cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plant Actin Isolation and Characterization

Monomeric actin (G-actin) is a small (42,000 Da) globular protein that polymerizes into higher order structures called microfilaments or filamentous actin (F- actin) (for a detailed review see [36]). These cytoskeletal polymers form a dynamic filament network in plant cells and support many fundamental processes, including cytoplasmic streaming, organelle positioning, cytokinesis, wound repair, responses to pathogen-attack, and cellular morphogenesis (for reviews see [23, 25, 26, 38]). Angiosperms contain large multigene families for actin and actin binding proteins (ABPs), and the biochemical and cell biological characterization of these components have received considerable attention in the past several years. A wealth of data is available for the motor molecule myosin and the small ABPs, profilin, and actin depolymerizing factor (reviewed in [3, 23, 26, 37]).
Quantitative Flow Visualization of Three-Dimensional Flows

Quantitative flow visualization has the advantage of providing instantaneous full field velocity measurement of complex flows. In this article, methods of quantitative velocity measurement are briefly reviewed. Then two benchmark experiments of three-dimensional flow conducted by the authors are presented. The purpose of the experiments is to study the complex three-dimensional motion and to measure quantitative velocity profiles and stream patterns for verification of the accuracy of the three-dimensional numerical simulation. From the investigation of flow past a cubic chamber with offset inlet and outlet flows and the lid driven rotating flow, complex three-dimensional flows are elucidated and quantitative data are documented.
Development of a scale assessing Beliefs About ThirdHand Smoke (BATHS).

Background Similarly to secondhand smoke (SHS), thirdhand smoke (THS) beliefs may be correlated with smoking behaviors and smokefree policies in the home. Thus, there is a need to develop and validate measures to assess beliefs about THS.
Ultrasound of the Ankle and Foot

The sonographic anatomy of the ankle and foot is complex, but learning this region will reward the rheumatologist with enhanced knowledge of foot anatomy and pathology. Pathologic processes that can be imaged to augment the history and physical examination include inflammatory arthritis, tenosynovitis, tendinosis, enthesopathy, bone erosions, osteophyte formation, and microcrystalline deposition.
Energy Storage during Compression of Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Practical applications of metal–organic framework (MOF) materials require an in-depth understanding of their mechanical properties. We have investigated the mechanical properties and energy absorption behavior of single crystals of four isostructural UiO-type MOFs under uniaxial compression. In situ nanocompression experiments were used to measure the mechanical behavior of individual MOF nanocrystals under compression within a transmission electron microscope. The plasticity and endothermicity during deformation of MOFs shows a surprising potential for absorption and dissipation of mechanical shock. At compressive stress below 2 GPa, relatively small amounts of energy (<0.3 kJ/g) are absorbed by the compression of these MOFs. As the stress was increased, however, the energy absorption was significantly enhanced. Above 2 GPa, the energy absorption typically reaches 3–4 kJ/g; for comparison, the energy release in the explosion of TNT is ∼4 kJ/g. Gram for gram, MOFs can absorb as much energy as a high explo...
The Classical Canonical Presentation of Any Quantum System upon Quantization Opens a Door to the System’s Proliferation

The time-dependent Schrodinger equation of any quantum system can be shown to follow from that quantum system's energy expectation value when this entity is appropriately treated as that system's classical Hamiltonian. In quantum theory it is normally considered imperative to carry out quantization of any such classical canonical system if one wishes to attain the maximum possible physical understanding of that system. Carrying out such ``next quantization'' of a quantum system's energy expectation value reveals a quantum system with a greatly enlarged Hilbert space relative to that of the original quantum system; this next-quantized system in fact amounts to the simultaneous coexistence of an indefinite number of copies of the original quantum system. Such an open door to physical system proliferation is, naively at least, not at odds with casual observation. It would seem to weigh on the side of the notion of a multiverse, and, insofar as it raises the possibility that no quantum system is isolated and immune to environmental decoherence, would appear to lend support to the Copenhage wave function collapse idea.
Micromachined Fluidic Couplers

A family of self-aligning micromachined fluidic couplers are presented here. Bulk micromachined and DRIE processed silicon structures have been investigated as a means of providing external connections via fused silica capillaries for MEMS fluidic devices. These couplings can have arbitrary geometry, ensuring compatibility with most fluidic ports. In addition, performance exceeds typical requirements with an operating range of at least 01200 psi.
Microtubule dynamics: moving toward a multi-scale approach

Microtubule self-assembly dynamics serve to facilitate many vital cellular functions, such as chromosome segregation during mitosis and synaptic plasticity. However, the detailed atomistic basis of assembly dynamics has remained an unresolved puzzle. A key challenge is connecting together the vast range of relevant length-time scales, events happening at time scales ranging from nanoseconds, such as tubulin molecular interactions (A-nm), to minutes-hours, such as the cellular response to microtubule dynamics during mitotic progression (μm). At the same time, microtubule interactions with associated proteins and binding agents, such as anti-cancer drugs, can strongly affect this dynamic process through atomic-level mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. New high-resolution technologies for investigating these interactions, including cryo-electron microscopy (EM) techniques and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, are yielding important new insights. Here, we focus on recent studies of microtubule dynamics, both theoretical and experimental, and how these findings shed new light on this complex phenomenon across length-time scales, from A to μm and from nanoseconds to minutes.
Networks and Religion: Ties that Bind, Loose, Build-up, and Tear Down

Social scientists who study religion generally believe that social networks play a central role in religious life. However, most studies draw on measures that are relatively poor proxies for capturing the effects of social networks. This book illustrates how researchers can draw on formal social network analysis methods to explore the interplay of networks and religion. The book's introductory chapters provide overviews of the social scientific study of religion and social network analysis. The remaining chapters explore a variety of topics current in the social scientific study of religion, as well as introducing a variety of social network theories and methods, such as balance theory, ego-network analysis, exponential random graph models, and stochastic actor-oriented models. By embedding social network analysis within a social scientific study of religion framework, Networks and Religion offers an array of approaches for studying the role that social networks play in religious belief and practice.
Marital Satisfaction and Child Adjustment: Direct and Mediated Pathways

We explored whether there is a direct association between marital satisfaction and children's psychological adjustment. We also investigated a competing model to assess whether marital satisfaction is indirectly related to child outcomes through its associations with parents' depression and involvement in childrearing. Analyses of data from 1,101 participants in the National Survey of Families and Households indicated that mothers' and fathers' reports of marital satisfaction were significantly associated with child symptomatology. Moreover, mothers who experienced marital dissatisfaction were less involved with their children, which in turn was associated with greater child psychological distress. This mediated pathway was not significant for fathers.
Beyond the “Ideal” Worker: Including Men in Work–Family Discussions

Work-family literature has historically been heavily focused on the experiences of married, white mothers. Recent efforts have been undertaken to correct for the omission of more diverse populations in the work-family literature. This chapter aims to summarize the current knowledge of men’s experiences at the work-family interface. Specifically, a review of literature is presented to clarify what is known about men’s work-family conflict and work-family enrichment and the theoretical frameworks for understanding men’s work-family experiences. Gaps in the literature are highlighted. Practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. Furthermore, this chapter offers alternative perspectives that challenge the traditional family structure of a male breadwinner who is partnered with a woman who is focused on children and the home. The “ideal worker” is deconstructed, forming a basis for the argument that men encounter work-family issues and warrant more attention in work-family research. Suggestions for future research streams are included.
Peak Performance of Business Leaders: An Experience Parallel to Self-Actualization Theory

To investigate peak performance, 40 business leaders described personal experiences through interviews and the Privette Experience Questionnaire. In order to discriminate processes of peak performance from personality attributes of business leaders, their questionnaire data were compared with parallel data from a sample of 41 university men. Multivariate analyses of variance of factors and items and follow-up analyses indicated that scores differed but not on defining attributes. The peak performance dyad—full focus and clear sense of self—and aspects of peak experience—significance and fulfillment—were endorsed by both samples. Business leaders endorsed sociability and personal discipline and denied playfulness more than the university men, who endorsed fluidity. The relation of peak performance to self-actualization theory is discussed.
Ilioinguinal nerve entrapment followingneedle bladder suspension procedures

Abstract Ilioinguinal nerve entrapment is a documented complication of inguinalherniorraphy, inguinal lymph node dissection, and appendectomy. This article reports two clinical histories to illustrate the diagnosis and management, and outlines prevention of ilioinguinal nerve entrapment as a complication of needle suspension procedures for stress urinary incontinence.
Association Between Bagrada hilaris Density and Feeding Damage in Broccoli: Implications for Pest Management

ABSTRACT Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) has become a serious economic pest of brassica crops in Arizona and southern California. Feeding damage on broccoli can result in exce...
Impact of the electron-phonon coupling factor and electron heat capacity on the thermal response of targets irradiated by femtosecond laser

This work investigates the impact of the electron temperature-dependent electron-phonon coupling factor and the electron heat capacity on the thermal evolution of a copper target irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses. These effects were studied using their recently developed two-dimensional two-temperature model. Two models were implemented to account for the electron-phonon coupling calculation. The first were the calculations of the electronic structure of the density of state have been done at high electron temperature. The excitation of the d-band electrons and their contribution to the coupling of the heat between electrons and phonons were considered. The second were the electron-electron collisions and electron-lattice collision rates calculations were performed. The effect of fluence on the thermalization time and on the ablated depth of the copper irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses was studied using these two models and compared with the results assuming constant value for the electron-phonon coupling factor. A comparison between the model of the electron heat capacity based on the density of state calculation and the well-known linear relationship between the electron heat capacity and the electron temperature was also studied.This work investigates the impact of the electron temperature-dependent electron-phonon coupling factor and the electron heat capacity on the thermal evolution of a copper target irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses. These effects were studied using their recently developed two-dimensional two-temperature model. Two models were implemented to account for the electron-phonon coupling calculation. The first were the calculations of the electronic structure of the density of state have been done at high electron temperature. The excitation of the d-band electrons and their contribution to the coupling of the heat between electrons and phonons were considered. The second were the electron-electron collisions and electron-lattice collision rates calculations were performed. The effect of fluence on the thermalization time and on the ablated depth of the copper irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses was studied...
Asymptotic stability of a dual-scale compact method for approximating highly oscillatory Helmholtz solutions

Abstract A novel dual-scale compact method for solving nonparaxial Helmholtz equations at high wavenumbers is proposed and analyzed. The approach is based on decomposing the axisymmetric transverse domain and governing equation according to interconnected micro and macro regions to maintain the smoothness of the underlying problem. Dual compact strategies are then implemented for acquiring highly accurate and efficient beam propagation computations. Aiming at the highly oscillatory solution features, the paper provides a rigorous analysis on the numerical stability. It is shown that the dual-scaled compact method is asymptotically stable. The analysis also reveals necessary constraints for the conventional stability. Computer experiments including self-focusing beam propagation simulations are conducted with various domain scaling factors to validate the theoretical results.
Two-Phase Vapor Chambers with Micropillar Evaporators: A New Approach to Remove Heat from Future High-Performance Chips

High power densities lead to thermal hot spots in modern processors. These power densities are expected to reach kW/cm2 scale in future high-performance chips and this increase may significantly degrade performance and reliability, if not handled efficiently. Using two-phase vapor chambers (VCs) with micropillar wick evaporators is an emerging technique that removes heat through the evaporation process of a coolant and has the potential to remove high heat fluxes. In this cooling system, the coolant is supplied passively to the micropillar wick via capillary pumping, eliminating the need for an external pump and ensuring stable thin-film flow. Evaluation of such an emerging cooling technique on realistic chip power densities and micropillar geometries necessitates accurate and fast thermal models. Although multiphysics simulators based on either finite-element or finite-volume methods are highly accurate, they have long design and simulation times. This paper introduces a novel compact thermal model capable of simulating two-phase vapor chambers with micropillar wick evaporators. In comparison to COMSOL, our model shows a competitively low error of 1.25°C and a 214x speedup. We also present a comparison of the cooling performance of different cooling techniques such as a conventional heat sink, liquid cooling via microchannels, hybrid cooling using thermoelectric coolers and liquid cooling via microchannels, and two-phase VCs with micropillar wick evaporators for the first time. Based on our observations, two-phase VCs and microchannel-based two-phase cooling show better cooling performance for hot spot power densities of less than 1500 W/cm2, while hybrid cooling achieves lower hot spot temperature and thermal gradients for hot spot power densities between 1500 and 2000 W/cm2.
Administration of dietary prebiotics improves growth performance and reduces pathogen colonization in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT Dietary prebiotics are thought to be potentially important alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production because of their beneficial performance and health effects. The administration of dietary prebiotics has been demonstrated to improve animal health, growth performance, and microbial food safety in poultry production. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Saccharomyces- derived prebiotic refined functional carbohydrates (RFC) with yeast culture on growth performance and gastrointestinal and environmental microbiota when administered in-feed and through drinking water to broiler chickens. Broilers were administered 2 doses of prebiotic in-feed through 42 d of production and prebiotic-treated water in the final 72 h. Administration of prebiotic RFC improved ADG and decreased cecal Campylobacter counts, while the high dose also increased final BW. Additionally, significant main effects of prebiotic RFC dose were observed with the high dose improving ADG and ADFI over the finisher phase and final BW. Although the effects were not significant, the prevalence of Campylobacter in the cecum after feed withdrawal was 17% lower when broilers were administered the high prebiotic dose, and recovery of Campylobacter from litter was up to 50% lower when broilers were administered prebiotic RFC. Our results suggest that co-administration of RFC with yeast culture as a prebiotic can be used to improve growth performance and reduce human foodborne pathogens in poultry.
Using Reflection to Activate Data Literacy: Teaching Data Literacy in Undergraduate International Relations Courses

We evaluated the impact of experiential assignments using data on improving students’ abilities to avoid common misconceptions of data using a specific assessment tool we created. We randomly assigned students into pre- and some post- experiential data assignment test groups to gauge the impact of the different assignments on assisting students to overcome common data literacy problems. In each project, students were required to find and use data in their research to support their arguments on an assigned topic. In one project, students also reflected on the data used by both sides of an argument in the assigned topic. We found that the reflection requirement had a statistically significant effect on engaging students’ critical thinking skills for avoiding common misinterpretations of data. We believe that this finding demonstrates the large impact of reflection in building and engaging critical thinking skills necessary for data literacy in the modern age.
Parameters estimation of generalized Maxwell model for SBR and carbon-filled SBR using a direct high-frequency DMA measurement system

Abstract Due to their desired physical properties as viscoelastic materials, polymers have attracted the attention of various industrial engineering systems. Accurate examination and measurement of physical properties of polymers is a key step required for their full-scale adoption and integration in industrial settings. Simulation studies, provide a relatively inexpensive and valuable analytical framework for analyzing the physical properties of such systems. Generalized Maxwell Model (GMM) is the standard analytical model used for analyzing viscoelastic materials. The viscoelastic constitutive parameters of the GMM are usually inferred by fitting the model to the master curve obtained from Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) tests. However, since conventional DMA tests are limited to low-frequency measurements, Williams, Landel and Ferry (WLF) relation is used to predict the high-frequency properties from the tests done at low frequencies. Known limitations and imprecisions of this indirect measurement method result in inaccurate inference of viscoelastic constitutive parameters in the GMM fitting procedure. In the current study, data obtained from a new high-frequency DMA (HFDMA), capable of performing tests at frequencies between 100–7000 Hz, is used to fit GMM equations through numerical optimization techniques. The new HFDMA operates the simple shear test for a double-sandwich specimen, directly at high-frequencies and therefor doesn't suffer from inaccuracies caused by the indirect measurements. The storage moduli, loss moduli and damping factor of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) and carbon-black filled SBR (SBR-CB) at the frequency range of 100Hz−5 kHz are measured using the new HFDMA, and compared with the results of a conventional DMA to demonstrate the difference between the direct and indirect measurement methods. It is shown that the direct measurement method is 5%−7% more accurate than the indirect measurement method, at least for the SBR and SBR-CB. Finally, new GMM viscoelastic constitutive parameters for SBR and SBR-CB are presented.
127 – Maximum Principles

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the yield and procedure of maximum principles. It is applicable to linear ordinary differential equations, and linear partial differential equations. It yields upper, or lower bounds on the solution. By the use of a maximum theorem, one can find bounds on certain types of equations. There are many theorems applicable to specialized equations, and boundary conditions, that lead to bounds on the solutions. Maximum principles exist for all types of partial differential equations as well as for ordinary differential equations. The solution of the ordinary differential equation is approximated.
Antibiotic resistance and microecological balance

The increasing levels of antibiotic resistance was due to the effects of antibiotics.Clinical application of antibiotics could induce the antibiotic resistance in the human microflora, which can become the reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes, subsequently contribute to more emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in future.This highlights the importance of a controlled use of antibiotics. Key words: Antibiotics; Antibiotic resistance; Microbiota; Human microbiome
Hydrogen Bonds Significantly Enhance Out-of-Plane Thermal and Electrical Transport in 2D Graphamid: Implications for Energy Conversion and Storage

Graphamid is a two-dimensional (2D) polymer. It was predicted to have superior mechanical properties owing to its strong hydrogen bonds. The knowledge of thermal and electrical transport properties...
Multifocal Calcific Periarthritis with Distinctive Clinical and Radiological Features in Patients with CD73 Deficiency.

OBJECTIVE Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC) is a hereditary autosomal recessive ectopic mineralization syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in the 5'-nucleotidase Ecto (NT5E) gene. Periarticular calcification has been reported but the clinical characterization of arthritis as well as the microstructure and chemical composition of periarticular calcifications and synovial fluid crystals has not been systematically investigated. METHODS Eight ACDC patients underwent extensive rheumatological and radiological evaluation over a period of 11 years. Periarticular and synovial biopsies were obtained from four patients. Characterization of crystal composition was evaluated by compensated polarized light microscopy, Alizarin red staining for synovial fluid along with x-ray diffraction and x-ray micro tomosynthesis for periarticular calcification. RESULTS Arthritis in ACDC patients has a clinical presentation of mixed erosive-degenerative joint changes with a median onset of articular symptoms at 17 years of age and progresses over time to the development of fixed deformities and functional limitations of small peripheral joints with eventually, larger joint and distinct axial involvement later in life. We have identified calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) and calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) crystals in synovial fluid specimens and determined that CHA crystals are the principal component of periarticular calcifications. CONCLUSION This is the largest study in ACDC patients to describe erosive peripheral arthropathy and axial enthesopathic calcifications over a period of 11 years and the first to identify the composition of periarticular calcifications and synovial fluid crystals. ACDC should be considered among the genetic causes of early-onset osteoarthritis, as musculoskeletal disease signs may often precede vascular symptoms.
Tests für die Inflation: Vorhersagen und Beobachtungen

Wir haben gesehen, wie die kosmische Inflation aus einem winzigen Samenkorn ein riesiges Universum schaffen und gleichzeitig viele Probleme losen kann, die die Modelle vor dem Inflationsmodell beherrschten.
Systematic Engineering of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 for Photosynthetic Production of l-Lysine, Cadaverine, and Glutarate.

Amino acids and related targets are typically produced by well-characterized heterotrophs including Corynebacterium glutamicum and Escherichia coli. Cyanobacteria offer an opportunity to supplant these sugar-intensive processes by instead directly utilizing atmospheric CO2 and sunlight. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 (hereafter UTEX 2973) is a particularly promising photoautotrophic platform due to its fast growth rate. Here, we first engineered UTEX 2973 to overproduce l-lysine (hereafter lysine), after which both cadaverine and glutarate production were achieved through further pathway engineering. To facilitate metabolic engineering, the relative activities of a subset of previously uncharacterized promoters were investigated, in each case, while also comparing the effects of both chromosomal (from neutral site NS3) and episomal (from pAM4788) expressions. Using these parts, lysine overproduction in UTEX 2973 was engineered by introducing a feedback-resistant copy of aspartate kinase (encoded by lysCfbr) and a lysine exporter (encoded by ybjE), both from E. coli. While chromosomal expression resulted in lysine production up to just 325.3 ± 14.8 mg/L after 120 h, this was then increased to 556.3 ± 62.3 mg/L via plasmid-based expression, also surpassing prior reports of photoautotrophic lysine bioproduction. Lastly, additional products of interest were then targeted by modularly extending the lysine pathway to glutarate and cadaverine, two 5-carbon, bioplastic monomers. By this approach, glutarate has so far been produced at final titers reaching 67.5 ± 2.2 mg/L by 96 h, whereas cadaverine has been produced at up to 55.3 ± 6.7 mg/L. Overcoming pathway and/or transport bottlenecks, meanwhile, will be important to improving upon these initial outputs.
Characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from public surfaces on a university campus, student homes and local community.

Aim: Isolation and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from frequently touched nonhospital environmental surfaces at a large university, student homes and community sites. Methods and Results: Twenty-four isolates from 21 (4·1%, n = 509) surfaces were MRSA positive and included 14 (58%, n = 24) SCCmec type IV, two (8%, n = 24) type I, and eight (33%, n = 24) were not type I-IV (NT). Six different multilocus sequencing types were identified by PCR and sequencing. PCR assays identified one (4·2%, n = 24) Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) positive, 22 (92%, n = 24) arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) positive and 23 (96%, n = 24) multidrug-resistant (kanamycin, macrolide, tetracycline) MRSA isolates. Eleven (46%, n = 24) USA300 isolates were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: The MRSA-positive environmental surfaces were identified in student homes (11·8%, n = 85), the community (2·3%, n = 130) and the university (2·7%, n = 294). USA300 strains were isolated from the university, student homes and community samples. This is the first report of the animal clone ST97 on urban environmental surfaces. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study highlights the distribution of USA300 on frequently touched surfaces. Whether contact with these MRSA contaminated environmental surfaces are associated with increased risk of transmission of MRSA to people needs further research.
Tibiofemoral contact mechanics following a horizontal cleavage lesion in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a horizontal cleavage lesion (HCL) of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus would result in changes to tibiofemoral contact mechanics, as measured by peak contact pressure and contact area, which can lead to cartilage degeneration. To study this, 10 cadaveric knees were tested in a rig where forces were applied (500 N Compression, 100 N shear, 2.5 Nm Torque) and the knee dynamically flexed from −5° to 135°, as peak contact pressure and contact area were recorded. After testing of the intact knee, a horizontal cleavage lesion was created arthroscopically and testing repeated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine if there were differences in peak contact pressure and contact area between the intact knee and that with the HCL. A statistically significant increase in peak contact pressure of 13%, on average, and a decrease in contact area of 6%, on average, was noted following the HCL. This suggests that a horizontal cleavage lesion will result in small but statistically significant changes in tibiofemoral contact mechanics which may lead to cartilage degeneration. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:584–590, 2015.
Generalized n -D C k B-spline scattered data approximation with confidence values

The ability to reconstruct multivariate approximating or interpolating functions from sampled data finds many practical applications in medical image analysis. Parameterized reconstruction methods employing B-splines have typically utilized least-squares methodology for data fitting. For large sample sets, solving the resulting linear system is computationally demanding as well as susceptible to ill-conditioning. We present a generalization of a previously proposed fast surface fitting technique for cubic B-splines which avoids the pitfalls of the conventional fitting approach. Our proposed generalization consists of expanding the algorithm to n dimensions, allowing for arbitrary spline degree in the different parametric dimensions, permitting wrapping of the parametric domain, and the assignment of confidence values to the data points for more precise control over the fitting results. In addition, we implement our generalized B-spline approximation algorithm within the Insight Toolkit (ITK) for open source dissemination.
Localization of sparse transmural excitation stimuli from surface mapping

As in-silico 3D electrophysiological (EP) models start to play an essential role in revealing transmural EP characteristics and diseased substrates in individual hearts, there arises a critical challenge to properly initialize these models, i.e., determine the location of excitation stimuli without a trial-and-error process. In this paper, we present a novel method to localize transmural stimuli based on their spatial sparsity using surface mapping data. In order to overcome the mathematical ill-posedness caused by the limited measurement data, a neighborhood-smoothness constraint is used to first obtain a low-resolution estimation of sparse solution. This is then used to initialize an iterative, re-weighted minimum-norm regularization to enforce a sparse solution and thereby overcome the physical ill-posedness of the electromagnetic inverse problem. Phantom experiments are performed on a human heart-torso model to evaluate this method in localizing excitation stimuli at different regions and depths within the ventricles, as well as to test its feasibility in differentiating multiple remotely or close distributed stimuli. Real-data experiments are performed on a healthy and an infarcted porcine heart, where activation isochronous simulated with the reconstructed stimuli are significantly closer to the catheterized mapping data than other stimuli configurations. This method has the potential to benefit the current research in subject-specific EP modeling as well as to facilitate clinical decisions involving device pacing and ectopic foci.
Authority and trust in cross border partnerships

Abstract This article empirically examines the structural antecedents proposed in the alliance and negotiations literatures: resource balance, alternatives balance, and stakes balance between Mexican and United States alliance partners in predicting the balance of authority in the relationship and the trust between partners. Fifty-five Mexican key informant perceptions form the basis for the research. The study finds that only resource balance is significant in predicting both authority balance and trust in these alliances, contrary to the received view based on theory and empirical work largely undertaken within the Triad. Trust was not found to mediate the relationship between resource balance and authority balance. Implications for researchers and practicing managers are provided.
Reinforcement and Directional Learning in the Ultimatum Game with Responder Competition

Demands in the Ultimatum Game in its traditional form with one proposer and one responder are compared with demands in an Ultimatum Game with responder competition. In this modified form one proposer faces three responders who can accept or reject the split of the pie. Initial demands in both ultimatum games are quite similar, however in the course of the experiment, demands in the ultimatum game with responder competition are significantly higher than in the traditional case with repeated random matching. Individual round-to-round changes of choices that are consistent with directional learning are the driving forces behind the differences between the two learning curves and cannot be tracked by an adjustment process in response to accumulated reinforcements. The importance of combining reinforcement and directional learning is addressed. Moreover, learning transfer between the two ultimatum games is analyzed.
Role of pancreatic polypeptide in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion in dogs

The effect of intravenous infusion of synthetic human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) or a rabbit anti-PP serum on pancreatic exocrine secretion was studied in 10 dogs with gastric and Thomas duodenal cannulas. The infusion of HPP, at a dose of 1 microgram.kg-1.h-1, achieved a plasma PP concentration that mimicked the peak plasma concentration of PP in both interdigestive and postprandial states. This dose of HPP significantly inhibited pancreatic secretion in the interdigestive state. By contrast, immunoneutralization of circulating PP by a rabbit anti-PP serum resulted in significant increases (P less than 0.05) in both interdigestive and postprandial pancreatic secretion, including water, bicarbonate, and protein. The increase in the pancreatic secretion paralleled a decrease in circulating PP level, which lasted for as long as 5 days. Furthermore, the anti-PP serum blocked the inhibitory action of exogenous HPP on pancreatic exocrine secretion. The present study indicates that endogenous PP plays a significant role in the regulation of the pancreatic exocrine secretion in both interdigestive and digestive states. Thus we conclude that PP is another hormone regulating pancreatic exocrine secretion in dogs.
How Kinetic Property Shapes Novelty Perceptions

This article demonstrates a new substantive finding: that kinetic property in advertising, defined as direction changes in the paths of moving on-screen ad elements, enhances consumer judgments of product novelty. Across six studies, the authors first outline an inference-based theory as to why the novelty-enhancing effect of kinetic property manifests: kinetic property generates impressions of how visually lively an ad is, which leads to inferences of product atypicality and, consequently, higher novelty judgments. Second, they demonstrate boundary conditions by showing that (1) the positive effect for kinetic property is evident with incremental (and not radical) innovations, (2) the effect dissipates when figure-ground contrast in the ad makes kinetic property less discriminable, (3) contextual adaptation to kinetic property can mitigate this effect, and (4) kinetic property enhances novelty judgments primarily when product category characteristics such as perceived market dynamism match with kinetic p...
Developmental Regulation of α-Mannosidase in Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The specific activity of α-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) has been found to increase more than a thousandfold during development of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum. The enzyme accumulates in both spore and stalk cells. Studies with preferential inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis indicate that accumulation of α-mannosidase requires concomitant protein synthesis and prior ribonucleic acid synthesis. Control of the period of synthesis by the overall developmental program is demonstrated in two temporally deranged morphological mutants. α-Mannosidase is found in lysosomes of D. discoideum in association with other acid hydrolases which may be involved in metabolism of extracellular polysaccharide.
Progress on a low-cost holographic video monitor

Abstract: In this presentation we report improvements to the supporting geometry of the low-cost MIT/BYU mark IV holographic video monitor and invite broader participation in this research effort by providing design equations and prototyping data.
Central melanocortin receptor agonist reduces spontaneous and scheduled meal size but does not augment duodenal preload-induced feeding inhibition

Central melanocortin (MC) receptor agonists inhibit food intake and may be downstream mediators of the effects of central leptin, which (1) reduces food intake by selectively decreasing meal size and (2) augments the feeding-inhibitory effects of gastrointestinal food stimuli. Central administration of the MC-3/4 receptor (MC-3/4R) agonist, MTII, inhibits feeding in rats, but its effects on meal pattern and potential interactions with gastrointestinal controls of food intake remain unclear. We examined meal patterns and intake in male Sprague-Dawley rats following central intracerebroventricular administration of MTII (0.01-1.0 nmol) in two situations: (1) during daytime 60-min scheduled access to liquid glucose (12.5%) in combination with a duodenal preload of 12.5% glucose or physiological saline (4.4 ml/10 min), and (2) during subsequent overnight access to 45 mg of solid chow pellets. Both duodenal glucose preloads and MTII reduced subsequent glucose intake. However, no dose of MTII augmented the reductions in food intake produced by duodenal glucose alone. During overnight access to pelleted chow, the 0.1- and 1.0-nmol doses of MTII reduced food intake, meal size, meal duration, and body weight, and increased the satiety ratio (duration of intermeal interval/preceding meal size) but did not change meal frequency. The present data (1) demonstrate that MTII, like leptin, reduces food intake by a selective reduction in meal size and not meal frequency, and (2) suggest that MTII increases the feeding-inhibitory potency of negative feedback signals critical to the control of meal size during spontaneous chow access, but not scheduled access to palatable liquid nutrient solutions.
dSPACE DSP-Based Real-Time Implementation of Fuzzy Switching Bang-Bang Controller for Automation and Appliance Industry

This work is an attempt to undertake the development and implementation of a new and practical fuzzy switching bang-bang controller for automation and appliance industry. Compatible with the structure of an enhanced bang-bang controller, a two-input fuzzy switching bang-bang controller with five rules is proposed. The key advantage is the ease of the design and flexibility. The idea is based on constructing a fuzzy switching control law which is functionally analogous to an enhanced bang-bang controller. The fuzzy switching bang-bang controller is implemented in real-time, using the position control of a brushless dc servo drive system as a testbed. The testbed was built and tested in the laboratory using a collection of tools that include both off-the-shelf hardware (dSPACE DSP DS1104) and software (MATLAB/Simulink). Experimental results show that the fuzzy switching bang-bang controller produces adequate control performance, particularly in handling nonlinearities and external disturbances. The efficacy of the fuzzy switching bang-bang controller is demonstrated by its positive results, when compared with an enhanced bang-bang controller. This paper also presents a hardware platform used during the implementation stage.
Clostridial glycine reductase: protein C, the acetyl group acceptor, catalyzes the arsenate-dependent decomposition of acetyl phosphate

The highly purified protein C component of clostridial glycine reductase is required in addition to seleno-protein A and protein B for the conversion of glycine to acetate and ammonia in the presence of arsenate. As shown by Arkowitz and Abeles [Arkowitz, R. A. & Abeles, R. H. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 4639-4644], the products are ammonia and acetyl phosphate in the presence of phosphate. The protein C component alone catalyzes an arsenate-dependent decomposition of acetyl phosphate, showing that it serves as the acetyl group acceptor in the overall reaction. A thiol-reducing agent and Mg2+ are required for catalysis of the arsenolysis reaction by protein C. Alkylation or heating at 60 degrees C completely abolishes the ability of protein C to catalyze the arsenolysis reaction and to participate as an essential component in the overall glycine reductase reaction.
Micro Practice and Faith-Based Initiatives: The Role of Religious Congregations in the Social Service System

SUMMARY Religious organizations have provided services for older adults for thousands of years. For the sons and daughters of Abraham, this is Biblically mandated. Charitable Choice and the President's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives is only the most recent effort to bring this informal caregiving system into dialogue with the remainder of the formal social service system in the United States. At this time, religious congregations play a gap-filling role in the community service system. Their services range from informal volunteer-driven approaches to a local need, to large formal service systems. From the first draft of the Older American's Act, nutrition sites have specifically named religious congregations in partners with the service system. Today this system continues to be ready to support at least the seniors in their own congregations.
High-Energy Organometallic Chemistry of Curium: Laser Ablation of Cm7O12 Dispersed in Polyimide

Gas-phase curium organometallic ions were synthesized by metal-polymer co-ablation. Vacuum laser ablation of a dilute dispersion of curium oxide in polyamide resulted in several organocurium ions, evidently formed by nucleation of Cm{sup +} and various neutral polymer fragment radicals in the ablation plume. The compositions and abundances of simple species, such as CmC{sub 2}{sup +}, CmC{sub 2}H{sup +}, and CmCN{sup +}, can be rationalized on the basis of the electronic structure and energetics of the curium ion, Cm{sup +}. The results for curium are in accord with a general thermochemical model previously employed to understand the organometallic speciation of preceding actinides. The identification of the above-specified species, along with several larger organocurium ions, extends the realm of organoactinide chemistry; specifically, it represents identification of a series of unique curium complexes which presumably incorporate substantially covalent ({sigma}) Cm{single{underscore}bond}C bonding. Also identified in the ablation plume were small clusters incorporating two or three curium atoms. Simple clusters, such as Cm{sub 3}O{sub 4}{sup +}, reveal a trivalent, lanthanide-like character for curium and reflect the tendency toward bulk, solid-state chemical behavior upon coalescence of only a few atoms. Finally, a notable ancillary observation was the formation of several clusters in which C{sub 2} evidentlymore » substituted sequentially for an O atom, revealing the pseudo-oxygen character of the dicarbide moiety.« less
967 EFFECT OF A STATEWIDE REGIONAL PERINATAL PROGRAM ON NEONATAL MORTALITY

The Wisconsin Regional Perinatal Care system was one of the early developments in the now national movement towards regionalized perinatal care. There are still only isolated or fragmentary data on the true impact of regionalized perinatal care on perinatal outcome. A program involving regional center development, regional consultation and education and regional transport systems was developed in Wisconsin beginning in 1967. The impact of this program on mortality by weight group, age at time of death and place of death was reviewed for the years 1965 through 1974. Neonatal transfers to center hospitals increased from <0.1% of births in 1966 to 2.2% in 1974. Neonatal deaths occurring in the center hospitals increased from <10% of total for the state in 1966 to 57% in 1974. The greatest reductions in mortality rates occurred for LBW infants and during the first 24 hours of life. Small hospitals related to a regional center had consistently lower neonatal mortality rates in all weight groups than large hospitals not associated with a center. The highest mortality rates in all weight groups occurred in the small hospitals not associated with a regional center. The impact of general educational programs, regional newborn center development and regional high-risk obstetric center development (perinatal) were individually examined in the assessment of the data. The relationship between these changes in care and mortality rates will be presented.
EZ-ASSIGN, a program for exhaustive NMR chemical shift assignments of large proteins from complete or incomplete triple-resonance data.

For several of the proteins in the BioMagResBank larger than 200 residues, 60 % or fewer of the backbone resonances were assigned. But how reliable are those assignments? In contrast to complete assignments, where it is possible to check whether every triple-resonance Generalized Spin System (GSS) is assigned once and only once, with incomplete data one should compare all possible assignments and pick the best one. But that is not feasible: For example, for 200 residues and an incomplete set of 100 GSS, there are 1.6 × 10260 possible assignments. In “EZ-ASSIGN”, the protein sequence is divided in smaller unique fragments. Combined with intelligent search approaches, an exhaustive comparison of all possible assignments is now feasible using a laptop computer. The program was tested with experimental data of a 388-residue domain of the Hsp70 chaperone protein DnaK and for a 351-residue domain of a type III secretion ATPase. EZ-ASSIGN reproduced the hand assignments. It did slightly better than the computer program PINE (Bahrami et al. in PLoS Comput Biol 5(3):e1000307, 2009) and significantly outperformed SAGA (Crippen et al. in J Biomol NMR 46:281–298, 2010), AUTOASSIGN (Zimmerman et al. in J Mol Biol 269:592–610, 1997), and IBIS (Hyberts and Wagner in J Biomol NMR 26:335–344, 2003). Next, EZ-ASSIGN was used to investigate how well NMR data of decreasing completeness can be assigned. We found that the program could confidently assign fragments in very incomplete data. Here, EZ-ASSIGN dramatically outperformed all the other assignment programs tested.
A pseudo—bayes confidence region for p poisson means

The problem of constructing simultaneous confidence intervals for the means of p independent Poisson distributions is considered. Confidence intervals are developed which incorporate a prior mean and variance for each parameter estimated. This set of intervals is shown in several examples to be an attractive alternative to a set of classical intervals with respect to probability of coverage and size. In addition, the intervals are shown to be preferable to a set of conjugate Bayes intervals for inputting this type of imprecise prior information.