running and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This suggests that the geometric structure of correlations is shaped by the underlying hippocampal circuits and is not merely a consequence of position coding. We propose that clique topology is a powerful new tool for matrix analysis in biological settings, where the relationship of observed quantities to more meaningful variables is often nonlinear and unknown.
Resonant coupling of localized modes in one-dimensional random media

Spatial field profiles are measured in a single mode random 1D waveguide. For particular random configurations, we observe resonant coupling via spectrally adjacent modes localized at different positions along the sample length.
Reaction loops for reaction Gas chromatography. Subtraction of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, epoxides, and acids and carbon-skeleton vchromatography of polar compounds

Reaction loops may be used in a gas Chromatographic system to help determine the chemical structure of compounds. Loops that retain or detain compounds with a certain functional group “subtract” these compounds and thereby indicate the presence of the functional group in unknown compounds. The performance of loops in “subtracting” alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, epoxides, and a variety of other compounds was studied to amplify the usefulness of this technique. A simplified version of carbon-skeleton chromatography was also shown to be useful for analysis of polar or high molecular weight compounds (C12 or higher).
Electrometric monitoring of ferricyanide reduction in respiration and photosynthesis

Summary Electrometric methods of monitoring ferricyanide reduction have theadvantage over spectroscopic observation in that they are free from sources of interference such as variable absorbante or light scattering of particulate suspensions. Simple, inexpensive, and readily available apparatus is employed for the measurements. The choice of potentiometric or polarographic measurement depends on the requirement. Potentiometric measurements are free of interference from reagents such as cyanide and can be made extremely sensitive, but the trace is nonlinear and response is limited. Polarographic measurements give linear traces and immediate response, but are affected by electrode poisons. The use of the two methods is illustrated in electron transport in mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Sertoliform endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium with dual immunophenotypes for epithelial membrane antigen and inhibin α: Case report and literature review

We report a rare case of sertoliform endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium in a 71-year-old African American woman who presented with postmenopausal bleeding. Her medical condition was remarkable for hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. She underwent total hysterectomy, right salpingo-oophorectomy and lymph node sampling. The endometrium was occupied by a 4.5-cm solid polypoid tumor, which grossly invaded into the myometrium. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of small hollow tubules, anastomosing cords and trabeculae, and tightly packed nests. Microglandular areas mimicking adult granulosa cell tumors were also present. But true Call-Exner bodies were absent. Component of typical endometrioid carcinoma was noted only focally. The uninvolved endometrium demonstrated atypical complex hyperplasia. The tumor cells were diffusely immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor (PR), and focally for vimentin. The tumor cells were also diffusely positive for inhibin alpha and CD99. Immunostains for other sex cord markers (calretinin, WT-1, and Melan-A) were also positive in approximately 30% to 40% of the tumor cells. Immunostains for CD10, smooth muscle actin, desmin, or HHF35 were negative. Two ovarian sertoliform endometrioid carcinomas from our archived tissue were, however, immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen but negative for inhibin alpha. Despite the prominent sertoliform features, both histologically and immunohistochemically, the tumor was of a high-grade endometrial carcinoma and will likely behave as such. As of today, dual differentiation of epithelium and sex cord by immunohistochemical staining has not been demonstrated in sertoliform endometrioid carcinomas of either endometrial or ovarian origin. Our case is the first documentation of such example and suggests that endometrial carcinoma can undergo true sex cord differentiation.
Applying Information Theory in the Geosciences to Quantify Process Uncertainty, Feedback, Scale

The geosciences are increasingly utilizing a systems approach to quantify spatial and temporal dynamics among multiple subsystems, their couplings, and their feedbacks. This systems approach demands novel strategies for experimentation and observation in the “natural laboratory” rather than in simple controlled experiments and thus relies heavily on Earth system observations and observation networks. Current and forthcoming examples of Earth system observatories include the Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs), the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), EarthScope, FLUXNET, National Water Information System/National Water-Quality Assessment (NWIS/NAWQA), and others. These networks are designed to observe complex processes across a wide range of temporal and spatial scales to synthesize scientific understanding of the fundamental interactions across the interfaces of society, hydrology, ecology, atmospheric sciences, and geosciences.
Policy and ethical implications of biosocial research.

Social scientists are often concerned that research about the biological causes of behavior will encourage biologically-based public policy. Biosocial research models, jointly examining both social and biological causes of behavior, prevent simplistic biological thinking. Public policy is concerned with bringing about social change. Biological models of behavior primarily explain individual differences, and are not useful for guiding policies directed toward producing social change. When we allow our social ethics to prevent us from asking certain research questions, we will produce politically correct research results. We fall into such strategies because we imagine that ethics can be deduced from the nature of the world.
Analytical models for library planning

Operations Research models of the acquisition and storage functions of a library are developed. Rules for selection of materials for a depository are analyzed and models of circulation interference and usage are explored. A generalized model of library costs and benefits is proposed.
Morphology of rod stock and compression-moulded sheets of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene used in orthopaedic implants

Compression-moulded sheets and extruded rods of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are currently used in the production of joint replacement prostheses. Crystallographic texture present in rods and sheets of UHMWPE was measured using a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic texture can induce anisotropy in macroscopic properties of polymers, such as modulus and yield stress. Both rods and sheets of UHMWPE revealed a low but discernible degree of preferred orientation of polyethylene chains within crystallites. There was a spatial variation in crystallographic orientation in extruded rods. The direction of chain alignment within crystallites located near the outer surface of rods was orthogonal to the radial direction, whereas the chain direction was orthogonal to the axial or extrusion direction in crystallites located near the centreline of extruded rods. Crystallographic texture was spatially uniform in compression-moulded sheets with the chain direction within crystallites aligned orthogonal to the moulding direction. In both cases the induced crystallographic texture can be explained in terms of crystallization from an oriented melt.
Total parenteral nutrition in mice bearing a metastatic carcinoma: tumor growth, metastasis and immunologic parameters

The role of dietary manipulation of tumor growth, metastasis and immunologic parameters was studied in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma. Fourteen days following subcutaneous tumor implant, groups with tumor and their non-tumor bearing counterparts were assigned to one of the following feeding protocols: total parenteral nutrition (TPN), per oral (PO) intake of the parenteral diet, an oral casein diet (CAS), or electrolyte infusion plus the casein diet (ELECT). Intakes of energy and nitrogen were similar among all groups. Mice were killed 12 days later and peritoneal macrophages were tested for phagocytic activity. Tumor growth and metastasis were decreased from both infusion regimens with minimal loss of body weight as compared with casein fed mice. PO mice also showed lower tumor weight but metastasis was as great as in the casein group. Non-tumor-bearing infused mice showed depressed thymic weight, but thymic weight was not further reduced in tumor-bearing infused mice. PO feeding afforded no such protection in the presence of the carcinoma. Splenomegaly was observed in tumor-bearing mice on all regimens, but mice maintained on the parenteral diet demonstrated the largest proportion of macrophages containing nuclear debris. Analysis of free macrophages indicated no effect of diet regimen on non-immune phagocytic activity in both tumor-free and tumor-bearing mice. Possible alteration of splenic macrophage intracellular digestive capacity or phagocytic activity was suggested as a result of TPN.
SU‐FF‐T‐32: A Novel Continuum Mechanics Approach Towards Multiscale, Stochastic Tumor Modeling Based On Multimodality Imaging

Purpose: Current tumor simulation models describe either microscopic or macroscopic behavior and do not efficiently use information available on both levels. Furthermore, they are based on simplifying assumptions rather than observable data. To overcome both these deficiencies, we incorporated an existing microscopic, stochastic tumor model based on radiobiological properties and PET/CT imaging data into a multiscale tumormodel.Method and Materials: In the microscopic model, biological parameters accounting for micro‐ and macroscopic tumorcharacteristics complement anatomical information, thereby enabling simulating tumor development voxel‐by‐voxel. Resulting changes in voxel density and microenvironmental conditions are passed on to the superior tissue level where a finite element analysis method is used to determine tumor deformation based on a thermo‐elastic continuum mechanics analogy. Deformation tensors are then applied to the initial input geometry to calculate the final morphology in image space, allowing for comparison to clinical data. Results: Simulation results based on murine squamous cell carcinoma xenograft μPET/CT data show good qualitative agreement with tumor behavior pre‐ and post‐radiotherapy. Due to tight integration between the simulation levels, relevant biological properties are conserved to within 2% error. Since biological parameters are monitored at a voxel level, this approach is computationally superior to classic single‐cell‐based models. However, a limitation of voxel discretization is that growth may be discontinuous across adjacent voxels, causing residual stresses within the tumor that are easily detectable during the simulation. Conclusion: Our results indicate the ability of the proposed model as a platform to simulate tumor behavior while allowing for integration of and comparison to (pre‐) clinical data. All required input variables can be directly accessed through experiments and multimodality imaging. Tensiometric properties and anatomical constraints influencing mechanical interaction of the tumor can be easily added, allowing for a calibration in future investigation of more complex clinical cases to improve reliability.
Social equity in coastal zone planning

Abstract The present emphasis of coastal planning programs on environmental protection and economic development fails to give broader consideration to social equity and social values. Because of this inadequate consideration of social values, many policies developed for environmental protection or economic development of coastal resources may be socially regressive. The intent of this paper is to present a listing of social‐economic impacts that coastal zone decision‐makers should consider either in developing environmental or economic policies or when reviewing projects proposing to locate in the coastal zone. A checklist is developed to relate the socio‐economic impacts identified to information and methods necessary for inpact assessment.
Original paper: The Ogallala Agro-Climate Tool

A Visual Basic(TM) agro-climate application capable of estimating crop evapotranspiration and irrigation demand over the Ogallala aquifer region is described here. The application's meteorological database consists of daily precipitation and temperature data from 141 U.S. Historical Climatology Network stations during 1976-2005. From that daily data the program calculates climate and crop evapotranspiration (ET"c) statistics over arbitrarily defined periods within summer or winter growing seasons at user-selected latitude-longitude coordinates. The statistics reported include: estimates of seasonal and sub-seasonal ET"c derived from the FAO-56 single crop coefficient algorithm, probabilities of exceedance of cumulative rainfall, irrigation demand and growing degree days, the probability that minimum and maximum daily temperatures will exceed user-defined temperature thresholds, and the probability of heat stress, cold stress and dry periods of varying duration.
Presentation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder after more than twenty years of systemic sclerosis

Neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune disorder characterized by optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and aquaporin-4 autoantibodies. The term "neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder" refers neuromyelitis optica features occurring in association with other systemic rheumatologic conditions. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman with long-standing systemic sclerosis who developed transverse myelitis in association with the presence aquaporin-4 autoantibodies. This is the first report case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder associated with systemic sclerosis. Given that patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with aquaporin-4 autoantibodies have a high risk for clinical relapse, this report underscores the need for recognition of this disorder in patients with systemic sclerosis and neurological dysfunction.
Equi-replicated balanced block designs generated by a balanced matrix

In this paper it is shown that if N= cihNih, where cih are some non-negative integer numbers and Nih are such incidence matrices that Ah = i Nih is a balanced matrix defined by SHAH (1959), for h = 1, 2,…, p, then a block design with an incidence matrix N = [N, N,…,N] is an equi-replicated balanced block design. Here the balance of a block design is defined in terms of the matrix M0 introduced by CALIŃSKI (1971).
Cbl-b-deficient mice express alterations in trafficking-related molecules but retain sensitivity to the multiple sclerosis therapeutic agent, FTY720.

The variable response to therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests a need for personalized approaches based on individual genetic differences. GWAS have linked CBLB gene polymorphisms with MS and recent evidence demonstrated that these polymorphisms can be associated with abnormalities in T cell function and response to interferon-β therapy. Cbl-b is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates T cell activation and Cbl-b-deficient (Cbl-b−/−) mice show T cell abnormalities described in MS patients. We now show that Cbl-b−/− T cells demonstrate significant lymph node trafficking abnormalities. We thus asked whether the MS-approved drug, FTY720, postulated to trap T cells in lymphoid tissues, is less effective in the context of Cbl-b dysfunction. We now report that FTY720 significantly inhibits EAE in Cbl-b−/− mice. Our results newly document a role for Cbl-b in T cell trafficking but suggest nevertheless that MS patients with Cbl-b abnormalities may still be excellent candidates for FTY720 treatment.
Calcium(II)-mediated doubling of alizarin adsorption in vitro.

Alizarin Red S (AZ) binding by hydroxyapatite does not require additional Ca2+ but is enhanced up to 2-fold when Ca2+ is present in amounts sufficient to allow a 2:1 complex of AZ-Ca. The enhancement of adsorption by Ca2+ correlates with the AZ-adsorption equilibrium ratio (CC0) and does not depend on the degree of AZ surface coverage. High ionic strength also increases AZ adsorption by hydroxyapatite. This effect does not have a 2-fold enhancement limit, is independent of the AZ equilibrium ratio and correlates with the relative surface coverage. Ca2+ enhancement is mediated by the formation in solution of a dimeric complex of AZ. AZ is capable of forming a dimer with a free reactive ligand.
The Unfolded Protein Response Is Not Necessary for the G1/S Transition, but It Is Required for Chromosome Maintenance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a eukaryotic signaling pathway, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the nucleus. Protein misfolding in the ER triggers the UPR. Accumulating evidence links the UPR in diverse aspects of cellular homeostasis. The UPR responds to the overall protein synthesis capacity and metabolic fluxes of the cell. Because the coupling of metabolism with cell division governs when cells start dividing, here we examined the role of UPR signaling in the timing of initiation of cell division and cell cycle progression, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methodology/Principal Findings We report that cells lacking the ER-resident stress sensor Ire1p, which cannot trigger the UPR, nonetheless completed the G1/S transition on time. Furthermore, loss of UPR signaling neither affected the nutrient and growth rate dependence of the G1/S transition, nor the metabolic oscillations that yeast cells display in defined steady-state conditions. Remarkably, however, loss of UPR signaling led to hypersensitivity to genotoxic stress and a ten-fold increase in chromosome loss. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our results strongly suggest that UPR signaling is not necessary for the normal coupling of metabolism with cell division, but it has a role in genome maintenance. These results add to previous work that linked the UPR with cytokinesis in yeast. UPR signaling is conserved in all eukaryotes, and it malfunctions in a variety of diseases, including cancer. Therefore, our findings may be relevant to other systems, including humans.
Shortening of the calycal process actin cytoskeleton is correlated with myoid elongation in teleost rods.

Abstract Light activates the elongation of rods within teleost retinas. Rod cell elongation is mediated by actin-dependent length changes of the myoid portion of the inner segment. The actin cytoskeleton of the inner segment consists of filament bundles, which run parallel to the long axis of the rod, from the calycal processes, through the ellipsoid and into the myoid. In isolated rod inner/outer segments (RIS-ROS), myoid elongation was found to occur in the absence of net polymerization of actin into filaments. Outgrowth of actin filaments within the myoid was counterbalanced by a shortening of actin filaments within the calycal processes. In this study, we have further examined light-activated modifications of the rod cytoskeleton using rhodamine-phalloidin to stain actin filaments within retinal cryosections as well as in isolated RIS-ROS. In RIS-ROS isolated from dark-adapted green sunfish, the phalloidin-stained calycal processes appeared as long, brush-like structures, averaging 4·2 μm in length. In light-cultured RIS-ROS populations, the calycal process actin cytoskeleton shortened from 4·2 μm to 1·7 μm. In control, dark-cultured populations, RIS-ROS that did not elongate maintained long calycal process actin cytoskeletons. However, in cases where dark-cultured RIS-ROS did elongate, despite the absence of a light stimulus, myoid elongation was accompanied by a shortening of the calycal process actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that the two events are correlated with one another. In light-adapted green sunfish and in light-cultured retinas from green sunfish and the Midas cichlid, the calycal process cytoskeleton of intact rods shortened by 40–60%. Within the two-tiered retina of green sunfish, shortening of the calycal process cytoskeleton, from 5·1 μm to 2·1–3·1 μm, was only evident in the shorter, inner tier of rods. The calycal process actin cytoskeleton did not appear to shorten within the longer, outer tier of rods; here, stained processes were short, averaging 2·3 μm in length, within dark-adapted retinas. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, we present evidence to suggest that the plasmalemmal surface of the calycal processes shortens along with the cytoskeletal actin core. We conclude that calycal processes of teleost rods are dynamic structures which shorten during light-activated myoid elongation.
All in the Mind

Technology and affordable air travel may be bringing cultures together, but diversity runs deep, says author and academic Richard Nisbett.
Loss, Survival, and Redemption: African American Male Youths’ Reflections on Life Without Fathers, Manhood, and Coming of Age

Using an interpretivist approach, this article explores young African American men’s (N= 20) reflections on coming of age and the meanings of father loss. Based on focus groups, the authors found that it was through autobiographical narratives of loss, survival, and redemption that young men positioned themselves ideologically and constructed the type of man they wanted to become. These emergent narratives reflect the complex ways young men worked out the meaning of father loss and the defining intragenerational and intergenerational lessons about manhood learned from their relationships with fathers and others. Within these narratives, young men also constructed both wanted and unwanted possible selves and evoked the discursive tropes of respectable manhood and deadbeat daddies.
How Does Code Obfuscation Impact Energy Usage

Software piracy is an important concern for application developers. Such concerns are especially relevant in mobile application development, where piracy rates can approach 90%. The most commonly used approach by mobile developers for preventing piracy is code obfuscation. However, the decision to apply such transformations is currently made without regard to the impacts of obfuscations on another area of increasing concern for mobile application developers: energy consumption. Because both software piracy and battery life are important concerns, mobile application developers must strike a balance between protecting their applications and preserving the battery lives of their users' devices. To help them make such choices, we conducted an empirical study of the effects of 18 code obfuscations on the amount of energy consumed by executing a total of 15 usage scenarios spread across 11 Android applications. The results of the study indicate that, while obfuscations can have a statistically significant impact on energy usage and are significantly more likely to increase energy usage than to decrease energy usage, the magnitudes of such impacts are unlikely to impact mobile application users.
The JAP, the Yenta and the mame in Aline Kominsky Crumb’s graphic imagination

This article scrutinizes some anti-Jewish stereotypes and traces their presence, together with their devastating effects, in the graphic memoir Need More Love by Aline Kominsky Crumb (2007, MQ Publications), thus questioning and problematizing the use of self-loathing humour by the ‘insider’ within a minority group. Agreeing with Sigmund Freud that laughter enlists the audience as ally with the humourist by accepting the truth of a (satirical) statement, my study shows how through Kominsky Crumb’s graphic anti-Semitic humour, readers are made complicit, through their laughter, to the crime of hatred, misogyny, oppression represented in the graphic memoir. I propose that, in virtue of its visual enactments, the graphic medium – especially when at the service of minority/ethnic imaging – has the powerful potential of turning witnessing (implicit in any autobiographical act) into ‘eye witnessing’. My work focuses on how Kominsky Crumb deploys this potential to establish and disestablish hateful stereotyping.
Comparison and application of wind retrieval algorithms for small unmanned aerial systems

Abstract. Recently, there has been an increase in use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) as platforms for conducting fundamental and applied research in the lower atmosphere due to their relatively low cost and ability to collect samples with high spatial and temporal resolution. Concurrent with this development comes the need for accurate instrumentation and measurement methods suitable for small meteorological UASs. Moreover, the instrumentation to be integrated into such platforms must be small and lightweight. Whereas thermodynamic variables can be easily measured using well-aspirated sensors onboard, it is much more challenging to accurately measure the wind with a UAS. Several algorithms have been developed that incorporate GPS observations as a means of estimating the horizontal wind vector, with each algorithm exhibiting its own particular strengths and weaknesses. In the present study, the performance of three such GPS-based wind-retrieval algorithms has been investigated and compared with wind estimates from rawinsonde and sodar observations. Each of the algorithms considered agreed well with the wind measurements from sounding and sodar data. Through the integration of UAS-retrieved profiles of thermodynamic and kinematic parameters, one can investigate the static and dynamic stability of the atmosphere and relate them to the state of the boundary layer across a variety of times and locations, which might be difficult to access using conventional instrumentation.
Ovalbumin thermal Gelation Prediction by Application of Temperature‐Time History

A model for characterizing changes in viscosity of soy protein during extrusion was adapted to predict apparent viscosity ratio of gelling ovalbumin. For ovalbumin (87% purity) the temperature time histories of 3,5, and 7% gel formation were determined at 85, 90 and 95°C. A back-extrusion method was used to determine apparent viscosity ratios during gelation. Activation energy for denaturation/gelation was estimated at 159 kJ/mol. The model parameter a (degree of molecular entanglement) was 0.75, 0.75, and 1.0 for 3, 5, and 7% gels, respectively. Reaction rate constants were similar for samples with different protein concentrations. Maximum apparent viscosity ratio increased as protein concentrations increased. The mathematical model was verified by determining apparent viscosity ratios at 86 and 93°C and water holding at 90°C, resulting in R2-0.93. This model may be useful in predicting ovalbumin thermal gelation apparent viscosity ratios.
Information Technology and Surveillance

The PATRIOT Act of 2001 has introduced significant legislative changes affecting how public managers collect, disseminate, and evaluate information for decision making. The article describes the theoretical underpinnings of information gathering and decision making and argues that more information gathering and subsequent use of sophisticated information gathering tools serves as an important myth promoting greater legitimacy and confidence in the government's ability to provide security to the citizens. The article suggests that the rational choice approach to security is limited in its ability to evaluate values that are embedded into the decision-making processes. However, being cognizant of the nonrational rulings placed on technology-based policy initiatives, public managers can be guided toward "responsible values" to avoid the dark path of control, surveillance, and the loss of freedom.
Early clinical testing of antianxiety drugs: An experimental model

Abstract 1. 1. An experimental model using subjects who have high levels of trait anxiety and who are then stressed by having to perform a mirror-drawing test (MDT) was used for detecting antianxiety activity of drugs. 2. 2. Twenty volunteer men were used as subjects for such a model, each receiving either a single dose of 5 mg of diazepam or a single dose of placebo. The model clearly distinguished the drug from placebo, the former preventing the decrement in performance introduced by the MDT. 3. 3. These same subjects were later tested in the same model, after short and longer intervals. The model was then no longer sensitive to detecting antianxiety drug effects, due to the prior learning. 4. 4. This experimental model for testing antianxiety drugs is sensitive, but subjects tested in it can only be used once.
Experimental tracking of particle-size distribution in a fluidized bed

Abstract Particle-size distribution is a fundamental parameter in fluidization. It affects fluidization behavior, transport and kinetic properties in the bed, and process considerations for operation. Many factors affect particle-size distribution, including solids feed, solids discharge, elutriation, particle growth and particle shrinkage. We have developed a method to track this important parameter via an on-line process computer. The on-line particle-size distribution measurements, made automatically and with little time-delay after sampling, are obtained every 60 s in the experimental demonstrations. Such a frequency is high enough to properly track particle-size distribution even during extreme distribution dynamics. Particle sampling is continuous in our method, and the sample system is closed-loop so that all sampled particles are returned to the fluidized bed. The experimental demonstrations were performed on a large-particle, sand-air fluidized bed. In this paper we detail the experimental equipment and procedures used. The experimental results presented include the tracking of particle-size distribution during two different particle-size distribution transients. Validity of the on-line measurements were verified via sieve analysis of grab samples. The on-line measurements are shown to be representative of actual conditions in the bed. They are somewhat noisy (corrupted with random error), however, with the measurement noise increasing as a function of particle size.
Role of the renin-angiotensin system in the blood pressure rebound to sodium nitroprusside in the conscious rat.

Abstract Intravenous infusions of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at doses of 20, 40 or 80 μg/kg min −1 for 30 min produced dose-related decrements in blood pressure in conscious rats fitted with indwelling aortic and vena caval catheters. Immediately upon termination of SNP infusions, blood pressure rebounded to levels which were significantly above pre-SNP control values. The following evidence indicates that the rebound increase in blood pressure was due to increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system: (1) plasma renin activity was increased approximately four-fold by SNP, (2) rebound did not occur in nephrectomized rats, (3) rebound was markedly attenuated in animals treated with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, SQ14225, (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline) and (4) β-adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol reduced the rebound response. In addition, the magnitude of the rebound following SNP infusions was directly related to the dose of SNP infused. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that renin accumulates during SNP infusion more rapidly than it is metabolized. Consequently, the accumulated renin elicits a hypertensive response when SNP treatment is withdrawn.