cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Matrix Elasticity to Nuclear Physics in Lineage Programs

Tissue can be soft like brain, stiff like muscle, or rigid like bone. Proteomic profiling of human and mouse tissues and cells reveals that the nucleoskeletal protein lamin-A scales with various collagens and with tissue microelasticity, E. Among the many cell structure and nuclear components quantified here, lamin-A acts most clearly as a “mechanostat” in scaling with E, typical in polymer physics, whereas B-type lamins are nearly constant. Lamin-A dominates in stiff tissues and has been implicated in aging and diseases that impact muscle, bone, and fat but rarely brain or marrow, and nuclei in stiff tissue cells also prove much stiffer than nuclei from softer tissues. Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in vitro further shows that lamin-A amplifies lineage signals from matrix, with low lamin-A favoring a soft tissue fate and high levels favoring stiff tissue. Regulation of lamin-A occurs at multiple levels, with conformational changes in isolated nuclei revealing its direct response to stress. Cells are also motile, and migration through dense matrix or tissue has also been seen to involve large nuclear contortions, which Lamin-A modulates in diverse 3D models in vitro and in vivo. Polymer physics again offers insight into response times. Systematic relations thus exist between tissue stress, stiffness and physics of the nucleus.
In‐Service Training: Ways and Means*

IN-SERVICE training for teachers, like most terms currently used in the modern language field, means different things to different people. Obviously it would include a teacher's study leading to a master's degree and eventual permanent certification. By the same token, the term also includes the NDEA Foreign Language Institutes, in that these are designed to provide further training for teachers who are already in the profession. It is not my intention to deal with these two aspects, but rather, with recommendations for in-service training at the local level, a program designed to meet the specific problems that a group of teachers may face in a given community. The necessity for improved and extended programs of in-service training is inferred by the inherent shortcomings of the master's degree programs as they now exist and the NDEA Institutes. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our teachers continue to take the master's degree in professional education. Of the estimated 40,000 teachers of modern foreign language-and this is an estimation, based on other estimations-some 14,000 have attended NDEA Institutes. For the past three years, and continuing this summer, there has been an effort to form homogeneous groups of participants by institutes. However, this grouping has been based solely on the applicant's estimation of his language proficiency. In theory, this method might have great merit; in practice, one wonders. It might occur to those who have attended or taught in an institute that participants selected on the basis of height, color of hair, or indeed, preferences in detergents, might easily produce an equally homogeneous group; it has to me. Yet, since the participants are considered to be homogeneous, the courses are primarily general in nature. This mention of the lack of attention to the specific problems that individual participants have is not meant to be a criticism of the institutes' curriculum planning
Phosphorylation-dependent Regulation Is Absent in a Nonmuscle Heavy Meromyosin Construct with One Complete Head and One Head Lacking the Motor Domain

Abstract To understand the domain requirements of phosphorylation-dependent regulation, we prepared three recombinant constructs of nonmuscle heavy meromyosin IIB containing 1) two complete heads, 2) one complete head and one head lacking the motor domain, and 3) one complete head and one head lacking both motor and regulatory domains. Steady-state ATPase measurements showed that phosphorylation did not alter the affinity for actin by more than a factor of 2 for any construct. Phosphorylation increasedV max by a factor of 10 for construct 1 and 1.5–3 for construct 2 but had no effect for construct 3. Single turnover measurements, a better measure of slow rates inherent to unphosphorylated regulated myosins, showed that the single-headed construct 2, like construct 3 retains less than 1% of the regulatory properties of the double-headed construct 1 (300-fold activation). Therefore, a complete head cannot be down-regulated by a regulatory domain (without the motor domain) on the partner head. Two motor domains are required for regulation. This result is predicted by a structural model (Wendt, T., Taylor, D., Messier, T., Trybus, K. M., and Taylor, K. A. (1999) J. Cell Biol. 147, 1385–1390) showing interaction between the motor domains for unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin, if motor-motor interaction is the basis for down-regulation.
The absolute Galois group of a Hilbertian PRC field

We determine the absolute Galois group of a countable Hilbertian P (seudo) R(eal) C(losed) fieldP of characteristic 0. This group turns out to be real-free, determined up to isomorphism by the topological space of orderings ofP. Examples of such fieldsP are the proper finite extensions of the field of all totally real numbers.
Collateral back pressure--is it a valid predictor of infrainguinal bypass graft patency?

While it is generally thought that collateral back pressure (CBP) is a reliable predictor of graft patency, this correlation has not yet been validated. We have used a new, simple technique to measure CBP without direct puncture of the recipient artery. After the distal anastomosis is completed, the graft is filled with saline and clamped proximally. A transducer connected needle is then inserted into the distal portion of the graft for CBP measurements (mm Hg). These were obtained in 84 grafts (43 femoropopliteals [FP] and 41 femorodistals [FD]). Outflow resistance (OR) measurements (mm Hg/ml/min) were also obtained in 70 (36 FP; 34 FD) of these grafts by a previously described technique. The mean CBP for FP and FD bypasses was 41 ± 17 and 26 ± 19 mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001). Although early graft patency (3 months) (13 occluded, 71 patent) did not correlate with angiographic findings of popliteal runoff or integrity of pedal arch, it did significantly relate to CBP. Mean CBP for occluded grafts was 22 ± 17 mm Hg and for patent grafts it was 36 ± 19 mm Hg (P < 0.01). Similarly, mean OR was significantly related to patency, 1.29 ± 0.23 mm Hg/ml/min for occluded grafts and 0.36 ± 0.23 mm Hg/ml/min for patent grafts (P < 0.0001). Moreover, only OR was a significant predictor of infrapopliteal graft patency (P < 0.01). OR was found to be a better predictor of graft patency than CBP by stepwise logistic regression analysis (P < 0.0001). We conclude that CBP is a more reliable predictor of graft outcome than angiographic criteria. However, OR measurement remains the superior predictor for infrainguinal arterial bypass patency and the only reliable predictor of infrapopliteal bypass patency.
Acceleration instability of a vapor-liquid metal interface with longitudinal magnetic field.

Panel on Physical Properties of Propellants, Solid Propellant Information Agency PP12 (June 1959). 8 Smith, T. L., "Stress-strain-time-temperature relationships for polymers," American Society for Testing Materials Special Tech. Publ. 325 (1962). 9 Smith, T. L., "Ultimate tensile properties of elastomers. I. Characterization by a time and temperature independent failure envelope," J. Poly Sci. AI, 3597-3615 (1963). 10 Rose, EL, letter to the editor of Engineering (British) 148,536 (November 10,1939). 11 Ward, W. H., letter to the editor of Engineering (British) 148, 698 (December 22,1939). 12 Carman, P. C., Flow of Gases Through Porous Media (Butterworths Scientific Publications Ltd., London, 1956), p. 8. 13 Graton, L. C. and Frazer, H. J., "Systematic packing of spheres—with particular relation to porosity and permeability," J. Geol. 45, 785-909 (1935). 14 Brown, L. S. and Pierson, C. U., "Linear traverse technique for measurement of air in hardened concrete," J. Am. Concrete Inst., 117-123 (October 1950). 15 Ailing, H. L. and Valentine, W. G., "Microscopic rock analysis," Am. J. Sci. XIV, 50-65 (July 1927). 16 Capener, E. L., personal communication (January 1965). 17 Handbook of Chemical Microscopy, Chamot, E. M. and Mason, C. W. (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1958), Vol. 1, pp. 483-488.
Effect of communication discrepancy and ambiguity on placement and opinion shift

Analyzed social judgment theory of attitude change and studied placement of a communication and opinion shift in an experiment on visual perception. In a 3 × 3 design plus a control group, 110 undergraduate college students (50 men and 60 women) received a communication after estimating the number of dots on 14 slides. The communication varied at three levels of ambiguity and three levels of discrepancy. Ss gave estimates of the communication from memory (measuring assimilation) and gave a second set of their own estimates (measuring opinion shift). Assimilation varies directly with ambiguity (p < .00l) but is unrelated to discrepancy. Opinion shift varies significantly as a function of discrepancy (p < .00l) but is unrelated to ambiguity. Authors hypothesize assimilation and opinion change may be negatively correlated at small discrepancies but directly correlated at large discrepancies.
Nanorod niobium oxide as powerful catalysts for an all vanadium redox flow battery.

A powerful low-cost electrocatalyst, nanorod Nb2O5, is synthesized using the hydrothermal method with monoclinic phases and simultaneously deposited on the surface of a graphite felt (GF) electrode in an all vanadium flow battery (VRB). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) study confirmed that Nb2O5 has catalytic effects toward redox couples of V(II)/V(III) at the negative side and V(IV)/V(V) at the positive side to facilitate the electrochemical kinetics of the vanadium redox reactions. Because of poor conductivity of Nb2O5, the performance of the Nb2O5 loaded electrodes is strongly dependent on the nanosize and uniform distribution of catalysts on GF surfaces. Accordingly, an optimal amount of W-doped Nb2O5 nanorods with minimum agglomeration and improved distribution on GF surfaces are established by adding water-soluble compounds containing tungsten (W) into the precursor solutions. The corresponding energy efficiency is enhanced by ∼10.7% at high current density (150 mA·cm–2) as compared with one without catalyst...
Cell membrane amino acid transport processes in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

Intestinal absorption of amino acids in the chicken occurs by way of processes which are concentrative, Na+-dependent and dependent upon metabolic energy in the form of ATP. Intestinal transport is carrier-mediated, subject to exchange transport (trans-membrane effects) and is inhibitable by sugars, reagents which inactivate sulfhydryl groups, potassium ion, and by deoxpyridoxine, an anti-vitamin B6 agent. It is stimulated by phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of sugar transport, and in Na+-leached tissue by modifiers of tissue cyclic AMP levels, e.g. theophylline, histamine, carbachol and secretin. Separate transport sites with broad, overlapping specificities function in the intestinal absorption of the various classes of common amino acids. A simple model for these sites includes one for leucine and other neutral amino acids, one for proline, beta-alanine and related imino and amino acids, one for basic amino acids, and one for acidic amino acids. Absorption of amino acids appears to be widespread in occurrence in the digestive tract of the domestic fowl; transport has been reported to be present in the crop, gizzard, proventriculus, small intestine and in the colon. By the end of the first week of life post-hatch, the caecum loses its ability to transport. Similarly, the yolk sac loses its ability by the second day post-hatch. Intestinal transport was noted before hatch and was found to be maximal immediately post-hatch. A requirement for Ca2+ appears to be lost after the first week of life post-hatch. The cationic amino acids appear to be reabsorbed by a common mechanism in the kidney. Transport rates of leucine measured in the intestine or in the erythrocyte were found to cluster about discrete values when many individual chickens were surveyed; such patterns may be an expression of gene differences between individuals. Two lines of chickens have been developed, one high and the other low uptake, through selective breeding based on the ability of individual birds to absorb leucine in erythrocytes. High leucine absorbing chickens were found to be more effective in absorbing lysine and glycine, were more effectively stimulated by Na+, had greater erythrocyte Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and their erythrocytes contained about 20% less Na+ than low line erythrocytes. The underlying genetic difference between these lines may reside at the level of the Na+, K+-ATPase and (or) with a regulatory gene determining carrier copies. Amino acid transport in erythrocytes was noted to be highest in pre-hatch chicks and to diminish during post-hatch development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Structure of Autobiographical Memory and the Event History Calendar: Potential Improvements in the Quality of Retrospective Reports in Surveys

This paper reviews the literature on the structure of autobiographical memory and points to the use of event history calendars as a survey methodology that reflects this structure. Autobiographical memory structure is characterised as an hierarchical network that includes extended, summarised, and specific events, and that permits retrieval of past events through multiple pathways that work top-down in the hierarchy, sequentially within life themes that unify extended events, and in parallel across life themes that involve contemporaneous and sequential events. Traditional survey questions tend to segment related aspects of autobiographical events from one another, and do not reflect the interrelatedness of events as indicated within the structure of autobiographical memory. In contrast, event history calendars do promote sequential and parallel retrieval within the autobiographical memory network. By reflecting the structure of autobiographical memory, the use of event history calenders has considerable potential in assisting respondents to reconstruct their personal pasts more completely and accurately, maximising the quality of retrospective reports.
Mammalian cell transfection: the present and the future.

Transfection is a powerful analytical tool enabling study of the function of genes and gene products in cells. The transfection methods are broadly classified into three groups; biological, chemical, and physical. These methods have advanced to make it possible to deliver nucleic acids to specific subcellular regions of cells by use of a precisely controlled laser-microcope system. The combination of point-directed transfection and mRNA transfection is a new way of studying the function of genes and gene products. However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages so the optimum method depends on experimental design and objective.
Studies on the origin of the 3400 cm region infrared bands of synthetic and natural α-quartz

Abstract Boron was incorporated into synthetic quartz thereby producing, by perturbing an OH vibration, an i.r. band at 3594 cm −1 whose absorption coefficient varies with boron content. The present study was not able to confirm the correlations of i.r. bands with alkali ions as reported by others. Ions such as Al 3+ , Y 3+ , Yi 4+ and Be 2+ produced no new, sharp absorption bands in the i.r. spectra. The conclusion was reached that the impurity perturbation of the OH vibration was strongly influenced by the impurity site and that probably the tunnel sites were more important than interstitial or lattice sites. Mass spectrometric analyses of sixteen crystals are reported. I.R. spectra of natural quartz, non-doped synthetic quartz and boron-doped synthetic quartz are presented.
Scaling and Decoherence in the Nonequilibrium Kondo Model

We study the Kondo effect in quantum dots in an out-of-equilibrium state due to an applied dc-voltage bias. Using the method of infinitesimal unitary transformations ("flow equations"), we develop a perturbative scaling picture that naturally contains both equilibrium coherence and nonequilibrium decoherence effects. This framework allows one to study the competition between Kondo effect and current-induced decoherence, and it establishes a large regime dominated by single-channel Kondo physics for asymmetrically coupled quantum dots.
Alterations in the morphology of Bacillus subtilis after exposure to beta-lysin and ultraviolet light

Viable counts, turbidities, and electron micrographs of Bacillus subtilis exposed to beta-lysin and ultraviolet light (UV), singly or in combination, were compared in an attempt to relate death with changes in morphology. The decreases in survival of both the beta-lysin- and UV-treated cells were rapid and preceded decreases in turbidity, as well as the changes in morphology. No significant differences were observed in turbidity reduction or morphological alterations of control cells from those of cells exposed to UV light. These cells developed prominent subcell wall spaces during incubation in the hypertonic stabilizing medium. No observable damage in either the cell wall or the cell membrane had taken place during 4 hr, but by 20 hr extensive damage of these two structures was apparent. The control and UV-treated cells exposed to beta-lysin did not develop prominent subcell wall spaces. Within 2 hr, lesions were observable in their cell walls, and the cytoplasmic membranes were permeable to phosphotungstic acid. The damage to these structures became more extensive with time. Although the visible changes of control and UV-treated cells were evident much later than those induced by beta-lysin, the morphological alterations in all cells were similar. It appeared that beta-lysin caused an accelerated release of an autolytic enzyme which digested the cell walls.
Outcomes of pregnancies with sonographically detected nuchal cords remote from delivery.

Objective. To evaluate the outcomes of pregnancies with sonographically detected nuchal cords remote from delivery during the second and third trimesters of gestation. Methods. A retrospective study of patients with and without nuchal cords detected by sonography during the second and third trimesters of gestation (17-36 weeks) was conducted. Variables included maternal age, parity, gestational age at sonography and at delivery, method of delivery, intrapartum fetal heart abnormalities, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, birth weight, 5-minute Apgar score, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Results. A total of 233 patients were included in this study, of which 118 had sonographically detected nuchal cords identified in our department during the study period. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with sonographically detected nuchal cords and control patients with respect to maternal age, estimated gestational age at sonography, method of delivery, meconium-stained fluid, birth weight, intrapartum fetal heart abnormalities, 5-minute Apgar scores of less than 7, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Patients with nuchal cords detected by sonography were more likely to give birth before 37 weeks' gestation than control patients (21 % versus 11%; P = .040). Conclusions. A sonographically detected nuchal cord is not associated with important perinatal complications.
Minimax optimization-based inverse treatment planning for interstitial thermal therapy

The following work represents the development and evaluation of a minimax optimization-based inverse treatment planning approach for interstitial thermal therapy of cancer and benign disease. The goal is to determine a priori optimal applicator placements and power level settings to maintain the minimum tumour temperature, Tmin, and maximum normal tissue temperature, Tmax within a prescribed therapeutic temperature range. The temperature distribution is approximated by a finite element method (FEM) solution of a bioheat transfer equation on a nonuniform finite element mesh. Lower and upper therapeutic temperature thresholds are specified in the tumour and surrounding normal tissues. A constrained minimax optimization problem is formulated to determine optimal applicator positions and power level settings that minimize the maximum (rather than average) temperature errors in the target tumour region and surrounding normal tissues. The optimization problem is formulated for two general classes of interstitia...
Multidisciplinary team approach to end-stage dialysis access patients.

Abstract Background The hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) access device is a permanent dialysis graft used in patients with central venous obstruction. Given the complexity of care related to end-stage dialysis access (ESDA) patients, a multidisciplinary approach has been used to achieve operative success of HeRO graft placement. Methods The single-center retrospective review included adult patients that were seen in ESDA clinic who underwent a HeRO graft placement from September 2010–September 2014 under the care of a team consisting of a nephrologist, an interventional radiologist, and a surgeon. The effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach was evaluated using outcome variables including successful HeRO graft placement, operative complications, the rate of obtaining central venous access, and advanced endovascular maneuvers performed by interventional radiology to obtain central venous access. Results A multidisciplinary approach has been used in 33 ESDA patients. Access to the right atrium was achieved in 100% of cases. Fifty-eight percent of patients required advanced endovascular maneuvers in the interventional radiology suite to obtain central venous access. Successful HeRO graft placement was achieved in 94% (31 of 33) of the study population. No intraoperative complications were encountered. Median primary and secondary patency rates were 83 d (interquartile range: 45–170) and 345 d (interquartile range: 146–579) per HeRO graft placement, respectively. Primary and secondary patency rates at 60 d were 70% (23 of 33) and 79% (26 of 33), respectively. Conclusions In this difficult patient population, a multidisciplinary team can provide a unique and collaborative approach to HeRO graft placement in patients with complex central venous outflow obstruction.
Full-scale performance evaluation of tall buildings under wind

Abstract Full-scale monitoring is an important tool to evaluate the performance of dynamically sensitive structures and assure that the design assumptions and methodologies used to predict their responses yield accelerations that are consistent with in-situ behaviors. Unfortunately, such sustained monitoring is not a common practice for tall buildings, prompting the establishment of the Chicago Full-Scale Monitoring Program (CFSMP), which has spent a decade monitoring three tall buildings embodying structural systems common to high-rise design. This paper presents a cross section of this database for the two-fold purpose of evaluating the in-situ dynamic properties and comparing them to design values and then using these properties to predict RMS accelerations' levels based on wind tunnel test data to evaluate their consistency with full-scale observations. Although the responses observed are low amplitude in nature, some important observations can be made, including the range of wind speeds for which RMS accelerations are more accurately predicted and that conservatism in these predictions is achieved more consistently for the concrete building in the program. This paper also provides further evidence to demonstrate the dependence of critical damping ratios on the structural system employed, the amplitude sensitivity of dynamic properties, and the types of systems for which dynamic properties are more accurately predicted.
Toward a simulation benchmark for distributed mission-critical real-time systems

Given the overall increasing trend of airspace demand by commercial, military, and general aviation, researchers are developing new software tools to enhance the level of automation in air traffic control systems to alleviate the already-crowded airspace by allowing controllers and pilots more freedom in planning and conducting flights. These tools utilize high-performance commercial workstations that use high-speed networks and function together to form a distributed real-time computing system. This paper describes a three-dimensional air traffic control simulation benchmark developed by the author for the purpose of running simulations of air traffic scenarios, adding new capabilities, and gauging performance, security, and reliability quality of service management techniques on a variety of platforms.
High Incidence of Positive Peritoneal Cytology in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer Treated by Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy

Abstract Objective. Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) has evolved into an alternative form of surgical management in the treatment of low-risk endometrial cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether low-risk endometrial cancer patients are subject to a higher incidence of positive peritoneal cytology when treated with LAVH compared to total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with low-risk endometrial cancer (grade 1–2 endometrioid type with no evidence of extrauterine spread or grade 3 with Results. The mean age of patients who underwent LAVH (61 years) was similar to that of the controls (62 years). Fourteen (10.3%) of the patients treated with LAVH had positive peritoneal cytology compared to only 7 (2.8%) of the control population. Factors including FIGO grade, myometrial invasion, and preoperative hysteroscopy did not influence the final results. When stratifying for these factors, the odds ratios of having positive peritoneal washings in those patients treated by LAVH were 5.2, 5.2, and 3.7, respectively. Conclusion. Treatment of low-risk endometrial cancer by LAVH is associated with a significantly higher incidence of positive peritoneal cytology. This may be due to the retrograde dissemination of cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity during uterine manipulation. The clinical significance of these findings is yet to be determined.
Secondary hypertension in a migrant farm worker: a case report of coarctation of the aorta.

Purpose To report a case of undetected aortic coarctation in an adult Hispanic migrant farm worker that presented with uncontrolled hypertension and transient left flank pain. A primary care overview of the disorder, clinical diagnosis, testing, and treatment are discussed. Data Sources Case report, scientific literature, diagnostic evidence. Conclusions Coarctation of the aorta is a significant congenital cardiovascular anomaly and cause of secondary hypertension. The majority of patients with coarctation of the aorta are diagnosed during infancy. Older children and adults may have a subtle presentation, but can be identified as being at risk by having a thorough history and physical, as well as noninvasive diagnostic testing. Implications for Practice Primary care providers must have a high degree of suspicion in patients with risk factors or in individuals that may have not benefited from adequate health screening. Early diagnosis and correction of the coarctation is important to reduce persistent postoperative hypertension and improve long-term survival.
Concurrent engineering in an expert system

Concurrent engineering calls for site-specific, simultaneous evaluation of manufacturing cost and other performance measures early in the design process. Rule-based systems incorporate heuristics for design evaluation that might be reasonable and valid for designers in stereotypical situations but inaccurate for others. A method for the prescriptive integration of the actual preferences of individual design engineers into the rule base is presented. The heuristics are analyzed to separate rules that reflect objective technical expertise from those that include assumptions as to preferences of the expert system users. The preference rules are eliminated and dealt with in a more direct manner with multiattribute utility analysis. System performance is enhanced by increasing sensitivity to user's preferences without disturbing the original expert's objective knowledge. This approach leads to improved selections for a wider cross section of end users, without compromising system performance. The method is applied to the problem of material selection for automobile bumper fascia, beam, and energy absorber components. >
Self-report measures of family competence

Abstract In a recent issue of this journal Brock (1986) described the development, the reliability and validity, and the clinical usefulness of the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scales (BTFES). These popular observational rating scales were constructed to measure family competence, the primary dimension of the Beavers-Timberlawn Model of family functioning. Since their development in the last decade (Lewis et al., 1976), these scales and the model of family functioning they represent have been used extensively in the testing and evaluation of clinical practice and as a conceptual framework for investigations of the functioning of family systems (BeaversV Gossett et al., 1983; GreenK Kelsey-SmithB Lewis&Looney, 1983).
It Should Not Only Be about Nationalism: China’s Pluralistic National Identity and Its Implications for Chinese Foreign Relations:

Over the course of the last decade, students of Chinese foreign relations have engaged in an extended, and often rather breathless, debate over the meaning of China's changing international profile. The question for all those with an inter- est in Asian security, and the wider international order, has become: what does China want to do with its new-found power? This article rests upon the convic- tion that national identity, rather than nationalism alone, stands at the centre of such issues. The latter of these two has attracted more attention. However, it tends to lead analysts to only see a narrow bandwidth of identity formation within a country, whereas the former is more inclusive of the potential variety of collective constructs that are in play in a given location. From within such a framework, it is then possible to both examine the production of Chinese collec- tive imaginings and explore the role that they play in framing China's interaction with the rest of the international system.
Probabilistic analysis of complex Gaussian elimination without pivoting

Abstract We consider Gaussian elimination without pivoting applied to complex Gaussian matrices X ∈ C n×n . We first study some independence properties of the elements of the LU factors of X . Based on this, we then derive the probability distributions for all the L and U elements and obtain bounds for the probabilities of the occurrence of small pivots and large growth factors. Numerical experiments are presented to support the theoretical results and discussions are made to relate the results to the crucial practical problems of numerical stability of GE.
Twitter in Special Libraries: A Distributed Social Media Strategy

Special Libraries, Special Challenges is a column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine...
Connectional studies of the primate lateral geniculate nucleus: distribution of axons arising from the thalamic reticular nucleus of Galago crassicaudatus.

Anterograde and retrograde transport methods have been used to explore the interconnections between the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of Galago crassicaudatus. We first defined the region of the TRN, which is connected to the lateral geniculate nucleus, by examining the distribution of geniculo-TRN axons, cortico-TRN axons arising from area 17, and the location of TRN-geniculate neurons. Following an intraocular injection of 3H-proline/3 H-leucine, trans-synaptically transported protein is present bilaterally within the lateral portion of the caudal TRN. This same caudal and lateral region is also targeted by cortico-TRN axons and contains neurons which project upon the lateral geniculate nucleu. Light microscopic anterograde transport methods were used to analyze the distribution of TRN-geniculate axons. Our data reveal that all layers and interlaminar zones of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus contain TRN axon. Electron microscopic-autoradiographic data support and extend our light microscopic findings by revealing labeled TRN terminals within all geniculate layers. These TRN profiles are the same size throughout the geniculate and exhibit morphological characteristics similar to Fl terminals described by others. That is, they possess predominantly pleomorphic vesicles, a dark cytoplasmic matrix, dark mitochondria, and symmetrical synaptic contacts. Two additional features of TRN terminals have been observed in some profiles. These include dense-core vesicles and a dense, punctate cytoplasmic matrix, which is sometimes associated with the postsynaptic specialization. In addition to their morphology and size, the postsynaptic targets of TRN terminals are similar within the three sets (parvi-, magno-, and koniocellular) of geniculate layers. TRN profiles terminate upon dendrites of all sizes and somata. These findings suggest that the TRN modulates the retino-geniculocortical pathway and that this modulation is occurring in all three streams.
Injury-elicited stressors alter endogenous retrovirus expression in lymphocytes depending on cell type and source lymphoid organ

Background: Murine leukemia virus-type endogenous retroviruses (MuLV-ERVs) constitute ~10% of the mouse genome and are associated with various pathophysiologic processes. In this study, we examined whether MuLV-ERVs’ response to burn-elicited stressors is specific for certain lymphocyte populations and/or locations of lymphoid organ. Results: B- and T-cells, which were sorted from nine lymphoid organs of C57BL/6J mice after burn, were subjected to MuLV-ERV expression analyses. Overall, the post-burn MuLV-ERV expression pattern was dependent on lymphocyte type, time after injury, location of lymphoid organ, and MuLV-ERV type. For instance, the MuLV-ERV expression in T-cells from the thymus and three cervical lymph nodes decreased at 3 hours post-burn while the expression of some MuLV-ERVs was augmented in B-cells derived from the mesenteric lymph node. The MuLV-ERV U3 sequences population of the burn-24 hours group was less diverse in comparison to the no burn and burn-3 hours groups. In addition, it was apparent that at the 24 hours time point, the U3 populations of B-cells from both no burn and burn groups were less heterogeneous than the T-cells’ U3 populations. Using the U3 sequences, some of which were isolated only from specific experimental groups (B- vs. T-cells; no burn vs. burn), as probes, 51 putative MuLV-ERVs, including 16 full-length proviruses, were mapped followed by characterization of their biologic properties. Conclusion: MuLV-ERVs’ response to burn-elicited stressors may be differentially controlled depending on lymphocyte type, location of lymphoid organ, MuLV-ERV type, and stress duration.
Integration of rules into a knowledge base management system

The centralization and integration of the data management functions of large computerized knowledge bases into a module called the knowledge base management system (KBMS), a first step on the way to large, integrated knowledge bases, are discussed. One prerequisite for the success of this approach is the feasibility of integrating large sets of rules that share the same knowledge base. Rule integration has to cope with objects that have inferential/operational capabilities. The conceptual and implementation problems of such an integration are discussed. Experiences in integrating rules into a prototype KBMS called DALI are surveyed. For this integration, a new form of production rule called the activation pattern controlled rule which plays a key role in the system considered, is introduced. Such rules are triggered by a call to the KBMS; that is, by the intention to apply a certain operation but not necessarily by the result of applying the operation. It is demonstrated that exception handling mechanisms can easily be represented when using this form of rule. >
KINETICS OF ACRYLAMIDE FORMATION DURING TRADITIONAL AND VACUUM FRYING OF POTATO CHIPS

Acrylamide is considered a carcinogen in animals and a possible carcinogen in humans. It has been found in starch-rich foods cooked at high temperatures. Vacuum frying (10 Torr) was investigated as a possible alternative to reduce acrylamide formation in potato chips. The cultivar Atlantic was used to determine the kinetics of acrylamide formation during traditional and vacuum frying at different temperatures. There was a 94% decrease in acrylamide content when potatoes were fried to the same final moisture content (1.5% ± 0.3% w.b.) under vacuum compared to those fried under atmospheric conditions. Acrylamide accumulation under vacuum frying was modeled using first-order kinetics (during traditional frying, the logistic kinetic model was used). The behavior of the kinetics of acrylamide content in potato chips fried under the two processes was different mainly because of the different temperatures used. During traditional frying, higher temperatures are used (150 to 180C) and acrylamide after some time is produced but starts degrading, producing a constant level of acrylamide content at longer times. During vacuum frying (10 Torr), acrylamide increased exponentially (but at lower levels) for all frying times.
Accelerated wound closure in neutrophil-depleted mice

The infiltration of neutrophils into injured tissue is known to protect wounds from invading pathogens. However, more recent studies suggest that neutrophils might inhibit the wound repair process. To investigate the role of neutrophils in wounds, mice were neutrophil-depleted by injection with rabbit anti-mouse neutrophil serum. Remarkably, epidermal healing, measured by wound closure, proceeded significantly faster in neutropenic than control mice (77.7+14.2% vs. 41.2+0.9%, P<0.02 at day 2). Dermal healing was not affected by neutrophil depletion, as neither collagen deposition nor wound-breaking strength was significantly different between neutropenic and control mice. As the delayed repair of diabetic individuals exhibits robust inflammation, the effect of neutrophil depletion on diabetic wound healing was investigated. Similar to the observations in wild-type mice, wound closure was accelerated by nearly 50% in neutropenic, diabetic mice. The results suggest that although neutrophils may provide protection against infection, they may retard wound closure.
A Markov chain model for quantifying consumer risk in food supply chains

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 48 million people experience foodborne illnesses per year. The majority of the illnesses are attributed to the presence of bacteria in food products. However, there is some concern about the likelihood of food contamination resulting from intentional acts of sabotage. This research presents a stochastic model to quantify food supply chain vulnerability in terms of the number of people who become ill from consuming a contaminated food product. We specifically use a discrete time, discrete state Markov chain model with rewards and estimate consumer illness by product and distribution channel. The results of our computational study show the relationship between purchasing behavior, product shelf life, and consumer risk. We propose a classification scheme that can be used to categorize the level of vulnerability among different food distribution channels. We also show the impact of purchasing behavior on the speed with which the products are sold at each distribution channel. The proposed model has the potential to provide insight into timely interventions and influence how intervention policies would need to be tailored to each distribution channel in the event that a chemical contamination occurs.
Diverse cutaneous manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease in a woman with a history of Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, systemic, non–Langerhans cell histiocytosis (non-LCH). Diagnosis is based on a combination of specific radiologic, histologic, and clinical findings. Although there have been hundreds of prior reports of ECD, very few cases have described the spectrum of potential cutaneous manifestations.1, 2, 3, 4 Most of these cases describe ECD skin findings as xanthelasmalike lesions surrounding the periorbital area,1, 2 whereas 2 patients were reported to have a red-brown papular eruption affecting the chest and lower extremities.3, 4 We discuss a case of a 45-year-old woman with an extensive childhood history of LCH who then presented more than 20 years later with a new eruption of polymorphous skin lesions distributed over the face, trunk, arms, and legs. These lesions were clinically varied yet histologically all consistent with xanthogranulomas. Upon further workup, the patient was found to have specific radiographic findings pathognomonic for ECD and a BRAF V600E mutation, which has been reported in both LCH and ECD. Our case is unique, in that this patient was affected by both diseases within her lifetime. Identification of the BRAF V600E mutation suggests the possibility of a common origin between LCH and ECD.
Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Camp: A Summer Approach to Prevent Obesity in Low-Income Youth

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of participation in a summer camp focused on nutrition and fitness among low-income youth. Methods In 2011–2012, overweight and obese youth (n = 126) from Fresno, CA participated in a free 6-week summer program, Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Camp (HLFC), which included 3 h/wk of nutrition education provided by University of California CalFresh and 3 hours of daily physical activity through Fresno Parks and Recreation. The researchers used repeated-measures ANOVA to examine changes in weight, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) between HLFC and the comparison group (n = 29). Results Significant pre–post WHtR reductions were observed in HLFC: 0.64 to 0.61 ( P P Conclusions and Implications Understanding the impact of nutrition- and fitness-themed summer camps during unstructured months of summer is integral to obesity prevention among low-income youth.
High Levels of Interferon in Synovial Fluid of Retrovirus-Infected Goats

A high level of interferon (IFN) was found in the synovial fluid of goats with naturally acquired caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE), a disease caused by caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), a nononcogenic retrovirus of the lentivirus group. Intraarticular injection of CAEV or control inoculum in the joints of affected goats caused increased amounts of IFN production in synovial fluid.
New Microscopy – the Imaging of Quantum Materials

The discovery of extraordinary new quantum materials with striking properties has caused great excitement, and promises to transform signal processing and computation. We have performed integrated research on three materials (1) Graphene (G) electrons that move as massless particles at a constant speed; (2) Topological Insulators (TI) mobile surface electrons with spins fixed to the direction of motion; and (3) Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) Centers in Diamond a single spin stores a bit of quantum information. Remarkably, the quantum phenomena displayed by these materials persists at room temperature, changing the rules for signal processing and computation and opening the way for quantum electronics. Electrons and holes in graphene and topological insulators act in ways that are totally unlike carriers in conventional semiconductors they move like two-dimensional (2D) massless, ultra-relativistic electrons, except their speed is much less than the speed of light.
Erythrocyte Hemolysis by Isolated Rat Liver Lysosomes.

SummaryStudy has been made of the hemolytic activity of the isolated rat liver lysosomes. This activity, specific to lyso-somes, was in proportion to their concentration in the reaction system. Under the experimental conditions described the hemolysis could be related to: lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes, the lysosome lipoprotein membrane and other factors such as lysosome heavy metals which may catalyze lipid peroxidation.
Size Control and Fractionation of Ionic Liquid Filled Polymersomes with Glassy and Rubbery Bilayer Membranes.

We demonstrate control over the size of ionic liquid (IL) filled polymeric vesicles (polymersomes) by three distinct methods: mechanical extrusion, cosolvent-based processing in an IL, and fractionation of polymersomes in a biphasic system of IL and water. For the representative ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([EMIM][TFSI])), the size and dispersity of polymersomes formed from 1,2-polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PB–PEO) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS–PEO) diblock copolymers were shown to be sensitive to assembly conditions. During mechanical extrusion through a polycarbonate membrane, the relatively larger polymersomes were broken up and reorganized into vesicles with mean size comparable to the membrane pore (100 nm radius); the distribution width also decreased significantly after only a few passes. Other routes were studied using the solvent-switch or cosolvent (CS) method, whereby the initial content of the cosolvent and the PEO block len...
Low frequency oscillation mode recognition based on segmental Fourier neural network algorithm

Because of narrow band width and fewer dominant modes of low-frequency oscillations signal,segmental Fourier neural network algorithm is proposed for identifying the dominant mode.The damping factor can be obtained by segmental Fourier coefficients.The orthogonal basis neural network is used to overcome the difficulty of working Fourier coefficient out directly.Frequency of dominant mode can be calculated out by Fourier coefficients;then the amplitude can be calculated by the relationship between the damping time window and Fourier coefficients.This method has good anti-noise ability as Fourier algorithm does.Moreover,due to the use of neural network,the noise immunity and reliability are improved,which are proved by simulation examples.It has practical significance for low-frequency oscillation online dynamic identification.
Toward a Unified Mechanism for Oxoammonium Salt-Mediated Oxidation Reactions: A Theoretical and Experimental Study Using a Hydride Transfer Model

A range of oxoammonium salt-based oxidation reactions have been explored computationally using density functional theory (DFT), and the results have been correlated with experimentally derived trends in reactivity. Mechanistically, most reactions involve a formal hydride transfer from an activated C–H bond to the oxygen atom of the oxoammonium cation. Several new potential modes of reactivity have been uncovered and validated experimentally.
Adsorption Equilibria of C1 to C4 Alkanes, CO2, and SF6 on Silicalite

Adsorption isotherms of methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, carbon dioxide, and sulfur hexafluoride were measured gravimetrically on silicalite crystals at temperatures ranging from 3 to 81 °C and at pressures up to 2000 kPa. A virial equation was used to correlate the experimental data and to calculate the isosteric heats of adsorption and the limiting heats of adsorption at zero loading. The adsorption isotherms of isobutane exhibit inflection points at loadings of 4−6 molecules/unit cell in a certain temperature range. This unusual adsorption behavior is attributed to adsorption of isobutane in different locations of the channel system.